NHL

AP Sports WriterOffseason goals for Wild topped by goaltending improvementBy DAVE CAMPBELLThe Minnesota Wild returned home from the Western Conference bubble with regret, dismay and another postseason defeat.Despite the spark that was on display after the change in head coaches up until the pandemic put the sport on a...

AP Hockey WriterRangers win NHL draft lottery, shot at LafreniereBy LARRY LAGEThe New York Rangers won the second phase of the NHL draft lottery, giving them a shot at selecting winger Alexis Lafreniere.The Rangers were among eight teams that lost in the qualifying round of the playoffs with...

AP Hockey WriterLightning face Blue Jackets in 1st-round NHL playoff rematchBy JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) As if forward Alex Killorn and the Tampa Bay Lightning needed yet another reminder of last year's monumental playoff collapse in preparing to open the first round Tuesday.The ever-stingy, John Tortorella-coached Columbus Blue Jackets...

So-called 'preseason' over, Bruins prepare for HurricanesTORONTO (AP) Hockey's best record in the regular season.Winless in the seeding round.The Boston Bruins don't know what the NHL playoffs hold but, coach Bruce Cassidy says, ''They can't come soon enough.''The Bruins earned the Presidents' Trophy with 100 points before the...

AP Hockey WriterRangers win NHL draft lottery, shot at LafreniereBy LARRY LAGEThe New York Rangers got a timely assist with their rebuilding efforts.New York won the second phase of the NHL draft lottery, giving the franchise a shot at selecting winger Alexis Lafreniere.''Luck is on our side,'' Rangers...

AP Sports WriterPredators remain confident despite early postseason exitBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators are pretty confident considering their season came to its earliest end since missing the 2014 postseason when Barry Trotz was allowed to leave.The Predators insist they liked how they played despite...

AP Sports WriterStars need more scoring in series against FlamesBy STEPHEN HAWKINSCoach Rick Bowness is encouraged by the scoring chances the Dallas Stars had in their most recent game. Now they have to get some more of those pucks in the net.While Dallas scored only four goals combined in...

AP Hockey WriterRangers win NHL draft lottery, shot at LafreniereBy LARRY LAGEThe New York Rangers won the second phase of the NHL draft lottery, giving them a shot at selecting Alexis LafreniereAP Photo transref:FNG103By LARRY LAGE=AP Hockey Writer=The New York Rangers won the second phase of the NHL ...

AP Sports WriterPredators remain confident despite early postseason exitBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators are pretty confident considering their season came to its earliest end since missing the 2014 postseason when Barry Trotz was allowed to leave.The Predators insist they liked how they played despite...

AP Hockey Writer'Wild' NHL playoffs move into next stage with final 16 teamsBy STEPHEN WHYNODerek Stepan gave some advice to his Arizona Coyotes teammates not used to the bright lights of playoff hockey.''It's the best time of the year to be playing,'' he said.The time of year is different...

AP Hockey Writer'Wild' NHL playoffs move into next stage with final 16 teamsBy STEPHEN WHYNODerek Stepan gave some words of advice to his Arizona Coyotes teammates not used to the bright lights of playoff hockey.''It's the best time of the year to be playing,'' he said.The time of year...

AP Hockey WriterBarzal sparks offense as Islanders advance past PanthersBy JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) Mathew Barzal can appreciate how the New York Islanders' identity is built around being defensively sound.In centering New York's top line, Barzal also knows it's his role to contribute on offense, too.Acknowledging it took him...