NHL

AP Hockey WriterBarzal agrees to 3-year contract, back on ice with IslandersBy STEPHEN WHYNOMathew Barzal joined the New York Islanders on the ice Saturday for his first practice of training camp after agreeing to a $21 million, three-year contract.The 23-year-old star forward missed the first few days of camp...

After big improvement, Leafs wary of rising expectationsTORONTO (AP) Lou Lamoriello described the Maple Leafs' season as a ''step'' and nothing more.''It's a step and then now it's our job to convince the players that it's only a step,'' Toronto's general manager said. ''It's going to get more...

Associated PressKnights outworked by Capitals in Game 2, take rare home lossBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant for months has talked about his team's hard work, their ability to battle and devotion to playing a full ''200 feet of hockey.''In pockets of Game 2...

AP Sports WriterOn the defensive: Avs no-name blue liners raising their gameBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) In between homework assignments this season at Massachusetts, Cale Makar brushed up on the Colorado Avalanche blue line.The rookie defenseman studied as much film as he could of his soon-to-be teammates in order...

Anderson, Senators beat Canadiens 3-0 in NHL 100 ClassicOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) The Senators needed a big effort from their top players Saturday night, and they got it.Craig Anderson stopped 28 shots for his 40th career shutout, leading Ottawa to a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in the...

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) New Jersey overcame the late withdrawal of its leading scorer and beat NHL-leading Dallas 3-2 in overtime on Saturday, with John Moore scoring on the power-play 1:47 into the added period.The point earned for going to overtime was enough for Dallas to push its...

Horvat leads Canucks to 7-4 win over SenatorsVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Getting some bounces on the power play helped get the Vancouver Canucks back into the NHL playoff picture.Bo Horvat had two goals and an assist and the Canucks kept their playoff hopes alive with a 7-4 win...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Sweden's Mattias Ekholm scored the go-ahead goal in the third period while Finland's Juuse Saros stopped 35 shots to help the Nashville Predators beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in the NHL on Sunday night. Ryan Ellis, Kevin Fiala and Calle Jarnkrok also scored for the Predators,...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals brace for Hathaway to be suspended for spittingBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Garnet Hathaway was ejected for spitting on an opponent and now the Washington Capitals winger may have to swallow more punishment from the NHL.Hathaway was given a match penalty for spitting on Anaheim...

Golden Knights rout Canucks 9-4 in first preseason gameVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) By the time the Elvis Presley impersonator singing tunes between whistles had left the building, the NHL's newest franchise was already well on its way to victory in its first exhibition game.Tyler Wong scored three times...

Associated PressBlues leaning on dads during annual father's tripBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Jay Bouwmeester's cardiac episode was a scary experience for the St. Louis Blues.Even for a bunch of tough hockey players, having dad around certainly helps.St. Louis is on its annual father's trip, and the dads...

AP Hockey WriterGolden Knights fire Gallant, name DeBoer new coachBy STEPHEN WHYNOGerard Gallant was abruptly fired by the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday less than two years after leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season of existence and winning NHL coach of the year honors...