NHL

AP Hockey WriterSabres trade with Nashville to acquire rights to VeseyBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres have acquired the rights to unsigned prospect forward Jimmy Vesey in making a trade with the Nashville Predators.Buffalo gave up its second of four third-round picks in this week's draft...

AP Sports WriterGoaltenders in spotlight for Blackhawks-Oilers seriesBy JAY COHENFor all the offensive stars between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, big megawatt scorers like Patrick Kane and Connor McDavid, it is the goaltending that bears watching heading into their qualifying series.Corey Crawford missed the start of training camp...

AP Sports WriterJohnson lifts Lightning past Devils 7-6By TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) This time, the Tampa Bay Lightning eked out a victory.Barely.Tyler Johnson scored 1:16 into overtime and the Lightning rallied to beat the New Jersey Devils 7-6 on Wednesday night, avoiding their first three-game losing streak since...

Associated PressKucherov, Stamkos lead Lightning in 3-0 win over SharksBy GIDEON RUBINSAN JOSE,Calif. (AP) Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat each scored a goal, Curtis McElhinney recorded his first shutout of the season and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the San Jose Sharks 3-0 on Saturday night.McElhinney...

Stars C Martin Hanzal set for season-ending back surgeryDALLAS (AP) Dallas Stars center Martin Hanzal is set for back surgery that will end his injury-plagued season.General manager Jim Nill said Friday the expected recovery time is six to seven months.Hanzal, who signed a $14.25 million, three-year contract on...

Ashes of late NHL enforcer Bob Probert spread in penalty boxDETROIT (AP) Late Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert has been given a little more time in the penalty box at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.Probert's widow, Dani, sprinkled some of the forward's ashes in the box on Sunday, when...

AP Hockey WriterDucks eager for rematch with Rinne's Predators in West finalBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Among the numerous hurdles and obstacles that have blocked the Anaheim Ducks' path to a Stanley Cup title this decade, Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne might be the biggest - and not just...

AP Hockey WriterSabres’ Okposo out with 4th concussion in less than 3 yearsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with his fourth concussion in a little more than 2 + years.The Sabres provided the update in posting their weekly...

Ovechkin to skip NHL All-Star Game, be suspended 1 gameWASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin will skip the All-Star Weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest and serve an automatic one-game suspension.The Washington Capitals announced Ovechkin's decision Wednesday. The team says the NHL's leading goal-scorer wants to take...

AP Sports WriterKnights were on a roll and Stars struggled before NHL haltedBy STEPHEN HAWKINSThe Dallas Stars were in a miserable stretch when the NHL season came to a sudden and unexpected stop 4 1/2 months ago. Vegas was playing some of its best hockey after a coaching change.Both...

AP Sports WriterSt. Louis and San Jose face off in Western Conference finalsBy JOHN KEKISSince entering the NHL as an expansion team in 1967, the St. Louis Blues have had some of the greatest players in league history, but nobody has been able to lead them to Lord Stanley's...

AP Hockey WriterPenguins' Malkin skates, progressing for return from injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Evgeni Malkin skated with his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates for the first time since suffering an apparent leg injury last week.Malkin will miss at least Game 1 of the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champions' second-round series...