NHL

AP Hockey WriterColumbus hopes for Game 5 bounceback after historic collapseBy STEPHEN WHYNONo team in NHL history with a chance to win a playoff series had blown a three-goal lead in the final four minutes.Until the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.The Toronto Maple Leafs scored three goals in...

AP Hockey WriterLightning's Hedman doesn't return for 2nd period vs. FlyersBy JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) Tampa Bay Lightning star defenseman Victor Hedman has been ruled out after appearing to twist his right ankle midway through the first period of an NHL playoff round-robin game against the Philadelphia Flyers on...

Toews, Blackhawks into playoffs for first time since 2017EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks used to make the playoffs every year, winning the Stanley Cup three times since the captain's NHL debut in 2007.It turns out they still remember how to win in the postseason.Toews...

AP Sports WriterTop players push Coyotes into next playoff roundBy JOHN MARSHALLThe Arizona Coyotes needed their top players to be at their best to have a chance of advancing in the postseason for the first time in eight years.Darcy Kuemper has been superb, one of the best goalies in...

AP Hockey WriterColumbus hopes for Game 5 bounceback after historic collapseBy STEPHEN WHYNONo team in NHL history with a chance to win a playoff series had blown a three-goal lead in the final four minutes.Until the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.The Toronto Maple Leafs scored three goals in...

AP Sports WriterPuncher's chance: Fighting is up during unique NHL playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe Toronto Maple Leafs' season was hanging by a thread from one of Jason Spezza's gloves when he dropped them to the ice to fight Dean Kukan.''I just tried to spark the guys, just trying to show...

AP Sports WriterTop players push Coyotes into next playoff roundBy JOHN MARSHALLThe Arizona Coyotes needed their top players to be at their best to have a chance of advancing in the postseason for the first time in eight years.Darcy Kuemper has been superb, one of the best goalies in...

AP Hockey WriterIslanders, sparked by Barzal, top Panthers 5-1 to advanceBy 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...

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...

Kraken hire Everett Fitzhugh as club's first broadcasterSEATTLE (AP) The Seattle Kraken have hired Everett Fitzhugh as the club's first broadcaster, the team announced Friday.Fitzhugh is believed to be the first Black team broadcaster hired by an NHL franchise. He has spent the past five seasons as the...

AP Hockey WriterLightning-Flyers, Avalanche-Golden Knights are for top seedsBy STEPHEN WHYNOJon Cooper wants to stop the conversation now: Steven Stamkos isn't ready to play until he says so.The coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning ruled out Stamkos for his team's final round-robin game Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, which...

Penguins turn to goalie Tristan Jarry with season on lineTORONTO (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins are turning to goaltender Tristan Jarry with their season on the line.Coach Mike Sullivan said hours before Friday afternoon's game that Jarry will make his first playoff start when Pittsburgh faces Montreal in Game...