NHL

AP Hockey WriterSabres acquire Pominville, Scandella in trade with WildBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville is returning to Buffalo after being acquired along with defenseman Marco Scandella in a four-player trade with the Minnesota Wild.In exchange, the Wild acquired forwards Tyler Ennis and Marcus...

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...

AP Hockey WriterCrosby vs. McDavid is hot debate for best player in hockeyBy STEPHEN WHYNOWhen Connor McDavid stepped on the ice for his first NHL training camp, Taylor Hall already knew hockey's ''Next One'' was the best player out there.When Sidney Crosby stayed on the ice late after practice,...

AP Sports WriterFrom St. Louis to Tokyo, Blues fan celebrates a Stanley CupBy STEPHEN WADETOKYO (AP) I can't imagine there were many St. Louis Blues fans farther from their hometown than I was when the team finally won its first Stanley Cup. If not, my kicker is that...

AP Sports WriterSeattle hires former US team captain Cammi Granato as scoutBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) Cammi Granato has received plenty of interest in the past from NHL franchises. None of them suited her as well as Seattle's expansion team does.The former U.S. Olympic team captain, gold medalist and...

Karmanos seeking $500M in sale of NHL's HurricanesRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. says he wants to sell his team for about $500 million.Karmanos told The News & Observer of Raleigh on Tuesday that he and an ownership group led by former Texas Rangers CEO...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals are winning more, whining less at refereesBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Shut up and play has been a mantra lately for the Washington Capitals.Too often early in the season players would harp on officials for missing a penalty or getting a call wrong. So coach...

AP Sports WriterHalf the Devils roster has never played in NHL postseasonBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils are heading into the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and not surprisingly half the roster has never competed in a NHL postseason game.The newbies in the...

Virus concerns hit Dallas, Columbus as NHL season loomsBy The Associated PressThe NHL said Friday that six Dallas Stars players and two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in a development that will push back the opener for the defending Western Conference champions by nearly a week.The Columbus...

Canes reassign GM Francis to another front-office positionRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Hall of Fame player Ron Francis is out as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes after four years but will remain with the team in another front-office position, new owner Tom Dundon said Wednesday night.Dundon says the team...

Tampa Bay 0 0 1-1Montreal 1 0 1-2First Period-1, Montreal, Smith-Pelly 1 (Mitchell, Petry), 9:01.Second Period-None.Third Period-2, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 2 (Stralman, Killorn), 9:27. 3, Montreal, Parenteau 1 (Subban), 15:53.Shots on Goal-Tampa Bay 9-6-10-25. Montreal 10-10-9-29.Goalies-Tampa Bay, Bishop. Montreal, Price. A-21,287 (21,273)....

Associated PressSundqvist scores 2 before injury, Blues beat Lightning 4-3By MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Despite losing another important player, the first-place St. Louis Blues again found a way to win.Oskar Sundqvist had two goals before leaving with an injury, and the Blues beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3...