NHL

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders sent league-leading Dallas to its first back-to-back losses of the season, winning 6-5 on Sunday, led by two goals and an assist from Kyle Okposo.Also Sunday, Florida stretched its winning streak to nine by beating Minnesota 2-1.New York's Cal Clutterbuck scored...

Associated PressTarasenko scores twice, Blues beat Blackhawks 7-3By DAVID SOLOMONST. LOUIS (AP) Vladimir Tarasenko asserted that the St. Louis Blues were a better team than one that had lost seven of its first nine games following a 7-4 loss Thursday against the Columbus Blue JacketsTarasenko followed up on...

John Tavares named captain of the Toronto Maple LeafsTORONTO (AP) John Tavares was named the 25th captain in Toronto Maple Leafs history Wednesday night before the season opener against the Ottawa Senators, filling a role that had been vacant for more than 3 1/2 years.Fellow forwards Auston Matthews,...

AP Sports WriterOld cogs, new tricks? Penguins eye reboot after flameoutBy WILL GRAVESCRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins began the franchise’s longest offseason in more than a decade with general manager Jim Rutherford talking about the need for its stars to get past the complacency he feared...

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...

Toronto Maple Leafs hire Paul MacLean as an assistant coachTORONTO (AP) The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean as an assistant coach.MacLean led the Senators to a 114-90-35 record and a pair of playoff appearances. He won the Jack Adams Award as NHL...

AP Hockey WriterNHL's Hank Williams? Green Day song may be new hockey anthemBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL could be on the way to its version of ''Are You Ready For Some Football?''The league is announcing a two-year partnership with Green Day that includes an opening song for NBC Sports' ''Wednesday...

Stars take 3-1 series lead over Avalanche with 5-4 winEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Radek Faksa had a goal and two assists, Roope Hintz scored the last of three power-play goals by Dallas and the Stars beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-4 on Sunday night, taking a 3-1 series lead in...

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel have been linked as the NHL's two top draft prospects since September.It wasn't until this week at the league's pre-draft scouting combine in Buffalo when the two finally had a chance to sit down and chat.''We've had a pretty good...

AP Sports WriterPulock helps Islanders rout slumping Blackhawks 7-3By JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) The New York Islanders played like a desperate team looking to move up the standings in one of the NHL's most competitive divisions.Facing a similar situation, the Chicago Blackhawks turned in one of their worst games...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) John Tortorella hoisted a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay and led the New York Rangers to the verge of a championship berth.At woebegone Columbus, the Blue Jackets have a more modest goal for the veteran coach: Win a game.Tortorella is back coaching in the NHL...

AP Hockey WriterBoyle is not alone in fighting cancer and playing hockeyBy STEPHEN WHYNOWhen Phil Kessel got over the initial shock of being diagnosed with cancer and had surgery, he asked doctors, ''When can I play?''When Jason Blake was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, he had the choice of...