NHL

AP Hockey WriterSabres forward Kyle Okposo diagnosed with a concussionBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a concussion.Okposo was hurt when he and Senators forward Bobby Ryan didn't see each other and collided early in the second period...

Sharks sign defenseman Radim Simek to 4-year extensionSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Radim Simek to a four-year contract extension on Monday.Simek was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer before the Sharks locked him up with the new deal worth a...

Associated PressTop NHL draft prospect makes ceremonial pitch at WrigleyBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Nolan Patrick, a potential No. 1 overall pick on Friday at the NHL draft in Chicago, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field before Wednesday's game between the Cubs and Padres.But the 18-year-old...

AP Sports WriterStars miss playoffs again after Hitchcock return, other addsBy STEPHEN HAWKINSThe Dallas Stars brought back their Stanley Cup-winning coach and made a few somewhat pricey acquisitions last offseason.With those significant changes, it looked like that fall from top seed in the Western Conference one season to missing...

Associated PressBlues rule out Bouwmeester for remainder of season, playoffsBy WARREN MAYESST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester has been ruled out from returning to play in the regular season or in the playoffs.General manager Doug Armstrong made the announcement on Wednesday.In a news conference at...

Canada approves NHL camps, but provinces must rule on gamesOttawa, Ontario (AP) The Canadian government, citing ''national interest grounds,'' gave its approval Thursday for the start of NHL training camps. It issued an exemption to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for NHL players and team staff to return...

Toews breaks season drought as Blackhawks beat KingsBy The Associated PressCHICAGO (AP) Chicago's Jonathan Toews belatedly scored his first goal of the season as the Blackhawks beat Los Angeles 3-0 on Sunday.Toews, who had just three assists over Chicago's first eight games scored on the power play.Elsewhere, Philadelphia...

The NHL insists expansion is not imminent. "Nothing has happened to change the status quo," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a telephone interview Wednesday with The Associated Press. "There continues to be interest from some markets, and we continue to be interested in discussing the possibilities, but there...

Associated PressCrosby's 4 points lead streaking Penguins past Blues 6-1By DAVID SOLOMONST. LOUIS (AP) ?? Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to lead the surging Pittsburgh Penguins past the St. Louis Blues 6-1 on Saturday night.Juuso Riikola, Zach Aston-Reese, Kris Letang, Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin also...

AP Hockey WriterPatience finally pays off for big-game goalie GrubauerBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Philipp Grubauer was 18 and had only been in North America for a year and a half when he walked into the Windsor Spitfires locker room as the latest member of a stacked junior...

AP Hockey WriterRecord-holding '92-93 Penguins admire Blue Jackets' streakBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) When Ulf Samuelsson watched the Columbus Blue Jackets pick up their 14th win in a row in Winnipeg last week, he could see the confidence oozing off their bench and out of their locker room.It felt...

AP Hockey WriterNot just Price is right: Canadiens have Penguins on brinkBy STEPHEN WHYNOIt seemed like any hope the Montreal Canadiens had of beating the Pittsburgh Penguins rested on the shoulders of goaltender Carey Price.Price has shouldered a big load in net, but he's not the only reason the...