NHL

Maple Leafs release veteran goalie Michal NeuvirthTORONTO (AP) The Toronto Maple Leafs have released veteran goalie Michal Neuvirth, meaning Michael Hutchinson has likely won the backup job.Neuvirth was vying for the No. 2 spot behind Frederik Andersen. But he played just two periods during training camp because of...

Stars activate Johns, clear way for return from long absenceST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Stephen Johns played in his first game in almost 22 months when the Dallas Stars visited Minnesota on Saturday night.Forward Radek Faksa was placed on injured reserve to make room for Johns on the active...

Associated PressPoint scores in OT, Lightning beat Panthers 5-4By ERIK ERLENDSSONTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Overtime has become Brayden Point's time to shine.The Tampa Bay center scored his fourth overtime goal of the season on Tuesday to give the league-leading Lightning a 5-4 victory over in-state rival Florida.Point also has...

Seguin scores tiebreaker, Stars beat Coyotes 5-4DALLAS (AP) Tyler Seguin scored a tiebreaking goal with 7:32 to play, and the Dallas Stars scored four goals in a wild third period on the way to a 5-4 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night.Roope Hintz, John Klingberg, Radek...

Islanders' Boychuk retires due to lingering eye injuryEAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk has decided to retire as a result of an eye injury sustained last season.The Islanders on Wednesday announced Boychuk's decision to end his 13-year NHL career after the player had numerous...

AP Hockey WriterSwing away: Swatting puck out of midair not uncommon or easyBy STEPHEN WHYNOLike he does with so many things, Sidney Crosby makes it look easy.There was the time he shot the puck off the post and swatted the rebound into the net out of midair. Or, the...

Devils sign goalie Senn to 2-year, entry-level contractNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have signed goaltender Gilles Senn to a two-year, entry-level contract.General manager Ray Shero announced the signing of the fifth-round pick in the 2017 draft on Wednesday.The 23-year-old Senn spent the last five seasons with...

AP Sports WriterRelease the Kraken: Seattle unveils name for NHL franchiseBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) The NHL's newest team finally has its name: the Seattle Kraken.The expansion franchise unveiled its nickname Thursday, ending 19 months of speculation about whether the team might lean traditional or go eccentric with the...

Red Wings, Blashill agree on 2-year contract extensionDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings announced a two-year contract extension with coach Jeff Blashill on Tuesday, giving their young leader a vote of confidence in a rebuild that will now include a third straight year without a playoff berth after...

AP Hockey WriterKuznetsov's 4-point night helps Capitals beat Golden KnightsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Evgeny Kuznetsov continued his dominance against the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring a goal and assisting on three more as part of a 5-2 Washington Capitals victory Wednesday night in a rematch of last season's Stanley...

Flames fire head coach Glen Gulutzan after 2 seasonsCALGARY, Alberta (AP) The Calgary Flames fired head coach Glen Gulutzan on Tuesday after two years with the club.Assistant coaches Dave Cameron and Paul Jerrard were also relieved of their duties.Gulutzan led the Flames to the playoffs in his first...

Washington Capitals fire coach Todd Reirden after 2nd consecutive exit in 1st round of playoffsWASHINGTON (AP) Washington Capitals fire coach Todd Reirden after 2nd consecutive exit in 1st round of playoffs.