NHL

McGinn scores 2 as Hurricanes beat Avalanche 3-1RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Brock McGinn scored twice to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.Jeff Skinner also scored, Elias Lindholm had two assists and Cam Ward stopped 29 shots to help the Hurricanes...

AP Sports WriterSt. Louis Blues stayed course, now reaping benefitsBy R.B. FALLSTROMST. LOUIS (AP) After three straight first-round eliminations, Doug Armstrong resisted the temptation to tear it all down.The St. Louis Blues general manager can crow just a bit now that patience has been rewarded and the franchise...

Erik Karlsson stood outside the visiting locker room, munching on a celebratory slice of pizza. Must have tasted pretty good. Karlsson spent the evening on the ice for the first time in about 2½ months, and he and the Ottawa Senators are heading back to the NHL postseason. They might even...

AP Sports WriterCapitals winger Tom Wilson banned 20 games for preseason hitBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was banned 20 games by the NHL on Wednesday for a blindside hit to the head of an opponent during the preseason, a punishment reflecting what the league...

AP Sports WriterGolden Knights ready to light up VegasBy JOHN MARSHALLThe Vegas Golden Knights have been the hit of Sin City, exciting a fan base that finally has a professional sports team to root for.After months of buildup, it's finally time to show what they can do on the...

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Avalanche will sit goaltender Semyon Varlamov on Tuesday night against Los Angeles after he injured his groin over the weekend.Coach Patrick Roy confirmed after the morning skate that rookie Calvin Pickard will take Varlamov's place in net.Varlamov has started 22 straight games, one away...

Blue Jackets acquire center Matt Duchene from OttawaOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Matt Duchene from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for two top prospects on Friday, adding a veteran center as they make a push for a playoff spot.The 28-year-old Duchene, one of the top...

Associated PressKessel scores twice, leads Coyotes past Flyers 3-1By AARON BRACYPHILADELPHIA (AP) Phil Kessel scored two goals to lead the Arizona Coyotes to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.Darcy Kuemper made 28 saves and Conor Garland also scored for the Coyotes, who improved to...

Wereknski a key to Blue Jackets and not just the blue lineBy The Associated PressCOLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSLAST SEASON: 50-24-8, third in Metropolitan Division. Eliminated by Pittsburgh in first round of playoffs.COACH: John Tortorella, third year, 84-57-16.ADDED: LW Artemi Panarin.LOST: C William Karlsson, C Sam Gagner, LW Scott Hartnell, LW...

Oilers sign center Leon Draisaitl to 8-year extensionEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The two biggest cornerstones of the emerging Edmonton Oilers franchise are now locked up for the long haul.Six weeks after extending Connor McDavid for eight years and $100 million, the Oilers signed 21-year-old Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year...

NY Islanders get tax break for Nassau Coliseum projectUNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency has approved tax breaks for the New York Islanders' planned renovations at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum.Newsday says completion of $9.95 million in interior upgrades would allow the hockey team to return...

Associated PressWard wins 300th, Hurricanes top Golden Knights in shootoutBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) On a night when top goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made his long-anticipated return to the Vegas Golden Knights, it was his Carolina counterpart who grabbed the headlines.Cam Ward earned his 300th career win Tuesday when...