NHL

Associated PressFans pack downtown St. Louis to cheer on the champion BluesBy JIM SALTERST. LOUIS (AP) It rained on the Blues' parade, but nobody seemed to mind.Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of downtown St. Louis and braved the rain on Saturday to cheer on the...

AP Sports WriterMystique vs. mayhem in unlikely Stanley Cup FinalBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The dynasty that once appeared so certain is again in the offing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.Four victories against the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Final would make Pittsburgh the first franchise to win back-to-back...

AP Hockey WriterStriking Gold: How Vegas became NHL's best expansion teamBy STEPHEN WHYNOBefore Gerard Gallant embarked on his journey to coach the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, he and former boss Doug MacLean sat down for breakfast and wondered what was ahead.''He didn't know what the situation was,'' MacLean said....

Associated PressSaad scores 2, Blackhawks beat Coyotes in a shootoutBy JOSE M. ROMEROGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Patrick Kane scored in the overtime shootout and ran his points streak to 12 games, and Corey Crawford stopped both shootout attempts he faced, leading the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 win over the...

AP Sports WriterStan Mikita, who led Blackhawks to 1961 title, dies at 78By JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) When Stan Mikita got back together with the Chicago Blackhawks, it was clear how much the reconciliation meant to the Hall of Fame forward.He became a team ambassador, and then got a...

Dickinson scores in OT to lift Stars over Bruins 1-0DALLAS (AP) Ben Bishop was as much a cheerleader as a goalie for Dallas in a scoreless overtime game.''It's like, `C'mon, let's score, guys,''' he said.Jason Dickinson obliged, burying a rebound 1:34 into overtime to preserve Bishop's 23-save shutout...

AP Sports Writer700 club: Capitals' Alex Ovechkin scores for milestone goalBy VIN A. CHERWOONEWARK, N.J. (AP) With power and a prodigious shot, Alex Ovechkin now stands where few in hockey have been.He became the eighth NHL player to score 700 career goals, reaching the milestone in the third...

Vegas Golden Knights resolve trademark dispute with US ArmyLAS VEGAS (AP) The Vegas Golden Knights have resolved a trademark dispute with the U.S. Army over the NHL franchise's name and gold and black colors.The hockey team said in a statement Thursday that an agreement with the Army allows...

AP Hockey WriterFiancee's career played role in Trouba's trade to RangersBy STEPHEN WHYNOJacob Trouba's decision against signing a long-term deal with the Winnipeg Jets was well-documented. Less so was his primary reason why.Trouba revealed that his fiancee's aspirations to become a doctor played a role in his desire to...

Coyotes sign Anthony Duclair to one-year, $1.2 million dealGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes have signed restricted free-agent right wing Anthony Duclair to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.The team announced the deal Sunday.Duclair had a superb rookie season after being traded from the New York Rangers in 2015,...

AP Hockey WriterCup Final is bittersweet validation for fired Hershey coachBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) The text message lit up Troy Mann's phone the morning after the Capitals eliminated the Penguins with a patchwork lineup featuring five rookies. It came from Barry Trotz.''Thanks Manner for having all those rookie...

AP Sports WriterHall and Butcher score 2 apiece as Devils power past RangersBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Taylor Hall and rookie Will Butcher scored two goals apiece, and the New Jersey Devils moved to the brink of their first playoff berth since 2012 with a 5-2 victory over...