NHL

Canadiens trade defenseman Jakub Jerabek to CapitalsMONTREAL (AP) The Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Jakub Jerabek to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday for a 2019 fifth-round pick.The 26-year-old Jerabek, from the Czech Republic, had a goal and three assists in 25 games this season with Montreal. He also had...

AP Sports WriterCapitals eager to end their title drought in Vegas desertBy GREG BEACHAMLAS VEGAS (AP) The Washington Capitals will play for a Stanley Cup championship Thursday night for the first time in franchise history.Although Alex Ovechkin understands the magnitude of this situation, he wants his teammates focused...

AP Sports WriterDevils, Golden Knights off to surprising strong startsBy VIN A. CHERWOOAfter finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference last season, the New Jersey Devils have been among the NHL's surprise teams.The Devils have been atop the Metropolitan Division for most of the opening weeks and are...

Associated PressVesey, Rangers beat Bruins 4-2 for 5th straight winBy ALLAN KREDANEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers are suddenly rolling thanks to timely scoring and tight defense, especially the brand exhibited against Boston on Wednesday night.Jimmy Vesey scored two first-period goals 29 seconds apart, Henrik Lundqvist made...

AP Hockey WriterHousley home-coming: Returning to Buffalo as Sabres coachBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) ?? Phil Housley still remembers high-fiving Sabres fans at Memorial Auditorium in opening his Hall of Fame career in Buffalo during the 1980s.Now, Housley is looking forward to bringing that type of excitement back to...

Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk dies of cancer at 57By The Associated PressDale Hawerchuk, a hockey phenom who became the face of the Winnipeg Jets en route to the Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer.The Ontario Hockey League's Barrie...

Wild sign defenseman Gustav Olofsson to 2-year, $1.45M dealST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild have agreed with defenseman Gustav Olofsson on a two-year, $1.45 million contract.The deal Monday came after Olofsson was one of eight restricted free agents receiving qualifying offers. Olofsson will make $675,000 this season...

Associated PressNosek helps Vegas get first regulation win over Wild, 3-2By W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Tomas Nosek scored his first goal in nearly a month, Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on Tuesday night.Chandler Stephenson and Shea Theodore also...

AP Hockey WriterCaps' Backstrom a game-time decision to return from injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Nicklas Backstrom could return to the Capitals' lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Lightning.Backstrom has missed Washington's past four games with a right hand injury. Coach Barry Trotz called...

NHL admits Avs' goal should've counted on coach's challengeNEW YORK (AP) The NHL has acknowledged video review incorrectly nullified a late-game goal by the Colorado Avalanche during a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues.In a statement released Friday, the league said it made a mistake by taking...

Coyotes get D Niklas Hjalmarsson in trade with BlackhawksCHICAGO (AP) The Arizona Coyotes acquired Niklas Hjalmarsson in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, adding a dependable defenseman during a time of turmoil for the franchise.The 30-year-old Hjalmarsson had spent his entire 10-year career with Chicago, helping...

Associated PressAllen gets shutout, Schenn scores again as Blues beat StarsBy STEVE OVERBEYST. LOUIS (AP) Jake Allen finally closed out a shutout Thursday night.Allen posted his first zero of the season with 29 saves, helping the St. Louis Blues beat the Dallas Stars 3-0.Brayden Schenn got his team-leading...