NHL

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...

Associated PressHoltby used midseason reprieve for personal growthBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) When Braden Holtby took some time off in February, playing in only nine of the Washington Capitals' 14 games, he finally had a chance to reflect on aspects of his game.It might seem easy to say...

Mick McGeough, NHL referee for 21 seasons, dies at 62REGINA, Saskatchewan (AP) Former NHL referee Mick McGeough has died at 62.The NHL said in a statement Saturday that McGeough died Friday night in Regina. A page set up on the Go Fund Me website to support his family...

AP Sports WriterColliton agrees to 2-year extension as Blackhawks coachBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Jeremy Colliton replaced a beloved figure with the Chicago Blackhawks. Then his first full season with the team was interrupted by a pandemic.That's a lot of adversity for a first-time NHL coach, but Colliton thinks...

AP Sports WriterRask stops 30 shots, Bruins beat Leafs 4-1 to tie series 1-1By JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri temporarily went to the locker room after a knee-on-knee hit from Jake DeBrusk in the second period.When Kadri retaliated late in the third, he was done...

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers have recalled Marek Hrivik from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. Hrivik, 25, has skated in 20 games with the Wolf Pack this season, with eight goals and nine assists. He leads Hartford in points and short-handed goals (two) and...

Matthews ties it, leaves with injury; Leafs top Isles in SOTORONTO (AP) Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock acknowledged his team didn't play very well Thursday night, and his players know things could become much more difficult if they have to deal with another injury absence for Auston Matthews.Tyler...

AP Sports WriterPredators need help beyond top line after 3-game skidBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators' sizzling 13-3 start to the season is a distant memory. The defending Presidents Trophy winners have lost three straight and seven of the last 11 on their home ice...

Anaheim Ducks re-sign D Korbinian Holzer to 1-year dealANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Defenseman Korbinian Holzer has agreed to a one-year, $700,000 deal to return to the Anaheim Ducks.The Ducks announced the deal Tuesday.The German defenseman played 29 games for Anaheim last season, recording three assists. He was a frequent...

Associated PressSmith's late power-play goal leads Predators over Sabres 2-1By JIM DIAMONDNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Special teams have been a struggle for the Nashville Predators all season. But on Saturday night, that unit won them a hockey game.Craig Smith’s power-play goal with 6:29 remaining in the third period propelled...

Associated PressMatt Dumba's OT goal lifts Wild over Blues, 2-1By PATRICK DONNELLYST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Matt Dumba scored 39 seconds into overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.Dumba started the game-winning rush by picking up a loose puck in...

AP Hockey WriterDucks determined to show playoff poise after disappointmentsBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Ryan Kesler blocked a shot in front of the Anaheim Ducks' net in the waning seconds of their playoff opener, and then the All-Star center simply sat down on the puck.Three Calgary Flames frantically...