NHL

AP Sports WriterFlyers needs scoreless Giroux to spark them against PenguinsBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Claude Giroux carried the Philadelphia Flyers into the playoffs.The Hart Trophy candidate might be the reason they get knocked out in the first round if he can't become the force the Flyers need to...

NHL plans move to small-group training as Phase 2 of returnTORONTO (AP) The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon -- with plenty of precautions.The league, which paused its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a memo Monday saying it is...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin vs. Laine vs. Malkin: NHL stars race to 50 goalsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Patrik Laine knows where he stands.The Winnipeg Jets winger might not keep track of each time Alex Ovechkin or Evgeni Malkin scores, but he knows how many goals they have.''I just sometimes...

AP Hockey WriterEichel's frustrations eased after Sabres beat CapitalsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres center Jack Eichel was in a far better mood to end Tuesday than he was opening it.A win - especially one over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals - eased the frustrations Buffalo's franchise...

AP Hockey WriterDomi aims to inspire hockey players with Type 1 diabetesBy STEPHEN WHYNOMax Domi, the son of an NHL player, didn't get star struck much.Then at age 13, he met Bobby Clarke.''My jaw hit the floor, and I was just in shock,'' Domi said.Clarke isn't just a Hockey...

AP Sports WriterGrubauer lifts Capitals to 1-0 win over Red WingsBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Philipp Grubauer made 39 saves for his third shutout of the season, and Brett Connolly scored the game's only goal on a third-period breakaway to lift the Washington Capitals to a 1-0 victory over...

Blue Jackets sign Bjorkstrand to 5-year contract extensionCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to a five-year contract extension worth $27 million.The deal announced Wednesday will keep one of the team's best young players in Columbus through the 2025-26 season. He had one...

AP Hockey WriterNHL finalizes playoff format as Pens reveal positive testBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL unveiled the final details of its playoff format Thursday even as word came out that a ninth player tested positive for the coronavirus.Every playoff series will be a best-of-seven format after the initial qualifying round...

AP Sports WriterCoach lightens Preds' mood, wears bull's head for road winsBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Nashville coach Peter Laviolette pulled out a bull's head to lighten the grind of the 82-game NHL regular season and challenge the Predators to get a couple of road wins.Win both...

AP Hockey WriterDevils sign Hischier to $50.75 million, 7-year extensionBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe New Jersey Devils have signed center Nico Hischier to a $50.75 million, seven-year contract extension.Hischier's new contract that kicks in next season counts $7.25 million against the salary cap. The 2017 first overall pick was set to...

Associated PressMax Pacioretty on pace for career-best season in VegasBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Max Pacioretty is putting on an offensive showcase for the Vegas Golden Knights this season.The 31-year-old forward leads the team in points (44) and goals scored (19); he ranks second with 25 assists. His...

Coyotes' Ekman-Larsson fined $2,000 for second diving callGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The NHL has fined Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson $2,000 as supplementary punishment for two embellishing calls against him.The fine was announced on Thursday for Ekman-Larsson's actions in a pair of games the past two weeks.Ekman-Larsson was issued...