NHL

AP Hockey WriterDevils select US center Hughes with 1st pick in NHL draftBy JOHN WAWROWVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The first round of the NHL draft wasn't so much unpredictable as the game is becoming more international.That was Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill's observation following an opening round...

Vegas coach Gallant calls Sharks counterpart a 'clown'SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The animosity between Vegas and San Jose spilled over to the coaches before Game 7.Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant called his counterpart Peter DeBoer a ''clown'' at the morning skate before Tuesday's decisive game in the first-round...

AP Hockey WriterNHL trade deadline deals deliver for several playoff teamsBy JOHN WAWROWLightning general manager Steve Yzerman earned accolades for making the boldest moves in improving Tampa Bay's Stanley Cup aspirations at the NHL's trade deadline in February.Evander Kane, however, might have been the biggest beneficiary after being dealt...

AP Sports WriterRangers confident heading into All-Star breakBy VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) After getting off to a strong start, the New York Rangers have cooled off a bit. Yet they haven't lost any confidence heading into this weekend's All-Star break.''I still like what our team does night...

Lehtonen makes 35 saves, Stars force Game 7 with 3-2 winST. LOUIS (AP) Dallas stayed alive in its NHL second-round playoff series by winning 3-2 at St. Louis on Monday, with rookie Mattias Janmark igniting a three-goal first period to help the Stars squared the series 3-3.Kari Lehtonen...

Red Wings acquire G Comrie from Coyotes for D SaarijarviDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings have acquired goaltender Eric Comrie in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes.Detroit sent minor league defenseman Vili Saarijarvi to Arizona in Saturday's deal.The 24-year-old Comrie was 2-3 with a 4.21 goals-against average in...

Coyotes forward Josh Archibald suspended for 2 gamesNEW YORK (AP) Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Archibald was suspended for two games without pay by the NHL on Friday for an illegal check to Nashville forward Ryan Hartman's head.Archibald was given a minor penalty for an illegal check to the...

MONTREAL (AP) Montreal's David Desharnais scored 3:25 into overtime to cap the Canadiens comeback from three goals down to beat Vancouver 4-3 on Monday.The win moved the Canadiens nine points clear atop the NHL Atlantic Division and level on points with the New York Rangers, with the two...

Kings rally late and beat Golden Knights 3-2 in overtimeLOS ANGELES (AP) The new kids kept having their way with the Los Angeles Kings - until late in the game Monday night.Anze Kopitar tied the score with 10.8 seconds left in the third period and Dustin Brown delivered...

AP Hockey WriterSkinner focused on Sabres, not contract after being tradedBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The trade to the Buffalo Sabres happened so suddenly, forward Jeff Skinner hasn't had time to think about his contract status.For now, Skinner is focused on becoming acclimated to Buffalo and his new...

AP Sports WriterVagabond career brings everyman Boudreau back to MinnesotaBy DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The last time Bruce Boudreau landed in Minnesota, his dedication to the sport left much to be desired.Now he's back in the capital city as an NHL head coach on his third team,...

From the outside, it would appear as if the Ottawa Senators stood pat during an offseason in which Eastern Conference rivals retooled.In general manager Bryan Murray's mind, it was a case of believing in a group that made a strong finishing kick last season and reached the playoffs.''Basically, the...