NHL

AP Sports WriterNHL playoffs return after 2-day break for protestsBy JOHN MARSHALLThe NHL playoffs took a two-day break to protest racial injustice, the latest twist in an unprecedented, pandemic-halted season.Now it's back to the ice.Three second-round playoff series resume Saturday after NHL players joined athletes in sports leagues across...

AP Hockey WriterNHL embraces holiday roster freeze as a popular traditionBy STEPHEN WHYNOGreg Millen thought he had an extension from the St. Louis Blues to celebrate at Christmas in 1989.Instead, he was traded. So there he was, sitting in the living room with his family as a Quebec Nordiques...

AP Sports WriterBruins' goal clear after Stanley Cup Final disappointmentBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) ??? Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has one more tool available this year as he tries to take the team from Stanley Cup finalist to NHL champion.Street cred.Armed with a contract extension and an updated resume...

AP Sports WriterThe Chase; Established NHL vets trade comfort for Cup shotBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The evidence of Patrick Marleau's near miss is everywhere. In the rafters at PPG Paints Arena. In the lobby on the way to the Pittsburgh Penguins dressing room, where a replica of the...

AP Sports WriterTimo Meier scores 2 to lead Sharks past Blues 6-3 in Game 1By JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Timo Meier scored twice and set up one of Logan Couture's two goals with a hard hit, sending the San Jose Sharks to a 6-3 victory over the...

AP Hockey WriterBlues geared up for challenge of being defending championsBy STEPHEN WHYNOJordan Binnington still doesn't look nervous.For the first time in his career, he is going into a season as a starting NHL goaltender and for the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. No big deal.''It's the...

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...

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...

Paul Byron scores twice, Canadiens beat Oilers 4-1EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Paul Byron scored twice and added an assist in the Montreal Canadiens' 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty also scored, and Carey Price made 24 saves. The Canadiens have won seven...

Islanders sign defenseman Ryan Pulock to two-year contractEAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) The New York Islanders and restricted free agent defenseman Ryan Pulock have agreed to terms on a two-year deal.The Islanders and the 26-year-old Pulock reached the deal Wednesday, avoiding an arbitration hearing.Pulock had 10 goals and 25...

AP Hockey WriterPerry, Pavelski among veteran NHL free agents to watchBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe goodbye came quickly if respectfully for Anaheim Ducks veteran Corey Perry.After a knee injury limited the 34-year-old forward to 31 games, general manager Bob Murray last week bought out the final two years of Perry's contract...

Panthers' Barkov still feels sting of disappointing seasonSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) For Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov agony and anguish were constant companions this summer.Despite outstanding individual numbers, reflecting on his season wasn't fun for Barkov - and watching hockey on TV just made him feel worse.The Panthers fell...