NHL

Bruins' Backes suspended 3 games for hit on NielsenNEW YORK (AP) Boston Bruins forward David Backes has been suspended for three games for a shoulder to the head of Detroit's Frans Nielsen.The decision was announced by the league Wednesday, a day after Backes knocked Nielsen from Boston's 6-5...

Lightning extend win streak to 7 with 2-1 win over CanadiensMONTREAL (AP) Montreal coach Claude Julien felt a hot goaltender prevented the Canadiens from getting the result they deserved.Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 38 shots and the Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to five games with a 2-1...

NEW YORK (AP) - Henrik Lundqvist practiced with his Rangers teammates Tuesday for the first time since he was forced from the lineup by a neck injury in February, and could be back in goal by this weekend.Lundqvist took the ice several hours before the Rangers hosted the Stanley...

AP Sports WriterPenguins sign coach Mike Sullivan to 4-year extensionBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Sullivan is sticking around to see if he can get the Pittsburgh Penguins back to the Stanley Cup.The coach whose arrival in the winter of 2015 helped propel the Penguins to championships in 2016...

AP Sports Writer'Saucer-eyed': Caps, others count on rookies in NHL playoffsBy HOWARD FENDRICHARLINGTON, Va. (AP) The Washington Capitals have never used more rookies during a single postseason than the half-dozen who helped Alex Ovechkin and Co. reach the Eastern Conference final.They're contributing in various ways, including with secondary...

Sharks re-sign forwards Dylan Gambrell and Antti SuomelaSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks re-signed forwards Dylan Gambrell and Antti Suomela on Thursday.Gambrell agreed to a two-year deal, and Suomela to a one-year contract. Financial terms weren't disclosed.The 22-year-old Gambrell has failed to record a point in...

Petry, Price lead Canadiens past Panthers 4-0MONTREAL (AP) Jeff Petry had four assists, Carey Price made 29 saves and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Saturday.Nick Suzuki, Artturi Lehkonen, Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher scored for the Canadiens (24-22-7), who improved to 6-2-0 in their...

AP Sports WriterNew-look Hurricanes eager to snap NHL postseason droughtBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) There's plenty new for the Carolina Hurricanes these days.They picked up a new starting goalie, gave big new contracts to some young defensemen and brought in a splashy free agent. There also might be...

The Montreal Canadiens and the Anaheim Ducks already have their first chance to finish up the first round.These two clubs on opposite ends of the continent walked similar paths to get their respective 3-0 series advantages heading into Wednesday's games.Both Montreal and Anaheim were regular-season powers that finished atop...

AP Sports WriterHealthy Ekman-Larsson ready to give Coyotes a playoff boostBy JOHN MARSHALLGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Oliver Ekman-Larsson had knee surgery last summer, fully expecting it to help him have a healthy 2019-20 season.The Arizona Coyotes captain instead played with lingering pain, never able to fully recover.The NHL's shutdown...

'Seinfeld' actor shows up at Devils game with face paintedNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Life imitated art at the Stanley Cup playoffs as the actor who played Puddy on the TV sitcom ''Seinfeld'' showed up at the game with his face painted as a New Jersey Devils fan.Patrick Warburton is...

AP Sports Writer700 club: Capitals' Alex Ovechkin scores for milestone goalBy VIN A. CHERWOONEWARK, N.J. (AP) With power and a prodigious shot, Alex Ovechkin now stands where few in the NHL have been.He became the eight NHL player to score 700 career goals, reaching the milestone in the...