NHL

AP Hockey WriterCan Ovechkin catch Gretzky? NHL's new Mr. 700 has a chanceBy STEPHEN WHYNOAlex Ovechkin is making the seemingly impossible appear to be not so far-fetched after all.Wayne Gretzky's 894 career goals has, for decades, loomed as one of hockey's most untouchable records. The ''Great One'' set the...

Kings sign Austin Wagner, Carl Grundstrom to extensionsEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Austin Wagner to a three-year, $3.4 million contract extension.The Kings also signed forward Carl Grundstrom to a two-year, $1.45 million extension Tuesday.The 23-year-old Wagner has spent most of the past...

Associated PressHawryluk nets first 2 NHL goals, Panthers beat Chicago 6-3By MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Jayce Hawryluk scored his first two NHL goals, Mike Hoffman and Jared McCann had goals in a 31-second span in the second period and the Florida Panthers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3 Sunday night.Denis...

AP Sports WriterRask's roll has Bruins a win away from Stanley Cup FinalBy AARON BEARDRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Tuukka Rask is stopping just about any puck playoff opponents can shoot his way - even the ones he doesn't see.The goaltender has been dominant in the Boston Bruins' six-game postseason...

ST. LOUIS (AP) Ottawa's Bobby Ryan scored twice, including the overtime winner, to lift the Senators to a 3-2 win at St. Louis, dropping the Blues further off the pace in the NHL Central Division.The Blues have lost three straight and are nine points behind Central leader Dallas,...

Associated PressDevils slip past Bruins with 3-2 win in a shootoutBy MIKE FARRELLNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Damon Severson scored in the sixth round of the shootout Tuesday to give the New Jersey Devils a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.Severson beat Jaroslav Halak with a backhand and Mackenzie Blackwood...

AP Hockey WriterO'Reilly has goal, assist in Sabres' 5-3 win over LightningBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The last-place Buffalo Sabres are suddenly playing havoc with the Eastern Conference's top teams - and without their top offensive threat, Jack Eichel, no less.Ryan O'Reilly scored a goal and added two...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals' T.J. Oshie is ready to return from concussionBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) T.J. Oshie has had concussions before, so he knew what not to do this time.After taking a hit to the head from San Jose's Joe Thornton on Dec. 6, the star winger didn't...

Predators activate goaltender Rinne from injured reserveNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have activated Vezina Trophy winning-goaltender Pekka Rinne from injured reserve.Predators officials announced the move Wednesday. The Predators also reassigned goaltender Troy Grosenick to their American Hockey League affiliate in Milwaukee.Juuse Saros has started the Predators' last...

AP Hockey WriterKucherov making plenty of points for NHL's MVP considerationBy JOHN WAWROWConnor McDavid knows better than to risk making end-of-season NHL award projections.Through no fault of his own, the Edmonton Oilers captain was not included among last year's three MVP candidates, causing a stir back home. So McDavid...

Bruins contingent heading to China on 1st team visit thereBOSTON (AP) A Boston Bruins contingent is heading to China.Players are making the team's first-ever official visit there and will tour Beijing and Shanghai. The trip starts Monday and runs through July 23.Left winger Matt Beleskey and right winger...

AP Hockey WriterRangers acquire Trouba from Jets for Pionk, 1st round pickBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe New York Rangers sped up their rebuilding effort Monday by acquiring offensive-minded defenseman Jacob Trouba from the Winnipeg Jets.New York sent young defenseman Neal Pionk and the 20th overall pick in the draft to Winnipeg...