NHL

Just when it looked like Columbus might squander away key points in its playoff chase, Ryan Johansen provided a big boost to the Blue Jackets' postseason hopes. Johansen scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:37 remaining after a turnover by Joe Pavelski, and the Blue Jackets overcame a blown two-goal...

Leafs sign defenseman Carrick to 1-year, $1.3 million dealTORONTO (AP) The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Connor Carrick to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million.The 24-year-old had 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 47 games with the Maple Leafs this past season.In 167 games with the...

Associated PressWild G Dubnyk leaves game after collisionBy MIKE COOKST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk left Tuesday night's game against the Edmonton Oilers after being injured early in the second period.Dubnyk was upended after Minnesota's Ryan Donato fell to the ice while battling the...

AP Hockey WriterRangers, Brendan Smith agree to $17M, 4-year dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Brendan Smith signed a $17 million, four-year deal with the Rangers, solidifying New York's blue line and setting the market for free agent defensemen.Smith will count $4.35 million against the salary cap through the 2020-21...

PITTSBURGH (AP) New Penguins coach Mike Sullivan believes his team has a chance to be great, and it's up to him to help the players reach their potential.Sullivan ran his first practice as Pittsburgh's coach on Sunday, a day after the team fired Mike Johnston and assistant Gary...

Penguins trade Condon to Senators for 2017 5th-round pickPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded goaltender Mike Condon to the Ottawa Senators for a 2017 fifth-round draft pick.The deal comes as Stanley Cup-winning goalie Matt Murray returned to the ice for the Penguins after missing the start of...

Visit by Stephenson, Stanley Cup stirs emotion in HumboldtHUMBOLDT, Saskatchewan (AP) A small Saskatchewan city devastated by a fatal bus crash involving its junior hockey team welcomed a trophy on Friday that fans no doubt hoped would one day be hoisted by one of their boys.Washington Capitals forward...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin reaches 600 goals, Capitals beat Jets in overtimeBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Make it 600 goals and counting for Alex Ovechkin, and give the Washington Capitals two more points for the tough playoff race in the Eastern Conference.Ovechkin scored twice in another historic performance and Evgeny...

Capitals hire Arniel, Cashman as assistant coachesARLINGTON, Va. (AP) The Washington Capitals have hired Scott Arniel and Reid Cashman as assistants on coach Todd Reirden's staff.General manager Brian MacLellan announced the moves Monday. Since Reirden was promoted from associate coach to fill Barry Trotz's role, Arniel and Cashman...

NHL center Matt Stajan retires after 14 seasonsTORONTO (AP) Matt Stajan retired Tuesday after 14 seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames.The 35-year-old two-way center announced his decision in a statement through the NHL players' union.He had 413 points (146 goals, 267 assists)...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Atlanta hockey fans cheering Anybody But The JetsBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) The playoff run by the Winnipeg Jets has ripped the bandages off some old wounds in their former home.Hockey fans in Atlanta - yes, they actually exist - are still bitter about the way...

AP Sports WriterPredators reach 1st Stanley Cup Final, oust Ducks in 6 gamesBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Different players just keep stepping up for the Nashville Predators, and now their magical postseason run has an even bigger destination: the franchise's first trip to the Stanley Cup Final.Colton...