NHL

Vanek has 3 goals, assist to lift Blue Jackets over OilersEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) After Edmonton scored the first three goals of the game, the Columbus Blue Jackets made it apparent which team was still fighting for a playoff spot and which team was already out of the race.Thomas...

AP Hockey WriterDucks look to future after narrow playoff loss to PredatorsBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa both say the Anaheim Ducks' narrow defeat in the Western Conference finals this week was the toughest loss of their hockey careers.That's a major statement for two...

AP Hockey WriterPressure still on Caps, but spotlight is on Fleury in Game 6By STEPHEN WHYNOThree goals in five minutes sparked sing-song chants of ''FLEU-RY! FLEU-RY!'' and might've planted enough of a seed of belief for the Washington Capitals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.All series the Capitals had struggled to...

Canucks sign Thomas Vanek to 1-year deal, $2 million dealVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Thomas Vanek and the Vancouver Canucks agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal Friday.The 33-year-old forward had 17 goals and 31 assists in 68 games last season with Florida and Detroit.''Thomas has been a prolific...

Russell hands Maple Leafs winner in 6-4 victory over OilersEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Thanks to Kris Russell's embarrassing mistake, Patrick Marleau wound up with one of the easiest goals of his career Thursday night.It was a big one, too.Russell accidentally fired the puck into his own net late in...

AP Hockey WriterNew Coaches: Trotz takes Cup-winning experience to IslandersBy STEPHEN WHYNOWhile the Washington Capitals are watching their Stanley Cup banner rise to the rafters, Barry Trotz will be fresh off a plane in North Carolina, preparing for his own season opener.Trotz guided the Capitals to their first title...

Associated Press10 draft picks give Rangers options in unfamiliar rebuildBy DENIS P. GORMANNEW YORK (AP) The Rangers face an unfamiliar challenge after stockpiling picks for the June draft: Maximizing a franchise-record 10 selections, including three in the first round.Rebuilding means keeping options open for trades while also targeting...

Dallas 0 2 0-2Calgary 0 1 0-1First Period-None.Second Period-1, Dallas, Ja.Benn 9 (Seguin, Eakin), 4:00. 2, Dallas, Daley 7 (Ja.Benn, Eakin), 11:54. 3, Calgary, Giordano 9, 18:45.Third Period-None.Shots on Goal-Dallas 6-8-7-21. Calgary 9-8-5-22.Goalies-Dallas, Lehtonen. Calgary, Hiller. A-19,289 (19,289). T-2:26.

Sabres forward Skinner out 3-4 weeks with upper body injuryBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner will miss three to four weeks because of an upper body injury.The team did not provide any other details in announcing the update Saturday, a day after Skinner was injured in...

NHL stars pick between Crosby, McDavid as best playerBy The Associated PressThe Associated Press asked 30 top NHL players to name the best hockey player in the world. One catch: players couldn't pick a teammate. Sidney Crosby received 21 votes, Connor McDavid six, Erik Karlsson 1, two players couldn't...

Bruins extend contract of coach Bruce CassidyBOSTON (AP) The Boston Bruins signed coach Bruce Cassidy to a multiyear contract extension Wednesday, a reward for leading the team to the Stanley Cup Final in just his second full season on the bench.''I think it's a good marriage,'' Cassidy said...

AP Sports WriterZibanejad, Lundqvist lead Rangers to 5-3 win over HurricanesBy VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) Henrik Lundqvist doesn't know why he keeps having success against the Carolina Hurricanes.Mika Zibanejad had two goals and an assist, Lundqvist stopped 39 shots, and the New York Rangers beat the Hurricanes...