NHL

AP Sports WriterTampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov wins Hart, Lindsay at NHL AwardsBy GREG BEACHAMLAS VEGAS (AP) Nikita Kucherov gratefully accepted the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award on Wednesday night in recognition of his spectacular 128-point regular season in Tampa Bay.He might even be able to enjoy...

AP Hockey WriterPenalties, power-play goals skyrocket early in NHL playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOPlayers take note: Referees aren't swallowing their whistles so far in the 2018 NHL playoffs.Penalties are up more than 17 percent over the same time a year ago and are playing a substantial role in several series. Through...

Byron hat trick fuels Canadiens over Red Wings 10-1MONTREAL (AP) Paul Byron got his first career hat trick, Alex Galchenyuk had a career-best four assists and the Montreal Canadiens beat the slumping Detroit Red Wings 10-1 Saturday night for their fifth straight win.Nicolas Deslauriers, Jacob de la Rose...

AP Sports WriterPotent Lightning display depth, beat Devils 5-2 in Game 1By FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Captain Steven Stamkos and high-scoring Nikita Kucherov garner lots of attention. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hardly a two-man show.The top seed in the Eastern Conference got early goals from four...

Associated PressWard wins 300th, Hurricanes top Golden Knights in shootoutBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Cam Ward earned his 300th career win when Phillip Di Giuseppe's goal in the fifth round of a shootout lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-2 victory over Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.Marcus...

AP Sports WriterNugent-Hopkins scores twice to help Oilers beat Avs 6-4By PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) The Edmonton Oilers broke the ice with a four-goal second period. As for the shattered glass in the penalty box, it wasn't their fault.Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice in the decisive second period, Mikko Koskinen...

Associated PressToews, Kane lead Blackhawks past Blues in shootoutBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Despite staging a late comeback against the Chicago Blackhawks, the St. Louis Blues are still a point shy as they tried to climb into a tie for first place in the Central Division.Jonathan Toews scored the...

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes recalled forward Dustin Jeffrey and defenseman Philip Samuelsson from Springfield on Sunday and assigned forward Tyler Gaudet to the American Hockey League team.The 27-year-old Jeffrey has five goals and seven assists in 10 games for the Springfield this season, and the 24-year-old...

AP Hockey WriterAP Source: NHL now focusing on mid-January season start dateBy JOHN WAWROWTime has all but run out on the NHL's hope to start the season Jan. 1, with the league and NHL Players' Association now focusing their discussions on opening play in mid-January, a person familiar with...

AP Hockey WriterDucks' Lindholm, Vatanen out long-term for shoulder surgeryBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Anaheim Ducks defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen need shoulder surgeries that will sideline them into next season.Ducks general manager Bob Murray disclosed the problems Thursday while the Ducks packed up for the summer...

Canucks sign Brock Boeser to 3-year, $17.625 million dealVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The Vancouver Canucks have signed restricted free-agent right wing Brock Boeser to a three-year, $17.625 million deal.The Canucks announced the signing on Monday.The 22-year-old missed training camp during the weekend as negotiations continued. He posted a...

AP Hockey WriterHoltby's playoff dominance goes beyond 'the save'By STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Alex Ovechkin covered his eyes with his gloved hands in disbelief. Barry Trotz hid his disbelief inside.Chandler Stephenson had the perfect view and didn't like the odds. The net was wide open and Braden Holtby...