NHL

AP Hockey WriterWell-rested teams have big advantage in NHL playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNORest is beating rust so far in the NHL playoffs.The teams that have two or more days of time off than their opponent are 5-1 in series openers. The well-rested Tampa Bay Lightning were the latest to take...

AP Sports WriterQuenneville returns to Chicago with Florida PanthersBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) In some Chicago circles, certainly every one that includes a hockey rink, it's just “Q.” Only one letter is necessary for a man so revered there is a Twitter account for his mustache with more than...

Last-place Senators beat Maple Leafs 4-2OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) With the playoffs just over a week away, the Toronto Maple Leafs know they're running out of time to clean up their game.The Maple Leafs missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot Saturday night, falling 4-2 to the last-place...

AP Hockey WriterMaple Leafs among Canadian teams looking to take next stepBy STEPHEN WHYNOAuston Matthews watched the NBA champion Raptors parade through the streets of Toronto and couldn't help but wonder.What if instead of Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry, it was him and his Maple Leafs teammates celebrating the...

AP Hockey WriterNHL finalizes playoff format as Pens reveal positive testBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL unveiled the final details of its playoff format Thursday even as word came out that a ninth player tested positive for the coronavirus.Every playoff series will be a best-of-seven format after the initial qualifying round...

AP Hockey WriterPenguins erase 2-goal deficit, beat Capitals 3-2 in Game 1By STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Patric Hornqvist, Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel scored in a 4:49 span to help the Pittsburgh Penguins rally to beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Thursday night in Game 1 of the second-round...

AP Sports WriterPuck picnic: Calgary Flames practice in NYC's Central ParkBy BEN WALKERNEW YORK (AP) Among all the joggers, dog walkers, bird watchers and families feeding the ducks in Central Park this weekend, Kris Versteeg and his out-of-town pals came for a picnic.A puck picnic, that is.Needing a...

Leafs trade forward Fehr to San Jose for 2020 draft pickTORONTO (AP) The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Eric Fehr to the San Jose Sharks for a seventh-round draft pick in the 2020 draft.The 32-year-old Fehr played in four games with the Leafs this season. He was...

Associated PressLas Vegas has fallen in love with Golden KnightsBy REGINA GARCIA CANO and W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) The Golden Knights' gold-and-grey-on-black helmets are everywhere.They're on T-shirts and hats worn by mall patrons, on jerseys of moviegoers, on stuffed animals, on mugs and on bumper stickers deep in...

Blues fire coach Ken Hitchcock, promote Mike YeoST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis Blues have fired coach Ken Hitchcock.Assistant and coach-in-waiting Mike Yeo replaced him ahead of schedule. Yeo was supposed to succeed Hitchcock after this season, the veteran coach's final in St. Louis.General manager Doug Armstrong announced...

LONE TREE, Colo. (AP) Authorities say former Colorado Avalanche player Marek Svatos (SVAH'-tohs) died of a drug overdose. According to an autopsy report released Monday, the 34-year-old had several drugs in his system at the time of his death on Nov. 5, including anti-anxiety medication and painkillers. It also said...

Lightning top Sens, become 3rd team to reach 60-win markOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning added another impressive milestone Monday, picking up their 60th win of the season with a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.The Lightning, who play their final three games on the road, are...