NHL

Sean Couturier lifts Flyers past Maple Leafs in shootoutTORONTO (AP) Sean Couturier scored the shootout winner to give the Philadelphia Flyers a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.Flyers captain Claude Giroux also scored in the shootout. William Nylander was the only successful Toronto shooter.Phillipe...

AP Hockey WriterStarting goaltenders battle physical and mental fatigueBy STEPHEN WHYNOBehind the mask is a mind filled with a web of a thousand thoughts, worries and a singular focus of what it takes to win a game.Then the next game, then the one after that.''There is no shut-off for...

AP Hockey WriterSalary cap-related trades overshadow 2nd day of NHL draftBy JOHN WAWROWVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The traditional team-by-team roll call to open the second day of the NHL draft hadn't yet begun when the league's looming salary-cap crunch began overshadowing the final six rounds Saturday.Norris Trophy-winning defenseman...

AP Hockey WriterMetropolitan Division madness gets contenders playoff-readyBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe bruises on Travis Konecny's legs are marks of Metropolitan Division hockey.In the third period of a crucial late-season divisional game, the undersized Philadelphia Flyers forward got in the way of not one but two slap shots from Washington Capitals...

Surely, if the Washington Capitals were going to make the playoffs, it would come down to the wire. Their start was so terrible that even an optimistic die-hard would figure that, with the right breaks, perhaps, they could steal a berth in the final game of the regular season. Yet...

AP Sports WriterDucks sign G John Gibson to 8-year, $51.2 million extensionBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) John Gibson has grown up with the Anaheim Ducks, and they want the goalie guarding their net for many years to come.Gibson agreed to an eight-year, $51.2 million extension with the Ducks...

AP Hockey WriterDefending champion Caps face 'Mr. Game 7' and the HurricanesBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Justin Williams doesn't lose in Game 7. Except that one time.The player who earned the ''Mr. Game 7'' moniker for going 7-0 with seven goals and seven assists in winner-take-all situations lost...

AP Sports Writer'Luck in disguise': Layoff helps Blue Jackets get healthyBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Considering they are about to resume the season amid a pandemic, the Columbus Blue Jackets are healthier than they’ve been in a long while.When the NHL halted play in mid-March because of the...

AP Sports WriterWhalers fans still rooting, 22 years after the team's moveBy PAT EATON-ROBBHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) For Mark Anderson, the opening game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins was a trip down memory lane.Anderson was watching Game 1 closely at a gathering in suburban Hartford Thursday...

Associated PressKarlsson, Sharks beat Blues 5-4 after controversial no-callBy JOE HARRISST. LOUIS (AP) Timo Meier handed a big win to Erik Karlsson and the San Jose Sharks.Karlsson scored 5:23 into overtime after the officials missed a hand pass by Meier, and the Sharks rallied to beat the St....

Anaheim Ducks to retire numbers of Kariya, NiedermayerANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The Anaheim Ducks will retire the numbers of Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayer during the upcoming season.The Ducks announced the honors for their Hall of Famers on Monday.Kariya's No. 9 will go into the Honda Center rafters on...

Red Wings continue resurgence, beat Sharks 3-0By The Associated PressDETROIT (AP) Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard made 30 saves as the Red Wings beat San Jose 3-0 to win a fourth straight game following back-to-back losses to start the season.Elsewhere, Philadelphia pulled away to beat a road-weary Carolina and...