NHL

The Carolina Hurricanes got the victory. The New York Islanders still came away with something even more significant. The Islanders clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot despite a 4-3 shootout loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday night. With the point they received by reaching overtime, coupled with a loss by...

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...

The Avalanche are embracing their role as spoilers. Well back and way out of the playoff race, Colorado is making things difficult for teams in or contending for a playoff spot. Because if they don't play inspired hockey, they run the risk of incurring the wrath of veteran goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere...

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...

The line of Jiri Tlusty, Alexander Semin and Eric Staal did it all for the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday night. Tlusty scored twice, Semin had a goal and two assists and Staal chipped in with a pair of assists -- all in the first period -- to lead the...

The New York Rangers insist they are focused much more on their drive toward the playoffs than ending the New Jersey Devils' postseason hopes. With a thorough 4-1 victory Sunday, the Broadway Blueshirts took care of both. Ryan Callahan scored a goal in the opening minute and another in the third...

Down a goal late in the third period, R.J. Umberger glanced along the bench and saw hardly a drooped shoulder. This isn't the same Columbus Blue Jackets squad, one that in the past might have let this game slip away. This is a more determined Blue Jackets team, one that's focused...

Montreal Canadiens coach Michel Therrien wants to remind his team that the season isn't over just because a playoff spot has already been clinched. Therrien was angry after the Canadiens lost by four goals for a second straight game -- this time 7-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday...

A mixture of champions, engine builders and innovators highlight the five newest nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The new nominees announced on Wednesday are 1999 Sprint Cup champion and ESPN analyst Dale Jarrett, engine builder Maurice Petty, Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith, 1960 Cup champion Rex White...

All the Boston Bruins needed to get back into first place was eight good minutes to start the game, and eight flawless penalty kills. Gregory Campbell scored twice in a three-goal first period, and the Bruins built a four-goal lead and then held on for a 5-4 victory over...

Jason Pominville got a surprise shortly before taking the ice for his new team, the Minnesota Wild, on Sunday night. His wife, kids and father-in-law drove down from Buffalo, N.Y., to see Pominville in action against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was a good night for the former Buffalo Sabres'...

Despite dealing away many of their star players before this week's NHL trade deadline, the Dallas Stars are delivering a clear message to the rest of the Western Conference that they aren't packing it in just yet. Jamie Benn scored the lone goal in the shootout and Kari Lehtonen stopped...