NHL

Associated PressNHL Capsules: Toews' goal in OT lifts Blackhawks over WildBy PATRICK DONNELLYST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) Jonathan Toews scored a power-play goal 3:09 into overtime to lift the Chicago Blackhawks over the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Wednesday.Ryan Suter was called for holding midway through the overtime,...

AP Sports WriterSame squad, same goal: Bruins want another shot at CupBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) The Boston Bruins didn't sign a bunch of pricey free agents over the summer after barely missing out on a Stanley Cup championship last season.Instead, they handed out extensions.After going to the last...

Blackhawks to play man short vs BluesCHICAGO (AP) The struggling Chicago Blackhawks are going to play a man short against the St. Louis Blues because of injuries and the salary cap.Coach Jeremy Colliton says forward Andrew Shaw will miss Monday night's game against the Stanley Cup champions with...

AP Hockey WriterPontus Aberg's goal puts Predators past Ducks 3-1 in Game 5By GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, California (AP) Pontus Aberg spent most of the season in the minors and had a part-time depth role for the Nashville Predators in these Stanley Cup playoffs until injuries thrust him into a...

Devils get defenseman Mirco Mueller from Sharks for picksNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have acquired defenseman Mirco Mueller from the San Jose Sharks.San Jose got a second-round pick, 49th overall, and a fourth-round pick, 123rd overall. The Sharks also sent their fifth-round pick, 143rd overall, to...

AP Hockey WriterHurricanes, Sabres, Canadiens vying for NHL's top draft pickBy JOHN WAWROWThe Carolina Hurricanes have vaulted into a position to land one of the top three picks of this year's NHL draft.They're joined by the Montreal Canadiens and the last-place finishing Buffalo Sabres as the three teams still...

New Jersey Devils sign forward Jesper Bratt to 2-year dealNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have re-signed restricted free agent forward Jesper Bratt to a $5.5 million, two-year contract.Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the deal on Sunday, four days before the season opener at home against...

AP Hockey WriterRussian stars could decide Blue Jackets-Capitals seriesBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Dmitry Orlov scoring on Sergei Bobrovsky is a popular clip at a bar in their hometown in southwestern Siberia.''They always show my goal to him,'' Orlov said. ''My friends said that.''Orlov and Bobrovsky are good friends...

AP Sports WriterWith Laviolette, Preds find offensive payoff in postseasonBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Three years ago, general manager David Poile let the only coach the Predators had ever known in Barry Trotz leave and hired Peter Laviolette to inject more offense into the Nashville lineup.The payoff...

AP Sports WriterSobotka not optimistic about returning to BluesBy STEPHEN WHYNOTORONTO (AP) Vladimir Sobotka says he is no longer optimistic about returning to the St. Louis Blues after two years in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League because of a contract holdup.NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Wednesday in Washington...

Laine, Little score power-play goals, Jets top Canucks 4-1WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) ?? Dustin Byfuglien returned to the Winnipeg lineup and helped carry the Jets to a victory.The defenseman had a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night after missing the previous...

AP Sports WriterGM: Hurricanes 'capable' of finally making playoffsBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes figure they look like a playoff team on paper. They're eager to find out if that translates to the ice.After missing the postseason for the eighth straight year - the longest active...