NHL

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Lightning are eager to take another shot at the Montreal Canadiens.A year after being swept by their Atlantic Division rivals in the opening round of the NHL playoffs, the confident Lightning will be looking for redemption when the teams meet again in...

Associated PressBenn records hat trick in Stars' 4-2 win over SharksBy RICK EYMERSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Jamie Benn stole the puck from Tomas Hertl and scored the go-ahead goal with 3:06 left before finishing a hat trick with an empty-netter to give the Dallas Stars a 4-2 victory...

Associated PressBackstrom, Holtby lead surging Capitals past Blues, 4-2By STEVE OVERBEYST. LOUIS (AP) Nicklas Backstrom started a three-goal second period, Braden Holtby made 34 saves, and the surging Washington Capitals beat the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Monday night.Alex Ovechkin got his league-leading 46th goal, and Alex Chiasson...

AP Hockey WriterPuck-stopping patience: Teams wait on goalies at NHL draftBy STEPHEN WHYNODALLAS (AP) The stress of stopping the puck with a game on the line is no sweat compared to what young goaltenders deal with waiting to be taken in the NHL draft.Even the best goaltending prospects...

AP Hockey WriterSpecial team: Blues penalty kill has them on verge of CupBy STEPHEN WHYNOSomething is missing from Boston's power play.The uninterrupted puck movement and cross-ice passes to a wide-open David Pastrnak aren't there anymore. Torey Krug isn't getting the chance to fire away from the top. Patrice Bergeron...

AP Sports WriterStars overcame major stumbles to reach Stanley Cup FinalBy STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Inside a lounge at the JW Marriott usually reserved for their meals and meetings, the Dallas Stars enjoyed a moment.It wasn't an all-out party because they are still four wins away from winning...

AP Hockey WriterSabres' Skinner tells AP he welcomes higher expectationsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Forward Jeff Skinner is both grateful and motivated by the new contract he signed to remain a member of the Buffalo Sabres for the next eight seasons.He's impressed by the faith the Sabres showed...

AP Sports WriterFast-skating Avs center MacKinnon speeds toward successBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) Mention a topic, just about any topic, and sharp-shooting Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon takes his elusiveness to a whole new level.Not appearing on the cover of the NHL's latest video game? ''Don't care,'' he responds....

AP Sports WriterPenguins star Sidney Crosby out with another concussionBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The scene brought back jarring memories. Sidney Crosby woozily making his way off the ice after taking a brutal hit from a member of the Washington Capitals. His brain foggy. His immediate future uncertain.The sight...

AP Hockey WriterSabres fire GM Botterill in series of cost-cutting movesBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula reversed course by firing general manager Jason Botterill on Tuesday as part of a drastic cost-cutting purge of front-office staff and scouts on a team preparing...

AP Hockey WriterCanucks defenseman Edler sidelined by concussionBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler avoided long-term injury from hitting his head on the ice but will be out at least a week with a concussion.Coach Travis Green said Tuesday that X-rays revealed no facial fractures. Edler...

Associated PressBurns, Tierney lead Sharks to 4-1 win over CanucksBy RICK EYMERSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Brent Burns and Chris Tierney each had a goal and an assist, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Thursday for their third win in four games.Mikkel Boedker and...