NHL

AP Sports WriterNico Hischier scores twice as Devils win fifth straightBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) There seems to be no stopping the surprising New Jersey Devils these days, especially on home ice.Top overall draft pick Nico Hischier scored two goals in the first period and the Devils extended...

Oilers sign star Connor McDavid to 8-year, $100 million dealEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Edmonton Oilers paid a huge price to lock up superstar captain Connor McDavid.But it could have been even higher.The Oilers said Wednesday that the team and McDavid have agreed to an eight-year, $100 million extension.That...

4 months after Cup clash, Penguins, Sharks meet againPITTSBURGH (AP) The stakes are nowhere near the same: hockey immortality versus two points in the standings in the second week of a long season.Still, the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins expect the atmosphere to be a little more...

AP Sports WriterWeight preaching simple focus for struggling IslandersBy VIN A. CHERWOOEAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) Doug Weight knows it won't be easy for the New York Islanders to get back in the playoff race, but the interim coach is preaching a simple approach in taking it one game...

AP Hockey WriterCaps have high goal-scoring expectations for Ovechkin at 32By STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Alex Ovechkin has scored 50 goals so regularly that finishing with 30-something was a disappointment.Ovechkin is responsible for seven of the 20 times any player has scored 50 goals in a season since...

AP Sports WriterVilardi scores quickly in NHL debut as Kings defeat PanthersBy JOE REEDYLOS ANGELES (AP) Not many players can top the NHL debut that Gabriel Vilardi had on Thursday night.The Los Angeles center scored 10 seconds into his first shift and added an assist as the Kings...

AP Hockey WriterDevils' Boyle diagnosed with cancer, expects to keep playingBy STEPHEN WHYNONew Jersey Devils forward Brian Boyle has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone-marrow cancer that the team's doctor says can be treated with medication.Boyle has been away from the team during training camp...

Staal: terminal birth defect led to infant daughter's deathRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal and his wife say their infant daughter died of a terminal birth defect.The team released a statement Wednesday from Staal and his wife, Heather. The Hurricanes announced Hannah's death Sunday, though they...

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson has taken a leave of absence from the team as his wife battles a rare form of throat cancer. The Senators announced the news on Twitter and said Anderson isn't expected to be available for Ottawa's game Thursday against visiting Philadelphia. Nicholle Anderson...

AP Sports WriterCapitals winger Tom Wilson banned 20 games for preseason hitBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was banned 20 games by the NHL on Wednesday for a blindside hit to the head of an opponent during a preseason game, the latest and most severe...

Blackhawks unload Hossa's contract in trade with CoyotesCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Marian Hossa and Vinnie Hinostroza in a blockbuster deal with the Arizona Coyotes, parting with a promising young forward in order to clear out a troublesome contract.The Blackhawks also sent defenseman Jordan Oesterle and...

AP Hockey WriterNHL Draft: McPhee grows emotional once son picked by OilersBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) As a longtime NHL scout and general manager, George McPhee has had a hand in providing opportunities to countless prospects at the NHL draft.It wasn't until Saturday, when McPhee fully appreciated how...