NHL

AP Hockey WritersNHL awaits players' vote before discussing what comes nextBy JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL is awaiting the result of a players' vote on a 24-team playoff format before discussing its options on how to proceed in its bid to resume play.With the NHL Players' Association executive...

Namestnikov scores in 3rd, Rangers beat Hurricanes 2-1RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Vladislav Namestikov scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, giving the New York Rangers a 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.Connor Brickley also scored for the Rangers, who earned a split of a...

AP Sports WriterBanged-up Sharks prepare for 2nd-round series vs. rested AvsBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) As the San Jose Sharks survived back-to-back overtime games that left captain Joe Pavelski bloodied and dazed, and most of his teammates drained emotionally and physically, the Colorado Avalanche sat back and...

Associated PressNico Hischier scores in OT as Devils rally to beat Wild 5-4By MIKE COOKST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A goaltender who was winless in his previous 21 decisions outplayed an All-Star down the stretch Friday night.Cory Schneider got his first win in nearly 14 months when Nico Hischier...

Jan. 1 - Winter Classic: Chicago at Washington.Jan. 22-26 - All-Star break.Feb. 21 - Stadium Series: Los Angeles vs. San Jose at Santa Clara, Calif.April 11 - Regular season ends.

NHL CalendarBy The Associated Press(All dates set before season was suspended until further notice.)April 4 - Regular season ends.April 8 - Stanley Cup playoffs begin.May 8-24 - IIHF World Championship, Zurich/Lausanne, Switzerland, ccd.June 1-6 - NHL scouting combine, Buffalo, N.Y., ppd.June 13 - Last possible day of Stanley Cup...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals re-sign winger Jakub Vrana in 2-year dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) The Washington Capitals took care of their biggest remaining offseason priority Tuesday by re-signing winger Jakub Vrana to a $6.7 million, two-year contract.Vrana had been a restricted free agent and will count $3.35 million...

A decision on whether NHL players will head to the 2014 Sochi Olympics isn't likely to be reached this week. Discussions were scheduled for Thursday and Friday between the NHL, the NHL players' association, and officials from the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee to see if...

Associated PressVasilevskiy has 37 saves, Lightning beat Sharks 7-1By MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning finally looked like the dominating team that tied an NHL record last season with 62 wins.Andrei Vasilevskiy made 37 saves, Steven Stamkos had two power-play goals and an assist, and the...

AP Sports WriterEasy as 1, 2, 3: Hat tricks on the rise this seasonBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) In keeping with hockey tradition, a tip of the cap to honor Alex Ovechkin and Patrik Laine .They've each recorded a hat trick of hat tricks this season.Easy as one, two,...

Aston-Reese has 2 goals and assist, Penguins beat Jets 7-2WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Injuries to some key players has forced the Pittsburgh Penguins to play a simpler game, and it's working out quite well for them.Zach Aston-Reese, Sam Lafferty and Jake Guentzel each had two goals to lead the...

Backup goalie Grubauer, Capitals agree to $1.5M, 1-year dealARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer has agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Washington Capitals.The team announced Thursday that it had re-signed its last remaining restricted free agent.The 25-year-old German went 13-6-2 with a 2.04 goals-against...