NHL

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...

AP Hockey WriterDevils select US center Hughes with 1st pick in NHL draftBy JOHN WAWROWVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The first round of the NHL draft wasn't so much unpredictable as the game is becoming more international.That was Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill's observation following an opening round...

Sabres avoid arbitration by signing Beaulieu to 2-year dealBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu has agreed to a two-year, $4.8 million deal in foregoing the opportunity to have his contract determined at an arbitration hearing.The Sabres announced the agreement on Monday, five days before...

Arizona Coyotes sign Martinook to 2-year, $3.6 million dealGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes have signed restricted free agent forward Jordan Martinook to a two-year, $3.6 million contract, avoiding arbitration.The contract, announced on Saturday, will pay Martinook $1.75 million this season and $1.85 million next year.The Coyotes also...

AP Hockey WriterGaudreau and Peters have Flames cruising toward playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOBill Peters deadpanned that it was the first time he had heard the question.What did you learn about Johnny Gaudreau that you didn't know before you started coaching him? Midway through his first season with the Calgary Flames,...

Hurricanes, Derek Ryan agree to 1-year, $1.4 million dealRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with forward Derek Ryan on a one-year contract.Under terms of the deal announced Monday, Ryan will make $1.425 million this season.The 30-year-old had career bests with 11 goals, 18 assists...

AP Sports WriterAnaheim Ducks hire Dallas Eakins as head coachBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Dallas Eakins was named the Anaheim Ducks' coach on Monday, moving up from their AHL affiliate in San Diego for his second chance behind an NHL bench.The Ducks filled the NHL's last head coaching...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals sign Nicklas Backstrom for 5-year, $46M dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) The Capitals have signed Nicklas Backstrom for the long term, agreeing to a $46 million, five-year contract extension on Tuesday.The deal through the 2024-25 season carries a $9.2 million salary-cap hit.Backstrom is the Capitals franchise...

Bruins F Pastrnak suspended 2 games for illegal head checkBOSTON (AP) Bruins forward David Pastrnak has been suspended for two games without pay for an illegal check to the head of Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi.The NHL announced the suspension Friday. The play in question occurred during the second...

AP Sports WriterNHL playoffs return after 2-day break for protestsBy JOHN MARSHALLThe NHL playoffs took a two-day break to protest racial injustice, the latest twist in an unprecedented, pandemic-halted season.Now it's back to the ice.Three second-round playoff series resume Saturday after NHL players joined athletes in sports leagues across...

Sabres' coach Phil Housley hires Chris Hajt as assistantBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres rookie head coach Phil Housley has hired Chris Hajt to serve as one of his assistants.Hajt spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings' American Hockey League affiliate, including...

Panthers make Tallon president, Rowe GMSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) The Florida Panthers have shaken up their front office, with Dale Tallon becoming president of hockey operations and Tom Rowe replacing him as general manager.Those moves occurred earlier this month, but the team did not confirm them until Monday.Eric Joyce...