NHL

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) - After making quick work of the Winnipeg Jets, the Anaheim Ducks now get a chance to relax and regroup before the next round of the playoffs.Ryan Kesler scored twice in the third period and Anaheim beat Winnipeg 5-2 on Wednesday night to sweep their Western...

AP Sports WriterWild drop interim tag to make Dean Evason full-time coachBy DAVE CAMPBELLThe Minnesota Wild made Dean Evason their full-time head coach on Monday, signing him to a two-year contract extension at the commencement of training camp for the restarted NHL season.Evason's deal will expire after the 2021-22...

Avs agree to 1-year deal with forward Valeri NichushkinDENVER (AP) The Colorado Avalanche agreed to a one-year deal with forward Valeri Nichushkin.The 24-year-old had 10 assists and no goals in 57 games last season with the Dallas Stars. He has 23 goals and 51 assists in 223 career...

AP Hockey WriterStreak over, Blue Jackets turn attention to staying on topBy STEPHEN WHYNOEven before the Columbus Blue Jackets' winning streak ended, coach John Tortorella wondered what would happen next.How would a team that hadn't lost in five weeks handle the aftermath?After giving his players a welcome day off...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin to skip NHL All-Star Game, be suspended 1 gameBy STEPHEN WHYNOAlex Ovechkin will skip the NHL's All-Star Weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest and serve an automatic one-game suspension.The Washington Capitals announced Ovechkin's decision Wednesday, hours before the league unveiled the full All-Star...

Senators suspend assistant general manager Randy LeeOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) The Ottawa Senators have suspended Randy Lee, the assistant general manager facing a harassment charge from an incident during the NHL's pre-draft scouting combine.Lee is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly making lewd comments and rubbing the shoulders of...

AP Sports WriterSeattle hires former US team captain Cammi Granato as scoutBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) Cammi Granato has received plenty of interest in the past from NHL franchises. None of them suited her as well as Seattle's expansion team does.The former U.S. Olympic team captain, gold medalist and...

AP Sports WriterBettman: NHL owners not 'looking for a fight' in CBA talksBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the owners aren't ''looking for a fight'' when it comes to collective bargaining negotiations with the players.The current CBA runs until 2022, but the league...

Sharks decline to give qualifying offer to D Dylan DeMeloSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have declined to issue a qualifying offer to defenseman Dylan DeMelo, making him an unrestricted free agent.The Sharks announced Monday that the team gave qualifying offers to forwards Tomas Hertl and...

AP Sports WriterReilly's OT goal lifts Maple Leafs over Ducks 2-1By JOE REEDYANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The California road swing has traditionally posed problems for the Toronto Maple Leafs. That wasn't the case this season.Morgan Reilly scored with 1:43 remaining in overtime to lift the Maple Leafs over the...

AP Hockey WriterBlues' Sundqvist faces possible suspension in Cup FinalBy STEPHEN WHYNOST. LOUIS (AP) Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist is facing a potential suspension in the Stanley Cup Final after delivering a blow to the head of Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk.Sundqvist had a hearing with the NHL's department of...

AP Hockey WriterOilers among winners, Panthers losers at NHL trade deadlineBy STEPHEN WHYNOMired in a run of one playoff appearance in 13 seasons, the Edmonton Oilers could really use some hockey deep into April and perhaps May and June.General manager Ken Holland took a few small steps toward making...