NHL

AP Hockey WriterInnovations allow NHL to stage outdoor games almost anywhereBy STEPHEN WHYNOPHILADELPHIA (AP) Dan Craig sleeps maybe four hours a night leading up to outdoor games. He only goes out to dinner because he can check the status of the ice on his phone.''Your mind's always going,''...

June 17 - Last possible day for Stanley Cup Final.June 24 - NHL Awards, Las Vegas.June 26-27 - NHL draft, Sunrise, Fla.July 1 - Free agency begins.

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 WriterLured out of retirement, Preds' Mike Fisher chasing 1st CupBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Losing the Stanley Cup last June wasn't what hurt Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg the most. Seeing how painful the loss was for veteran center Mike Fisher proved even more agonizing.''That...

Penguins forward Rust, defenseman Ruhwedel out 'longer term'PITTSBURGH (AP) The injury-ravaged Pittsburgh Penguins will be without forward Bryan Rust and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel indefinitely after both were injured in a victory over Columbus.Coach Mike Sullivan said Wednesday both Ruhwedel and Rust will be out ''longer term.'' Rust suffered...

Associated PressBernier's 38 saves lead Avalanche past Sharks 3-1By BRENT W. NEWDENVER (AP) With the core of Colorado's scoring attack sidelined, backup goalie Jonathan Bernier put together a stifling performance.Gabriel Bourque and Tyson Jost scored 2:14 apart in the second period, Bernier stopped 38 shots and the Avalanche...

Hurricanes buy out remainder of F Patrick Marleau's contractRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have bought out the remainder of Patrick Marleau's contract less than a week after acquiring him in a trade.The team announced the decision Thursday.Toronto sent the 39-year-old forward to Carolina on Saturday seeking salary-cap...

AP Hockey WriterArizona-born Matthews goes 1st in NHL draft; Finns followBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Once the ''Go Leafs, Go!'' chants subsided after Toronto selected Arizona-born center Auston Matthews with the first pick in the NHL draft, the Finns began their march to the podium.Three players from Finland...

Rangers add Shattenkirk, Pavelec in free agencyNEW YORK (AP) The Rangers have agreed to deals with defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and goalie Ondrej Pavelec on the opening day of free agency.Shattenkirk was considered to be one of the top players available and fills a need on the team's blueline...

Flames place Jaromir Jagr on injured reserveCALGARY, Alberta (AP) The Calgary Flames have placed Jaromir Jagr on injured reserve.Jagr left Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild in the first period and did not return to the game.The 45-year-old right wing broke his stick attempting a shot on...

AP Sports WriterWhat now? Penguins face crucial offseason after flameoutBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Jim Rutherford's question was rhetorical. The answer - whenever the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager arrives at - will determine how the franchise emerges from the rubble of a first-round playoff sweep at the hands of...

AP Hockey WriterBackup plan: The case to play goalies on consecutive nightsBy JOHN WAWROWIf NHL coaches want to provide goalies quality downtime during a constricted schedule, Martin Biron believes he has an ideal backup plan.Rather than split starts as teams often do when playing on consecutive days, the former...