Timo Meier scores twice as Sharks take Game 1 vs. Blues
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Timo Meier scored twice and set up one of Logan Couture’s two goals with a hard hit, sending the San Jose Sharks to a 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the Western Conference final Saturday night. Meier’s hit on Alex Pietrangelo...
Five points that could help the Hurricanes in Game 2 against the Bruins
BOSTON — Here are five points that could help the Hurricanes even their series with the Bruins. 1. Touuggher on Tuukka The two goals the Hurricanes scored Thursday on Tuukka Rask both came with traffic on the doorstep, Sebastian Aho’s power-play deflection at the edge of the crease and Greg...
Charlie McAvoy’s back for Bruins, and now comes easy part
BOSTON — When he’s playing, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said, it’s easy for him to maintain his composure and concentrate on the game in front of him. Up in the press box, that’s the hard part. “I’m not a very good hockey watcher,” McAvoy said as he prepared to return...
Whalers fans still rooting, 22 years after the team’s move
HARTFORD, Conn. — For Mark Anderson, the opening game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins was a trip down memory lane. Anderson was watching Game 1 closely Thursday night at a gathering in suburban Hartford as the Bruins rallied to beat the Hurricanes, 5-2, behind four goals in...
Bruins run away with Game 1 against HurricanesVideo
BOSTON — Marcus Johansson and Patrice Bergeron scored power-play goals 28 seconds apart, and Boston scored four times in the third period to rally from a one-goal deficit and beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-2, on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Tuukka Rask stopped 29 shots...
Blues’ young star Robert Thomas playing beyond his years in Stanley Cup playoffs
ST. LOUIS — He is the youngest player on either roster in the Western Conference finals, but Blues rookie Robert Thomas is playing well beyond his age. Thomas, who won’t turn 20 until July 2, showed off the offensive skill and speed against Dallas that led St. Louis to make...
Joe Pavelski leads Sharks past Avalanche in Game 7
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Captain Joe Pavelski made a triumphant return from a gruesome head injury by posting a goal and an assist in the first period that helped send the San Jose Sharks into the Western Conference final with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7...
Goalie Jordan Binnington a steady rookie rock as Blues advance
ST. LOUIS — Jordan Binnington still doesn’t look nervous. Sure, the standout rookie goalie for the St. Louis Blues admitted he got a little tired late in the double-overtime win over Dallas in Game 7. But he said he is ready to keep his strong play going as St. Louis...
Western Pa. native Riley Barber looks forward to leaving Capitals
Riley Barber, a native of Washington, Pa., who was one of the top scorers in the AHL this season, sounds like he’s ready to move on from the Washington Capitals organization. Barber, 25, told NBC Sports Washington that he’s eager to test the waters once he hits unrestricted free agency...
Blues’ Pat Maroon’s son breaks down after dad’s Game 7-winning goal
Seeking a dose of “awwwww!” to go with your Game 7, double-overtime excitement? St. Louis Blues forward Pat Maroon put an end to a long night when he stuffed in a rebound to send the Blues to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1, double-overtime win over the Dallas Stars...
First call: Pat Maroon plays Game 7 hero; stunning shootout goal; ex-Pirates steady
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Game 7 NHL drama. A head-scratching shootout goal. Catching up with Cutch. The Texas Rangers are your new second-favorite baseball team. Feel familiar? Whenever they see a Game 7 playoff contest go to double overtime, Pittsburgh Penguins fans think of this. Thank you, Chris Kunitz. Thank...
Maroon’s OT goal lifts Blues past Stars in Game 7
ST. LOUIS — Pat Maroon scored 5:50 into the second overtime, Jordan Binnington made 29 saves and the St. Louis Blues outlasted the Dallas Stars 2-1 in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series Tuesday night. Maroon slammed the puck in after Robert Thomas skated in on Ben...
Tuukka Rask, Bruins turn focus to Hurricanes in Eastern Conference finals
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Boston Bruins got some timely goals in their tight Eastern Conference semifinal series with Columbus, and when the goals weren’t coming, Tuukka Rask stood tall. The Finn turned in his best playoff performance so far in Monday night’s 3-0 win over the Blue Jackets in Game...
Sharks hope for Joe Pavelski’s return before Game 7 against Avalanche
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Captain Joe Pavelski was getting staples put into his bloody head when the San Jose Sharks staged an epic comeback in Game 7 of the opening round against Vegas. Now that the Sharks have been forced into another ultimate game after missing a chance to eliminate...
Blues in familiar position having to battle back against Stars
The St. Louis Blues have been playing desperate hockey all of 2019 — since being in last place at the start of January and making an incredible comeback to make the playoffs. Now they are trailing in the postseason for the first time, down 3-2 in their second-round series against...
Carolina looks to finish off Islanders in Eastern Conference semifinal
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes haven’t made the playoffs often. When they do, they stick around for a while. This is just their fourth postseason appearance since 2002, but they reached the Eastern Conference final — at least — in each of their last three appearances and are one...
Blue Jackets seek more history with every playoff game
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to journey deeper into uncharted territory with each win in these playoffs. Among the franchise firsts so far: Winning a playoff series (they swept Tampa Bay in the opening round), first appearance in the second round, first second-round game played — and...
Sergei Bobrovsky leads Blue Jackets to series lead against Bruins
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sergei Bobrovsky kept up his impressive postseason play, making 36 saves as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Boston Bruins, 2-1, on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Boone Jenner and Matt Duchene scored for the Blue Jackets, who won...
Islanders not worried they finished off Penguins too quickly
The New York Islanders doesn’t seem to be worried that they finished off the Pittsburgh Penguins too fast. After completing a four-game sweep of the Penguins on April 16, the Islanders will begin their second-round series with Carolina on Friday night. The 10-day break between games is tied for the...
First call: Antonio Brown, Ryan Clark clash; NHL apologizes to Golden Knights
In “First Call” Friday, Antonio Brown and Ryan Clark clash on Twitter again. Also, an umpire magic trick. A four-man outfield. A worry for the Pirates. And an apology for the Golden Knights. Was that a threat? Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark is in another dust up with Mr. Big...
Rested Islanders ready to go against Hurricanes in 2nd round of Stanley Cup
NEW YORK — The New York Islanders are rested and ready to go. The Carolina Hurricanes haven’t had a chance to relax after outlasting the defending champions in a marathon seven-game series. More than a week after finishing off a sweep in the first round, Mathew Barzal and the defense-first...
NHL apologizes to Golden Knights; Refs won’t work next round
LAS VEGAS — The owner of the Vegas Golden Knights said Thursday a senior NHL executive phoned him to apologize for a penalty called during Game 7 of his team’s loss to the San Jose Sharks. Owner Bill Foley said the call came the morning after Vegas lost 5-4 in...
Hurricanes bounce Capitals in Game 7 double overtime win
WASHINGTON — Jordan Staal tied it in the third period, Brock McGinn scored in the second overtime and the Carolina Hurricanes stormed back to stun the Washington Capitals, 4-3, in Game 7 on Wednesday night to eliminate the defending Stanley Cup champions. McGinn dived to prevent a goal in the...
John Tortorella drives Blue Jackets into showdown with Bruins
COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Tortorella was being battered on social media a month or so ago by doubters who thought his act had gotten stale in Columbus. The 60-year-old Tortorella, the argument went, was having trouble getting his message across to a team that had loaded up with new talent...
Analysis: Refs’ major meltdown mars wild Sharks-Golden Knights Game 7
The Game 7 win for San Jose over Vegas Tuesday night was one of the most memorable hockey games I’ve ever witnessed. If you went to bed before the Sharks won 5-4 in overtime, you missed one of the greatest finishes in NHL playoff history. For a while, it looked...
