Hockey

Makar scores to reach rare milestone and Avalanche beat Blue Jackets 7-3 to secure playoff spot

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Cale Makar scored to become just the ninth NHL defenseman with 30 goals in a season and the Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff berth with a 7-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

Apr 3, 2025 8:30 PM Read more >

Canadiens beat the Bruins 4-1 for their 3rd straight victory.

MONTREAL (AP) — Nick Suzuki and Brendan Gallagher each had a goal and an assist, Sam Montembeault made 18 saves and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

Apr 3, 2025 8:00 PM Read more >

Ullmark, Senators hold off Lightning for 2-1 victory

OTTAWA — Linus Ullmark made 31 saves as the Ottawa Senators earned a 2-1 victory to snap the Tampa Bay Lightning's four-game winning streak on Thursday.

Apr 3, 2025 7:54 PM Read more >

Stars captain Jamie Benn sits out against Predators, ending consecutive games streak at 371

Stuck on 399 career goals for nearly a month, Dallas captain Jamie Benn sat out against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night, with coach Pete DeBoer saying it was for “maintenance.” The 35-year-old Benn had played 371 consecutive games.

Apr 3, 2025 5:23 PM Read more >

Islanders F Duclair excused to take time off to reflect after coach Roy calls his play "god-awful"

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Islanders on Thursday approved forward Anthony Duclair’s request to spend time away from the team and reflect in the wake of being publicly criticized for playing “god-awful” by coach Patrick Roy.

Apr 3, 2025 3:56 PM Read more >

Alex Ovechkin's NHL record chase provides a Capitals connection for Washington and Moscow

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The goal horn went off at Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar as it does every time the Washington Capitals score a goal. Bar manager Armenia Marconi was working downstairs and scurried up to see who it was.

Apr 3, 2025 3:47 PM Read more >

'You can't teach it': With goal record in sight, NHLers talk Ovechkin's greatness

Paul Maurice has led hundreds of meetings across a long coaching career. The video rolls. There are points of emphasis. Players get their marching orders.

Apr 3, 2025 8:36 AM Read more >

Maple Leafs' big guns step up at both ends of the ice in key victory over Panthers

TORONTO — John Tavares put the puck in the net off a slick William Nylander feed. Mitch Marner then finished a nice setup from Auston Matthews before finding Matthew Knies with a breathtaking stretch pass that led to a breakaway goal.

Apr 3, 2025 4:00 AM Read more >

Islanders bring 6-game losing streak into matchup against the Wild

Minnesota Wild (41-28-7, in the Central Division) vs. New York Islanders (32-32-10, in the Metropolitan Division) Elmont, New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Apr 3, 2025 2:11 AM Read more >

Columbus hosts Colorado after Marchenko's hat trick

Colorado Avalanche (46-26-4, in the Central Division) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (34-30-9, in the Metropolitan Division) Columbus, Ohio; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Avalanche -159, Blue Jackets +133; over/under is 6.

Apr 3, 2025 2:11 AM Read more >