NHL

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) blocks a shot during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Kings hoping goaltender Cam Talbot can return to early form as Stanley Cup playoffs begin

It would be an understatement to say that Cam Talbot’s season has been a roller coaster. The Los Angeles Kings, though, are hoping their veteran netminder’s game is ascending heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) fist bumps Tyler Seguin (91) after a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the third period in an NHL hockey game on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Stars waited late to find out they get playoff rematch against the defending Stanley Cup champions

FILE - Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, top, talks to players during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. The Canucks won 4-3. In completing his first full season behind the Canucks bench, Tocchet is not alone among his coaching contemporaries in providing their respective teams a spark. Of the 16 teams entering the NHL playoffs this weekend, seven feature coaches who are in their first full year or hired as midseason replacements.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Canucks’ Rick Tocchet among new coaches making an impact in leading teams to NHL playoffs

Coyotes’ move to Salt Lake City elicits opposing responses in 2 cities

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) watches the puck go wide during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Late-blooming, mustached goalie Charlie Lindgren carries the Washington Capitals into the playoffs

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New York Islanders' Anders Lee (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring an empty net goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

We meet again: Hurricanes and Islanders reunite to open NHL playoffs for 2nd straight year

The Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders are getting another postseason reunion. The teams are meeting in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.

Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella looks on from the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

John Tortorella says he failed to get Flyers to ‘close the deal’ in wake of late-season collapse

Philadelphia Flyers general manger Danny Briere and coach John Tortorella are prepared for a rebuilding process.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

At playoff time, NHL teams march to the beat of their goaltenders and count on them to save the day

This time of year teams march to the beat of their goaltenders. They want them laser-focused, full of confidence and ready to save the day.

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice watches during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

The Florida Panthers are weird. And coach Paul Maurice says that as a compliment

Ordinarily at playoff time, this would be bulletin-board material: A coach in the NHL referred to the Florida Panthers as weird. Except nobody minded.

Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark drops to the ice, but fails to make the save, on a gaol byy Ottawa Senators left wing Jiri Smejkal during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

History with Maple Leafs could help Bruins snap short playoff slump

The Boston Bruins may have found just the solution to their playoff slump: A first-round matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Los Angeles Kings' Drew Doughty (8) and Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

NHL PLAYOFFS: West best Dallas vs. defending champion Vegas headlines 1st-round matchups

All eight first-round matchups in the NHL playoffs are set after the last day of the regular season flipped two of the biggest series in the West.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Playoff-less Penguins want to sign up Sidney Crosby long-term. Might be easy part of busy offseason

The Pittsburgh Penguins are heading into another long summer. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs for a second straight year despite a late surge that brought the club to the brink of the postseason.

FILE - New York Rangers' Jacob Trouba plays during an NHL hockey game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Philadelphia. Jacob Trouba is far more than a hockey player. In fact, the New York Rangers captain might be the most interesting man in the NHL. Trouba asked for a trade to the U.S. to make sure his then-fiancée could pursue her medical career, was the first and only player to agree to have his photo taken getting the COVID-19 vaccine, paints artwork on the side and met with Fortune 500 CEOs about leadership before he got the ‘C.' (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba may be the most interesting man in hockey, on and off the ice

New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba might be the most interesting man in the NHL. Trouba asked for a trade to an American team to make sure his fiancée could pursue her medical career.

Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) is congratulated by defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) after Verhaeghe scored during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

How to watch and what to expect in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs

The chase for the Stanley Cup is back underway, with the NHL’s top 16 teams left to duke it out through four grueling rounds.

Maple Leafs visit the Bruins to open the NHL Playoffs

The Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs to open the Eastern Conference first round.

New York visits Carolina to begin the NHL Playoffs

The Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders to start the Eastern Conference first round.

Kraken slip past the Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Tye Kartye tipped in a slap shot by Oliver Bjorkstrand for the tiebreaking goal with 2:40 remaining, and the Seattle Kraken beat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Thursday night to wrap up the regular season for two teams that missed the playoffs.

Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

LA Kings rally late, finish 3rd in the Pacific Division with a 5-4 overtime victory over Chicago

The Los Angeles Kings earned a playoff rematch with Edmonton by jumping into third place in the Pacific Division with a 5-4 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) celebrates a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights with teammates Trevor Zegras (11) and Ryan Strome (16) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Defending champ Golden Knights to face top-seeded Stars in playoffs after 4-1 loss to Ducks

Frank Vatrano scored three goals and the Anaheim Ducks finished their season on a high note, defeating the playoff-bound Vegas Golden Knights 4-1.

Colorado Avalanche right wing Brandon Duhaime, back, slips the puck past Edmonton Oilers center Ryan McLeod during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MacKinnon has 2 assists, breaks franchise’s single-season points mark as Avs beat Oilers 5-1

Valeri Nichushkin scored twice, Nathan MacKinnon added two assists to break the franchise’s single-season points mark and the Colorado Avalanche cruise into the playoffs behind a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

San Jose Sharks goalie Devin Cooley (1) blocks the net on Calgary Flames forward Matthew Coronato (27) as forward Danil Gushchin (75) checks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Flames beat NHL-worst Sharks 5-1 in the season finale for the non-playoff teams

Blake Coleman scored his 30th goal and MacKenzie Weegar netted his 20th as the Calgary Flames beat the San Jose Sharks 5-1 on Thursday night in the season-ending game for both teams.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) makes a save against Winnipeg Jets' Sean Monahan (23) as Nikita Zadorov (91) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Jets beat Canucks 4-2 in the regular-season finale for the playoff-bound teams

Nikita Chibrikov scored the game-winner in his NHL debut and Cole Perfetti added two goals as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 Thursday night in the regular-season finale for the playoff-bound teams.

Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) trips Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde, front, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 18, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. Zuccarello was penalized for tripping. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Kraken outlast Wild 4-3 in final regular-season game for non-playoff teams

Tye Kartye tipped in a slap shot by Oliver Bjorkstrand for the tiebreaking goal with 2:40 remaining, and the Seattle Kraken beat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 to wrap up the regular season for two teams that missed the playoffs.

FILE - Washington Capitals' Dylan Strome plays during an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. Since being picked third in the draft nearly a decade ago behind Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel and ahead of Mitch Marner, Dylan Strome has yet to play in an NHL playoff game outside the 2020 pandemic bubble. That changes Sunday when he and the Washington Capitals visit the New York Rangers, fittingly at Madison Square Garden where he rooted on his brother Ryan in the 2022 postseason.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

How bad did Dylan Strome want to make the NHL playoffs? Ask his brothers

Dylan Strome’s only playoff experience in the NHL until now was in the 2020 pandemic bubble. He doesn’t count that expanded postseason in empty arenas.

Kladno players Antonin Melka, left, and Jaromir Jagr celebrate their first goal during the hockey game between Rytíři Kladno and VHK Robe Vsetín in Kladno, Czech Republic, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Jaromir Jagr returned to action on Thursday for the first time since turning 52 and immediately scored as he beat legend Gordie Howe to become the oldest player in a professional competition. (Ondrej Deml/CTK via AP) SLOVAKIA OUT

Former NHL star Jaromir Jagr scores in his first game since turning 52

Jaromir Jagr has returned to action for the first time since turning 52 and immediately scored as he surpassed Gordie Howe to become the oldest player taking regular shifts in professional ice hockey.

FILE - Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour speaks to his team during a timeout in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. Brind'Amor has turned Carolina into a regular among the league's elite with its relentless on-ice style, along with making the Hurricanes the betting favorite to win the Cup on the eve of this year's playoffs. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

Rod Brind’Amour aimed to build a perennial contender. He’s made the Carolina Hurricanes exactly that

Rod Brind’Amour has gone from first-time head coach to one of the NHL’s best in leading the Carolina Hurricanes to six straight postseason appearances.

A sign celebrating the awarding of a new NHL team to Utah is shown at the Delta Center Friday, April 19, 2024, in Salt Lake City. The NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will be known as Utah at least initially. New owner Ryan Smith says the name will begin with Utah and he does not want to rush the process of rebranding the franchise upon relocation. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will have a name starting with Utah

The NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will be known as Utah, at least initially. New owner Ryan Smith says the name will begin with Utah and he does not want to rush the process of rebranding the franchise upon relocation.

Arizona Coyotes season-ticket holders comfort one another as time expires in team's NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. The Coyotes won 5-2. Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo agreed to sell the franchise's hockey operations to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, who intends to move the team to Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Coyotes officially leaving Arizona for Salt Lake City following approval of sale to Utah Jazz owners

The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City. The NHL Board of Governors voted Thursday to approve a $1.2 billion sale from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, clearing the way for the franchise’s move to Utah next season.

FILE - New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald speaks during an NHL hockey news conference, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Newark, N.J. Fitzgerald is looking for a new coach for the Devils and interim skipper Travis Green remains in the running for the job. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

General manager Tom Fitzgerald is looking for a new coach for the New Jersey Devils and interim skipper Travis Green remains in the running for the job.

Carolina Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi, left, and Maxime Comtois celebrate their goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

NHL PLAYOFFS: ‘It’s wide open’ is the theme as the race to the Stanley Cup begins

There is no prohibitive favorite to win the Stanley Cup as the NHL playoffs begin this weekend. Carolina gets the slight edge after the Hurricanes won 16 of their final 21 games and look every bit like a team poised for a long run.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

Golden Knights enter playoffs trying to figure out starting goalies between Thompson and Hill

Logan Thompson and Adin Hill each have compelling cases to be the starting goalie when Vegas begins its Stanley Cup title defense.

Today in Sports - Patrick Marleau breaks Gordie Howe’s NHL record for most games played

Today in Sports, April 19 - Patrick Marleau breaks Gordie Howe’s NHL record for most games played

Colorado hosts Edmonton in Western Conference matchup

The Edmonton Oilers visit the Colorado Avalanche in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Arizona Coyotes' Logan Cooley, right, Michael Carcone (53) and Josh Doan arrive on the ice prior to the team's NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. The Coyotes are moving to Salt Lake City in a deal that could be signed less than 24 hours after the game. Hockey could return, perhaps within five years, but the stark reality is this is the end for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Coyotes close out 28-year tenure in Arizona with 5-2 win over Oilers

The Coyotes closed out their 28-year Arizona tenure as winners, getting a goal and an assist from Dylan Guenther in a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger makes a diving save during a St. Louis Blues power play as the Stars' Esa Lindell looks on in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Stars beat Blues 2-1 in shootout after clinching No. 1 seed in Western Conference playoffs

Jake Oettinger made 26 saves in regulation and overtime before stopping all three attempts in the shootout as the Central Division champion Dallas Stars beat the St.