DENVER -- The Blues survived a wild -- no make that bizarre -- third period, holding off the Colorado Avalanche, 4-3, to boost their Central Division-leading record to 6-2 Thursday at the Pepsi Center.

The Avalanche scored two third-period goals into an empty net -- once when Blues goalie Carter Hutton was trapped under defenseman Robert ...Read more

CHICAGO -- Normally the Blackhawks don't hold a skate the morning in which they play the second of back-to-back games, especially if they travel the night before.

But after the Hawks put on what coach Joel Quenneville called a "brutal" effort in a loss to the Blues on Wednesday, he called an optional morning skate at the United Center on ...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Cammalleri's smile was subtle. Adrian Kempe's could be seen from space.

Together they helped the Los Angeles Kings overcome what could have been a big bummer.

It's been that type of start to the season for the Kings that their one area of offensive concern -- the third line -- sprung alive Wednesday in a 5-1 win against ...Read more

TORONTO -- The Detroit Red Wings couldn't overcome poor goaltending as they faced the top offense in the NHL.

Jimmy Howard gave up three goals on the first four shots he faced Wednesday at Air Canada Centre, and Petr Mrazek got beat on the first shot he saw. Detroit's skaters played well as they attempted a rally, but the Wings came up short in...Read more

TORONTO -- While the Detroit Red Wings went to work in Toronto, restricted free agent Andreas Athanasiou is still searching for work overseas.

His agent, Darren Ferris, told the Free Press on Wednesday morning that Athanasiou is still in Switzerland, where he has been for more than 10 days. Ferris did not respond when asked if Athanasiou has an...Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski might have been a bit fortunate to see a puck that he partially deflected early in the second period wind up behind Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price.

Pavelski had a clearer idea of what was going to happen when he came up with his second point Tuesday at SAP Center.

Pavelski kicked ...Read more

NEW YORK -- For the first 20 minutes, the Penguins' game against the Rangers Tuesday night went mostly to script.

Penguins stars breaking out, the two-time defending champions overwhelming a Rangers team struggling to find its footing on the season.

The final 40 minutes -- and then some -- didn't quite follow suit, but it ended with two points...Read more

DETROIT -- After four games on the road the Detroit Red Wings finally got to play a second game in their new home.

They rallied from an early two-goal deficit against Atlantic Division rival Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday at Little Caesars Arena but ultimately fell to a very talented opponent, 3-2.

Justin Abdelkader and Mike Green scored goals....Read more

What we learned during the past week (and more) in the NHL:

KINGS ENJOYING A ROYAL REVERSAL

The Los Angeles Kings are off to a franchise-best start at 4-0-1, looking every game like kids who have been freed from detention in a stuffy classroom. They've maintained a strong defensive game while capitalizing on the offensive freedom given them by...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- The mojo between Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown has reached a point where they can combine for a goal even though neither actually put the puck in the net.

Midway through the first period Sunday, Kopitar executed what seemed like a called shot in a game of H-O-R-S-E: Through the defender's legs, off another defender's stick and ...Read more

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Anaheim Ducks' Cam Fowler fired the puck with all of his 215 pounds leaning into the slapper.

Unfortunately, the puck was directed at the boards, and afterward Buffalo Sabres center Johan Larsson iced the game with an empty-net goal to make the final score 3-1.

With four of their first six games at home, the Ducks had a ...Read more

Patrick Sharp acknowledged up front that what he was about to say wasn't going to break any new ground.

After the Blackhawks' 2-1 overtime victory against the Predators on Saturday, Sharp was asked what the Hawks can do to bolster their anemic power play, which went 0-for-6 against the Predators.

It wasn't so much that the Hawks went scoreless...Read more

LOS ANGELES--With great power comes great comeback ability.

The Los Angeles Kings' power play was like a slot machine that hadn't paid off in weeks. It got good looks in the first three games of the season but found itself 0-for-16 going into Saturday.

It came alive just in time. Down by a goal, the Kings stormed back on the Buffalo Sabres ...Read more

CHICAGO -- For the first time in a long time, the Blackhawks got to take "Chelsea Dagger" off the shelf with the Predators in town.

After playing nearly 175 minutes of hockey against the new bosses of the Western Conference at the United Center without scoring a goal – a stretch the included two April playoff games – the Hawks finally ...Read more

PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby isn't much for tennis.

It's a shame, if you think about it, what with the world-class eye-hand coordination the man possesses. Few players are better at deflections, tipping shots or scoring goals from did-he-really-do-that angles.

With the Penguins needing to bank a win against one of the rare inferior teams on ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Blues had a chance for a very good road trip or a so-so journey depending on the outcome of Saturday's game at Tampa Bay. They ended up in the "so-so" category, falling to 4-2 on the season with a 2-1 loss to the Lightning at Amalie Arena.

After falling behind 2-0, the Blues made a late run at Tampa Bay, with a Vladimir ...Read more