PITTSBURGH — Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen sat side-by-side in the deepest part of the horseshoe-shaped Penguins locker room at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex earlier this week, laughing and soaking up the scene.

Equipment bags for an upcoming road trip sat at their feet. On one side was a familiar face in Joona Koppanen. On the other, an ...Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The last-place San Jose Sharks have been trying to keep a positive outlook this season. Even though the playoffs have been out of reach for months, they feel they still have plenty to play for, individually and as a group.

But make no mistake, this year has been an absolute grind for all involved.

“I keep telling myself,...Read more

ST. LOUIS — These Blues stand alone in the franchise record book.

With a 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night at Enterprise Center, the Blues set a new franchise record with 12 straight wins, breaking a tie with the Cup-winning 2018-19 team that won 11 in a row.

Robert Thomas had three assists and an empty-net goal, and Zack...Read more

MONTREAL — Interim coach Brad Shaw wanted to go into the Bell Centre and spoil the Montreal Canadiens playoff hopes. But while it’s fun to take the life out of the building — which they did at times — its not easy to sustain.

Although the Flyers came out with energy and gusto, and took an early lead, it’s hard to compete with the ...Read more

BOSTON — The 2024-25 Boston Bruins may not make the playoffs, but at least they won’t live in infamy, either.

Riding a 10-game losing streak going into Saturday, the B’s were in danger of tying the franchise’s 100-year-old record for futility if they had managed to lose their 11th straight. But thanks to a monster five-point night from ...Read more

Two nights after the Pittsburgh Penguins battled and tied a game late in St. Louis, forcing overtime against arguably the NHL’s hottest team, they one-upped themselves Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The Stars have been picked by many as a Stanley Cup favorite. The Penguins also trailed several times in the game, only to keep ...Read more

ELMONT, N.Y. — In the last week and a half, the Wild have played the contenders, the pretenders and the hopefuls in between — and they’ve struggled against all of them.

That’s made their remaining schedule a crapshoot, with their latest loss the biggest headscratcher.

The Wild were downed, 3-1, by the sputtering Islanders, who had ...Read more

DETROIT — There is a path for the Red Wings to make the playoffs, but it isn't going to be easy.

Basically, it's winning a lot of their seven games left after Friday's 5-3 victory over Carolina — and the teams in front of the Wings losing more than half of their games.

The odds aren't good, but there is a chance. The Wings aren't giving up...Read more

LAS VEGAS — On a night when the presumptive Vezina Trophy winner sat on the Winnipeg Jets’ bench, Eric Comrie looked like one against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Comrie made 26 saves for his second shutout of the season, and the Knights lost 4-0 to the Jets on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena.

The Jets played Comrie over Connor Hellebuyck, who is ...Read more

The Vegas Golden Knights lost their second straight game 4-0 to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena.

Jets backup goaltender Eric Comrie made 27 saves for his second shutout of the season.

Goaltender Adin Hill finished with 16 saves before he was pulled in the third period for Akira Schmid. The Knights (45-22-8) have been outscored ...Read more

The Montreal Canadiens are finally back in the National Hockey League’s consciousness, but it might take a while before their ancient rivals are back on their level.

The Bruins were ready for a battle in mind and spirit but not body as the young, emerging talent of the Habs bested the undermanned B’s roster in a 4-1 decision at the Bell ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Wild have enough trouble on offense as it is.

They don’t need to make life tougher on themselves.

But that’s what happened Thursday night against the Rangers, the Wild getting blitzed on two turnovers and having one of their own goals called back because of goaltender interference in a 5-4 overtime loss at Madison Square ...Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — Alex Ovechkin was in the house Wednesday and brought Gary Bettman with him.

Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals’ irrepressible offensive star, continued to chase the career goal-scoring record of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky as the Caps faced the Carolina Hurricanes at the Lenovo Center.

Bettman was there to see it. The NHL ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — A third straight April without playoff hockey is underway in Pittsburgh. Soon, the Penguins will head into another offseason in which they lack clarity in the crease.

Two summers ago, Kyle Dubas stepped in and immediately re-signed Tristan Jarry.

Last year, Dubas considered trading Jarry or letting Alex Nedeljkovic leave in free...Read more

ST. LOUIS — The Blues extended their win streak to 10 games with a 2-1 overtime win over the Red Wings on Tuesday night at Enterprise Center.

Cam Fowler scored the game-winning goal with 1:33 remaining in overtime for the Blues.

J.T. Compher scored 5:13 into the third period to give Detroit a 1-0 lead, but Jordan Kyrou's goal with 27.9 ...Read more