Nhl

Greg Beacham Associated Press Published 4:45 p.m. UTC May 29, 2018 Las Vegas — In a single nine-minute stretch of the third period, the Washington Capitals dramatically took the lead before the Vegas Golden Knights replied with two goals of their own. Washington’s Tom Wilson also flattened Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault with a blindside hit that could reverberate through the Stanley Cup Final. After 10 goals and a Final-record four lead changes overall in a fantastically entertaining opener, it’s tough to imagine what these unlikely opponents will do for an encore. But the upstart Golden Knights have spent their entire inaugural season speeding past all expectations, and their first Final game didn’t slow them down in the slightest. Tomas Nosek scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period, and the expansion Golden Knights surged past the Capitals for a 6-4 victory on Monday night. “We put fun ahead of everything, and you can … [Read more...] about Monday’s NHL Final: Golden Knights outlast Caps

Associated Press Published 3:14 p.m. UTC May 29, 2018 2018 NHL playoffs Stanley Cup finals (all start times 8 p.m. ET) Best of seven; x-if necessary  Vegas Golden Knights vs. Washington Capitals Game 1: Vegas 6, Washington 4 Game 2, Wednesday: Washington at Vegas, NBCSN Game 3, June 2: Vegas at Washington, NBCSN Game 4, June 4: Vegas at Washington, NBC x-Game 5, June 7: Washington at Vegas, NBC x-Game 6, June 10: Vegas at Washington, NBC x-Game 7: June 13: Washington at Vegas, NBC Golden Knights vs. Capitals: Stanley Cup final preview, prediction More: Why ex-Red Wing Gerard Gallant was right coach for Vegas Golden Knights: How these long shots reached Stanley Cup finals Conference finals Best of seven; x-if necessary  Eastern Conference Washington defeats Tampa Bay, 4-3 Game 1: Washington 4, Tampa Bay 2 Game 2: Washington 6, Tampa Bay 2 Game 3: Tampa Bay 4, Washington 2 Game 4: Tampa Bay 4, Washington 2 Game 5: … [Read more...] about 2018 NHL playoffs schedule, results: Stanley Cup finals

By Tim Booth Associated Press Published 9:17 p.m. UTC May 25, 2018 Seattle — From his office about 1,000 miles away from T-Mobile Arena, Tod Leiweke has watched the Stanley Cup playoffs with a growing appreciation for what is taking place in Las Vegas. He was keeping an eye on the Golden Knights even before he became president of Seattle Hockey Partners LLC, the group looking to bring an expansion NHL franchise to the Pacific Northwest. Once he took charge of Seattle’s efforts, Leiweke’s interest intensified, just as Vegas began its run to the upcoming Stanley Cup Final. “They’re playing the game with great joy and they’re having fun and it’s just inspirational to watch,” Leiweke said. “We’re absolutely loving it and living vicariously through them.” The Golden Knights’ success in their inaugural season has been unprecedented as Vegas prepares for Game 1 on Monday night against the Washington … [Read more...] about Friday’s NHL: Vegas a tough expansion act to follow

Stephen Whyno Associated Press Published 11:24 p.m. UTC May 24, 2018 Washington — Jimmy Patterson was a fresh-faced 22-year-old in the stands at the old Capital Centre in October 1974 when the expansion Washington Capitals won their first NHL game. As he was leaving, an elderly man from Brooklyn told Patterson he’d always get to say he saw the Capitals’ first win. The man smiled and added, “You can’t lose ’em all.” Forty-plus years, more than 3,000 games and 27 unsuccessful playoff runs later, Patterson and legions of longtime Capitals fans finally have a reason to believe that. Many who watched Wednesday night at an arena watch party far from Game 7 in Tampa Bay took to the steps of the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate the Capitals’ first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1998. Game 1 in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights is Monday night. “It’s been really gratifying,” said Patterson, now 65. “It … [Read more...] about Thursday’s NHL: Capitals take Cup mission to Vegas

Associated Press Published 9:24 p.m. UTC May 24, 2018 New York — The Rangers hired Boston University’s David Quinn as their new head coach Wednesday, the second college coach hired by an NHL team this month and third in the past four years. Quinn replaces Alain Vigneault, who was fired hours after the Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010. An introductory news conference was scheduled for today. “In a coaching career that has spanned over two decades at the collegiate, pro, and international level, David has helped his teams achieve success while simultaneously teaching the game and helping his players develop on and off the ice,” general manager Jeff Gorton said. “He is the ideal choice to bring our loyal and passionate fans the winning hockey they deserve.” The 51-year-old Quinn coached Boston University to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, including a trip to the national title game in 2015. He spent the … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s NHL: Rangers hire Boston University’s Quinn as coach

Fred Goodall Associated Press Published 4:50 p.m. UTC May 24, 2018 Tampa, Fla. — Alex Ovechkin lifted the Prince of Wales Trophy, spun around and set it back down on a table. The rest of the Capitals joined him for a team photo after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 on Wednesday night in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final, a victory that sent Washington to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years. A decade of playoff frustration is fading fast. “I think Ovie has been on a mission,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “They wanted this game, no question.” Ovechkin scored early and Andre Burakovsky added two second-period goals as the Caps continued to shed a label as postseason underachievers. Braden Holtby stopped 29 shots for his second straight shutout and the Lightning, who led the NHL in goals during the regular season, failed to score in the last 159 minutes, 27 seconds of the series — a stretch of nearly eight periods. … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s NHL playoffs: Caps beat Lightning in Game 7

Associated Press Published 2:50 p.m. UTC May 24, 2018 New York — The Rangers hired Boston University’s David Quinn as their new head coach Wednesday, the second college coach hired by an NHL team this month and third in the past four years. Quinn replaces Alain Vigneault, who was fired hours after the Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010. An introductory news conference was scheduled for today. “In a coaching career that has spanned over two decades at the collegiate, pro, and international level, David has helped his teams achieve success while simultaneously teaching the game and helping his players develop on and off the ice,” general manager Jeff Gorton said. “He is the ideal choice to bring our loyal and passionate fans the winning hockey they deserve.” The 51-year-old Quinn coached Boston University to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, including a trip to the national title game in 2015. He spent the … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s NHL: Rangers hire Quinn as coach