WASHINGTON (AP) — Nothing seems to be able to knock the New York Rangers off their game, certainly not giving up a fluky bounce goal five minutes in or having seven penalties called on them. Again they responded to whatever the Washington Capitals threw at them, and now they're one win away from the second round. Vincent Trocheck had a power-play goal and a short-handed assist, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the Rangers beat the Capitals 3-1 in Game 3 Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead in the be

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The problems for Dallas are two-fold — the Stars aren't getting great scoring chances and for long stretches aren't even putting the puck on net. That's primarily why the Golden Knights are back in Las Vegas with a 2-0 lead in the first-round NHL playoffs series. Game 3 is Saturday night (10:30 p.m. EDT, TBS). In Game 1, a 4-3 Dallas loss, the Stars didn't get a shot on goal in the second period until 8:52 into it. Vegas closed out the 3-1 victory in Game 2 by holding Dallas wit

TORONTO — William Nylander took a pass from John Tavares and wheeled towards the net. The Maple Leafs winger then deftly fed the puck against the grain on a tee for Mitch Marner to blast a one-timer from a sharp angle. The power-play sequence was only a practice drill. It was also one of many positive signs for the player — and a team that's opened the playoffs minus one of its key contributors. Nylander appears on course to join the action Saturday for Game 4 against the Boston Bruins with Toro

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundlanders remember legendary "Hockey Night in Canada" sportscaster Bob Cole as a national star who proved that someone from the country's easternmost province could make it big on the mainland, all without moving away. Cole's connection to Newfoundland and Labrador, including his home in the provincial capital, was "everything" to him, said Megan Cole, his daughter, in a message Friday. "Many times through his career he was asked to move for the job, was offered broadcas

NASHVILLE — Rick Tocchet expects boos to rain down when his Vancouver Canucks take the ice on Friday. That's exactly how it should be, the head coach said. The Canucks will be in hostile territory as their first-round playoff series with the Predators shifts to Nashville for Game 3. Being the despised opponent is a role players should relish, Tocchet said. “I love getting booed," the former NHL forward said. "Nashville’s got great fans, they don’t throw stuff at you. Sometimes it’s nice to be th

Canadian curling champion Brad Gushue first struck up a friendship with Bob Cole some 20 years ago during the NHL lockout. The legendary broadcaster — an elite curler himself in his younger days — would often watch the up-and-coming skip throw stones at the local club in their hometown of St. John's, N.L. "At times during my career, I'd talk to him about how things were going," Gushue said. "The one thing with Bob, he was always very honest with me and very direct. He gave me some good advice."

Boston Bruins (47-20-15, second in the Atlantic Division) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (46-26-10, third in the Atlantic Division)Toronto; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Maple Leafs -114, Bruins -106; over/under is 6NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Bruins lead series 2-1BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Bruins visit the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the eighth time this season. The Bruins won 4-2 in the previous match

Florida Panthers (52-24-6, first in the Atlantic Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (45-29-8, fourth in the Atlantic Division)Tampa, Florida; Saturday, 5 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Panthers -122, Lightning +102; over/under is 6NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Panthers lead series 3-0BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Thursday for the seventh time this season. The Panthers won 5-3 in the

Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7, second in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Islanders (39-27-16, third in the Metropolitan Division)Elmont, New York; Saturday, 2 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Hurricanes -184, Islanders +153; over/under is 5.5NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Hurricanes lead series 3-0BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes visit the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Thursday for the eighth time this season. The Hur

Dallas Stars (52-21-9, first in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (45-29-8, fourth in the Pacific Division)Paradise, Nevada; Saturday, 10:30 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Golden Knights -119, Stars -101; over/under is 5.5NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Golden Knights lead series 2-0BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Dallas Stars in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the sixth time this season. The Golden Knights wo