LAS VEGAS (AP) — An NBA adage is a playoff series doesn't genuinely begin until a home team loses. The NHL first-round playoffs series between Vegas and Dallas might not truly start until a home team wins. The defending champion Golden Knights appeared to take a stranglehold on the series by winning the first two games in Dallas, but the Stars responded with a 3-2 overtime victory Saturday night in Las Vegas. It's possible the Stars found something that will benefit them going into Game 4 on Mon

DENVER — Winnipeg head coach Rick Bowness referred to the term "self-inflicted" on six occasions Sunday after the Jets dropped a 5-1 decision to Colorado that left his team in must-win mode. "You want to take penalties? You want to play a three-quarter ice game? You're playing right into their hands," a frustrated Bowness said in his post-game media availability. The Jets have not had answers for the high-powered Avalanche offence, led by Valeri Nichushkin's hat trick in a playoff matinee at Bal

DENVER (AP) — Winnipeg forward Vladislav Namestnikov was taken to the hospital for evaluation after a puck hit him on the left side of his face in Game 4 against Colorado on Sunday. Jets coach Rick Bowness had no further update on Namestnikov following a 5-1 loss in a first-round series that Colorado leads 3-1. Namestnikov was trying to jump out of the way of a shot from teammate Nate Schmidt when the puck hit a stick and struck him midway through the third period. Namestnikov stayed down on the

Oilers captain Connor McDavid took a big hit from Kings forward Quinton Byfield along the boards. Edmonton winger Zach Hyman steamrolled Los Angeles centre Phillip Danault in the same series. Back east, the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have been running into each other at breakneck speed. The difference between Game 82 of the regular season and the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is always stark. Stakes are sky-high and intensity ramps up a

TORONTO — Auston Matthews gave everything he had for two periods. Before departing Saturday's bitterly disappointing 3-1 home loss with an illness as the Boston Bruins pushed the Maple Leafs to the brink of playoff elimination, Toronto's sniper and two of his star teammates also gave it to each other — verbally — on the bench. And despite the sequence getting dissected by media and fans alike in the aftermath, head coach Sheldon Keefe tried to put a positive spin on the high-profile exchange bet

DENVER (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin recorded his first career hat trick, Alexandar Georgiev turned in another strong showing and the Avalanche beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 in Game 4 on Sunday to move a win away from advancing. Artturi Lehkonen and Cale Makar also scored for the Avalanche, who grabbed a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Winnipeg. Nichushkin added an empty-netter with 13 seconds left to give him his third goal and his first hat trick in game No. 580 of his N

DENVER — Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov left Sunday's game against the Colorado Avalanche after taking a slapshot to the side of the head. Nate Schmidt fired a shot from the point that was tipped before it hit Namestnikov in the slot midway through the third period. The Avalanche led 4-1 at the time. Namestnikov was down on the ice for about a minute before heading to the locker-room. The fourth-line centre skated off under his power with trainers at his side. Namestnikov held a tow

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Arturs Silovs is making his NHL playoff debut Sunday in Game 4 for Vancouver as the third different Canucks goalie to start their best-of-seven, first-round series against Nashville. Silovs was in net during warm-ups with Nikita Tolopilo the only other Canucks' goalie on the ice. Tolopilo, who went undrafted out of Belarus, has never appeared in an NHL game. The Canucks started All-Star Thatcher Demko in a Game 1 win, then coach Rick Tocchet announced Demko is week-to-wee

NASHVILLE — Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday. The 23-year-old Latvian led the Canucks out onto the ice for warm ups. He'll be backed up by 24-year-old Belarusian netminder Nikita Tolopilo, who has never played an NHL game. Silovs is the third goalie to play for the Canucks in the best-of-seven series, and has spent much of the season with Vancouver's American Hockey

LOS ANGELES — David Rittich is getting the nod as the Los Angeles Kings look to get even with the Edmonton Oilers in their first-round playoff series Sunday night. Interim head coach Jim Hiller said Rittich will replace goaltender Cam Talbot in the crease with the Kings down 2-1 to the Oilers heading into Game 4 at Crypto.com arena. Talbot started all three games so far. The 36-year-old has a .861 save percentage and a 5.30 goals-against average this post-season. "David is going to go, we feel g