Conference final crease ratings: Ranking the starting goalies
May 12, 2018 (08:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
We rank the starting goalies for the Stanley Cup conference finals, and Marc-Andre Fleury has left no doubt who belongs at the top. More...

Caps avoid post-Penguins hangover for G1 win
May 11, 2018 (23:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
After finally exercising their demons and eliminating the Penguins, the Capitals kept their focus as they took Game 1 against the Lightning. More...

Follow live: Capitals, Lightning duel in opener of East finals
May 11, 2018 (19:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
After defeating the two-time defending champs, Washington competes with Tampa Bay in its first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 20 years. More...

Hand injury keeps Capitals' Backstrom on bench
May 11, 2018 (19:00) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom sat out Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Lightning due to a lingering hand injury. More...

Kane strikes twice as U.S. rolls at worlds
May 11, 2018 (17:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Patrick Kane's two goals and three assists led the United States to a 13-1 rout of South Korea at the ice hockey world championship on Friday. More...

Kane strikes twice as U.S. rolls at worlds
May 11, 2018 (16:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Patrick Kane's two goals and three assists led the United States to a 13-1 rout of South Korea at the ice hockey world championship on Friday. More...

Three key stats for Golden Knights-Jets, Capitals-Lightning
May 11, 2018 (15:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
With tight matchups on tap, the slightest edge can determine the winner. Here are the keys, plus a pick on each series. More...

Despite tragedy, Humboldt to play next season
May 11, 2018 (14:00) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Despite their recent bus tragedy, the Humboldt Broncos will play next season, the team announced Friday. More...

Despite tragedy, Humboldt to play next season
May 11, 2018 (13:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Despite the team's recent bus tragedy, the Humboldt Broncos will field a team next season, the team announced Friday. More...

Caps' Backstrom (hand) a game-time decision
May 11, 2018 (12:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Washington Capitals coach Barry Trots says center Nicklas Backstrom will be a game-time decision for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. More...

Conn Smythe Watch: Fleury, Ovechkin leading MVP race
May 11, 2018 (11:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
With the conference finals round upon us, we rank our top 10 candidates to win MVP of the playoffs, led by two old rivals. More...

Experts' predictions: Conference finals picks, Stanley Cup winner
May 11, 2018 (11:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Our NHL experts -- including Barry Melrose, John Buccigross, Linda Cohn, Emily Kaplan, Greg Wyshynski and Adnan Virk -- forecast the conference finals winners and predict who will lift the Cup. More...

Key lineup decisions for the conference finals
May 11, 2018 (09:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
It's crunch time and every lineup decision matters. Here's a look at the biggest choices for every team remaining. More...

Jets' depth will prove too much for Golden Knights
May 11, 2018 (09:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
It's hard to pick against Vegas, but after breaking the series down in seven key areas, Winnipeg is our pick to reach the Stanley Cup Final. More...

Maple Leafs promote Dubas to GM position
May 11, 2018 (08:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Kyle Dubas, who has served as assistant GM since 2014, will replace Lou Lamoriello as general manager of the Maple Leafs. More...

The Predators' offseason game plan
May 10, 2018 (21:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
The Predators ran into a tough Jets team and are out of the playoffs early. Here's how they get better for next season. More...

Preds pull Rinne after allowing two early goals
May 10, 2018 (20:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Predators goalie and Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne was yanked midway through the first period of the team's Game 7 clash against the Jets after allowing two early goals. More...

Injured Fisher out for Preds in Game 7 vs. Jets
May 10, 2018 (20:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Predators center Mike Fisher, who left Monday's Game 6 with a lower-body injury, will not play in Game 7 on Thursday against the Jets. More...

Follow live: Preds, Jets face off in Game 7
May 10, 2018 (19:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Nashville plays host to Winnipeg as the teams battle for a spot in the Western Conference finals versus Las Vegas. More...

Injured Fisher out for Preds in Game 7 vs. Jets
May 10, 2018 (16:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Predators center Mike Fisher, who left Monday's Game 6 with a lower-body injury, will not play in Game 7 on Thursday against the Jets. More...

McDavid hat trick lifts Canada; U.S. wins
May 10, 2018 (16:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Captain Connor McDavid scored a hat trick to lift Canada, while Cam Atkinson scored in OT as the United States also won at the world championships. More...

Caps' Backstrom skates, Game 1 status iffy
May 10, 2018 (15:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz says center Nicklas Backstrom skated, but his status for Game 1 is uncertain. More...

Light the lamp: Putin nets 5 goals in exhibition
May 10, 2018 (12:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Russian President Vladimir Putin, playing with former NHL stars, scored five goals against a team of amateurs in a "Legends of Hockey" exhibition. More...

Atkinson goal leads U.S. past Latvia in OT
May 10, 2018 (12:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Cam Atkinson scored in overtime to give the United States a 3-2 win over Latvia on Thursday, its fourth straight victory at the ice hockey world championship. More...

Why the Lightning will end the Capitals' playoff run
May 10, 2018 (11:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
The Caps have the mojo after a glorious win over their arch-nemesis. But here's why we like Tampa to represent the East in the Stanley Cup Final. More...

X factors, picks for Predators-Jets Game 7
May 10, 2018 (09:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Who will be the deciding factor as to whom advances to play Vegas? Our panelists debate, and give their picks for who will win. More...

Inside Rod Brind'Amour's plan to win another Cup for the Canes
May 10, 2018 (06:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
We caught up with the new coach on how he got the job, his influences, his approach with players -- and why the Canes are destined for greatness. More...

Five-OT game longest in AHL's 82-year history
May 10, 2018 (02:00) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Lehigh Valley goalie Alex Lyon finished with 94 saves on 95 shots as the team beat Charlotte 2-1 in five overtimes, making it the longest game in the AHL's 82-year history. More...

GM Rutherford plans to upgrade Penguins' roster
May 09, 2018 (20:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
While the Penguins contemplate their postseason run, which came to an end Monday against the Capitals, general manager Jim Rutherford is thinking ahead to the roster changes he envisions making in an attempt to get the team back to the Stanley Cup Final. More...

GM Rutherford plans to upgrade Penguins' roster
May 09, 2018 (20:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
While the Pittsburgh Penguins contemplate their championship run which came to an end against Washington, general manager Jim Rutherford is thinking ahead to the roster changes he envisions making in an attempt to get the team back to the finals. More...

Denmark pulls upset, Sweden perfect at worlds
May 09, 2018 (17:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Sweden shuts out Austria on Wednesday to stay perfect at the hockey worlds, while host Denmark upsets Finland. More...

Bruins' Marchand wants to clean up his act
May 09, 2018 (15:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
After having to be told not to lick opponents, Bruins forward Brad Marchand says he wants to clean up his act. More...

Caps' Backstrom 'day-to-day' with hand injury
May 09, 2018 (14:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz says center Nicklas Backstrom is "day-to-day" with a hand injury. More...

Germany wins at hockey worlds after 3 losses
May 09, 2018 (13:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Olympic runner-up Germany rebounded from three straight losses at the ice hockey world championship, handing newcomer South Korea a 6-1 defeat Wednesday. More...

Germany wins at hockey worlds after 3 losses
May 09, 2018 (13:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Olympic runner-up Germany rebounded from three straight losses at the ice hockey world championship on Wednesday to hand newcomer South Korea a 6-1 defeat. More...

Mapping the ultimate draft for the Red Wings
May 09, 2018 (12:00) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Hockeytown looks to reset with seven picks in the first three rounds of the 2018 NHL draft. Here's a look at the ideal result. More...

The breakout stars, biggest flops of the 2018 NHL playoffs
May 09, 2018 (10:00) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Our panel debates the risers and fallers this postseason, along with the best trade acquisition, Stanley Cup Final matchup we want to see and more. More...

The hidden downside of a Vegas Stanley Cup win
May 09, 2018 (06:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Coming up just shy of a championship would no doubt be painful, but may actually be the best-case scenario for the expansion club. More...

Vegas rising: Fast facts on the NHL's hottest team
May 09, 2018 (06:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Just tuning in to watch the Golden Knights' historic run? We get you up to speed here with the players, events and records you need to know. More...

Rinne praises Forsberg's 'unbelievable' goals
May 08, 2018 (18:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Filip Forsberg helped send the Western Conference semifinals back to Nashville for a deciding Game 7 with yet another highlight-reel goal that dazzled his teammates. More...

Finland routs Norway, Czechs prevail at worlds
May 08, 2018 (17:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Finland routed Norway 7-0 and the Czech Republic beat Switzerland 5-4 in a penalty shootout at the ice hockey world championships in Denmark. More...

Sharks' Thornton willing to take one-year deal
May 08, 2018 (15:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
San Jose center Joe Thornton is willing to take another one-year deal to return to the Sharks. More...

Plotting the ideal draft for the Rangers
May 08, 2018 (15:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
The Blueshirts have seven picks in the opening three rounds of the 2018 NHL draft. What's the best possible outcome? More...

Canes hire ex-captain Brind'Amour as coach
May 08, 2018 (10:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Rod Brind'Amour, who captained the Hurricanes' only Stanley Cup championship team in 2006, has been named the team's coach. More...

Devils Hall, Schneider, Maroon have surgery
May 08, 2018 (09:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Devils players Taylor Hall, Cory Schneider and Patrick Maroon all underwent offseason surgeries. More...

Reports: Canes to hire Brind'Amour as coach
May 08, 2018 (09:45) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that former Carolina captain Rod Brind'Amour is expected to be promoted to head coach of the Hurricanes. More...

This time for the Caps, it was finally -- FINALLY -- different
May 08, 2018 (09:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
The Penguins had owned the Capitals in the postseason. But this year, Alex Ovechkin & Co. would not be denied. Here's how this year was different. More...

Photos: Is Las Vegas the new Hockeytown?
May 08, 2018 (09:00) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
The Vegas Golden Knights have proved the skeptics wrong -- plenty of local support can be found for a major professional sports team in Sin City. More...

Ovechkin, Caps end 20-year East finals drought
May 07, 2018 (23:15) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Evgeny Kuznetsov's goal in overtime eliminated the Penguins in a 2-1 win and propelled Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals to their first championship round series in 20 years More...

Over-the-Hump Club: Ovi and stars who had to wait
May 07, 2018 (21:30) [ Indexed from ESPN.com ]
Alex Ovechkin finally got past the Penguins, and into the Eastern Conference finals, on Monday night. Here's a look at some other players across sports (in the span of Ovechkin's 32 years) who finally made it happen after years of struggle. More...