NHL

The internet is confused about Florida panthers: We explain

Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. It’s been 600 years since William Shakespeare famously asked, “What’s in a name?” Here in 2023, we’re still wondering the same thing — not about Romeo and Juliet of course, but about the Florida Panthers. More specifically, the Florida Panthers’ mascot. Is it an actual panther emblazoned on the team’s sweater? Or a panther in name only? And what’s the difference

Bettman, NHL 'hopeful' Coyotes remain in Arizona

Emily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter. LAS VEGAS — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman remains bullish on finding a solution to keep the Coyotes in Arizona, saying the league is “hopeful” it won’t lose the “terrific market.” On the eve of the Stanley Cup Final, Bettman addressed the uncertain future of the Coyotes yet again, two weeks after the team’s $2.1 billion Tempe arena plan was rejected by voters. “The

Who wins the Stanley Cup? Goalie confidence ratings, X factors, predictions for Panthers-Golden Knights

Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. From 32 teams starting the 2022-23 NHL season, the Stanley Cup playoffs have whittled down from 16 to eight to four, and now just two remain. The Stanley Cup Final begins Saturday, June 3, as the Vegas Golden Knights will host Game 1 against the Florida Panthers. Regardless of which team wins,

It's about Ty: Dellandrea nets 2 as Stars stay alive

Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. LAS VEGAS — A healthy scratch to start the series, Ty Dellandrea scored two pivotal, third-period goals in the Dallas Stars’ 4-2 victory on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Western Conference final. The win kept the Stars’ season alive for at least two more days. Game 6 is Monday night in Dallas. Dellandrea’s winning and

Panthers' Barkov leaves G3 with lower-body injury

Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov left the first period of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday with a lower-body injury. He did not return for the second period and was listed by the team as questionable. Barkov missed the final 7:04 of the opening frame. He exited to the Panthers’ dressing

'Game of mistakes': Stars stumble, lose G2 in OT

Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. LAS VEGAS — It wasn’t like the Dallas Stars didn’t address why they lost a second straight overtime game to the Vegas Golden Knights. If anything? There was more of a conversation around the circumstances of the game-tying goal in their 3-2 overtime loss Sunday in Game 2 of the Western Conference final that sent the Stars to their first 0-2

CT gov. wants to coax Coyotes away from Arizona

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he’s planning to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of moving the Arizona Coyotes to Hartford. Lamont told reporters during a news availability that he has reached out to the NHL and hopes the meeting can take place sometime next week. “This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town,” Lamont said. “It’s evidenced by the

Oilers-Golden Knights Game 6: Preview, key stats and how to watch

The 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs have been notable more for the unexpected than the expected. The regular-season juggernaut Boston Bruins and defending cup champion Colorado Avalanche were ousted in the first round. The final team to qualify for the playoffs — the Florida Panthers — is through to the Eastern Conference finals. Home-ice advantage has been largely nonexistent. And then we have the Pacific Division bracket. The No. 1 seed

Stars' Oettinger pulled as 'aggressive' Kraken roll

Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. SEATTLE — Needing a response to keep their season alive, the Seattle Kraken found exactly that in a 6-3 series-tying win Saturday against the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of this Western Conference semifinal at Climate Pledge Arena. A number of items allowed the Kraken to break out for six goals, prompt the Stars to pull star goaltender Jake Oettinger and

Sources: Reynolds' bid for Sens won't proceed

Emily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter. Actor Ryan Reynolds’ bid for the Ottawa Senators is not moving forward, multiple sources close to the process told ESPN. The NHL declined to comment when reached by ESPN. Reynolds was attached to a bid to acquire the NHL franchise, led by real estate developer Remington Group. The planned sale of the Senators — announced in November following the death of longtime owner