NHL

San Jose Sharks fans attend home game despite public health officials calling for cancellation
NHL

SAN JOSE, Calif. — At least one fan defied his own pulmonary disease to attend the game. Another one insisted on continuing to high-five those in nearby seats, hand-washing be damned. Yet another couldn’t stay away after the home team’s recent surge, despite his wife’s misgivings. Hours after Santa Clara County public health officials recommended that large gatherings like sporting events be cancelled in light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak,

NHL standings: Seeding scenarios, breakdown for final spots in 2020 playoffs
NHL

The 2020 NHL playoff picture is coming into focus, with the contenders increasingly separating themselves from the pretenders with every passing week. While there are still a month’s worth of regular season games to be played, it’s never too early to turn our gaze to the playoff races as they continue to heat up. Here’s how the 2020 Stanley Cup playoff bracket looks today. Last updated: 3:48 p.m. ET on March 5. 

St. Louis Blues will host 'Hockey is for Everyone' night ... while team plays on road
NHL

The St. Louis Blues are holding their first "Hockey is for Everyone" event later this month. For fans heading to the Enterprise Center that night, there won't be any action on the ice — they'll have to watch on the big screen. The defending Stanley Cup champions will be playing the Capitals in Washington on March 24, the day of the event meant to promote inclusiveness and diversity in the NHL. It

Flames vs. Blue Jackets: Two big takeaways from Calgary's overtime win at home
NHL

The Calgary Flames are locked in a tight playoff race, which made Wednesday night’s come-from-behind 3-2 overtime win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets that much more important. Entering the contest, interim head coach Geoff Ward’s squad was sitting five points behind the second-place Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division and, precariously, one point ahead of the Vancouver Canucks, who sat in the Western Conference’s first wild-card spot; however, they are in

NHL free agency 2020: State of UFA market following trade deadline
NHL

Last Monday’s NHL trade deadline had an immediate effect upon this summer’s unrestricted free agent market.  Here’s a breakdown on which players may be available and what organizations may do as July 1 approaches. Forwards With the New York Rangers re-signing winger Chris Kreider and the New York Islanders acquiring and re-signing center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, two of the notable free-agent forwards came off the board. Taylor Hall still tops the list as

Islanders' Johnny Boychuk takes skate to face, evaluated after game
NHL

There was a scary scene at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday night. With just over 11 minutes remaining in the third period of the Islanders’ 6-2 loss to the Canadiens, New York’s Johnny Boychuk and Montreal’s Artturi Lehkonen got tangled up in front of the home team’s net. Boychuk pushed Lehkonen out of the crease, and as the Montreal forward fell, his right skate came up and clipped Boychuk in the

Oilers' Leon Draisaitl becomes first player to reach 100 points in 2019-20 season
NHL

It’s been a heck of a year for Leon Draisaitl. The Edmonton Oilers forward became the first NHL player to reach 100 points this season Saturday night with a pair of goals and an assist against the Winnipeg Jets. Both goals were assisted by teammate Connor McDavid, who is also on pace to reach 100 points with 89 so far this year.  Draisaitl has led the league in points for most of the

Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews scores 45th goal, keeps pace with Bruins' David Pastrnak
NHL

The Rocket Richard Trophy race continues to heat up as the two leaders, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak, each scored in their respective games on Saturday. Matthews showcased his speed entering the offensive zone, outskating the Canucks defense and somehow getting one past Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko for his 45th goal of the season. It was a go-ahead goal in the first period

Senators' Bobby Ryan scores emotional hat trick in first home game since rejoining team
NHL

Welcome home, Bobby Ryan. In his first game in Ottawa since rejoining the team after entering the NHL/NHLPA assistance program, the Senators forward notched a hat trick in a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan redirected a Nikita Zaitsev shot over the shoulder of Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko after a Canucks turnover in the first period for his first goal since Oct. 2. Fans at the Canadian Tire Centre gave