• The Canadian Press

    Canucks prepared to take on McDavid, star-powered Oilers in second-round action

    VANCOUVER — Rick Tocchet doesn't mind the fact that his Vancouver Canucks aren't favoured to win against their next playoff opponent. “I love being doubted," the head coach said. Analysts have been skeptical of the Canucks all season, Tocchet added. The team wasn't favoured to make the playoffs, but spent much of the regular season hovering around the top of the NHL standings. Many believed the Canucks would fall apart in the first round, but Vancouver eliminated the Nashville Predators in a gri

  • The Canadian Press

    Marchessault's future in Vegas is 1 key issue among many off-season questions for the Golden Knights

    LAS VEGAS — Vegas defenceman Brayden McNabb was asked Tuesday if he could imagine not having Jonathan Marchessault in the Golden Knights' locker room next season. “No,” he said succinctly, letting that word hang in the air before more fully answering the question two days after the Knights were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs by Dallas. McNabb, who was sitting next to Marchessault, could've stopped at no. His short initial answer more than conveyed the feelings among teammates

  • The Canadian Press

    St. Louis Blues remove interim tag and name Drew Bannister full-time coach

    Drew Bannister is returning as coach of the St. Louis Blues after getting the interim tag removed from his title and being named Tuesday to the full-time role. He signed a two-year contract that gives him the chance to oversee a bit of organizational retooling but also show he can get the most out of a roster stocked with veteran talent. The expectation is still for the Blues to contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference with Bannister in charge. Bannister, 50, replaced Craig Berube wh

  • The Canadian Press

    Canada blanks Hungary 4-0 in world championship pre-tournament game

    BUDAPEST, Hungary — Jordan Binnington made 21 saves and Dylan Guenther had a goal and an assist as Canada beat Hungary 4-0 Tuesday in a pre-tournament game before the world men's hockey championship. Colton Parayko, Bowen Byram and Owen Power also scored for the defending world champions, who outshot the hosts 66-21. Connor Bedard and Andrew Mangiapane added two assists each. Hungary goaltender Bence Balizs made 26 saves on 28 shots before being replaced halfway through the game by Dominik Horva