• The Canadian Press

    Kreider's 3rd-period hat trick lifts Rangers into Eastern Conference Final with win over Hurricanes

    RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The New York Rangers went from cruising through the NHL playoffs with an unbeaten record to suddenly struggling to close out a second-round series despite having a huge lead. Worse, they found themselves down entering the third period with the prospect of having to play a Game 7. Instead, Chris Kreider took over to ensure the Presidents' Trophy winners finally closed out the Carolina Hurricanes and earned their spot in the Eastern Conference Final. Kreider had a third-period

  • The Canadian Press

    Calvin Pickard to start in net for Oilers in Game 5 vs. Canucks

    VANCOUVER — The Canucks and Oilers are taking different approaches to their lineups ahead of Thursday's pivotal Game 5. The Oilers are opting to stick with Calvin Pickard as their starting goalie after the journeyman netminder stopped 19 shots in Edmonton's 3-2 victory on Tuesday. "I thought he looked really comfortable the other day," Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said after Thursday's morning skate. "He just made some solid saves, played the puck really well. … He made all the right decisio

  • The Canadian Press

    Marchand may return from injury for Game 6, says part of playoff hockey is 'trying to hurt someone'

    Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand wasn't too outraged over the disputed hit he took that's sidelined him for the past two games. Because in his view, hurting players comes with the territory in the postseason. “The more guys you take out, the more advantage your team has," Marchand said Thursday on the eve of Game 6 against Florida as the Bruins try to avoid playoff elimination. "People don’t say that but that’s just a fact of the game. So every time you step on the ice, someone’s trying to hu

  • The Canadian Press

    Five things to know about the NHL playoffs

    The Colorado Avalanche live to see another day after a win on Wednesday, while the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers battle for an edge on Thursday. Here are five things to know heading into Thursday’s post-season action: BEST-OF-THREE SERIES The Oilers are set to meet the Canucks in Vancouver on Thursday night for Game 5 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Each team has taken a split on the road, with Edmonton most recently tying the series at 2-2 with a 3-2 victory. Both teams have