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The Canadian PressCanucks' Tocchet says Demko improving, top prospect Lekkerimaki an option for Game 5
VANCOUVER — Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says Thatcher Demko has "improved immensely the last 72 hours" as the all-star goaltender works his way back from a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old started Vancouver's playoff opener against the Nashville Predators, but hasn't suited up since. Vancouver has turned to third-string rookie Arturs Silovs in the post-season after backup Casey DeSmith was hurt in Game 3 against the Predators. Silovs, who is 4-3 in the playoffs with a .907 save percentage
The Canadian PressThe New York Rangers were headed for another sweep. Now they're fighting to close out Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The New York Rangers looked headed for an easy push through the second round of the NHL playoffs when they quickly moved within a win of a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes. Instead, the Hurricanes have grinded their way back in the series, and the pressure is building on the Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers to close this one out. After winning the first three games in the best-of-7 series, the Rangers have lost two in a row — the most recent coming when they allowed four u
The Canadian PressParticipation in the NHL's player assistance program is up this season. That may not be a bad thing
It was untreated anxiety and depression that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard blamed for his alcohol abuse, a problem that reached the point where he needed to step away from hockey. He made a decision to leave the Avalanche and enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program earlier this season. Girard returned to practice a month later, resumed playing and declared: “It changed my life.” Girard was the first of five players to step away this season to receive care from the program joi
The Canadian PressStars centre Roope Hintz out for Game 5 against the Avalanche with upper-body injury
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz is out for Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night because of an upper-body injury. Stars coach Pete DeBoer said after the morning skate that Radek Faksa will be back in the lineup. Faksa hasn't played since Game 1 against the Avs on May 7, two nights after scoring the game-winning goal in Game 7 to clinch their first-round series over Vegas. He had missed four games before that because of a