• The Canadian Press

    Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line

    BOSTON — Centre Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs hasn't been ruled out of tonight's Game 7 against the Boston Bruins. But head coach Sheldon Keefe seemed to suggest following the morning skate his best player won't return to the fold with Toronto's season on the line. Matthews hasn't played since Game 4 of the first-round series when he was pulled from action by doctors during the second intermission because of an illness. The ailing sniper took part in the Leafs' full morning skate at

  • The Canadian Press

    Auston Matthews, Elias Pettersson among finalists for Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

    NEW YORK — Centres Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks were named finalists for the NHL's Lady Byng Memorial Trophy on Saturday. The other finalist was Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Jaccob Slavin. The honour is presented annually to the NHL player who exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high standard of play. Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the conclusion of the regular season. Matthews

  • The Canadian Press

    The Canucks ready for all-Canadian second-round after eliminating Nashville

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet won't deny being one of the NHL's final eight teams still alive means a lot. An all-Canadian showdown against the Edmonton Oilers in the second round? Even better. “We know the next series will be tough," Tocchet said Friday night after his Canucks advanced by downing Nashville 1-0 in Game 6. The Jack Adams finalist for NHL coach of the year took the Canucks from a team that missed the postseason a year ago by finishing 11th in the Western Con

  • The Canadian Press

    Vegas use of injured reserve prompts questions about salary cap. Other NHL teams do same thing

    LAS VEGAS (AP) — Boos began raining down on Golden Knights captain Mark Stone at American Airlines Center in Dallas the moment he first touched the puck. They didn't let up whenever the first-round series was in Dallas. Stars fans weren't happy that the poster boy of all that is questionable with how long-term injured reserve operates was back on the ice just in time for the playoffs. Again. No team is more scrutinized than Vegas for how it uses LTIR. To critics and skeptical fans, it looks very