Stanley Cup playoffs averaging record 1.16 million viewers in the U.S. through first 2 rounds

NEW YORK (AP) — The first two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs have been the most-watched in the U.S. Going into the conference finals, the playoffs are averaging 1.16 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS and truTV. That is a 9% increase over last year. ...

NHL will have a new Stanley Cup champion this century as lengthy droughts take center stage

No matter which team wins the Stanley Cup championship this year it will be a first this century. The Dallas Stars won the franchise's lone championship in 1999, months before the world worried computers would malfunction at the start of a new millennium. The New York Rangers...

Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers set to face Panthers in Eastern Conference final

One year after reaching the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers are back in the Eastern Conference final. The Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers have made it there for the second time in three years. Now, the East's division winners will meet in the...

Craig Berube eyes opportunity to build, push Maple Leafs over the hump

TORONTO (AP) — The opportunity to give a talented team the extra boost it needs was an enticing one for Craig Berube. Berube was introduced at a press conference as the Toronto Maple Leafs coach on Tuesday. He takes over the job from Sheldon Keefe, who was fired May 9 after Toronto...

Oilers beat Canucks 3-2 in Game 7 to advance to Western Conference final

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers are showing they have more scoring options than just Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a goal and an assist as Edmonton scored three times in the second period and held on to beat the Vancouver Canucks...

Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 to advance to Western Conference final.

Another deep playoff run for Stars coach Pete DeBoer, who's in NHL 3rd round for 5th time in 6 years

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Pete DeBoer has gotten used to deep runs in the NHL playoffs, even though he never takes them for granted. The only thing that could make that any better for the veteran coach would be to win it all. With the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final for...

The Hurricanes have their deal with coach Rod Brind'Amour, yet more free-agency challenges loom

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up their biggest free agent in coach Rod Brind'Amour. The work ahead could prove more challenging for president and general manager Don Waddell. The Hurricanes have had six straight playoff trips, including at least one...

Avalanche face hard decisions with Landeskog, Nichushkin in offseason after 2nd round loss to Dallas

DENVER (AP) — The biggest factor in the direction of the Colorado Avalanche's offseason plans may just hinge on trust. Trust in whether captain Gabriel Landeskog can make a comeback after missing two full seasons with a knee injury. Trust also in whether Valeri Nichushkin can be...

Lafrenière continuing his breakthrough season as a solid contributor for Rangers in NHL playoffs

After a breakthrough regular season, Alexis Lafrenière has continued to be a solid contributor for the New York Rangers in their run to the Eastern Conference final. Selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, the Quebec native entered the league with high...