NHL

Early Trading: What are some takeaways from Leafs locker cleanout day?

What are some takeaways from the Maple Leafs locker cleanout day, particularly with regards to Auston Matthews and his desire to stay in Toronto? What's next for the Winnipeg Jets after a disappointing season? That and more in the early edition of Insider Trading.

Wild hopeful Hughes is ready for Game 1 after missing practice with illness

NHL playoffs arrive with the West stacked with contenders like Colorado, Dallas and Vegas

The path through the Central Division to the Western Conference Final is just about as treacherous as it gets with the conference's three top teams all bracketed together.

Senators kick off Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday, Canadiens begin series on Sunday

The National Hockey League released part of its playoff schedule on Thursday, mapping out when each series would play Game 1.

Ovechkin jokes about inking a two-year deal as future remains murky

Nothing about Alex Ovechkin’s future is all that clear right now after the NHL’s career goal-scoring leader finished his 21st season Tuesday.

Panthers’ Barkov commits to Finland for Worlds after missing season

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov has committed to playing for Finland at the World Hockey Championships in May after he missed the 2025-26 campaign due to injury.

Bowness agrees to one-year extension two days after ripping into Blue Jackets

Rick Bowness has signed a one-year contract extension to stay on as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Ovechkin on potential retirement: ‘I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game’

Addressing the media during Washington Capitals’ locker cleanout on Thursday, Alex Ovechkin hinted that he hopes to return for a 22nd NHL season but his final decision still needs to be made.

Maple Leafs’ Tavares intends to play for Canada at Worlds

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares told reporters on Thursday that he intends to play for Canada at the World Hockey Championship beginning in May.

Staios backs Ullmark as Senators prepare to battle Hurricanes in first round

Despite the horrid start and the lack of availability in his second season, Steve Staios has no regrets putting his faith into Linus Ullmark.

Blue Jays are in survival mode

A team can’t win a division in April, but they can certainly lose one. The Jays need to find a way to survive a pile of injuries and keep the top of the AL East within arm’s length, Steve Phillips writes.

Matthews on Leafs’ lost season: ‘We’re all hopeful this is kind of a one-off’

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews reiterated Thursday he believes he can win a Stanley Cup with the franchise.

Berube says he expects to return as Maple Leafs head coach next season

Craig Berube’s future as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs remains in limbo as the team searches for its next head of hockey operations, but the 60-year-old said Thursday he expects to be back behind the bench next season.

Golden Knights surge to Pacific title under Tortorella, head into playoffs on 7-0-1 run

Under the fiery John Tortorella, the Golden Knights (39-26-17) have clinched a second-straight Pacific Division title and are one of the league’s hottest teams heading into their postseason matchup against the Utah Mammoth.

Oilers aim to beat Canucks, boost playoff fortunes with home-ice advantage

The Edmonton Oilers will finish their regular season tonight with one goal in mind: Beat the visiting Vancouver Canucks and avoid a first-round playoff clash with one of the Central Division heavyweights.

‘Just disappointment and failure’: Maple Leafs reflect on lost season

The only silver lining in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ final game of the season is that it finally ended a long year of disappointment.

Marner scores go-ahead goal as Golden Knights beat Kraken to clinch Pacific title

Mitch Marner broke a third-period tie and the Vegas Golden Knights won the Pacific Division for the fifth time in their nine-year history, beating the Seattle Kraken 4-1 on Wednesday night to close the regular season.

Crevier scores twice as Blackhawks end season with win over Sharks

Defenseman Louis Crevier scored twice in the final period, Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis also added third period goals, and the Chicago Blackhawks rallied in their season finale to beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Short-handed Senators do enough to beat Maple Leafs; send Toronto to bottom-five finish

Despite resting six players, the Ottawa Senators wrapped up their regular season with a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night to head into the post-season riding a high.

Kartye scores two goals as Rangers beat Lightning

Tye Kartye scored two goals and had an assist as the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.