SEATTLE — During the past few years, handmade signs along the glass at NHL games have become less encouraging and more enterprising. A night out at the rink needs a game-worn, or at least pregame-worn, souvenir.

It started humbly, with young fans offering to trade their favorite players candy for a puck. Now it’s escalated to asking for a ...Read more

DENVER — Things are going so well for the Colorado Avalanche right now that Devon Toews made as many saves during the second period Thursday night as the opposing goaltender.

The Avs blew this one open with an efficient three goals on five shots in the second, en route to a 4-0 victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena. Martin Necas...Read more

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Alex Ovechkin didn’t get any closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, but the Wild made progress in their chase of a playoff berth.

While keeping Ovechkin six goals away from passing Gretzky, the Wild rallied to win 4-2 Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center and pick up a much-needed pair of points with nine games ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The new era of Flyers hockey started with a win.

After coach John Tortorella was fired Thursday morning, the Flyers defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 6-4. It snapped a six-game losing streak and gave the hometown team its second win in 13 games.

Brad Shaw earned his first win as the Flyers’ interim head coach, and the 19th of...Read more

Sidney Crosby finally got his historic point Thursday evening in Buffalo, pinging a wrister past James Reimer to secure his 20th career point-per-game season, passing Wayne Gretzky for most all time.

With the Penguins down 2-0, the captain received a pass from behind the net from Rickard Rakell. Crosby deftly handled the puck with his skate ...Read more

DETROIT — This was shades of last season down the stretch, when the Red Wings pulled off dramatic rallies and victories.

The Wings certainly made things interesting Thursday but couldn't complete the comeback, falling to Ottawa, 4-3.

It was the Wings' 11th loss in the last 14 games and kept them stalled outside of the playoff picture, which ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The writing was on the wall for a while in pencil, but it became permanent Sharpie on Thursday morning when John Tortorella was officially relieved of his coaching duties with the Flyers.

“Today I made the very difficult decision to move on from John as our head coach,” Flyers general manager Danny Brière said in the team�...Read more

DENVER — You knew this wasn't going to be easy, the third game in four nights and against a powerful Colorado team.

If ever there was going to be a scheduled defeat this was likely it — and it was Tuesday for the Red Wings, losing to 5-2 to the Avalanche.

J.T. Compher (power play) scored his eighth goal in the first period, but Colorado ...Read more

TORONTO — The Philadelphia Flyers’ woes continued north of the border on Tuesday.

Facing Scott Laughton and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Orange and Black were handed a 7-2 loss in a sloppy, ugly hockey game. It is the Flyers’ sixth-straight losing effort and 11th loss in the past 12 games.

Ryan Poehling did give the Flyers a 1-0 lead 25 ...Read more

Center Jack Eichel recorded a hat trick and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-1 on Tuesday at Xcel Energy Center.

Eichel’s fifth career hat trick helped him reach 90 points this season and led the Knights to their fourth straight win. Brett Howden scored his 20th goal of the season, while goaltender Adin Hill made 21 ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — In a matchup of the two hottest teams in the NHL, the Blues extended their win streak to seven games with a 6-1 win over the Canadiens on Tuesday night at Enterprise Center.

Philip Broberg led the Blues with a goal and three assists, while Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, Robert Thomas, Alexandre Texier and Zack Bolduc (power play) ...Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — It was an interesting juxtaposition of players on the ice Tuesday, or so it seemed, as the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the Nashville Predators.

On the Canes’ side was center Mark Jankowski, who until March 7 was playing for the Preds.

On the Preds was defenseman Brady Skjei, who became a lineup fixture — and a big fan ...Read more

CHICAGO — Naturally, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov has been learning what it takes to play in the NHL — and the traps that await every rookie — with each game.

“How hard it is, how fast,” said Levshunov, who is taking to the English language at almost the same speed he’s taking to the pro game.

But as much as he ...Read more