National Hockey

One of the first things Peter DeBoer wanted to change when he took over as Vegas Golden Knights coach 17 months ago was getting defensemen more involved in the offense. It took some time.

LAS VEGAS — This being Las Vegas, the Montreal Canadiens decided they would make it interesting.

NEW YORK (AP) — Semyon Varlamov is the wily veteran, coming off a season in which he set career bests in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts for the New York Islanders.

Gerard Gallant is the new coach of the New York Rangers and will be tasked with taking one of the NHL’s youngest clubs to the next level. The Rangers announced Gallant's hiring Wednesday after agreeing to a four-year contract with him this week.

TORONTO — Jason Spezza will once again be sporting blue and white next season. The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Wednesday the 38-year-old forward has re-signed with his hometown team at the league minimum US$750,000 for the 2021-22 campaign.

Tampa Bay Lightning (36-17-3, third in the Central Division during the regular season) vs. New York Islanders (32-17-7, fourth in the East Division during the regular season) Uniondale, New York; Thursday, 8 p.m.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning are running out of superlatives to describe the playmaking ability of NHL playoff scoring leader Nikita Kucherov. “He’s remarkably gifted ...

Nikita Kucherov would have much rather gutted out the season with his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates than sit out all 56 games while recovering from hip surgery. "Missing a whole year, you ask any player, you don’t want to be that guy," Kucherov said.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks have hired Geoff Ward and Mike Stothers to replace assistant coaches Mark Morrison and Marty Wilford. The Ducks announced the overhaul of head coach Dallas Eakins' staff Tuesday.

Cancer survivor Oskar Lindblom of the Philadelphia Flyers was named Tuesday as the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.