First Call: Christian Kirk courted by Steelers players; watch Alex Ovechkin score againVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” features some Steelers taking to social media as a way to entice a free agent to Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, one AFC veteran is retiring, while another has been released. In the NHL, Alex Ovechkin scores again. And there’s plenty of NCAA postseason women’s basketball on the slate as...
Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon bring out best in each other
DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon’s childhood idol and role model has turned into a training partner and an offseason neighbor back home in the Halifax area of their native Nova Scotia. One of his closest friends, too. MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby have developed a tight bond, which made winning the 4...
Devils star Jack Hughes done for season after having shoulder surgeryVideo
NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Devils leading scorer Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery and is out for the season, a blow to the team’s hopes of making a playoff run. The team said Hughes had surgery on his right shoulder in Vail, Colo., on Wednesday after tests and conversations with...
Lightning acquire Gourde and Bjorkstrand and Panthers get Vanecek as NHL trade action heats upVideo
The Tampa Bay Lightning answered the cross-state-rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers’ first couple of additions ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a big move of their own. The Lightning on Wednesday acquired forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle in a three-team trade that also...
Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin stays unpredictable as he approaches career goals recordVideo
ARLINGTON, Va. — Wayne Gretzky was so able to control hockey games from behind the net that the area became known as “Gretzky’s office,” as he put up more assists than anyone else in NHL history has points. Alex Ovechkin has scored so many goals with his patented one-timer from...
LA Kings apologize for selling scarves made in Turkey on Armenian Night
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Kings have apologized for selling scarves made in Turkey during Armenian Heritage Night last month. “We, the LA Kings and our partners at Rank & Rally want to sincerely apologize to all our friends in the Armenian Community and beyond for the oversight...
Wild GM Guerin believes injury-thinned group is good enough to get by until standouts return
The injury-thinned Minnesota Wild could use a boost in their push to return to the playoffs, with their margin for making it slimmed down following a strong start. With the NHL trade deadline approaching Friday, the Wild more than likely will have to find that spark from within. The salary...
First Call: Derek Carr, Sam Darnold named among Steelers’ backup plans at QB; some Rickard Rakell trade options
Justin Fields may be emerging ahead of Russell Wilson as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top option at quarterback. That said, the team may have some backup plans as well. We have a framework for what Jaylen Warren may cost at running back. And we connect the dots with clubs that may...
U mad, bro?: Fans gripe over NFL player grades for Mike Tomlin; Omar Khan’s quotes; Penguins losing
In this week’s “U mad, bro,” we’ve got some people rolling their eyes at Omar Khan’s quotes about the Steelers roster. We have lots of people fed up with the Penguins. And there are a surprising amount of people agitated about the Eagles’ Tush Push. Ah! Enjoy spring training, Pirates....
First Call: Plaxico Burress sells Super Bowl ring for big money; Penguins prospect loses fight badlyVideo
In Monday’s “First Call,” a former Pittsburgh Steeler had to sell his Super Bowl ring, but the price may have been worth it. Alex Ovechkin bounced back after a quiet game against the Penguins. An ex-Steelers defensive back is hanging up his cleats. And a Penguins farmhand may want to...
Justin Bieber among stars who skate in hockey benefit for L.A. fire relief fundVideo
LOS ANGELES — Justin Bieber and Steve Carell laced up their skates along with Hockey Hall of Famers Rob Blake, Mark Messier, Cammi Granato and Jeremy Roenick on Sunday afternoon to support relief funds from the Los Angeles fires. The Los Angeles Kings and NHL held “Skate for LA Strong”...
Hat trick puts Alex Ovechkin 13 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s career goals recordVideo
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin fired a perfect wrist shot past Calvin Pickard for his first goal of the game, scored from his office on the power play for his second and sailed a shot into an empty net from his own zone to complete the hat trick. “I have pretty...
NHL will hold its first decentralized draft at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 27-28Video
LOS ANGELES — When the NHL draft comes to Los Angeles this summer, expect a lot more Gary Bettman. The 2025 NHL Draft will take place June 27 and 28 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theatre, the league announced Saturday, and Bettman — the NHL’s commissioner since 1993 — will be...
4 Nations Face-Off shatters expectations as a hockey showcase. The Milan Olympics are up nextVideo
Canada won the 4 Nations Face-Off by beating the United States for the championship in an overtime thriller capped by Connor McDavid’s memorable goal that will be on highlight reels for decades to come. In the grand scheme of things, the NHL, its players and the sport of hockey all...
Singer of Canadian anthem at 4 Nations Face-Off changes lyric to protest Trump’s 51st state remarksVideo
The anthem singer who performed the Canadian anthem before the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night changed a lyric in “O Canada” as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about making the country the 51st state. Publicist Adam Gonshor in an email to the Associated Press...
Connor McDavid scores in OT to give Canada win over United States in 4 Nations Face-Off final
BOSTON — When they played “O Canada” for the second time, there were no American fans left in the arena to boo. Instead, the Canadian team stood at the blue line, arm in arm, player and coach, wearing their championship hats while the maple leaf flag was lowered behind the...
4 Nations Face-Off is the latest in a long line of memorable international hockey competitionsVideo
The 4 Nations Face-Off already has delivered an instant classic international hockey game with the fight-filled preliminary-round matchup between the United States and Canada last week in Montreal. The U.S.-Canada rematch on Thursday night in Boston could be another memorable country vs. country showdown for a sport with deep roots...
Bets pour in on 4 Nations Cup final between U.S., Canada
LAS VEGAS — The players have been emotionally invested in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and sports bettors have noticed and followed suit. Money has been pouring in on the tournament, and the championship on Thursday night in Boston — a rematch between the United States and Canada — is drawing...
U.S., Canada want to put new Cold War on ice in 4 Nations final
BOSTON — The U.S. and Canadian hockey teams tried to skate back the geopolitical tension that has infiltrated the 4 Nations Face-Off as they looked ahead to the championship game Thursday night for what has turned into one of the best international hockey tournaments in decades. Setting aside the animosity...
Researchers confirm Hall of Famer Bobby Hull had CTE when he died 2 years ago
CHICAGO — Bobby Hull, the Hall of Fame forward and two-time NHL MVP who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy when he died two years ago, his widow said in a statement released on Wednesday. Researchers at Boston University’s CTE Center found...
U.S. GM Bill Guerin says he would welcome Trump when Americans play Canada for 4 Nations titleVideo
BOSTON — The general manager of the U.S. team in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament said he would welcome a visit from President Donald Trump to the championship game between the United States and Canada on Thursday night. Bill Guerin, who played 18 years in the NHL for eight...
Canucks’ Quinn Hughes to replace Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy for U.S. in 4 Nations finalVideo
BOSTON — The United States didn’t have to sacrifice much when looking for a replacement for injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy in the 4 Nations Face-Off final: Reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes was ready to step in. U.S. coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday that Hughes was on his way to...
Having already clinched spot in final, U.S. falls to Sweden at 4 Nations Face-Off
BOSTON — The first matchup between the United States and Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off left both sides — and most hockey fans, too — wanting more. And that’s just what they’ll get. The North Americans played their way into a rematch in the championship game, even with the...
Sidney Crosby scores as Canada beats Finland to set up rematch with U.S. in 4 Nations finalVideo
BOSTON — Nathan MacKinnon scored twice. Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist. Sidney Crosby flipped in an empty-netter from center ice after Finland cut a four-goal deficit to one in the final minutes. Canada’s best players came through in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday to earn a...
Charlie McAvoy’s hit on Connor McDavid was another U.S. message sent at the 4 Nations Face-OffVideo
MONTREAL — Charlie McAvoy lined up Connor McDavid and delivered a textbook hit that sent the best hockey player in the world careening into the glass and down to the ice. A mere 19 seconds later, Jake Guentzel scored the tying goal — McDavid scored the first one — on...
