All posts by The Canadian Press

Oilers head coach Knoblauch mum on starting goaltender for Game 5

VANCOUVER — Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is undecided on who will be starting in net in Thursday night's Game 5 tilt against the Vancouver Canucks. The best-of-seven second-round series is tied at 2-2 after the Oilers pulled out a 3-2 win on Tuesday. Knoblauch opted to go with Calvin Pickard between the pipes over starter Stuart Skinner in the win. "We have not decided. ... We will have a decision for you tomorrow morning," Knoblauch told reporters on Wednesday after landing in Vanc

Coyotes goaltender Ingram named Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy winner

NEW YORK — Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram has been named the winner of the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy. The award recognizes the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” It was presented by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) to honour the late Bill Masterton. Calgary Flames defenceman Oliver Kylington and Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen were the other two finalists. Ingram posted a 23-21-3

Connor Ingram wins the Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey

Connor Ingram, the goaltender who shared his battle with an undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder that led him to drink to cope with anxiety and has blossomed into a full-time NHL player, has won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Ingram had a breakout performance for the Arizona Coyotes this past season, years removed from seeking and receiving help from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, which is run jointly by the league and

Canucks’ Tocchet says Demko improving, top prospect Lekkerimaki an option for Game 5

VANCOUVER — Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says Thatcher Demko has "improved immensely the last 72 hours" as the all-star goaltender works his way back from a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old started Vancouver's playoff opener against the Nashville Predators, but hasn't suited up since. Vancouver has turned to third-string rookie Arturs Silovs in the post-season after backup Casey DeSmith was hurt in Game 3 against the Predators. Silovs, who is 4-3 in the playoffs with a .907 save percentage

The New York Rangers were headed for another sweep. Now they’re fighting to close out Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The New York Rangers looked headed for an easy push through the second round of the NHL playoffs when they quickly moved within a win of a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes. Instead, the Hurricanes have grinded their way back in the series, and the pressure is building on the Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers to close this one out. After winning the first three games in the best-of-7 series, the Rangers have lost two in a row — the most recent coming when they allowed four u

Participation in the NHL’s player assistance program is up this season. That may not be a bad thing

It was untreated anxiety and depression that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard blamed for his alcohol abuse, a problem that reached the point where he needed to step away from hockey. He made a decision to leave the Avalanche and enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program earlier this season. Girard returned to practice a month later, resumed playing and declared: “It changed my life.” Girard was the first of five players to step away this season to receive care from the program joi

Stars centre Roope Hintz out for Game 5 against the Avalanche with upper-body injury

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz is out for Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night because of an upper-body injury. Stars coach Pete DeBoer said after the morning skate that Radek Faksa will be back in the lineup. Faksa hasn't played since Game 1 against the Avs on May 7, two nights after scoring the game-winning goal in Game 7 to clinch their first-round series over Vegas. He had missed four games before that because of a

Canadiens goaltender Carey Price to receive honorary doctorate from UNBC

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern British Columbia on May 31 at the school's convocation ceremony. The university highlighted Price's NHL achievements, inspiration of Indigenous youth and philanthropy in Northern B.C. and Canada in its announcement Wednesday. Price, who grew up in Anahim Lake, B.C., backstopped Canada to Olympic gold in 2014 and led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup final

Majority of Proline players behind Oilers to tie NHL series with Canucks

The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are now down to a best-of-three in their NHL playoff series. Edmonton tied the best-of-seven affair at two games apiece Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory. According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., 70 per cent of Proline bettors took Edmonton to win the contest but 68 per cent had the contest going over 6.5 total goals. Game 5 goes Thursday night in Vancouver. It seems Proline players are behind the defending-champion Denver Nuggets in the NBA pla

Five things to know about the NHL playoffs

There's only one game in the NHL tonight, but it is a big one for the Big D as the Stars look to eliminate the visiting Colorado Avalanche. And it's an off day for the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers after serving up a classic finish in Game 4 last night. Here are five things you need to know about the NHL playoffs: OILERS PREVAIL IN WILD FINISH Anyone with long fingernails this morning likely didn't watch the final period of the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 victory over the visiting Vancouver Canu