National Hockey

BROSSARD, Que. — The health of star goaltender Carey Price and the development of their youthful core will be key storylines after a whirlwind of a season for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Detroit Red Wings celebrated the return of Steve Yzerman three years ago, expecting one of their all-time greats to turn around the franchise as general manager. It hasn't happened yet.

OTTAWA — A season that started with optimism for the Ottawa Senators finished with the same result — the team outside the playoffs.

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings fired Jeff Blashill on Saturday, moving on from the coach tabbed to guide the storied NHL franchise through a long rebuilding process.

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup inside the NHL's 2020 post-season bubble, then repeated last July following a pandemic-shortened campaign accented by one-and-done divisions based on geography.

CHICAGO (AP) — While Kyle Davidson plots the next moves for the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are watching. Same for Alex DeBrincat.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The phenomenon of the Comeback Cats really seemed to take off back in late November.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Rangers pointed to Gerard Gallant’s success as a head coach when he was hired last June to take over a team that was struggling to develop an identity during a three-year rebuilding effort.

Jon Cooper doesn't get much sleep from September through June, even less when the NHL playoffs begin.

It took until the final game on the final night of the NHL regular season to set the matchups for the first round of the playoffs. Naturally, the battle for the Stanley Cup starts in less than 72 hours.