National Hockey

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers wasted no time snatching home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference final.

DALLAS (AP) — Much is still the same, even though a lot of names have changed for the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers, meeting in the Western Conference final for the second year in a row.

TORONTO — Craig Berube took a seat behind the microphone. As the Maple Leafs head coach fielded questions following the team's latest playoff demise, six words in block letters loomed large over his right shoulder. "No grit. No grind. No greatness.

WINNIPEG — Connor Hellebuyck knows how strong bonds can grow when a group deals with adversity.

One of five hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside a London, Ont., hotel room asked some of his teammates for advice before heading toward the bathroom with her, another player testified Tuesday.

TORONTO — Mitch Marner emerged from behind a sliding door at the Maple Leafs' practice facility.

DALLAS (AP) — Wayne Gretzky was in the Dallas Stars locker room congratulating them after they advanced to their third consecutive Western Conference final, where they will face the franchise with which “The Great One” was a four-time Stanley Cup cha

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins have signed general manager Don Sweeney to a two-year contract extension, trusting him to rebuild the roster after the team missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016.

A quick look at the NHL's Western Conference best-of-seven final between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars starting Wednesday: RECENT HISTORY: The Oilers ousted the Stars in six games in last year's conference final.

EDMONTON — It is a well-rested, eager group of Edmonton Oilers who head into the NHL Western Conference final confident they will repeat their 2024 series victory over the Dallas Stars.