National Hockey

NASHVILLE — Winning the Stanley Cup seemed the perfect next step for the Nashville Predators after fighting all season for home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

A Western Conference final featuring the Winnipeg Jets and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights isn't quite what the experts predicted at the start of training camp, but both teams are full value for their incredible runs through the regular season and

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets are facing the Vegas Golden Knights in the National Hockey League's Western Conference final.

After toiling in relative obscurity over two stints in the NHL, the Winnipeg Jets have arrived on the national stage with a bang after knocking off the Nashville Predators and advancing to the Western Conference final for the first time.

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs are staying in-house for Lou Lamoriello's replacement as general manager, turning to 32-year-old Kyle Dubas.

History is being made again in the Stanley Cup playoffs. On the heels of the first back-to-back champions in two decades, the NHL will get a new champion in the salary-cap era that began in 2005.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals have never used more rookies during a single post-season than the half-dozen who helped Alex Ovechkin and Co. reach the Eastern Conference final.

NASHVILLE — The Winnipeg Jets only got a few hours to celebrate the biggest victory in franchise history.

NASHVILLE — Paul Stastny had two goals and an assist, Connor Hellebuyck made 36 saves, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Nashville Predators 5-1 in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series on Thursday night.

TAMPA, Fla. — Like many young Russian hockey players, Nikita Kucherov grew up following Alex Ovechkin's career, hoping to someday become a prolific scorer and maybe even compete against his countryman in the Stanley Cup playoffs.