Oilers’ Connor McDavid suspended 2 games for check to head
NEW YORK — Edmonton Oilers All-Star Connor McDavid was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of the New York Islanders’ Nick Leddy during Edmonton’s 4-3 win on Thursday night. The league announced the suspension Friday. McDavid was given a minor penalty for the hit, which occurred...
Blue Jackets acquire Matt Duchene from Senators
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Matt Duchene from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for two top prospects on Friday, adding a veteran center as they make a push for a playoff spot. The 28-year-old Duchene, one of the top players available ahead of Monday’s NHL trade deadline,...
Capitals acquire ex-Penguin Carl Hagelin from Kings
The Washington Capitals have acquired winger Carl Hagelin from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2019 third-round pick and a conditional sixth-round pick in the next year’s entry draft. The teams announced the trade Thursday after Washington winger Devante Smith-Pelly cleared waivers and was assigned to Hershey of the American...
First call: John Tortorella gives too much info on Artemi Panarin’s stomach issues
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” John Tortorella clears up some messy speculation about one of his players. Trevor Lawrence is a little too physical during an intramural game. Dirk Nowitzki gets deep on the topic of “heightism.” We get the point, coach Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella is nothing if...
Mike Tirico impresses during his 1st NHL game for NBC Sports
Mike Tirico tells aspiring broadcasters to take chances and get out of their comfort zone. On Wednesday night, Tirico took his own advice. Tirico called his first NHL game on NBCSN when the Detroit Red Wings played host to the Chicago Blackhawks. Hall of Famer Mike “Doc” Emerick, NBC’s lead...
Pierre McGuire nearly takes puck to the face
You think your job is dangerous. Pierre McGuire, NBC hockey analyst, puts his life — well, his face — on the blue line every game. During NHL games he’s covering, McGuire can usually be found in a booth between the two teams’ benches. No glass. No protection. On Sunday night’s...
Hurricanes respond to Don Cherry’s ’bunch of jerks’ comment with new T-shirt
If your team gets called out by a talking head on TV, what do you do? Sell T-shirts. That’s how the Carolina Hurricanes responded Sunday afternoon after hockey commentator Don Cherry referred to the team as “a bunch of jerks.” The team introduced new shirts with the “Bunch of jerks”...
Don Cherry calls Carolina Hurricanes ‘bunch of jerks’ because of victory celebrations
For Don Cherry, a man known for his flashy, attention-seeking suits, perhaps the irony was lost on him when he espoused a “get off my lawn” persona Saturday when discussing the topic of the Carolina Hurricanes’ postgame celebrations. The Hurricanes have been doing a lot of winning lately (three straight...
Ducks fire coach Randy Carlyle amid 7-game losing skid
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray tried to give Randy Carlyle as much time as possible to turn things around. But a seven-game losing streak and freefall into last place in the Western Conference showed Murray a turnaround wasn’t coming soon. Murray announced he would take over...
Devils hold off hard-charging Hurricanes for 3-2 win
NEWARK, N.J. — The beleaguered Devils have had an eventful week with injuries, trades and everything in between. The only thing they couldn’t manage during the first three games of a homestand was a win. That ended Sunday with a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at Prudential Center. With...
NBC’s Mike Tirico will call first NHL game on Feb. 20 in Detroit
Mike Tirico’s advice to young announcers has been to take chances and get out of their comfort zone. He will be practicing what he preaches in a couple of weeks. The NBC Sports Group announced Thursday that Tirico will call his first NHL game on Feb. 20 when Detroit hosts...
Maple Leafs sign Matthews to 5-year extension
TORONTO — Auston Matthews, one of the NHL’s great young talents, signed a five-year contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday at an annual average salary of $11.6 million. The 21-year-old center was making the maximum $925,000 a year under his three-year rookie deal. He was eligible to...
NHL to celebrate Black History Month for 1st time
The NHL will celebrate Black History Month for the first time, shifting its focus in February from its wide-ranging “Hockey Is For Everyone” campaign to emphasize racial diversity in the sport. The league and NHL Players’ Association will announce the joint initiative Friday morning. It includes a traveling mobile museum...
Hat tricks on the rise around NHL this season
DENVER — In keeping with hockey tradition, a tip of the cap to honor Alex Ovechkin and Patrik Laine . They’ve each recorded a hat trick of hat tricks this season. Easy as one, two, three. Or so it may seem. Around the league, there have been 61 hat tricks...
Upper St. Clair native Vincent Trocheck nears return for Florida Panthers
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — The Florida Panthers desperately need a boost, and Vincent Trocheck has pronounced himself ready to provide one. Barely eight weeks removed from surgery to repair the right ankle he fractured by crashing into the boards during a game at Ottawa, Trocheck took part in a full...
‘Dinosaur’ defensemen like Brooks Orpik survive in NHL by adapting
When John Tortorella compares Brooks Orpik to a creature that went extinct 65 million years ago, he means it affectionately. “He’s a little bit of a dinosaur because he hits, and there isn’t a lot of hitting in this game,” Tortorella said. Orpik, the longtime Pittsburgh Penguin who helped the...
