NHL

Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period NHL playoff hockey action against the Dallas Stars in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Flames eliminate Stars in 7 games to set up NHL’s Battle of Alberta

Gaudreau scores OT winner in 3-2 Calgary victory

Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during second period NHL playoff hockey action against the Dallas Stars in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period, first round, game seven NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Lightning down Leafs in Game 7 as Toronto endures more playoff heartbreak

‘It stings, it hurts, it’s disappointing’: Leafs captain

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period, first round, game seven NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, on Dec. 6, 2021. Boudreau will return as the Canucks head coach next season after helping to turn the struggling NHL club around as a mid-season replacement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

There it is Vancouver: Boudreau will be back to coach Canucks

Boudreau coached his 1,000th regular-season game in January

Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau smiles as he attends a news conference in Vancouver, on Dec. 6, 2021. Boudreau will return as the Canucks head coach next season after helping to turn the struggling NHL club around as a mid-season replacement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Canada’s assistant coach Kori Cheverie’s ascension coupled with the growing number of women entering pro hockey management and developmental roles has rapidly sped the timetable on when — not if — there will be a woman working behind an NHL bench. (Photo by Dave Holland/Hockey Canada Images)

NHL closing in on seeing its first female coach

The league’s female hockey-related ranks have increased to nearly 30, 5 team presidents are women

Canada’s assistant coach Kori Cheverie’s ascension coupled with the growing number of women entering pro hockey management and developmental roles has rapidly sped the timetable on when — not if — there will be a woman working behind an NHL bench. (Photo by Dave Holland/Hockey Canada Images)
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson battle during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Pair of Canadian clubs see NHL playoff matchups extended to Game 7

Edmonton-L.A. and Toronto-Tampa Bay series go the distance

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, left, and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson battle during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Montreal Canadiens logo is projected onto the ice during a pre-game ceremony prior to their NHL hockey home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, in Montreal on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. The Montreal Canadiens won the 2022 NHL draft lottery on Tuesday night and have the first selection for the upcoming draft at their home arena. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Montreal Canadiens win lottery for No. 1 pick at 2022 NHL draft

Vancouver Canucks have No. 15 overall choice

The Montreal Canadiens logo is projected onto the ice during a pre-game ceremony prior to their NHL hockey home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, in Montreal on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. The Montreal Canadiens won the 2022 NHL draft lottery on Tuesday night and have the first selection for the upcoming draft at their home arena. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Los Angeles Kings’ Carl Grundstrom (91) looks on as Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane (91), Connor McDavid (97) and Jesse Puljujarvi (13) celebrate a goal during third period NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Oilers take long route from Edmonton to L.A., avoiding COVID-19 testing

NHL team elects to drive over the border in Vancouver on its way to playoff game

Los Angeles Kings’ Carl Grundstrom (91) looks on as Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane (91), Connor McDavid (97) and Jesse Puljujarvi (13) celebrate a goal during third period NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
FILE - In this April 7, 2012, file photo, Anaheim Ducks’ Sheldon Brookbank, left, checks Calgary Flames’ Akim Aliu, a Nigerian-born Canadian, during third period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta. Aliu’s book titled “Akim Aliu Dreamer: Growing Up Black in the World of Hockey,” is due out in February and shares a journey of being a Nigerian-born child of mixed-race parents attempting to assimilate at a young age in Ukraine and Canada. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh, File)

Aliu lands book deal on how he confronted racism in hockey

Graphic novel shares Aliu’s dealing with the difficulties of assimilating in Ukraine and Canada

FILE - In this April 7, 2012, file photo, Anaheim Ducks’ Sheldon Brookbank, left, checks Calgary Flames’ Akim Aliu, a Nigerian-born Canadian, during third period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta. Aliu’s book titled “Akim Aliu Dreamer: Growing Up Black in the World of Hockey,” is due out in February and shares a journey of being a Nigerian-born child of mixed-race parents attempting to assimilate at a young age in Ukraine and Canada. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh, File)
New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes (86) and Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse (25) battle for the puck during third period NHL action in Edmonton on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Nurse and P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils are among the 32 NHL players up for this year’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Nurse, Subban headline nominees for NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Bo Horvat earns nomination for Vancouver Canucks

New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes (86) and Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse (25) battle for the puck during third period NHL action in Edmonton on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Nurse and P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils are among the 32 NHL players up for this year’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau, back, stands on the bench behind from left to right, Justin Bailey, Juho Lammikko, of Finland, Matthew Highmore and Brock Boeser while coaching in his 1,000th NHL game during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in Vancouver, on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Vancouver Canucks have June 1 deadline to re-sign coach Bruce Boudreau

Team president Rutherford won’t commit to contract extension

Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau, back, stands on the bench behind from left to right, Justin Bailey, Juho Lammikko, of Finland, Matthew Highmore and Brock Boeser while coaching in his 1,000th NHL game during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in Vancouver, on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
Cst. Mike Della-Paolera returns Ian Moore’s Wayne Gretzky rookie card. (Kelowna RCMP photo)

Missing Gretzky rookie card returned to owner 7 years later by Kelowna RCMP

Valuable card stolen in 2015 break-and-enter

Cst. Mike Della-Paolera returns Ian Moore’s Wayne Gretzky rookie card. (Kelowna RCMP photo)
Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

Head coach Bruce Boudreau’s arrival helped change Canucks culture

Vancouver went 32-15-10 through final 57 games under bench boss

Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)
Fans line up to pay their respects during the visitation for Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur, Sunday, May 1, 2022 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Fans gather to pay tribute to Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur

Hall of Famer lying in state ahead of national funeral

Fans line up to pay their respects during the visitation for Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur, Sunday, May 1, 2022 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Vancouver Canucks’ Brad Hunt (77) is chased by Edmonton Oilers’ Derick Brassard (16) during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Friday, April 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Canucks finish up regular season with 3-2 shootout loss in Edmonton

Oilers advance to playoffs, Vancouver headed home

Vancouver Canucks’ Brad Hunt (77) is chased by Edmonton Oilers’ Derick Brassard (16) during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Friday, April 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid (97) fires the puck past Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Ryan McDonagh (27) and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (not shown) for a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Stars and sleepers: Players to watch as the NHL playoffs get underway

A look at some big names (and not so big) that could make an impact

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid (97) fires the puck past Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Ryan McDonagh (27) and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (not shown) for a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) is upended in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin (30) as Canucks Luke Schenn (2) defends during first period NHL action in Vancouver on Thursday, April 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Brock Boeser scores 2 as Canucks edge L.A. Kings 3-2 in overtime

Vancouver, eliminated from playoffs, has one game left in 2021-22 NHL season

Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) is upended in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin (30) as Canucks Luke Schenn (2) defends during first period NHL action in Vancouver on Thursday, April 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Sheldon Dries, left, and goalie Spencer Martin celebrate after Vancouver defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-2 during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks eliminated from NHL playoffs despite 5-2 win over Seattle Kraken

Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes sets franchise scoring record for defencemen

Vancouver Canucks’ Sheldon Dries, left, and goalie Spencer Martin celebrate after Vancouver defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-2 during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) scores a goal against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) during overtime in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. Edmonton won 2-1. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Oilers’ star Connor McDavid’s drive to be NHL’s best player starts off the ice

McDavid is on pace to be the league’s top scorer for the fourth time

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) scores a goal against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) during overtime in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. Edmonton won 2-1. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Images of hockey legend Guy Lafleur are projected on the ice during a ceremony at the Bell Centre prior to an NHL hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins in Montreal, Sunday, April 24, 2022. Lafleur passed away on April 22 at the age of 70. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Canadiens pay tribute to legendary Lafleur before game with Boston Bruins

National funeral to be held in Montreal on May 3

Images of hockey legend Guy Lafleur are projected on the ice during a ceremony at the Bell Centre prior to an NHL hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins in Montreal, Sunday, April 24, 2022. Lafleur passed away on April 22 at the age of 70. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes, right, is checked by Calgary Flames centre Blake Coleman during second period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Saturday, April 23, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Elias Lindholm hits 40-goal mark as Calgary Flames down Vancouver Canucks 6-3

B.C. side six points out of playoff spot with three games to play

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes, right, is checked by Calgary Flames centre Blake Coleman during second period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Saturday, April 23, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh