John Tortorella
New York Rangers' Chris Kreider (20) checks Buffalo Sabres' Jacob Bryson (78) into the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in New York. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)
Rangers' Zibanejad acknowledges virus affected slow start

By Vin A. Cherwoo May. 11, 2021 03:23 PM EDT

Nashville Predators' Mark Borowiecki, right, knocks Columbus Blue Jackets' Patrik Laine to the ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Healthy Elvis shuts out Predators as Blue Jackets win 3-0

By Mitch Stacy Feb. 18, 2021 10:49 PM EST

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kurtis MacDermid (56) and Anaheim Ducks left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (20) square up for a fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Tensions rising: NHL multigame series ratchet up animosity

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 11, 2021 06:03 PM EST

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer, left, stops a redirected shot off the stick of Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise in the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hey ref, how was breakfast? Unique season forges new bonds

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 10, 2021 02:30 AM EST

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Michael Del Zotto, left, shoves Florida Panthers forward Anthony Duclair during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Hornqvist's shootout goal lifts Panthers over Blue Jackets

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 26, 2021 10:12 PM EST

Winnipeg Jets' Patrik Laine (29) celebrates his overtime goal with Neal Pionk (4), as Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) and Flames' Mark Giordano (5) react during an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)
Blue Jackets deal unhappy Dubois to Jets for Laine, Roslovic

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 23, 2021 01:00 PM EST

Detroit Red Wings left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) celebrates with center Vladislav Namestnikov (92) and defenseman Filip Hronek (17) after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Ryan makes Red Wings history in 3-2 OT win over Blue Jackets

By Larry Lage Jan. 19, 2021 10:56 PM EST

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) stops a Detroit Red Wings right wing Filip Zadina (11) shot in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Blue Jackets hold on, defeat Red Wings 3-2 for their 1st win

By Larry Lage Jan. 18, 2021 04:29 PM EST

Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) congratulates goaltender Juuse Saros (74) after a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Richardson scores go-ahead goal as Preds beat Columbus 5-2

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 16, 2021 10:55 PM EST

Nashville Predators left wing Cole Smith (36) is introduced before the team's season-opening NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The game is played before a limited number of fans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Forsberg, Saros lead Predators to 3-1 win over Blue Jackets

By Jim Diamond Jan. 14, 2021 11:13 PM EST

Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Oshie has 3 points, Capitals open with 6-4 win at Buffalo

By John Wawrow Jan. 14, 2021 09:54 PM EST

The Chicago Blackhawks begin their 2021 training camp during an NHL hockey practice Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
NHL training camps open with sense of urgency

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 04, 2021 05:47 PM EST

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) celebrates his goal as Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) skates nearby during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Korpisalo shuts out Maple Leafs 2-0 in first playoff start

Aug. 02, 2020 10:54 PM EDT

Security guards stand by at a section of the street outside Toronto's Royal York hotel, which is closed off as NHL teams arrive at the "bubble" ahead of the return of the league's season following a disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Toronto, Sunday, July 26, 2020. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Bubble hockey begins: NHL playoff teams adjust to quarantine

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 27, 2020 07:19 PM EDT

Winnipeg Jets' head coach Paul Maurice and Nikolaj Ehlers (27) joke during the first day of the Jets NHL summer training camp as the NHL reopens during COVID-19 in Winnipeg, Monday, July 13, 2020. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)
NHL's older coaches debate wearing masks, taking precautions

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 15, 2020 06:54 PM EDT

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones (3) shoots during during an NHL hockey training camp on Monday, July 13, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (Joshua A. Bickel/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)
'Luck in disguise': Layoff helps Blue Jackets get healthy

By Mitch Stacy Jul. 15, 2020 03:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin, of Russia, plays against the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio. The Edmonton Oilers’ sudden resurgence placed Connor McDavid back in the NHL MVP conversation, along with teammate Leon Draisaitl. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Boston’s David Pastrnak made their case, too, during a pandemic-shortened season. And don’t forget New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin, a late entry in the discussion. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, FIle)
Oilers have Hart? McDavid, Draisaitl are NHL MVP candidates

By John Wawrow Jun. 18, 2020 02:07 PM EDT