Mikko Rantanen
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) works on his conditioning and skating efficiency alone on the ice during their NHL training camp in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Matthews is not skating with the team due to wrist surgery. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kane, Matthews and Jones first 3 picks for US Olympic team

By Stephen Whyno Oct. 07, 2021 01:30 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) breaks a stick on Colorado Avalanche center Tyson Jost (17) during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights 6/10/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, makes a save on a shot by Colorado Avalanche's Conor Timmins (22) as Blues' Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues 5/23/2021

May. 24, 2021 04:20 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, makes a save on a shot by Colorado Avalanche's Conor Timmins (22) as Blues' Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Blues bound for change after 'embarrassing' 1st-round sweep

By Stephen Whyno May. 24, 2021 04:18 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring his second goal of night, during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. Colorado won 6-3. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MacKinnon records hat trick, Avs beat Blues 6-3 in Game 2

By Pat Graham May. 20, 2021 01:47 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads back to the net during a timeout in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MacKinnon, Grubauer lift Avs to 4-1 win over Blues in Game 1

By Pat Graham May. 18, 2021 01:12 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer adjusts his mask as he heads back to the net during a timeout against the San Jose Sharks in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 30, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Grubauer helps Avs break 3-game slide in 3-0 win over Sharks

By Pat Graham Apr. 30, 2021 11:45 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends against St. Louis Blues' David Perron (57) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Avalanche use 3 goals in second period to beat Blues 4-3

By Joe Harris Apr. 14, 2021 11:25 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche left wing Valeri Nichushkin, right, shoots the puck for a goal while Anaheim Ducks left wing Max Comtois (53) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Jonas Johansson gets 1st shutout, Avalanche edge Ducks 2-0

Apr. 10, 2021 01:17 AM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) races for the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of of Outdoor Lake Tahoe NHL hockey game at Stateline, Nev., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli))
Avs beat Golden Knights 3-2 in delayed Lake Tahoe game

By Josh Dubow Feb. 21, 2021 01:58 AM EST

Media get their temperature checked before covering the Edmonton Oilers NHL hockey training camp in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, July 13, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Pucks and masks prevalent as 24 NHL teams open training camp

By John Wawrow And Teresa M. Walker Jul. 13, 2020 11:49 AM 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