Slovaks, Swiss reach qualifying round

Nicklas Backstrom scored 29 seconds after the opening faceoff and Sweden went on to an 8-2 win over Latvia on Monday and claim a place in the qualifying round of the hockey world championships. In Mytischi, Shane Doan converted on a power play early in the third to complete Canada’s rally and help it survive a second scare in as many games, beating Norway 4-2 in Group C.

Ducks bounce back, top Canucks 3-2

Penalty killing kept the Anaheim Ducks in the game on Sunday night. The power play won it for them. Corey Perry scored the go-ahead goal on a power play 7:51 into the third period as the Ducks recovered from a double-overtime loss at home in Game 2 with a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Perry’s goal, on a screened slap shot from the top of the faceoff circle, came 70 seconds after the Ducks…

Slovaks, Swiss reach qualifying round

Nicklas Backstrom scored 29 seconds after the opening faceoff and Sweden went on to an 8-2 win over Latvia on Monday and claim a place in the qualifying round of the hockey world championships. In Mytischi, Shane Doan converted on a power play early in the third to complete Canada’s rally and help it survive a second scare in as many games, beating Norway 4-2 in Group C.

Rozsival lifts Rangers by Sabres in 2OT

Michal Rozsival’s aching left knee made the New York Rangers’ best defenseman a question mark for the biggest games of the season. He left the series opener early in Buffalo and gritted his way through Game 2 when another hit to the leg slowed him again. But Rozsival was back on the blue line for the Rangers on Sunday, and his hard drive found its way into the net in double overtime to give New…

Ducks bounce back, top Canucks 3-2

Penalty killing kept the Anaheim Ducks in the game on Sunday night. The power play won it for them. Corey Perry scored the go-ahead goal on a power play 7:51 into the third period as the Ducks recovered from a double-overtime loss at home in Game 2 with a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Perry’s goal, on a screened slap shot from the top of the faceoff circle, came 70 seconds after the Ducks…

Senators: Devils’ timekeepers were slow

The Ottawa Senators still don’t know what it’s like to win the first two games of a series, though their eighth and most recent attempt to go up 2-0 didn’t miss by much. New Jersey’s Jamie Langenbrunner scored on a breakaway 1:55 into the second overtime to give the Devils a 3-2 win over Ottawa on Saturday night, though it was Sergei Brylin’s goal during a 5-on-3 with seconds left in the first…

Rozsival lifts Rangers by Sabres in 2OT

Michal Rozsival’s aching left knee made the New York Rangers’ best defenseman a question mark for the biggest games of the season. He left the series opener early in Buffalo and gritted his way through Game 2 when another hit to the leg slowed him again. But Rozsival was back on the blue line for the Rangers on Sunday, and his hard drive found its way into the net in double overtime to give New…

Sharks’ resiliency to be tested by Wings

Jonathan Cheechoo remembers how the San Jose Sharks’ playoff run fell apart last spring, and he doesn’t see it happening again — even after the Detroit Red Wings tied up their second-round series with an awfully familiar goal. The Sharks won six of their first seven playoff games last spring, but collapsed in the second round after Edmonton won Game 3 on a triple-overtime score by Shawn Horcoff.