EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The first two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs have been the most-watched in the U.S.Going into the conference finals, the playoffs are averaging 1.16 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS and truTV. That is a 9% increase over last year.The conference semifinals, where all four series went at least six games, averaged…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Tampa Bay Lightning have reunited with a familiar face, bringing back defenseman Ryan McDonagh in a trade with Nashville on Tuesday.The Lightning sent a 2025 second-round draft choice and 2024 seventh-round selection to the Predators for McDonagh and the Edmonton Oilers' 2024 fourth-round pick.Tampa Bay previously traded McDonagh -- for defenseman Philippe Myers and forward Grant Mismash…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPRAGUE -- Dylan Cozens scored a shorthanded goal in overtime for Canada to edge Czechia (the Czech Republic) 4-3 and complete the preliminary round at the ice hockey world championship Tuesday with seven straight wins.The Buffalo Sabres center scored his second of the game with 1:47 left with Pierre-Luc Dubois in the penalty box for holding. It was…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Mark Messier first met Chris Kreider when the New York Rangers forward was playing at Boston College over a dozen years ago."He looked like he was going 100 mph standing still on the ice. He looked like a Ferrari," Messier said. "You don't realize how big he is until you get up next to him.…