The Latest Breaking News on NHL

DENVER — In front of increasingly optimistic fans, it would be difficult for the Colorado Avalanche to live up to the precedent set by their explosive start Friday night in Winnipeg, when four of their first shots found the back of the net.

LAS VEGAS — Center Roope Hintz and left wing Jason Robertson scored in a shootout, and the Dallas Stars defeated the Las Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.

The new-look Bruins made an imperfect debut, but they were fortunate enough to have to Linus Ullmark — and not just to stop the puck.

RALEIGH, N.C. — With 86 points this season, the Carolina Hurricanes had twice as many as the Anaheim Ducks when the teams took the ice Saturday — which meant nothing once the puck dropped to start the game.

ST. LOUIS — Saturday’s contest had all the makings of a playoff game for two teams currently on the outside looking in: a rowdy crowd, chippy play on the ice and a low-scoring affair that required extra time.

The NHL trade deadline is Friday, and the phones in front offices are heating up.

Sam Lafferty also was scratched Saturday to protect him for a likely imminent trade. That forced the Hawks to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Sharks and left a “weird” feeling in the locker room.

WASHINGTON – With all that was happening off the ice, it was difficult to pay attention to the game the Rangers were playing against the Washington Capitals Saturday afternoon. Patrick Kane reportedly left his Chicago teammates in San Jose and flew home, Vitali Kravtsov got traded to the Vancouver Canucks,…

Kane flew from San Jose to Chicago on Saturday as the Rangers began clearing salary-cap space to make the move financially viable.