5:51 PM ET Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Ilya Kovalchuk has an Olympic gold medal but he is back in the NHL to add the one thing missing from his stellar career — a Stanley Cup. Can the Capitals repeat, or will Sidney Crosby be back on top? Which goalies will bounce back? Who are
NHL
3:40 PM ET Every season, a few surprise figures emerge out of camp, earning a prolific role with their respective NHL clubs, either in the form of an inexperienced prospect or perhaps a more-weathered veteran. Some get there through superb work in preseason play, by developing chemistry with other high-end talent, or sometimes, via a
9:25 AM ET The Washington Capitals don’t appear to have a Stanley Cup hangover, as they rolled over the Boston Bruins in a 7-0 win on opening night. But, not every game will be that easy, so we have some burning questions for our panel of puckheads: Will the Capitals repeat as Stanley Cup champions?
1:02 AM ET Greg WyshynskiESPN WASHINGTON — Before the Capitals raised their first Stanley Cup banner in franchise history to the rafters on opening night of the NHL season, each member of the team was introduced to the raucous home crowd. That included Tom Wilson, the physical 24-year-old top-line winger and fan favorite, who received
9:05 PM ET Greg WyshynskiESPN WASHINGTON — The Capitals raised their first Stanley Cup championship banner on opening night, but it wouldn’t be Washington if there weren’t some politics involved. Can the Capitals repeat, or will Sidney Crosby be back on top? Which goalies will bounce back? Who are the sleepers? How will Gritty affect
8:01 PM ET Associated Press WASHINGTON — Cameras followed Willie O’Ree’s every move and flashbulbs popped as the hockey pioneer toured the Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History and Culture. When the player who broke the NHL’s color barrier in 1958 stood next to a statue of Jackie Robinson, commissioner Gary Bettman paused to take
1:49 AM ET Much like scouting, player development is an inexact science. A player’s progression is something all his own. What makes that more challenging to grasp is the regularity with which younger players have earned roster spots on NHL teams. It breeds impatience for those who don’t follow suit and creates a little more
4:00 PM ET Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended 20 games by the league for his check to the head of Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist on Sunday. The department of player safety said in a video that Wilson’s hit was illegal, it caused injury, and Wilson is a repeat offender — all factors
4:09 PM ET Associated Press VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A day after Vancouver forward Bo Horvat said the Canucks have instituted a “Fortnite” ban for the upcoming season, there was talk in NHL arenas about whether it is fair to blame the popular online game for performance on the ice. Winnipeg star Patrik Laine, who
12:55 PM ET Associated Press BUFFALO, N.Y. — Center Jack Eichel has been selected captain of the Buffalo Sabres. The team announced the decision Wednesday, a day before its season opener against Boston. Eichel becomes the Sabres’ 16th full-time captain, and first to wear the “C” since Brian Gionta handled the role from 2014-15 to