The Wild’s Erik Haula: Speedy and Needed

By Kent Youngblood , Star Tribune April 13, 2016 – 6:44 AM Wes Walz calls it the “goofy gear.” Walz, the former Wild center whose job included playing against the other team’s most explosive lines, had that high-end, top-speed ability. “I don’t mention the goofy gear very often,” Walz said while watching a Wild practice.

Video: Rinne shines with spectacular series of saves

    How, exactly, did the San Jose Sharks not score here on Pekka Rinne? The Nashville Predators goalie made a spectacular sequence of saves, including one off Joe Pavelski despite the sound of the whistle, early in the second period of Tuesday’s game. At that point, the Predators had a healthy three-goal lead. The

Makarov Itching to Man the Pipes

When Andrey Makarov was given the night off by head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken last Saturday in Prince Albert, it’s not like he went to the bench and soaked in the sun. The Saskatoon Blades netminder was still in full uniform – save for his Bane goalie mask – and had to stay

A Year After Tragedy, Yaroslavl Clinches Playoff Birth

MOSCOW, January 21 (R-Sport) – Lokomotiv Yaroslavl has sealed a place in the KHL playoffs in its first season since a plane crash wiped out the entire team after a 4-3 victory over Donbass Donetsk. Monday night’s victory over the Ukrainians lifted to Lokomotiv 84 points, an unattainable total for those outside the playoff zone

Predators credit Rinne for playoff run

Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne, still in his pads and skates, was standing at his locker moments after his team clinched a playoff spot Friday night, and the relief was evident on his face. “It feels great,” Rinne said. “We’ve done a really good job the last 15 games or so. We put ourselves in a

Ilya Kovalchuk knows Devils’ slim playoff hopes ride on his play

Most believe it will take a miracle for the Devils to avoid missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 1996. Nine points out with nine games to go is a lot to overcome. Ilya Kovalchuk believes in miracles, even though he has been conditioned for disappointment throughout his career. In eight NHL