Hockey | featured news

The 48-day-old NHL lockout took on a more ominous tone Friday when the league officially canceled the Winter Classic, the annual outdoor game that was expected to draw more than 114,000 fans to Ann Arbor's Michigan Stadium to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Detroit Red Wings.

The NHL and NHLPA are scheduled to meet in New York Friday to discuss non-core economic issues marking the first time the two sides will hold a formal bargaining session since Sept. 12. With no indication that a new collective bargaining agreement is imminent, though, the NHL has canceled all remaining preseason games.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that the owners have voted to
approve a lockout Thursday if a new collective bargaining agreement
is not reached before Saturday's midnight deadline, according to
the Toronto Sun.

The Los Angeles Kings' 45-year Stanley Cup quest ended in a triumphant flourish of blood, sweat and power-play goals. After missing two chances to claim the title last week, the long-suffering Kings are NHL champions for the first time. Hooray for Hockeywood.

Hoping to reign atop the hockey world for the first time, the Los Angeles Kings aim to finish off the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night and capture the Stanley Cup.

Jonathan Quick made 22 saves in his third shutout of the postseason, Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist, and the Los Angeles Kings rolled to the brink of the franchise's first NHL title, beating the New Jersey Devils 4-0 in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals on Monday to take a 3-0 series lead.

Drew Doughty scores in transition after New Jersey put heavy pressure on L.A. goaltender Jonathan Quick early in Game 2. The New Jersey Devils talked for two days about putting more pressure on Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick.

Mark Fayne knew the puck was heading his way and he knew Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick was out of position....

Ryan Carter snapped a tie with 4:24 left, and the New Jersey Devils posted a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers after blowing a three-goal lead in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night.

Dwight King scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Jonathan Quick made 18 saves, and Los Angeles rolled to the brink of their first Stanley Cup finals in 19 years with a 2-1 victory over Phoenix on Thursday.