Articles by Doug Stolhand

WASHINGTON – NHL Friday night:First Period1. Washington, Bradley 1 (B.Gordon, Green) 4:58 (sh)2. Washington, Bradley 2 (Laich, Poti) 12:07Penalties – Gomez NYR (slashing) 1:16, Pothier Wash (tripping) 3:40, New York bench (too many men; served by Orr) 9:27, Morrisonn Wash (hooking) 13:14, Antropov NYR (slashing) 13:59

WILMINGTON, Mass. – Two days after completing a four-game sweep of the Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins returned to practice Friday while they wait to learn who they will face in the Stanley Cup playoffs

WASHINGTON – Rangers coach John Tortorella threw a plastic drinking bottle over the glass and into the stands during a confrontation with a fan in the third period of New York’s 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday night

WASHINGTON – Matt Bradley scored his first two playoff goals, Alex Ovechkin added a highlight-reel tally and rookie Simeon Varlamov posted his second shutout of the opening round as the Capitals beat the New York Rangers 4-0 in Game 5 on Friday night to avoid elimination

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Patrick Marleau stood before the microphones Friday and said he wasn’t there to talk about the past, even though his San Jose Sharks sure look as if they’re buckling under the weight of their history

WASHINGTON – Sean Avery is being benched for Game 5 of the New York Rangers’ first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals.The noted agitator is listed as New York’s only scratch Friday night

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings became the first defending Stanley Cup champion to advance in the playoffs in seven years.”We’re not going to have a parade, but we feel good about it,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said Friday night in a telephone interview with the Associated Press

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Forward Taylor Pyatt skated with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, his first practice with the NHL team since his fiance was killed in a car accident earlier this month

PHILADELPHIA – Martin Biron is more concerned with the pre-game music than his contract situation. He can earn a bigger payday and keep the Philadelphia Flyers’ season going with another standout performance

CHICAGO – Adam Burish doesn’t agree with those who say the Chicago Blackhawks are intimidated or cowering from the Calgary Flames’ aggressive play

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Five-year-old Emily Peca might be the only Columbus Blue Jackets fan happy to see the season end.A four-game sweep at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings means her dad, forward Michael Peca, will be around home more

NEWARK, N.J. – After four straight one-goal games decided either by deflections, a rebound or a little push in front, the New Jersey Devils want to avoid a winner-take-all seventh game against the Carolina Hurricanes

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom could be practising at full speed in 12 weeks after surgery on his left hip turned up less damage than expected

SAINT JOHN – Former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant has been named head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Vancouver Canuck forward Taylor Pyatt says he appreciates the support he has received from the NHL team and its fans following the death of his fiance in a car accident

KLOTEN, Switzerland – Canada came up with a win for the ages in its opening game at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.Dwayne Roloson stopped 23 shots and became the oldest player ever to represent Canada in the tournament, while teenager Steven Stamkos scored twice in a 6-1 win over Belarus on Friday

NEW YORK – Three-time winner Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings is one of three finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player, the league announced Friday

Scoring summaries from Thursday’s NHL playoff games:Flyers 3 at Penguins 0First PeriodNo Scoring.Penalties – Staal Pgh (roughing) 8:59, Parent Pha (interference) 14:26

Results Thursday:AHL PlayoffsDivision Semifinals(Best-of-7)North DivisionManitoba 5 Toronto 2(Manitoba leads series 3-2)Atlantic DivisionProvidence 2 Portland 1(Providence leads series 3-1)Worcester 3 Hartford 1(Worcester leads series 3-2)ECHL PlayoffsNo Games Scheduled