7:02 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — The NHL has suspended Boston Bruins forward David Backes three games without pay for an illegal hit to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Blake Coleman. The league considered Backes a repeat offender. Based on his salary, he will lose almost $220,000. The discipline also means

6:06 PM ET Associated Press HUMBOLDT, Saskatchewan — Nathan Oystrick has stepped down as coach and general manager of the Humboldt Broncos. The 36-year-old Regina native was hired in July, three months after 16 members of the junior hockey team — including coach Darcy Haugan — were killed when the team’s bus and a semi-truck

1:59 PM ET Greg WyshynskiESPN Kelly Sowatsky fought back the tears after meeting Pittsburgh Penguins players on Thursday morning. This wasn’t just her favorite hockey team; this was the organization that helped save her life. Catch more than 180 NHL games streaming live this season on ESPN+. Click here for the upcoming schedule and to

10:00 AM ET With John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs squaring off against his former team, the New York Islanders, for the first time this season on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET on ESPN+), we ponder the big questions. Who wins the Stanley Cup first, the Maple Leafs or the Islanders? Greg Wyshynski, senior

5:11 PM ET The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed center Jake Guentzel to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value of $6 million, the team announced Thursday. The deal begins next season and will tie Guentzel to Pittsburgh through the 2023-24 season. Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin and Nathan MacKinnon were named captains

5:01 PM ET Associated Press MONTREAL — Montreal goalie Carey Price will miss the Canadiens’ three-game trip because of a lower-body injury. The Canadiens said Thursday that Price will not travel to Florida. The Canadiens play the Panthers on Friday night, are at NHL-leading Tampa Bay on Saturday night, and at Dallas on Monday night.

3:14 PM ET The Boston Bruins are finally getting healthy. Defensemen Zdeno Chara and Kevan Miller and forward Jake DeBrusk were all activated from injured reserve ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Devils at TD Garden. Chara, the Bruins’ captain, has missed 19 games with a left MCL injury. Miller is returning ahead of

7:00 AM ET Emily KaplanESPN It was a year of tragedy, triumph and, OK, a few unwanted licks. The 2018 calendar year was truly memorable in the hockey world. To commemorate, here’s a glance back at the 12 moments that shaped it: Too close for comfort Brad Marchand is more than willing to get into

6:23 PM ET Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba will miss at least three months after having surgery to repair a ruptured right pectoralis muscle, the team announced Wednesday. Dumba has 12 goals — second most among NHL defenseman — and 10 assists this season. He was hurt in a 2-1 loss to the Flames on

3:10 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson has been suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of Los Angeles Kings forward Austin Wagner. The NHL’s department of player safety announced the fine Sunday. San Jose’s Erik Karlsson has been suspended for two games for an