NEW YORK (AP) For the third straight series, the New York Rangers are basking in the glow of a 1-0 lead earned in the confines of "The World's Most Famous Arena."

The Eastern Conference's top-seeded team has failed in its first two attempts to double that edge at Madison Square Garden. Given a third shot against the New Jersey Devils, the Rangers are determined to make the most of home-ice advantage in Game 2 of the East finals on Wednesday night.

The Rangers held an optional practice Tuesday at their home rink, the site of a 3-0 win in Game 1 on Monday.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Los Angeles Kings took the hard hits, some of them questionable, and kept rolling.

The way they've played so far in the playoffs, they saw no reason to get caught up in another team's frustrations. Read More...

CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks and forward Rob Flick have agreed to terms on a three-year contract.

The 21-year-old Flick had seven goals, six assists and 91 penalty minutes in 45 regular-season games with the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs this season. Read More...

HELSINKI (AP) The Anaheim Ducks' Bobby Ryan scored the first goal for the United States in the second period, helping it to a 5-2 victory over Switzerland at the ice hockey world championships in Helsinki on Tuesday.

Ivo Ruthemann opened the scoring 21 seconds into the second period to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead before Ryan scored the first of four straight goals for the Americans. Read More...

SEATTLE (AP) Attempts to build an arena that could bring the NBA back to Seattle took another step forward on Wednesday when the city, King County and investor Chris Hansen announced a memorandum of understanding laying out the financial responsibilities for the proposed venue.

Unlike an original rough proposal unveiled in February, the agreement announced Wednesday indicates that construction on the facility could begin with only an NBA franchise having been acquired. Previously, officials had indicated that for the financing plan to work, both NBA and NHL franchises would be needed. Read More...

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) For quite some time, Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee tried to persuade former player Dale Hunter to return to the team as its coach. This season, McPhee finally got his man - just not for very long.

Hunter quit as Washington's coach on Monday after less than six months on the job, saying he wants to return to his family, his farm and the junior club he owns in Canada. Read More...

NEW YORK (AP) If the New Jersey Devils are going to have any chance against the New York Rangers, they need to do more than find a way to beat Henrik Lundqvist.

Pete DeBoer's team has to get shots past the five guys in front of the Rangers' goaltender. Read More...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) When Todd Richards took over the woeful Columbus Blue Jackets in January after the firing of coach Scott Arniel, he was also interviewing for the job.

"Todd had a three-month interview," Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said. "He passed it with flying colors." Read More...

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin will join the Russian team playing at ice hockey's world championship.

The NHL season ended for the pair Saturday night when the Washington Capitals lost to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Read More...

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Coach Bruce Boudreau's shortened debut season with the Anaheim Ducks was good enough to keep him around for a whole lot longer.

The Ducks signed Boudreau to a two-year contract extension Thursday, locking up their respected coach through the 2014-15 season. Read More...