NHL Roundup: IIHF Says Olympic Talks Progressing

New York — International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel said he had a “good discussion” Wednesday with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players Association executive director Don Fehr about the world’s top hockey players participating in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.

“No hitting, and no elbows,” Fasel joked in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Bettman described the meeting as “constructive and candid.”

“Still lots of issues,” Bettman wrote in an email to the AP.

Fasel said his job is to raise funds for the players’ transportation and insurance. The International Olympic Committee does not want to cover those costs as it has the previous five Olympics. Fasel hopes to persuade the IOC to financially support the NHL’s participation.

“It is the only league that shuts down to participate in the Winter or Summer Olympics,” Fasel said.

Bettman and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly declined to comment on a Sportsnet report indicating the league has offered to sign off on allowing players to go for gold in South Korea in exchange for the union not opting out of the collective bargaining agreement in September 2019, which would in effect extend the deal for three years.

Stamkos Seeks Evaulation on Leg

Tampa, Fla. — Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is returning home for further evaluation of a right leg injury suffered during a victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Stamkos, who last summer re-signed with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2008 rather than testing free agency, was hurt during the opening period of Tuesday night’s 4-3 road win.

Flames’ Gaudreau Has Finger Surgery

Calgary, Alberta — Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau was scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday for a fractured finger.

Gaudreau suffered the injury in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over the Minnesota Wild.

The team said an update for his return will be provided in the coming days.

Gaudreau left Tuesday’s game early in the third period after taking a slash to the hand.

Devils’ Hall Out 3-4 Weeks

Newark, n.j. — New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall has had surgery on his left knee.

The Devils announced Wednesday that Hall had a torn meniscus repaired in the procedure performed by team physician Dr. Michael Shindle and Dr. Jonathan Glashow, the club’s chief medical officer. He will be sidelined up to a month and has been placed on injured reserve.

Wednesday’s GameCapitals 7, Penguins 1

Washington — Nicklas Backstrom had two goals and three assists and T.J. Oshie enjoyed a four-point game as Washington broke out of a recent funk to rout rival Pittsburgh.

Oshie had two goals and two assists, and Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov and Justin Williams also scored for the Capitals, who had lost three of four. Braden Holtby stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced, allowing only a late goal to Phil Kessel.

The Penguins lost Stanley Cup-winning goalie Matt Murray late in the first period when teammate Evgeni Malkin accidentally hit him in the head. Murray allowed two goals on 14 shots before leaving, and Marc-Andre Fleury gave up five goals on 25 shots in relief.

Ovechkin left the ice briefly in the second period holding his right wrist but returned a few minutes later and registered his first point in five games.