Hockey

Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Mike Pesca about firing of Lindy Ruff, the longtime coach of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.

Fans of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals were likely the first to learn of the meteorite that exploded over central Russia this past week. That's if they were reading the Russian Machine Never Breaks — a website devoted to the hockey team. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks with Chris Gordon and Peter Hassett, who blog for the site.

Hockey fans are living their lives, going about their business, but their days are a little paler. Commentator Frank Deford says fans deserve a little sympathy when their sport is taken from them.

The NHL lockout has sent many Russian players home to play for a league very much in need of star power as it tries to revive hockey's popularity in a place where the sport was once dominant.

Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin speaks with Bob McDonald, who sings the national anthem at Washington Capitals games in D.C. His 20th year with the team was spoiled this season by the NHL lockout.

As contract negotiations between management and players continue, the season is in jeopardy. But many expect the two sides will reach agreement in time to get things started by New Year's Day.

Eight years after the National Hockey League lost an entire year to a lockout, the NHL is in labor trouble again. A new lockout has cancelled the preseason and threatens the regular season. Robert Siegel talks to sportswriter Stefan Fatsis to find out why.

In Monday night's Stanley Cup championship, the Los Angeles Kings won for the first time, defeating the New Jersey Devils 6-1.

The conference finals are underway in the National Hockey League playoffs. In the East, the New York Rangers will face the New Jersey Devils Monday. In the West, the Los Angeles Kings have won Game 1 — beating the Phoenix Coyotes 4-2.

Another football tragedy this week renews questions about the safety of the game that made many stars rich, but at some cost. Also, it may be closing time for one of the all-time greats. Over in hockey playoffs, are they going Hollywood? Host Scott Simon talks with Howard Bryant of ESPN.