National Hockey League (NHL)

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.

Many sports bosses are tarnishing their achievements by overstaying their welcome, says commentator Frank Deford.

Weekend Edition host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Tom Goldman about the week in sports, including the NHL lockout, the San Francisco Giants and Lance Armstrong's rough week.

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 New Jersey Devils stayed alive to force a game 6, the Miami Heat won the Eastern Conference finals in Game 7 and a 7-year undefeated record for boxer Manny Pacquiao came to end Saturday. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rachel Martin talks with NPR sports correspondent Mike Pesca about his take on the week in sports.