Sports : NHL

Crosby practices but not ready to return (AP)

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced Monday but said he is no closer to returning from a concussion and neck injury that have sidelined him for most of the season. Coach Dan Bylsma felt with Jordan Staal and Simon Despres ready to resume skating after their injuries, it was better to include Crosby in the main practice rather than have him skate on his own.

GM: Ruff in 'lot of pain,' day to day (AP)

Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is still in severe pain, and it's unclear when he'll be able to resume coaching a day after breaking three ribs during an on-ice collision with defenseman Jordan Leopold. General manager Darcy Regier on Tuesday officially listed Ruff as day to day, but said it's unclear when the coach will be able to run practice or return behind the bench.

Leafs continue surge, up to 7th in East (AP)

Phil Kessel, Mikhail Grabovski and the Toronto Maple Leafs have taken off in 2012. Kessel scored twice and Grabovski assisted on Toronto's first two goals to lead the surging Maple Leafs past the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on Monday night. Toronto improved to 10-4-1 since Jan. 1 and vaulted past Ottawa into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Ducks' home win streak vs. Flames now 14 (AP)

Another visit to Orange County, another frustrating loss for the Calgary Flames. And this one came at the hands of a former teammate. Niklas Hagman put the puck past Miikka Kiprusoff in the eighth round of a shootout and the Anaheim Ducks beat Calgary 3-2 on Monday night for their 14th straight home victory over the Flames.

Coyotes end 7-game skid against Wings (AP)

The Phoenix Coyotes needed a boost after an exhausting first half of the season. Beating San Jose was a big step. Following that with a win over Detroit, another nemesis, could send them into a sprint toward the playoffs again. Mike Smith stopped 30 shots, Martin Hanzal scored twice and the Coyotes ended a seven-game losing streak to the Red Wings with a 3-1 victory Monday night.

Caps' Laich skates despite knee injury (AP)

Brooks Laich is skating again with the Washington Capitals, just two days hurting his left knee. Laich took part in the morning skate ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Florida Panthers. Laich was on crutches and wearing a knee brace after he was rammed into the boards during the second period of Sunday's loss to the Boston Bruins.

Wild sign D Prosser to 2-year extension (AP)

The Minnesota Wild have signed defenseman Nate Prosser to a two-year contract extension. The 25-year-old Prosser has six assists in 23 games for the Wild this season. The Wild are 14-7-2 with the rookie in the lineup, and coach Mike Yeo has praised his poise and ability to implement the new system that has been installed.

Avalanche F Kobasew fined $2,500 by NHL (AP)

The NHL has fined Colorado Avalanche forward Chuck Kobasew for tripping Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis. The league announced the $2,500 penalty on Monday. Kobasew received a minor penalty for tripping Hamhuis at 13:20 of the second period Saturday. The Canucks went on to beat the Avalanche 3-2 in a shootout.

Bruins' Thomas quiets Caps in DC return (AP)

Tim Thomas' return to the nation's capital was less political and more successful. Playing about 10 blocks from the White House -- a place he famously avoided two weeks ago -- Thomas carried a shutout deep into the third period Sunday as the Boston Bruins snapped a two-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals.

Devils top Pens for fourth straight win (AP)

While Ilya Kovachuk refuses to take credit for the New Jersey Devils' surge since the All-Star break, his teammates can see that the forward has elevated his game. Kovalchuk had a goal and two assists, and the Devils extended their winning streak to four games with a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.