NHL primed for China push

World's top pro league ready to offer expertise ahead of 2022 Olympics

The National Hockey League is poised to help China push the world's fastest game into the nation's sports mainstream by 2022.

The inaugural NHL China Games - last night's 5-2 victory by the Los Angeles Kings over the Vancouver Canucks in Shanghai, and tomorrow afternoon's rematch in Beijing - marks the first time the NHL, celebrating its 100th anniversary this season, has played exhibition games in this country.