Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
AP
BOSTON - Two days ago, Keith Tkachuk was playing for a team with no shot of making the playoffs. Now, he’s in the midst of a playoff push and loving every minute of it.
Marian Hossa scored the game-winner and Eric Belanger had a goal and an assist to lead Atlanta to a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Monday night in Thrashers debuts for Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik.
Scott Mellanby scored and Slava Kozlov had two assists as Atlanta set a franchise record with its 18th road victory.
Hossa snapped a 2-2 tie 7:28 into the third period when he took a drop pass from Belanger and fired a quick slap shot through a crowd and past Boston goalie Tim Thomas.
“I’m extremely happy to be playing with a guy like Hossa,” Tkachuk said. “There’s definitely a lot of skill here. It’s a fun group of guys and it was fun to get a win in the first game.”
Zhitnik and Tkachuk were acquired in separate trades this weekend.
Tkachuk had 20 goals and 23 assists in 61 games with St. Louis, and was considered the top player on the trade market. With the Blues 12 points out of playoff position, the 15-year veteran waived his no-trade clause.
Zhitnik, who had five goals and 19 assists in 61 games with the New York Islanders, had an assist.
“They are two huge additions,” Boston coach Dave Lewis said. “Tkachuk with his status and his stature, his years and experience — and I’m sure his hunger. On the back end, they got (Zhitnik) who can move the puck, plays hard, is smart and can be physical. I think they upgraded.”
With the win, the Thrashers improved to 3-7-2 in February and pulled to a point behind Southeast Division leader Tampa Bay. Atlanta had lost six of seven entering the game to tumble from first place in its division to sixth in the tightly bunched Eastern Conference, with four teams battling for the final three playoff spots.
One of two franchises in the NHL (along with Columbus) never to make the postseason, the Thrashers hope their moves lead to a late playoff push.
“Our two new players played a strong game,” Atlanta coach Bob Hartley said. “More importantly, it’s a message from our owners that we mean business. The time is now to win some hockey games.”
The bold moves — Atlanta gave up right wing Glen Metropolit, top prospect Braydon Coburn and three draft picks — paid early dividends.
After Shean Donovan’s 100th career goal gave the Bruins a quick 1-0 advantage, Zhitnik assisted on Mellanby’s goal to tie it at 1 with 5:25 left in the first period.
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Donovan and Brad Boyes each scored for Boston, which lost its second straight following a four-game winning streak.
Kari Lehtonen recovered from a shaky first period to save 22 shots, including six in the third period. He held the Bruins scoreless after the first period.
Thomas stopped 17 shots for the Bruins, who squandered leads of 1-0 and 2-0 to remain tied for 11th in the Eastern Conference.
“We’re in a dog fight in the conference,” Boyes said. “Playing a team like Atlanta, we have to take two points and try to take two points away from them. To give that team points just puts us behind a little bit more.”
Notes: Atlanta committed just one penalty through two periods, taking advantage of four Boston penalties with a pair of power-play goals in those periods. ... Atlanta plays 11 of its last 17 games at home. ... Boyes extended his point streak to five games. He has four goals and three assists during that span. ... Boston outshot Atlanta 24-20. ... Atlanta is 3-0 against Boston this year.
Ryan Callahan scored three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Doron Lamb hit a 3-pointer with 3:18 left to put No. 1 Kentucky ahead to stay, and the Wildcats took a big step toward a Southeastern Conference regular-season title by beating Vanderbilt 69-63 Saturday night for their 17th straight win.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
