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 for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
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.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
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.
APWestern Conference
Six teams — the Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames — have all but secure postseason passes. The Flames should give the Wild a strong run for the Northwest title and the third seed.
Barring a miraculous run by the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks or Columbus Blue Jackets, the battle for the final two playoff spots should boil down to the Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes.
Canucks
Vancouver G.M. Dave Nonis resisted the urge to gut his team for Brad Richards and instead held on to gritty forward Ryan Kesler. The Canucks will rely on defense and strong goaltending by Roberto Luongo to get in, but they don't have the depth to compete with Detroit or Dallas.
Prediction: In
Avalanche
The Avs reached into their past by adding center Peter Forsberg and defenseman Adam Foote, along with defenseman Ruslan Salei. Losing right winger Marek Svatos (knee) for the rest of the season hurts, and the team needs Ryan Smyth to return after being out with a concussion. But the Avs are deep enough to make the cut.
Prediction: In
Predators
Nashville picked up forwards Brandon Bochenski and Jan Hlavac and is within striking distance of the Canucks and Avs. But unless Chris Mason or Dan Ellis gets incredibly hot in goal, there's not enough talent for the Preds to crack the eighth spot.
Prediction: Out
Coyotes
Phoenix has made major strides under coach Wayne Gretzky and is headed in the right direction with rookie centers Peter Mueller and Martin Hanzal. But the Coyotes aren't as talented as the Avalanche or Canucks.
Prediction: Out
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Check out highlights from the Rangers 3-2 win over the Capitals.
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The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
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.
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