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.
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Jonathan Toews, F, Chicago Blackhawks
Toews hasn't played since Willie Mitchell leveled him with a hit on Oct. 21. Officially he's day-to-day with concussion-like symptoms -- but those days are starting to turn into weeks. Coach Joel Quenneville remains optimistic that it's a short-term injury.
It's an opportunity for: Patrick Kane. Sometimes your best players have to be even better in the absence of teammates. Kane played 23:47 in Chicago's Oct. 30 win over Montreal, his most ice-time all season.
Roberto Luongo, G, Vancouver Canucks
Injuries have hit the Canucks harder than any team. Luongo should be close to returning from a rib injury, but the Canucks have also played without key contributors Michael Grabner (ankle), Ryan Johnson (concussion), Daniel Sedin (foot) and Pavol Demitra (shoulder).
It's an opportunity for: Andrew Raycroft. Some suspected the Canucks might use Luongo's injury to showcase Cory Schneider. Raycroft won't let them. He's 3-1 with a 1.52 goals-against average.
Marc Savard, F, Boston Bruins
Boston lost its playmaking center until late November (at the earliest) because of a foot injury. "Right now, the bottom part of our lineup is doing their job and creating their chances," coach Claude Julien said. "It's a matter of the top part of our lineup has to somehow find ways to score goals."
It's an opportunity for: Patrice Bergeron. While nobody has seized the opportunity to replace Savard, Bergeron (four goals, four assists) has been one of the few offensive bright spots for Boston.
Paul Martin, D, New Jersey Devils
The underappreciated Martin has a broken forearm and is expected to miss at least a month. Finding a replacement for a guy who does everything for the Devils won't be easy, but this franchise always seems to find a way.
It's an opportunity for: Mark Fraser. It's a group effort for the New Jersey blue line but 23-year-old rookie Fraser is back from a head injury. He would like to capitalize on potential playing time.
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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 | NHL All-Stars Take a look at the players who competed in Team Chara's 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson. more photos |
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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 |
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.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.
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.