Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Arc: Syracuse is among a solid group of No. 1 seeds in our latest tournament projections, but the middle of the pack is much more murky.
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.
Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods greeted their Sunday pairing at Pebble Beach with optimism. But the day would end happily only for one.
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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Stanley Cups: 0
2008-'09 record: 50-24-8, 108 points (1st in Southeast, 2nd in East)
2008-'09 playoffs: Defeated New York Rangers 4-3; lost to Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3
General manager: George McPhee (404-370-128, 12th NHL year, 1st team)
Coach: Bruce Boudreau (87-41-15, 3rd NHL year, 1st team)
Captain: Chris Clark
Top returning scorer: LW Alexander Ovechkin (56 goals, 54 assists, 110 points)
Top returning goalie: Jose Theodore (32-17-5, 2.87, .900)
Key additions: RW Mike Knuble; C Brendan Morrison.
Key subtractions: C Sergei Fedorov; LW Donald Brashear; D Sami Lepisto; D Staffan Kronwall; G Brent Johnson; D Bryan Helmer; RW Viktor Kozlov.
Top line: LW Alexander Ovechkin, C Nicklas Backstrom, RW Mike Knuble
Top defensive pairing: Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Green
Goaltending: Theodore hit 30-win mark for third time in his career, but struggled down stretch and lost No. 1 job to rookie Simeon Varlamov. Former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner will be given every chance to win back his spot to start season. Strong positioning and anticipation skills, but tends to be over-aggressive at times and loses track of rebounds.
Player to watch: G Simeon Varlamov. Promoted to No. 1 spot in Game 2 of playoffs and led Caps to within a win of Eastern Conference finals, though his play dropped off considerably in second round against Penguins. Very quick post to post and owner of tremendously fast reflexes and a snappy glovehand. Youngest Russian-born goalie to start an NHL game.
Icing: Ovechkin can't do much more than add Stanley Cup champion to his name. He has led the NHL in goals each of the last two seasons and captured the MVP award in both campaigns. Ovechkin is the first back-to-back Hart Trophy winner since Buffalo's Dominik Hasek in 1997 and 1998, and the 11th to accomplish the feat. Ovechkin has shown he can score from anywhere on the ice and isn't shy about letting the puck fly. He recorded 528 shots on goal last season, second only in NHL history to the 550 Phil Esposito had during the 1970-71 season. The Capitals also have strong offensive firepower up front with Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin.
Outlook: On the brink of greatness. The Caps took another step forward last season and look to be a team about to make their mark among the NHL elite.
Prediction: 107 points, 1st in Southeast, 1st seed in East.
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The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
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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 |
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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.
The Red Wings have finally started to embrace a record they've been chasing.
On their last trip to Atlanta, the Miami Heat were missing two-thirds of their Big Three.
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