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.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has 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.
Euro Roundup: First-place Manchester City won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on Joleon Lescott's goal in the 63rd minute, maintaining its two-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League.
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.
Getty Images |
Stanley Cups: 1
2008-'09 record: 45-30-7, 97 points (2nd in Southeast, 6th in East)
2008-'09 playoffs: Defeated New Jersey Devils 4-3; defeated Boston Bruins 4-3; lost to Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0
General manager: Jim Rutherford (492-462-160, 15th NHL year, 1st team)
Coach: Paul Maurice (377-376-142, 13th NHL year, 2nd team)
Captain: Rod Brind'Amour
Top returning scorer: LW Ray Whitney (24 goals, 53 assists, 77 points)
Top returning goalie: Cam Ward (39-23-5, 2.44, .916)
Key additions: D Jay Harrison; RW Steven Goertzen; RW Tom Kostopoulos; D Andrew Alberts; D Aaron Ward; C Stephane Yelle.
Key subtractions: C Dwight Helminen; RW Patrick Eaves; D Frantisek Kaberle; D Dennis Seidenberg; LW Ryan Bayda; D Anton Babchuk.
Top line: LW Ray Whitney, C Eric Staal, RW Erik Cole
Top defensive pairing: Tim Gleason, Joe Corvo
Goaltending: Ward posted franchise record nine-game win streak late in the season to boost Hurricanes into playoffs, then 2005-06 Conn Smythe Trophy winner backstopped them to upset wins over Devils and Bruins, outplaying Vezina winners Martin Brodeur and Tim Thomas. Very economical butterfly goalie who always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. Credited much of his success last season to introduction of former Vezina winner Tom Barrasso as full-time goalie coach.
Player to watch: C/RW Zach Boychuk. Nearly earned a spot with Hurricanes last season following strong camp, playing two games before returning to WHL to score 28 goals in 43 games with Lethbridge and help Canada to world junior title. Patient with puck and very explosive when scoring opportunity arises. Has battled injury woes much of his career, leading to worries about whether he can physically handle NHL.
Icing: Staal had 13 goals and 16 assists in Carolina's last 20 regular-season games. The Hurricanes went 22-3-2 when he scored a goal, and carried that over to the playoffs. They won seven of the eight games in which he had a goal. He has missed only one game due to injury, and has played in 336 consecutive games — the second-longest active run in the NHL.
Outlook: Ended two-year playoff drought with run to Eastern Conference finals. Responded to coaching change when Maurice replaced Peter Laviolette in December. Mobile, puck-moving back end is ideal for new NHL.
Prediction: 91 points (2nd in Southeast, 8th seed in East)
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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.
 | Video: NHL from NBC Sports |
 NHLI via Getty Images |
More on Stanley Cup finals |
Chicago Blackhawks def. Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 |
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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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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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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.
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