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.
PBT: Jeremy Lin wasn't his hot self on Saturday, but he still led the Knicks to victory.
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: 4
2008-'09 record: 26-47-9, 61 points (5th in Atlantic, 15th in East)
2008-'09 playoffs: Did not qualify
General manager: Garth Snow (101-115-30, 4th NHL year, 1st team)
Coach: Scott Gordon (26-47-9, 2nd NHL year, 1st team)
Captain: Doug Weight
Top returning scorer: D Mark Streit (16 goals, 40 assists, 56 points)
Top returning goalie: Rick DiPietro (1-3-0, 3.52, .892)
Key additions: G Dwayne Roloson; G Martin Biron.
Key subtractions: G Peter Mannino; G Yann Danis; D Joe Callahan; G Joey MacDonald; C Shawn Bates; C Andy Hilbert; D Thomas Pock; C Mike Sillinger; LW Dean McAmmond.
Top line: LW Doug Weight, C John Tavares, RW Sean Bergenheim.
Top defensive pairing: Mark Streit, Bruno Gervais.
Goaltending: The key cog in this team, DiPietro was gone five games into the season with a knee injury that ultimately required three separate surgeries. NHL veterans Roloson and Biron were added in the summer as insurance policies against a repeat of these woes, with concern remaining about DiPietro’s condition. Considering he’s previously had both hips surgically repaired in 2007 and 2008, the cause for concern is warranted.
Player to watch: C John Tavares. The OHL’s career goal-scoring leader with 215, he conjures up images of Mike Bossy with his quick release and ability to finish. A competitive sort who wants to be on the ice in key situations and seeks the puck with the game on the line. Not the fastest skater, but displays a stealth knack for showing up in the right place and the right time. Get him the puck in scoring position and it’s a goal.
Icing: On-ice success might become necessary to keep the team on Long Island into the future. Team owner Charles Wang is in a political struggle to get approval to build the "Lighthouse Project," a large development that would include a new arena to replace antiquated Nassau Coliseum. For now, Gordon will make due with a roster loaded with youth and lacking much veteran talent. Roloson and Biron will share goaltending duties in the absence of DiPietro, who has no timetable to return from knee injuries that limited him to five games last season. Look for further development from past first-round picks Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey.
Outlook: They are on their way back, but it’s a long climb from Ground Zero. Expect another long winter on the Island.
Prediction: 65 points (5th in Atlantic, 15th 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.
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 | Video: NHL from NBC Sports |
 Carlson scores late in 3rd John Carlson gets the Caps within one with his goal late in the 3rd period. |
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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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