Brodeur records 97th career shutout in Devils' win

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Naslund, Dubinsky give Rangers season-opening victory in Prague

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NY Rangers 2, Tampa Bay 1 Recap Box Score Play-By-Play Shot Chart Photos Conversation 1 2 3 T N YR(1-0-0) 0 1 1 2 TAM(0- 1-0) 0 0 1 1 Final 12:0 0PM ET, October 4, 2008 O2 Arena Naslund, Dubinsky give Rangers season-opening victory in Prague Lightning Fall To Rangers In Melrose's Debut As Coach Photo Wire New York Rangers' Michal Roszival, left, from Czech Republic is checked by Tampa Bay Lightning's Evgeny Artyukhin,... (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) · View Photo · Photo Gallery Game Information Attendance :17,085 Scoring Summary 1ST PERIOD NYR TAM No scoring this period 0 0 2ND PERIOD NYR TAM 18:08 Markus Naslund Assists: Scott Gomez 1 0 3RD PERIOD NYR TAM 3:57 Martin St. Louis Assists: Vincent Lecavalier 1 1 14:16 Brandon Dubinsky (Power Play) Assists: Daniel Girardi, Paul Mara 2 1 Associated Press PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Markus Naslund came through in his debut with the New York Rangers, even though he wasn't the star Czech fans had hoped to see. Fast Facts • The Rangers outshot the Lightning 41-21 to spoil the coaching debut of Barry Melrose for Tampa Bay. • Brandon Dubinsky's power-play goal with 5:44 left in the third period broke a 1-1 tie and gave the Rangers the win. • The Rangers won their season opener for the fourth straight year. The teams meet again Sunday in Prague, Czech Republic. -- ESPN research Signed in the offseason to replace Jaromir Jagr, Naslund scored a goal and Brandon Dubinsky added another in New York's 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, when the NHL opened its regular season in Europe for the second straight year. "I didn't replace Jaromir. I don't think anyone can," Naslund said. "I'm just trying to find my game and playing to my potential." Burnside: NHL opener The New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning withstood the first test this season by playing their opening game in Europe, writes Scott Burnside. Story | Blog The soldout crowd at the O2 Arena was quiet during the opening stages of the game, and many fans wore New York Rangers jerseys in a reminder that when they bought their tickets, Czech star Jagr was still in New York. The Rangers still had Czechs Petr Prucha and Michal Rozsival, while Tampa Bay featured Vaclav Prospal and Radim Vrbata, and the crowd cheered more as the game progressed. "It was a great atmosphere, the fans were really into it," Naslund said. "It was fun." The longtime Vancouver Canucks captain agreed with the Rangers to a two-year deal worth $8 million in July after Jagr left New York as a free agent and signed with Omsk Avangard of the KHL in Russia. Naslund scored with 1:52 remaining in the second period on a wrist shot after being fed by Scott Gomez. "It was nice to have a win here," Naslund said. "We controlled the game and we deserved to win." Martin St. Louis tied the game 3:57 into the final period after skating past Rangers defenseman Dmitri Kalinin and firing a backhand shot past goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Dubinsky had the winner on a power play with 5:44 left in the game. "We created a lot of scoring chances and certainly could score a couple more goals with the way we were playing," Dubinsky said. Lundqvist made 20 saves and Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith had 39. "We outshot them badly," Naslund said. "We just gotta be careful with their offensive guys and not let them break. That's why it's great to have Henrik. It was a very tough game for him, facing not many shots but quite a few breakaways." The teams play the second game of their series on Sunday in Prague. The NHL opened last season in Europe with the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings playing two games in London. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators also opened their regular season Saturday, but in Stockholm, Sweden. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. It was the fifth time the NHL began its season outside North America, with the other three times coming in Japan in 1997, 1998 and 2000. Rangers coach Tom Renney saw things to be improved despite the win. "Early in the game, certainly in the first period and at the end of the third period as well, they seemed to be able to get a little bit more than we should've given them, and honestly I think we gave it to them," Renney said. "In the second period we settled down and managed the puck much better. I like the fact that we kept generating shots and offense." Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose said his players spent too much time in the penalty box to win. "Seven penalties against a very good power play," he said. "Our young defense played well, but if you give the Rangers seven power plays you're going to get a goal." Melrose was positive about his team and said it just needed to score. "It's a very tough loss because we played so hard," he said. "We did a lot of good things defensively. Our offensive players had the chances." Both team

The NY Rangers Report to Camp

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MLB power rankings By Aram Tolegian

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1 Cubs 85-50 1 1/13 The good: Aramis Ramirez has been relatively quiet this season, but perhaps his two-homer performance on Saturday means a stretch-run breakout is looming. The bad: Derrek Lee left Saturday's game with back spasms. The good: Aramis Ramirez has been relatively quiet this season, but perhaps his two-homer performance on Saturday means a stretch-run breakout is looming. The bad: Derrek Lee left Saturday's game with back spasms. Lee, like Ramirez, has been good, but not great this year. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 2 Rays 81-51 1 1/24 The good: The Rays have counted on Rocco Baldelli throughout the years only to get burned. But now with Carl Crawford gone and Evan Longoria hurting, Baldelli is actually coming through. The good: The Rays have counted on Rocco Baldelli throughout the years only to get burned. But now with Carl Crawford gone and Evan Longoria hurting, Baldelli is actually coming through. The bad: This should've been an easy upcoming week for the Rays, but the way the Jays are playing, there may not be a more feared team in the East. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 3 Angels 81-52 2 1/12 The good: We're not even to September and K-Rod has 50 saves. Let that be a sign the Halos will be just fine during close games in the postseason. The bad: The Angels rank in the league's bottom half in home runs, but that may not be an accurate indicator of the team's current capability since Mark Teixeira wasn't in the OC while the statistical damage was done. The good: We're not even to September and K-Rod has 50 saves. Let that be a sign the Halos will be just fine during close games in the postseason. The bad: The Angels rank in the league's bottom half in home runs, but that may not be an accurate indicator of the team's current capability since Mark Teixeira wasn't in the OC while the statistical damage was done. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 4 Twins 75-59 - 4/26 The good: We said last week that the Twins' performance vs. the Yanks was a stamp of quality. So what does their showing against the Angels mean? ChiSox beware. The bad: The Twins rank in the league's bottom 10 in home runs. The good: We said last week that the Twins' performance vs. the Yanks was a stamp of quality. So what does their showing against the Angels mean? ChiSox beware. The bad: The Twins rank in the league's bottom 10 in home runs. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 5 Brewers 77-56 - 5/23 The good: Despite a terrible first two months, J.J. Hardy has 20 homers and continues to thrive in the No. 2 hole. Chalk that up to Ned Yost making the switch. The bad: Ryan Braun's lower back issues don't appear to be going away. The good: Despite a terrible first two months, J.J. Hardy has 20 homers and continues to thrive in the No. 2 hole. Chalk that up to Ned Yost making the switch. The bad: Ryan Braun's lower back issues don't appear to be going away. That's an ominous sign for the stretch run and beyond. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 6 Red Sox 77-56 - 1/8 The good: Paul Byrd got his first Boston win last week. Byrd's arrival looks even better now that Josh Beckett is hurting/tingling. The bad: The Red Sox seem to lose their aura of invincibility a little more with each passing week. The good: Paul Byrd got his first Boston win last week. Byrd's arrival looks even better now that Josh Beckett is hurting/tingling. The bad: The Red Sox seem to lose their aura of invincibility a little more with each passing week. It's hard for us to believe this team is better than it was two months ago. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 7 White Sox 76-57 2 5/19 The good: The ChiSox lead the majors in homers and are in the top five in runs scored. The bad: The Twins are peaking at the right time and who knows just how long they can keep this going. The good: The ChiSox lead the majors in homers and are in the top five in runs scored. The bad: The Twins are peaking at the right time and who knows just how long they can keep this going. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 8 Mets 74-60 1 3/20 The good: Ryan Church is back after missing a significant chunk of time due to complications from multiple concussions. The bad: With Church's return, Fernando Tatis has been bumped back into a reserve role. The good: Ryan Church is back after missing a significant chunk of time due to complications from multiple concussions. The bad: With Church's return, Fernando Tatis has been bumped back into a reserve role. We're not sure Tatis isn't the better player. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 9 Cardinals 74-60 1 4/20 The good: Albert Pujols is giving every indication he'll finish the season with a rush. That's good news because there's no way Ryan Ludwick can be counted on to stay at this pace. The bad: If you're a believer that power pitching is what wins in the postseason, the Cards, who rank near the bottom of the league in Ks,

Chamberlain placed on DL; Kennedy to start vs. Angels

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Jagr leaves NHL to play for Russian team Avangard Omsk

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This is very shocking

Yankees slugger reportedly separating from wife

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NEW YORK -- Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily News. Rodriguez Rodriguez refused to address the topic on three occasions Tuesday, once saying "no" when asked if he had any comment. Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner also criticized the team's lack of hitting before an 18-7 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, suggesting "a little less outside distractions and a little more concentrating" might help the team at the plate. The Daily News reported Wednesday night, citing an anonymous source, that Rodriguez and wife, Cynthia, have separated after having "problems" for about three months. The couple was married in November 2002 and has two children, Natasha Alexander and Ella Alexander, who was born April 21. Rodriguez went 2-for-3 Wednesday night with his 17th homer of the season and also scored four times. It also was Rodriguez's 535th homer, moving him past Jimmie Foxx for 14th on the career list.

Yankees not ruling out knee surgery for slugger Matsui

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NEW YORK -- The Yankees acknowledged that Hideki Matsui could need surgery on his ailing left knee if it doesn't start feeling better. The slugger was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday. "Hopefully, this is a 15-day thing and we get him healthy and get him better," manager Joe Girardi said. "Could it be more? Yes." Matsui Matsui had surgery on his right knee last offseason, but his left one is hurting now. The designated hitter and part-time left fielder is batting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBIs in 69 games. "It's sore. There's some issues in there, obviously," Girardi said. "He had to have it drained again yesterday and hopefully it calms down now." Asked if surgery was a possibility, Girardi said: "I think when things don't get healthy, surgery is always your next bet. But we're hoping to avoid that." General manager Brian Cashman said surgery for Matsui would be a "last resort." Meanwhile, the Yankees added a fresh arm to their bullpen Saturday, purchasing right-hander Dave Robertson's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. New York also optioned lefty Kei Igawa back to Triple-A, one day after he was called up. The 23-year-old Robertson was 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA and one save in 20 relief appearances for Scranton. He had 48 strikeouts and 16 walks in 33 innings. "I figured sooner or later I'd get a shot, but I got the call sooner than I expected," said Robertson, who began the season at Double-A Trenton. "All I was trying to do was to get here." Robertson was picked by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 draft out of Alabama. Girardi also said Sidney Ponson will get another start, on Wednesday night against his former team, the Texas Rangers. Dan Giese is headed back to the bullpen, but was not available Saturday against the Mets after starting the opener of Friday's two-stadium doubleheader. With a history of off-the-field problems, Ponson pitched well for Texas this season but was cut by the Rangers for being a disruption. He signed a minor league contract with the Yankees and was called up Friday night to start Game 2 of the Subway Series doubleheader. Ponson was a huge success, tossing six effective innings in a 9-0 victory. Igawa worked the ninth to finish it. To make room for Robertson on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated minor league right-hander Oneli Perez for assignment. Perez was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on June 18. Also, right-hander Ian Kennedy was to pitch for Class-A Tampa on Saturday. Kennedy was recently activated from the disabled list and optioned to Tampa. Phil Hughes (fractured rib) is about three weeks from pitching in a minor league rehab game, Girardi said, and probably seven to eight weeks from returning to the Yankees.

Madison Square Garden may not be used for the Rangers in 09 due to Dolan blaming the NHL for certain financial laws.

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I don't know the specifics but the Rangers might not play in the Garden in 09. Stupid Dolan.

NHL Current Playoff Matchups

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MLB Power Rankings April 5

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NHL Power Rankings top 15: Agree?

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Cubs Felix Pie among Cactus League phenoms

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Felix Pie, CF, Cubs The Cubs dabbled in acquiring a veteran center fielder in the offseason. They expressed interest in the Angels' Chone Figgins, but found him cost-prohibitive. And they discussed a Matt Murton-for-Marlon Byrd deal with Texas, only to find the Rangers weren't buying. Felix Pie Pie Center Field Chicago Cubs Profile 2007 MLB Stats GM HR RBI R OBP AVG 87 2 20 26 .271 .215 So now it's come down to the overachieving Stanford economics major, Sam Fuld, vs. the perennial prospect, Pie. While Pie isn't guaranteed a spot in Chicago's Opening Day lineup, he appears to have the best chance of anyone on this list of breaking camp with the big club. Manager Lou Piniella has consistently hinted that it's Pie's job to lose. At 23, Pie already has 2,171 at-bats in the minor leagues. Last year he hit .362 with a .963 OPS in Iowa, so there's not much left for him to prove in the Pacific Coast League. Right now Pie has three things to overcome: (1) A swing that's a tad long, (2) a tendency to expand his strike zone too readily and (3) trouble with breaking balls. Will Piniella be patient with the kid as the Cubs try to get off to a fast start? We'll see. "I think it's put-up-or-shut-up time with this guy,'' a scout said. "At some point, you have to let him play his way on or off the team. I don't think you're going to know with him until he plays half a season and gets 300 at-bats.'' Or 600. Even if Pie takes his lumps offensively, he's likely to be hitting in the No. 8 spot. He also has the speed, glove and arm to contribute when he's not hitting. As we saw with Dustin Pedroia in Boston last season, Pie's grace period could hinge in part on how well the Cubs play in April and May.

Final Game in Yankee Stadium

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Will be a hockey game involving the NY Rangers, but who would be a better opponent, the Detroit Red Wings or the Boston Bruins? Detroit a btter hockey city but New York and Boston have a better rivalry. And it is Yankee Stadium. Chris Chelios heard from people within the NHLPA that the Detroit Red Wings will play the New York Rangers in the potential outdoors game in Yankee Stadium. "It's a done deal from what I heard," Chelios said. "It would be awesome. Especially because it would be the last event in the history of Yankee Stadium, and to be part of that last event, that makes it something special. It might be a done deal. Hopefully it is." However, Detroit GM Ken Holland said that this is all just speculation at this point. The game would take place next season and the Boston Bruins are also rumored as a likely opponent for the New York Rangers.

NHL Power Rankings

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1 Red Wings 1 - 1/8 (.687) The Red Wings skated away with three of a possible six points in Week 22 to hold onto the top spot in the power rankings. Winger Johan Franzen led Detroit to its only victory of the week by recording the game-winning goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over Buffalo on Sunday. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 2 Stars 2 - 2/25 (.630) Brad Richards helped Dallas hold down the No. 2 post in the rankings. The newly-acquired forward registered a career-high five assists in his Stars' debut, helping Dallas down Chicago 7-4 last Thursday. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 3 Sharks 7 (+4) 3/23 (.615) The Sharks won all three of their Week 22 games, which moved them into the Top 3 in the power rankings. Joe Pavelski had a nose for the net last week, picking up a goal in each game for San Jose while also adding an assist in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Columbus. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 4 Canadiens 8 (+4) 3/16 (.614) Montreal also won all three of its Week 22 games to move up four places in the rankings. Tomas Plekanec powered a Habs offense that outscored the opposition 13-4 in their three wins, scoring five points off three goals and two assists. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 5 Devils 4 (-1) 4/28 (.606) Week 22 was not a good one for the Devils. New Jersey not only saw its five-game winning streak come to an end, it also dropped three straight games and fell one place in the rankings. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 6 Senators 3 (-3) 1/6 (.606) The Ottawa Senators got pushed around the rink in Week 22. The club dropped three of four in Week 22, getting shut out twice and outscored 12-1 in its three defeats. By only winning one game last week, Ottawa also dropped out of the Top 3 in the rankings. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 7 Ducks 6 (-1) 6/27 (.604) The defending Stanley Cup champs only had one game in Week 22, but that didn't stop Anaheim from extending its winning streak to five straight. The Ducks came into this week 9-1-0 in their last 10 games, sitting fourth overall in the Western Conference. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 8 Penguins 5 (-3) 5/25 (.604) The Penguins split the four games they played in Week 22, which dropped them three places in the rankings. Pittsburgh gave up three power play goals in 10 chances in its two losses, including two critical ones in a 5-4 loss in Ottawa on Saturday. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 9 Wild 9 - 1/14 (.598) Niklas Backstrom was the main reason the Wild won three of four in Week 22. The Minnesota goalie stopped 90 of the 95 shots he faced, leading his team to three straight one-goal victories over the Lightning, Panthers and Kings. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 10 Bruins 12 (+2) 4/19 (.594) The Bruins moved up two places in the rankings and into the Top 10 thanks to a high-powered offense and some great goaltending by Tim Thomas. Boston outscored the opposition 12-3 in Week 22 and Thomas guided the team to three straight victories. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 11 Flames 10 (-1) 6/28 (.583) By losing two of three in Week 22, Calgary dropped out of the Top 10 in the rankings. Jarome Iginla led the Flames to their only win of the week, scoring three points — including the game-winner — in a 3-1 road win over the Coyotes on Saturday. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 12 Rangers 13 (+1) 4/27 (.576) The Rangers won both of the games they played in Week 22 to move up two places in the rankings. New York comes into Week 23 red-hot, posting seven wins in its last 10 games, including four straight victories and points in nine straight. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 13 Canucks 11 (-2) 4/24 (.569) Vancouver lost all three of its games in Week 22 and fell two places in the rankings. Part of the reason the Canucks dropped three straight last week was the play of its power play. The club was held scoreless in its 13 chances with the extra attacker — including going 0-for-6 in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Avalanche. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 14 Flyers 18 (+4) 3/20 (.561) After going winless in 10 straight, the Flyers finally broke out in Week 22. Philly managed to climb four places up the rankings by winning three of four last week, coming away with at least a point in every game. The club's only loss of the week came in New York when the Rangers Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 15 Avalanche 17 (+2) 4/17 (.561) The good news that came out of Week 22 for the Avs was that the team won three straight and moved up two places in the rankings. The bad news was that the club lost two very important players to serious injuries when forwards Marek Svatos and Ryan Smyth each got hurt in a 5-2 win over the Kings Saturday night. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy 16 Predators 14 (-2) 2/29 (.561) By splitting the two games it played in Week 22, Nashville dropped two places in the rankings. The Preds didn't start off their season-high six-game road trip the way they wanted to, getting pounded by the Buffalo Sabres 8-4 last Wednesday. Team: H

Crosby practices, expects to play Tuesday

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MLB Power Rankings

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All Sport Scores for March 2nd

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All Sports Scores for February 28, 2008

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No offense ftf but isnt this a more reasonable way to make a headline about sports scores, instead of posting 60 headlines to get points or something, because nobody can post anything because 5 minutes later it will be not shown because of all the headlines you post.

Rangers blow a 5-0 lead and loose in a shootout 6-5 . Can the Rangers get any worse ?

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The Rangers have really " hurt " this year with the inconsistency at goal tending of Lundquist . After last night's loss , if I was a Ranger fan I would start wearing my " paper bag " starting in the morning .