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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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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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.
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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: 46-30-6, 98 points (2nd in Northwest, 5th seed in West)
2008-'09 playoffs: Lost to Chicago Blackhawks 4-2
General manager: Darryl Sutter (219-144-47, 6th NHL year, 1st team
Coach: Brent Sutter (97-56-11, 3rd NHL season, 2nd team)
Captain: Jarome Iginla
Top returning scorer: RW Jarome Iginla (35 goals, 54 assists, 89 points)
Top returning goalie: Miikka Kiprusoff (45-24-5, 2.84, .903)
Key additions: D Jay Bouwmeester; RW Fredrik Sjostrom; C Brandon Prust; RW Riley Armstrong; Garth Murray; RW Jason Jaffray; RW Brian McGrattan; D Staffan Kronwall; LW Nigel Dawes; LW Colin Stuart.
Key subtractions: LW Michael Cammalleri; D Jim Vandermeer; D Jordan Leopold; D Adrian Aucoin; C Warren Peters; C Wayne Primeau; RW Todd Bertuzzi; D Anders Eriksson; LW Marcus Nilson; D Rhett Warrener; RW Andre Roy.
Top line: LW Rene Bourque, C Olli Jokinen, RW Jarome Iginla
Top defensive pairing: Dion Phaneuf, Jay Bouwmeester
Goaltending: Kiprusoff’s GAA jumped to 2.84 as questions about whether the workload he’s carrying is wearing him down was raised following another sub-par playoff performance. Led league with a career-high 45 wins, but also was first in games (76), minutes (4,418), shots faced (2,155) and saves (1,946). Numbers have been in steady decline since 2005-06 Hart Trophy win, but there’s no rest in sight.
Player to watch: C/RW Mikael Backlund. Enjoyed successful campaign last season that included a one-game stint with Flames. Began season with Vasteras in Swedish Elite League, but after helping Swedes to silver at world juniors, remained in North America and finished season with Kelowna, winning WHL title and playing in Memorial Cup final. Equally dangerous as passer or finisher, protects puck with the savvy of a veteran.
Icing: Brent Sutter will feel more at home back in Alberta than he was as coach of the Devils in New Jersey. There is added security and familiarity with brother Darryl as general manager. Brent Sutter was the owner, president, general manager and coach of the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels and went 314-194-68 as coach. Phaneuf played there under Sutter. Iginla became the Flames' career points leader in March. He also owns the goals record with 409.
Outlook: Will too many Sutters spoil the broth? Not as long as Kiprusoff doesn’t keep leaking oil. The addition of Bouwmeester should bolster defense, although goal-scoring depth might be a problem.
Prediction: 97 points (1st in Northwest, 3rd seed in West)
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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.
 | 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. |
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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