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Horton rescues Bruins in OT

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

BOSTON — Nathan Horton scored 5:43 into overtime to give the Bruins a 4-3 victory over the Canadiens on Wednesday night in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series.

Boston will play the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second consecutive year.

Tim Thomas stopped 34 shots for the Bruins, who recovered after losing the first two games of the series at home. Boston had never won a playoff series after trailing 0-2 in 26 tries.

Carey Price stopped 30 shots for Montreal, which erased deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 in Game 7.

Horton scored with a slap shot off a pass from Milan Lucic, setting off a celebration on the Bruins bench and in the stands. It was Boston's third overtime win in the series, including Game 5 Saturday night when Horton scored 9:03 into the second extra period.

Johnny Boychuk and Mark Recchi scored in the first 5:33 of Game 7 to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead. But Yannick Weber made it a one-goal game with a power-play goal in the first. Tomas Plekanec tied it in the second with an unassisted, short-handed goal.

After Chris Kelly scored with just under 10 minutes left to give Boston a 3-2 lead, P.K. Subban tied it in the final two minutes — again on the power play.

The Bruins were 0 for 21 on the power play in the series.

But it doesn't matter.

They will open the next round in Philadelphia with a chance to avenge last year's epic collapse. Boston led that series 3-0 before Philadelphia came back to force Game 7 in Boston. In that game the Bruins took a 3-0 lead before losing 4-3.

That was the second straight year the Bruins lost a Game 7 at home.

This time, they made sure it wouldn't happen again.

at Bruins20114
Canadiens11103

First1, Boston, Boychuk 1 (Marchand, Bergeron), 3:31. 2, Boston, Recchi 1 (Ference), 5:33. 3, Montreal, Weber 2 (Hamrlik, Cammalleri), 9:49 (pp). PenaltiesRyder, Bos (hooking), 8:22; Thornton, Bos (elbowing), 16:02; Kostitsyn, Mon (high-sticking), 17:59.

Second4, Montreal, Plekanec 2, 5:50 (sh). PenaltiesEller, Mon (cross-checking), 4:41; Boychuk, Bos (boarding), 18:12.

Third5, Boston, Kelly 3 (Ference, Peverley), 9:44. 6, Montreal, Subban 2 (Plekanec, Gionta), 18:03 (pp). PenaltiesBergeron, Bos (high-sticking), 17:23. First Overtime7, Boston, Horton 3 (Lucic, McQuaid), 5:43. PenaltiesNone. ShotsMontreal 9-12-11-5—37. Boston 9-7-13-5—34. Power playsMontreal 2 of 4; Boston 0 of 2. GoaliesMontreal, Price 3-4-0 (34 shots-30 saves). Boston, Thomas 4-3-0 (37-34). A17,565 (17,565). T2:58. Referees—Tim Peel, Kelly Sutherland. LinesmenPierre Racicot, Jean Morin.

Late Tuesday: Canucks feel golden

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — To understand how big it was for the Canucks to finally knock the Blackhawks out of the playoffs, you just had to talk to their Olympians.

Alex Burrows scored his second goal 5:22 into overtime, Roberto Luongo made 31 saves and the Canucks avoided a historic playoff collapse by beating the defending Stanley Cup champions 2-1 in Game 7 of their first-round series late Tuesday.

After being eliminated from the last two playoffs by Chicago, Luongo compared the victory to his gold medal for Canada in the same building 14 months earlier.

"I don't know, this one might be better than the Olympics," Luongo said.

American Ryan Kesler, who lost that Olympic final to Luongo, said he wanted this game more than the gold medal.

"We needed to get over this hump," Kesler said.

Also, the league fined Canucks general manager Mike Gillis an undisclosed amount for complaining about the officiating during the series.

BRAIN STUDY: NHL Alumni and a Toronto neuroscience institute are teaming up on a study to track the brain health of retired players. The Rotman Research Institute is recruiting former NHL players to participate in the study. The aim is to identify risk factors linked to cognitive decline and mental health changes as the players age. A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found 559 concussions during regular-season games from 1997 to 2004.

SELKE TROPHY: Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk, who has won the Frank Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward the past three years, is one of three finalists. Vancouver's Ryan Kesler and Chicago's Jonathan Toews are the other nominees for the award, which will be announced at the NHL awards banquet June 22 in Las Vegas.

PANTHERS: Defensman Keaton Ellerby signed a one-year, one-way contract.


Tampa Bay Lightning beats Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in Game 7 to advance to East semifinals

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

PITTSBURGH — Lightning coach Guy Boucher was hesitant to name one player he expected to be a difference maker in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

"The last thing we want to do is pinpoint anybody to have all the pressure to make the big play," Boucher said. "It's a flag that has to be carried by everybody."

Mostly, though, by the goaltender, and Dwayne Roloson was up to the task in Tampa Bay's 1-0 victory over the Penguins at the Consol Energy Center on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old Roloson made 36 saves, and made Sean Bergenheim's second-period goal stand up, as the Lightning, with its third straight win and third road win, became the 24th NHL team to win a seven-game series after trailing three games to one.

It faces Southeast Division rival Washington in the conference semifinals, which begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the Capitals.

Roloson has been a beast when it counts most. The victory makes him 6-0 in elimination games in his career and 2-0 in Game 7s. It was his second postseason shutout.

The Lightning penalty kill was again stout, killing five chances and 34-of-35 in the series, and Bergenheim and Dominic Moore combined on the same give-and-go play that led to a goal in Game 6. Moore carried behind the Penguins' net and dropped a little back pass to Bergenheim at the right post for his third goal of the playoffs 5:41 into the second.

But it was Roloson who was the standout, and outdueled Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, as the Lightning was outshot for the seventh time in the series, 36-23 in the game and 257-180 overall.

Aided by two power plays on which they had a combined six shots, Pittsburgh had a huge territorial advantage in the first period and led 15-7 in shots.

Roloson was superb in his positioning and quickness, and stymied the Penguins, who had several prime chances. Fleury did his part as well, one of his best saves being on Simon Gagne's through-the-legs re-direct of Nate Thompson's centering pass with 45 seconds left.

But Roloson was the period's star. He stopped Jordan Staal's snap shot from the slot while losing his stick. He got a break when Chris Kunitz fired wide on a breakaway.

He was sharpest during a four-shot Penguins power play that included Alex Kovalev's sneaky wrist shot to the short side that Roloson gloved with 6:50 remaining.

There was a scary moment with 9:53 remaining when Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund hit Max Talbot from behind and Talbot's face seemed to hit the top of the side boards. There was no call from the referees, and the crowd protested loudly.

Talbot left the game.

The Lightning evened out the play a bit in the second period, outshooting Pittsburgh 11-7 and taking a 1-0 lead on Bergenheim's goal off the feed from Moore.

It would have been 2-0 if not for a terrific save by Fleury on Pavel Kubina, who with 9:42 left and on a power play, whistled a wrist shot at the top right corner. But Fleury sprawled to his left and got his glove on the puck.

Pittsburgh had a decent chance on Pascal Dupuis' partial breakaway during a Tampa Bay power play. Dupuis, guarded by Eric Brewer, got off a decent backhand that went into Roloson's chest with 9:04 remaining.

So many parts to this long comeback for the Tampa Bay Lightning

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

PITTSBURGH

The record books will show the comeback began with a rout in Game 5. And for those who do not know any better, that will probably be enough.

But the truth is more complicated, and the story is far more stirring.

Yes, the Lightning won three consecutive elimination games, including a 1-0 victory in Game 7 against the Penguins on Wednesday night, to complete the greatest postseason comeback in Tampa Bay history.

Yet that does not fully explain the story of a franchise that came back from ridicule. From near poverty. From the back of your mind, all the way to the bottom of your heart.

"We're a resilient bunch, and that's what I'm most proud of," said Marty St. Louis, whose last postseason series victory was the 2004 Stanley Cup final. "Tonight was one of those moments where all the hard work and the desperation finally paid off. And I couldn't be happier for this organization.

"I've said it all year: I'm proud to be on the Lightning again."

So remember Dwayne Roloson, a 41-year-old goaltender who stood so firm in Game 7 that the ice in front of the nets at the Consol Energy Center may be permanently scarred.

And remember Sean Bergenheim, a faceless free agent who signed a bargain-rate contract and ended up scoring the biggest Lightning goal in seven years.

Remember Eric Brewer and Simon Gagne. Remember Dominic Moore and Steve Downie. Remember them all, and remember the sight of their sticks held high.

"I'm happy for all of these people who have worked so hard for so long to get something done with this organization," coach Guy Boucher said. "And all the new people coming in, setting a new way of doing things and a new culture. And right away it paid off.

"And also the fans, obviously. They deserved more games. They deserved more games in the playoffs, and we're coming."

No one outside of Tampa Bay is likely to understand the importance of this victory. That's because no one outside of Tampa Bay could possibly understand the depths of this franchise's frustrations in the past half-dozen seasons.

It wasn't just the losing. No, there are plenty of teams that struggle to win games. This was more widespread than that.

This was the unceremonious destruction of a Stanley Cup roster. This was the gutting of payroll, and multiple For Sale signs in front of the arena.

This was the humiliation of the Barry Melrose days (all 143 of them), and the absurdity of the Oren Koules/Len Barrie freak show.

This was standing in the locker room at the end of the 2010 season, and hearing St. Louis question whether he wanted to remain in Tampa Bay.

Now, one year later, the Lightning is in the Eastern Conference semifinals for just the third time in franchise history.

"It's like night and day," wing Ryan Malone said. "Coach has been preaching this all year. We're not going to roll over easily, no matter what the situation is."

For the record, the Lightning has won all three Game 7s in franchise history. Also for the record, this was the 24th comeback from a 3-1 deficit in NHL history.

"I think we got more calm as the series went on," center Steven Stamkos said. "We weren't afraid, and that had been our plan all along: Don't be afraid to make plays."

You could point out that Pittsburgh was missing its two biggest stars for the entire series. And you will probably run into Penguins fans who will insist the outcome would have been different if either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin had been around.

You know what? They may be right.

You know what else? Boo friggin' hoo.

Lightning fans have lived through enough broken promises and sweaty nightmares over the last half-dozen seasons that they have no reason to apologize for any breaks that finally go their way.

And when it came to crunch time on Wednesday night in the biggest game of the season for either team, it was the Lightning that did not crack.

It was Roloson who outplayed the supposedly superior Marc-Andre Fleury. It was a pair of third-line guys like Moore and Bergenheim who teamed up for the only goal.

It was Nate Thompson throwing his body in front of pucks, and it was Brewer coming back on to the ice for 36 shifts.

In the end, it was St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier reminding everyone else what this organization once stood for, and what it can be again. Neither was an offensive star in any of the three comeback victories, but both played relentless two-way hockey.

When it was over, before Boucher talked to anyone else, the coach walked across the Lightning locker room and shook the hands of Lecavalier and St. Louis.

"They deserved that much," Boucher said. "They've put a lot into this organization. They were here for a lot of good times, and also some hard times.

"This organization owes these guys. They kept fighting. They helped these young guys understand how to act in these playoffs."

Tampa Bay Lightning-Washington Capitals East semifinal schedule, ticket information

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Three stars

DWAYNE ROLOSON: The Lightning goalie improved to 6-0 in elimination games with another great performance, racking up 36 saves, including 15 in a first period in which the Penguins dominated play and had two power plays.

SEAN BERGENHEIM: The Lightning wing once again came up with a big goal, scoring the only one of the game 5:41 into the second period. All three of his goals this series either tied the score or put Tampa Bay ahead.

KRIS LETANG: The Penguins defenseman played his typically solid defense while being a major playmaker, helping set up several of the Penguins' scoring chances and tying for a team high with six shots.

Round 2 tickets

Tickets for Eastern Conference semifinal games against the Capitals at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday via Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-300). Prices are $27-$120.

Up next | Eastern Conference semis, Lightning vs. Capitals

Game 1: at Washington, 7 Friday

Game 2: at Washington, 7 Sunday

Game 3: at Tampa Bay, TBD Tuesday

Game 4: at Tampa Bay, 7 May 4

Game 5: at Washington, 12:30 May 7*

Game 6: at Tampa Bay, TBD May 9*

Game 7: at Washington, TBD May 11*

*—if necessary

TV/radio: Game 5 Ch. 8; rest TBD

Battle of Pennsylvania

As a former Flyers player, Simon Gagne was very familiar with "the battle of Pennsylvania," as he called it, and Mellon Arena (the Igloo), which the Penguins called home from 1967 until this season, when they moved into the Consol Energy Center. Where the Igloo had narrow, dark hallways leading to the locker rooms, the CEC's are wide and spacious. "I'm just happy we play in the new building," the Lightning left wing said. "Just going into (the Igloo), the visitors' locker was awful. It was almost depressing going into that building."

Quote to note

"It's fun. It turns you into more of a fan. It shows that hockey is getting better and better every year, and that there is better balance around the league. You never know what can happen."

LW Simon Gagne, on all the hotly contested first-round series

Live and learn

Former Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said his only regret about his time with Tampa Bay is how his clash with then-GM Brian Lawton affected the players. "You try as best you can as a coach to put a cocoon around the locker room," said Tocchet, who, with Lawton, was fired after the 2009-10 season. "But these guys aren't stupid. That can only go so far." Tocchet, a former Penguins star who still lives in Pittsburgh, also said, "I let certain things get to me." Such as when Lawton unilaterally fired assistant coach Wes Walz and replaced him with Jim Johnson, a move that publicized the rift between the coach and GM. "A coach and general manager don't always have to see eye to eye, but there has to be that respect factor," Tocchet said. "It was unfortunate."

Tampa Bay Rays' Sam Fuld begins All-Star Game campaign

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — OF Sam Fuld, still a bit stunned to be included on the American League All-Star ballot, insisted he hadn't cast a vote for himself. But he figured his wife, Sarah, had and his parents, friends and other relatives had been on their computers already.

"I'm sure my wife did it right away. I don't blame her. She's trying to get the word out," Fuld said. "We're underdogs here. There's a billion people in New York."

Fuld figures to have the support of his home state, New Hampshire, but as he said: "That doesn't guarantee anything. We've got to work on Maine and Vermont and all of New England. Then I've got a chance."

The Internet world is also lending its support. A VoteSamFuld account was opened on Twitter, and the Rays potentially will make a push.

"I think you're going to be surprised by how many people actually vote for him," manager Joe Maddon said.

"For two reasons: He's playing really well. And you look at his numbers, they're pretty darn good. And you watch every night on ESPN, you see the highlight film, etc. But beyond that, I think there's a lot of average Americans that can identify with this fella, and how he plays the game also, I think, matters. He's hard not to like. … He's everyman."

Maddon also repeated his assertion that Fuld, whose last All-Star experience was in the Florida State League in 2006, has played as well defensively as former Ray Carl Crawford.

"I have so much respect for Carl as an outfielder," Maddon said. "I never thought I'd be saying this one month into the season, but we haven't lost anything defensively in leftfield."

ROUGH TIME: INF Elliot Johnson has had quite a stay in Minneapolis. On Monday's off day, he had to take his wife, Nicole, to a hospital because of a stomach virus, then take care of their 1½-year-old son, Blake, as she rested. Then he got sick with the virus Monday night, throwing up from about 11 p.m. on, and Tuesday morning took a taxi to the emergency room.

He felt better Wednesday but not well enough to make a scheduled start.

"It's been a bummer of a trip," Johnson said.

PITCHING IN: The Rays decided to have RHP Jeff Niemann work the night game of today's doubleheader because of his struggles in day games (5-6, 5.44 ERA vs. 22-13, 4.00 at night), so RHP Jeremy Hellickson will work the matinee. … Because RHP Wade Davis was pushed to Wednesday's game, the Rays need a Sunday starter. RHP Andy Sonnanstine is the likely choice even after working a 13-pitch ninth Wednesday. That could change if he's needed in relief again; then the Rays would look to the minors, with RHP Alex Cobb (3-0, 2.05 ERA at Triple-A Durham), and LHP Alex Torres (1-2, 1.83) possibilities.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Hellickson will have a cheering section today, with about 40 relatives (parents, grandparents, cousins) and friends expected to make the 3½ -hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa. He has had similar support in Kansas City and Detroit. "I think anywhere within probably eight hours, they'll make it," he said.

REHAB REPORT: 3B Evan Longoria worked out with the Rays on Wednesday, then headed to Montgomery, Ala., where he will start his rehabilitation assignment tonight, with plans to rejoin the Rays on Tuesday. Longoria, out since April 2 with a left oblique strain, is scheduled to play four of the five days. … LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder surgery) makes his third rehab appearance tonight, moving up to the Class A Stone Crabs and starting tonight in Port Charlotte, scheduled for one inning.

FOR THE KIDS: The Twins had another reason for rescheduling Tuesday's game for tonight rather than July: 5,000-6,000 tickets sold to 120 groups, many from schools, that were more easily accommodated tonight.

MISCELLANY: The Rays hung a Lightning shirt in their dugout after seeing the final score. "We're very proud of the boys,'' Maddon said. … Tonight's game moves to 970-AM because of the NFL draft. … The Twins put ex-Ray Delmon Young on the disabled list with an oblique strain. … The Rays will give out vouchers after Sunday's game good for free parking Tuesday and Wednesday in certain lots for cars with four or more passengers.

Tampa Bay Rays rout Minnesota Twins 8-2

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — The Rays broke out the long underwear, the ski caps and masks, the gloves, the heavy jackets and, of course, Joe Maddon's favorite, the Elmer Fudd hat, to combat the dampness, the bone-chilling cold and the snow — yes, the snow — that fell during Wednesday's game at Target Field.

But their hot bats provided all the warmth they needed as they opened the game with five consecutive hits and rode four first-inning runs to an 8-2 win over the Twins that pushed them above .500 for the first time.

"That was kind of nasty," Maddon said. "But it felt a lot better after the first inning."

First-pitch temperature was 40 degrees accompanied by 17 mph winds, and it dropped into the 30s during the game. The Twins added to the, um, atmosphere by playing Christmas music between some innings.

Wade Davis, a Florida native pitching in short sleeves nonetheless, worked into the seventh for his third straight victory. Sam Fuld was on base four times. Ben Zobrist knocked in three runs and Johnny Damon two. Seven different Rays crossed the plate. Drawing nine walks helped, too.

Maddon compared the conditions to their miserable experience in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series in Philadelphia; not as wet but definitely colder.

"Just a miserable night except that we played well," he said. "We played like it was 75 and sunny."

With Monday off and Tuesday's game rained out, the Rays were eager to get back on the field. And with good reason. After losing their first six games and standing 1-8 on April 10, they have been the best team in the majors with an 11-3 mark that improved them to 12-11.

Maddon said he was struck during batting practice by how well the Rays were hitting, enough to go up to hitting coach Derek Shelton and ask what was going on.

"It was just like, 'Am I seeing this right?' And then we carried it right into the game," he said.

The combination of the Rays swinging well and Twins starter Francisco Liriano pitching poorly decided the game early.

Fuld and Damon were again the catalysts as they have been through the resurgent run. Fuld doubled off the facing of the rightfield porch, and Damon knocked him in with a single, extending his hit streak to 14 games. After B.J. Upton doubled to left, Zobrist tripled to deep right, scoring two, his third straight multi-RBI game. Sean Rodriguez followed with a single to center that made it 4-0 just 18 pitches into the game.

"That definitely helped," Zobrist said. "Our bats were hot even though we weren't."

The Rays added three in the fourth on one hit, and four consecutive walks. Dan Johnson, the Minnesota native who admitted it was cold even by his standards, started it with a single to center. Then the Rays drew the four free passes — two off Liriano, two from Eric Hacker — to produce two runs, and Zobrist's sac fly made it 7-1.

Davis appreciated the hot hitting as well as he won his third consecutive start, allowing two runs on seven hits over 62/3 innings. It was the first time pitching in snow for the Lake Wales native, but he said he stuck with the short sleeves because he isn't comfortable with anything on his arms.

"Got to grind it out," he said.

It was that kind of a night.

Tampa Bay Rays: Sam Fuld look-a-like contest; Montgomery excited for Evan Longoria

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Rays at Twins

When/where: 1:10 and 8:10 today, Target Field, Minneapolis

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM for first game, 970-AM and 680-AM (Spanish) for second game

Starting pitchers, Game 1

Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 4.32)

Twins: RH Nick Blackburn (1-3. 4.01)

Watch for ...

Third look: Hellickson makes his third start vs. Twins, having gone 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He hasn't faced any other team more than once.

Burned: Blackburn has had problems with the Rays, posting a 2-3, 6.41 career mark, including a rough start at the Trop on April 15.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Blackburn

Johnny Damon 8-for-25, 2 HR

Kelly Shoppach 8-for-15, 3 HR

Twins vs. Hellickson

Jason Kubel 3-for-5, 2 HR

Jim Thome 0-for-6

Starting pitchers, Game 2

Rays: RH Jeff Niemann (0-3, 7.08)

Twins: RH Anthony Swarzak (0-0, 0.00)

Standing tall: Niemann has not been sharp since going on the DL in August with a 1-8, 8.94 mark in 11 games.

Shuffled deck: The Twins were going to start Scott Baker. Then it was Eric Hacker before he pitched Wednesday. Now it's Swarzak, who will make his first appearance since 2009, when he went 3-7, 6.25 in 12 starts.

Key matchups

Twins vs. Niemann

Denard Span 7-for-15

Jim Thome 1-for-9, HR

Contest of the day

The legend just keeps growing. Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill, located across from the Trop, is hosting a Sam Fuld look-a-like contest from 7 to 9 tonight with four tickets to Friday's game as first prize. "Tell people to wear their capes," owner Mark Ferguson said.

Big deal of the day

Not that they're too excited to have 3B Evan Longoria rehabbing at Double-A Montgomery this weekend, but the Biscuits are opening the stadium gates nearly two hours earlier than normal — at 4 p.m. today and Friday — and opening some concession stands for the sole purpose of allowing fans to watch him take batting practice.

Damon's hit list

Where Johnny Damon stands on the all-time list:

75. Steve Garvey 2,599

76. Ed Delahanty 2,593

77. Johnny Damon 2,591

77. Luis Gonzalez 2,591

79. Julio Franco 2,586

80. Reggie Jackson 2,584

Source: Stats Inc.



April powers?

Best April records after an 0-6 start:

2011 Rays 11-5* .688

1991 Mariners 10-11 .476

1997 Cards 11-14 .440

1950 Reds 4-6 .400

1905 Dodgers 6-9 .400

* Through Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays: Sam Fuld look-alike contest; Montgomery excited for Evan Longoria

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Rays at Twins

When/where: 1:10 and 8:10 today, Target Field, Minneapolis

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM for first game, 970-AM and 680-AM (Spanish) for second game

Starting pitchers, Game 1

Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 4.32)

Twins: RH Nick Blackburn (1-3. 4.01)

Watch for ...

Third look: Hellickson makes his third start vs. Twins, having gone 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He hasn't faced any other team more than once.

Burned: Blackburn has had problems with the Rays, posting a 2-3, 6.41 career mark, including a rough start at the Trop on April 15.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Blackburn

Johnny Damon8-for-25, 2 HR

Kelly Shoppach8-for-15, 3 HR

Twins vs. Hellickson

Jason Kubel3-for-5, 2 HR

Jim Thome0-for-6

Starting pitchers, Game 2

Rays: RH Jeff Niemann (0-3, 7.08)

Twins: RH Anthony Swarzak (0-0, 0.00)

Standing tall: Niemann has not been sharp since going on the DL in August with a 1-8, 8.94 mark in 11 games.

Shuffled deck: The Twins were going to start Scott Baker. Then it was Eric Hacker before he pitched Wednesday. Now it's Swarzak, who will make his first appearance since 2009, when he went 3-7, 6.25 in 12 starts.

Key matchups

Twins vs. Niemann

Denard Span7-for-15

Jim Thome1-for-9, HR

Contest of the day

The legend just keeps growing. Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill, located across from the Trop, is hosting a Sam Fuld look-a-like contest from 7 to 9 tonight with four tickets to Friday's game as first prize. "Tell people to wear their capes," owner Mark Ferguson said.

Big deal of the day

Not that they're too excited to have 3B Evan Longoria rehabbing at Double-A Montgomery this weekend, but the Biscuits are opening the stadium gates nearly two hours earlier than normal — at 4 p.m. today and Friday — and opening some concession stands for the sole purpose of allowing fans to watch him take batting practice.

Damon's hit list

Where Johnny Damon stands on the all-time list:

75. Steve Garvey2,599

76. Ed Delahanty2,593

77. Johnny Damon2,591

77. Luis Gonzalez2,591

79. Julio Franco2,586

80. Reggie Jackson2,584

Source: Stats Inc.



April powers?

Best April records after an 0-6 start:

2011 Rays11-5*.688

1991 Mariners10-11.476

1997 Cards11-14.440

1950 Reds4-6.400

1905 Dodgers6-9.400

* Through Tuesday


Rangers 7, Blue Jays 6

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Times wires
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Rangers 7, Blue Jays 6

ARLINGTON, Texas — Mitch Moreland led off the seventh with a tiebreaking homer for Texas. Michael Young and Mike Napoli had two-run doubles during a six-run third. Jo-Jo Reyes was on the mound for all six runs, but none were earned because of an error by Juan Encarnacion. He hasn't won since June 13, 2008, a span of 23 starts (though he had only a combined seven appearances from 2009-10).



Toronto AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

Y.Escobar ss 5 1 1 0 0 0 .276

McCoy 2b 4 2 2 1 1 1 .280

Bautista rf 4 0 1 2 1 0 .356

Lind 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 .266

J.Rivera dh 4 1 3 2 1 0 .210

Encarnacion 3b 5 0 1 0 0 1 .290

Snider lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .181

Arencibia c 4 0 1 0 0 1 .246

C.Patterson cf 3 2 2 0 1 0 .258

Totals 37 6 14 6 4 4

Texas AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

Kinsler dh 2 1 0 0 2 0 .216

Andrus ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 .226

Mi.Young 2b 3 1 1 2 1 0 .347

A.Beltre 3b 3 1 0 0 0 0 .253

N.Cruz lf-rf 4 1 2 1 0 0 .256

Napoli 1b 4 0 1 2 0 1 .289

Dav.Murphy cf-lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .254

Torrealba c 3 1 0 0 0 0 .279

Moreland rf 3 1 1 1 0 1 .281

Totals 30 7 6 7 3 2

Toronto 002 300 100— 6 14 1

Texas 006 000 10x— 7 6 0

EEncarnacion (5). LOBTor. 9, Tex. 3. 2BBautista (4), Encarnacion (8), Mi.Young (12), Napoli (3). HRJ.Rivera (2), off Eppley; Moreland (3), off Dotel. RBIsMcCoy (1), Bautista 2 (13), Lind (18), J.Rivera 2 (6), Andrus (11), Mi.Young 2 (15), N.Cruz (15), Napoli 2 (11), Moreland (10). SBKinsler (3). CSC.Patterson (3). SFLind. RISPTor. 5; Tex. 2. DPTor. 1; Tex. 1.

Toronto IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA

Jo-.Reyes 2M5 6 0 1 1 53 5.48

Villanueva 3L0 0 0 1 0 51 1.84

Dotel L, 1-1 1M1 1 1 1 1 24 4.70

RzepczynskiL0 0 0 0 0 5 3.27

Texas IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA

Holland 5 11 5 5 3 2 100 5.12

Eppley W, 1-0 2 1 1 1 0 0 25 2.25

Rhodes H, 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 15 2.45

Oliver S, 2-3 1 2 0 0 0 2 22 1.74

T3:01. A29,322 (49,170).

Cardinals 6, Astros 5

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Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Cardinals 6, Astros 5

HOUSTON — Kyle Lohse, who threw a two-hit shutout in his last outing, pitched seven scoreless innings for the Cardinals. Matt Holliday and Tyler Greene, in for the injured Ryan Theriot, homered. St. Louis got 14 hits, but Houston turned five double plays, its most since six in May 2003.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Marty St. Louis a finalist for NHL MVP award

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Times staff
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Marty St. Louis is one of three finalists for the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL's Most Valuable Player.

Anaheim's Corey Perry and Vancouver's Daniel Sedin are the other finalists.

The trophy will be presented on June 22 at the 2011 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

Here are the details, from NHL.com:

Everyone has his own definition of what constitutes "most valuable." It may not always be the player who scored the most goals or recorded the greatest number of points, but in the case of this year's nominees for the Hart Trophy, the National Hockey League's MVP award, it's hard to argue what they meant to their respective clubs.

Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks, Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks and Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning were named as finalists Thursday. The trio occupied the top three spots on the scoring list and were instrumental in their teams' accomplishments.

The Hart Trophy will be presented on June 22 at the 2011 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

If Perry, who led the League with 50 goals and finished third with 98 points, isn't the favorite, his ascension into the list of contenders was certainly the most rapid. Perry scored 19 goals and added 11 assists over the Ducks' final 16 regular-season games, helping them rise from a playoff bubble team to the fourth seed in the Western Conference. He recorded three hat tricks during the season and his 11 game-winning goals were also tops among all NHL players. He was also second among forwards in average ice time, playing over 22 minutes a game.

Sedin's offensive game is as well-rounded as any current player, as his statistics this season will attest. He tied teammate Ryan Kesler for fourth in the NHL with 41 goals and placed third with 63 assists for a League-best 104 points. Sedin's 18 power-play goals also placed him atop that category, while his plus-30 rating was second among NHL forwards and his 10 game-winning goals trailed only Perry and Alex Ovechkin. Sedin will be attempting to keep the trophy in the family after Henrik Sedin captured it last year by edging two-time defending winner Ovechkin.

St. Louis, who will have turned 36 by the time the award is presented, just continues to marvel. He narrowly missed out on his second career 100-point season and eclipsing the 102 he put up during the 2006-07 campaign. All the same, St. Louis finished second in the League in both assists (68) and points (99), while scoring more than 30 goals for the sixth time in eight seasons. He also finished in the top 10 among forwards with nearly 21 minutes of ice time per game, a feat helped by the fact St. Louis, also up for the Lady Byng, amassed only 12 penalty minutes.

According to research, it's the first time in at least 50 years three wingers have been up for the award.

Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox reschedule game for Aug. 16 doubleheader

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays came out on the losing end of another rescheduling, as the Red Sox prevailed in their plan to makeup the April 13 rainout as part of a day-night doubleheader on Aug. 16.

The Rays had hoped to play on Aug. 15, a mutual day off when they would already be in Boston after playing in New York the day before. But the Red Sox, who are coming home from playing in Seattle on Aug. 15, wanted to wait until the 16th.

The teams are already scheduled to play a day game on Aug. 17, so they will play three games in about 27 hours.

The start times on Aug. 16 will be 1:05 and 7:10. The Aug. 17 game starts at 1:35.

Fishing 101: King mackerel

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By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor
Thursday, April 28, 2011

GULF OF MEXICO — To catch kingfish, you have to be a bit of a gambler. And Dave Mistretta isn't afraid to roll the dice.

"We are taking a chance heading offshore without any bait," said Mistretta, a veteran Indian Rocks Beach charter boat captain. "But I am pretty confident that we will find everything that we need right where we are going to fish."

Mistretta, like every other angler getting ready for this weekend's Old Salt King of the Beach tournament, knows that if you want to catch big kings, you need big bait.

But whenever possible, it also pays to "match the hatch," or use bait that is caught as close as possible to the area that you are going to fish.

"These are monster baits," Mistretta said as he jigged up bait lingering around a barge anchored 15 miles offshore. "Now all we need is one big runner and we will be all set."

The run

King mackerel are a migratory species. They spend winters fattening up in the warm waters off the Florida Keys, but as soon as those spring winds blow, the fish head north to their summer breeding grounds in the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico.

If you live on Florida's west coast, you are in the middle of this migratory run. April is typically the best month to fish for kings, but you can catch them as early as March or as late as May.

Successful tournament anglers use only live bait: scaled sardines (commonly called whitebait), threadfin herring (commonly called greenbacks) and of course, the previously mentioned blue runner.

Most anglers carry two 12-foot (1-inch mesh) nets and one 12-foot (3/8-inch mesh) net. But Mistretta, eager to start fishing before other boats showed up on his spot, decided instead to use a gold-hook rig (brand name Sabiki) to catch his bait in deep water.

Location, location

Anglers may motor as far as 100 miles offshore to the Middle Grounds to catch a king worthy of winning the King of the Beach. Then again, if the wind blows hard out of the east, a prize-winning king could be caught within 100 yards of the beach.

"The secret is to find hard bottom," Mistretta said. "This whole area is full of limestone ledges, which is why the fish love it here."

Hot kingfish spots were once tightly guarded. But with today's advanced electronics, it is not difficult to find a rock pile the size of a dinghy in a vast expanse of water, so few fishing holes remain exclusive.

"There are no secret spots anymore," Mistretta said. "There will be dozens of boats out here come Saturday."

But on this weekday morning, the skipper of the Jaws Too had the place all to himself. So he rigged two large threadfin herring, tossed them off the stern, just to see if anybody was home.

The routine

Most tournament anglers prefer trolling live bait or artificial lures, but some like to drop anchor and chum. When trolling live bait, speed is the key. Go too fast, the bait will "drag," which looks unnatural.

Some anglers have been known to pull a couple of 5-gallon buckets behind the boat to slow the speed. Many a tournament-winning fish have been caught when boats were at idle speed.

"Look at that fish," Mistretta yelled, as a large king boiled on a baitfish bouncing in the prop wash. "The fish are here."

Anglers call the smaller kings, the 8- to 15-pounders, "schoolies." As the name implies, these fish can often be found in numbers. While fun to catch, they won't win a tournament.

To get to the top of the leaderboard, you need a "smoker," a fish 30 pounds or more.

The prize

After boating five small kings, Mistretta broke out a large blue runner he had been saving.

"Remember," he said, "big baits catch big fish."

The 2-pound runner hadn't been in the water more than five minutes when the rod bent under the weight of the large king mackerel.

"This one has got some shoulders," I said as I brought the fish alongside to be gaffed.

Mistretta smiled and said, "Now if I can only find one of these this weekend."

Next month in our Fishing 101 series: Hard-bodied artificial lures.

Tampa Bay Rays 15, Minnesota Twins 3

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Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Ben Zobrist drove in a team record eight runs as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins 15-3 in the first game of a doubleheader today at Target Field in Minneapolis.

The teams will play again at 8:10 p.m.

Zobrist has 16 RBIs over his last four games, and an American League leading 23 — at the moment — for the season.

Zobrist knocked in one run with a single in the first, hit a three-run homer in the sixth, and added two-run doubles in the 7th and the 9th. He is 4-for-6 for the day. The four hits were a career-high for Zobrist.

"Anytime you have that many RBIs it's just cause your teammates are on base for you every time, so that's what it was about today,'' Zobrist said. "We hit well up and down the lineup. Everybody hit, and hopefully we saved a few for the second game.''

The last major-leaguer with eight RBIs in a game was Toronto's Adam Lind on Aug. 31, 2009 vs. Texas.

The Rays record was seven, by Carlos Pena on Sept. 5. 2007.

The last player before Zobrist with 16 RBIs over a 4-game span was Sammy Sosa in 2002, according to Elias. The last American League player was Albert Belle in 200. The Rays record for RBIs over four games was 12 by Evan Longoria in 2009.

Zobrist said the big week is the result of a few slight changes. "Definitely, I'm slowing myself down a little bit, im into my legs more so my timing seems to be on other pitches besides just fastballs,'' Zobrist said. "I'm feeling good, obviously seeing the ball big right now. And just trying to have quality at-bats, not give any at-bats away.''

B.J. Upton, Johnny Damon and Matt Joyce had three hits apiece, and Casey Kotchman added a solo homer as part of the Rays' 19-hit attack.

The Rays chased Twins starter Nick Blackburn with one out in the fourth, after scoring seven runs on eight hits and four walks.

Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson struck out three while allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk in 6-1/3 innings.

Ben Zobrist's monster day leads Tampa Bay Rays to doubleheader sweep of Minnesota Twins, 15-3 and 6-1

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — Ben Zobrist had quite a Thursday, breaking the team record by driving in eight runs in the matinee and finishing his day-and-night's work with seven hits, including a pair of homers, and 10 RBIs, giving him 18 for his last five games and a major-league most-matching 25 for the season.

"This," Zobrist deadpanned, "must be what it's like to feel like Sam Fuld."

The Rays had reason to joke, laugh and smile after a long and rewarding day in which they won both games from the Twins, 15-3 and 6-1, continuing their run as the majors' best team since their 1-8 start, improving to 14-11.

Zobrist's record day was impressive enough as he not only broke Carlos Peña's team mark but became the first American Leaguer with that many RBIs over a five-game span since Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson in 1969.

But the Rays headed home after the 5-1 trip with all kinds of things to feel good about.

Certainly, the remarkably encouraging performance by previously struggling starter Jeff Niemann, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of the nightcap and picked up his first win of the season. "A huge confidence boost," Niemann said. And that after a solid start from rookie Jeremy Hellickson in the opener.

Also, the continued resurgence of their offense, as they scored 21 runs for the day, 29 for the series and 41 for the trip and, sparked by the one-two combo of Fuld and Johnny Damon, scored first in all six games.

"We really hit the ball hard and well, just good at-bats," manager Joe Maddon said. "That's about as well as we've played for three consecutive games this year."

About the only negative was that infielder Sean Rodriguez dislocated his left pinky, with his status to be determined today.

Zobrist deserved to be at the top of the list.

After knocking in three, two and three runs in his three previous games, he had a pretty good week in the day-night doubleheader.

He had a career-high four hits in the opener to drive in eight runs, breaking Peña's 2007 team mark: a one-run single, a three-run homer and a pair of two-run doubles.

Then in the nightcap, he hit a two-run homer in the second, then singled in the sixth and later scored.

"I really had no idea what was happening," Zobrist said. "I was just kind of in the zone. Try not to think about it too much. … I just felt really comfortable, obviously, in the box. The ball was big. I saw the ball big today and put good swings on it and I felt like when I swung the bat good things were going to happen every time."

Said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire: "We pitched him inside, we pitched him outside, we threw him changeups, we threw him breaking balls, he pretty much hit everything we threw up there. Every mistake we made, he killed it."

The 18 RBIs over five games are the most for any player since Sammy Sosa in 2002 for the Cubs. The 10 RBIs for the day matched Garret Anderson's production in an August 2007 game for the Angels; Mark Whiten had 13 in one day, over two games, for St. Louis in 1993.

"He's making the most of his opportunities; guys are on base and he's doing what it takes to bring them home," Damon said. "He's had a pretty big week, and hopefully this will be another guy on this team who gets player of the week, because he's been pretty amazing."

After hitting 27 homers and driving in 91 runs in an All-Star 2009 season, Zobrist dropped off dramatically last season, with only 10 homers and 75 RBIs. But in this first month of this season he already has seven homers and the 25 RBIs, which are a Rays record for April.

"The ascension of Ben," Maddon said.

In the opener, Hellickson, with nearly 100 fans making the trip from his native Iowa, pitched into the seventh for the victory. Damon (extending his streak to 15), B.J. Upton and Matt Joyce had three hits apiece as the Rays matched their season high with 19, and Casey Kotchman hit his first homer as a Ray. Joyce also made a running catch in right.

In the nightcap, Niemann look nothing like the starter who struggled through four starts (0-3, 7.08) and a lot like the one who was their most consistent for the past two seasons, allowing only a walk through the first six innings. But Minnesota's Denard Span, a Tampa native, lined a ball just over shortstop for the first hit. John Jaso homered and Kotchman had two more hits.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.


Breaking down the Tampa Bay Lightning-Washington Capitals series

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones breaks down the series between the Lightning and Capitals.

Offense

Lightning: The Lightning got contributions from pretty much everybody in the first round as 13 players scored goals and 17 registered a point. Marty St. Louis led all scores with four goals and eight points. In the final three games, it was the pluggers — Steve Downie, Sean Bergenheim and Dominic Moore — who carried the offensive load. With those players stepping up, the Lightning now has three lines that can score, especially with Ryan Malone (a key goal in Game 6) and Simon Gagne (second behind St. Louis with seven points) looking healthy and playing the best they have all season. The big concern remains Steven Stamkos, who did have two goals in the first round, but both of those goals came in the 8-2 victory in Game 5. He hasn't had a goal in 17 of the past 20 games.

Capitals: Washington has what most consider the best hockey player on the planet in Alex Ovechkin. Alex the Great didn't have a typical Ovechkin season because the Caps turned to a more defensive style. His 32 goals and 85 points were the lowest totals in his six years in the NHL. He struggled at times in the first round against the Rangers, but still leads the Caps this postseason with six points in five games. Alexander Semin is Washington's next most-dangerous player. He tied Ovechkin in the first round with three goals and was a Lightning killer this season with seven goals in four games. The Caps also have one of the league's best offensive defensemen in Mike Green, who returned for the playoffs after missing nearly two months with a concussion. Despite the layoff — as well as disappointing postseasons in the past — Green looked good in the first round, picking up five points.

Defense

Lightning: Granted, the Penguins were missing their two best offensive weapons, but the Lightning's defense was superb in the first round, allowing only 14 goals in seven games (including one empty-netter). The Lightning gave up 247 shots (most in the first round by any team), but many of the shots were from the outside and it gave up very few odd-man breaks. Second-year defenseman Victor Hedman seems to have taken his game to another level in the playoffs, and veterans Pavel Kubina and Mattias Ohlund have stepped up their games as well. Kubina, because of his size and strength, might get the assignment of playing against Ovechkin. Then again, it could be Eric Brewer, who has been the Lightning's best defenseman since coming over from St. Louis in February.

Capitals: When you think of the Capitals of the past few years, you think of a run-and-gun team that is always on the go-go-go. Not this season. Perhaps influenced by past postseason failures, the Caps have clamped down to play a more defensive style, and as a result allowed the fourth-fewest goals in the NHL (while dropping to 19th in goals scored) The defense corps, outside of Green, is not loaded with big names, but they are big bodies who play a simple and smart style. And the key for Washington's success on defense has been the forwards, who have become more responsible in their own end of the ice. It used to be the Caps beat you by scoring more goals. Now they win by give up fewer goals.

Goaltending

Lightning: The Lightning acquired Dwayne Roloson midway through the year and while many questioned whether a 41 year old could be the answer, Roloson silenced his critics with a spectacular performance in the first round, including a 36-save shutout in Game 7. Roloson stopped 243 of 256 shots against the Penguins and ran his record in 6-0 in elimination games.

Capitals: If the Caps had a weakness, or at least a question mark, coming into the playoffs, it was in goal. But rookie Michal Neuvirth was outstanding in the first round with a 1.38 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage. The Rangers weren't loaded with firepower, but Neuvirth was solid during the regular season, too, posting a 27-12-4 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

Special teams

Lightning: One could argue the Lightning made it through to the second round specifically because of its special teams. It killed off 34 of Pittsburgh's 35 power plays, while scoring on eight of its own 27 power plays. The Lightning's 29.7 success rate on the power play is the highest of the teams still alive in the playoffs. The Lightning's best chance for an upset of the top-seeded Caps likely will hinge on its continued success on special teams.

Capitals: Washington's penalty killing unit was nearly as impressive as the Lightning's in the first round as it allowed just one goal on the Rangers' 20 power plays. And the unit was ranked second during the regular season. Washington's power play scored three goals in five playoff games. That's not so bad. But it had 16 power play chances and the 18.8 percent rate is not special. During the regular season, the Caps power play, in spite of their talent, was only ranked 16th in the NHL. But they certainly bring more firepower than the Penguins did in the first round.

Coaching

Lightning: For a guy who has never been in an NHL postseason before, Tampa Bay's Guy Boucher looked like a veteran coach in the first round. He didn't panic when the Lightning fell behind three games to one, he kept the Pens off balance with various line and scheme combinations and he made a few key lineup changes during the series that panned out well. He also raised eyebrows by rarely practicing during the last series, a move that looks as if it will serve the Lightning well with Games 2, 3 and 4 being played in a four-day stretch.

Capitals: Lots of eyes are on Caps coach Bruce Boudreau, who has put together solid regular season teams in Washington only to have them peter out in the playoffs. Credit is due for his recognition that the Caps needed to become more responsible defensively. He altered Washington's style even though it meant the team stumbled through much of the first half. It paid off in the second half as the Caps went 16-5 down the stretch with one of the losses coming in a meaningless last game. Still, the Caps have not handled postseason pressure very well in the past — they've lost three Game 7s at home in the past three seasons — and leadership remains a sore subject until Washington's exorcises some its postseason demons.

Intangibles

Lightning: The Lightning went 2-3-1 against the Caps this season. The two victories came in Roloson shutouts just after the goalie was traded to the Lightning. He shut out Washington, 1-0 in overtime, in his first game in a Bolts uniform on Jan. 4. He then shut them out, 3-0, eight days later. The teams have met once in the postseason with the Lightning winning is six games after falling behind 0-2 in 2003.

Capitals: The Caps are trying to advance to the conference final for the first time since reaching the Stanley Cup final in 1998. No team in the playoffs is under as much pressure as Washington. The Caps entered each of the past three postseasons as one of the Cup favorites, but lost to inferior teams each season. Anything short of a Stanley Cup would be a disappointment. So far, this appears to be a more mature team, but it hasn't faced any real adversity yet.

Breaking down the Tampa Bay Lightning-Washington Capitals Eastern Conference semifinal

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Offense

Lightning: The Lightning got contributions from pretty much everybody in the quarterfinals against the Penguins; 13 players scored and 17 registered a point. Marty St. Louis led all scorers with four goals and eight points. In the final three games of the seven-game series, the pluggers — Steve Downie, Sean Bergenheim and Dominic Moore — carried the offensive load. With those players stepping up, the Lightning has three lines that can score, especially with Ryan Malone (a key goal in Game 6) and Simon Gagne (second to St. Louis with seven points) looking healthy and playing the best they have all season. The big concern remains Steven Stamkos, who did have two goals in the first round, but both came in the 8-2 victory in Game 5. He hasn't had a goal in 17 of the past 20 games.

Capitals: Washington has the player many consider the best on the planet, Alex Ovechkin. Alex the Great didn't have a typical Ovechkin season because the Caps turned to a more defensive style. His 32 goals and 85 points were his lowest totals in his six years in the NHL. He struggled at times in the quarterfinal against the Rangers but still leads the Caps this postseason with six points in five games. Alexander Semin is Washington's next most dangerous player. He tied Ovechkin in the first round with three goals and was a Lightning killer this regular season with seven goals in four games. The Caps also have one of the league's best offensive defensemen in Mike Green, who returned for the playoffs after missing nearly two months with a concussion. Despite the layoff — as well as disappointing postseasons in the past — Green looked good against the Rangers, picking up five points.

Defense

Lightning: Granted, the Penguins were without their two best offensive weapons in the quarterfinals, but the Lightning's defense allowed only 14 goals in seven games (including one empty netter). The Lightning also allowed 247 shots, most in the first round by any team, but many were from the outside, and it gave up few odd-man breaks. Second-year defenseman Victor Hedman seems to have taken his game to another level, and veterans Pavel Kubina and Mattias Ohlund have stepped up their games as well. Kubina, because of his size (6 feet 4, 258 pounds) and strength, might get the assignment of playing against Alex Ovechkin. Then again, it could go to Eric Brewer, the team's best defenseman since coming over from the Blues in February.

Capitals: When you think of the Capitals of the past few years, you think of a run-and-gun team that is always on the go-go-go. Not this season. Perhaps influenced by their recent postseason failures, the Caps have clamped down to play a more defensive style, and as a result, they allowed the fourth-fewest regular-season goals in the NHL (while dropping to 19th in goals scored). The defensive corps, outside of Mike Green, is not loaded with big names, but it has big bodies and plays a simple, smart style. But the key for Washington's success on defense has been the forwards, who have become more responsible in their end of the ice. It used to be the Caps beat opponents by scoring more goals. Now they win by give up fewer goals.

Goaltending

Lightning: The Lightning acquired Dwayne Roloson midway through the season, and though many questioned whether a 41-year-old could be the answer in goal, Roloson silenced critics with an impressive performance in the quarterfinals, including a 36-save shutout in Game 7. Roloson stopped 243 of 256 shots against the Penguins and ran his record in 6-0 in elimination games.

CAPITALS: If the Caps had a weakness — or at least a question mark — coming into the playoffs, it was in goal. But rookie Michal Neuvirth, 23, was a standout in the first round with a 1.38 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage. The Rangers weren't loaded with firepower, but Neuvirth was solid during the regular season, too, posting a 27-12-4 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

Special teams

Lightning: One could argue the Lightning made it through to the second round specifically because of its special teams. It killed off 34 of Pittsburgh's 35 power plays and scored on eight of its 27 power plays. The Lightning's 29.7 success rate on the power play is the highest of the teams still alive. The Lightning's best chance for an upset of the top-seeded Capitals likely hinges on its continued success on special teams.

Capitals: Washington's penalty-killing unit was nearly as impressive as the Lightning's in the quarterfinals. It allowed one goal on the Rangers' 20 power plays. And the unit was ranked second during the regular season. Washington's power play has scored three goals in five playoff games this year. That's not so bad. But it had 16 power-play chances, and its 18.8 percent conversion rate is not special. During the regular season, the Caps' power play, despite its talent, was ranked 16th of the 30 teams. But it certainly will bring more firepower than the Penguins did

Coaching

Lightning: For a guy who had never been in an NHL postseason, Tampa Bay's Guy Boucher looked like a veteran in the first round. He didn't panic when the Lightning fell behind three games to one, he kept the Pens off-balance with various line and scheme combinations, and he made a few key lineup changes during the series that panned out. He also raised eyebrows by rarely practicing during the series, a move that looks like it will serve the Lightning well against the Capitals with Games 2, 3 and 4 being played in four days.

Capitals: Lots of eyes are on Bruce Boudreau, who has put together solid regular seasons in Washington only to have his teams peter out in the playoffs. Credit is due for his recognition that the Caps needed to become more responsible defensively. He altered their style even though it meant the team stumbled through much of the first half. It paid off in the second half. The Caps went 16-5 down the stretch, with one of the losses coming in a meaningless regular-season finale. Still, the Caps have not handled postseason pressure well — they've lost three Game 7s at home in the past three seasons — and leadership will remain a sore subject until Washington exorcises some of its postseason demons.

Intangibles

Lightning: The Lightning went 2-3-1 against the Caps in the regular season. The wins were Dwayne Roloson shutouts shortly after the goalie was traded to from the Islanders. He won 1-0 in overtime in his first game in a Lightning uniform, Jan. 4. He shut them out 3-0 eight days later. The teams have met once in the postseason. The Lightning won in six games after falling behind 0-2 in the 2003 quarterfinals.

Capitals: The Caps are trying to advance to the East final for the first time since reaching the Stanley Cup final in 1998. No team in the playoffs is under as much pressure. The Caps entered each of the past three postseasons as a Cup favorite but lost to inferior teams each season. Anything short of a Stanley Cup would be a disappointment. This appears to be a more mature team, but it hasn't faced real adversity yet.

St. Anthony's Triathlon facts

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By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors-Fitness Editor
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Giants 5, Pirates 2

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Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Giants 5, Pirates 2

PITTSBURGH — Ryan Vogelsong won while making his first start in almost seven years, pitching effectively into the sixth against his former team and leading the Giants. In his third appearance in the majors since 2006, Vogelsong, 33, tied a career high with eight strikeouts. "It was a sense of accomplishment for me before the first pitch had even started," he said.

Blue Jays 5, Rangers 2

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Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Blue Jays 5, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON, Texas — Corey Patterson bunted in the tiebreaking run in the ninth, and the Blue Jays won their first series in three weeks. Patterson dragged a bunt to the right that pitcher Darren Oliver fielded with nobody covering first. Patterson got a single and John McDonald, who held at third base until the ball was safely in play, scored the go-ahead run. Toronto added two runs after Texas made two errors on the same play.

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