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Apr, 2018
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Trending Topics: With home ice squandered, Capitals face tough questions

The morbid beatdown the Bruins administered in Games 1 and 2 is a kind of heartbreaking that comes at you early and leaves you demoralized, but I don’t think it’s quite what the question-asker had in mind.

What’s happening to the Capitals very much is.

In Game 1, the Caps went up 2-0, cheap official nfl jerseys blew that lead, went ahead again early in the third period, blew that lead on a bad penalty, and lost early in overtime on a what-can-you-do goal from a star talent.

In Game 2, they went up 2-0 and then 3-1, blew that lead, scored a late game-tying goal, then lost midway through the first overtime period on a bang-bang play.

That’s two home games in which the Caps either held a third-period lead or scored a late equalizer to give the fans hope, only to snatch it away in overtime in consecutive games. This is, however, nothing all that new. In the Barry Trotz era, the Caps are 6-9 in overtimes, which is a lot of overtimes to play in six-plus rounds over four seasons. And fully half of those wins came in last year’s seven-game series against the Leafs, during which five of the six games went to OT.

After blowing home ice and heading to Columbus for Tuesday’s Game 3, the Caps’ problems beyond making their fans type “I want to die” into various social media text as a sort of rite of spring are coming into clearer focus. It is, in fact, the same old tune played by the same old band.218

To look at the Caps’ underlying numbers, you understand that they are great. Basically every non-goal 5-on-5 percentage is between 53 and 55, despite trailing for just 12 minutes in this series so far (and by the way, they’re 0-2 despite trailing for 12 minutes). But also, they’ve only scored two goals at full strength to the Blue Jackets’ five, all from at least middle-danger parts of the ice.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Caps don’t seem to cheap nfl jerseys cheap shipping be able to convert even the large amount of high-danger scoring chances they generate into actual goals on the scoreboard. They’ve taken 22 shot attempts from in close to the goaltender, and allowed just eight. The conversion rates there? A stunning 37.5 percent from the Jets (three goals on eight attempts) versus a not-so-stunning-if-you-watch-them-in-any-playoffs 0 percent for the Caps (zero on 22).

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Apr, 2018
217

Wild can’t solve Jets’ Hellebuyck in Game 4

Mark Scheifele scored both goals for Winnipeg and Hellebuyck made 30 saves for his seventh shutout this season, as the Jets beat the Wild 2-0 on Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.

“You knew, five to 10 minutes into that game, nfl jerseys for sale cheap he was right and feeling good,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said.

Scheifele scored with 28 seconds left in the first period, spoiling a fine performance on the other end by Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk, and tacked on an empty-netter with 11 seconds remaining.

The Wild, now without star left wing Zach Parise because of a broken sternum suffered late in Game 3, must now win in Winnipeg in Game 5 on Friday night to extend their season.

“Certainly can’t fault us in trying. It’s a disappointing finish,” said Dubnyk, who stopped 26 shots. “It just shows you, too, you never know which plays are going to be the difference in the game.”217

The Wild were livid about one in particular, when Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey delivered a vicious-looking cross-check to Eric Staal’s neck that knocked Minnesota’s leading scorer to the ice during a Wild power play that went unnoticed by the officials. Morrissey had an assist on Scheifele’s goal and also helped thwart a Wild breakaway later in the game, and a red-faced coach Bruce Boudreau said afterward that Morrissey should have been ejected.

“I’m the tallest guy on the ice. He cross-checked me in the neck. There’s not much more you can say. Everyone saw it. I don’t know how no one with stripes saw it,” Staal said.

After a six-goal outburst in Game 3 that prompted Maurice to pull Hellebuyck after two periods, only his second early exit of the season, the Wild had trouble generating the same kind of organized and relentless attack. cheap official nfl jerseys The Jets closed up the holes they gave the Wild through the neutral zone in Game 3, and the Wild simply weren’t as crisp with the puck.

Hellebuyck, fittingly, was named earlier in the day one of the NHL’s three finalists for the Vezina Trophy that’s awarded annually to the best goalie in the league.

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Apr, 2018
206

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer disappointed in rotation’s struggles

As if on cue, Tyler Chatwood backed up those comments with a rare performance against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 5-3 loss: 4.2 innings pitched, seven strikeouts and seven walks. According to ESPN Stats & Information data, only two pitchers compiled nfl jerseys for cheap at least seven and seven in less than five innings pitched last year. Before that, it hadn’t happened since 2008. It meant throwing a lot of pitches — 97 — in a short outing, not exactly what fielders want when the temperature is 35 degrees at first pitch.

“I just have to be better with my command,” Chatwood said after the loss. “That’s the thing that’s hurt me so far. It was cold, but I could grip the ball.

“Our guys have to get back in there to hit and I’m leaving them standing there in the cold for a while. … That’s not a good recipe for success right there I don’t think.”

Chatwood isn’t the only disappointment in the starting staff so far, as his record dropped to 0-3 with his new team, despite giving up just one hit. The Cubs’ vaunted rotation — at least on paper — ranks near the bottom of the league after averaging just five innings per start through their first 15 games.206

That’s just one-third of an inning more than the worst team in that category, the Tampa Bay Rays.

“It’s going to happen,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said about longer outings. “I’m fully confident it’s going to happen. The starters are really good. There is a lot to look forward to with the starters.”

The Cubs had a slow beginning to last season on the mound, eventually righting the ship in the second half — and that includes their starting staff. But last year, they had the championship hangover to get over; this year, it’s just cold weather and some postponements. But every team has dealt with the same cheap nfl authentic jerseys conditions, some thriving better than others.

The Cubs have limped out of the gate at 7-8 and can partly blame the uneven play on a rotation that boasts three former all-stars in Jon Lester, Yu Darvish and Jose Quintana. None has looked his best thus far.

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Apr, 2018
205

Aaron Boone ponders dropping struggling Giancarlo Stanton lower in lineup

Stanton has batted third in each of the Yankees’ 16 games this season, including in Tuesday night’s 9-1 loss to Stanton’s former team, the Miami Marlins. In the eight games he has appeared in at home, he has hit .086 (3-for-35) with 20 strikeouts.

According to Elias, those 20 strikeouts are the most for a hitter authentic nfl jerseys cheap in his first eight home games during the modern era, which began in 1900. The 17 strikeouts he had through his first eight games as a member of the Marlins in 2010 are also tied for second on that list with three other players who all happened to accomplish that feat since 2002.

After striking out twice Tuesday, Stanton was booed loudly by fans who have grown frustrated with his performances in the Bronx.205

On the road, Stanton has been markedly better, batting .323 (10-for-31) with three doubles and seven RBIs in those eight games.

Asked if he could come up with a reason for the home-road statistical disparity, Stanton simply said: “No.”

If a change to the Yankees’ lineup comes, it likely will arrive during the team’s four-game home series against the Toronto Blue Jays that begins Thursday following an off day Wednesday. Boone said any changes that come during the series would depend upon how the Blue Jays’ pitching matchups line up with what the Yankees want to do offensively.

Right-handers Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada and Marcus Stroman are scheduled to start the first three games of the series for Toronto.

Boone said he might alter the first five or six spots in the lineup, nfl jerseys for cheap but don’t expect him to move Stanton into the bottom tier of the order.

“He’s one at-bat away from getting it locked back in, and then the last thing you want is him down in the order getting pitched around,” Boone said. “He’s too premier of a player, and an at-bat away, in my eyes, from locking it in.”

21
Apr, 2018
194

Celtics praise injured teammate Kyrie Irving’s text message of support

Celtics All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving sent a group text message to his teammates before Game 2, the contents of which resonated with his teammates before they took a commanding 2-0 lead in a first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Irving, who attended Game 1 and sat official nfl football jerseys on the bench during the first half, was not spotted inside TD Garden for Game 2, but his teammates said his words of encouragement helped them before Tuesday’s 120-106 triumph.

“[Irving] sent us a message before the game today, just telling us what to expect,” said Shane Larkin, one of Boston’s ballhandlers thrust into a larger role due to Irving’s season-ending knee surgery.

“We have a lot of guys in here that have never seen a playoff game. So he really gave some words of advice today and we all read it, made some comments back, and he just had an open conversation with us and he’s definitely helping off the court now that he can’t be out there with us fighting.194

“He’s definitely still locked in with us every single game.”

It’s notable that Celtics players have gone out of their way to praise Irving’s leadership, particularly when juxtaposed to a situation like San Antonio and the lingering uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard.

The Celtics have won their first two games of the playoffs in large part because of the contributions of players like Terry Rozier, who hasn’t committed a turnover in 78 minutes of floor time since elevating to a starting role in place of Irving.

For 21-year-old Jaylen Brown and 20-year-old Jayson Tatum, Irving’s leadership and playoff experience is even more valuable.

“Kyrie talked to us before the game, just kind of let us nfl football jerseys for sale know what to expect, a lot of things to expect, and for us to stay locked in, and not worry about if we hit some adversity or whatever, just play through it,” said Celtics All-Star big man Al Horford. “And I thought our guys just did that. [The Bucks] made a run and we stayed poised and moved onto the next thing.”

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Apr, 2018
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Jaylen Brown youngest in Celtics history to score 30 in a playoff game

Celtics second-year swingman Jaylen Brown authentic nfl jerseys cheap became the youngest player in franchise history to score 30 points or more in a playoff game during Tuesday’s Game 2 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Brown scored a postseason career-high 30 points on 12-of-22 shooting while helping the Celtics run away with a 120-106 triumph in an Eastern Conference first-round series at TD Garden.

The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

At age 21 years, 175 days, Brown topped a record that Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn held for six decades after scoring 30 points at age 22 years, 209 days against the Syracuse Nationals on March 23, 1957.

Per Basketball Reference, the only active players to score 30 points or more in a playoff game at a younger age than Brown are Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings and LeBron James.193

“I think Jaylen loves the moment,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens. “I think he really appreciated the opportunity to compete on this stage and at this level. And we’ve seen him against the better teams in the league all year be able to really raise his level in some of the biggest games.”

Brown set a new career high with 12 field goals, and he connected on 5 of 12 3-pointers.

“I put a lot of time in this summer and over the course of the year just improving, offensively,” Brown said. “Just coming into the draft, that was one of the biggest things people nitpicked me on, so that was one of the things I wanted to get better at. But I think the trust issue starts with Brad. When Brad tells you to shoot it, it gives you another level of confidence when your coach is like, ‘Shoot it!’ So when Brad tells me to shoot, I feel much better about it.”

Heinsohn, who was courtside Tuesday providing color official nfl football jerseys commentary for NBC Sports Boston, laughed when asked if he could remember his record-setting night.

Brown scored 12 first-quarter points, routinely attacking the basket, including a loud left-handed flush over former teammate Tyler Zeller. Brown came back with 10 points in the third quarter as the Celtics pulled away.

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Apr, 2018
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Meet the FCS prospect who became the NFL draft’s top TE

Larson had delivered Dallas Goedert, a program-changing star who would go on to be a projected first-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Stiegelmeier, however, wasn’t feeling it.

“The tape was really rough, actually,” he said.nfl jerseys for cheap “I saw a big guy who could control his body, but I did not see a dominant football player.”

There was no time to waste on a single prospect from a town of 1,250. Stiegelmeier stopped at Britton-Hecla High School once to watch Goedert play basketball but continued recruiting elsewhere. A few months later, Larson called again. He had just volunteered at a track meet where Goedert was tossing the discus like it was a piece of bread.

Life can turn on the chance of a random gift. Goedert wouldn’t have made it to South Dakota State without Larson’s repeated intervention. And if Goedert hadn’t made it to South Dakota State, albeit an FCS school, he would never have stuck the one-handed catch that catapulted him into the national consciousness. He wouldn’t have competed against FBS opponents such as Kansas and TCU. And, without a doubt, he would never, ever have become a projected first-round pick.

Goedert could be the first tight end selected when the draft opens April 26. The team that takes him will get 256-pound tight end with 10-inch hands like Odell Beckham Jr. and an affinity for dramatic plays. It will also take on a unique character who rides a 6-foot unicycle for fun, is ready to bust out from small-town stereotypes and isn’t opposed to wearing a leopard-print Snuggie to embarrass his sisters in public.182

“I like to bring the flair,” he said. “Fans of the city I go to will like it. If people are wondering what they’ll be getting, I’d say to think about how much fun and how much energy I’ll bring.”

You can trace Goedert’s elite receiving skills to the nighttime routine he began as an 8-year-old, when he would refuse to sleep until his stepfather, Gary Carlson, agreed to throw him footballs from his bedroom doorway.

Goedert showed up on the Brookings, South Dakota, cheap nfl jerseys campus in 2013 amid little fanfare. He redshirted his first year, then caught 34 passes over his next two seasons as he added 60 pounds. From the beginning, however, Goedert brought with him undeniable assets: big hands and a star’s mindset in deploying them.

To find gloves that fit, the school submitted a special order to Under Armour for size XXXL. With those mitts, attached to 34-inch arms on a 6-5 frame, Goedert could reach over any FCS defender.

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Apr, 2018
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Jason Garrett says he’ll always love Dez Bryant, but release best for Cowboys

Bryant went three straight seasons without 1,000 yards and was set to count $16.5 million against the cap in 2018. After much internal deliberation, Garrett said the decision was made to part ways with the franchise’s all-time leader in touchdown catches.

“Dez Bryant has been a great player for this franchise during his time here,” Garrett said Tuesday at the Albertsons Companies All-Star Gala in which Pat and Emmitt Smith were presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for their charity work. “Certainly a playmaker, a difference-maker. A guy that we all love. Love him as a player, as a person and that will never change.

“It’s a challenging situation. A lot of different factors go into these kinds of decisions and again the guidepost for all of this is: What’s in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys?authentic nfl jerseys cheap And that’s why we made this decision. Wish Dez nothing but the best going forward. He’s a special guy. I love him. I will always love him and the impact that he’s made on this franchise has been significant.”181

In an interview with NFL Network after his release, Bryant referred to “Garrett guys” and players who wear the “C,” as captains, as playing a part in the team’s decision. Dak Prescott, Jason Witten and Sean Lee were three of the Cowboys’ six captains in 2017.

“For me, I mean being a quarterback, being a captain, I take the blame,” Prescott said. “I take all the blame. When you lose, things like this happen. So Dez knows how I feel. We’ve shared messages and he knows my stance on everything so I wish him well.”

Bryant and Witten became close over the years, especially since Bryant moved into the same neighborhood as the Pro Bowl tight end. Witten said last Friday “was an emotional day for all of us,” but defended the captains.

“I don’t know what all that’s about,” Witten said. “I know when you go through these processes there’s a lot of things that probably go into it. I know I enjoyed my time with Dez and I think that I appreciated everything that we were able to do. Certainly invested a lot in him and he has helped me become a better player, nfl jerseys for cheap too. So I appreciate that time together. Look, being a captain is a huge honor for me and the other guys and I know what those guys’ character is all about. There’s really nothing there.”

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Apr, 2018
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Manchester City Reportedly Avoid Transfer Ban After Benjamin Garre Investigation

Manchester City have reportedly avoided a two-window transfer ban following an investigation into the signing of Benjamin Garre.

As reported by James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been looking into the acquisition. Argentinian club Velez Sarsfield complained that City tried to lure Garre, now 17, away from them when he was 15 before signing him days after his 16th birthday.

However, according to Matt Lawton and Jack cheap nfl jerseys Gaughan of the Daily Mail, City will not be sanctioned after CAS gave the Premier League champions indication on Tuesday that the case will be thrown out.

If CAS had ruled in favour of Velez, then City would’ve been unable to register players for their squad for the next two windows.

“FIFA had upheld City’s argument that Garre was free to join them after his 16th birthday because he holds an Italian passport, but Velez alleged that FIFA rules only allow players under 18 to move between clubs in European countries,” added Ducker. “Velez also took the world governing body to CAS after they rejected an initial complaint from the South American club in September 2016.”170

Ducker noted that all parties involved were expecting an outcome in the case by March, although the complex nature of the deal means a verdict has been delayed.

As noted by Soccerway, Garre has made 13 appearances for City in Premier League 2 this season, scoring three goals.

According to Lawton and Gaughan, manager Pep Guardiola is keen to add two or three new players to his squad this summer after the team clinched the Premier League title last weekend.

And despite some fears about a two-window transfer ban,cheap nfl authentic jerseys it appears as though City will be able to strengthen their title-winning squad once again.

In recent years, other massive clubs have been hit with transfer bans by FIFA. Barcelona were the first major side to face one, as they were unable to register new players in January 2015 and the following summer.

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Apr, 2018
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Harry Kane on target for Tottenham but Pascal Gross earns point for Brighton

It was on this day last year that Brighton ensured their promotion from the Championship. On Tuesday night at the Amex Stadium they took a small step towards retaining their Premier League status for another season.

The fiendish nature of their run-in has been well-documented and Chris Hughton’s team must still face the Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Burnley in their final matches.nfl jerseys for cheap They needed something, anything, to allow them to breathe a little easily after a worrying run of one point from an available 15. This was it.
Brighton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League – as it happened
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The horror of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace was forgotten as Brighton put their bodies on the line to earn precious reward. The roar from the home crowd at the full-time whistle told its own story. Brighton are eight points clear of third-from-bottom Southampton, although they have played a game more.

Tottenham have a bigger match round the corner in the shape of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United and Mauricio Pochettino appeared to have one eye on it with his team selection. He made six changes from Saturday’s home defeat by Manchester City and omitted Davinson Sánchez and Dele Alli from the squad entirely. He gave Toby Alderweireld his first Premier League action since 28 October and the centre-half was not overly extended.169

However, Pochettino made the point yet again that the league was the priority. The personnel changes, he said, were purely down to fatigue from the City game. “If we win the FA Cup, we are not going to play Champions League,” Pochettino said. “You only do that if you finish in the top four. Today was the most important game.”

For Tottenham it felt like points dropped. Pochettino was entitled to say that his team had “dominated” the game in terms of possession and territory but he was also on the money when he lamented a “lack of aggression” in the final third. They were unable to create sufficient clear-cut chances.

Harry Kane put Spurs in front with his 26th goal of the Premier League season – cheap nfl jerseys his Golden Boot rival, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, has 30 – but Brighton showed their strength of character with an instant riposte through Pascal Gross’s penalty. Hughton had given him the responsibility after a couple of penalty misses this season by Glenn Murray.

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