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NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders know all too well how playoff aspirations can be ruined by a poor start. They will look to keep reminding Edmonton of that Tuesday night when the skidding Oilers begin a pivotal four-game East Coast trip during an interconference clash at Barclays Center.
The Islanders and Oilers continued traveling in opposite directions Sunday night. New York picked up its sixth win in eight games with a 6-4 victory over the visiting Colorado Avalanche. Host Edmonton fell to the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 for its fifth loss in seven games.
The recent surge by the Islanders (8-5-1) has put them in much better shape than a year ago, when a 6-10-4 record through Thanksgiving weekend left New York in a hole from which it could not recover.
The Islanders turned things around last season under Doug Weight, who was named head coach on Jan. 17 and steered the team to a 24-12-4 finish that left the club one point shy of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
However, he is nowhere near satisfied, even though Weight has overseen a solid start in his first full season,adidas Carey Price jersey, especially after New York gave up two goals in the final 30 seconds of the Sunday win.
"Listen,adidas Andrew Shaw jersey, and we've got to get better from it,authentic Max Pacioretty jersey, no one's trying to ignore guys in coverage and sleep,authentic Mike Fisher jersey, but that's what happened -- it's a shame,authentic P.K Subban jersey," Weight said. "It's two points, somehow. I'm not going to -- I refuse to put it in a cabinet. I just cannot do that. So I won't do that."
The Oilers (4-8-1) are at a juncture where any points will look like good points. Edmonton, fueled by rookie superstar Connor McDavid, snapped the NHL's longest playoff drought last season when it reached the Western Conference semifinals. The Oilers were a popular pick to reach the Stanley Cup this season.
Yet the Oilers are one of just two teams in the NHL with fewer than 10 points -- ahead of only the Arizona Coyotes.
Edmonton, which also will visit the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Washington Capitals in a trip that ends Sunday night, ranks last in the league in goals (30), and its goal differential of minus-13 is fifth worst.
"You don't get to participate in April or May hockey (with a) .333 (winning percentage),authentic Carey Price jersey," Oilers coach Todd McLellan told the Edmonton Journal. "You sure don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out."
Oilers ironman goalie Cam Talbot,adidas Max Pacioretty jersey, who has started all 13 games this season,adidas Mike Fisher jersey, is expected to be in net Tuesday. The Islanders could choose to give Thomas Greiss,adidas P.K Subban jersey, who made 31 saves Sunday, consecutive starts for the first time this year.
New York goalie Jaroslav Halak, whose three-start streak was snapped Sunday, stopped just 15 of 19 shots in his previous appearance against the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
Talbot is 5-2-0 in nine career appearances against the Islanders. Greiss is 4-0-2 in six career games against the Oilers.
The opener of the road trip will serve as a reunion of sorts for Oilers center Ryan Strome and Islanders right winger Jordan Eberle, authentic Andrew Shaw jersey,who were traded for each other on June 22.
COSTA MESA — The Chargers are tied for the worst record in the AFC West. But in an NFL season with few dominant teams,Womens Melvin Ingram Jersey, they can still make plenty of noise through the final eight weeks.
after his team’s bye. “I’d like to be in a better position,Womens Dalvin Cook Jersey, ” Coach Anthony Lynn said Monday,“I like our chances, but everything’s still in front of us. The whole division is still in front of us. We’re not out of this yet.”
who did not play in Week 1 due to Hurricane Irma. Eleven of them won their next game. How much the break helped those teams is unclear: Five post-bye victories this season have come against the 49ers and the Giants, 18 teams have played games after a weekend off — including Miami and Tampa Bay,Might the rest do the Chargers (3-5) some good? This season, franchises that have combined for a 1-16 record so far this fall.
the Giants pulled off their lone win in Denver,Curiously, against a Broncos squad that looked rusty after its own bye week in early October.
” said Lynn,“I’m not sure if that’s an advantage at all, whose Chargers are due to visit Jacksonville this Sunday. “I’ve seen teams come off a bye and don’t play very well. I’ve seen teams that are playing stay in the same rhythm.”
and pull within a few possessions of upsetting the defending champion Patriots. They’re staring up at the division, Lynn has seen his team lose four straight, but the next few rungs of the ladder are within reach: Oakland is a half-game ahead with four wins, win three straight,Halfway through his debut campaign as a head coach, and Kansas City leads the way at 6-3.
Lynn opted to cancel all practices during last week’s bye,Womens Allen Robinson Jersey,With four of their losses coming by eight or fewer points, giving players time to decompress and get away from football.
like cornerback Casey Hayward,Womens Joey Bosa Jersey, like defensive tackles Brandon Mebane and Damion Square,Authentic Melvin Ingram Jersey, stayed in town. By Monday,Some,Authentic Dalvin Cook Jersey, flew out of state to their offseason homes. Others, everyone had returned to the Chargers’ practice facility, rolling through what Lynn called a “bonus practice” — a session focused mostly on conditioning and individual work.
shoulder and foot injuries this season. He has yet to miss a game, for example, but Lynn said time away from the practice field has left the third-year pro “rusty” in pass protection. Because the Chargers run so many different offensive looks, has been slowed by knee,The rest of the week will be key for several players. Running back Melvin Gordon, tailbacks risk falling behind on playbook intricacies if they take too much time off.
you get a better feel for those guys.” Lynn said. “Young backs,“Veteran backs, they really need to get on the practice field.”
who was placed on injured reserve following preseason ankle surgery. The former second-round pick is eligible to make his season debut against the Jaguars,Lynn will also keep close watch on linebacker Denzel Perryman, but the Chargers will monitor how he looks practicing with the starting defense before officially placing him on the active roster.
” Lynn said. “How much? Right now,“My bet is Denzel’s going to play, we don’t know.”
Cardinals sign Tuerk
Max Tuerk is getting his next chance in Arizona.
giving the interior lineman another shot at making his NFL career debut. The former third-round pick adds depth to the Arizona offense,The Cardinals signed the second-year pro off the Chargers’ practice squad,Authentic Allen Robinson Jersey, which recently lost backup center Daniel Munyer to a toe injury.
Tuerk has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game. He sat out the first four games of this season due to a PED suspension,Authentic Dan Fouts Jersey,An all-conference center at USC, and the Chargers waived him in early October. They re-signed him to their practice squad after losing starting left guard Matt Slauson to a season-ending biceps injury two weeks ago.
Lynn had not spoken with Tuerk as of Monday afternoon,Womens Dan Fouts Jersey,but wished the Santa Margarita Catholic alum well.
“I got the word last night,Authentic Joey Bosa Jersey,” Lynn said. “It’s a good move for him. Happy for him.”
GREEN BAY,Authentic Howie Long Jersey, when the Detroit Lions sprinted onto the field with fingers raised and running up and down the sideline as the clock ticked down., Wis. – There wasn't the jubilation of 2015
the Lions' 30-17 win over Green Bay on Monday night was methodical. It was thorough.,None of that was needed this time. There were no streaks to break. There was no surprise or baited breath or end-of-game excitement. No
And it left Lambeau Field with pockets of empty seats by the two-minute warning, fans ready to head home after watching Detroit win in Green Bay for the second time in three seasons. It was a game the Lions had to have and,Womens Khalil Mack Jersey, a game it followed through on., in a rarity for this franchise
The 2015 win in Lambeau Field was unexpected and coming off a complete shift at the top of the organization that led to the Lions hiring Rod Wood as team president and Bob Quinn as general manager.
This win Monday night was different. For Detroit, this was expected. The Lions were favored. The Lions -- for a rare time in the past two decades of this series -- had the better quarterback in Matthew Stafford because Brett Favre is retired and Aaron Rodgers is injured., despite its horrific record in Wisconsin over the past quarter-century
especially after a 3-1 start.,Authentic Leonard Williams Jersey,And the Lions were the team that was supposed to be the franchise capable of taking the next step from mediocrity into something else this season
where the Lions are already in a tough position to get a wild-card berth.,Authentic Joe Namath Jersey,Monday night doesn't exactly do that -- the Lions are still a .500 team -- but this win was one Detroit had to have if it wanted to realistically stay in the playoff chance in a tight NFC
They accomplished that in a way that has been unlike so many of their games this season. It was a fairly dominant Detroit win -- one in which the offense moved well and the defense was sharp. It was also a game in which the Lions,Womens Bo Jackson Jersey, played with a lead almost the entire time.,Authentic Khalil Mack Jersey, surprisingly
Detroit didn't have to do that against Green Bay. The Lions scored on their first drive for the first time all season. They had one of their better first halves of the season,Authentic Derek Carr Jersey,After three straight games in which the Lions started off slow and had to try to come back in the second half, with efficiency on offense -- two touchdowns on three drives and each drive going across the 50-yard-line. Defensively, keeping Brett Hundley to less than 100 yards passing and the Packers to 57 yards rushing., the Lions flustered Green Bay
the Lions didn't allow a first-half touchdown.,More important
Detroit got a clinical performance from Stafford -- 26-of-33 passing for 361 yards,Womens Derek Carr Jersey, two touchdowns and no interceptions. It's the type of performance the Lions are used to facing instead of administering to Green Bay. Against the blitz, the best any quarterback in the league has done against the blitz this season., Stafford was 12-of-18 for 252 yards and a touchdown
but they understood the importance of it. They understood that a three-game losing streak turning into four could severely impact their season.,Womens Leonard Williams Jersey,Womens Joe Namath Jersey,And it came at a time when Detroit had to have it. Most of the Lions didn't want to call Monday night a must-win game
Instead,Authentic Bo Jackson Jersey,it could end up leading to a playoff spot.,Womens Howie Long Jersey,Detroit erased all that and now faces one team with a record above .500 over the final eight games of the season -- Minnesota on Thanksgiving. And if Detroit plays like it did Monday night
After news broke that Ezekiel Elliott would indeed be suspended for six games,Authentic Adam Thielen Jersey, the speculation began. Fans and pundits alike wondered how the Cowboys would replace Elliott, who led the NFL in rushing as a rookie last season.
Many turned to Titans running back DeMarco Murray,Authentic Golden Tate III Jersey, who was the NFL's leading rusher in 2014 while with the Cowboys.
Murray laughed off those rumors on Thursday, saying he is perfectly content in Tennessee and has no desire to return to Dallas.
fans," said Murray, and obviously people talking about going to Dallas still,Womens Golden Tate III Jersey, but I’m happy here,Womens Calais Campbell Jersey,"I think that was just all speculation by more social media,Authentic Ryan Kerrigan Jersey, and they’re happy to have me here, who has 372 yards and two touchdowns so far this season with the Titans.
"I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the Titans organization for the last two years, and I see myself retiring here and being a great asset here moving forward. So I wasn’t obviously worried about it. I think it was all more speculation of what’s going on down there in Dallas. I’m happy here, ready to improve and help this team win.
"I think the chances of me going back there is probably close to Roger Staubach coming back and playing for them, too."
Murray was a third-round pick of the Cowboys in 2011 and the former Oklahoma running back spent his first four seasons with the Cowboys. He left following the 2014 season and signed with the Eagles as a free agent. After a disappointing season in Philadelphia, the Eagles traded him to the Titans in 2016 and he ran for 1,287 yards and nine scores last season.
The 29-year-old Las Vegas native been battling a hamstring injury this year while splitting time in the backfield with Derrick Henry, but Murray isn't going anywhere.
and not worry about anything. I can just go out there and focus on my game and helping this team get the job done.,Authentic Calais Campbell Jersey,"I’m just happy to obviously be back to myself and get things going,Womens Adam Thielen Jersey," a healthy Murray told reporters Thursday as the Titans prepare to face the Ravens on Sunday. "(I can) be faster,Womens Ryan Kerrigan Jersey, not worry about hamstrings
"I’m focused on this team, helping this team win and I’m excited to be here, excited to be a Titan and hopefully I can continue to do that for a while."
EAST RUTHERFORD,Womens Golden Tate III Jersey, N.J. – The Buffalo Bills entered Thursday with momentum and a chance to keep pace in the AFC East.
the team fell flat against the New York Jets,Instead,Authentic Adam Thielen Jersey, at one point facing a 27-point deficit in the fourth quarter before scratching together a couple of late touchdowns in a 34-21 loss.
Searching for answers, many of the Bills acknowledged that – simply – they weren’t good.
however,Womens Ryan Kerrigan Jersey, suggested timing might have had a factor,One player, too.
“Yeah, to force us to play games in four-day weeks is completely unfair. And it’s (expletive)., it’s tough, you know,” Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito said. “These Thursday night games – they suck. They throw a wrench in our schedule. It’s absolutely ridiculous that we have to do this. As physical as this game is, as much work and preparation that goes into this
“But,Authentic Golden Tate III Jersey,and we’ve got the Saints.”,Womens Calais Campbell Jersey,whatever. The league makes money off of it. That’s all they care about,Authentic Ryan Kerrigan Jersey, anyway. So we just keep trucking. We’ve got a tough group of guys in this locker room, you know, so it’s back to the drawing board, back to Buffalo
who made it clear he was not making excuses and added that he thought the Jets “outplayed” Buffalo,Incognito, is far from the first player in the NFL to complain about the short week. But it’s something almost every team has to face at some point this season (neither the Cleveland Browns nor the Jacksonville Jaguars play on a Thursday in 2017).
we had to come out of that funk. Nobody ever really stepped up from the leadership to change the momentum and shift it and we all kind of dwelled in the mediocrity all night.”, that’s an excuse,” linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. “Both teams had to play on a short week. As professionals,Authentic Calais Campbell Jersey, “No, we have to be up for it. We just didn’t come out and start fast. And once stuff went bad
The Bills (5-3) now have 10 days until their next game,Womens Adam Thielen Jersey, a home contest against the New Orleans Saints (5-2).
SANTA CLARA,Womens Dan Fouts Jersey, Calif. -- As San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch sat down to offer opening comments at quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's introductory news conference on Tuesday, he stopped in his tracks.
Before Lynch was even settled in his seat,Womens Dalvin Cook Jersey, Garoppolo already was speaking, asking local media members how they were doing, thanking the Niners for bringing him to the Bay Area and offering gratitude to the New England Patriots for giving him his first chance in the NFL.
Lynch smiled and tossed in his two cents.,When Garoppolo's remarks were done
"I think [coach] Kyle [Shanahan] will tell you a great quality in a quarterback is taking charge," Lynch said, a smile creeping across his face. "I thought I was starting."
the player whom the team believes can be its long-term answer at the game's most important position.,And so began the relationship between the 49ers and Garoppolo
the attention turned to just how long the relationship is going to last. The Niners sent a second-round pick to the Patriots for Garoppolo because they viewed him as a solution for the present and the future.,After the introductions
But Garoppolo is set to be a free agent after this season, and although the Niners have the franchise and transition tags at their disposal, neither side seems to be in a hurry to get a contract extension completed.
With Garoppolo's representatives in the crowd, Lynch outlined the plan for dealing with Garoppolo's future, citing that the first order of business is to get him in the playbook and to allow him to begin meeting his teammates.
"I can tell you, second-round picks are very valuable in this league, particularly where we are at as an organization, we're excited moving forward that he's going to be a part of our future.," Lynch said. "And so, this is a guy we wanted and were willing to give what we thought was a very valuable commodity and exchange for him. So
and we'll let everything else play out from there.","We believe very much that Jimmy is going to be our quarterback of the future
Garoppolo struck a similar tone when asked about his prospects for staying with the team beyond 2017.
type of thing,"I guess we'll see what happens," Garoppolo said. "You know, [I'm] thrilled to be here. I mean, we're just -- got to take it week-by-week right now. I've got a whole playbook to learn. The terminology, it's going to be like learning a different language. I'm looking forward to the challenge and enjoying the process.", just got here this morning. I couldn't be happier. But you know, I mean
they were more revealing when it came to what will happen in the near future. Shanahan confirmed that Garoppolo isn't likely to play this week and didn't want to put a specific target date on when Garoppolo could debut as a Niner.,While the Niners and Garoppolo are preaching patience in the long term
Shanahan indicated the Niners won't rush Garoppolo into action.,Womens Allen Robinson Jersey,With key offensive players such as left tackle Joe Staley (eye) and receiver Pierre Garcon (neck) dealing with injuries and a complex offensive system for his new quarterback to learn
"We'll look at that week-to-week,Authentic Melvin Ingram Jersey," Shanahan said. "It's a huge challenge. You know, Jimmy coming here,Womens Melvin Ingram Jersey, never playing in this offense before. I know it's a completely different terminology from what he had in New England and college. That takes a lot of time. I know Jimmy is going to come in here and do everything he can to get ready. I know we are too, but by no means are we trying to rush the process.
"I would definitely not expect it this week. We'll look at it each week and when we feel that he's comfortable and has a chance to go in there and have some success, with the time he's put in and the reps that he's got in practice, then we'll decide when that time is right."
As for how the trade came together, Lynch said the Patriots and Niners agreed not to go into too much detail about the machinations behind it. Lynch did, however, acknowledge that the 49ers inquired about Garoppolo in the offseason and the Patriots quickly rebuffed them.
Despite that, Lynch said he and Shanahan continued to study quarterbacks who might be available in 2018, including Garoppolo, so when the opportunity to acquire him came about, it wasn't a tough decision.
"We thought about it for about 10 minutes and said this is too good of an opportunity to not take advantage of, and so we jumped at it," Lynch said.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo repeatedly emphasized his excitement to finally have a chance to start. While he said he never reached a breaking point with the Patriots, he did say that he was thrilled to get the call that he had been traded on Monday night.
Soon after that call came, Garoppolo began receiving text messages and phone calls by the hundreds. Included in those reaching out was New England quarterback Tom Brady, who Garoppolo credited for helping him learn and answering any questions he had.
From there, Garoppolo packed as much as he could and got on a plane for the Bay Area on Tuesday morning. He arrived, took his physical and then met with the media. He even got a first look at his No. 10 jersey,Authentic Allen Robinson Jersey, a number vacated earlier in the day by receiver Kendrick Bourne, who switched to No. 84.
When the interviews and photo sessions were completed,Authentic Dalvin Cook Jersey, Garoppolo walked off to begin his new occupation as the Niners' franchise quarterback, a promotion more than 3? years in the making.
"I'm eager to get out there and show what I can do on Sundays," Garoppolo said. "This league,Authentic Joey Bosa Jersey, it's tough,Authentic Dan Fouts Jersey, you have to take advantage of them because you don't know when you're going to get another.", it really is,Womens Joey Bosa Jersey,so when you get your opportunities
FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
The New York Jets got some help for their banged-up secondary at the NFL's trade deadline.
Cornerback Rashard Robinson was acquired Tuesday from the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick in next year's draft.
Robinson was a fourth-rounder last year who was a starter for San Francisco, two interceptions,Authentic Golden Tate III Jersey, but has been penalized often during his young NFL career. He had 61 tackles,Womens Golden Tate III Jersey, 15 passes defensed,Authentic Adam Thielen Jersey, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 22 games with the 49ers.
"That's my dawg, somebody I'm real cool with. I think he fits any defense. He's a ballplayer,Authentic Ryan Kerrigan Jersey," wide receiver Jeremy Kerley said with a big smile. "He's a good football player. That's my friend, so he can adjust, he can adapt."
Kerley played with Robinson last year in San Francisco during the cornerback's rookie season.
"We'll definitely get somebody in the locker room who's a wildfire,' meaning he just brings a lot of energy. He's a cool dude," Kerley said. "I say a 'wildfire, that's my friend. I can't wait to see him."
It was unclear if Robinson would be available for the Jets' game Thursday night against Buffalo.
He provides depth — and a potential starter — for New York. Cornerback Morris Claiborne is dealing with a sore foot and Buster Skrine is in the league's concussion protocol, leaving their availability for the game against the Bills uncertain.
Jets rookie safety Jamal Adams was fired up to hear the news that his former LSU teammate was joining him in New York.
"Welcome home, man. I'm looking forward to it. I heard about it when I got to my locker. We're excited to have him, brother!" Adams said. "That's all I can say, man."
having been called for 10 this season — with eight accepted. His 17 accepted penalties since the start of last season are second in the NFL only to Tampa Bay offensive lineman Donovan Smith,Robinson has had issues with penalties in his brief time in the NFL, who has 18.
Robinson started San Francisco's first seven games this season, he has outstanding speed and a tall, but was recently demoted. At 6-foot-1 and 177 pounds,Authentic Calais Campbell Jersey, wiry frame. Robinson gets a fresh start on defense with the Jets.
"He's aggressive," Adams said. "He's long,Womens Calais Campbell Jersey, can play man-to-man,Womens Adam Thielen Jersey, rangy. He has all the tools to be one of the best."
The 22-year-old Robinson has had to overcome off-the-field issues,Womens Ryan Kerrigan Jersey, but was suspended during the 2014 season because of academic issues and a failed drug test. He was also arrested in 2015 and charged with unauthorized entry of his former teammate's apartment. He never played another down for the Tigers. The Pompano Beach, too. He played at LSU for two years, Florida, native then enrolled at Broward College to train for the draft.
It was the second trade of the day for the 49ers, who acquired New England backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for a 2018 second-round pick.
The deal was the first between the teams since 2006, when the Jets acquired running back Kevan Barlow from the 49ers for a fourth-rounder.
after seeing it on Twitter,It also came just moments after Bowles said during his post-practice news conference that he didn't anticipate any moves by the Jets before the deadline. He was surprised when a reporter told him, that New York acquired Robinson.
"Did we?" a puzzled Bowles said. "I wasn't aware of that, but I'll go upstairs and check on it."
Bowles was then asked what he knows about Robinson as a player.
"Nothing right now," the coach said.
the Jets waived defensive lineman Ed Stinson,To make room on the roster for Robinson, who had been dealing with a neck ailment.
BUFFALO — Tomas Hertl made an ambitious statement when he said the Sharks needed to grab eight out of a 10 possible points on their five-game East Coast road trip after their win over the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 17.
The Sharks couldn’t quite hit the bar that Hertl set for them,Authentic Ryan Nugent-Hopkins jersey, going 3-2 on the trip after picking up a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at Keybank Center Saturday.
But six of 10 points ain’t bad.
Logan Couture broke a 2-2 tie with 3:52 left in the third period,Authentic Connor McDavid jersey, making a world-class play by putting the puck under the crossbar from the lower-left circle as he was taking a hit from behind.
The goal was Couture’s eighth of the season and his fifth of the road trip, adidas Aaron Ekblad jersey,giving him six points on the five-game swing. Tomas Hertl and Justin Braun picked up assists on the game-winning goal.
The Sharks tied it up at 2-2 with just 11.6 seconds remaining in the second when Chris Tierney slammed in the rebound of a Melker Karlsson shot from the edge of the crease. Timo Meier earned the secondary assist,adidas Ryan Nugent-Hopkins jersey, getting the play started with a rush around the net.
The Sabres took a 2-1 lead off back-to-back goals from Ryan O’Reilly and Jason Pominville in the second.
O’Reilly snapped the Sharks streak of 21-consecutive kills at 2:55 of the middle frame, going top shelf from above the left circle on the power play after Team Teal took its fourth stick penalty of the game. The Sharks penalty kill had been a perfect 18-for-18 on the trip prior to O’Reilly’s goal.
Pominville gave the Sabres the lead 11:56 later,Authentic Jordan Eberle jersey, beating Aaron Dell to the near post on a shot from the inner-left circle.
The Sharks opened the scoring at 9:12 of the first when Joonas Donskoi hopped out of the penalty box to find a loose puck in his vicinity after it got past former-San Jose defenseman Matt Tennyson at the Sabres blue line. Donskoi capitalized on the gift from the former-Shark, streaking down the left wing and putting the puck in the top-right corner.
Backup goalie Aaron Dell stopped 31 of the 33 shots he faced.
Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news,adidas Connor McDavid jersey,commentary and conversation.
Dell made a sensational save on Jordan Nolan in the first,adidas Jordan Eberle jersey, using his stick to swat his shot off the goal line after the Sabres forward tried to fire in a rebound off the end boards.
Head coach Pete DeBoer helped Dell’s cause by pulling off a successful goaltender interference challenge with 2:48 left in the first. The Sabres power play goal was disallowed after it was ruled that Sam Reinhart’s contact with Dell as he skated through the crease thwarted the Sharks netminder’s ability to reset himself after Jack Eichel fired a shot off a rebound.
The Sharks will return home Monday for a bout against the Toronto Maple Leafs as Patrick Marleau makes his return to SAP Center.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- It's looking increasingly like Sean Payton and the Saints' scouting department found a game-changer with their top overall draft choice last spring.
New Orleans' defense desperately needed an elite play-maker after ranking no better than second-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed per game during the previous three seasons.
They bet cornerback Marshon Lattimore would be that type of player after a strong 2016 campaign at Ohio State - and it has paid off considerably.
Lattimore's second interception of his rookie season sealed the Saints' tense,Authentic Cam Newton Jersey, 20-12, Lattimore returned his first-career interception for a touchdown in a victory over Detroit.,Authentic Luke Kuechly Jersey, victory on Sunday as New Orleans extended its winning streak to five. Two weeks earlier
''Obviously,Womens Mitchell Trubiskyn Jersey, the hardest thing to measure in the draft is how quickly guys can transition (from college to pro football) and how smart they are,Authentic Jordan Howard Jersey, so he picks things up very quickly and plays with a lot of confidence.'',Womens Jordan Howard Jersey,'' Saints coach Sean Payton said. ''He's someone that's got good football IQ
Moments before his interception, who'd been the Bears' top receiver in the game. The rookie also noted he was eager to redeem himself for an earlier interception chance that he dropped., Lattimore said he anticipated a deep throw to Tre McBride
''I had to come back and make a play for the team and seal the deal, who was drafted 11th overall.,'' said Lattimore
He added that his adjustment has been made easier by a secondary that doesn't seem to resemble a position group that struggled for several seasons before he arrived.
''We want the game on our back. We want to be out there and seal the game,'' Lattimore said. ''We just have that mentality to go out there and make it happen.''
If not for two late turnovers by the Saints offense, the game might not have been nearly as close as it was.
New Orleans held Bears rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky - who was drafted second overall - to less than 50 percent passing. He was 14 of 32 passes for 164 yards in his fourth start.
Bears receiver Kendall Wright said Chicago's passing game ''can definitely be better.''
''We've just got to go back to the drawing board,'' Wright added.
Some things we learned from New Orleans' triumph over Chicago:
HUNGRY BEARS
While Chicago dipped two games below .500, they have reason for optimism regarding how competitive they might be after returning from next weekend's bye for their final eight games.
They've won two of four and both losses in that span were by one score. Furthermore,Authentic Walter Payton Jersey, only to have the third-quarter scoring play overturned on video review., they stayed with the Saints despite a pivotal play going against them in multiple ways when veteran tight end Zach Miller dislocated his knee on what was initially called a touchdown catch
''It's a tremendous loss,Womens Cam Newton Jersey,'' running back Tarik Cohen said of Miller's injury. ''He always gets us fired up and knows exactly what to say. We have to find ways to keep moving forward.''
GETTING PRESSURE
The Bears stalled two of the Saints' first three Drives with third-down sacks by defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. During the Saints' previous six games,Authentic Mitchell Trubiskyn Jersey,Brees had been sacked five times combined.
New Orleans' defensive front got pressure as well,Womens Walter Payton Jersey, sacking Trubisky twice. One sack by rookie Trey Hendrickson pushed back to 48 yards and field goal attempt that Chicago's Connor Barth missed late in the first half. Saints sack leader Cameron Jordan shared the other take-down of Trubisky with safety Kenny Vaccaro.
CLUTCH KICKING
Although Saints kicker Wil Lutz hasn't made everything, including two from 45 and 49 yards in the second half against Chicago. He's now 15 of 18 on field goals this season with all three misses from beyond 50 yards and one from beyond 50.,Womens Luke Kuechly Jersey, he seems to come through on important kicks
''He is striking the ball well, who has been through 11 kickers since taking over in 2006. ''I'm encouraged with the confidence he's been getting.'','' said Payton
CATCHING ON
With the Bears struggling to identify a No. 1 receiver, catching three passes for 92 yards. Two off those grabs were third-down conversions and the other was a 45-yard catch and run that set up Chicago's first field goal. He could be relied upon even more now that Miller is out indefinitely., McBride made a case for himself
TURNOVER BUG
Since tying an NFL record with no turnovers through their first four games, they now have turned it over in three straight games - seven times in all after Ingram's two fumbles against the Bears.
''You turn the ball over like we did,'' Payton said. ''You can't do it.'', and you don't deserve to win games like that
TAMPA, Authentic Brandin Cooks Jersey,Fla. (AP) -- Cam Newton is fine with where the Carolina Panthers are halfway through the season.
''At the end of the day, it's a lot of teams that wish they were 5-3,'' the quarterback said after Sunday's 17-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stopped a two-game losing streak that knocked the team out of first place in the NFC South.
''The optimism of it is we are 5-3. The negative of it is that we are 5-3,Authentic Harrison Smith Jersey,'' Newton added. ''With those games that we lost,Womens Sam Bradford Jersey, we are well aware that we could've changed the outcome of that with better play.''
Coach Ron Rivera echoes that sentiment, noting there plenty of room for improvement.
''I think it's good enough,Womens Stefon Diggs Jersey, but there's a problem about being good enough - that sometimes good enough is not good enough,Authentic Drew Brees Jersey,'' Rivera said. ''I think we can be better.''
Newton talks of holding himself to a higher standard offensively.
Defensively, the Panthers are on the way re-establishing themselves among the NFL's elite after not allowing opponents to score offensive touchdowns in consecutive games.
Tampa Bay (2-5) is answering questions about what it needs to do to get its season turned around after failing to score a TD in a game for the first time since Jameis Winston entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft.
The Panthers forced three turnovers by the young quarterback and also sacked him three times.
The Bucs have lost four straight, with Winston playing the past two games with an injured throwing shoulder. A defense expected to be a strength al(so seems to be regressing.
Winston rejects the notion there's little margin for error moving forward if the Bucs are going to turn their season around.
''That's every game we play, there's no room for error,'' the young quarterback said. ''It's not about the season. It's about the game we've got next week. It's about us approaching the game knowing that we are going to win. That's what it's about.''
Some takes from the Panthers win over the Bucs:
WINSTON'S SHOULDER: Tampa Bay's third-year quarterback said the sprained AC joint in his right shoulder wasn't a factor in his performance. Winston was 21 of 38 for 210 yards passing. He was intercepted twice and a lost a fumble. ''Three turnovers by me, you can't win like that,'' he said.
EFFICIENT, NOT FLASHY: Newton was 18 of 32 passing for 154 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He also led the Panthers with 44 yards rushing on 11 carries.
HE'S BACK: Carolina LB Luke Kuechly returned after missing one game because on a concussion. He had eight tackles, including one for a loss, and had an interception in the fourth quarter,Womens Harrison Smith Jersey, when the Panthers had two picks and stopped the Bucs another time on downs.
WHAT A RUSHER: Panthers DE Julius Peppers moved ahead of Hall of Famer Chris Doleman into fourth place on the career sack list with 151,Authentic Sam Bradford Jersey,Authentic Stefon Diggs Jersey, taking down Winston and forcing a fumble in the second quarter. The 16-year veteran has 7 1/2 this season. Tampa Bay,Womens Brandin Cooks Jersey, which didn't have any Sunday,Womens Drew Brees Jersey, has seven as a team - last in the league.
''Right now, I'm more excited about us getting a road win because this was really important for the team,'' said Peppers, who was named a captain for the game and was also presented with a game ball in recognition of the milestone.
''I'm not trying to diminish the other stuff that happened because that's a big deal too, but more important is what's going on with everybody in this locker room,'' he added. ''Everybody contributed today, everybody did their part, and it's a big team win.''