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OTTAWA -- Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson is downplaying the impending battle between him and New York Rangers all-star netminder Henrik Lundqvist. Dez Bryant Jersey Dallas Cowboys . "For the most part its me versus the shooters and not so much me against Henrik," said Anderson as his eighth-seed Senators prepare to take on the first-place Rangers starting with Game 1 on Thursday in New York. Game 2 is set for Saturday before heading to Ottawa on April 16th for Game 3. Lundqvist has posted career numbers this year and has ample playoff experience, having played 35 career post-season games. That doesnt intimidate Anderson. "We both have the same goal and thats to give our team a chance to win," said Anderson. "Guys maybe feed off each other when one makes a big save it kind of forces you to make a big save and it can kind of go back and forth, but thats really the only comparison you have during a game." Theres little doubt that if the Senators hope to compete with the Rangers they will need Anderson to be as good if not better than he was during the regular season, when he went 33-22-6 in 63 games. "Andys a key part to our team and hes going to play real well for us and their goalies going to play well," said Ottawa forward Jason Spezza. "We anticipate a long series where theres going to be a lot of give and take." With just six playoff games Anderson has little experience in the post-season, but to his credit he has a 6-0-0 record with a 1.13 GAA and two shutouts in six career starts at Madison Square Garden. In his last appearance on January 12 he stopped all 34 shots in a 3-0 Senators win. "Every team Ive played on seems to have gone in that building and played really well," said Anderson. "Youre on the biggest stage in America, maybe even the world. Its Madison Square Garden, its New York, its where you want to be." With players looking for every possible edge when it comes to the post-season Anderson said its up to individuals to find their own personal motivation. "You have to feed off something and take the positives from the past and winning at MSG is definitely a positive and Ill take that," said Anderson. "Thats one thing I can feed off and maybe something the team can feed off knowing weve had success in that building." Like Anderson, Senators coach Paul MacLean believes players should take advantage of any edge available. "Some players play better in some buildings than others," said MacLean. "If you feel good playing in a place it certainly helps you when youre going in there that youve played well and have confidence." Notes: C Mika Zibanejad was practising on the top line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek leading to suspicion that he could play during the series. Coach Paul MacLean admitted the plan is for Zibanejad to play two games with the AHLs Binghamton Senators this weekend, but they "wont be afraid" to use him later in the series. ... D Matt Carkner missed practice for the second straight day with a lower body injury, but is expected to be able to rejoin the team Wednesday. C Jim OBrien left practice early after taking a puck to the hand and will be re-evaluated, but MacLean didnt anticipate it being anything serious. Cole Beasley Jerseys . The Missouri Tigers Defensive End and SEC Defensive player of the year is eligible for the upcoming NFL draft in May. Dan Bailey Jerseys . It offers no assurances and doesnt apply any context, like, for example, taking injuries into account. Last year, this method forecasted the first round at a 7-1 clip; this year it was 5-3, with losses on Columbus, Colorado and San Jose. MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Love had just finished carrying his Minnesota Timberwolves over .500 for the first time since Nov. 23, playing the entire second half and over 43 minutes to make it happen. So naturally, he hit the weight room after the game. Without his Bruise Brother Nikola Pekovic by his side for at least another week, Love knows hes going to be tested like he rarely has before. Love had 30 points and 14 rebounds to help the Timberwolves grind out an 88-77 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. "I was a little upset with myself with some of the shots I took that I felt like I couldve made," said Love was of 11 of 26 and 1 for 6 on 3-pointers. "The ball didnt feel great tonight. Thats the way it goes sometimes. If I can do that and we can win without Pek, thats a good sign." Kevin Martin added 18 points on 7-of-18 shooting and six boards for the Timberwolves (23-22) in their first game without Pekovic, who is expected to miss at least a week with bursitis in his right ankle. They still managed to get over .500 after failing in their previous 10 chances to do so. Al-Farouq Aminu had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans, who were missing star forward Anthony Davis with a dislocated left index finger. They shot 35 per cent and managed a season-low 35 points in the first half to snap a three-game winning streak. Davis was injured in the victory over the Cavaliers on Tuesday night, but coach Monty Williams said he was playing it safe with his franchise player and expected him to return on Saturday against Chicago. "He can knock down the mid-range shot down so a lot of their bigs were in the paint just helping and we had to go up against a big every time," said Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans, who had 11 points on 4-for-15 shooting. "So it was pretty tough." In an ugly game for both teams, the Pelicans managed to hang around and trailed by five heading into the fourth. But Love, who played the entire second half, scored six straight points during an 8-0 burst to oopen the quarter and help the Wolves win for the fifth time in six games. Emmitt Smith Jerseys. "With Pek out, we really have to find a way to relieve the pressure off (Love), move him around and stuff," Wolves coach Rick Adelman said. "We know teams are going to come at him. ... So we have to find ways to figure it out." Both teams looked lost without their lynch pins in the paint in the first half. The Pelicans, who also are missing Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson, hovered around 25 per cent shooting for most of the first quarter and were still at 30 per cent late into the third quarter against a Wolves defence that has been among the worst in the league from a field goal percentage basis. Without Pekovic commanding double teams and bulling his way to the basket, the Wolves have had to focus more on the defensive end. That left Love to go to work on the offensive end, and he was more aggressive looking for his shot than he has been with the big fella next to him in the frontcourt. In his first game at home since he was voted in as an All-Star starter for the Western Conference, Love came out firing, taking nine shots and attacking the glass. And when point guard Ricky Rubio went to the bench early in the third quarter with four fouls, Love started distributing more, picking up five assists to help the Wolves push back against the plucky Pelicans. "I know some of our guys are a bit overwhelmed with trying to play at a high level, but we had our chances," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "This is when you have to step up and we just didnt do it tonight. That happens." NOTES: Eric Gordon scored 14 on 5 for 17 shooting for New Orleans. ... Before the game started, Love grabbed the mic and thanked the Wolves fans for voting him as a starter in the All-Star game. He posted his NBA-leading 27th game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. ... Greg Stiemsma started in place of Davis and finished with three points and 12 rebounds and has grabbed at least 10 boards in two straight games. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' ' |
