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PITTSBURGH -- James Neal saw the puck roll to the corner and sprinted to dig it out. David Harris Womens Jersey . The sight of hockeys most intimidating player standing in his way hardly mattered. The Pittsburgh Penguins forward shoved Boston defenceman Zdeno Chara -- all 6-foot-9 of him -- in the back then nudged the puck to teammate Evgeni Malkin. The NHLs leading scorer fed Matt Niskanen at the point, and when Niskanens slap shot hit the back of the net the leagues hottest team was on its way to a 5-2 win. "We wanted to get on (Chara) and be physical and affect him as much as possible," Neal said. "We did a good job at that from the first shift on." Neal finished with three points -- including his first goal since signing a $30-million contract extension last month -- for the Penguins, who have won nine straight to keep the pressure on the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers. Chris Kunitz, Arron Asham, Pascal Dupuis and Niskanen also scored for Pittsburgh while Malkin had three assists to move into the NHL points lead with 84, two ahead of Tampa Bays Steven Stamkos. Malkin also became the 17th Russian-born player to top 500 career points, though he was hardly concerned with the milestone. "I not think about my points now," Malkin said. "The season continues and playoffs come soon." And Pittsburghs post-season prospects appear to be improving by the day. The Penguins started the day four points behind the New York Rangers for the Atlantic Division lead and could get captain Sidney Crosby back by Thursday, when they start a pivotal three-game road trip at Madison Square Garden. Crosby hasnt played since concussion-like symptoms returned in early December but was cleared for contact last week and said on Saturday playing soon is a possibility. Whenever he comes back, Crosby will join a team thats starting to look like a Stanley Cup contender even without the former MVPs talents. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 34 shots to run his personal winning streak to eight, as the Penguins jumped on the Bruins early. David Krejci scored twice for Boston, but the Penguins chased Tim Thomas after the first period. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner stopped just seven of the 10 shots he faced before making way for Marty Turco. "I think it was a good opportunity for Marty to go in," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "When youre down by three goals against Pittsburgh, give the guy an opportunity. I wanted to see how he responded. Tims has played a lot lately. It was an opportunity to give him some rest." Something the defending Stanley Cup champions need. Pittsburghs winning streak is the second-longest in the league this season behind a 10-game run the Bruins put together in November. The Bruins have been stuck in a holding pattern since that streak ended Nov. 23, unable to play with any kind of consistency. They appeared to be ready to bust out of their funk last week with wins over Toronto and Buffalo, but the momentum evaporated in a span of 28 hours. The Bruins let enigmatic Washington race to a quick two-goal lead and hold on for a 4-3 victory on Saturday afternoon in Boston before hopping on a plane to Pittsburgh to prep for a game that was moved up seven hours to accommodate national television. The sluggishness showed during Pittsburghs dominant first period. The Penguins attacked from the opening faceoff, winning every important puck battle while slapping the Bruins around. "We came out as physical as we have been in a long time," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. "It had an effect early on. One of the things we were wanting to do is establish our offensive zone from a physicality standpoint." Ashams fourth goal of the season came after one such victory, as Craig Adams dug the puck out of the corner then passed it to Ben Lovejoy at the point. Lovejoys slapshot was blocked, but Asham pounced on the rolling puck and beat Thomas with ease less than four minutes in. Niskanens goal came in much the same fashion thanks to Neal and Malkins hard work in the corner against Chara. By the time Neal netted his 31st goal of the season on the power play with 1:18 left in the first the Penguins were in complete control. "We were caught chasing a two-goal deficit before the game even started," Boston forward Shawn Thornton said. "Really it wasnt for lack of effort, just bad bounces ... but for the last 40 minutes we played a solid game even with a short bench." By then, however, it was too late though Turco did his best to pick up his teammates. The 36-year-old veteran played in Austria this winter before the Bruins signed him last week to replace injured backup Tuukka Rask. Turcos appearance was the first for Boston by a goaltender other than Thomas or Rask since Manny Fernandez took the ice for Boston in 2009. Turco let in an early goal by Kunitz but was sharp otherwise, making a sprawling save on Jordan Staal a few minutes after entering, and the Bruins seemed to settle down. "It was good to get in there," Turco said. "Every minute I felt a little better and more comfortable." Boston closed with 4-2 midway through the second period on Krejcis second goal but Fleury made sure the Bruins would get no closer and Dupuis 18th goal of the season late in the third period gave Pittsburgh extra breathing room. NOTES: Boston D Adam McQuaid and forwards Max Sauve and Patrice Bergeron all left with injuries but Julien said they didnt appear to be serious. ... Pittsburghs winning streak is the franchises longest since 12 straight during the 2010-11 season ... Staal assisted on Dupuis third-period goal to extend his points streak to a career-best seven games. Joe Namath Jersey . The solutions? Not so much. Given an extra week to stew over the worst start in 45 years, Tomlin is tweaking the lineup hoping to find a spark that will help his team begin the long road back to respectability. Sheldon Richardson Jersey . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that.GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Indians are going down a familiar path with a star pitcher. Cleveland has suspended talks on a contract extension with ace Justin Masterson, agreeing that its time to focus on the upcoming season. Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Friday that the club made a "very competitive" offer to Masterson, but the sides couldnt find common ground. Negotiations broke down with agent Randy Rowley on Thursday. "I met with Justin this morning," Antonetti said. "At this point we both agreed to table discussions on a multiyear contract and potentially revisit it down the road. But right now the focus will be on preparing for the season." Masterson, who avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year, $9.726 million salary for 2014, can become a free agent after the season. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch on opening day against Oakland on March 31. Antonetti said the sides may discuss a new deal at a later unspecified time. "We made an earnest effort to find common ground and get something done. In the end we werent able to align," Antonetti said. "We have a profound belief in Justin. He embodies everything we want our players to be. Hes a great teammate, a great person and an exceptional performer. "There remains a desire from our side that he remains here long term. I believe hed like to be here long term." Masterson reportedly gave the Indians proposals on two- and three-year contracts at roughly $17 million per season. The Indians are believed to have offered packages at $14 million per year. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Masterson is scheduled to pitch on Friday against Colorado. The situation isnt a new one for the Indians, who were unable to reach long-term deals in the past with CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee and were forced to trade the former Cy Young Award winners. Masterson emerged as the staffs No. 1 starter last season, when he went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA. He made the All-Star team for the first time. Its the Indians preference not to negotiate any player contracts during the season, the team is aware of fan reaction concerning the teams long-term goals. "We are fortunate that Justin is here for this season," Antonetti said. "There willl be other junctures where we can explore an extension with him — its just not right now. Darrelle Revis Jersey. . We dont want any distractions but if there is a right time to talk about it, were open to it." The Indians signed outfielder Michael Brantley to a four-year, $25 million contract last month. Theyve had preliminary talks with All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis about an extension, and they could be facing a decision with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who is in the final year of his contract. Antonetti said the six-year, $105 million contract pitcher Homer Bailey signed with Cincinnati has an influence on the teams talks with Masterson. Bailey is 24-22 the last two seasons while Masterson is 25-25. "Thats one of the contract extensions thats in the marketplace," Antonetti said. "We are very cognizant of that contract but there are others. We made an earnest effort to offer Justin a contract that was fair relative to the marketplace, but we didnt attach it, nor do we ever, attach it to any one contract specifically." Antonetti would not discuss the possibility of a new deal for Kipnis. Manager Terry Francona does not expect the breakdown of negotiations to negatively affect Masterson — or his teammates. "It wont affect his performance," Francona said. "I dont know how it doesnt affect you. Its a big part of your life, but I think Mastys got his act together. Ive never seen someone who had his priorities together as much as Masty." Francona believes there will be discussion in the clubhouse, but believes his team will stay focused. "I bet the guys will be bummed out a little. I think they all like him and Chris (Antonetti) wanted to get it done or he wouldnt have tried but it doesnt carry over," he said. "Thats the way the game is. Thats why they set the deadline, lets not let this go into the season. "Realistically, you cant sign everybody you want to or everybody would be signed. For the Indians to be talking to him about that type of money, shows how much they like him," he added. "Just because you dont get a deal done doesnt mean you dont respect or care about that player. It has to fit into the parameter of the team." cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
