SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Raffi Torres is making progress but its still unclear whether hell play for the San Jose Sharks in their playoff opener Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Torres missed all but five games during the regular season after undergoing surgery on Sept. 26 to repair a torn ligament in his right knee. The Sharks forward missed the first 59 regular-season games and returned to play the next five of six before sitting out the final 17. Torres said he probably wont know until game day whether hell be in the lineup for the Sharks when the first-round series opens in San Jose. "Today was a better day," Torres said after practice Tuesday. "I feel like were getting on the right track. So I feel good about that. It will probably be Thursday when we make a decision, but today was a better day for sure." Sharks coach Todd McLellan said Torres "looked really good." "He looked fresh and alert and looked like he was Raff, the way hes supposed to look," McLellan said. Torres was injured on Sept. 20 in a collision with Anaheim Ducks forward Emerson Etem during an exhibition game. He underwent surgery six days later. After the NHLs break for the Sochi Olympics, Torres made his season debut on Feb. 28 against the Philadelphia Flyers and scored two goals in a 7-3 victory. He took the next game off then played four straight games, scoring a goal and recording two assists during that stretch as the Sharks beat New Jersey, lost to Carolina then beat Pittsburgh and Montreal. Torres appeared to have made a successful recovery from knee surgery, but that Montreal game on March 8 turned out to be his last regular-season appearance. "I got a few bounces to go my way," Torres said. "At the end of the day I just go by how I feel. Sometimes I feel terrible out there and score a couple goals, kind of how I did in Philly. I know physically I could be a lot better there. It was nice to contribute for five games, for sure, dont get me wrong. I just want to be able to feel good at the end of the game." Last season Torres played in only the first game of the Sharks second-round series against Los Angeles, which they lost in seven games. He was suspended for the rest of that series for a hit to the head of Kings forward Jarret Stoll. That marked the fourth career suspension for Torres. If he does play against Los Angeles, Torres plans to play his typical aggressive, hard-hitting game, but he knows theres a line he cant cross. "I understand that Ive got a little bit more of a target on my back," said Torres, who signed a three-year, $6 million contract extension in June. "Ill have to be careful out there, for sure." Losing Torres after Game 1 against the Kings last season was a huge blow to the Sharks, who had swept Vancouver in the first round. Getting Torres back to face the Kings this year would provide a big boost, Sharks centre Logan Couture said. "I dont know if he is going to (play), but hed bring energy," Couture said. "His style of game, hes hard on the forecheck. He creates momentum for our team. The crowd enjoys when hes on the ice. Hopefully, well get him back." . Leave it to Matt Niskanen, the newly proclaimed Eddie Haskell of the Washington Capitals. . Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson.
http://www.cheapraidersjerseyssale.com/ ... ersey-sale. -- Houstons All-Star tandem of James Harden and Dwight Howard refused to let the Rockets give in to fatigue. . -- A lawyer for the fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez asked a judge Friday to throw out perjury charges, saying Shayanna Jenkins did not wilfully lie as she was bombarded with 1,630 questions over two days before a grand jury. . At this rate, the Flyers captain is set to be remembered more for a fantastic finish.Max Verstappen admits he was a bit shocked after learning of his Red Bull promotion, but isnt feeling the pressure ahead of his Spanish GP debut. Verstappen has swapped places with Daniil Kvyat after the Russian was unceremoniously dropped back to Toro Rosso after his crashes last weekend in Sochi.The 18-year-old spent Thursday at Red Bulls Milton Keynes factory and has a week to prepare for the next race in Barcelona, where he will drive the RB12 for the first time. Kravitz on the Red Bull swap Why have Red Bull swapped Max Verstappen and Daniil Kvyat now - and what does it tell us? Well, of course I was very happy, he said. A bit shocked as well - I didnt expect it, but yes Im very happy with the opportunity of course.I have to say a big thank you to Red Bull and Dr Helmut Marko and now I just cant wait to jump into the car.I wouldnt say theres more pressure to be honest. Of course Im driving for a top team now, but in the end you always try to do your best which is what I always try to do. For me, I dont feel more pressure. Verstappen will partner Daniel Ricciardo, who he lives in the same building with in Monaco, for the remainder of the 2016 season, and there are theories that Red Bull have dumped Kvyat just to keep the Dutchman away from rivals.The youngster is thought to be tied to Red Bull until the end of 2017 but it is an open secret Mercedes and Ferrari are monitoring his progress closely. Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle felt the timing of the line-up change was a masterstroke from Red Bull after Kvyats error-strewn performance at his home grand prix when he both ended Sebastian Vettels race and hampered his teams. Just four races into the new season, Max Verstappen has swapped places with Daniil Kvyat I think it was the perfect chance for Red Bull to move him out the way, Brundle told Sky Sports News HQ.dddddddddddd They want to do something with Verstappen, they have to protect him, keep him in the Red Bull team moving forward.They know Mercedes want him, they know Ferrari will want him and other teams too. Its a bit of a masterstroke from Red Bull actually, as brutal as it looks for Kvyat. We look back at the crash that cost Daniil Kvyat his place in the Red Bull line-up from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards Verstappen, meanwhile, said he never felt the urge to move and was always very happy at Red Bull.He added: To be honest, I was always very happy at Red Bull. I never saw reason to change and of course with this opportunity there is no reason to change so Im happy to be here.Its a great honour and its a top team and thats where every driver wants to drive I think. I cant wait to get started. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade Also See: Button questions Red Bull WATCH: The crash that cost Kvyat F1 Gossip: Verstappen reaction Kravitz on the Red Bull swap ' ' '
