TORONTO -- Jerry DAmigo has watched the Toronto Maple Leafs seven-game losing streak from the nearby Marlies of the AHL. In a hockey market like this, its impossible to avoid hearing all about it. Now DAmigo will likely be thrust into the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night to try to do his part -- however small it might be -- to end the skid and save the Leafs playoff hopes. "Im not trying to solve the whole thing here," DAmigo said. "Im just going to put in my best effort and give the guys some energy here. Hopefully (raise) them up a little bit." Unless DAmigo manages to score or create a big goal, itll take much more than a fourth-line energy guy to make the Leafs rise up and find a consistent level of play that has been lacking of late, even against a banged-up opponent. If theres any time to find that extra gear, its against a Red Wings team the Leafs are tied with at 80 points. "Obviously weve been fighting it of late," winger Mason Raymond said. "But this is a team we are battling with for a playoff spot. Theyve been doing well of late so we have quite the test ahead of us." Figuring 92 points as a legitimate target to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, a loss to the Red Wings at Air Canada Centre would just about force the Leafs to win out in their final six games. A victory and some help from the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals puts Toronto right back into it. Coach Randy Carlyle knows this is a difficult spot but doesnt find it difficult to remain positive when speaking with his players. "This isnt a fun place to be right now, Ill tell you that, and theres pressure being applied in different areas, but the No. 1 thing that we have to do is we have to focus on self-improvement by a certain amount, and that will help the team grow," Carlyle said. The Red Wings havent been in a tailspin like the Leafs, but theyve been in the thick of this playoff race long enough to know what to expect Saturday night. "They need a win and we need a win and thats been the case each night weve played probably for 20 games," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "So were used to the environment were in. It should be a lot of fun here tonight. They need a win and we need a win, its just that simple." NOTES -- Jonathan Bernier is expected to be in goal for the Leafs, which would mark the first time this season he starts on back-to-back days. Jimmy Howard starts for Detroit. ... Toronto is 6-9 in the second half of back-to-back games, including losses in the last two of those situations. ... Defenceman Paul Ranger (neck) is "an option" for the Leafs, according to Carlyle. If Ranger plays, it could mean going back to 11 forwards and seven defencemen, though it was not clear which forward would come out of the lineup. . He managed to save par, and went on to put together his best opening round of the year. Calcavecchia and Wes Short Jr. . Casey Janssen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to a strain in his left abdominal area and lower back.
http://www.cheapbrewersjerseysauthentic.com/. Jim Leyland, in his eighth playoffs, has never had a starting rotation he trusts as much as the grouping of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister. . Andrew Luck couldnt believe his ears. Colts fans couldnt believe the scoreboard, and the Kansas City Chiefs couldnt believe their incredibly bad luck. .m. on Friday. Granger was acquired from the Indiana Pacers last Thursday for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, but never played a minute for Philadelphia. The 76ers also received a 2015 second-round draft pick in the deal.Michael ONeill hailed the performance of Chris Brunt after he returned to Northern Irelands side in their 4-0 win over Azerbaijan. Brunt, who missed Euro 2016 with injury, made his first international appearance in 13 months as Northern Ireland eased to a victory that moves them up to second in World Cup Qualifying Group C.Kyle Lafferty fired in the opening goal from a long throw before Gareth McAuley and Conor McLaughlin scored from set pieces. The scoring was rounded off when Brunts shot was flicked in by Steven Davis.Asked about Brunts display, ONeill told Sky Sports: He was brilliant. We dont have a like-for-like replacement so when we lost him in the summer [at Euro 2016] we had to change our system. We saw his class tonight. Watch highlights of Northern Irelands win Northern Ireland are now above Azerbaijan on goal difference and ONeill was pleased their gameplan paid off.dddddddddddde played Josh [Magennis] purposefully on the right because we knew their full-back was small, so we exploited that, he said.We got a lot of balls in the box and knew they would struggle to defend that. It was a comfortable victory in the end.Next up for Northern Ireland is another home match next in March when they face Norway.We have drilled it into them, they know how we want to play, said ONeill. They make good decisions at the right times, three of our back four scored, so we are delighted with the result. Also See: N Ireland 4-0 Azerbaijan As it happened N Ireland fixtures Live on Sky ' ' '
