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| Author: | yyys123 [ Fri Jan 17, 2020 4:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | cause, he said, |
This is Nazem Kadris opportunity. With Tyler Bozak expected to miss at least a week because of a lower-body injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs are counting on Kadri to fill his spot as the first-line centre between James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel. If Saturday nights showing against the Pittsburgh Penguins was any indication, Kadri is well-suited for that promotion, even if its just a short-term one. Kadri scored the game-winning goal and felt comfortable with his new linemates almost right away. "Theyre good players, so you usually just have to be at the right spot at the right time and the puck is on your stick," Kadri said. "Were all on the same page, offensively." Of course it took some time for the new-look first line to find some chemistry. "I think the first maybe the first period or two we were feeling each other out a little bit," van Riemsdyk said. "But the only way to really develop that chemistry is to play with a guy and have that continuity with that. Obviously Naz is a really skilled player. It definitely makes the transition easier." Kadri had first-line-calibre numbers in 2013: 18 goals and 26 assists in the lockout-shortened, 48-game season. A restricted free agent this past off-season, he signed a US$5.8-million, two-year contract with the Leafs. Bozak has long been partnered up with Kessel, and coach Randy Carlyle likes to keep pairs like that together. But a lower-body injury suffered Friday in Columbus forced change, and Kadri made a good first impression on the first line. "Nazy played hard," Carlyle said. "He made some plays through the neutral ice. There was a little flopping around there a few times, diving around, but not many guys can go in and make that play that he made to score the goal." Kadris goal came on a pretty passing play from van Riemsdyk to Kessel to the front of the net. Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury couldnt do much to stop that much skill working in sync so well. "It was good," van Riemsdyk said. "The spacing we had on that play, I think that was pretty much what set it all up is the kick wide, the drive and then Naz found that perfect set of ice where he could just walk right into the net." It was the kind of play that showed tangible evidence of chemistry. But van Riemsdyk cautioned that "I still think we can get better." Theyll likely have some chances, beginning with the Leafs game Tuesday at the Edmonton Oilers. Toronto could have winger Joffrey Lupul back after missing two games with a bone bruise in his foot, but Carlyle expected Bozak to be out for a little while. The Leafs play at the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, then at the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. After that, they dont play until Nov. 7 when they host the New Jersey Devils. Barring a setback, Bozak would be ready to return for that Devils game, so Kadris promotion is likely to be just a cameo appearance. . The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the search, confirmed reports by several media outlets. The interview took place in Southern California on Monday. . -- Andy Granatelli, the former CEO of STP motor oil company who made a mark on motorsports as a car owner, innovator and entrepreneur, has died. . They started shooting the puck. Joe Pavelski had a hat trick to move into a tie for second in the NHL in goals and the Sharks beat Philadelphia 7-3 Thursday night in the first game for both teams following the Olympic break. . Numbers Game looks into the Wild getting Matt Moulson from Buffalo. The Wild Get: LW Matt Moulson and LW Cody McCormick. . The two teams will play through the completion of the game starting at 5pm ct on Wednesday. The regularly scheduled Wednesday night matchup will follow that and will now be seven innings.ATLANTA - With their season on the verge of slipping away, the Atlanta Hawks arent going for style points, theyre just glad to string together a couple of wins. Kyle Korver scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to help Atlanta beat the Milwaukee Bucks 102-97 Thursday night for the Hawks first back-to-back victories in nearly six weeks. The Hawks (28-35) expanded their lead over the surging Knicks (26-40) for the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the East to 3 1/2 games. Their victory over the team with the worst record in the NBA followed Mondays 104-102 victory over Utah, the team with the worst record in the Western Conference. Like the Bucks (13-52), the Hawks entered the game having lost 14 of 16, and their first home game after a six-game road trip had an odd feel. "The last two havent been pretty, but theyre wins and its two in a row so were going to try to build on that," said Korver, who was 4 for 4 from the foul line and 3 for 4 from the field in the final period, including 2 for 3 on 3-pointers. "The first game back after a (long) road trip is notoriously a trap game, and I think we fell for it a bit in the first half and didnt come out with the right energy and focus, at least I didnt." Korvers backcourt mate, Jeff Teague, scored 22 points with eight in a final period that saw 12 lead changes and four ties. The Hawks took the lead for good when Korvers 3-pointer gave them a 90-89 edge with 2:15 left. That came moments after Korver missed from long distance, and reserve centre Elton Brand grabbed the rebound and fired it back to the sharpshooter. That play more than any ruined the Atlanta homecoming of Bucks coach Larry Drew, who was the Hawks head coach from 2010-13. He was not asked to return for the final season of his contract, although Atlanta never officially fired him. "If we come up with that rebound were not in that position," Drew said. "You cant leave a guy like that that open. Or even put him in that position, because Kyle is, if not the best shooter, hes one of the top three in our league." Korvers 3 triggered a 9-0 run that waas punctuated by Teagues thunderous dunk with 27 second remaining for a 96-89 lead.dddddddddddd Ersan Ilyasova had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee, and guard Brandon Knight added 20 points. Every Atlanta starter, even centre Pero Antic, made at least one 3-pointer. The Hawks were 13 for 29 from beyond the arc. Milwaukee had just eight turnovers and a modest 43-41 rebounding edge, but went 3 for 19 on 3-point attempts. Trailing 53-47 at halftime, the Hawks took a 68-67 lead by closing the third quarter with a 9-0 run during which they made four straight shots. Milwaukee shot 4 for 21 in the period, and scored one point over the final 4:08 of a 14-point quarter. "Our defence picked us up and allowed us to get back in the game," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We keep talking about being better defensively, and at some point weve got to carry it over to the court." Both teams found energy in the final quarter, when the Hawks outscored the Bucks 34-30. Teague, who pitched in eight assists but also committed seven turnovers, was happy with the win because, he said, "Nobody is bad in the NBA. On any given night, anybody can beat anybody." Budenholzer was more mindful of Atlantas opponent. He did not consider his team to be back on track. "No; not really. I think were going to have to play a whole lot better than this going forward," Budenholzer said. "Wins are important ... but I dont think anybody thinks were settled." NOTES: Hawks centre Al Horford, who has been out since tearing his right pectoral muscle Dec. 26 in an overtime win at Cleveland, said he will not return to play this seven even if Atlanta makes the playoffs. He returned after suffering a similar injury to his left pectoral in 2011-12. "No. I think it would be hard. This injury, honestly, was a little more severe than the other one," he explained in his first meeting with reporters since the injury. "And its my right side, shooting arm, and I need to feel 100 per cent confident with it, so I think its going to be a little bit slower." ' ' ' |
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