The New York Islanders broke out of one slump and forced the Tampa Bay Lightning to continue with another. Rick DiPietro turned aside 28 shots for his 12th career shutout and added an assist to help the New York Islanders beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 on Thursday night. It was the Islanders’ first win over Tampa Bay in nine tries (0-5-3), since a 3-0 win at home on March 21, 2004.
The first period was one the New York Rangers would like to forget, everyone except for Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist bailed out his teammates and made 10 of his 31 saves in the scoreless frame, then stayed strong as they caught up to him in a 2-0 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
Bobby Abreu’s $16 million option for next season was exercised Friday by the New York Yankees. The 33-year-old right fielder overcame a slow start to hit .283 with 16 homers and 101 RBIs this year, when he finished second in the AL behind teammate Alex Rodriguez with 123 runs. Abreau has reached 100 RBIs in five consecutive seasons.
Tim Wakefield’s $4 million option was exercised Friday by the Boston Red Sox after the knuckleballer missed the World Series because of inflammation behind his right shoulder. The World Series champions also exercised a $3.85 million option on right-hander Julian Tavarez, announced catcher Kevin Cash had declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket and elected to become a free agent, and…
Colts doctors have told Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison he can play against New England, and he hopes to. Whether he actually makes it on the field is up to coach Tony Dungy. Harrison missed all three practices this week because of a bruised left knee, and Dungy said Harrison and several others are expected to be game-time decisions for the contest between the NFL’s final two unbeaten teams.
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has been cleared to play after recovering from the left knee and left shoulder surgeries he had in May. Miami coach Pat Riley didn’t put a timetable on Wade’s return to the lineup. In the announcement before Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, Riley said Wade has been practicing, but without making any contact.
The Seattle SuperSonics’ new owner told the NBA on Friday he plans to move the team to Oklahoma City. Clay Bennett had set a Wednesday deadline for having a plan to replace KeyArena, which he says is outdated. He and the city are in a dispute about the arena lease. He has until March 1 to file for relocation with the NBA if he wants the team to play the 2008-09 season anywhere besides Seattle.
Tracy McGrady said he didn’t hold a grudge against Utah for last season’s opening-round loss in the playoffs. But what he said and how he played were quite different. McGrady scored 47 points and the Rockets beat the Jazz 106-95 Thursday night, earning a little revenge for last season’s playoffs, when Houston won the first two games but lost the series.
Raja Bell had just guarded Kevin Durant for most of the night. His postgame reward: Ice on both knees as a trainer stretched his tired legs on a training table. “He’s a long … ,” the Suns defensive whiz said of Durant, chuckling while still on his back getting stretched Thursday night. Amare Stoudemire, playing for the third time since knee surgery a month ago, had 23 points and 11 rebounds as…
For three days, the Miami Heat worked on defending plays the Detroit Pistons love to call for Tayshaun Prince. Didn’t matter. Prince weaved his way to a career-high 34 points, matched a career best with 12 rebounds, and the Pistons pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Heat 91-80 Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.
