Dein erstes Forum » Japan defeated Canada 4-1 to

Sidney Crosby is still the best hockey player in the world. Thats not by any means an outrageous statement and its one that not too many would disagree with, at all. As Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins prepare for Game 7 against the New York Rangers in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, there is one thing about the Pens captain, though, that is considerably less definitive. When it comes to crunch time, is Sidney Crosby still the first player you would turn to? To the northwest of Pittsburgh, in St. Paul, Minnesota to be exact, there is another captain playing tonight in a game that could see his team advance to the conference final, just as Sidney Crosbys Penguins can. In Game 6 of their Western Conference second-round series, the Chicago Blackhawks - led by Jonathan Toews - can advance to a second-straight Western Conference Final by defeating the Minnesota Wild as they continue their defence of the Stanley Cup. As a two-time Stanley Cup winner and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has Toews taken over the mantle as hockeys preeminent go-to guy? The suggestion that Crosby wouldnt be the first player you would turn to in the clutch is by no means a referendum on his status as the games best. It isnt and the Hart Trophy hes likely going to win next month at the NHL Awards (to go along with the one he earned in 2007), confirming his status as the NHLs MVP cements that. Crosby is hockeys best all-around player and has been for some time. Still, the Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native has recently disappeared when the chips are down. Going into tonights game, Crosby has just one goal in his past 17 playoff games (of course, Rick Nash is enduring that exact same streak of futility, but thats another discussion altogether) and the indelible image of Crosby in these playoffs, thus far, was his Game 6 spear of Dominic Moore. Conversely, Toews could be looking at another Conn Smythe Trophy if he can help lead the Blackhawks to a third Stanley Cup in five seasons. While Crosby languishes with a solitary marker in this years playoffs, Toews has five in 11 games - with four of them game-winning goals. Thats now 10 game-winning goals in his career, most in his teams history. Sure, thats a long ways away from Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hulls joint record of 24 career game-winning goals in the playoffs, but its four more than Crosbys tally in eight fewer career playoff games. Perhaps, even more telling about Toewss current status of big game-breaker is that Crosby, upon being informed that he was being named Canadas captain for Sochi, reportedly wanted Toewss blessing before accepting the C. So who would you rather have in an elimination/advancement game like tonight: Sidney Crosby or Jonathan Toews? As always, its Your Call. Nike Air Max 1 Italia . Hall had a goal and three assists in a 5-4 loss to San Jose on Tuesday, had an assist in each of Edmontons next two games the capped the week with a goal and two assists in the Oilers 4-2 win over Anaheim on Sunday. Air Max 1 Outlet Italia . His big 2-minute outburst in the fourth quarter Tuesday night is all that really mattered for the Dallas Mavericks. http://www.airmax1scontate.it/ . Canada will host Japan in a World Group first-round match in 2015. It will be a rematch of their first-round clash last year when Japan defeated Canada 4-1 to reach the World Group quarter-finals for the first time in its history. Air Max 1 Scontate Italia . Tristan Jackson returned a missed field goal 129 yards early in the fourth quarter as the Roughriders beat the B.C. Nike Air Max 1 Uomo . And theyre pointing to the NHLs biggest market: Toronto. With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services. MINNEAPOLIS -- With the Memphis Grizzlies front office in turmoil, the Minnesota Timberwolves are considering trying to lure coach Dave Joerger away to coach the team in his home state. The Timberwolves have received permission to interview Joerger for their head coaching vacancy, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The people requested anonymity because the Timberwolves are not commenting publicly on their coaching candidates. Joerger, who is from Staples, Minnesota, and went to college at Division-II Minnesota State, Moorhead, went 50-32 in his first season as Grizzlies coach last year. After a rough start while the team transitioned from coaching veteran Lionel Hollins to the first-timer Joerger, the Grizzlies pulled together, overcame several injuries to key players and surged to the seventh seed in the hyper-competitive Western Conference. But after losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Oklahoma City Thunder, owner Robert Pera made the surprising decision to overhaul the front office. He fired CEO Jason Levien and director of player personnel Stu Lash, two moves that immediately called into question Joergers job security. Joerger goes way back with Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders. As a young coach trying to make his way up the ladder, Joerger came to watch Saunders, who coached the Timberwolves from 1995-2005, run practices. The two formed a mutual respect which lasts to this day. Saunders, who coached in the CBA before breaking into the NBA, has long had an affinity for coaches who had to grind it out in the minor leagues, believing they learn not only how to coach, but to run an organization. Joerger won championships in the NBDL, the Internattional Basketball Association and the CBA before joining the Grizzlies as an assistant to Lionel Hollins.dddddddddddd Joergers experience as a head coach last year with the Grizzlies helps him fit the profile Saunders is looking for in a replacement for Rick Adelman, who retired last month. Saunders has said he wants a proven coach who knows the demands of running an NBA team, including handling questions from the media. The latter qualification is of particular concern for the Wolves right now with star forward Kevin Love set to opt out of his contract after next season. The Wolves are considering all their options with Love, including potentially trading him this summer. If the Wolves do not trade Love, they will head into the season with one of the major storylines in the league, one sure to draw attention from media all across the country. Thats part of the reason Saunders is reluctant to turn over the keys to a first-time head coach. The Wolves interest in Joerger was first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. The Timberwolves opening has also been linked to Hollins and college coaching stars such as Michigan States Tom Izzo, Floridas Billy Donovan and Iowa States Fred Hoiberg. Saunders has yet to offer the job to anyone, but it is believed that the uncertainty surrounding Love has caused some of the more high profile names on Saunders list to give tepid responses to inquiries. The situation with Love in Minnesota pales in comparison to the upheaval in Memphis, and the opportunity to bring his family back to his home state could be enough to convince Joerger to make the move if an offer comes his way. The two sides were working Wednesday to set up a meeting, which could come as soon as Thursday. ' ' '