me and protecting me out there

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Alex Ovechkin will play for Russia at the upcoming Worlds. According to Yahoo Sports writer Dmitry Chesnokov, Dynamo Moscow President confirmed to the Russian Hockey Federations official site the Washington Capitals superstar will play at the World Hockey Championship. Ovechkin currently leads the NHL with 51 goals and is tied for seventh in points with 79. The 28-year-old former first overall draft pick will be looking to help Russia rebound from their poor showing at the Olympics in Sochi earlier this year. MONTREAL – Curtis Lazar was streaking in on a two-on-one rush Sunday night in Canadas pre-tournament game against Sweden. The Ottawa Senators forward, on loan to Hockey Canada for the world juniors, knew he had a great chance to score if he shot high. The Canadian Tire Centre crowd, which had given Lazar a huge ovation when the starting lineup was announced, sensed a big moment was coming. And, yet, Lazar shot low into the pads of goalie Samuel Ward. Why? Well, the player streaking down the other wing was Connor McDavid, who was playing his first game in 40 days after breaking his right hand in a fight. Hes so hard on himself, Lazar said after the game. I tell him to, Just relax and have fun. I had that partial break there and I should have probably tried to score, but I tried to lay it in there for a rebound for him. Were going to need him to be a big part of this team to be successful. Lazar knew the spotlight was shining even brighter than usual on the 17-year-old phenom who had looked a bit rusty out of the gate. The plan to get McDavid on the board didnt work, but Lazars heart, as it almost always is, was in the right place. Lazar and McDavid are roommates and when they got back to the hotel on Sunday night the game was being replayed on TSN. So they watched. McDavid began to critique himself. I was trying to tell him that, Look, you played a good game, Lazar said. I mean, he probably has different standards for himself than we do, because hes a heck of a hockey player. Every time he steps on the ice something special happens. I kept telling him, the one assist he [almost] got [on Shea Theodores goal] he drew a couple guys to him and it opens up the ice and thats what well need from him. The fact Lazar and McDavid are rooming together during the world juniors is no accident. The hope is the perpetually positive Lazar will help ease the burden felt by McDavid, who is considered by many, including TSNs resident scout Craig Button, to be a generational talent. Alas, sports, like so much else, seems to be a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business and McDavid has been out since mashing his hand on the boards in a fight on Nov. 11. Meanwhile, American Jack Eichel, McDavids chief rival in the 2015 NHL draft class, is racking up points and closing the hype gap. Hes been in the spotlight for so, so long that I guess he kind of knows how to deal with it, said Lazar when asked about McDavids serious demeanour. I try and get him to take his guard down a little bit. I know theres going to be a lot of pressure on him. This is a marquee tournament and it is his draft year and everyone talks about Eichel and McDavid. Ultimately, hes playing for Team Canada and thats what it should be all about. McDavid and Lazar were teammates on last years Canadian squad, which finished fourth in Malmo, Sweden. I was disappointed with how we played last year, Lazar said his smile dimming just a little. Second chances dont come around too often. Canadas hopes are, in large part, resting on the shoulders of Lazar and McDavid, who will both wear letters at the tournament. Lazar is the captain while McDavid joins Sam Reinhart as an alternate. Hes always positive, said McDavid of Lazar. You always see he has a smile on his face and nothing seems to bring him down. I think hes the perfect guy for the job just because the ups and downs of this tournament are pretty crazy and he never seems to go down. -- McDAVID SURPRISED Shortly after the Canadian selection camp started, McDavid admitted he wasnt sure if he would play a leadership role considering he is the second youngest player on the rroster (only Kingstons Lawson Crouse is younger).dddddddddddd I think it was a little bit of a surprise, McDavid said of getting an A. I mean, being a returning guy I maybe had a little bit of an idea, but theres a lot of returning guys. Forwards Nic Petan and Frederik Gauthier, defenceman Josh Morrissey and goalie Zach Fucale are the other returning players on the roster. But head coach Benoit Groulx was pretty concise when asked why he made McDavid an alternate. Because hes a leader, Groulx said in a matter-of-fact tone. Im not the most vocal guy in the room thats for sure, McDavid acknowledged. I think anyone will tell you that, but Im not the quietest either. I think even in Erie, being the captain there, I do a lot of my leading on the ice. McDavid was asked which hockey leaders he admires. He names Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman as well as Jonathan Toews. Hes not overly vocal, but hes always doing the right things on and off the ice and thats something I, for sure, look up to. -- JUST A LETTER Its just a letter, Lazar said when asked about the captaincy. My expectation is that every single one of us will lead in our own way. To be successful thats going to have to take place. Thats part of the message hes sending McDavid. So much is expected of the Newmarket, Ont. native, who has a whopping 51 points in 18 OHL games this season. But Groulx has reiterated time and time again that he wants a four-line attack. Offence and fast-paced play is expected from everyone. For myself, Im having fun with the guys, showing them, its okay to make mistakes, especially now, said Lazar. We got to get them out of our system sooner rather than later. And just try to rally the troops. I know that experience I have from playing in Sweden last year on this team, winning the Memorial Cup in between and having the NHL experience is going to help a lot. I just want try to spread that wealth. You got to take things in stride. You have to look at whats right in front of you. Moments after Canada lost the bronze-medal game last year, Lazar addressed reporters and said if he was to be back at the tournament again he wanted to be a leader. And that has nothing to do with ego. It has everything to do with righting a wrong. There are a few things here and there that I think we can change up to allow us to take the next step, he said reflecting on last years disappointment with an eye on the weeks ahead. Its all a learning curve in a short competition. You have to be open minded and admit the mistakes you make and learn from them and improve from them. I want unity inside the dressing room. Thats a big part of it. Regardless of where youre from in Canada, I mean, were part of a team now and thats what its all about. Nobodys bigger than the team right now. Its up to us as a group to get the job done. -- KEEPS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE Lazar seems wise beyond his 19 years. He has tremendous perspective. He didnt sulk after getting sent back to juniors from the NHL. He oozes excitement. He just gets it. A good example is the number he will wear on his back when the tournament opens on Boxing Day. Lazar wears 27 with the Senators, but will be No. 26 for Team Canada in honour of his former Edmonton Oil Kings teammate Kristians Pelss, who drowned two years ago after jumping off a bridge in his hometown of Riga, Latvia. Our motto last year in Edmonton was, Play for Pelss and every time I step on the ice I know hes looking over me and protecting me out there and thats one thing I always want to do is, when I play internationally, I want to wear the No. 26 in honour of him. Black China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo ' ' '

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OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Senators believe theyll have one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL rather than a goaltending controversy. The Senators signed Craig Anderson to a three-year contract extension on Monday worth US$12.6 million, just weeks signing Robin Lehner to a three-year deal. "I think its a great thing for the Ottawa Senators having two guys that we feel can be No. 1, two guys that can go in the net at any point and time and win games," Senators assistant GM Pierre Dorion. "I think they work well with each other, theyre going to push each other and I think its only a good thing for our team and our fans." The 33-year-old Anderson has one year remaining on the four-year deal he signed with Ottawa prior to the 2011-12 season. Hell make $4.75 million in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and then drop to $3.1 million in 2017-18. He was relieved to have the contract completed before the start of the season. "Taking the contract part out of the equation allows me to focus completely, 100 per cent, on my job of stopping the puck and theres no distraction whatsoever from that part of the game," Anderson said. "Thats exciting for me and a good feeling that Im going to be part of the Senators organization for the next few years." With both Lehner and Anderson both under contract the big question will be: who is No. 1? The 23-year-old Lehner was considered Ottawas goaltender of the future, though Andersons new deal raises the question of when that future will come. Dorion said GM Bryan Murray instructed him to tell reporters that whoever wins games will play. Anderson anticipates Lehner will push him for playing time and said thats a benefit for any goalie. "Robin and I have gotten along really, really well the last few years and Im looking forward to working with him and helping him improve," Anderson said. "By him being a better goalie hes going to help me become a better goalie and were going to be a better team because of it." Anderson, who put up an NHL-best .941 save percentage in the lockout-shortened 2013 season to help Ottawa make the playoffs amid injuries to Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza, dropped to .911 last year. He went 25-16-8 with a 3.00 goals-against-average and had four shutouts in 53 games. The Sens starting goaltender struggled at times, but the defence in front of him also had its share of problems. Too many times Anderson was left hung out to dry, but he believes everyone has grown from the experience and expects the Senators to be a better team. "Obviously I could have been better, but as a group we all could have been better and when everyone does a little bit better job the whole team gets a lot better, so thats what our focus is going to be going forward," Anderson said. "If everyone can be a little bit better, including myself, it will go a long way in the team concept of winning hockey games." Anderson called the current group of players the "closest group of guys that Ive played with in my career," and feels that will go a long way in the teams development. "We went through a lot of ups and downs last year and a lot of adversity," said Anderson. "We had a lot of young guys that have really grown through those experiences and I expect them to be that much better this year for it." Hes been impressed by Lehners development both on and off the ice, he said, and has seen his younger counterpart develop into a true professional with a big heart and sees no downside to the team having two solid goaltenders. "If the team has confidence in both their goaltenders its just going to help the team win at the end of the day," he said. Anderson, acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Brian Elliott in 2011, said he had no qualms re-signing with the Senators despite the departure of high profile players like Daniel Alfredsson and Spezza. "Everything about the city of Ottawa has been outstanding for me and it was one of those things where I love it there and I wanted to continue and stay there and continue to call that place my home because its a great place to play," said Anderson. "I wanted to stay here and continue to be a part of the organization as long as I can." The Senators continue to work on contract extensions for Bobby Ryan and Marc Methot, but Dorion said he doesnt anticipate anything happening with Ryan until he returns to Ottawa and discussions are ongoing with Methot and agent Larry Kelly. Still left on the Senators to-do list before the start of the regular season is the naming of a new captain after Spezza was traded to the Dallas Stars. Spezza wore the "C" for only one year after replacing longtime captain Alfredsson Derek Anderson Jersey . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday. Daeshon Hall Jersey . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. http://www.thepanthersofficialstore.com ... rs-jersey/. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres came to an agreement on a big trade that may only offer incremental improvement to the Blues in their quest for a Stanley Cup. Andrew Norwell Jersey . The trade deadline is Monday, Mar. 2 at 3pm et/Noon pt. TRADES COMPLETED SINCE OCT. 1, 2014: Feb. 15, 2015 Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: F Olli Jokinen, F Brendan Leipsic, 1st Round Pick (2015) Nashville Predators acquire: D Cody Franson, F Mike Santorelli Feb. Julius Peppers Jersey . Tyrell appeared in seven games with the Lightning this year, he had no points in those appearances. The 24-year-old has seven goals and 17 assists in 132 career NHL games, all coming with the Lightning. He was selected in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2007 draft.SALVADOR, Brazil -- Jozy Altidore is available to play for the United States in Tuesdays World Cup second-round game against Belgium, but it does not appear the forward is ready to return to the starting lineup. Altidore strained his left hamstring in the Americans opener against Ghana on June 16 and didnt play in their next two games. "We dont know how much because we need to see how hes going, but hes available," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Monday. "How many minutes? We will see that during the game." Altidore had been working out on his own, joggingg around the field at the Americans training camp at Sao Paulo Futebol Clube.dddddddddddd Klinsmann said he has to determine "how much work is in his legs." Aron Johannsson replaced Altidore at forward for the remainder of the game against Ghana. But Klinsmann switched from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-5-1 against Portugal and Germany with a fifth midfielder instead of a second forward. Altidore has 23 goals in 71 international appearances and is the top forward on the American roster. "Just having him with us tomorrow is huge," Klinsmann said. Black China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo ' ' '