Streaking Senators Having not lost a game in more than three weeks, the Ottawa Senators have quickly vaulted to the top of the Eastern Conference. The defending East champions look to win seven straight games for the first time in six years as they go for a sweep in a home-and-home series against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday night.
Author: Anthony Rome
Take That! Dennis Dixon has helped carry Oregon into the heart of the national title race. For a few moments, the Ducks had to wonder if he’d be there for the rest of the journey. Dixon threw four touchdown passes before leaving with a knee injury, and the fourth-ranked Ducks defeated No. 6 Arizona State 35-23 on Saturday, their second consecutive victory over a Top 10 team.
SC, Hogs Battle in ARK South Carolina is on the verge of falling out of the AP poll, partly due to its inability to stop the run. A matchup with Arkansas and Darren McFadden isn’t likely to help. Losers of two straight, the 23rd-ranked Gamecocks look to finally find a way to slow down McFadden when they face the Razorbacks in an SEC matchup Saturday night.
Vols Looking to Roll One week can make all the difference in this topsy-turvy season in college football. That’s true for Tennessee, which is singing a sweeter tune this week. Now with the inside track to the SEC East Division title, the 24th-ranked Volunteers step out of conference play to host Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday.
Seeking Revenge After suffering a disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers their last time out, the Carolina Hurricanes don’t have to wait long for a chance at revenge. The Hurricanes look to bounce back and win their 11th straight home game over the Panthers when the Southeast Division rivals meet on Saturday night at the RBC Center.
Surprise Sixers There may not be much buzz locally for the Philadelphia 76ers’ home opener on Saturday night, but Andre Iguodala’s unheralded club already has shown early signs of being more competitive than expected. Iguodala and the 76ers open a four-game homestand when they welcome the New Jersey Nets to the Wachovia Center.
Still Looking for No. 1 The Golden State Warriors haven’t been the same since becoming the first No. 8 seed to knock off a No. 1 seed in a seven-game first-round playoff series last spring. The Utah Jazz are the main reason why. The Warriors try again for their first win of the season on Saturday when they visit Utah, the team that eliminated Golden State from the playoffs last May and sent it to a defeat in the teams’ season opener.
Mavs Get a Boost Josh Howard makes his season debut for the Dallas Mavericks in their home opener when they meet the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
Overcoming Adversity From the moment the Los Angeles Clippers step on the floor for the first time, they’ll be trying to overcome adversity. Without their leading scorer and a key member of the backcourt, the Clippers open the season against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night at Staples Center.
Underachievers The San Jose Sharks admit they played below expectations in the first month of the season. The NHL’s schedule maker, however, didn’t do them any favors in October. The Sharks play at HP Pavilion for the first time in two weeks Friday night when they face the Pacific Division rival Los Angeles Kings in the front end of a home-and-home series.