Measure of revenge Off to one of the best starts in school history, Missouri doesn’t need any extra motivation against Iowa State. A short memory, though, is all it needs to make a potential victory even sweeter.
Author: Anthony Rome
Perfect rebound game After ending a brutal stretch with a heartbreaking loss, Auburn has a great opportunity to bounce back this week. The 23rd-ranked Tigers (5-3, 3-2) return home Saturday to face Mississippi (2-6, 0-5), the SEC’s worst team.
Big East battle in Jersey West Virginia ended Rutgers’ Big East title bid last season, and now the Scarlet Knights would love to return the favor. The sixth-ranked Mountaineers open a crucial season-ending stretch of conference games Saturday when they visit a 25th-ranked Rutgers team coming off its biggest win of the year.
Something to prove Despite not playing this past weekend, Arizona State has climbed to its highest AP ranking in 11 years. California, meanwhile, has lost its last two games, falling to its lowest ranking all season.
Little brown jug at stake Michigan could view Saturday’s home game against Big Ten bottom-dweller Minnesota as a tuneup before the season’s stretch run. The 19th-ranked Wolverines (6-2, 4-0), however, have already learned the difficult lesson of what can happen to teams that look ahead in their schedule.
High flyin’ The Philadelphia Flyers’ solid road play to open the season has helped pave the way for their best start since 2002-03. The Atlantic Division-leading Flyers look to continue their success away from home and try for their sixth consecutive victory when they face the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night to begin a key season-high, six-game road trip.
Offensive shortage The Minnesota Wild haven’t scored much this season, and may be missing one of their top offensive threats as they start a tough road stretch against Northwest Division foes. Oft-injured Pavol Demitra could be sidelined on Wednesday night when the Wild meet the Calgary Flames at Pengrowth Saddledome.
Success in Motown The Detroit Red Wings have finished last season with a league-best 66 points at home. The Vancouver Canucks, though, didn’t help contribute to that success. The Red Wings return home on Wednesday night to face the Canucks, who were the only team to visit Detroit at least twice without suffering a loss last season.
Slow starters The Nashville Predators have improved their record in each season since 2001-02, but they’ll need to overcome a slow start to top their franchise-record 110 points from last year. The Predators hope to begin turning their season around and snap a five-game losing streak on Tuesday at the Los Angeles Kings.
Emotional Return in Edmonton Ryan Smyth was brought to tears upon learning he had been traded from the only NHL team he had ever known. His return to Edmonton promises to be just as emotional. Smyth makes his first appearance in Edmonton as a member of the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night when the Northwest Division rivals meet for the first time this season.