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The Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers share a common bond. Both are battling to grab an Eastern Conference playoff position Pernell McPhee Super Bowl LI Jersey , although the Flyers are doing a much better job of it than the Red Wings.

The Flyers come to Detroit for Tuesday’s game at Little Caesars Arena riding a three-game winning streak and with seven wins in their last eight games, a run that has put them back into a playoff position for the first time in two months.

The Flyers have proven to be a streaky team all season long. They enjoyed a six-game winning streak earlier this season, but also endured a 10-game losing skid. Since that slide ended, they are an impressive 15-5-1.

“Early in the season Wholesale Dorian O'Daniel Jersey , that was one of the issues: We just didn’t find a way,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux told Philly.com. “We were playing good hockey, but we just didn’t find ways. Right now, we’re finding ways Marquis Haynes Super Bowl LI Jersey , and we can’t stop here.”

Locating consistency has proven to be the biggest challenge all season long for the Red Wings. Monday’s 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils was just their second win in the last six games, but both of those victories were recorded via shutout.

The season is steadily getting away from the Wings, who last season missed the playoffs for the first time since 1989-90 but look headed for a repeat performance in terms of a postseason absence. A mediocre 8-7 in the last 15 games, the Wings find themselves eight points behind the New York Rangers for the final Eastern Conference wild-card position and 12 points in arrears to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the third and final Atlantic Division postseason berth.

“I don’t think about whether things are slipping away Troy Niklas Jersey Elite ,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill told mlive.com. “I think about what you have to do to make sure we’re in the playoff hunt, and what we have to do is win games and certainly there’s an urgency to win now. There’s no question about that.

“Is there a level of urgency that continues to increase as you continue to move through the year and you’re not moving up the standings? For sure. We need a run. We need to win three out of four, win three out of four, win three out of four.”

Knowing they can’t fix their scenario in a game or two Paul Worrilow Jersey Elite , the Wings have opted to take the approach that no news is good news. The team used to have a board posted in the dressing room with up-to-date NHL standings. That was removed during last season and maintained its absence when they relocated from Joe Louis Arena to their new digs for this season.

“I figured it out a few years ago,” Detroit left winger Tomas Tatar said. “We won I think four in a row and we didn’t move anywhere, so that’s when it gets to you that it’s almost pointless to look at it.

“You have to pick up your points and make sure you know what points will get you in the playoffs.”

The Tennessee Titans will try to snap a nine-year losing streak at Lucas Oil Stadium when they visit the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.

Tennessee (6-4) has not beaten the Colts on the road since Dec. 30 Sylvester Williams Jersey Elite , 2007, when Vince Young and Kerry Collins split quarterback duties in 16-10 win. Since then, the Titans have gone 0-9 in Indianapolis, and they failed to reach the playoffs in each of the past eight seasons.

Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey would like to reverse both of those storylines. He is keeping a narrow focus as the Titans enter the weekend within a game of the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South.

“We’re looking at what we have to do, and we have to win a division game on the road Dalton Schultz Jersey Elite , and that’s all we’re focused on,” Mularkey said. “Nothing else will be talked about other than that all week.”

Indianapolis (3-7) is eager to bounce back after dropping four of its past five games. Injuries and inconsistency have hampered the Colts, who are one loss away from securing their third straight season without a winning record under embattled coach Chuck Pagano.

Both teams will be well rested entering the Week 12 matchup. The Colts are coming off a bye and have not played since Nov. 12, when they lost 20-17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Titans will play on nine days’ rest after a Thursday night matchup in Week 11 in which they were embarrassed in a 40-17 loss to the Steelers.

Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett is expected to make his 10th start. He began the week in the NFL’s concussion protocol after Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt hit him in the back of the head in his previous game.

Brissett has an 86.7 passer rating this season with 2,172 passing yards Paul Worrilow Super Bowl LI Jersey , nine touchdowns and five interceptions. The 23-year-old also has scrambled for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

Veteran Frank Gore anchors the running game for the Colts. He has compiled 509 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season and ranks No. 7 in NFL history with 13,574 career rushing yards. He needs 89 rushing yards to pass Jerome Bettis (13,662 yards) for sixth place on the league’s all-time list, and he needs 111 yards to pass LaDainian Tomlinson (13,684 yards) for fifth place.

Gore Authentic Vita Vea Jersey , 34, is far more focused on trying to turn around a frustrating season for the Colts.

“The bye week was good,” Gore told the team’s official website. “Now we need to get ready for a division game and still got a chance, especially looking at the AFC. There’s the wild card, two games out. We’ve just got to continue believing in ourselves Danny Shelton Jersey Elite , keep working and go out there Sunday and try to get a win.”

In the passing game, T.Y. Hilton leads the Colts with 36 catches for 725 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 20.1 yards per reception.

Tennessee’s offense is led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, who will try to recover from a miserable game against the Steelers in which he threw four interceptions. The performance lowered Mariota’s season passer rating to 79.9 (2,089 passing yards, eight touchdowns Rick Leonard Jersey Elite , 10 interceptions). He also has rushed for 186 yards and four touchdowns.

DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry present a challenging one-two punch in the Titans’ rushing attack. Murray has rushed for 443 yards and four touchdowns, while Henry has amassed 441 rushing yards and three scores.

Wide receiver Rishard Matthews leads Tennessee with 626 receiving yards to go along with three touchdowns. Veteran tight end Delanie Walker has a team-high 49 receptions for 550 yards but remains in search of his first touchdown of the season. His next reception will cement his fifth consecutive season with 50-plus catches.

The Colts’ secondary will try to limit big plays by Mariota and the rest of the Titans’ offense. Top defenders on Indianapolis include safety Malik Hooker (three interceptions) and linebacker Jabaal Sheard (4 1/2 sacks).

Tennessee’s top-tier defender this season is safety Kevin Byard, who leads the league with six interceptions and has his eyes on a postseason run and possible Pro Bowl selection. Linebacker Derrick Morgan (six sacks) and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (three sacks) have proved to be the most effective pass rushers.

The Sunday game will be the second meeting of the year between the Colts and Titans. In Week 6, the Titans stormed to a 36-22 victory thanks to a strong finish. Tennessee trailed 19-15 after three quarters before outscoring the Colts 21-3 in the fourth.

Indianapolis is 2-3 at home this season. Tennessee sports an identical 2-3 record on the road.

EDEN PRAIRIE Adidas Bo Horvat Jersey , Minn. — In most cases, the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings would take a strong look at their Week 1 matchup as they prepare for Sunday’s NFC playoff game.

In this case, what happened in that Sept. 11 opener is indicative of the teams meeting in Minnesota for the second time this year.

Both teams underwent significant changes since the Vikings’ 29-19 victory.

Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford completed 27-of-32 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Bradford played only a single half the rest of the season as Case Keenum replaced the injured Bradford and put himself in MVP consideration.

New Orleans jettisoned former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson after a miserable four-game run and thrived with Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara, becoming one of the league’s most dangerous running back duos. The Saints’ defense also started to find its way.

“They’re a different team than they were Week 1, but so are we,” said Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph Authentic Mookie Betts Jersey , who scored a touchdown in the first game. “Everyone in the NFL is trying to find their identity early on. They’re different from a personnel standpoint and they’re also different from a team, like us, who has found their identity.”

The teams found their identity but had plenty of personnel changes along the way. The Vikings’ defense is healthy, but Keenum has taken hold of the starting quarterback spot and rookie running back Dalvin Cook, who ran for 127 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting, has been out since Week 4 because of a torn ACL.

“There are some similarities in regards to scheme, but I think when you go through a course of an NFL season and you look at the attrition that takes place Albert Wilson Jersey Elite , there are eight or nine of our starters that are playing in that game that aren’t playing in this game, and I’m sure the same exists for Minnesota,” New Orleans coach Sean Payton told reporters this week, according to the team’s website. “And you begin to take shape as the season progresses to who you become and I think both teams have done that.”

In the Saints’ case, they altered their offensive identity to rely on Ingram and Kamara. New Orleans ranked fifth in the league in rushing this season as Ingram ran for a career-high 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kamara led the league with 6.1 yards per carry as the Saints had an NFC-best 4.7 yards per carry as a team.

Peterson had six carries for 18 yards in the first meeting in Minnesota. With the carries being split three ways, Ingram had six carries and Kamara touched the ball 11 times on offense.

“They got a little bit of everything Authentic Rasheem Green Jersey ,” Vikings defensive end Brian Robison said. “Ingram’s more of a downhill runner. Kamara is definitely a guy that can bounce to the outside. He’s got speed to hit the edge and they’re both really good in the screen game.”

The Vikings were second in the league in run defense, allowing 83.6 yards per game. They’ve held two of their past three opponents to fewer than 46 yards.

Selling out to stop the run isn’t a solid strategy either. In last week’s win against Carolina, the Saints ran 22 times for 41 yards as the Panthers dared New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees to beat them.

Brees had 376 passing yards and two touchdowns, and receivers Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn each had more than 100 yards receiving against the Panthers.

“We’ve been telling y’all all year, man, don’t sleep on Drew,” Ingram told the New Orleans Times Picayune. “And if you’re going to stack the box and try and stop the run and take us out the game Marquez Valdes-Scantling Super Bowl LI Jersey , he’s going to hurt you. We’ve been telling you he’s the best quarterback in the league and he’s still Drew Brees. He proved that (Sunday).”

Perhaps the biggest change for the Saints has been the development of the defense. After allowing 470 total yards to Minnesota in Week 1, New Orleans gave up 555 to New England the following week. Slowly, communication improved on the back end combined with the play of rookie Marcus Lattimore and Ken Crawley at cornerback.

The Saints were third in the NFL and first in the NFC with 20 interceptions in the regular season. Lattimore led the team with five.

“He’s a good player,” Vikings Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen said of Lattimore. “He’s physical. He can run with anybody. He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now. He’s got great ball skills. He’s pretty much got everything you need to be a really good corner in this league.”

New Orleans also pressures the passer. Cameron Jordan tied Minnesota’s Everson Griffen for fourth in the league with 13 sacks. As a team, the Saints’ 42 sacks were tied for seventh in the NFL.

Like Brees, Keenum didn’t make mistakes once replacing Bradford. He threw seven interceptions, one fewer than Brees Authentic Frank Ragnow Jersey , and the Vikings allowed the seventh-fewest sacks in the league behind a patchwork offensive line.

“He is playing well,” Payton told the team’s website of Keenum. “You can see him getting the ball to a lot of different guys. These guys, I think, have done a great job on offense. I think they are playing a game really that suits both sides of the ball.”

Minnesota should head into Sunday healthy, including the return of rookie center Pat Elflein from a shoulder injury.

New Orleans is battered. Left guard Andrus Peat and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel were placed on injured reserve this week. Receiv. Cincinnati Bengals Customized Jerseys , Jacksonville Jaguars Elite Jerseys , Cleveland Browns Elite Jerseys , Detroit Lions Elite Jerseys ,

CLEVELAND (AP) Every day he stays committed and sober Oren Burks Jersey Elite , Josh Gordon takes another step toward playing again in the NFL.

The long walk and wait are nearly over.

The wide receiver, who squandered millions in potential earnings and derailed a promising career because of substance abuse, will practice with the Browns on Wednesday for the first time in 14 months – a return that once seemed unimaginable.

Gordon was recently reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the past two seasons. So far, the enigmatic 26-year-old has fulfilled every requirement placed on him by Goodell, and on Monday he threw with Cleveland’s quarterbacks.

Gordon, who has been suspended for the Browns’ past 43 games and 53 of 58, has impressed teammates with his attitude since rejoining the team on Nov. 7. He’s been working out under the team’s guidance Authentic David Robertson Jersey , and on Sunday he was on the sideline when the winless Browns lost to Jacksonville.

”First and foremost, I’m just happy for him,” guard Joel Bitonio said. ”I think he’s in a good place. You can kind of tell that he’s just mentally refreshed almost. He’s been away from the game and I think it was a little humbling for him.”

Gordon was poised to make a comeback last year, but after spending training camp with the Browns and playing in the exhibition season, he checked himself into a rehab facility.

One of the worries about Gordon is that he will relapse, but coach Hue Jackson believes the Browns have a strong support system in place to aid him inside and outside the team’s facility.

”Josh knows that we’re always available to him,” Jackson said. ”But he’s entitled to be a man and make his decisions and do the right thing Wholesale Josh Rosen Jersey , and we truly believe and support that he will. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do thus far. He’s working extremely hard. He’s excited about being back and about having the opportunity. I know every chance I get to be around him, he was on our sideline yesterday and it was a treat just dialoguing with him, the things he saw, the ways he thinks he can help.

”To me, that was exciting. He’s doing well and hopefully that will continue.”

Gordon’s return is a boost for the Browns, who have gone 1-25 over the past two seasons and don’t have a playmaker close to his stature. Gordon led the league with 1,646 yards receiving and scored nine touchdowns in 2013 despite being suspended for two games.

With a dazzling blend of size Adidas Jonathan Drouin Jersey , speed and strength, he was one of the league’s most dynamic wide receivers. The Browns can’t wait to see if he can get close to that level again.

”It’s like Christmas,” Jackson said. ”I’m going to open a new toy. I know what’s in that box. I just want to see how good it is.”

As long as Gordon abides by the league’s guidelines – he’s subject to random drug testing – Gordon will be eligible to play on Dec. 3 when the Browns visit the Los Angeles Chargers. Gordon hasn’t played in a regular season game since Dec. 21, 2014.

While he was in a Florida rehab facility, Gordon did all he could to stay in shape, and he’s been seen in the Browns’ weight room with the team’s strength and conditioning staff. He’s leaner than when he last played.

”From what I’ve heard from our strength staff, he’s looking in pristine shape Dante Pettis Super Bowl LI Jersey ,” Bitonio said. ”So I’m excited even to see him run a few routes on the scout team or whatever this week. The dynamic he brings to the team is something that can’t be replaced.”

The Browns need Gordon, as their receiving group has been a major disappointment. But with Gordon’s return and Corey Coleman back after missing nine weeks with a broken hand, things could change dramatically for Cleveland’s struggling offense. Coleman caught six passes for 80 yards on Sunday.

For Bitonio, there’s a bigger story with Gordon.

”I just hope he’s in a good place,” Bitonio said. ”If he can get back on the field, that’s one of the stories of the Cleveland Browns that, hey Adidas T. J. Oshie Jersey , this guy was down in the dumps and he’s kind of risen from the ashes, so to say, and hopefully gets back out there and helps us get some wins.”

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ALAMEDA Clive Walford Super Bowl LI Jersey , Calif. (AP) Jon Gruden hopes he’ll finally get the chance to meet Marshawn Lynch now that he’s coach of the Oakland Raiders.

After having numerous requests turned down by the media-adverse Beast Mode during his tenure as an ESPN announcer, Gruden now is officially Lynch’s coach after being introduced Tuesday for his second stint with the Raiders.

”You know, I’ve never met Marshawn Lynch. Even as a broadcaster Wholesale Albert Wilson Jersey , I asked for Marshawn Lynch in production meetings and I never got to meet him,” Gruden said.

”So I’m anxious to sit down with Marshawn and meet him. We’ll talk about his future and the Raiders. I can’t wait. He came back to the Raiders for similar, I think Adidas Nico Hischier Jersey , reasons that I did. I think he loves Oakland. I think he loves the Raiders and guys like him interest me, so I’m looking forward to talking to him.”

Lynch came out of retirement this past season to join the Raiders. He said he made the move to give something back to his hometown of Oakland before the team moves to Las Vegas in 2020.

Lynch’s status is one of the questions facing the Raiders this offseason. He got off to a slow start in his return, rushing for just 266 yards in the first half of the season and getting suspended one game for shoving an official after coming off the bench during a scuffle against Kansas City.

He was a completely different player after that Authentic Zack Greinke Jersey , rushing for 524 yards and five TDs in his final eight games. His average of 78.1 yards rushing per game in that span was tied for third best in the league.

”I thought he finished great,” general manager Reggie McKenzie said. ”Everybody was saying that he was going to tail off at the end. He did just the opposite. He ran harder at the end just like he did at the beginning. There was no drop-off there.”

Lynch has a contract for next season worth about $6 million, including a $1 million roster bonus due in March after the start of the new league year. McKenzie said any decision on Lynch’s status would come after a meeting with the new coaching staff.

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TENNESSSEE (6-4) at INDIANAPOLIS (3-7)

Sunday Christian Kirk Super Bowl LI Jersey , 1 p.m. ET, Fox

OPENING LINE – Titans by 5

RECORD VS. SPREAD – Titans 3-6-1; Colts 6-4

SERIES RECORD – Colts lead 31-15

LAST MEETING – Titans beat Colts 36-22, Oct. 16

LAST WEEK – Titans lost to Pittsburgh 40-17; Colts had bye, lost to Steelers 2017 on Nov. 12

AP PRO32 RANKING – Steelers No. 13; Colts No. 29

TITANS OFFENSE – OVERALL (20) Authentic Eddie Robinson Jersey , RUSH (12), PASS (21)

TITANS DEFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (5), PASS (21)

COLTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (28) Authentic Harrison Phillips Jersey , RUSH (24), PASS (25)

COLTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (30), RUSH (15), PASS (30)

STREAKS Authentic Aaron Judge Jersey , STATS AND NOTES – Titans have lost nine straight road games to Colts and are still seeking first win at Lucas Oil Stadium. … Tennessee rallied from 10-point deficit in final 25 minutes in October to snap 11-game overall skid in series. … Titans have not swept season series vs. Colts since 2002 in first year of AFC South. … Win would give Titans their best record through first 11 games since going 10-1 to open 2008. … QB Marcus Mariota threw for 306 yards last week for fifth career 300-yard game and is seeking first back-to-back 300-yard games in NFL. But he threw four INTs in loss to Pittsburgh. … WR Rishard Matthews had Titans’ first 100-yard receiving game this season last week. … Titans S Kevin Byard leads NFL with six interceptions. … Colts have lost five of last six, but are 4-1 after bye weeks under coach Chuck Pagano. … Indy has allowed league-high 39 sacks and has been outscored 110-28 in fourth quarter. … RB Frank Gore needs 89 yards rushing to pass Jerome Bettis (13,662) for sixth, and 111 yards to pass LaDainian Tomlinson (13 Jason McCourty Jersey Elite ,684) for fifth on NFL’s career list. … QB Jacoby Brissett is expected to play despite spending most of last two weeks in concussion protocol. … Brissett needs one TD pass of 60 or more yards to tie John Unitas’ single-season franchise record (five)…. TE Jack Doyle began career as undrafted free agent with Titans and leads Colts with 52 receptions. … WR T.Y. Hilton has 19 catches for 505 yards and three TDs in Colts’ three wins, 17 receptions for 220 yards and no TDs in Indy’s seven losses. … Hilton needs two receptions to pass Bill Brooks (411) for fifth in Colts history. … OT Anthony Castonzo is expected to make 100th start Sunday, while LB Jabaal Sheard is expected to play in 100th game. … Fantasy Tip: Safest option may be Doyle, who had seven catches for 50 yards and one TD in first meeting. He could be especially productive if Colts use steady stream of short throws to protect Brissett.

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ASHBURN Authentic Courtland Sutton Jersey , Va. (AP) Inconsistency is one of the few consistencies on the Washington Redskins’ offense.

Another is Kirk Cousins.

While 27 players have shuffled around him this season, Cousins is not only surviving but thriving and keeping the offense on track.

Quarterback is one of just three offensive positions at which Washington has had the same starter for all 11 games, and Cousins’ play is a major reason why the team is still in the playoff race going into its game Thursday night at the Dallas Cowboys.

”Kirk being as good as he is and playing at the level he’s been playing at, it’s made everybody around him better,” said left tackle Trent Williams, who has missed three of five games with a right knee injury.

”So even if we do have a center that just joined the team two weeks ago, as long as Kirk is at the helm and he’s running the offense it’s supposed to be ran, it makes everybody’s job easier.”

Injuries got to the point that Cousins met teammates in the locker room hours before a game, and he has had 11 offensive linemen protecting him. He has completed passes to 15 players.

All that and Cousins is already over the 3 Authentic Alex McGough Jersey ,000-yard mark, is on pace to surpass 4,000 for the third consecutive season and has 19 touchdowns with six interceptions.

”Could be a new center, could be a new wideout, could be a new running back, whatever it is – we’ve just had a lot of new pieces,” coach Jay Gruden said.

”He’s done a nice job of taking care of his business, but I think his comfort level in the offense is starting to show where it doesn’t really matter who he’s playing with, he’s going to be successful.”

Cousins Connor Williams Super Bowl LI Jersey , 29, is in his third full year as an NFL starter and credits that experience for his ability to adapt.

Everyone knew there would be a significant adjustment with the departures of receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, but this got ridiculous with season-ending injuries to Chris Thompson, Rob Kelley and Terrelle Pryor and two linemen plus a hamstring strain that has sidelined tight end Jordan Reed four games.

So Cousins began leaning on Jamison Crowder and Vernon Davis as his favorite targets and developed more trust with second-year wideout Josh Doctson.

From week to week, Cousins has rarely had the same players around him.

”Sure, my thought process as I drop back is going to certainly factor in personnel and what guys have been there before and done that and how many reps we have banked in a certain play or experience and where are we a little newer,” Cousins said.

”Sometimes we have to trust it. We have to go and just play and believe that, however new this player is, he’s got to make the play and he’s got a jersey and a number and he can do it.”

When Cousins played behind a makeshift line Authentic Paul O'Neill Jersey , he got throws off quicker or scrambled more.

When Thompson broke his right fibula in New Orleans, Cousins integrated newly signed running back Byron Marshall into the mix and mitigated what looked like a season-crushing injury.

”The great quarterbacks do it without their guys,” said right tackle Morgan Moses, who joins Cousins and Davis as the only three offensive players to start each game.

”Kirk’s doing a good job of making due with what he has. That’s what makes him a great quarterback. He’s winning. You might not know who’s out there, but he’s making plays with them.”

Crowder considers Cousins’ preparation the key to this consistency.

Knowing how much of a perfectionist Cousins is in practices and games, rookie running back Samaje Perine couldn’t help but laugh about what the QB is doing differently with such a varying supporting cast.

”He’s not doing anything special. He’s just being Kirk Cousins,” Perine said.

”When you really look at it, he hasn’t done anything different with all the pieces that’s missing and all the changing bodies. He’s just been doing the same thing he’s always been doing, which is being a leader and making sure everybody’s on their Ps and Qs.”

NOTES: Rookie DL Jonathan Allen did some light agility work as he attempts to return from left foot surgery. Allen has been on injured reserve since mid-October Breeland Speaks Super Bowl LI Jersey , can practice next week and is eligible to return Dec. 17 against Arizona. … Williams, who didn’t practice Monday, said he’s again in wait-and-see mode about playing at Dallas. … S Montae Nicholson (concussion), C Chase Roullier (hand) and DL Terrell McClain (toe) also did not practice.

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NEW YORK (AP) The Minnesota Wild have been thriving lately on the road to keep pace in the Central Division. After smothering the Rangers 4-1 Adidas Taylor Hall Jersey , they completed a three-game sweep in the New York area.

Mikael Granlund and Eric Staal each scored twice and Devan Dubnyk made 22 saves in the Wild’s victory over the free-falling New York Rangers on Friday night. The Wild also beat the Islanders on Monday night and New Jersey on Thursday night.

”Well, it obviously means getting six points, but we have never done that before,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. ”Anytime you do something you haven’t done before Martavis Bryant Jersey Elite , it’s pretty cool.”

The Rangers lost for the sixth straight time in regulation. New York is 6-17-0 since beating Buffalo in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1.

”In my mind, we worked hard. We just weren’t able to make the plays that we needed to make to get something out of that,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said.

Granlund opened the scoring for Minnesota at 16:06 of the first period after Staal intercepted a terrible breakout pass attempt by Rangers defenseman Anthony DeAngelo. Staal passed to Granlund, who easily put the puck past rookie netminder Alexandar Georgiev.

Georgiev played his second NHL game after making his debut Thursday night in a 3-1 loss at Montreal.

Staal made it 2-0 at 18:43. The goal was originally credited to Granlund but was changed to Staal late in the third period.

The Rangers narrowed the deficit to 2-1 when Jesper Fast scored his ninth of the season at 2:41 of the second.

Staal made it 3-1 for the visitors 52 seconds into the third period with a power-play goal – his team-leading 29th – of the season. Defenseman Ryan Suter and Granlund had assists.

Eric Staal had a short stint with the Rangers two seasons ago Authentic Justin Verlander Jersey , joining his brother Marc in New York but only recording only three goals in 20 games and none in the playoffs.

”There’s always motivation every night,” Eric Staal said. ”You always want to prove yourself. Tonight was one of those nights we caught them with some great plays and we were fortunate to be able to capitalize.”

Granlund, made it 4-1 at 9:22 of the third with his 17th goal of the season.

”Obviously, it’s always nice to score Brian O'Neill Jersey Elite ,” said the 25-year-old Finnish forward who was drafted ninth overall by the Wild in 2010. ”It’s nice to get some offense going.”

Minnesota is 6-1-2 in its last eight games. The Wild are in playoff position in a tight Central Division race.

Rangers forward Rick Nash didn’t dress for the second straight game. The 33-year-old Nash, whose contract expires after this season, is expected to be traded by Monday’s deadline.

He has 18 goals and 10 assists this season and is one point shy of 800 for his career. Nash scored against the Flyers in last Sunday’s 7-4 home loss. He was also a healthy scratch for Thursday’s loss at Montreal.

The Rangers traded forward Michael Grabner – their leading goal scorer – to the Devils late Thursday after sending defenseman Nick Holden to the Boston Bruins earlier in the week.

The Rangers are facing late-season games without playoff-race meaning for the first time since 2004 when they also made numerous deadline trades. They have only missed the playoffs once since 2005-06, in 2010 when the Rangers missed out on the last day of the season in a shootout loss at Philadephia.

”We’re in a results-oriented business Authentic Justin Turner Jersey ,” Vigneault added. ”The effort and preparation is there. We just have to stay with it.”

NOTES: Forward Chris Kreider returned for the Rangers after missing 24 games with blood clot in right arm. Kreider last played Dec. 27 against Washington. … The Wild are 4-7-0 at Madison Square Garden … Minnesota scratched forward Chris Stewart and defensemen Jonas Brodin and Gustav Olofsson … The Rangers continued to be without injured defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan McDonagh and Steven Kampfer.

UP NEXT:

Wild: Host San Jose on Sunday night.

Rangers: Host Detroit on Sunday night.

ASHBURN Fred Warner Jersey Elite , Va. (AP) Taking a defensive lineman from Alabama in the first round for the second consecutive year, the Washington Redskins chose tackle Da’Ron Payne with the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

The 6-foot-2, 311-pound Payne is considered a top-notch run-stopper, and he’ll line up next to former college teammate Jonathan Allen, Washington’s initial selection in 2017.

”That’s my guy,” Payne said.

It’s the first time the Redskins drafted players from the same school in consecutive first rounds since getting Oklahoma’s George Thomas and Leon Heath in 1950-51.

Payne also joins another Alabama defender, linebacker Ron Anderson Authentic Johnny Pesky Jersey , selected by Washington in the second round a year ago.

”I get the opportunity to play with old teammates,” Payne said in a conference call from a party with family members in Birmingham, Alabama. ”At Alabama, I won a bunch of games. I think I can take that winning mindset and the whole mentality it takes to be a winner and take it to the Washington Redskins.”

Asked to describe his style of play, Payne said: ”Just a relentless lineman. I’m going to get after the pass rush and just dominate the run every chance I get.”

His most famous play for the Crimson Tide might actually have come on the other side of the ball: He caught a touchdown pass against Clemson in a College Football Playoff victory last season.

After missing the playoffs and going 7-9 last season, the Redskins entered the draft with all sorts of areas of need on the roster, but perhaps nothing as pressing as various places on defense and at running back. While the Redskins will be expected to try to improve an ineffective rushing offense later in the draft – only four teams ran for fewer yards last season – they opened by beginning to address the problems on ”D.”

Having traded for Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs and signed him to a four-year extension Authentic Sandy Koufax Jersey , they were not among the many teams in the market for a young quarterback. So with an unprecedented four QBs taken in the top 10, some highly regarded players on the defensive side drifted down toward Washington.

And that unit could use the help, particularly when it comes to Payne’s specialty: stuffing runners.

Only four teams gave up more points per game than the 24.2 allowed by the Redskins, and none was as easy to run against: They were gashed for a league-worst average of 134.1 yards on the ground. They also were prone to ceding chunks of yardage at a time, with opponents recording 54 plays of 20 or more yards; only a half-dozen clubs let up more than that.

And in the NFC East, it’s vital to stop the run. The Dallas Cowboys, for example Authentic Brian O'Neill Jersey , have 2016 NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott, and the New York Giants made Penn State running back Saquon Barkley the No. 2 overall pick Thursday night.

”You see what’s going on in our division, with Saquon Barkley and Zeke Elliott and Philadelphia, the way they run the ball,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. ”Our ranking on defense wasn’t quite up to speed at 32nd, and we feel like Da’Ron paired with Jonathan Allen and the rest of the guys … is a perfect fit.”

A year ago, Washington got Allen with the 17th overall pick. He played promisingly when he was on the field Braden Smith Jersey Elite , but only appeared in five games before getting injured and missing the rest of the season.

The Redskins have seven other picks in this year’s draft, starting in the second round with No. 44 overall. They do not have a choice in the third round, because it was sent to Kansas City in the Smith deal.

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