News » nded its unbeaten run to eight leag

My thumb is up to the Tampa Bay Lightning, destined to be known as the team that perseveres despite injuries to key players. Tampa loses third-line guys, too - ones whose absence isnt really noticed until you realize there are names in the line-up youve never heard before, and there must be a reason for that. But when the stars are sidelined, it is obvious. The Lightning played more than half of last season without Steven Stamkos and were without goalie Ben Bishop for the playoff series against Montreal. This season began with optimism derived from the healthy presence of those most important cogs, but now, the other two, if you were naming four, are on the sidelines. Victor Hedman and Ryan Callahan are both gone for weeks, not days. Alex Killorn wasnt in last nights lineup and JT Brown and Brett Connolly didnt finish that game in Winnipeg. The Lightning won 4-2, and they sit second in the Eastern Conference standings, despite the injuries. ------- My thumb is down to the plight of the Carolina Hurricanes, who, until they win a game, are best identified as the team that found a way to lose to the Buffalo Sabres. Carolinas miserable start has certainly been affected by injuries - there hasnt been a game that has seen Eric and Jordan Staal and Jeff Skinner on the same line-up sheet, and there wont be until the younger Staal returns from knee surgery, in 2015, and by then, Eric Staal might be somewhere else. But, if the Lightning can be where they are, the Hurricanes, if honest, would tell themselves they should be higher. It must be particularly hard on rookie head coach Bill Peters, who has a coveted job in the NHL but has yet to celebrate his first win. When it comes, let’s say itll be a relief. It may not cause a celebration. (Please note: It is possible to mention the Sabres and the Hurricanes in the same paragraph without referring to Connor McDavid). Wholesale China Jerseys . The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March. Stitched China Jerseys . -- Tony Finau won the Stonebrae Classic on Sunday for his first Web. https://www.chinajerseysreview.com/ . A wide-eyed 18-year-old visiting North America for only the second time in his young life, Caboclo immediately noticed the "big tower" his new home is best known for. NFL China Jerseys . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Latvia won a four-man World Cup bobsled race Sunday, while the U. China Jerseys Review . -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will be out three to six weeks with a stress fracture of the third finger of his right hand.MADRID - After two defeats since Luis Suarez came into the team, Barcelona seeks to recover Wednesday when the Uruguayan striker returns to Amsterdam to face former club Ajax in a Group F fixture in the Champions League.Barcelona was beaten 3-1 at Real Madrid and then relinquished the leadership of La Liga on Sunday after a home defeat by Celta Vigo.Coach Luis Enriques squad needs to fix defence frailties and a misfiring attack to avoid a third loss since the usually prolific Suarez returned to action after suspension.In a clash of two four-time European champions, Ajax will hope to repeat its Champions League victory last season.Here are some things to know about Wednesdays games:___HAPPY MEMORIESSuarez will be playing his first Champions League game for Barcelona following suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.Suarez played for Ajax from 2007 to 2011. He was club captain and player of the year.Last year, Ajax beat Barcelona 2-1 thanks to a dazzling first-half attacking display and then determined defending when Joel Veltman was sent off.Maybe we should watch the videos of last year, said midfielder Lasse Schone.Veltman said: Im looking forward to the match. Its a great challenge to take on such amazing players.After losing 3-1 two weeks ago in Barcelona, Veltman believes Ajax must be bold.We have to be daring, he said.Barcelona is second in Group F, a point behind Paris Saint-Germain. Ajax, with two draws and a defeat so far, is third, one point ahead of Apoel Nicosia.Ajax goes into the match after a 4-0 rout of Urk in the Dutch Cup, but will be without midfielder Thulani Sereno and forward Viktor Fischer.___TEETHING TROUBLESSuarez struggled to integrate into the Barcelona team against Real Madrid.I felt tactically lost and disorganized at the Bernabeu, he said. I couldnt co-ordinate things well.He shot wide, was involved in a mix-up in the area and looked unable to sprint clear of opponents.He said the team had trained to improve things and he was slowly feeling more used to the formation.He added that he felt close to fellow Latin Americans Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano.There are many cultural similarities between AArgentina and Uruguay.dddddddddddd Its not because its Leo, but because hes South American and we get together a lot.___PSG WITHOUT IBRAHIMOVICA win against APOEL should see PSG fans celebrate their clubs qualification for the knockout phase if Barcelona beats Ajax.Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the match because a left heel injury that is taking longer to heal than expected. The 33-year-old striker has not played since Sept. 21.PSG coach Laurent Blanc said the Sweden international could be back for the match against bitter rival Marseille on Sunday.He is feeling much better, but he is not yet able to train with the rest, Blanc said. Hes not in pain anymore and thats a good sign.Ibrahimovics injury has had less impact than expected as the Parisian club remains unbeaten this season in all competitions.___AWAY DOUBTSAPOEL travels to Paris after a convincing 4-0 away win at Ethnikos extended its unbeaten run to eight league games.APOEL remains top of Cyprus league with 22 points, four ahead of second-place Apollon Limassol.The Cypriot champion has scored 15 goals and conceded two in eight games.APOEL lost at home to PSG last month, going down 1-0 thanks to Edinson Cavanis late winner.The Cypriot champion lost on both previous visits to France.In nine Champions League away games, APOEL has drawn five and lost four. APOEL coach Giorgos Donis says his team must remain focused, serious and disciplined, as well as assertive.Cypriot midfielder Nektarios Alexandrou said: Its going to be a much more difficult match. Were playing one of the best teams in the world.Experienced defender John Arne Riise is injured.___UNfavourABLE STATSBarcelonas trip to the Netherlands is preceded by unfavourable statistics.It has won only two of seven matches there against Dutch opponents, losing two.The task is made tougher by the absence of injured playmaker Andres Iniesta and defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu.Barcelona has won only two of its last nine European away matches, losing five.___AP Sports Writer Samuel Petrequin in Paris and Associated Press writers Michael Corder in Amsterdam and Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, contributed to this report. ' ' '