Red Wings aim to get back in playoff picture against Sabres

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03/13/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Finally healthy, the Red Wings' offense has looked like a dangerous unit that could give teams trouble in the playoffs. However, Detroit still needs to get there first.

The Red Wings will try to leap into the eighth spot in the Western Conference this evening at Joe Louis Arena against a Buffalo Sabres squad that will look to rebound after having a three-game winning streak snapped.

The Red Wings have been strong as of late, winning five of their last seven games. However, Detroit is still outside of the playoff picture as it currently holds the ninth spot in the Western Conference. The Red Wings are a point back of the Flames for the eighth spot in the conference, but Calgary is idle today.

Detroit has scored four or more goals in four of its last seven games, including on Thursday when it bested Minnesota by a 5-1 score.

Johan Franzen had a pair of goals and Henrik Zetterberg chipped in with a goal and two assists. Zetterberg notched his first three-point contest since posting five versus Anaheim on November 14, while Franzen scored for the seventh time in just 12 games this year.

Zetterberg has never scored versus Buffalo, posting three assists in six career games against them.

Tomas Holmstrom added a goal and an assist versus the Wild and Andrew Miller, brother of Buffalo netminder Ryan, also scored. Jimmy Howard ended with 21 saves.

"It was nice. We have to play with more desperation," Howard said. "That's how we need to play for the rest of the season."

Howard has never started versus the Sabres but did stop 14-of-15 shots faced in relief of Chris Osgood in an Oct. 13 meeting that ended in a 6-2 Sabres win. That victory for the Sabres snapped a three-game series losing streak. Buffalo has won just once in its last 10 trips to Detroit, however, and was handed a 3-1 defeat at Joe Louis Arena on Jan. 10, 2009 in its last trip there.

Thomas Vanek scored twice during a four-goal surge in the second period of the October victory, while Ryan Miller made 23 saves in net. That had been Vanek's only multi-goal game this season until he scored twice in last night's 3-2 setback to Minnesota. Vanek leads Buffalo with 22 goals after posting 40 a season ago.

Jason Pominville assisted on both tallies and Patrick Lalime made 30 saves in the start over Miller.

"A thousand chances aren't going to win games," said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. "We like the number of shots, but there are some situations where they have to turn them into goals. Our key players have to do a better job of turning those shots into goals."

Miller should get the start tonight and he is 2-5-0 with a 3.58 GAA in seven career starts versus the Sabres.

Buffalo remained two points up on Ottawa for first place in the Northeast Division with two games in hand. The Sabres start a five-game road trip tonight but have lost eight of their last nine as the guest.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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