Rangers, Flyers meet for first time since Winter Classic

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02/05/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Rangers are enjoying a solid run of success as of late over the rival Flyers. After all, in the past year they have beaten them in New York and Philadelphia as well as indoors and outside.

New York seeks a sixth straight win over visiting Philadelphia this afternoon, one that would pad its lead atop the Atlantic Division.

The Rangers have outscored the Flyers 19-6 over their current series winning streak, one that includes a pair of shutout wins in New York and, of course, a 3-2 win when the teams last met outdoors in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2. The Blueshirts got a pair of goals from Mike Rupp at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park and 34 saves by Henrik Lundqvist, including a huge stop on Danny Briere on a penalty shot with 19.6 seconds remaining.

New York comes into this rematch well-rested -- having been off since Wednesday -- and atop the Eastern Conference standings with 69 points, three up on both Northeast Division-leading Boston and fourth-seeded Philadelphia.

Lundqvist was again the star in the Rangers' most recent trip to the ice, backstopping his club to a 1-0 shootout win at Buffalo. Lundqvist made 34 saves through overtime and stopped four of the five skaters he faced in the tiebreaker. Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan had shootout tallies on the Sabres' Ryan Miller.

"I could tell halfway through the first (period) that Miller was playing really well, and I knew I had to be focused and make good decisions out there," said Lundqvist after his sixth shutout of the season and 41st of his career. "It was a fun game, lots of back and forth action. And I am really happy we got the win."

New York bounced back from a shootout loss to New Jersey the previous day and has points in four straight (3-0-1). The Blueshirts open a three-game homestand with this divisional clash and could have defenseman Steve Eminger back in action.

The blueliner was cleared to return after missing 19 games in a row with a separated shoulder, though New York head coach John Tortorella said he isn't sure if Eminger will in fact play today.

The Flyers head to Madison Square Garden after a frustrating 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Devils on Saturday in which they fell behind early before battling back to make a game of it. Philadelphia gave up the game's first six goals, including two in the final minute of the first period, and seemed to lose its composure on the Devils' second goal.

Skating on the power play, Claude Giroux appeared to be tripped by New Jersey's Dainius Zubrus at the point. No call was made and Zubrus started an odd-man rush that ended in a short-handed goal by the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk with 57 seconds left in the opening frame.

"I'm pretty sure it was a penalty," Giroux said about the play that led to Kovalchuk's tally. "I actually like those two refs, so I don't want to rip them."

The Flyers eventually got goals from Wayne Simmonds -- his career high-tying 16th of the season -- Jaromir Jagr, Giroux and Jakub Voracek in the third, but couldn't extend their five-game point streak (3-0-2). Philly outshot New Jersey 24-1 in the third frame, setting a new franchise mark for largest single-period shot differential according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Sergei Bobrovsky got the start and gave up six goals on 23 shots. Ilya Bryzgalov halted all eight shots he faced in relief.

The Flyers, who will try to avoid losing two straight for the first time since Dec. 23-27, fell to 12-8-4 at home compared to a road mark of 18-7-2.

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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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