vs. Giants, and Vikings are last in NFL with 71.1 yards per game and 2.8 yards per attempt. Of course, star RB Adrian Peterson is injured. ... Vikings have third-best interception percentage (0.8)
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vs. Giants, and Vikings are last in NFL with 71.1 yards per game and 2.8 yards per attempt. Of course, star RB Adrian Peterson is injured. ... Vikings have third-best interception percentage (0.8)
WASHINGTON -- Not a single member of the current Washington Capitals roster is from Washington. In fact, Jeff Halpern remains the only player born-and-bred in the area to make the local NHL team, and hes come and gone twice in his 13 seasons in the league. So perhaps Jason Chimera, a native of Edmonton who has been with the Capitals only since 2009, could be forgiven for his response when asked Thursday about the collective public angst over the teams latest blown lead in the playoffs. "I dont know why people keep bringing up pasts, or people keep bringing up stuff that happened," Chimera said. "Its different teams every year. Its not like its the same individuals every year." If Chimera were a live-long Capitals fan, he would feel differently. He would bear the scars from rooting for a franchise that has lost eight -- yes, eight -- playoff series when holding a two-game lead. Nobody collapses in the post-season quite like the Capitals. 1985. 1987. 1992. 1995. 1996. 2003. 2009. 2010. All series that Washington led either 2-0 or 3-1 -- and went on to lose. All were seven-game series, except for a five-gamer in 85. Even more startling, the Capitals historically are more likely to lose than win a series after taking a 2-0 lead. Theyve won four, lost five. They are trending that way again. They were up 2-0 on the New York Rangers. Now its 2-2 headed into Fridays Game 5 in Washington. While theres room for plenty of discussion for the technical and strategic reasons for the two losses in New York, one fact remains indisputable: The doubts are inevitably growing among the paying customers, and the players have to make sure those doubts dont seep into the locker room. "We need to get some momentum back," forward Troy Brouwer said. "Theyve got a lot of it with their two wins in their building. Weve been able to get wins at home, and were relying on that and have confidence in that going into Game 5." Take away the weight of the Capitals history, and the teams plight doesnt look so dire. If they keep holding serve at home, theyll win the series. If they can take fewer penalties and be less sloppy, and if Alex Ovechkin can find more space to make an impact after getting shut out in Games 3 and 4, they should be in good shape to turn the tide. But then theres this: The Capitals are have a 10-20 all-time record in Game 5s. Thats a massive skeleton to have in the closest, but its a closet the players are trying to keep shut. "Everyone likes to make things bigger than it actually is," defenceman Karl Alzner said. "The fans like to panic a little bit sometimes, but were not panicking, and everyone will see that tomorrow." Thats not to say that emotion wont play a part from here on out. Setting aside the history, both teams say that confidence and momentum could be as important as line changes and power plays in the next few days. "Our resiliency has really shown in these past two games, and we are going to need that when we go to Washington," New York coach John Tortorella said. "They are going to surge there, and we just need to find a way to keep our heads above water and find a way to win a game." Nevertheless, if the Rangers do win Game 5, the Capitals will have to work a bit harder to keep the angst of history at bay. "Theres always momentum swings," Washington goaltender Braden Holtby said. "Its just whoever can keep the levelest head, and keep thinking about the long-term in the series, and not worry about those momentum swings, is usually the team thats going to win." Notes: Capitals RW Martin Erat is likely out for Game 5 with an upper body injury suffered in Game 4. Washington recalled RWs Joey Crabb and Tom Wilson from Hershey of the AHL. Wilson, 19, is a 2012 first-round draft pick and made his professional debut last week in the AHL playoffs. ... Washington F Brooks Laich, who hasnt played since April 4, said his recent surgery was a "small procedure that was groin-related." He is skating again but needs to improve his conditioning before he can play. AP Sports Writer Ira Podell in New York contributed to this report.Cheap Wild Jerseys China . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Jason Zucker Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). http://www.cheapwildjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-christian-folin-jersey . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Mikko Koivu Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Matt Cullen Jersey . Hey!" The lower tier of the School End of Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road was packed solid with a very festive-sounding Chelsea choral section in this particular part of South Africa Road London, W12.DALLAS (10-1) at MINNESOTA (6-5)Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NBC/NFL NetworkOPENING LINE -- Cowboys by 2 1/2RECORD VS. SPREAD -- Cowboys 9-1-1, Vikings 6-5SERIES RECORD -- Cowboys lead 15-14LAST MEETING -- Cowboys beat Vikings 27-23, Nov. 3, 2013LAST WEEK -- Cowboys beat Redskins 31-26; Vikings lost to Lions 16-13AP PRO32 RANKING -Cowboys No. 1, Vikings No. 14 (tie)COWBOYS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (4), RUSH (2), PASS (16)COWBOYS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (21), RUSH (3), PASS (31)VIKINGS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (32), RUSH (32), PASS (24T)VIKINGS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (3), RUSH (14T), PASS (4)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -- Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who spent 13 years with Cowboys from 1994-2006, had emergency eye surgery Wednesday night that put his status for game in question. ... Cowboys can clinch spot in playoffs with win, plus loss by either Buccaneers or Redskins on Sunday. ... With win, Cowboys would match longest streak in franchise history (11 straight over 1968-69 regular seasons). With two more victories, theyd equal best start in club history (12-1 in 2007). ... Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is second behind Ben Roethlisberger (13 in row in 2004 for Steelers) for most consecutive wins by rookie. ... With 100-plus passer rating, Prescott can top Russell Wilsons rookie record (Seahawks in 2012) of nine straight games reaching that mark. ... RB Ezekiel Elliott needs one TD to tie Tony Dorsett (1977) and HHerschel Walker (1986) for most rushing scores by rookie in team history.dddddddddddd ... Cowboys are only defense in league to not allow 100-yard rusher. RB Jerick McKinnon has season high for Vikings with 85 yards vs. Giants, and Vikings are last in NFL with 71.1 yards per game and 2.8 yards per attempt. Of course, star RB Adrian Peterson is injured. ... Vikings have third-best interception percentage (0.8) in league behind Patriots and Cowboys. ... Vikings have totaled only three points in fourth quarter over last three games. ... Vikings have lost five of last six games. ... Teams meet in Minnesota for first time since 2010, a 24-21 victory by Vikings at Metrodome. ... Vikings have won seven of last nine in series, with two of those wins in playoffs after 1999 and 2009 seasons. ... Vikings have played Cowboys and Rams seven times each, tied for most-frequent opponent among 47 all-time playoff games. ... Vikings are tied with Packers and 49ers for second most-played postseason foe for Cowboys, behind Rams (eight). ... Fantasy Tip: Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph, who matched career high with nine catches last week at Lions, is tied for second among TEs in NFL with five TDs.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '