Powerful Penguins put streak on the line against Isles

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02/19/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins look to continue their best run since the franchise's glory days when the NHL's hottest team visits the New York Islanders this afternoon in a President's Day matinee from Nassau Coliseum.

Pittsburgh has ripped off six consecutive victories and recorded a point in 16 straight games, having gone 14-0-2 over that blazing stretch. The point streak is the club's longest since it posted 17 wins and a tie over an 18-game span during the 1992-93 campaign. The Penguins ended that season with a franchise- best 119 points.

The Penguins, who haven't lost in regulation since a 5-2 setback at Florida on January 10, maintained their winning ways with a 3-2 decision Sunday against Washington.

Evgeni Malkin snapped a 1-1 tie late in the second period with his 29th goal of the season and Maxime Talbot netted the eventual game-winner 1:10 into the third. Mark Recchi added a power-play tally and Sergei Gonchar finished with two assists to aid in the triumph.

Jocelyn Thibault stopped 29-of-31 shots for Pittsburgh, which will start up a three-game road trip this afternoon. The Penguins have won five of their last six away from home and are 14-9-5 as the visitor for the season.

The Islanders enter this key matchup in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and two points behind Montreal and Toronto, who are currently tied for the East's eighth and final playoff spot.

New York made a trade on Sunday in hopes of bettering its postseason chances, acquiring offensive-minded defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron from Edmonton in exchange for blueliner Denis Grebeshkov.

Bergeron, a four-year NHL veteran, had career-highs of 15 goals and 20 assists for the Oilers in 2005-06 and has compiled eight goals and 17 helpers in 55 games this season.

The Isles had a two-game win streak halted by New Jersey, which leads Pittsburgh by five points atop the Atlantic Division, on Saturday. Martin Brodeur made 26 saves to earn his league-leading 11th shutout of the season as the Devils came away with a 2-0 win.

The loss spoiled another strong effort in goal from Rick DiPietro, who turned aside 28-of-30 shots. The former No. 1 overall draft choice has posted a 1.59 goals against average in eight February starts.

Pittsburgh has won four of the six meetings between the divisional rivals in 2006-07 and is 7-2-1 in its last 10 encounters with New York. The Islanders have claimed two of the last three games played between the teams at Nassau Coliseum, however.

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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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