Die Macht » talking about him. Some of these kids havent pl

The Colorado Avalanche were feeling good after they defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 10 days ago.It was their third win in four contests, they were heading home for a five-game homestand with a .500 mark and looking to build some momentum heading into the second month of the season.Instead of surging, the Avalanche are searching for answers after three straight losses -- including one in a shootout. Colorado can turn things around on Thursday when it hosts the Blue Jackets on Thursday night.The poor starts, defensive lapses and lack of focus for 60 minutes need to be fixed if Colorado (9-11-1) is going to start winning.It better start coming from inside, coach Jared Bednar said after Tuesdays 5-3 loss to Nashville. The players are going to have to solve that a little bit on their own. They know what the expectations are, what the standard is and we have to continually strive to meet that standard and get more consistent.Bednar wants it to start against the Blue Jackets, a team with which the Avalanche made a trade on Monday. The clubs swapped minor league defensemen with Ryan Stanton going to Columbus for Cody Goloubef. Both players reported to their respective teams American Hockey League affiliates.Goloubef could end up with Colorado if the defense continues to struggle. The Avalanche arent getting enough consistency from 21-year-old Nikita Zadarov, who had a costly turnover in the first period that led to Nashvilles first goal Tuesday.But Zadarovs play isnt the main reason for Colorados struggles. Injuries are an issue, too.Goaltender Semyon Varlamov missed two straight games but will be in net Thursday. Forward Gabriel Landeskog was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, retroactive to Nov. 15.Bednar said Wednesday that the team is considering recalling one or two players from San Antonio, one of which might be A.J. Greer. Bednar has repeatedly said Landeskog is day to day but he hasnt skated since Friday. He didnt play in Colorados 3-2 overtime win in Columbus on Nov. 21, a rare November loss for the Blue Jackets.Columbus (12-5-4) finished the month 9-2-3 and is tied with Washington for third place in the Metropolitan Division before Wednesday nights NHL schedule. The Blue Jackets are coming off a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday and are feeling confident.We certainly know weve climbed a ladder here, coach John Tortorella told The Columbus Dispatch. Weve talked about the standard of play, the accountability factor of how you play, how you practice. And then when the season starts, do you go in there and hope youre going to win, or do you go in there with swagger and know youre going to get it done?Youre certainly not going to win them all. Theres a lot of things that go into winning and losing in the NHL. But I like where the attitude has gone to here. Carolina Hurricanes Gear . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. Stitched Hurricanes Jerseys . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Carolina Hurricanes Store .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. British tennis executives have been told they have a responsibility to capitalise on the success of role-model Andy Murray.Davis Cup captain Leon Smith has seen signs of positive change, but suggested more could be done to secure a promising future.He [Andy Murray] has created so much exposure, said Smith, his coach between the ages of 11 and 15.Theres a responsibility for British tennis, the LTA, to come up with programmes that will captivate that audience and get them on the tennis court and then stay on it. Its something you cant take for granted.Murray have been an outspoken critic of UK tennis governing body, with the world No.1 again taking a shot?this week.Smith, too, has voiced concern and argued his former student has many more qualities beyond his achievements which the LTA could be making more of.Where Andy separattes himself is he wears his heart on his sleeve on the court, Smith said.dddddddddddd People can see that and those messages you give to kids about giving your best effort, chasing every ball down, they see it.Everybodys talking about him. Some of these kids havent played before, but its Andy Murray, Andy Murray. Everyones immensely proud of him.Murray will be back on court at Londons O2 Arena on Wednesday afternoon for his second round-robin match at the ATP World Tour Finals.After winning reasonably comfortably against Marin Cilic in his first official match as world No.1 on Monday, Murray could book his place in the semifinals with victory over Kei Nishikori.PA Sport contributed to this report. ' ' '