Backstrom, Savard and Richards earn NHL weekly honors

Hockey Betting Lines

02/26/2007 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom, Boston Bruins center Marc Savard and Tampa Bay Lightning center Brad Richards have been the NHL's Three Stars for the week ending February 25.

Backstrom was named the first star after posting a 3-0 record, 1.62 goals- against average and .933 save percentage for the Wild. He made 23 saves in a shootout victory over the Dallas Stars on February 20. He then turned aside 28 shots two nights later and wrapped up the week with a 19-save effort in a win over the Edmonton Oilers on February 25. In his first season in the league, the Finland native ranks third in the league with a 2.23 GAA and .923 save percentage.

Savard earned the second star after picking up two goals and seven assists in four games last week for Boston. Savard had three points in a victory over Philadelphia on February 19th and just one night later had three assists in a win over Tampa Bay. Savard closed out the week with a goal and an assist in a loss to Florida on February 24. For the season, Savard has 21 goals and 61 assists in 61 games.

Richards was named the third star after registering two goals and seven assists in four games for the Lightning. On February 25, Richards netted a goal and added three helpers in a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 64 games this year, Richards has 22 goals and 38 assists.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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