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NHL
It’s official – the National Hockey League season will begin January 13th. The League and the Players Association confirmed the plan for the 56-game campaign yesterday.
Divisions will be aligned to allow for less travel. All Canadian teams will be in the North Division. The Red Wings will play in the Central Division, along with the Blackhawks, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Stars, Panthers, Predators and Lightning. The North Stars wound up in the West Division. Regular season games will be played only against Division opponents.
Sixteen teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, which are scheduled to conclude in mid-July.
Training camp will officially begin January 3rd, although Detroit and the other teams that did not qualify for the playoffs this fall will be allowed to begin several days early.
Listen for Red Wings games again this season on 99.3 The Lift.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons have waived forward Dzanan Musa. Musa was obtained from the Nets in the trade that sent Bruce Brown to Brooklyn last month. The move trims Detroit’s roster to the required 15 players in advance of the opening of the NBA season.
NFL
Ryan Tannehill passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more, as the Tennessee Titans ripped the Lions 45-26 yesterday. Derrick Henry sliced through the Detroit defense for 147 rushing yards. The Titans put the game away with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 22 of 32 passes for 252 yards and one score. He played most of the game, despite his injured ribs. Matt Prater booted a 53-yard field goal, and tied the NFL record for most career kicks made from 50 yards or more. The loss officially eliminated the Lions from the playoffs.
In last night’s contest, Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes, as the Cleveland Browns shut down the New York Giants 20-6.
The Cincinnati Bengals welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight. Coverage begins at 7:30 on 99.3 The Lift.
The Detroit Pistons open the regular NBA season Wednesday at Minnesota. Pregame coverage begins at 7:35 on 99.3 The Lift.
Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.
