News » Griffin waiting any longer

The Ottawa Senators take aim at their first winning streak in nearly two months as they play host on Monday night to the Washington Capitals, but theyll have to do it without Jason Spezza and Chris Phillips. Detlef Schrempf Thunder Jersey . Spezza (lower body) and Phillips (foot) are each listed as day-to-day but will miss their second straight games. The Sens picked up just their second victory in six games on Saturday, besting the visiting Boston Bruins by a 4-3 margin to split a home-and-home set. Ottawa was pounded 5-0 in Boston on Friday. Bobby Ryan scored the go-ahead goal for the Sens, finishing off a breakaway with 4:35 to play on a backhander under the crossbar. It came not too long after the Bruins had a potential go-ahead goal waved off when it was ruled Jarome Iginla had intentionally kicked the puck into the net. "There werent that many chances in the third," said Ryan. "Truthfully I was just hoping that was going to be the game-winner." Zack Smith, Patrick Wiercioch and Cory Conacher also tallied for the Senators, who got 29 saves from Craig Anderson. The Sens hope to cap December by winning two straight for the first time since a three-game win streak from Nov. 5-9. They can do so by claiming a sixth straight victory over the Capitals. Ottawa notched a 6-4 win at Washington on Nov. 27 in the first of three meetings this season. Ryan scored twice and Anderson made 29 saves as the Caps failed to hold a 3-1 first-period lead. The Sens have won three straight and eight of their past 10 at home versus the Capitals. Washington will play on the road for a second straight night after dropping a 2-1 shootout decision to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. Troy Brouwer had a goal for the Capitals, but the Sabres Ryan Miller stopped all six skaters he faced in regulation. Philipp Grubauer, meanwhile, made 16 saves through overtime and turned aside the first five he faced in the tiebreaker before Buffalos Steve Ott blasted a shot over his right shoulder. Washington fell to 1-1-2 in its last four games despite outshooting Buffalo 50-17. "Miller was playing well and we feel like we deserved to win tonight but you encounter some games that just dont go your way, " said Brouwer. Washingtons Alex Ovechkin finished with a season-high 12 shots, but has gone without a goal in three straight for the first time this season. Nerlens Noel Jersey . The 23-year-old restricted free agent appeared in all 48 games last season, finishing second among all Sabres skaters with 15 goals and 34 points. Kevin Hervey Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. https://www.thunderrookiesshop.com/Russell-Westbrook-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The Brazilian-born strikers brace drew him level with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorers with 17 goals apiece through 16 rounds. "The important thing is to help the team win, not the goals," Diego Costa said. After a first half dominated by defence, Atletico pressed Valencia into its area and Diego Costa did the rest.ASHBURN, Va. - Its time for RG3s latest comeback.One of the NFLs most dynamic play-makers — and personalities — is set to return Sunday, and the rest of the season could go far in determining his future in the league. Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden made it all but official Thursday when he said he has every intent of starting Robert Griffin III against the Minnesota Vikings.All systems look like theyre go, Gruden said.Gruden said Griffin is fully recovered from a dislocated left ankle suffered in Week 2 and that the third-year quarterback took most of the first-team snaps in practice ahead of Colt McCoy, who started Monday nights upset over the Dallas Cowboys.We feel hes at 100 per cent physically right now, Gruden said. But we still have another day left and to make sure thats the case. All the doctors are on board, the trainers are on board, as far as physically, he looks great.Gruden again said he wants to make sure Griffin is comfortable running the playbook, including all the new plays and concepts added over the last six weeks.I want to see him decisive with the ball, throwing the ball, accuracy, feet in the pocket — very important — make sure hes not jittery, make sure hes not tentative whatsoever with his reads, his decisions, Gruden said. Make sure hes confident, plays with that confident air that he has that everybody loves moving forward, and (then) well make the final decision, but everything looks good so far.The Redskins did not make Griffin available for comment. He is scheduled to address reporters on Friday.Starting Griffin over McCoy has its risks in the Redskins quest to climb out of their early-season hole. Griffins only game in Grudens system, which is geared toward making Griffin less of a running quarterback and more of a pocket-passer, was a far-from-inspiring 17-6 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 1.McCoy, meanwhile, has completed 36 of 42 passes in 1 1/2 games since Kirk Cousins was benched at halftime against the Tennessee Titans and has the Redskins (3-5) on their first winning streak since 2012. The more experienced hand of McCoy could arguably fare better against the complex defensive schemes run by Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.But Griffin remains the key to Washingtons futurre, and the team needs to see if he can remain healthy after three major leg injuries over six college and NFL seasons, while also determining whether he can develop the all-around game expected of elite quarterbacks. Custom Oklahoma City Thunder Jerseys. Griffin is currently under contract through 2015, and the Redskins next spring will have to decide whether to exercise a team option for 2016.Hes played five quarters of football as a starting quarterback for me since Ive been here, Gruden said, and hes got a lot to prove.Gruden said he wont limit Griffins mobility with play-calls because of the injury. Griffins best moves — including bootlegs and the read-option — will be part of the game plan.We cant hold back because of any past injuries, Gruden said. Hes got to play the position the way he plays it.Griffins return changes the viewpoint from the Vikings defence. In two games vs. Minnesota, he is 41 for 59 for 463 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, along with 20 rushes for 182 yards and two TDs.Youve got to treat him like an extra running back, Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen said. Weve just got to hit him.The Redskins have a bye following the Minnesota game, but Gruden said there was no reason to keep Griffin waiting any longer. The quarterback wouldnt gain much practice time during the extra week because teams are mandated to give players at least five days off.Theres really no benefit to, if hes healthy, to really sitting him and waiting for the bye because its not like his leg is going to get stronger, Gruden said. His legs fine, so, (what) the heck.The nonstop barrage of RG3 questions was perhaps taking its toll on the first-year coach, but he handled it with humour. Asked if he could just go ahead and declare once and for all that Griffin is starting, Gruden replied: We have every intent of him of him starting, but, you know, (shoot), who knows?After some laughter, he added: I might just change my mind now and just start Colt for the first play of the game — just to tick everybody off.___AP Pro Football Writer Dave Campbell in Eden Prairie, Minn., contributed to this report.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP ' ' '