gs. I think theres another level for him for sure." Freeman bec

Some back-to-backs are tougher than others. For the Nashville Predators, this one figured to be one of the toughest of the season -- and that was before they lost two top six forwards and their third straight game Friday night in Detroit.When Nashville welcomes the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins to Bridgestone Arena Saturday night, it could do so without Ryan Johansen and Craig Smith. Each left its 5-3 loss to the Red Wings in the second period suffering from the flu and their status for Saturday night is uncertain.While the Predators (1-3-0) lost Friday night, Pittsburgh (3-1-1) got to spend the evening in their hotel rooms in Nashville, fresh off a rousing 3-2 comeback win Thursday night against San Jose in an early rematch of last seasons Cup finals.And the Penguins needed a night of rest and relaxation in the worst way. They played most of the last two periods Thursday night with just four defensemen after the pairing of Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot both left with injuries.Trevor Daley, Justin Schultz, Brian Dumoulin and Ian Cole shouldered a heavy load after that, but played efficiently to help Pittsburgh wipe out a 2-0 deficit.Any time you go down two defensemen that early in the game, its tough. It puts a lot of pressure on those guys, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. I thought they did a great job simplifying their game. The third period, I thought our forwards took some pressure off them, playing a north/south game and holding onto pucks.Pouliot went on injured reserve Friday, joining a growing list of teammates in the infirmary. Sidney Crosby (concussion) is nowhere near returning to game action and top defenseman Kris Letang (upper-body injury) also sat out Thursday after being injured in Montreal Tuesday night.While Pittsburgh is thriving despite being shorthanded, the Predators are stumbling as their depth is undergoing an early test. The illnesses of Johansen and Smith, coupled with last weekends upper-body injuries to depth defenseman Anthony Bitetto and fourth-line forward Miikka Salomaki that landed both on injured reserve, could lead to call-ups from AHL affiliate Milwaukee for this game.Regardless of who plays and who sits, Nashville needs a more detailed performance to change its fortunes. The Predators want to forecheck aggressively and maintain possession, but have allowed a whopping 80 shots on net this week, and have stayed in games only because of good work by goalie Pekka Rinne and their power play.I thought we played hard, especially with a short bench, Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said Friday night. We just shot ourselves in the foot too many times. You cant make that many mistakes when youre trying to come from behind.Breakdowns in discipline harmed the Predators in Detroit, as they took eight minors, enabling the Red Wings to net two man-advantage markers. Had Rinne not saved 38 of 42 shots, the final margin could have been worse.All three Nashville goals in Detroit came on the power play, continuing an early trend. The Predators are 8-for-15 with the man advantage through four games and has potted just two even strength tallies.Air Max Sale Outlet . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Air Max Cheap Uk . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. http://www.airmaxwholesaleuk.com/ . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Nike Air Max Clearance Uk . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. Wholesale Air Max . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said.TAMPA, Fla. -- Doug Martin doesnt believe in the so-called sophomore jinx. Tampa Bays second-year running back rushed for 1,454 yards and scored 12 touchdowns as a rookie, and the Buccaneers believe hes capable of performing even better in 2013. Especially with two of the teams best players -- guards Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph -- returning from injuries to strengthen the offensive line. Martin finished third in the NFL behind Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson with 1,926 total yards from scrimmage in 2012. He was fourth in rushing behind Peterson, Alfred Morris, Marshawn Lynch and Jamal Charles after being selected with the 31st overall pick of last years draft. Now, hes eager to build on that success. "Im more confident in what Im doing out there. I cant wait for the season to start," Martin said following practice during the teams three-day mandatory minicamp. "Theres a lot of room to improve. Its the second year in this system," the former Boise State standout said. "Getting a second year under our belt, everyone looks pretty comfortable." The Bucs traded up to select the 5-foot-9, 215-pound Martin late in the first round of the draft, confident that he had the size and toughness to be an every-down back as a pro. After a relatively quiet first six weeks of his rookie season, Martin burst into the spotlight with a 29-carry, 135-yard performance in a nationally televised Thursday night game against Petersons Minnesota Vikings. He also turned one of his three pass receptions into a 64-yard touchdown. The following week he averaged 10 yards per carry while running for 251 yards and four TDs to key another road victory at Oakland. The team-record output included touchdown bursts of 45, 67 and 70 yards, making him the first player in NFL history to score three rushing TDs of 45 or more yards in the same game. "Every day he comes in and gives it his best," quarterback Josh Freeman said, adding the return this season of Nicks and Joseph, should give Martin a chance to be even more effective in 2013. "Having Carl and Davin back and healthy, thats going to make a huge diffference," Freeman added.dddddddddddd"Im not saying youre expecting a drop-off or anything, but those are two All Pro-calibre guys coming back, and I know theyre really hungry, really eager to get back on the field." The soft-spoken running backs success as a rookie may have surprised some people, but not coach Greg Schiano, who has likened Martins style to that of Baltimores Ray Rice, who played for Schiano at Rutgers. As part of his preparation for the upcoming season, Martin has been watching film of some of the all-time great NFL running backs, including Jim Brown and Walter Payton. "Theyre relentless runners," Martin said. "What I learn from watching them is it took three or four guys to bring them down. Dont let one guy bring you down, just always run hard." As good as Martin was as a rookie, Schiano said he -- and the entire offence for that matter -- figures to benefit from a second year in the Bucs system. "Absolutely," Schiano said. "If you look at him, I think he looks better now than he did this time last year -- physically, understanding-wise, all those things. I think theres another level for him for sure." Freeman became Tampa Bays first 4,000-yard passer in 2012, Vincent Jackson had 72 receptions for 1,384 and eight touchdowns, and Martin had five 100-yard games and broke the teams rookie rushing record. To cap it off, Martin was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. "Being a rookie, it was crazy seeing all those vets. Youve got the Manning brothers, Drew Brees, everybody. It was crazy," Martin said, adding one of the highlights of the trip was "just hanging out with the guys" and practicing with players such as Peterson, Lynch and Larry Fitzgerald. His stellar first season also has made him more recognizable around the Tampa Bay area. "That comes with the game and being successful on the field," he said of fan reaction to him in public. "I say: Thank you very much, thank you very much. At the same time youve got to brush it off because youve got to get back out on the field and do it again." ' ' '