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NEW YORK, N.Y. - Whatever damage was caused by the latest long NHL lockout, the league isn't feeling the fallout as it gets set to start this year's playoffs.

CANONSBURG, Pa. - Sidney Crosby's smile betrays a jagged ridgeline of enamel along his bottom row of teeth, evidence of the extensive damage inflicted to Crosby's jaw by a wayward shot a month ago.

HAMDEN, Conn. - Quinnipiac University has agreed to settle the gender equity lawsuit that led a federal judge to rule that cheerleading isn't a sport.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - It might be the most important regular-season game in Columbus Blue Jackets history — or maybe just the end of a remarkable turnaround.

OKLAHOMA CITY - All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook will have surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee and be out indefinitely, dealing a harsh blow to the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship chances.

The U.S. Olympic Committee is talking to 10 cities about a possible bid for the 2024 Summer Games, including a joint proposal from San Diego and Mexican neighbour Tijuana.

TORONTO - Doug Mitchell was attending Colorado College on a hockey scholarship when he asked the coach whether he could try out for the football team. The answer was no. "But he couldn't prevent me from being a walk-on," Mitchell said.

POISSY, France - A luxury sports car, it turns out, is a very appropriate place to interview an Olympian about how he injured his back. Because the contrast between the two is so compelling.

MILWAUKEE - Through the season's first 11 games, Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke submitted 10 different lineup cards.

RALEIGH, N.C. - The New York Rangers are headed back to the Eastern Conference playoffs because all the important bounces down the stretch went their way. One ricocheted off the boards and into the net. Another glanced off a post on its way in.