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CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks used a strong start against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday to keep their strong start to the season on a roll.

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Luke Hochevar is a paradox. "You break down Luke's starts last season, half of them were at the top of the league," Royals manager Ned Yost said Sunday. "The other half were at the bottom of the league. So it's just inconsistency.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - For Nick Swisher, being back among his new teammates brought comfort after a few difficult days.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Chipper Jones was lingering beyond the left-field wall, signing as many autographs as he could, when someone asked the obvious question. "Do you miss it yet?" Jones was quick with a reply. "No," he said, "not too much.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Shin-Soo Choo has made 10 starts in centre field over eight seasons in the majors. He'll get a chance to win the job during his first spring training with the Cincinnati Reds.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Calling his recent drunk driving arrest a "monumental mistake," Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton fought tears as he apologized Sunday and asked for forgiveness at the start of spring training. Helton was arrested Feb.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Like the Boston Red Sox, Shane Victorino is looking to rebound. The Flyin' Hawaiian was dealt from Philadelphia to the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer and wound up hitting .

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Sidney Crosby is so prolific, good things happen even when the Pittsburgh Penguins' star isn't attempting to make a pass. That was the case in how Crosby helped the Penguins rally to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

JUPITER, Fla. - With ace Chris Carpenter sidelined, possibly for the season, the St. Louis Cardinals are hoping for more wins and innings from Jaime Garcia.

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Injuries, inconsistency and the spotlight of playing in Boston weighed on Carl Crawford, even had him doubting himself for the first time in his career.