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UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Sidney Crosby managed to smile despite a swollen nose that was still bleeding long after it was struck by a puck. The Penguins captain had reason to be happy.

NEWARK, N.J. - A year after beating them in the Eastern Conference finals, the New Jersey Devils still have the New York Rangers' number. The reasons haven't changed, either.

The Texas Rangers will go to spring training expecting Nelson Cruz to be their everyday right fielder.

The Canadian Kid is hanging up the boxing gloves. Steve Molitor (34-3), who held the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight title twice, said Tuesday he has retired from the ring.

ST. LOUIS - Chris Carpenter, one of the best clutch pitchers in the storied history of the St. Louis Cardinals, may have thrown his final pitch.

HOUSTON - The Houston Astros have a grand total of five players with more than two years of major league experience on the 40-man roster, a first-year manager and a move to the American League to deal with, too.

MINNEAPOLIS - Though coaching changes have been infrequent in Minnesota Twins history, a second straight last-place finish precipitated a shakeup on the staff last fall.

Chris Nilan holds out a pair of gnarled hands and wonders if he could have been a doctor. Maybe a few hapless victims of his powerful punches over a 13-year NHL career wish Nilan took a different career path.

MIAMI - Major League Baseball officials have asked the Miami New Times for records the alternative newspaper obtained for a story on alleged use of banned substances by several players.

EDMONTON - The Oilers' weakness on faceoffs was exposed Monday night against Vancouver, and now with the loss of Shawn Horcoff and Eric Belanger — Edmonton's two best draw men — the concern has become even more immediate.