The News According to TSN.ca, Ryan Whitney exited Thursday's game against the Canadiens with a knee injury and did not return. Our View Whitney took an Andrei Markov slapshot off the knee in the second period and limped off the ice. No word on the severity of the injury, but updates will be sure to follow in the morning. Read More

The News Paul Stastny's two goals carried the Avalanche to a 3-0 win over the Panthers on Thursday. Our View Stastny has been a force to be reckoned with since he left Team USA. He's currently riding a six-game point streak and has two goals and six assists over that stretch, which marks every game since the NHL resumed play. Read More

Rays OF Carl Crawford, who had gotten off to a slow start this spring, connected for his first home run -- a solo shot -- Thursday at the Pirates. He finished 2 for 3 and is now batting .231 (3 for 13). Read More

The News Jon Rauch pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Orioles. Our View Rauch is in the running for the closer's role that has been abruptly vacated by the injured Joe Nathan. The tallest man in baseball has a decent shot to take over the position, as he's closed in the past, but will have to battle setup man Matt Guerrier and also hope that the Twins don't explore an option through trade or free agency. We'll monitor the situation as it plays out through the spring season. Read More

The News JaVale McGee just missed a double-double in Thursday's loss to the Hawks, collecting 20 points an nine boards. Our View McGee set a new season high with the 20-point affair and has now scored at least 13 points and seven rebounds in all but one game this month. Not bad for someone averaging 4.5 PPG and 2.6 RPG for the season. Read More

The News Jaroslav Halak wasn't at his best on Thursday, but managed to hold off the Oilers in shootouts for a 5-4 Montreal win. Our View Halak faced just 25 shots in regulation and allowed four to find the back of the net. Despite this oddly poor performance, he has won four straight and should continue to be a nice force between the pipes for fantasy owners. Read More

The News Andrei Markov was good for a pair of assists and a plus-three rating in Thursday's 5-4 shootout win over the Oilers. Our View Markov is one of the game's smoothest offensive defensemen, and he would be held in much higher regard if he didn't lose half his season to a freak preseason injury. He now has 25 points in just 32 games this season and is currently enjoying a five-game point streak. Read More

Twins SP Scott Baker, slated to start on opening day for Minnesota, worked three effective innings Thursday against the Orioles. He allowed one run on five hits and recorded four strikeouts. He has allowed only the one run in five innings this spring. Read More

Rays DH Pat Burrell, who's coming off a down season in which he hit .221 with 14 home runs, connected for his first spring homer Thursday at the Pirates, finishing 2 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored. He's off to a slow start this spring, batting .200 (3 for 15) overall. Read More

The News According to Ralph Cindrich on Twitter, the Cardinals have re-signed center Ben Claxton to a one-year contract. Our View He will fight for a roster spot in camp and will back up Lyle Sendlein if he makes the cut. Read More

Rockies RP Jimmy Gobble began the ninth inning Thursday against the Rangers but strained his left groin while facing his fourth batter and left the game. He pitched two-thirds of an inning, issuing one walk. Read More

Orlando F Matt Barnes scored 14 points in a win over the Bulls on Thursday. Barnes shot 5 of 8 including two 3-pointers. He also added four rebounds, three assists and a steal in 28 minutes. Barnes has now scored in double figures in six consecutive games. Read More