Thumbs down to those who believe there is never room to wonder if something is wrong with Sidney Crosby. The suggestion that his game seems to lack something — lately, that something has been goal-scoring — is seen as a knock against the player who is considered the world’s best. But unbiased hockey watchers are so familiar with Crosby’s game, and so awestruck by his talents when they’re on full display, that they’re able to tell the difference when something is missing. When Crosby scored just once in last season’s playoffs, it turned out he was bothered by a wrist injury. Now, after a stretch of 19 games that has seen him score only two goals, it is revealed that he hasn’t been feeling well, tests have been done and he has been held out of Pittsburgh’s last two games. Through it all, he’s still Sidney Crosby, the NHL’s reigning MVP and scoring champion and a candidate to repeat those honours, so how much can be wrong? Well, that’s exactly the point — how much is wrong? It’s a legitimate question, not an insult. If ever there was a futile battle, this is it, but thumbs down to the NHL’s “loser point”, the third point in the three-point game. I realized that few others care about this anymore when the Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit 2-1 in a Wednesday night shootout, and, given the fact that the Red Wings took 42 of the 61 shots that preceded the tiebreaker contest, the reaction was that Detroit was deserving of a point. I concluded that the three-point game had gained acceptance, and then I realized that I should have been saying that a long time ago, because it has existed for 10 years. It affects the standings in no small way. The Florida Panthers are sitting in a wild-card playoff spot thanks to eight points gained in overtime and shootout losses. They have the same number of points as the Boston Bruins, but if all games were worth two points, Florida would trail Boston by six points. There are no points awarded to NBA or NFL teams that lose in overtime, or to MLB teams that lose in extra innings, and that’s because those sports do it the simple way, and I suggest, the correct way — they count wins and losses. Custom Atlanta Braves Nike Jerseys . -- Rookie Victor Oladipo came off the bench to score 20 points and Glen Davis had 18, leading the Orlando Magic to a 112-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. Custom Kansas City Royals Nike Jerseys . 3 Ohio State. Amedeo Della Valle had 15 points, Marc Loving scored a career-high 13 and the bench provided 38 points as the Buckeyes sprinted past Nebraska 84-53 on Saturday. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.com/?tag=custom-los-angeles-dodgers-nike-jerseys .com) - The Toronto Raptors are paying Rudy Gay a visit on Wednesday night when they head into the Sleep Train Arena to take on the Sacramento Kings. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Nike Jerseys . The 34-year-old averaged 10.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 82 games played in 2013-14 with the Utah Jazz. Jefferson has averaged 14.5 points, 4. Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys .C. Lions signed cornerback Dante Marsh to a contract extension on Friay and released receiver Paris Jackson.ATLANTA - Assistant general manager Scott Pioli will take on pro and college scouting and will have new NFL draft responsibilities in the restructuring of the Atlanta Falcons personnel department announced Wednesday.The Falcons say Pioli will report to general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who retains responsibility for salary cap and player affairs, among other duties.The moves came as the team continued its search to replace coach Mike Smith, who was fired following a 6-10 season.The changes appear to weaken the authority of Dimitroff, whose future was left in doubt by owner Arthur Blank at the news conference to announce Smiths firing. Blank said Wednesday the new coach and Dimitroff will report separately to me.After reviewing all of our options — internally and externally — I have no reservations that this is the best approach to setting up our player personnel groups for future success, Blank said in a statement released by the team.It maximizes the talents of Scott, allows for more time and focus on all areas of our football operations groups managed by Thomas, and is in line with other player personnel groups in the league.Pioli, the former director of player personnel for the Patriots, joined the Falcons last year. Dimitroff worked with Pioli in New England as the Patriots director of scouting before he was hired by Atlanta in 2008. Dimitroff recommended Piolis hire last year.Dimitroff said in a statement Wednesday Pioli is a trusted partner who has proven himself, time and again, during his 23-year NFL career.His thumbprint can be found on a number of Pro Bowl players during his NFL career, and he was a key contributor to the remaarkable Super Bowl success of the Patriots during his tenure there.dddddddddddd. We look forward, and I do personally, to the many contributions he will make to our pro, college scouting and NFL draft efforts going forward.Dimitroff and Smith combined to build winning seasons in each of their first five seasons together. There has been increased criticism of Dimitroffs free-agent and draft decisions as the team posted a combined 10-22 record the past two years.At Smiths news conference, Dimitroff said I know that I have made mistakes and Im going to be scrutinized for it.The Falcons interviewed former Jets coach Rex Ryan on Tuesday. Ryan had two interviews with Atlanta before Smiths hire in 2008.The Falcons also have interviewed New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Broncos offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase, Seahawks defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn and former Bills coach Doug Marrone, according to multiple reports.Arizona coach Bruce Arians said the Falcons and other teams requested permission to interview Cardinals defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles.Blank said the decision to restructure the personnel department was not tied to the head coach search currently underway.Added Blank: We also believe that independent thinking and collaboration will contribute to taking us to the next level in our league. Therefore, our new head coach and Thomas will report separately to me.Director of player personnel Lionel Vital was given additional pro scouting responsibilities and will play a role in college scouting with director of college scouting Steve Sabo.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '