going on across the world with gun violence and things of that nature, yo

What do you need to know about last nights big stories? Joe McDonald gives us his take on the biggest and best. This is where we say, Morning, Joe.More than just scoring: Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel has three goals and one assist for four points in his first two games back from a high-ankle sprain. His return to the lineup has paid dividends. Were not here to talk offense, however: His defensive game has been just as important to the Sabres success. In the waning minutes of Thursdays game, Buffalo had a one-goal lead, and the New York Rangers were pressuring. In an all-out effort, Eichel won a battle along the wall and was able to chip the puck into the neutral zone to secure the 4-3 victory. It was another example of how the leagues talented young players are bringing a two-way game. The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid plays that game. The Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews is learning that trait too. If you want to be one of the best players in the NHL -- and, above all, win -- you have to excel at both ends of the ice. If a player is willing to make those sacrifices for the betterment of the team, it goes a long way with your teammates and fans. Eichel is that type of player.Tarasenko lighting it up: Speaking of dynamic players, the St. Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko is one of the best. Hes a dangerous player when hes hot, which is the case right now. He scored his third career hat trick and equaled a career-high four points en route to a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Hes the type of player who wants the puck on his stick, and when he has it, theres no denying his ability. He can skate and shoot, and his hockey sense is off the charts. When hes this consistent and confident, it makes everyone around him better. He scored 40 goals last season, and hes on track to hit that mark again. Tarasenko, 24, has nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in the last 13 games.?McDavid-Eichel is back on: Oilers superstar Connor McDavid continues to amaze with his speed and production, which was again on display against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. He assisted on three of Edmontons goals en route to a 6-3 win. McDavid extended his points streak to seven games, during which he has six goals and nine assists for 15 points. It was his 10th multipoint game of the season, and he leads the league with 34 points in 25 games. His offensive production is impressive, but, as with Eichel, his two-way game bears mentioning. It starts with speed: The explosiveness of McDavid and Eichel is almost unmatched; both play at an entirely different level. Its a toss-up as to which player is more exciting to watch. McDavid is the leader in the clubhouse, but in his two games back, Eichel has been remarkable. Cheap Panthers Jerseys China . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. http://www.cheapfloridapanthersjerseys.com/ . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Cheap Florida Panthers Jerseys . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland. Cheap Adidas Panthers Jerseys . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. MINNEAPOLIS -- While a former teammate who caught passes from Colin Kaepernick defended the San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks decision not to stand for the national anthem, a former teammate who blocked for Kaepernick didnt see it that way.Minnesota Vikings guard Alex Boone, who played five seasons with Kaepernick in San Francisco before leaving in free agency last spring, called it shameful that Kaepernick did not stand for the national anthem on Aug. 26 against the Green Bay Packers, adding we probably would have had a problem on the sideline had the quarterback done it while Boone had still been his teammate.Former 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin said Sunday that you still have to respect Kaepernicks opinion even if you dont agree with what someone does. The quarterback told NFL Media on Friday that his decision was meant as a form of protest over the treatment of black people and people of color in the U.S.While Boone acknowledged that Kaepernick can do whatever he wants, he added, theres a time and a place. Show some respect.You should have some f---ing respect for people who served, especially people that lost their life to protect our freedom, said Boone, whose brother J.J. served with the Marines in Iraq. Were out here playing a game, making millions of dollars. People are losing their life, and you dont have the common courtesy to do that. That just drove me nuts.Anquan said it this morning [that Kaepernick had the right to do it], and I was kind of mad that he said it, because I was like, God, if Anquan says it, Ive got to go with it, because Anquan was such a leader, and hes a smart guy. He gets it. But at the same time, I was upset with his choice to do that and kind of disrespect the flag.Niners coach Chip Kelly said Kaepernick also didnt stand for the anthem on Aug. 20 against the Denver Broncos, telling reporters, We recognize his right to do that. So, its not my right to tell him not to do something. Thats his right as a citizen.We recognize his right as an individual to choose to participate or not participate in the national anthem.ddddddddddddBoone, though, said the gesture was disrespectful to the American flag and those who serve in the military.You see all these pictures of these veterans that have no legs, and theyre standing up in a wheelchair, Boone said. I had a brother that served, and he lost friends. I know how much it means to him. Its shameful.New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz said after his teams exhibition victory against the?New York Jets?on Saturday night that the American flag deserves respect -- no matter the circumstances in?the U.S. or beyond.The flag is the flag, Cruz said. Regardless of how you feel about things that are going on in America today, and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things of that nature, youve got to respect the flag, and youve got to stand up with your teammates. Its bigger than just you, in my opinion. I think you go up there, youre with a team, and you go and you know you pledge your allegiance to the flag and sing the national anthem with your team, and then you go about your business, whatever your beliefs are.Colin is his own man. He decided to sit down and that is his prerogative, but on a personal standpoint, I think you have to stand up there with your team and understand and its this game and whats going on around this country is bigger than just you.Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan said Sunday he believes players and coaches should stand for the anthem to show respect and give thanks to members of the armed forces.Youve got to look at the gifts that we have, the opportunity that we have to play a great game is through the men and women that serve our country, Ryan said before practice on Sunday. And I think thats an opportunity right there just to show respect.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.? ' ' '