The Washington Capitals will try to keep their playoff hopes alive for another day, but must do so on Tuesday night against the Western Conference leading St. Louis Blues. The Capitals did themselves no favors with a recent 0-3-2 skid that was finally snapped with Saturdays 4-3 shootout victory over the New York Islanders. Washington has four games to play in the regular season and is four points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Easts second wild card berth. The Blue Jackets also have four games remaining and host the Phoenix Coyotes tonight. Rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov was one of three goal-scorers for the Capitals in regulation on Saturday, then netted the lone tally of the shootout. Nicklas Backstrom and Joel Ward also scored in regulation, while Braden Holtby came up with 35 saves in Washingtons first victory since March 22. "I dont think theres any relief. We have a hefty job to do still," Holtby said. "So I think thats one step that we needed to do, and we have to keep building, have to keep finding a way to win games like we did tonight." Forward Dustin Penner did not play due to an upper-body injury, while defenseman Mike Green sat out the final 45 minutes of the contest with an upper-body issue. Green did not travel with the team for this game. The Blues have already assured themselves a spot in the postseason and find themselves in a pair of races down the stretch. St. Louis is closing in on a Central Division title and also is in the running for the Presidents Trophy. The Blues are two points back of the Boston Bruins for the most in the NHL with four games left for each team, and the Bruins visit the Minnesota Wild tonight. St. Louis also is four points up on the Colorado Avalanche for first place in the division. The Blues will be looking to rebound after dropping back-to-back games over the weekend. They were bested 4-0 by the Avalanche on Saturday and then lost 4-2 at the Chicago Blackhawks the following day. Brian Elliott made 31 saves for St. Louis, while Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Sobotka scored. "Were a little bit tired," said Blues coach Ken Hitchcock. "We still have four more games to play. We have a lot of hockey to play yet and have to find a way to re-energize ourselves and get back to work." Forward Alexander Steen, who leads the Blues with 33 goals and 60 points, has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury and is questionable for tonight. The Capitals have won three of their last four versus the Blues, including a 4-1 victory at home on Nov. 17. Alex Ovechkin scored twice and Holtby notched 46 saves. Jaroslav Halak got the start for the Blues and allowed three goals on six shots before getting pulled less than 16 minutes into the game, with Elliott stopping 13 shots in relief. Halak is now currently a member of the Capitals, having been dealt to Buffalo prior to the trade deadline in the deal that landed Ryan Miller with the Blues. Halak was then later flipped by the Sabres to the Capitals and could start tonight. Halak is 4-4-3 with a 2.53 goals against average in 11 games with the Capitals, but 0-3-2 in his last five. He has faced the Blues only once before, making 25 saves in a shootout loss while with Montreal on March 18, 2008. Holtbys victory in November came in his first ever meeting with the Blues. Miller is expected to get the start for the Blues and he is 15-11-0 with a 2.45 GAA and three shutouts in his career versus the Capitals. Washington is visiting St. Louis for the first time since a 4-1 victory on Dec. 1, 2010. That snapped an eight-game series road losing streak and gave the Capitals their first victory in St. Louis since Oct. 26, 1996. Justin Turner Dodgers Jersey . The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the league hasnt announced the award. Crawford was the Clippers third-leading scorer and the NBAs top-scoring reserve with 18. Los Angeles Dodgers Pro Shop . And fellow Leaf, Jake Gardiner, hiking in Whistler. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/515h-...odgers.html.com) - NFL owners have unanimously approved the sale of the Buffalo Bills. Dodgers Jerseys China .com) - World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and four-time Australian Open titlist Roger Federer were among Mondays fourth-round winners at Melbourne Park. Hyun-jin Ryu Dodgers Jersey .I dont think it comes to mind in this business, in this game, the Philadelphia Flyers forward said. You dont try to lose games.With serious allegations of corruption monopolizing the news cycle leading into the World Cup, the last thing FIFA needed following the opening match of Brazil 2014 was for the global headlines to be dominated by the awarding of a mystery penalty which would alter the course of the contest. Too bad the refs vanishing spray, which was first introduced in tournament play at 2011s Copa América, is only effective on the grass. We were all left wondering when the football would finally be the focus. All those questions were answered by the Dutch dominance of the World Cup holders yesterday. In the second half alone, Spain conceded twice as many goals as they did through seven matches en route to a first World Cup triumph in South Africa four-years ago. Then for an encore, Chile and Australia played out a highly spirited encounter. Jorge Sampaolis team were very convincing, and certainly would have won over many new admirers, that one of South Americas less glamorous nations, would be the one which punches well above its weight class at Brazil 2014. With Groups C and D taking to the pitch Day 3 provides us with the only quadruple header of the tournament. Where armchair enthusiasts the world over are treated to the prospect of four matches over the course of 11 hours. Todays headliner without question is the rumble in the jungle, as the aptly named Arena da Amazonia plays host to Italy v England. With four World Cup triumphs already to their name, a record which is only bettered by Brazils five, if Italy is the preening peacock of European football, then England is its Hippopotamus. Rare, if ever, has the land of St. George got their heads above the waterline during World Cups. Quite coincidentally the last time that happened was at Italia 90, which was also the last time the two nations met at a World Cup. Courtesy of Toto Schillacis late penalty, Italy prevailed 2-1 in the third-place playoff match. Through the entire history of World Cup quite remarkably, that meeting represents the only time the two nations have met at the tournament proper. They have though met in qualifying twice. The most recent time was for France 1998. Zolas ssuperb strike at Wembley in February 1997 was the difference maker.dddddddddddd. The return fixture in Rome saw England claim a famous scoreless draw and with it top spot in the group. The iconic image of England captain Paul Inces head swathed in a bloodied bandage typified Englands approach on the day. One which had the current England manager Roy Hodgson assisting Glen Hoddle, officially in the role of interpreter. Hodgson was Inter Milans head coach at the time. When the World Cup Draw took place in Zurich early last December Manaus was chosen as the venue. The Arena da Amazonia, built at a cost of $300M has been in the news for all the wrong reasons as four workers have died during its construction. Brazilian football legend come politician Romario has been outspoken in his criticism. Pictures emerging on Thursday of a sub-standard surface the latest setback for a stadium which will host four group stage games. With Buffon set to miss out due to an ankle injury which occurred in training yesterday, combined with Montolivo fracturing a leg May 31st, the psychological edge certainly goes to England. Not that Prandellis team will need extra motivation this evening - but the only European nation to retain a World Cup [1934, 1938] is still smarting from its inability to emerge from a weak group in South Africa. A tournament they went into as defending champions. With soaring heat and intense humidity factoring, for England to stand any chance they will have to overcome the Achilles heel which has dogged them through the ages. Chasing shadows in the pursuit of a ball they surrender more casually than Andrea Pirlo completes successful passes. Based on statistical evidence and World Cup history, losing your first group stage game almost guarantees elimination. Although Prandelli nor Hodgson would admit it, if the game finishes as it did in Rome back in fall 1997 neither of them will be too upset. Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter TSN Radio is an official licensed radio broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil. Check www.tsn.ca/radio for the broadcast schedule in your home town. ' ' '