Allgemeines » the National League in wins.

NEW YORK -- Brandon Prust returns but fellow forward Dale Weise is out and defenceman Alexei Emelin is a game-time decision for the Montreal Canadiens. The Rangers are without suspended defenceman John Moore, with ex-Hab Raphael Diaz expected to play in his place in the third defensive pairing. Both teams had lineup issues ahead of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final. A win and the Rangers can advance to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 20 years. A loss and New York has to go back to the Bell Centre for a deciding game. Montreal coach Michel Therrien confirmed after Thursdays morning skate that Weise, flattened by the hit that earned Moore a two-game suspension, would not play. Emelin, who missed Game 5 with an undisclosed injury, did not take part in the morning skate either but was seen on an exercise bike outside the locker-room. Prust returns from his two-game suspension for breaking Derek Stepans jaw with a blindside hit in Game 3. "Hes going to be hungry to play," said Therrien. "Hes going to play hard. Hes excited about playing tonight so were glad hes back in the lineup." Weise seemed woozy after the Moore hit Tuesday in Game 5 but returned to action after spending time in the dressing room. On Thursday, Therrien denied that Weise had a head injury. Therrien said Weise, who plays in the Habs third line, told doctors he "felt fine" about finishing the last game. The Montreal coach said player safety is Job 1, but noted that Stepan finished Game 3 with what turned out to be a broken jaw. "Those are the things that you see at this time of the year," he said. "Right now (Weise) has a body injury so he wont be able to lay tonight." Asked what specific tests an injured player like Weise has to pass to get back into the game, Therrien essentially said that was up to the team doctors. "Those are the things I that dont know, because as a coach I never get a concussion," said a smiling Therrien. "But one thing I trust, we trust our medical staff, we trust the doctor. So when theyre saying hes good to go. hes good to go." The Habs are 22-7-4 with Weise in the lineup and 5-4-0 without him. Goalie Carey Price, knocked out of the series in Game 1, came onto the ice in full gear near the end of the Canadiens skate. He did the same thing earlier this week in Montreal. Dustin Tokarski, the 24-year-old who has stepped in for Price, did not speak to reporters Thursday. Rangers starter Henrik Lundqvist, given the hook last time out, drew a crowd in front of his stall. With the Rangers looking to close out the series, the music wafting out of the New York locker-room area earlier at Madison Square Garden was appropriate -- "Closing Time" by Semisonic. "No Canada" was the headline on the back page of the New York Daily News. The kicker read "Rangers: We cant let series go back to Montreal." The New York Post headline was "Code Blue." Much has been said about the need to get a good start in the series, with Therrien acknowledging the first 10 minutes of the game are always crucial. "But Im going to tell you something, the whole entire 60 minutes are going to be really important," he said with a smile. Vigneault, whose exchange with the English media lasted three and a half minutes, offered no reaction to the league banning Moore for two games. He also did not want to speak about the 7-4 loss in Game 5 in Montreal, saying "Weve moved on." The Rangers coach did say he expected a big game from Lundqvist, who was pulled in the second period last time out after giving up four goals on 19 shots. "I expect him to play like he always does. Hes a great goaltender." Said Rangers forward Rick Nash: "Hes a world-class goalie. Hes been our best player all season, all the playoffs." Therriens pre-game meeting with the media was equally pithy, lasting just under eight minutes in English and French. Cheap Nike Shoes From China .C. -- The Steve Smith era in Carolina is over. Cheap Nike Air Max Shoes China . 25 against Miami. Hillis left Browns Stadium about two hours before kickoff, a decision that has led to speculation he was upset over ongoing negotiations with the club on a contract extension. http://www.wholesalenikeshoeschina.com/ .A. Happ. The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to improve the starting rotation ahead of next season and pitchers like Happ have a chance to show they belong as the disastrous 2013 campaign draws to a close. Cheap Nike Shoes For Sale .Under the agreement announced Monday, the Cuban defector is guaranteed $68.5 million over six seasons.Tomas gets a $14 million signing bonus that is payable within 30 days of the deals approval by Major League Baseball, and then salaries of $2 million next year, $4 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017 and $10 million in 2018. Wholesale Nike Shoes Free Shipping . Braden Calverts Winnipeg rink rallied to defeat Italy 8-7. After giving up three points in the second end, Calvert came back with a single, then stole two more points in the next two ends to tie it up at the fifth-end break.CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Alfredo Simon leads the National League in wins. Hes still hoping to be added to the All-Star team. Simon became the NLs first 12-game winner and Billy Hamilton added to his sensational series with a tiebreaking triple Wednesday night, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-1 victory over the trade-depleted Chicago Cubs. The Reds won their fifth in a row -- matching their season high -- and moved a season-best seven games over .500. After winning the first four games of the series, theyll try for their first five-game sweep since 1976 on Thursday. Cincinnati moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central, its smallest deficit since April 7. The Reds were a season-high 8 1/2 out on June 22. Simon (12-3), left off the NL All-Star roster Sunday, became the first Reds pitcher to win a dozen games before the break since Edinson Volquez also went 12-3 in the first half of 2008. The reliever-turner-starter gave up four hits in 6 2-3 innings, including Anthony Rizzos third homer in four games. If another pitcher has to pull out of the All-Star game next week, Simon would be considered. "Im really happy with myself," he said. "I think I have the numbers to be on the All-Star team. I dont know whats going to happen. They told me to stand by." Hamilton tripled home a run and scored during a three-run fifth against Dallas Beeler (0-2), who has lost his first two starts in the majors. Cubs manager Rick Renteria was ejected during the inning for arguing a foul ball call with third base umpire Andy Fletcher. Hamilton is 7 for 15 with three triples, three walks, two steals and seven RBIs during the series. On Tuesday night, his ninth-inning single completed the Reds comeback from a five-run deficit to a 6-5 win and a doubleheader sweep. Hamilton flied out in his last at-bat and left the game because his left hamstring was tight. He expects to miss a few games. "Its been bothering me for the past couple of days," Hamilton said. "I knew something was happeniing.dddddddddddd On the last at-bat, I stepped down and I felt it pull when I started running." Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips also left in the eighth after spraining his left thumb while making a sliding catch. X-rays were negative. He wore a splint on the thumb as he left the clubhouse. Its been a tough week for the Cubs, who have lost all six games -- their deepest slump of the season -- since they dealt starters Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland for a package of prospects. Beeler and several others will get a chance to move up from the minors and fill their spots. The 25-year-old pitcher gave up four runs, six hits and four walks in five innings. Simon has been one of the majors biggest surprises. Moved into the rotation when Mat Latos tore knee cartilage in spring training, the 33-year-old pitcher is having by far the best year of his career, ranking among the league leaders in several categories. The right-hander walked two, matched his season high with eight strikeouts and threw 119 pitches, retiring 13 in a row during one stretch. Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances. The left-hander has fanned at least one batter in each of his last 38 appearances, leaving him one shy of Bruce Sutters record for a reliever since 1900. The Cubs called up second baseman Arismendy Alcantara for a couple of days. The 22-year-old infielder batted second and went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. Hell return to Triple-A Iowa when second baseman Darwin Barney returns from paternity leave. NOTES: The Reds last sweep of a five-game series came against San Diego in 1976. They havent swept the Cubs in a five-game series since 1931 at Redland Field. ... RHP Kyle Hendricks will make his major league debut on Thursday, facing Cincinnatis Homer Bailey (8-5). The Reds have won 10 of Baileys last 11 starts against the Cubs. ... It was Renterias fifth ejection. ... The Cubs optioned LHP Chris Rusin to Iowa to open a roster spot for Beeler. ' ' '