Staring down a six-game stretch heading into the Olympic break, the Maple Leafs gathered as a group and discussed the importance of yielding as many points as possible out of a pair of match-ups with the Panthers and Lightning as well as games against the Senators and Canucks. Already with four wins out of five, a victory on Saturday night against Vancouver would make it mission accomplished. "We want to end this part of the year off on a winning note," said Dion Phaneuf after the team took part in an off-ice workout on Friday. "We talked about it two weeks ago, how we wanted to get as many points as possible to set ourselves up going into the break in a good position." Despite the Leafs rolling to a 10-2-1 record in their last 13 games, a playoff position is still far from secured though. On Jan. 12, the day they beat the Devils 3-2 in a shootout to begin this impressive stretch, the Leafs sat two points out of a Wild Card spot. As of Feb. 7, they sit with a five-point Wild Card cushion and have gained ten points on the Montreal Canadiens to draw even at 68 points. Though still with 23 games remaining, Toronto is nowhere close to a position where they can ease up on their effort. "I dont think any team wants to give away any points," said Carl Gunnarsson. "Were in kind of a tight spot too. We really need the points." So too do the Canucks who have struggled mightily of late, losing six straight games and posting a dismal 4-12-2 record since the turn of the calendar to see their six-point Wild Card cushion evaporate to just one. That doesnt, however, mean the Leafs are taking anything for granted. "When youre playing a team that hasnt had as much success as theyd like, theyre going to want to end their pre-Olympic break on the right note," Phaneuf said. "Were expecting a push out of them." How hard the Canucks can push though is the question, since they are missing Henrik Sedin, Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis, Chris Tanev, Andrew Alberts, Mike Santorelli and Yannick Weber to various injuries and ailments. "Quite honestly, Ive never been through so many injuries at one time in all the years that Ive coached," said head coach John Tortorella after putting his team through practice at the MasterCard Center on Friday. "I dont want to paint this as Woe is me and were getting all the bad breaks, we have to find a way to get out of it. I think we have in the past three games regained our structure and hopefully itll get things going our way tomorrow." Outscored 23-10 during their six-game skid, an inspired performance from both Daniel Sedin and Roberto Luongo would be most welcomed by the Canucks. Sedin has not scored in 2014 and has just five assists in the 18 games he has played since the turn of the calendar. Luongo meanwhile has lost his last four starts, posting an ugly 3.50 GAA and .881 save percentage. With their playoff cushion all but evaporated, the Canucks no longer have time to slowly work their way out of this slump. They need points, and fast. "I think a win is the top priority," Luongo insisted. "I dont want to sit here and make excuses, injuries are part of every team in the NHL, and everybody goes through it. You still have to find a way to accumulate points. That being said, were missing a lot of guys but sometimes its little things and then all of a sudden it snowballs into bigger things and next thing you know, you dont realize it but youre in a six-game losing streak." Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys . The Thornhill, Ont., native, who is ranked 11th in the world, said hed hoped he would be ready when Canada begins its World Group first-round tie against Japan in Tokyo on Friday. Dave Parker Jersey . "Rob brings a wealth of coaching experience, having worked both in Canada and overseas in player development," Canada Soccer technical director Tony Fonseca said in a release. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/Customized/ . Correia pitched six innings of one-run ball, Eduardo Escobar homered, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away late to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-3 on Saturday. Roberto Clemente Jersey . General Manager Sam Presti said the three-time All-Star had knee swelling that would not subside, and the procedure was intended to solve the problem. He said doctors determined that a loose stitch was to blame for the swelling, that Westbrooks lateral meniscus has healed properly and the procedure was successful. Kent Tekulve Jersey .com) - Wayne Simmonds, Scott Laughton and Jakub Voracek each posted a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers thumped the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1, on Saturday.CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Bengals released linebacker James Harrison on Thursday, leaving the former Defensive Player of the Year looking for his third team in three seasons. The 35-year-old linebacker helped the Steelers win a pair of Super Bowls and was the leagues top defensive player in 2008. He left Pittsburgh when the two sides couldnt agree on a restructured deal. Harrison went down the Ohio River to AFC North rival Cincinnati, where he got a two-year contract. The Bengals envisioned him using his pass-rushing ability to become a difference-maker on a defence that was already one of the leagues best. He wound up with a limited role for the first half of the season as he got acclimated. Harrison was limited to 14 or fewer plays in five of the first seven games, making the transition from Pittsburghs 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 in Cincinnati. His role expanded as the season went along and injuries limited the defence. Harrison played in 15 games, starting 10, and finished 12th on the team in tackles. He had two sacks and one interception. "It was great for our coaches, players and fans to have James on our team last year," coach Marviin Lewis said.dddddddddddd "Hes a player everyone looks up to because of his ability, his accomplishments and his drive to be the best. He helped us win a division title with his play and with the example he set. "Its time for us to go a different direction now, with some younger guys, but we will all still reap benefits from having had James with us as a Bengal last year." Linebacker Vontaze Burfict credited Harrison with helping him develop into a Pro Bowl player last season. Cincinnatis defence finished third in the NFL and was the key to the Bengals reaching the playoffs for an unprecedented third straight season. The Bengals lost to San Diego in the opening round, leaving them 0-5 in the playoffs under Lewis. They havent won a playoff game since 1990, matching the sixth-longest streak of playoff futility in NFL history. Harrison tweeted: "Many thanks to all the Bengals fans for your support over the last year -- I had a great time in Cincinnati." Harrison is the second veteran in three days that was released by the team. Center Kyle Cook, who started all last season, was released on Tuesday. 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