So, that was pretty much a standard season for the Pittsburgh Penguins.Sidney Crosby had five points in October, they fired their coach and won 18 of 23 down the stretch under new head coach Mike Sullivan. Then, with a rookie goalie who had spent most of the season in the American Hockey League, they never looked back, beating the San Jose Sharks in six games to win their first Stanley Cup since 2009. As for Crosby? All he did was finish third in NHL scoring with 85 points and then dominate the playoffs at both ends of the ice en route to a Conn Smythe Trophy win as playoff MVP. He enters this season fresh from an MVP turn at the World Cup of Hockey, where Canada went undefeated and Crosby led all players in points.So, whats the problem? History. And history tells us that it really doesnt matter how good you are after winning it all, the rest of the field always catches the defending champion. No NHL team has won back-to-back championships since the Detroit Red Wings did so in 1997 and 1998. And history tells us its virtually impossible, even if youre as good as the Penguins. Are they any more poised to defy history? Well, thats part of the adventure of the coming season.Best new facesDoes goalie Matt Murray count as a new face? Murray, 22, will start the season on the injured reserve list but will push Marc-Andre Fleury for starts after Murray gets over his broken hand suffered playing for Team North America at the World Cup. Other than the departure of top-six defenseman Ben Lovejoy, who signed with the New Jersey Devils, the lineup will essentially be the same one that celebrated at the Shark Tank in San Jose after Game 6. While many Cup champions do turn over a big portion of their lineup, its worth noting the Penguins relied heavily on rookie forwards Tom Kuhnhackl, Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust throughout the playoffs, even though they had spent considerable time in the AHL last season. So in some ways, they too can be considered new faces. Defenseman Justin Schultz, obtained from the Edmonton Oilers before the deadline, and Trevor Daley, who came over from the Chicago Blackhawks midseason and then missed the latter part of the playoffs with a broken leg, count as new-but-not-new faces.Biggest unknownsHow does Phil Kessel rebound from a hand injury that bothered him in the playoffs? (Though he still finished with 22 points in 24 games). Can the rookies carry on their evolution after answering the call so ably in the playoffs? Can Brian Dumoulin continue his impressive ascendancy as a top-four defender? But no unknown will be more persistent than how GM Jim Rutherford handles his goaltending. The pressure is off to start the season with Murray on the shelf. But at some point, Rutherford is going to have to determine whether he rides out the season with Murray and the much-loved Fleury sharing time in the hopes the tandem can bring home a second straight Cup, even if it means potentially losing Fleury in the expansion draft in June. Or does Rutherford try to maximize the asset by moving Fleury midseason?Sure thingsIs there anything more sure than Crosby? Seems funny to think that people were prepared to write off Crosby after his tepid start to the season. Yet by the end of the playoffs, its fair to say he was playing as well as he ever had, his attention to detail unparalleled. He then followed up with a dominating performance at the World Cup. If there is one leader who might be able to coax a second straight championship out of this group, its Crosby. As for the way this team will play, thats a given too: fast. Dont expect Sullivan or the Pens to take their foot off the gas.PredictionThe Penguins are as close to a lock to go to the playoffs for the 11th straight season as any team, but that still might not be good enough to get them the Metropolitan Division title. Second in the Metropolitan. Marcin Bulka Chelsea Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Eden Hazard Chelsea Jersey . 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. http://www.chelseasoccerjerseysonline.com/womens-ross-barkley-chelsea-jersey/ .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Andreas Christensen Jersey . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Danny Drinkwater Jersey . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. IRVINE, Calif. -- Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley thought he saw New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia on Thursday, only for teammates to convince him otherwise.It turns out Gurleys first instinct was right on, as Sabathia and Yankees manager Joe Girardi visited training camp at UC Irvine before starting a weekend series against the Angels.I did see CC, Gurley said. I knew I wasnt tripping.Rams fans will get their own `blink and miss it moment when Gurley plays in the preseason for the first time Saturday. He didnt play in any exhibition games last year while still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during his final season at Georgia. The absence of action didnt seem to hinder Gurley, who rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie.Coach Jeff Fisher said Thursday that Gurley would play one series against the Kansas City Chiefs, perhaps two before taking a seat. Asked what he wanted to see from the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year,A couple carries, maybe some protection stuff, and get him out, Fisher said.Thats fine by Gurley. He couldnt remember what he was doing during the preseason last year, aside from some pregame warmups.Dont even want to remember, Gurley said.Gurley is looking forward to live action, as there are limits to what practice can accomplish in preparing for the regular season.You can do that stuff in practice, but those game reps creep up on you a lot faster, Gurley said.Game reps will also be coming for rookie quarterback Jared Goff. The No. 1 overall draft pick from California will play with the first-string offense, though Case Keenum will take the first snaps. Fisher said starters on both sides of the ball will play into the second quarter.Our plan is to get Jaared in with the ones for a series or two, see how that goes, and let Jared play into the third quarter, Fisher said.dddddddddddd Its important to get him in there with the starters and the ones, so I think it will be a good experience for him.Defensive end Robert Quinn will not make his preseason debut after a quick trip to the Rio Olympics to see his sister compete in the 100-meter hurdles.Quinn was back for Thursdays no-pads session, but Fisher didnt want to risk playing him in a game given the lengthy travel involved.I think it makes sense for us to hold Robert for another week. He had a good practice today, Fisher said. His sleep is a little off. Hes in great shape so I think we will hold Rob until we go to Denver.Hybrid linebacker-safety Mark Barron will be a game-time decision, Fisher said. Barron has not practiced for the last three days, though Fisher downplayed his absence and attributed it to rest.Game notes Cornerback E.J. Gaines was helped off the field with an apparent leg injury during a two-minute drill near the end of practice. Fisher said Gaines had made everyone a little nervous, but hes OK. Gaines missed last season with a foot injury and has been limited in training camp with a mild hamstring strain. ... Wide receiver Tavon Austin made a memorable one-handed catch during a team period, pinning the ball against cornerback Lamarcus Joyners back before controlling it. ... Lawrence McCutcheon, who spent 42 years with the Rams as a player and scout, announced his retirement.---AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '