TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning arent in a hurry to anoint themselves championship contenders.They expect to be in the hunt for the NHL title after reaching the Stanley Cup final two years ago and coming within one victory of a return trip last spring, however theyre not taking anything for granted.Weve accomplished a lot and weve done a lot, but at the same time that doesnt really matter. This time of year every team starts 0-0 and it doesnt matter that we won a conference title two years ago, forward Tyler Johnson said.Whether were picked first or last were thinking were a team thats going to win, Johnson added. Obviously were happy people have faith in us and want us to do well and think we have a chance to do well. But at the same time we have our own expectations, and thats to win.General manager Steve Yzerman enhanced the chances for another deep run in the playoffs by keeping a talented nucleus intact, beginning with re-signing captain Steven Stamkos to an eight-year, $68 million contract.Defenseman Victor Hedman received an eight-year, $63 million deal. Backup goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy got a new deal worth about $3.5 million per season after filling in admirably for an injured Ben Bishop during the playoffs.I dont really talk about the Stanley Cup today because its so far off and so much needs to happen between now and then, Yzerman said.Our focus is to make the playoffs, and we go through the steps to get there, the GM added. Last year, our record wasnt great. I thought we played reasonably well, but we didnt score goals. We lost a lot of games and points because we didnt score enough.The Lightning lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. They made it back to the Eastern Conference finals last season, falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games.I think last year was good practice for this year, Bishop said. Going into last year we had a big target on our backs and that hasnt changed this year. I think you look around our division and you see every team added a lot.JOHNSONS JOURNEYCenter Tyler Johnson feels rejuvenated and is looking for a bounce-back year after a wrist injury affected his production last season. He said the wrist didnt feel like it did pre-injury until July. After scoring 13 times in the playoffs two years ago, Johnson had just 14 goals during the 2015-16 regular season.WHERES THE JUICE?Surprisingly, the usually potent Lightning offense struggled last season on the power play. Tampa Bay finished tied for 26th in the NHL, converting 15.8 percent of its chances. The team was last in road power play at 10.1 percent.Our power play wasnt effective, but in general we didnt score enough goals, Yzerman said.BISHOPS RETURNBishop got an early start on his comeback from an ankle and shin injury that sidelined the last six games of the Eastern Conference final against Pittsburgh, taking part in last months World Cup of Hockey. I feel good, the goalie said, adding he faced some pretty intense practices up there against some really good shooters. Definitely kind of a step in the right direction.HOME-ICEThe Lightning saw a dip in their home record last season, going 25-13-3. Tampa Bay had a 32-8-1 record en route to the Eastern Conference championship two years ago.Our team plays hard, these guys are very competitive, they are very professional, Yzerman said.I think going through the start of last season it was a grind coming back after making the finals. They will be better prepared for the grind this year, the GM added. But talking about whos the favorite for the Stanley Cup and what not, thats too far off. Cheap Dallas Cowboys Jerseys . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Cheap Indianapolis Colts Jerseys . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. http://www.wholesalejerseysnfloutlet.com/ . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. Cheap Carolina Panthers Jerseys . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. NFL Jerseys Outlet .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler forward Kelan Martin understood exactly why he was pulled out of the starting lineup Saturday.If he keeps playing this way, it may not happen again.Martin scored 20 points, grabbed four rebounds and was the catalyst in two key second-half runs to lead the 16th-ranked Bulldogs past No. 22 Cincinnati 75-65.I had to come out with a different approach, he said. The other day (against Indiana State), I came out with no energy. Today, I came off the bench with a lot of energy.The change was as noticeable on the court as it was in the box score.In 31 minutes, Martin was 6 of 14 from the field, 3 of 7 on 3-pointers and 5 of 6 on free throws. He also had two assists, looked to get the ball quickly and into the right spots instead of settling for jump shots.And when the Bulldogs needed him most in the second half, Martin delivered with a big game that allowed Butler (9-1) to extend its home-court winning streak over non-conference foes to 34 games.We just were looking at a different lineup to start the game, coach Chris Holtmann said. It probably wont be the last time we mix up our lineup.Whatever the explanation, the change worked.Butler was 7 of 10 on 3-point attempts in the first half, 8 of 20 for the game and in control most of the way.Troy Caupain scored a season-high 22 points to lead the Bearcats (7-2) and Gary Clark added 14 points and 12 rebounds.We had to get stops and I think we only got one in the first half, Clark said. We didnt get many in the second half, either.The Bearcats spent most of the first half playing catch-up before tying the score at 35 on Caupains 3-pointer with about 1 second to go. They finally took a brief 38-37 lead early in the second half and tied the score again at 39.But Martins three-point play broke the tie and spurred a 14-4 run that gave Butler a 51-43 lead with 11:51 to go. Martin followed that with six points in a 12-5 flurry to seal the win.We tried not to make too much oof the other night (a loss) and I dont want make too much of today either, Holtmann said.dddddddddddd Pleased with it.Andrew Chrabascz had 12 points and four rebounds for Butler.BIG PICTURECincinnati: For the second straight season, the Bearcats hit a road block against Butler. The Bearcats certainly need to play better than they did Saturday if theyre going to meet expectations as the American Athletic Conference favorite.Butler: Maybe Holtmann is the streak buster. Since taking over as head coach three years ago, the Bulldogs are 18-3 following a loss. So was anybody really surprised Butler rebounded from its first loss of the season with a solid win over a ranked team? Not a chance.FOUL TROUBLEKyle Washington came into the game ranked 10th in the nation in double-doubles (5) and as the Bearcats leading scorer. He was nowhere close to those numbers Saturday. Washington was called for two fouls in the first 10 1/2 minutes of the game and two more in the first 9 minutes of the second half. It showed. Washington finished with seven points and no rebounds -- both season lows -- and was 2 of 8 from the field.CRONIN CRANKED UPBearcats coach Mick Cronin was particularly upset with the calls in the second half, and it cost him. With the Bearcats trailing 61-51 with 5:02 left, Cronin, angry about a non-call on a turnover, walked toward the midcourt line to argue and drew a technical foul. Martin made both free throws to give the Bulldogs their biggest lead of the game.UP NEXTCincinnati: Will try to rebound with a three-game home stand that begins Tuesday against Texas Southern.Butler: Will take the week off for finals before returning to action Dec. 17 against an old rival, No. 9 Indiana at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . 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