Monday Sports Roundup

By Alexa Gitler
Talk Radio News Service

After starting the NBA playoffs 8-0, ‘Superman’ Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic were defeated Sunday night by the Boston Celtics 92-88 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The loss was the Magic's first since April 2. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rasheed Wallace combined to score 60 points for the Celtics, while forward Kevin Garnett held the MVP candidate Howard to just 13 points. Game 2 of the best-of-7 series takes place on Tuesday night in Orlando.

Locally, Washington Capitals (NHL) star center Nicklas Backstrom has agreed to renew his contract with the team. Backstrom, 22, set a career-high last season -- his third with the Capitals -- with 33 goals and 101 points. His 68 assists were good for third in the league. Details of the contract are not immediately available, but it's believed to be long term with an annual salary that could exceed $6 million. The Caps will most likely make an official announcement Monday morning at 10:30 am.

Wednesday Sports Roundup

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Thanks to a great supporting cast, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals rallied back from a 2-1 deficit late in the third period of last night's contest against the Detroit Red Wings to win their third straight game by a score of 3-2.

The Caps were out-shot by the Red Wings 46-23, but still managed to leave Verizon Center with a 'W'. Forward Nicklas Backstrom scored late in the game, evening the score at two a piece. Seconds later, Center David Steckel followed with a score of his own that gave the Caps their first lead of the night. Detroit pulled its netminder with just over a minute to play, but could not capitalize with the extra skater.

The Caps (31-12-6) travel to Pittsburgh on Thursday night to face superstar Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-19-1). The game marks a rematch of last year's highly entertaining Eastern Conference divisional playoff series, won by the Penguins in seven games.