Infos & Interessantes » Orlando teammates the cold shoulder.

DETROIT -- Detroit needed to win each of its last four games of the regular season just to get into the NHL playoffs for the 22nd straight season. After rallying from a 3-2 series deficit against Anaheim, the seventh-seeded Red Wings refused to be knocked out and credited that regular-season streak for getting them to the second round. "Those last four games really helped our team," Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "We almost had a series before the post-season started." The Red Wings reward isnt much of a prize. The leagues top-seeded team, the Chicago Blackhawks, will host Game 1 on Wednesday night to start a best-of-seven series in which theyll be heavily favoured. During the regular season, Chicago beat Detroit in overtime once, twice in shootouts and added a 7-1 rout March 31 at Joe Louis Arena. "They had our number the regular season," Zetterberg said. "Its a great team. Theyre stacked with forwards. Theyre stacked in the back line. And they have a good goalie. Its going to be a tough series for us, but its going to be a fun one." Its also might be the last time the two Original Six teams play each other in the post-season for a long time. After this year, the next time they would meet in the playoffs, it would be for the Stanley Cup. The Western Conference rivals, who have split a dozen seven-game series, will be interconference foes next year because Detroit is headed to the Eastern Conference as part of the leagues realignment. The Red Wings might be able to play loose with nothing to lose because few outside of their dressing room will expect them to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2009. That year, Detroit eliminated Chicago in five games and was a win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions. Detroit is hoping to make another run this post-season, perhaps following the path the Los Angeles Kings did last year as the first team seeded eighth to win an NHL championship. "In the league right now, any team can beat any team," Red Wings defenceman Kyle Quincey said. "We said from Day 1, we knew it would be tough to get into playoffs and we battled all the way to the end. We just said to try to get in and see what happens. We saw what LA did last year and hopefully we can keep going and give Chicago a run." Detroit did outshoot the Blackhawks in three games, and had as many shots once. But the Red Wings couldnt score a clutch goal or make one more save in regulation, overtime or shootouts to win any of them. The Red Wings, though, have evolved into a different team than the last one Chicago saw April 12 in a 3-2 shootout win at the United Center. Detroit didnt get free agent defenceman Ryan Suter or forward Zach Parise in the off-season as both signed with Minnesota. But Detroits young defencemen, being forced to play a lot without Nicklas Lidstrom on the roster, have slowly matured and its inexperienced forwards have evolved into threats to score or set up teammates for goals. Goaltender Jimmy Howard has validated the teams decision to sign him to a six-year contract extension last month by making 70 saves over the last two games against Anaheim. While Howard insisted the Red Wings believe they can play with anybody, hes also not striking a cocky tone about trying to match up with Chicago. "Were going to have our hands full, lets be honest," he said. "Theyre a very deep team at every position." Matt Strahm Padres Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Wil Myers Padres Jersey . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. http://www.padressale.com/padres-craig-stammen-jersey/ . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Dave Winfield Padres Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Garrett Richards Padres Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Sky star Elena Delle Donne will miss Chicagos second-round playoff game against the Atlanta Dream because of a right thumb injury.The 2015 WNBA MVP, Delle Donne was injured Sept. 7 against Washington and had surgery six days later. She is averaging 21.5 poiints and 7.dddddddddddd.0 rebounds per game.The Sky still clinched the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye without her. They host Atlanta on Sunday. ' ' '