Leclaire, Blue Jackets head to Chicago

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11/07/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pascal Leclaire will try to extend his solid play in net this season, as his Columbus Blue Jackets battle the Chicago Blackhawks tonight in a Central Division clash at the United Center.

Leclaire appeared in 24 games (23 starts) last year for the Blue Jackets and went just 6-15-2 with a 2.97 goals-against average and .897 save percentage.

However, the eighth overall pick of the 2001 draft has started this season ablaze. Leclaire is 7-2 with a 1.12 GAA and .957 save percentage in nine games this year, and is coming off his fifth shutout of the season on Sunday in Columbus.

The netminder turned aside 21 shots in a 3-0 win to already match Marc Denis' club record for most shutouts in a season. Denis posted five shutouts in the 2002-03 season and again in the '03-04 campaign.

Rick Nash scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season, giving him a club- high 16 points on the year, while Manny Malhotra had a goal and an assist. Jason Chimera also scored in the Blue Jackets' fifth win in their last six games, while Adam Foote posted two assists.

Columbus is 3-2-1 as the visitor this season and begins a three-game road trip tonight that also includes stops in Detroit and Nashville.

Chicago, on the other hand, began a four-game homestand on Sunday with a 5-2 loss to the Predators, falling to 3-5 as the host this year.

Robert Lang and Yanic Perreault scored for Chicago, which saw a two-game win streak come to a close. Nikolai Khabibulin got the start in net, but was peppered for three goals on just six shots before being relieved by Patrick Lalime, who made 11 saves.

The outing lifted Khabibulin's GAA to 3.10 on the season while dipping his save percentage to .885.

The Blackhawks will also receive visits from St. Louis and Detroit on this stand.

Columbus defeated the Blackhawks in the first meeting between the clubs this season on October 23, as Nash and Jiri Novotny each scored twice in a 7-4 victory.

The Blue Jackets have won seven of their past 12 meetings versus the Blackhawks, and three of the last five in Chicago.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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