inning record this season and closed the year with three straight losses.Our expectations are high so some people might not be

The New York Islanders signed a goaltender to a long-term deal, signifying their expectation that they will be better next season. Detroit Red Wings Gear . Numbers Game looks at the Islanders securing the services of Jaroslav Halak. The Islanders Get: G Jaroslav Halak. Halak, 29, was going to be one of the best free agent goaltenders available this summer when the Islanders made a pre-emptive move to acquire him from Washington. While there are ups-and-down in Halaks game from year to year, over the past five years, he has the third-best save percentage among goaltenders with at least 200 games played. Over the same time period, Halak has a .927 save percentage during 5-on-5 play, which puts him in pretty good company. As noted, there have been ups and downs in Halaks performance, with the worst of the downs his 2012-2013 season -- an injury-plagued season in which he finished with an .899 save percentage in 16 games. In every other season, since 2008-2009, Halaks save percentage has ranged from .910 to .926, so there is a good chance that he can provide above-average goaltending for the Islanders and that would represent a significant upgrade. Using Hockey References Goals Saved Above Average, for example, Halak has saved approximately 42 goals above average over the past five years and will effectively be replacing Evgeni Nabokov, who is 11.51 goals above average over those same five years (one of which was spent in Russia), so just on average over those seasons, Halak would provide a five-to-six goal difference and factoring in that Nabokov is 38 and Halak is 29, its clear that Halak is likely to have superior numbers over the next four seasons. Halak signed for four years and $18-million, which is entirely reasonable for a starting goaltender. His cap hit of $4.5-million ranks 15th among goaltenders already signed for next season. The decision to sign Halak and, on the same day, announce that they would be keeping this years first-round pick (meaning that the Islanders 2015 first-round pick goes to Buffalo) is a clear indication that the Islanders expect to rebound from this down season and, believe it or not, thats a perfectly reasonable decision. They finished 19th in Fenwick Close (unblocked 5-on-5 shot attempts, within one goal in first two periods, tied in third), which is a good measure for puck possession and did so with several notable injuries and players departing via trade, so its fair to think that the Islanders can be a middle of the pack club, with goaltending offering the chance to be a bit above average or, if it goes wrong again, below average. Those expectations will put Halak in the spotlight, but his track record is strong enough to justify the Islanders investment. The Capitals Get: A fourth-round pick. While Halak played well for Washington, after coming over in trade from St. Louis, posting a .930 save percentage in a dozen games, its also not a surprise that Washington might not be inclined to keep him long-term. After all, the Capitals already have Braden Holtby, who has a .919 save percentage in 105 career games, as well as prospect Philip Grubauer (.924 SV% in 19 GP with Capitals) waiting in the wings, so there wasnt a lot of upside to spending on Halak. Of course, this decision cant entirely ignore the fact that the Capitals dont have a general manager since firing George McPhee. Brian MacLellan made out quite well in the interim, however, securing a fourth-round pick in exchange for negotiatiing rights to an asset that the Capitals apparently didnt intend to keep. There isnt a lot of value to a fourth-round pick, maybe a 15% chance that it turns into an NHL player, but for a player that could provide zero value to Washington next season, thats well-played. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Detroit Red Wings Pro Shop .com) - Scott Parel carded a 5-under 65 on Thursday and he grabbed a 1-stroke lead after one round of the season-opening Panama Claro Championship. Detroit Red Wings Shirts . -- Tiago Splitter tipped in a rebound with 2. https://www.cheapredwings.com/ . -- A year ago, Flavia Pennetta was close to retiring from tennis.SEATTLE - There was something extra to the Seattle Seahawks celebration on Sunday because at midseason it appeared they were on the verge of not even being in the post-season picture.That turnaround made Seattles celebration of its NFC West title and home-field advantage through the playoffs meaningful in a different way after beating St. Louis 20-6.The Seahawks were 3-3 and 6-4 at key points of this season. And they finished on top of the NFC, riding a six-game win streak and knowing they dont have to leave Seattle again until a potential Super Bowl trip.To finish the season, and be really strong here in December again, thats something we take great pride in, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. Finishing is a big deal to us. Now we have a chance to get into the playoffs and see if we can do something with that as well.Seattle (12-4) took the lead on Marshawn Lynchs 9-yard touchdown run with 12:07 remaining — his 17th TD of the season — and got the capper from Bruce Irvin and his 49-yard interception return for a score less than 3 minutes later. The Seahawks forced three turnovers in the fourth quarter, including Earl Thomas causing St. Louis Benny Cunningham to fumble at the 1 on his way in for a potential TD.I have no doubt. I had no doubt, and this team believes in each other, believes that well find a way to pull it out, Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin said.St. Louis (6-10) wrapped up an injury filled season that didnt match expectations the Rams would join the conversation in the NFC West. St. Louis was on the verge of disrupting the NFC playoff picture holding a 6-0 lead, but couldnt capitalize on a pair of Seattle turnovers in the first half and made too many mistakes late.Here are other things that stood out from Seattle beating St. Louis at home in Week 17 for the fourth time in five seasons:BEST Defence: Seattle continued to make the argument its defence could be considered among the best of this era. Seattle finished the season as the NFL leader in yards allowed and points allowed, becoming just the fourth team to accomplish that feat in consecuttive seasons. Custom Detroit Red Wings Jerseys. It was the third straight season Seattle led the league in fewest points allowed, only the third time in NFL history that had been accomplished. The last time was the 1969-71 Minnesota Vikings. Seattle allowed 15.9 points this season.SLOW RUN: Seattle has leaned so heavily on its run game that when the Seahawks dont post significant run numbers its notable. The Seahawks finished with 132 yards rushing against the Rams, the fewest in their final five games. It was just the second time in the final nine games the Seahawks were held under 149 yards rushing.Lynch finished with 60 yards on just 14 carries and Robert Turbin had 53 yards on 11 carries, but Russell Wilsons running was shut down by the Rams.BETTER THAN 6-10: St. Louis believes it was better than its 6-10 record. The Rams had home victories over Seattle and Denver, but were unable to break through on the road. The Rams did not beat a road team with a winning record this season and closed the year with three straight losses.Our expectations are high so some people might not be surprised that we come in here and lose a close one, we expect to win, Rams defensive end Chris Long said. It just takes the growth of this team, young guys getting more experience and well be real good next year.FIERCE RUSH: Through five games, the Rams had just one sack. That changed for the Rams when Seattle visited St. Louis in October and continued for the rest of the season. St. Louis finished with 39 sacks in its final 11 games and added three more on Sunday.HAUSCH MONEY: Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka had some unusual struggles last week at Arizona missing three field goal attempts. It was the first time in his career missing three kicks in a single game.Hauschka thanked his teammates last week after a walkthrough for covering for his misses.I feel like Im ready to help this team out. Im sure there is going to be plays where some guys on our team needs help from other players and thats just how it works, Hauschka said.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '