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NEW YORK – Jostling for a loose puck with John-Michael Liles, Tim Connolly took a loud but not overly impactful hit into the end boards at Madison Square Garden. Cheap San Diego Padres Jerseys . There was no grimace, no look of discomfort or pain, nothing that would indicate Connolly not making his Leafs debut on Thursday night when the team visits the Rangers in their home opener. The 30-year-old has missed the first eight games of the regular season due to a shoulder injury suffered in the second week of training camp, but after his second full practice on Wednesday afternoon, he appears on the verge of joining the lineup for the first time. "Timmy Connolly is very, very, very, very close," said head coach Ron Wilson, noting that a firm decision would not be made until Thursday. "Weve got a game [Thursday] so well see," said Connolly. "It was good to get out there, get in some regular shifts out there, do a little penalty-killing and power-play, get a few reps – feel pretty good." Its been a long-awaited debut. Nagged by a series of injuries since the lockout – he missed 192 games over six seasons – Connolly got off to a rather unfortunate start in Toronto, tumbling heavily into the end boards at practice on September 26. Initially day-to-day with an undisclosed upper-body injury, Connolly was actually more week-to-week as the injury to his shoulder failed to improve. Inked to a two-year deal worth $9.5 million in the offseason, the Syracuse native was pegged to be the much-needed veteran pivot for Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul this season, a role hes going to obtain upon his return. "Theyre really clicking right now," said Connolly. "Im just going to try and stay out of their way; just get em the puck as much as possible and try and do all the little things right." Kessel entered Wednesdays action as the NHL scoring leader with 15 points, also leading the way in goals with nine in the first eight games. Lupul meanwhile, has re-energized his career in Toronto early this fall, totalling four goals and nine points thus far. A host of centres including Tyler Bozak, David Steckel, Matthew Lombardi and Nazem Kadri have lined up alongside the two marksmen, but its been primarily their work together which has spawned success. Connolly has played with the duo sparingly – just the two preseason games – thus making chemistry an early issue to watch. Despite their hot starts, however, Kessel and Lupul should both benefit from Connollys vision and passing ability down the middle – 13 goals, 42 points last season. Anything the pair has done thus far has been self-created, nothing that closely resembles an easy tap-in goal. "There could be some chemistry issues here," said Wilson, "but those guys have taken care of business – [Lupul and Kessel] – pretty much regardless of who their centreman is. "Timmys very smart in the offensive zone and hes got a great shot too, so not only can he pass but hes also a scoring threat. I think over time Timmy will blend in easily with those guys." Connollys presence also allows for much greater balance up front. Wilson can now comfortably slide Bozak onto the third-line – with Lombardi and Matt Frattin on his wings – a role the organization is confident he can play. David Steckel also shifts into a more suitable role, minding the fourth unit with Phillipe Dupuis and Mike Brown. In addition, the Leafs are hopeful that Connolly will help re-invigorate a power-play that has had its share of trouble, in spite of decent production – six goals in 39 opportunities (15.4%). Eventually, hell see time on the penalty kill as well. Adjusting to game speed is likely to be Connollys biggest challenge in the early going. He has not taken part in a game since September 23 – his second exhibition match – and was injured at Mastercard Centre three days later. Having not played at all this season, hell be racing to catch up to the rapid pace of his peers. "No matter what you do the game conditioning is always a little bit different," said Connolly, who has rode the bike and skated intensely for weeks. "Everythings moving that much quicker. Guys are that much quicker, the play happens faster. For me, Im just going to try and go out there and keep my shifts short, short as I can." Wilson was unsure of how many minutes Connolly would be able to handle initially, although something in the 15-17 minute range seems reasonable – also dependent on whether he kills penalties right out of the gate. "Well see how the game goes," said Wilson. "Sometimes a guys great in the first game – hes got all this adrenaline going – and its game two, three, four, five that he struggles in, so well see however hes going and how he feels. Thats my job to communicate and see how hes doing." If Connolly is in fact ready to go on Thursday, the Leafs will be forced to make a roster move with Nazem Kadri likely to be returned to the Marlies. -- James Reimer and Tyler Bozak are also expected in the Leafs lineup on Thursday night. Reimer missed Mondays game in Philadephia with a minor neck injury, but appears likely to start against the Rangers. "Were pretty close," said Reimer, who spent a significant chunk of practice working exclusively with goaltending coach Francois Allaire. "Felt pretty good on the ice, a little rusty right off the bat – its been a couple days – but I feel pretty good." "He did take a significant blow and twisted his neck pretty hard," said Wilson. "Im glad that its not a long-term thing." Bozak meanwhile, has missed the last two games because of a foot injury, but on Wednesday declared himself fit to return against the Rangers. Cheap Detroit Red Wings Jerseys . On The Attack - Newton instantly became one of the most exciting players at his position early in 2011. NFL Jerseys Black Friday 2014 . Now theyre playing sky high. Boston won its fifth straight series with a 10-4 win Wednesday over the Toronto Blue Jays with six runs in the first inning against a wild Ricky Romero and with the help of David Ortizs 399th career homer. http://www.chinawholesalenflcheapjerseys.com/Nike-...ersey.h tml . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Jerseys Black Friday Deals . -- The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed defensive end Vonnie Holliday to a one-year contract. NBA Jerseys Black Friday Deals . Lampard set Chelsea on its way to a 2-0 victory over former club West Ham, while Dimitar Berbatov also punished his old team as Fulham inflicted Tottenhams second successive loss with a 1-0 victory.ATLANTA -- The Toronto Blue Jays held a team meeting Tuesday to discuss pitcher Ricky Romeros remarks about his teammates. After losing 2-0 to Atlanta on Monday night on a two-run homer by pitcher Tim Hudson in the seventh inning, Romero said the Blue Jays relied too much on Jose Bautista and Adam Lind to drive in runs. Toronto manager John Farrell would not say if he approached Romero or if Romero approached him about speaking to the team before its game against the Braves. "I think he recognized the fact that some of those (remarks) might have been interpreted the wrong way and to his credit he wanted to be sure that no one took them as such," Farrell said. "And he addressed his teammates." Farrell said Romero elaborated on his thoughts so there wouldnt be any misunderstandings. "I think that speaks volumes (about) him as a person, that he takes accountability for the actions he demonstrates," Farrell said. Toronto had just two hits against Hudson. Braves closer Craig Kimbrel entered with runners on first and second in the ninth inning and struck out Corey Patterson, Bautista and Lind. Bautista and Lind, who have combined this season for a .328 average, 36 homers and 90 RBIs, were a combined 0 for 8 with four strikeouts. "Those guys are getting pitched around, so everyones got to step it up or else were not going to keep winning ballgames," Romero said Monday. "Were going to keep losing ballgames like this. Like I said, this team doesnt revolve around one or two guys. Everyoones got to put in their part. NBA Jerseys Cyber Monday Deals. Thats how we win ballgames." Romero wasnt available to speak with reporters before Tuesdays game. Farrell said he likes the competitive spirit of Romero, the staff ace in just his third season. "Rickys putting himself in a very select group of pitchers in the major leagues by his performance," Farrell said. "Along with that status comes greater attention, greater focus, on how he does his work. Ricky is a leader by example in every sense of the word." Romero allowed six hits and walked two in seven innings against the Braves, dropping 6-7 on the year. The left-hander has dropped three of his four starts this month despite a 3.23 earned-run average. Romero was disappointed in himself for giving up Hudsons second career homer, but also called out his teammates for a lack of run support. "If you dont score, you dont win," he said. "I did everything possible. Ive thrown that pitch 101 times. You never really expect the pitcher to hit it out. If anything, just put the barrel through it and get a big (single) or something. It was Timmys night, I guess. He did his job on the mound and helped himself with two runs." Toronto was fourth in the AL East entering play on Tuesday, 8 1/2 games behind division-leading Boston. It had lost two straight and seven of 11. "When comments are made and actions are performed, they resonate," Farrell said. "In this case, as he is with everything else, he is accountable. And hes handled it the right way." ' ' '
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