Leading Off

Cold Front
It's not a stretch to say that Blue Jackets left wing Rick Nash would have gone to any length to keep the puck away from Stars right wing Antti Miettinen during their Dec. 12 game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Columbus won 3--1.

Gold Rush
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas scored 60 points against the Lakers on Sunday, breaking Earl (the Pearl) Monroe's 38-year-old franchise record of 56. Arenas, who also had eight rebounds and eight assists, racked up 16 points in overtime, leading Washington to a 147--141 win in L.A.

How Deflating
Steelers linebacker James Harrison helped take the air out of the Panthers' season by blocking Jason Baker's punt in the second quarter on Sunday in Charlotte. The 37--3 loss dropped Carolina, touted in the preseason as a Super Bowl contender, to 6--8, while defending NFL champ Pittsburgh (7--7) kept its playoff hopes alive.

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Photograph by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

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Photograph by John W. McDonough

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Photograph by Bob Donnan/US PRESSWIRE