LEADING OFF

BRAD RICHARDS RANGERS, C

PATRICE BERGERON BRUINS, C

JOHN TAVARES ISLANDERS, C

MICHAEL GRABNER ISLANDERS, RW

BRIAN GIONTA CANADIENS, RW

BRENDEN MORROW STARS, LW

ANDREW LADD JETS, LW

PATRICK KANE BLACKHAWKS, RW

JEFF SKINNER HURRICANES, C

JAROSLAV HALAK BLUES, G

TAYLOR HALL OILERS, LW

ERIK JOHNSON AVALANCHE, D

HENRIK LUNDQVIST RANGERS, G

CLAUDE GIROUX FLYERS, C

LOGAN COUTURE SHARKS, C

JASON SPEZZA SENATORS, C

ZACH PARISE DEVILS, LW

RYAN KESLER CANUCKS, C

JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK FLYERS, LW

TIM THOMAS BRUINS, G

DION PHANEUF MAPLE LEAFS, D

TYLER MYERS SABRES, D

MIKKO KOIVU WILD, C

PHOTO

Photograph by John Biever

OCTOBERFEST An unlikely World Series contender has alighted on the fall stage. Last Saturday afternoon the Brewers won their second postseason game in 29 years with a 4--1 victory over the Diamondbacks behind Yovani Gallardo (pitching). The next day Milwaukee—which was 57--24 at home during the regular season—thumped Arizona 9--4 to take a 2--0 lead in the NLDS.

PHOTO

Photograph by Simon Bruty

AGONY OF THE FEET The Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger delivered another painful performance (16 of 30, no TDs, five sacks) in a 17--10 loss to the Texans on Sunday in Houston. Though J.J. Watt was called for roughing the passer on this fourth-quarter play—which also nullified a Houston interception return for a TD—the Pittsburgh QB got the worst of the encounter, suffering a sprained left foot that put him in a walking boot and left his status for this weekend unclear.

TWENTY THREE PHOTOS

Photographs by Simon Bruty

CLOSE UP AND PERSONAL The mugs of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are well known, but there are more than two faces in the NHL—and more than two stars. In early September, as part of the league's preseason media tour, a bounty of hockey's brightest lights dropped by SI's Manhattan offices. Among the players pictured at right are four No. 1 draft picks, six Stanley Cup winners, two playoff MVP's, 10 All-Stars and three Olympic gold medalists.

THREE PHOTOS

MERCURY PHOTO BOOTHS OF NEW JERSEY (THOMAS PHOTO STRIP)

INSIDE THE SI PHOTO BOOTH Camera-shy Bruins goalie Tim Thomas was not, as he joined 22 NHL players who passed through SI's offices. The photo strip for each player can be viewed in SI's iPad app, free to all print subscribers.