ISLANDERS over RANGERS 4 to 1

FLYERS over COYOTES 4 to 3

PENGUINS over JETS 5 to 3

BLUE JACKETS over CAPITALS 4 to 3

CANADIENS over STARS 3 to 2

RED WINGS over PANTHERS 5 to 4

HURRICANES over LIGHTNING 4 to 2

PREDATORS over AVALANCHE 4 to 3

FLAMES over SABRES 4 to 1

WILD over OILERS 2 to 1

DUCKS over CANUCKS 4 to 0

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RAPTORS over PACERS 104 to 91

CAVALIERS over PISTONS 103 to 95

BUCKS over HEAT 109 to 102

GRIZZLIES over MAVERICKS 109 to 90

BULLS over WARRIORS 113 to 111

WIZARDS over LAKERS 98 to 92

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GRIZZLIES over MAGIC 103 to 94

PELICANS over 76ERS 99 to 74

THUNDER over TIMBERWOLVES 92 to 84

CELTICS over JAZZ 99 to 90

CLIPPERS over NUGGETS 102 to 98

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TEAM TOEWS over TEAM FOLIGNO 17 to 12

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IRVIN over CARTER 32 to 28

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HEAT over BULLS 96 to 84

CAVALIERS over THUNDER 108 to 98

CLIPPERS over SUNS 120 to 100

PELICANS over MAVERICKS 109 to 106

HAWKS over TOMBERWOLVES 112 to 100

PACERS over MAGIC 106 to 99

SPURS over BUCKS 101 to 95

RAPTORS over PISTONS 114 to 110

WARRIORS over CELTICS 114 to 111

WIZARS over NUGGETS 117 to 115

ROCKETS over LAKERS 99 to 87

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HONETS over KNICKS 76 to 71

BUCKS over PISTONS 101 to 86

GRIZZLIES over 76ERS 101 to 83

JAZZ over NETS 108 to 73

TRAIL BLAZERS over WIZARDS 103 to 96

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Ray Whitney, 42, announced his retirement as an NHL player, capping a career in which he produced 1,064 points (385 goals, 679 assists) in 1,330 regular-season games. Whitney entered the league in 1991 with San Jose and also played for Edmonton, Florida, Columbus, Detroit, Carolina, Phoenix and Dallas. He put up consistent production thanks to soft hands, great passing and playmaking ability and great heart. "For the past 23 years, I have had the privilege of earning my living playing hockey in the National Hockey League," Whitney said in a statement released by his agency, CAA Sports. "Along the way, I have made countless memories and friendships, which I will always cherish. Every city I played in, the fans welcomed my family and me with open arms, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of my teammates and coaches, especially the 2006 Stanley Cup team in Carolina. I was lucky to have great agents at CAA Sports, who stood by me through the good times and the tough times. I want to say a special thank you to my parents, who gave me the chance to do what I loved. Finally, I want to thank my wife Brijet, and our three beautiful children, who have been incredibly supportive of me throughout my career. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to live my dream."

Whitney stood out during his career also because he had something to say. He was a great interview who wasn't shy to speak his mind and provide insightful thoughts on the game. He also found success on the ice during the dead puck era despite his 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame, fighting through the clutching and grabbing to produce several seasons of 60-plus and 70-plus points before the rules were changed to open up the game in 2005. He then continued to thrive post-2005, putting up a career-high 83 points (32-51) with theCarolina Hurricanes in 2006-07. He also had 77 points (24-53) in 2011-12 with the Phoenix Coyotes at age 39. "Terrific career," Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, who had Whitney in Carolina. "He was a key player on our Cup team in Carolina from his leadership to keeping the guys loose to scoring big goals for us. He was just a lot of fun to be around. "He knows the game and he worked really hard," Rutherford added. "He wasn't a big guy. To have the career he had is pretty special."

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The Chicago Blackhawks are in the planning stage of building a $50 million, 105,000-square-foot two-rink hockey training facility, team chairman Rocky Wirtz said. Wirtz began mentioning the idea of a facility last year. The Blackhawks currently practice at Johnny's IceHouse West when the United Center is unavailable. The facility would be used by the Blackhawks and the community. No property has been designated for the facility yet. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel expressed his support for the facility Thursday during a news conference to announce a new office building for the Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls. "You heard what the mayor wanted, and I think that what the mayor wants, he is usually very persuasive," Wirtz said.

Emanuel said the city would not be providing any tax breaks to the Blackhawks and Bulls as it has in the past. "What happened in the past was one thing," Emanuel told reporters on Thursday. "Now we're at a point that there's a critical mass on the West Side and it's a good investment for them to make." Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane was hopeful last year the team would build its own training facility. He enjoyed using Notre Dame's shooting and stick-handling rooms during training camp in September. "I don't think we need to pitch it to them," Kane said in September. "I think they know. There are rumors about what's going on with the practice rink and things like that, so we'll see what happens. I'm sure they'll try to put something in like that, too." The facility would also be greatly appreciated by the city's youth hockey programs. Hockey On Your Block executive director Ray Lilja said in the summer he believed a Blackhawks' facility would make a significant impact. "That would make a major difference in this program," Lilja said. "I understand that Rocky is very much in favor in having us become one of their youth programs that they support. I've only heard rumors so far [about the facility]. We'll have plenty of ice when that happens."

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Shawn Marion is making his 16th year in the NBA his final one and will retire when the Cleveland Cavaliers finish the 2014-15 season. Marion, 36, has career averages of 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while building a defensive reputation as someone able to guard all five positions on the court. "I wanted to go out on my terms," Marion told the Arizona Republic in a story published Wednesday afternoon, adding that being away from his first child, 8-month-old son Shawn, is driving the decision. He spent his first eight and a half seasons in Phoenix after being drafted by the Suns out of UNLV with the No. 9 pick in 1999. Marion then bounced around with short stints in Miami and Toronto before spending five seasons in Dallas, winning a title with the Mavericks in 2011.

The 6-foot-7 forward was a four-time All-Star and named to the All-NBA 3rd Team twice in his career. "He's a 16-year veteran," Cavs coach David Blatt said Wednesday. "When Shawn Marion decides to retire, that will not be a negative in any way. He's a great professional. He's played at a high level for 16 years. He's a great guy. Whenever that day comes, he'll have to be in the discussion for the Hall of Fame." Marion told the Northeast Ohio Media Group that he is deserving of a spot in Springfield, Mass. "I'm not in control of that but I think my numbers speak for themselves," Marion said. "What I've done on this court in the last 16 years at my position, I don't think nobody has ever done it the way I've done it." Marion has started 22 of the 39 games he's played this season for Cleveland, but is averaging career lows in points (5.6), rebounds (4.0), assists (1.1) per game as well as shooting a career-worst 42.3 percent from the field coming into Wednesday. Despite the dip in production, the man known as "Matrix" is still making an impact.

"As far as a locker room guy goes and always being kind of a free spirit and having a great person around, he's been one of the best teammates that I've ever had," Kevin Love said. "I love being around 'Trix. I think each and every person would agree he's had a great career and hopefully we can end it in the right way, not only for him but for everybody on this team. Obviously I mean this year, because it's his last one." Marion had six points on 3-for-3 shooting with a steal and a rebound in 16 minutes Wednesday, helping the Cavs to their fourth win in a row with a 106-92 romp over Utah, but left without speaking to reporters. "I think that Shawn coming in here, he probably played even more minutes than he expected or we expected due to the circumstances," Blatt said earlier this week. "He's really made the effort to give us the things that he's always given which is great gray-area play, great multiple-position play. Shawn is a very special NBA player. "There's not a lot of guys like Shawn Marion. You look at his body of work and the things that he's actually accomplished without having a real particular kind of skill set. It's really amazing what Shawn has accomplished in his career and how effective and how efficient and how great a basketball player he's been for 16 years in this league. Shawn is a guy that gives you so much without a particular definition and that's what makes him special."

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Miami guard Dwyane Wade has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture during the Heat's 78-76 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Rod Thorn, the NBA's president of basketball operations, announced the fine. Wade stuck out his middle finger at some fans at the end of the third quarter in the game at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena.

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A man who severely beat a San Francisco Giants fan outside Dodger Stadium has pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge. Marvin Norwood pleaded guilty Thursday in Los Angeles to being a felon in possession of firearms. He faces 10 years in prison when he's sentenced May 7. Norwood, 34, and Louie Sanchez, 32, were sentenced to state prison for the 2011 stadium attack that left Bryan Stow with permanent brain damage. Federal authorities arrested Norwood when he finished serving time in the beating case. Police investigating the beating found semi-automatic rifles, other weapons and ammunition during a search of Norwood's home. Both men had previous felony convictions in San Bernardino County. Court records show Sanchez is scheduled to change his plea on a similar count Jan. 29.

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Free-agent outfielder Jonny Gomes has reached agreement a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves that includes a vesting option for a second year. The deal is worth $4 million. Gomes, 34, is a .244 career hitter with 155 home runs over parts of 12 seasons with Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Washington, Oakland and Boston. He has a .485 slugging percentage in 1,494 career at-bats against left-handed pitching. Atlanta's projected 2015 outfield consists of Nick Markakis in right field, B.J. Upton in center and a platoon of Gomes and Zoilo Almonte in left field. The Braves traded right fielder Jason Heywardto St. Louis and dealt left fielder Justin Upton to San Diego earlier this offseason.

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The NFL has fined Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for the obscene gesture he made after scoring a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game. The league did not specify what the gesture was in the win over Green Bay, but Lynch grabbed his crotch after scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Lynch was fined $11,000 for a similar gesture in Seattle's win over Arizona on Dec. 21. Also, Seattle wide receiver Chris Matthews was fined $11,050, per a league source, for doing the same gesture after Lynch's touchdown. Matthews was the player that recovered the onside kick following Lynch's TD.

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Clay Matthews said he wasn't targeting Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during a second-quarter interception return in the NFC Championship Game, but the Green Bay Packers linebacker was fined nonetheless. The NFL docked Matthews $22,050 for an illegal blindside hit on Wilson. "I was just blocking whoever and it turned out to be the quarterback and obviously calls are going to go in their direction whether it was a blind-side hit or whatever," Matthews said after the game. "I'm just looking to pick up a block and unfortunately that's just how the game played out."

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Tom Benson's family is fighting back in court, claiming he has diminished mental capacity after he announced plans to remove them from control of his businesses, including the NFL's New Orleans Saints and NBA's Pelicans. Benson, 87, announced that he plans to hand over control of the franchises to his wife, Gayle, in the event of his death. But Benson's adopted daughter, Renee Benson, and grandchildren Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming he should not be allowed to do so because his "health and mental capacity have significantly declined" and he has "fallen under the undue influence" of Gayle, whom Benson married in 2004. "I am extremely disappointed by the lawsuit filed against me today by my daughter and two grandchildren," he said. "Their allegations regarding my mental health are completely meritless and their allegations against my wife equally unfounded. I will vigorously defend my decisions and the businesses I have built. The false accusations in this suit further support the actions I have taken in changing the succession and transfer of ownership. There is a small sign that sits on my desk and simply states 'Tough times never last; but tough people do.' Make no mistake, I will be back in the office tomorrow morning working hard, as I do every day, to ensure that the Saints and Pelicans are positioned for long-term success. This State, City and our great fans deserve that. I have instructed my staff to have no comment on this lawsuit moving forward." A source close to Benson described him as "healthy" on Wednesday night. And chief executives of both the Saints and Pelicans, Mickey Loomis and Dennis Lauscha, both strongly endorsed the ownership transfer in a statement released by the team on Thursday, as did New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond. Multiple sources also have cited the longstanding friction between Gayle and the family among the reasons for Benson's decision to change the ownership succession plan.

The 27-page lawsuit lays out numerous examples of alleged "bizarre and uncharacteristic behavior" by Tom Benson -- including an email that apparently was sent from Benson to his family members on Dec. 27, announcing that he never wanted to see Renee, Rita or Ryan again and his intention to ban them from Saints and Pelicans facilities and games, as well as other New Orleans businesses. Soon after that, Benson terminated granddaughter Rita Benson LeBlanc's position as owner/vice chairman of the board. She once was being groomed as his heir apparent. The lawsuit questioned the authenticity of the email and made several claims that Gayle has taken multiple steps to isolate Benson from his family while increasingly influencing his actions. The lawsuit also alleged several examples of Benson's diminished health and mental capacity, claiming that he has been heavily medicated in the past several months, while undergoing at least two knee surgeries. The suit also claimed that Benson has suffered from apparent memory lapses, including an unspecified occasion when he was asked to name the current president and guessed Ronald Reagan and Harry Truman. The suit also claims that Benson has forgotten his wife's name and once failed to recognize daughter Renee. And it claims that under Gayle's supervision, Benson's diet has "drastically deteriorated," with candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine replacing full, nutritious meals.

Benson was hospitalized twice and treated for dehydration during the team's training camp in West Virginia last summer before he returned home because he was having difficulty with the altitude. He subsequently had another knee surgery and has often required the use of a wheelchair or walker since then. However, Benson has continued to make occasional public appearances -- including a visit with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on Wednesday, when he announced his plans to change his succession plan, and he made an appearance at the Pelicans game Wednesday night. The lawsuit, however, claims "although he may appear lucid for brief periods of time, such apparent lucidity quickly turns into confusion." The lawsuit lists a number of alleged "bizarre" actions regarding business dealings, mostly intended to isolate the family, and claims that Gayle Benson urged her husband into an attempt to purchase the Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots, even though the NFL forbids owners from having interests in gambling facilities. The lawsuit claims that the "petitioners have done nothing to provoke any of the above, unjustified actions and have sought and still seek to reconcile with" Benson.

The attached email allegedly sent by Benson on Dec. 27 read:

"Suddenly after I remarried you all became offensive and did not act in an appropriate manner and even had arguments among yourselves which created a very unpleasant family situation which I will not stand for. It made me very unhappy and uncomfortable. This situation cannot continue at my age. Because of the facts set out above and the heart break you have caused me I want no further contact with any of you ..."

The lawsuit asked for a full interdiction, with Renee LeBlanc being appointed as the curatrix of the person and property of Tom Benson, with Rita Benson LeBlanc as undercurator. It also asked for Benson to be examined by a certified psychiatrist. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Gayle Benson, 67, was in significant debt and had limited credit when she met Benson. And the suit claims she is unfit for ownership of the Benson businesses because she has never owned, operated or managed a substantial business enterprise and had stated publicly before marrying Benson that she had no interest in football, basketball or sports in general. Multiple sources throughout the Saints and Pelicans organizations have widely praised Gayle both on and off the record, including quarterback Drew Brees, who was quoted by various media outlets while at the Pro Bowl on Thursday as saying, "I absolutely love Gayle" and that she is one of the sweetest people he's ever met. Gayle has been often praised as a positive influence in Tom's growing commitment to New Orleans and increased philanthropic endeavors. She helped arrange a lucrative Superdome sponsorship deal with Mercedes-Benz. And she has been credited for helping to re-brand the Pelicans (formerly the Hornets), which Tom Benson purchased in 2012. Benson's succession plan for the Saints would need to be approved by three-fourths of NFL owners. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said: "We are aware of the intent of the transaction and it is under review for the appropriate league approvals." Benson also notified the NBA of the change, and it would have to be approved by the other owners, a league source said.

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As per its custom, the NFL will follow a modified set of procedures to prepare game balls for Super Bowl XLIX. Established long before allegations of underinflated balls in the AFC Championship Game, the process includes independent equipment managers and ball attendants. Still, the league "expects that the Competition Committee will review all of these procedures in the offseason. The league found earlier this week that 11 of the New England Patriots' 12 game balls were significantly underinflated during the AFC Championship Game. In that game, the Patriots' equipment staff supplied balls to referee Walt Anderson at the required two hours, 15 minutes before the game for inspection. As per NFL policy, Anderson marked each ball with his approval and ultimately returned them to the Patriots' ball boys. In the Super Bowl, however, the NFL will use Chicago Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin to organize the process. Ball boys were hired prior to last week's games.

Here is the full statement Signora provided:

"Like many aspects of our policies and procedures, there are modifications for the Super Bowl. "At the Super Bowl, the equipment manager of another team [bears, Tony Medlin] is in charge of the game balls and arranging for the ball attendant crews, which are hired before the Super Bowl teams are determined. The officials will maintain strict control of the game balls for the Super Bowl. "Many aspects of the regular-season process are in place. The Super Bowl teams receive balls to work with during practice as per our policies. The balls are then returned to the league late next week. "We would expect that the Competition Committee will review all of these procedures in the offseason." The scope of that review will depend in part on the league's ongoing investigation into the AFC Championship Game. Thursday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he had "no explanation" for the underinflated balls.

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SENATORS over MAPLE LEAFS 4 to 3

BLACKHAWKS over PENGUINS 3 to 2

JETS over BLUE JACKETS 4 to 0

AVALANCHE over BRUINS 3 to 2

DUCKS over FLAMES 6 to 3

SHARKS over KINGS 4 to 2

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RANGERS over SENATORS 3 to 2

OILERS over CAPITALS 5 to 4

CANADIENS over PREDATORS 2 to 1

RED WINGS over WILD 5 to 4

LIGHTNING over CANUCKS 4 to 1

FLYERS over PENGUINS 3 to 2

BRUINS over STARS 3 to 1

BLACKHAWKS over COYOTES 6 to 1

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ISLANDERS over FLYERS 7 to 4

HURRICANES over MAPLE LEAFS 4 to 1

CANUCKS over PANTHERS 2 to 1

BLUE JACKETS over WILD 3 to 1

BLUES over AVALANCHE 3 to 1

DEVILS over SHARKS 5 to 2

FLAMES over KINGS 2 to 1

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RANGERS over PENGUINS 5 to 2

STARS over BLACKHAWKS 6 to 3

JETS over COYOTES 4 to 3

RED WINGS over SABRES 6 to 4

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FLYERS over SABRES 4 to 3

BLUES over MAPLE LEAFS 3 to 0

CANADIES over ISLANDERS 6 to4

HURRICANES over SENATORS 3 to 2

RED WINGS over PREDATORS 5 to 2

LIGHTNING over AVALANCHE 3 to 2

OILERS over PANTHERS 3 to 2

STARS over CAPITALS 5 to 4

WILD over COYOTES 3 to 1

FLAMES over SHARKS 4 to 3

DUCKS over KINGS 3 to 2

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ISLANDERS over PENGUINS 6 to 3

RANGERS over BLUE JACKETS 2 to 1

CANUCKS over HURRICANES 3 to 0

PREDATORS over CAPITALS 4 to 3

JETS over BLACKHAWKS 4 to 2

DUCKS over DEVILS 5 to 1

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SEAHAWKS over PACKERS 28 to 22

PATRIOTS over COLTS 45 to 7

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RAPTORS over 76ERS 91 to 86

HAWKS over THUNDER 103 to 93

CAVALIERS over HORNETS 129 to 90

HEAT over PACERS 89 to 87

KNICKS over MAGIC 113 to 106

BULLS over MAVERICKS 102 to 98

PELICANS over TIMBERWOLVES 92 to 84

SPURS over LAKERS 99 to 85

CELTICS over NUGGETS 100 to 99

ROCKETS over SUNS 113 to 111

WARRIORS over KINGS 126 to 101

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