Heading into the Olympic break, the Kings were hot, earning a 12-2-1 record in their last 15 games prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. But coming out of the break, the Kings have been a mixed bag, with a decisive 5-1 win at Dallas on March 2, followed by two extremely poor efforts at Nashville (4-2 loss) on March 4 and against Montreal (4-2 loss) on March 6. The Kings responded with a 6-0 blowout over the feeble Columbus Blue Jackets on March 8, but then they suffered a tough, 3-2 overtime loss at Chicago on March 10.

The big question for the Kings with just 16 games remaining is: even if they qualify for postseason action, will they go in with momentum, or will they slide into the playoffs, putting them at a disadvantage right off the bat?

Based on their play over the last six weeks, there is cause for concern, especially when you consider the fact that even during their 12-2-1 run, the Kings often got off to slow starts and had to struggle to come from behind to win.

“The biggest thing for us has been our starts recently,” Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi said. “We’ve shown some real good character and an ability to come back in games. But a few of us have been talking here. When it comes down to the stretch, you’re not going to be able to come back against good teams.”

“The games [heading down the stretch] are going to be huge for us,” Scuderi emphasized. “We can’t make a habit of terrible starts.”

Slow starts continued to plague the Kings after the Olympic break as well.

“The Montreal Canadiens are a very desperate hockey club,” head coach Terry Murray said after his team’s loss to the Habs on March 6. “They’re on the bubble. They’re tied with three other teams for the final playoff spot in the East. You’ve got to recognize that and know that the intensity is going to be high. They showed it on the first shift and we weren’t ready to match it.”

“The start really wasn’t good and getting scored on during the first shift was definitely not good,” said center Anze Kopitar . “In the second period, we had some power play opportunities that we didn’t capitalize on, and they came back and scored a shorthanded goal. It’s frustrating. And then the third period again, on the first shift, we got caught chasing the puck, and there’s the game.”

“i don’t know what it is,” added Kopitar. “We’re not going to try to find excuses for this, but we’ve got to get better, that’s the bottom line.”

Coming out of the Olympics, defensemen Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson , who represented Canada and the United States, respectively, were riding high on their outstanding play during the Olympic tournament.

Doughty was arguably Canada’s best defenseman, while Johnson was a standout on the USA blue line, seeing ice time in all situations.

Upon their return to the Kings, Murray paired the two, young defensemen, hoping that their strong play during the Olympics would combine well together.

But that pairing lasted just a little more than two games, as Murray shook up his defensive pairs after his team’s slow start against Montreal.

“It wasn’t good enough,” Murray said about the pairing. “On that first goal, we had possession of the puck. We don’t make the right plays, our retrieval of pucks in that first period were not as crisp as what they need to be. The passing and breakouts needed to be better.”

“We felt we needed to make a change right away,” Murray added. “You wait and wait, hoping it’s going to catch fire. Sometimes it’s too late to turn the tables, so you have to do it when you feel the opportunity or that the time is right.”

Goaltender Jonathan Quick , who was Team USA’s third goaltender in the Olympics, did not play at all in Vancouver, and the rust showed when he returned to the Kings, especially in terms of his puck handling.

Murray noted that Quick barely got in any practice time during the Olympics, hence the rust.

“I’m disappointed that the U.S. ended up playing five games in the afternoon,” Murray lamented. “For a third goaltender, you miss a lot of quality work. You go through two weeks of being with the Olympic team, you might see a couple dozen pucks in that length of time. That will take a lot away from your game.”

“A goaltender has to see pucks,” Murray elaborated. “They have to work, they have to see pucks every day. This is a little bit of a setback for him, but we’re going to work our way through it. We’re going to get him more work in practice.”

The Kings’ malaise after the Olympic break affected their top line as well.

“I want the Kopitar line to be better, [Dustin] Brown and [Ryan Smyth ],” said Murray. They have to be a lot better than what they have been in the last couple of games.”

“That’s just the responsibilities that go along with being a team that’s a playoff team, battling to move forward and move up,” added Murray. “We need those guys to lead the way.”

Despite their mixed-bag start to the stretch run after the Olympic break, the Kings are fully aware of the task before them.

“We need to start pushing our playoff mode attitude the right way here,” Murray stressed. “As I said to the players, the playoffs don’t start in the middle of April. They start in March in this league now. We’re a young hockey club and very hungry. I hope that we get right back at it with a lot of energy. If you do that with concentration, you can get things going again.”

“This is a big, big measuring stick time for all players, all teams,” Murray added. “When you get to where we are in the standings, trying to keep pushing up and develop that playoff attitude as we go forward. This is a huge time. This is where we get the right read on people—who’s going to compete, who’s going to get the job done.”

A huge time, indeed.

“It’s playoff time,” said Kopitar. “Everybody’s desperate to get into the playoffs, everybody’s desperate to get the best seed possible. Even the teams that are 14th or 15th are going to try to prove themselves.”

“They’re all going to be hard games,” added Kopitar. “It doesn’t matter if we play Edmonton or Chicago. It doesn’t matter. It’s going to be hard. We just have to get ready for it.”

Awareness of their situation is one thing, but confidence is an entirely different matter. Nevertheless, it seems that the Kings are not lacking in this area, either.

“It’s a great feeling when you’re in a playoff position at this time of the year,” said winger Alexander Frolov. “I’m looking forward to the playoffs. That’s why we play—to make the playoffs and try to win the Stanley Cup.”

“With the group of guys we have here and our system, we’re really capable of it,” added Frolov.

Despite the 2-2-1 record coming out of the Olympic break, one can sense the team’s confidence as soon as you walk into the Kings dressing room. But with their inconsistent play of late, one Kings veteran had a message for his teammates.

“Just because we’re in [the playoff picture] right now doesn’t mean we’re in,” Smyth emphasized. “We’ve got to play to catch the teams in front of us instead of looking at the teams behind us.”

Indeed.

This story was originally published on Frozen Royalty , where you can find more in-depth coverage of the Los Angeles Kings and the NHL .

But one player no one expected to see arriving at Arsenal was Sol Campbell. The veteran English defender departed the Gunners in 2006 after a successful five year stint. The 35 year old had been training with Arsenal since December, after he abandoned his contract with League 2 side Notts County.

The former Tottenham centre half impressed Wenger to the extent that the Frenchman signed Campbell for a short term stint. The ageing defender has put in some strong shifts. With William Gallas recently getting constantly injured, Campbell has shown he is an able deputy, performing well with some valuable contributions.

His recent showings has forced the defender to contemplate whether he is capable of a return to international football with his beloved England. With England participating in the highly-touted 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Campbell has ambition to be part of the "Three Lions" prestigious squad.

Campbell has strong experience under his belt, having participated in England's last three world cups. The former Portsmouth captain is also a gallant leader, and if England's potential possible defensive injury problems materialize, Campbell could be a shoe in for England's World Cup Squad.

So is the veteran England defender on the comeback trail capable of performing for England?  

The most speculation this week surrounds Joe Cole.

With Cole out of contract in the summer, the winger appears to be surplus to requirements at Chelsea, and replacements are already being lined up. Possible additions include Landon Donovan and Franck Ribery , but the Blues will have to fend off interest from Real Madrid for the highly-rated Frenchman.

Cole is likely to head to Manchester United on a free should he be released, a move which is likely to anger many Chelsea fans.

Speculation has been mounting that Man City’s troublesome striker R obinho could be heading back to the club after a loan spell at Santos. The Brazilian had previously stated that he didn’t want to go back, but a £2 million payment on a converted barn in Manchester would hint otherwise.

Another striker who might be on the move is Mario Balotelli. The Italian has caught the eye of Arsene Wenger , who will have to shell out some serious money to bring the 21-year-old to Arsenal.

The Gunners look increasingly likely to have lost William Gallas to Roma. Gallas has been offered a contract for half his current wages at the Emirates, but Roma can pay him more and so he could well be on his way to Serie A.

In Formula 1, Schumacher can either “absolutely win the title” or is “out of his mind” to return, depending on who you listen to.

IMPROBABLE RUMOUR OF THE WEEK:
Liverpool are lining up Alex McLeish to replace Rafa Benitez if the Spaniard heads to Juventus this summer.

From winning to losing to winning again, 2010 has gifted us with so many opportunities to see the Jayhawks shine, and has shown us all why they are National Title contenders.

But how far will they really go in the Big 12 Tournament?  Many folks are predicting a possible early exit, due to the Jayhawks lackluster play in recent weeks,  while others are expecting the same Kansas team to make a strong statement in their opening game against Texas Tech in two days time and let everybody know exactly why they are the No. 1 team in the nation.

Personally, I tend to agree with the second statement.  For a team with this much talent and this much poise to not upset some top contenders on their way to another title, falling short almost seems unimaginable.

However, let's keep in mind that this is college basketball, and if there is any word that is more present in the modern era of the game, it's the word "upset".

Fortunately for the Jayhawks, they haven't had it too tough in the past month.  With a loss to Oklahoma State, followed by a convincing win over first Kansas State and then Missouri, confidence is fairly high heading into the middle of March.

But what about Texas Tech?  Sure this isn't college football, but they can provide some exciting plays when they are at their best.  With a lousy 4-12 record on the year and only a handful of highlight reel plays, the Red Raiders have had their work cut out for them in 2010.

Forward Mike Singletary is one of the few notable players to post considerably decent stats on the year, with 14.9 points per game, accompanied by 6.8 rebounds.  If there is anyone else worthy of mention, it would have to be guard John Robertson, who will have the vital but unpredictable role of keeping Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry at bay.

As for Kansas, well the coaching is there, the talent is there, and the fans are damn sure there.  All that is missing is a stellar performance and a night that sends Allen Fieldhouse into a frenzy as Kansas hopes to further continue it's long awaited 2010 journey.

Nearly every position is key for the Jayhawks, but none no more so than guard Sheron Collins, who hopes to have another impressive game as he continues to add to his point total of 15.3 per game. 

Highly criticised Cole Aldrich has been cold at times this season, but that occurrence tends to pop up when the Jayhawks play ranked opponents.  Luckily, Texas Tech is nowhere near the Top 25, so expect Alrdrich to have at least over 20 points.

All in all, Kansas is looking in tip top shape.  Arguably not No. 1 seed shape, but tip top shape nonetheless. 

At the end of the day, though, it is important that Kansas has established that connection with the rest of the league.  At times they have looked lazy and lethargic, now is not the time to let a surging Syracuse, Kentucky, or Duke take hold of the reigns. 

No. 1 is here to stay for Kansas, and they need to prove that this Friday.

You can view the original article on NFL News and Rumors by clicking here.

(Always good to make a play on the Squeelers )

All of a sudden, what had been commonly referred to as a weakness on the Baltimore Ravens' roster is now flush with depth.

The Ravens re-signed savvy veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason to a two year deal, further bolstering a unit that has already added new No. 1 receiver Anquan Boldin and former No. 1 receiver Donte Stallworth this offseason.

The cupboard was somewhat bare behind Mason before, but the Ravens all of a sudden have arguably one of the deepest four wide receiver sets in the league when you throw in last season's No. 2 receiver Mark Clayton .

This really helps to balance out their offense. They have one of the most heralded rushing attacks in the league anchored by arguably the best young offensive line in the game. In addition to being piloted by one of the leagues' best young quarterbacks in Joe Flacco .

Their inability to throw the ball in the playoffs is what led to their demise; Flacco had a 39.4 QBR to go along with three INTs. If everyone in the bolstered receiving corps can stay healthy and be productive (ala, complete opposite of 2008 Seattle Seahawks), there is no reason to count this team out of playoff contention next season under any circumstance.

AFC, look out, this team is starting to look scary. Can you see a glaring weakness anywhere? I can’t.