The Washington Capitals announced Saturday that the team has hired Tim Barnes as an analytics consultant. Nate Solder Jersey . Barnes claim to fame is actually under an online pseudonym: Vic Ferrari. As author of the web site Irreverent Oiler Fans, Barnes established a reputation as one of the fore-runners hockey analytics. Between 2006 and 2008, Ferrari helped establish some of hockeys most important advanced statistical metrics including Corsi, Fenwick and PDO. The Capitals hiring of Barnes comes after a wave of advanced stats hirings by NHL clubs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs bringing in former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds GM Kyle Dubas and the Edmonton Oilers hiring of Tyler Dellow (best known as hockey tweeter @mc79hockey). Tim is very experienced and well regarded in that field and will be a valuable asset to our organization,” said Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan. Nate Solder Giants Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted Monday morning that Callahan - who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is now open to a six-year contract at less than $7 million per season. Alec Ogletree Giants Jersey . The 57-year-old Tietjens has coached New Zealand to nine IRB World Sevens titles and to four Commonwealth Games gold medals as its only coach in the professional era. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the re-signing was made with a focus on 2016 when sevens will be in the Olympics. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Riley-Dixon-Jersey/ . Hicham Khalouas late goal improved Almerias chances of avoiding relegation in a match dominated by contentious calls, including three penalties. One day after Barcelonas 4-3 win at Real Madrid featured three penalties, referees again dominated a wide-open game that saw Almeria ultimately move out of the relegation zone and one point ahead of Getafe which took its place.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Luke Kuechly knows Carolinas defence didnt have much bite earlier in the season.He said that made Saturday all the more special.The Panthers held Arizona to 78 yards and forced three turnovers in a 27-16 win, the franchises first post-season victory in nine years. Its the fewest yards ever allowed in an NFL post-season game.We know who we are — menacing, stifling and we are going to get after you, cornerback Josh Norman said. We know when there is blood in the water and when there is, our sharks are going to eat.The Panthers (8-8-1) held Arizona to 12 yards in the second half, intercepted Ryan Lindley twice and sacked him four times in a dominating performance.Carolinas defence has undergone a remarkable turnaround this season, going from 27th in the league in Week 7 to 10th entering the playoffs.And the Panthers only seem to be getting better by the week.We had a lot of new guys early on who had to get accustomed to each other, said Kuechly, the All-Pro middle linebacker who had a game-high 10 tackles and a key interception. Now were all together and communicating — and thats huge.The New York Giants held the previous NFL record for fewest yards in a post-season game, limiting Cleveland to 86 yards on Dec. 21, 1958.Cam Newton overcame two turnovers and threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns and Jonathan Stewart ran for 123 yards and a score on a rain-soaked afternoon.The Panthers had 386 yards.Newton was quick to deflect attention to his defensive teammates after his first career playoff win, calling their performance lights out.When those guys play like that, it makes it easier on us on our part, Newton said. Those guys did everything, turnovers, they stopped them. That is championship football right there and weve got to do our part offensively to put points up on the board.The Panthers will play at top-seeded Seattle next weekend if Dallas beats Detroit on Sunday. If the Lions win, the Panthers play at Green Bay.It appeared the Panthers wouldnt get the yardage record, but Arizona began lateraling the ball around the field on the final play and lost 19 yards.It was a fitting end to the Cardinals offensive ineptitude.Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, the only player remaining from the last Carolina team that won a playoff game, called it the most dominating defensive performance hes ever been around.Our coaches did a great joob and when they lined up in their formations we knew exactly what to expect, Davis said. B.J. Hill Giants Jersey. We just ran to the ball and made plays.After a 9-1 start, Arizonas once promising season was undone by a rash of injuries, including to quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton.Lindley simply wasnt up to the task of leading a playoff team.Trailing 27-14, Arizona recovered a Newton fumble and returned to the Carolina 8. But with a chance to get his team back on the game, Lindley fired over the middle but was intercepted by Kuechly, essentially sealing the Carolina win with 11:48 left in the game.Arizona coach Bruce Arians refused to pin the blame on his young quarterback.I thought he did great up until the first interception, Arians said. He managed the game as well as he could. We didnt do a good job of putting ourselves in manageable third downs. But we got the big break and he tried to force one in that should have never been thrown.The Cardinals finished the season 11-6, but lost five of their final seven games.As a team, we always fought, defensive tackle Frostee Rucker said. It was always the next man up. At some point, we just didnt have anything left. Everyone should hold their heads high. Every person gave it their all, this whole season, win or loss.Trailing by one at halftime the Panthers scored two touchdowns in a span of 1 minute, 32 seconds late in the third quarter to take control.Rookie running back Fozzy Whittaker caught a pass in the flat from Newton, reversed fields and got a key block from Kelvin Benjamin to spring him for a 39-yard touchdown.On the ensuing kickoff, Melvin White stripped returner Ted Ginn Jr., a former Panther, at the Arizona 3 and Kevin Reddick recovered for Carolina. A pass interference penalty on Tony Jefferson on third down gave Carolina a new set of downs, and Newton took advantage. He found wide-open fullback Mike Tolbert in the left flat for a 1-yard touchdown and a 27-14 lead.Carolina outgained Arizona 208-65 in the first half, but entered the locker room trailing 14-13 after two costly turnovers led to two Cardinals touchdowns.NOTES: Panthers rookie wide receiver Philly Brown left with a shoulder injury and did not return. ... Charles Johnson had two sacks for the Panthers. ... Arizona had 27 yards rushing on 15 carries.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Baltimore Orioles Gear Cheap Boston Red Sox Gear Cheap New York Yankees Gear Cheap Tampa Bay Rays Gear Cheap Toronto Blue Jays Gear Cheap Chicago Cubs Gear Cheap Milwaukee Brewers Gear Cheap Pittsburgh Pirates Gear Cheap Cincinnati Reds Gear Cheap St. Louis Cardinals Gear Cheap Arizona Diamondbacks Gear Cheap Colorado Rockies Gear Cheap Los Angeles Dodgers Gear Cheap San Diego Padres Gear Cheap San Francisco Giants Gear ' ' '