More sports

Sideline

MAKING NEWS

By TOM JONES
Published April 3, 2007

MAKING NEWS

PLAYOFFS? MAYBE DIVISION TITLE? NO, NOT ENOUGH

The New Jersey Devils, who have 102 points, are in first place in the Atlantic Division and have won four of their past five, fired coach Claude Julien, above, on Monday. General manager Lou Lamoriello, who made the decision, will replace Julien behind the bench. It marks the second straight season he has taken over as coach. Last season he replaced Larry Robinson in December. Lamoriello has done this before; in 1999-2000 he fired Robbie Ftorek with eight games remaining and Robinson took over. He led the team to its second Stanley Cup. "I don't think we're at a point of being ready both mentally and (physically) to play the way that is necessary going into the playoffs," Lamoriello said.

Bucs announce preseason foes

Games against the Patriots and Dolphins highlight the Bucs' preseason schedule, which was released Monday. Exact dates aren't determined, but the Bucs will open some time between Aug. 9-13 against New England at Raymond James Stadium. Between Aug. 16-20, the Bucs visit Jacksonville, followed by a trip to Miami to face the Dolphins between Aug. 23-27. The finale is at home against Houston the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 2. The NFL is expected to release its full regular-season schedule this week.

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

CHECK IT OUT

The Lightning hasn't officially qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, but single-game tickets for the first round of the playoffs go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the St. Pete Times Forum box office, Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $23.75 to $125. The team will sell 200 $8 tickets on the day of each game. Eight-game strips for the first and second rounds are available at the box office, tampabaylightning.com or by calling (813) 301-6600.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Golf Digest is a disgrace to their profession. They should be ashamed of themselves."

Donald Trump, to SportsIllustrated.com, after Golf Digest cut Trump International Golf Course from its list of "America's 100 Greatest Courses"

BASEBALL

Today: Rays off

Up next: at Yankees, 1:05 Wednesday, Yankee Stadium, New York

TV/Radio: FSN; 1250-AM.

. tampabay.com

Rays and more

Check out our coverage of the Devil Rays, plus more from around the world of baseball, as the season gets underway.

[Last modified April 3, 2007, 00:42:27]