Stars have successful hunt [AP photo] Dallas preys on Tampa Bay's defensive problems to score five goals in the second period. No simple explanation for drop in fighting DALLAS -- Hockey never will be called a polite game, but it seems players are more willing to settle differences with a shove than a good right cross. Two Stars have praise for Lightning DALLAS -- Stars coach Ken Hitchcock gave the Lightning a thumbs up for the first two games of its three-game road trip.

Bucs
Sprain derails A-Train
With Bucs grasping for their playoff lives, Mike Alstott's season ends in a Soldier Field pile.

King's troubles slow Bucs' 'O'
TAMPA -- After analyzing the film, Bucs coach Tony Dungy said his team did a number of positive things in the 13-10 loss to the Bears Sunday.

Darrell Fry
Lightning still offers hope
TAMPA -- This is what you look for. A sign. A sliver of a reason to be optimistic that somehow, some way, things are going to be different, if only a little bit.

Monday Night Football
Redskins outduel Rams
ST. LOUIS -- Jeff George threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns Monday as the Redskins beat the Rams 33-27 to remain in the thick of the NFC playoff race.

College football
It's back to No. 2 for FSU
The Seminoles jump over Miami again in the BCS standings, but this time it might be for good.

Ohio State has certain aura Outback likes
The Buckeyes will face an SEC foe in Tampa after getting bowled over by Big Ten rival Michigan.

Leavitt link to Missouri fuels talk
TAMPA -- South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is among possible candidates mentioned to replace Larry Smith at Missouri, but Leavitt said early Monday afternoon he had not been contacted by Missouri officials.

Outdoors
Captain's Corner
At times, I think most of us put too much emphasis on catching only gamefish. The Bay area waters are loaded with baitfish and, with that, large schools of predators. A day hasn't gone by lately that I haven't come across massive schools of jacks, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel.

Eight inducted to golf Hall of Fame
Juli Inkster and former PGA commissioner Deane Beman were among eight inducted Monday into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine.

Devil Rays
Rays run out of room for McCracken, Cairo
ST. PETERSBURG -- Just about the time Miguel Cairo was due for a raise, the Devil Rays decided they were due for a change at second base.

NFL
AFC East contenders facing furious finish
Perspective may be one of the biggest mental factors in the NFL.

Around the NFC
BEARS: There were 17,802 no-shows for the game against the Bucs, less than a week after the team and the city of Chicago unveiled a plan for refurbishing Soldier Field.

Around the AFC
BENGALS: Scott Mitchell threw for 238 yards against New England after Cincinnati totaled 261 yards passing in their previous four games.

Largo couple hits big in the Super Bowl lottery
The payoff: tickets to the big game at RJS ... with or without an appearance by the Bucs.

Shorts
NBA briefs
Joe Smith chooses Pistons

NHL briefs
Canadiens look for help by firing coach, GM

Top 10 auto racing stories of the year
Triumph and tragedy.