The New York Rangers have quickly warmed to the challenge of playing outside in the chill of winter. Despite being the road team in both games at frigid Yankee Stadium, the Broadway Blueshirts made themselves at home in the ballpark in the Bronx and completed a sweep of the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. The Rangers rallied for the second straight game and topped the Islanders 2-1 on Wednesday night on Daniel Carcillo's tiebreaking goal 4:36 into the third period. On Sunday, the Rangers dug out of a 3-1 hole against the Devils and scored the final six goals.

Six-time All-Star Lance Berkman is retiring after 15 seasons in the major leagues. Berkman almost left the game last offseason before signing with the Texas Rangers. The 37-year-old Berkman was Houston's first-round draft pick in 1997 out of Rice, and played 12 seasons for the Astros. He played 1,879 career games, all but 287 for Houston, finishing a .293 career hitter with 366 home runs and 1,234 RBIs.

Beast Mode was Least Mode again. Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch abruptly ended his media availability - again - walking away from a throng of reporters while escorted by a member of the New Jersey State Police on Wednesday after about 7 uncomfortable minutes in which he answered just a few questions. The NFL put that fine on hold, saying it would be rescinded if he complied with media obligations. During media day, Lynch spoke for 6 1/2 minutes before leaving, then returning to speak to Deion Sanders for NFL Network, to the Seahawks website, and to Armed Forces Network - and acknowledged he was trying to avoid being fined by the league for not meeting his media requirements.