41.   His offensive efforts with the Class AAA Phoenix Firebirds, the team he has played with since Monday, may have been a convincing enough argument.

42.   Hines has not played since the Oregon road trip in early January.

43.   In the five games Messier has played since the injury, he has one goal and two assists and has skated without his usual zest.

44.   Indiana buried Cleveland in four games in the first round and has not played since last Thursday.

45.   In the two games Camby has played since the incident, he has six points and six rebounds.

46.   It is no coincidence that the New England defense has played two stronger games than it had been playing since Eaton returned after a leg injury.

47.   It was, then, but greater games have been played since.

48.   It was, by far, the most important regular-season game the Stars have played since arriving from the northlands four years ago.

49.   Jagr has not played since last Wednesday, when he was struck on the leg during a game with the New York Rangers.

50.   James and Clark had not played since Friday morning, Walton since Saturday morning.