71.   They might have found the prospect of beating the world champs and a young playoff contender on back-to-back nights on the road too much to handle this early.

72.   They really believe they are a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

73.   This was one of those must-win games for a team that views itself as a playoff contender.

74.   Throw a couple of those guys into the existing mix and maybe you have a playoff contender.

75.   True, Anaheim needs a productive trip for itself as a team, one which has aspirations as a playoff contender.

76.   Valenzuela has won eight consecutive decisions and is a major reason the Padres are playoff contenders.

77.   When the Mutiny and Revolution meet Friday night, it will be a battle of both losers and playoff contenders.

78.   When middle linebacker Eric Hill left the Cardinals in free agency last winter, he said he wanted to go to a playoff contender.

79.   With Kariya there, the Ducks are another middle-of-the-road playoff contender.

80.   With the maturation of the line, the Cardinals became a serious playoff contender.