1.   Ken Hitchcock said veteran center Kirk Muller has never played for the Stars better than he is playing right now.

2.   Last year was the first time in recent decades that a majority of states exempted the poor from their income tax systems, the budget center said.

3.   Notes Frieder said freshman center Okeme Oziwo has been reinstated.

4.   Officials say the center, on Nebraska Avenue several miles from the White House, will be staffed by employees from an array of agencies.

5.   Ponciano said center Julio Alcala, who left the team last Sunday because of personal problems, is expected back Wednesday.

6.   The cause was complications from glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain tumor, said the center, where he was being treated for the disease.

7.   The Jazz players are being ever the cautious favorites in the first round, which is the most dangerous, said center Greg Foster.

8.   The New Jersey Devils said center Doug Gilmour is expected to return tomorrow night against the Hartford Whalers after missing three games with an eye injury.

9.   The San Jose Sharks said center Bernie Nicholls is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing hernia surgery.

10.   The study said redemption centers, which accept all brands of containers in any quantity, play a crucial behind-the-scenes role in bottle and can recycling.