1.   After a bright start, Montreal has lost seven of its last nine.

2.   Boston has lost eight of its last nine on the road, and this is one venue where the Celtics logically should lose.

3.   Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann of Germany had won five straight world all-around speedskating titles and eight of the last nine.

4.   He has five for the season, none in the last five games and only one in his last nine.

5.   He led only nine laps, but they were the last nine.

6.   He struck out at least one batter in every inning and six of the last nine.

7.   Her last nine was not as easy.

8.   His junior year, their six victories came in the middle of the season, and when he was a senior they finished by winning their last nine.

9.   In case you forgot, foreign nationals have won three of the last four green jackets, and seven of the last nine.

10.   Including the end of the regular season, the Rangers have lost seven consecutive games and eight of their last nine.