CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Jimmie Johnson was stunned by the proposed changes to the championship format he heard in a phone call from NASCAR chairman Brian France two weeks ago. Not because the six-time champion worried the radical overhaul was designed to stop his dominance on the Sprint Cup Series. Instead, France went over a proposal that Johnson had never heard before in multiple discussions with NASCAR executives. NASCAR will officially announce its Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format on Thursday. All signs point to a 16-driver field whittled down through eliminations to four drivers and a winner-take-all season finale. Johnson says he supports the format because NASCAR needed "something big" to re-ignite passion in its fan base. Jason Grilli Jersey . -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. C. D. Pelham Rangers Jersey . - The Oakland Athletics have finalized an agreement on a 10-year extension to play at the Coliseum through the 2024 season. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/1492h-joe-palumbo-jersey-rangers.html . The right-hander pitched into the seventh inning and boosted Cincinnatis struggling offence by hitting a double and scoring as the Reds ended a seven-game losing streak by beating the Atlanta Braves 1-0 Saturday night. Frank Howard Jersey . -- David Ortiz saved his only hit for a key moment for the Boston Red Sox. Kyle Bird Jersey .5 million. The 25-year-old Varlamov is thriving under first-year coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, posting a 26-9-5 record with a 2.Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Capitals got goals from Troy Brouwer, John Carlson and Joel Ward in a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Braden Holtby made 26 saves in his 18th consecutive start for the Capitals, who extended their point streak to seven games (5-0-2). Jonathan Ericsson scored the lone goal for the Red Wings, who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Detroit lost goaltender Jimmy Howard to a groin injury just 1:53 into the game. With the Red Wings killing a penalty, Howard left the puck behind the net for his defense to play. Instead, Brouwer got the puck and quickly scored on a wraparound as Howard scrambled to get back into position. Howard hurt his groin while extending his left leg awkwardly trying to cover the post. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher. Prior to the game, Howard was named to the 2015 NHL All-Star game. Petr Mrazek stopped 12-of-14 sshots in relief.dddddddddddd Carlson gave the Capitals a 2-0 lead at 1:35 of the second when his one-timer from the high slot got past Mrazek. Ward extended Washingtons lead to three at 11:39, settling a bouncing puck in the slot and firing it past Mrazek. Ericssons first goal of the season put Detroit on the board with 11.9 seconds left in the middle stanza. Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanens giveaway led to Ericssons blast from the point. Holtby made 15 saves in the third to preserve the victory and Detroit failed to make headway with Mrazek on the bench for most of the final two minutes. Game Notes Carlson celebrated his 25th birthday on Saturday ... Washington forward Alex Ovechkin had scored a goal in his previous five games ... The Capitals have won five straight on home ice ... Detroit forward Tomas Jurco sat out his second straight game with a back injury. ' ' '