immediately as the Habs scored the same play

BARCELONA, Spain -- A first-half goal from Karim Benzema guided Real Madrid to a 1-0 win at Espanyol in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Tuesday. Nine days after Madrid eked out a 1-0 victory at Espanyols Cornella-El Prat Stadium in the Spanish league, the visitors were again limited to the narrowest of winning margins -- despite dominating the first half, when Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post before Benzema headed home in the 25th minute. The second half was more evenly matched and Espanyols Sergio Garcia came close to an equalizer before Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas denied Jhon Cordoba in a one-on-one in the 83rd minute. "Espanyol played better in the second half and made us suffer, but that is normal," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "The tie isnt decided." Casillas had a quiet first half, with Espanyol only mustering one clear scoring chance in the 18th when Luis "Pizzi" Afonso wasted Garcias pass by sailing his close-range shot over the crossbar. Early on, Ronaldo appeared eager as ever to add to his season tally of 31 goals in all competitions. He had four shots before halftime and hit the post with one of them in the 21st minute, but the new Ballon dOr winner faded in the second half. Benzema broke the deadlock when the France international headed a cross from Alvaro Arbeloa that was flicked on by Gareth Bale. Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla got a hand on the ball but couldnt keep it out. Espanyol pressed forward after halftime and Garcia twice shot wide, while Casilla stopped Arbeloa twice before denying Benzema on the break. The closing stages swung back in Espanyols favour and Casillas was forced to rush out to stop substitute Cordoba before weathering a final barrage of corner kicks. Ancelotti praised Casillas, who only starts in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, while Diego Lopez plays in the Spanish league. "I want to congratulate Casillas because he is playing well," Ancelotti said. "Iker is just as much a starter as Diego Lopez." In other first legs this week, Barcelona visits Levante on Wednesday, when third-tier Racing Santander plays at Real Sociedad. Defending champion Atletico Madrid hosts Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. The second legs will be played next week. Cheap Nets Jerseys . He liked what he saw on Tuesday night. Not only did his team post a comeback 3-2 victory in a shootout over the Montreal Canadiens, but the rival Washington Capitals were beaten 5-1 in Buffalo. Stitched Nets Jerseys ... maybe even more than that. Maybe all season I have to take a few blows. https://www.cheapnetsonline.com/ .com) - His team lost in the round of 16 of the FCS playoffs, yet Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley says his team has made a strong case to be voted to the top 5 in the final rankings. Brooklyn Nets Shirts .com) - John Wall had 15 points, 12 assists and four steals as the Washington Wizards defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 92-85 on Monday night. Brooklyn Nets Pro Shop . -- Wide receiver Sidney Rice should be fully recovered from a torn knee ligament by the time the Seattle Seahawks start defence of their Super Bowl title, general manager John Schneider said Wednesday.Every night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, TSN hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Jamie McLennan breaks down each goalies performance. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens (5) - He had a huge game, with no better series saver than the paddle save on Milan Lucic in the second period. He had great rebound control all night long, handled the puck well and didnt allow second chances. Price also had big saves on Jarome Iginla, Davif Krejci, Carl Soderberg and Patrice Bergeron. His big save on Bergeron helped turn it around immediately as the Habs scored the same play. He was the best player on the ice for the Habs on Monday night. He had a huge game when it counted, especially in the second when the Bruins pressed hard. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins (3) - Rask had no chance on the first goal by Lars Eller, as it was caused by a tough turnover early in the game. In the second goal, he wasnt set on Max Paciorettys partial breakaway and allowed a five-hole goal that he should stop. Rask did make great saves on Renee Bourque, Brendan Gallagher, Eller and Tomas Plekanec.dddddddddddd The third goal by Montreal was a scramble play around the net. He was just good on Monday night. He didnt lose them the game, but didnt win it for them like Price did. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings (2) - Quick guessed on the wrong side on Nick Boninos goal and was screened, with not much help on the back door goal (Mathieu Perreault/Devante Smith-Pelley goal). And Smith-Pelleys secondgoal on a breakaway finished with a nice move. Quick has cooled off in his game since the first two starts of the series. Hell needs to be a difference maker in the next game, as hes just been okay. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks (4) - Gibson was solid again. He had chance on the Trevor Lewis goal, as it was a deflection off of Bryan Allens arm. He made big saves on Tyler Toffoli and then off Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar in the second on the penalty kill - then a huge left pad save on Gaborik early in the third. Gibsons positioning and rebound control was very strong and he showed good poise again. ' ' '