GOOD
Sidney Crosby
Though the Penguins captain was fond of the Igloo, he's quickly making himself at home in his new digs at the Consol Energy Center. Crosby scored thrice in last Saturday's win over the Flames, following that up the first natural hat trick of his career in the very next home game - Thursday's 3-2 win over the Thrashers. While the scoring outburst improved Pittsburgh's winning streak to eight, it also allowed Sid to overhaul Tampa sniper Steven Stamkos in the points race, as well as tying the young whippersnapper in the goal-scoring charts.
LeBron James
While the current NBA most valuable player's first season with the Miami Heat hasn't exactly gone according to plan - so much for the run at the Bulls' 72-10 mark - Thursday night's return to Cleveland brought a chance to show what he can do when he's on his game. He certainly wasn't "making excuses," as Michael Jordan likes to say, in the 118-90 mauling of the Cavaliers, scoring 38 points in three quarters, before turning his attention to taunting his former teammates. That LeBron is certainly one classy guy.
Brian Cashman
The Yankees general manager appears to be the Grinch right now in the eyes of many New York fans - refusing to cow-tow to star shortstop Derek Jeter's contract demands - but in fact he's spent much of this week practising to be an elf. Cashman has been rappelling down a 300-foot building in Stamford, Conn., in preparations for Sunday's holiday show with Santa Claus, and while he's excited to be a part of what he called "an opportunity of a lifetime," he's not about to let anyone else in on the action. "I wouldn't let any players do that," he said. "I'm replaceable."
BAD
Prince William
He may not have brought the World Cup home, as England loves to say, but it wasn't for lack of trying. With the 1966 world champion's bid hanging in the balance, the future king used all his charm to tilt the scales in his country's favour, possibly even at the expense of his darling fiancée. "How did it go?" asked David Cameron of William's meetings with members of FIFA's executive committee. "Prime Minister, I even asked them to marry me." Love of country knows no bounds. Kate, you've been warned.
Stevie Johnson
Though this hasn't been the best of seasons for the Buffalo Bills, the emergence of Johnson - who is now just three touchdowns away from establishing a new franchise single-season high - has certainly be one of the few high points. After scoring three touchdowns against Cincinnati in Week 11 to earn the Bills just their second win of the season, the world appeared to be his oyster. But the San Francisco native came down to earth with a thud last Sunday, failing to haul in what should have been the winning score as Buffalo suffered its third overtime defeat of the season.