Michael van Gerwen failed to win for the third consecutive week while Robert Thornton survived elimination - but what have we l

Michael van Gerwen failed to win for the third consecutive week while Robert Thornton survived elimination - but what have we learned? REPORT: Judgement Night Smith & Chisnall crash out, MVG slips off top spot Judgement Night has cast its verdict on Michael Smith and Dave Chisnall, sending them crashing out of the tournament and reducing its participants to eight. Philadelphia 76ers Gear . At the top of the league, it was another disappointing outing for the world No 1.Here are five talking points... Why did we give up on Thornton? Robert Thornton survived elimination before he threw a dart At the start of Week 8, the Scotsman was rock-bottom of the Premier League table without a victory to his name, staring elimination in the face. It seemed certain that it would be Thornton, plus one more, to face the chop.A stunning pair of results last week made Thornton the first player to truly take advantage of playing twice in the same night - he drew with Van Gerwen and defeated Smith to move out of the bottom two. Heading into Judgement Night, he had provided warning signs that he possessed enough quality to compete at this level.In the end, his work was done in last weeks double-header. Smith and Chisnalls defeats on Judgement Night meant Thornton was safe before he threw a dart, leaving us all to wonder why we wrote him off so quickly.MVG is in poor form… yes, you heard that right! Raymond van Barneveld admits disappointment that he didnt beat Michael van Gerwen Any time Van Gerwen leaves the oche without a win, it represents a major coup for whoever he has opposed. A shock draw with Thornton last week could possibly have been attributed to bad luck for Van Gerwen, but a third consecutive week without a win represents a mini-crisis for the world No 1.In truth, a point against Raymond Van Barneveld on Judgement Night doesnt tell the full story. Barney will have left the oche kicking himself that he didnt take a major victory, having missed one dart at a double to secure a maximum two points. Van Gerwen deserves a degree of credit for sticking around and battling, but a draw against Van Barneveld flattered him.So whats up with Mighty Mike? Thats twice in recent times he has failed to beat Van Barneveld on a major stage, having lost their World Championship tie in January. Van Gerwen has slipped down to No 2 in the table, behind Phil Taylor, but his top four spot remains secure - for now, at least.Have you noticed Taylor is top? Phil Taylor ruthlessly defeated Michael Smith On a night dominated by three players jostling for survival, and Van Gerwen uncharacteristically faltering, it is forgivable not to have realised that Taylor is top of the Premier League after nine weeks.The Power has won the tournament six times but not since 2012, and entered this years edition facing questions about whether he still had the accuracy in his arrows to contend with the likes of Van Gerwen. So far, he has quietly reassured doubters that he still belongs.Sitting a point clear of Van Gerwen heading into the next stage of the Premier League wont silence Taylors critics permanently. The new fixture list has thrown up a mouth-watering Taylor vs Van Gerwen contest in Rotterdam on the final night of the regular season - The Power must still be shining heading into Londons play-offs to finally prove he can end a four-year run without a Premier League title.Smith & Chisnall will be back Dave Chisnalls exit came after a loss to Peter Wright Whenever the worlds 10 best players come together in an unforgivably gruelling tournament, it will force two unfortunate players to appear much worse than they really are. Smith and Chisnall were eliminated on Judgement Night after winning just one match apiece in 18 combined efforts, but their place in the worlds elite crop is unlikely to change.Smith is currently rated at No 8 while Chisnall is No 11, so could be looking over his shoulder when the 2017 Premier League is discussed. But Chizzy is only a year on from a semi-final finish in the 2015 tournament, while 25-year-old Smith is regarded as one of the sports top prospects. They are down, but theyre not out.Who could play in the 2017 Premier League? Jelle Klaasen reached the World Championship semi-final where he met Gary Anderson If a new player replaces Smith or Chisnall, the likeliest candidate would be world No 10 Jelle Klaasen. Yet another prospect from the Netherlands, Klaasen would certainly be a popular addition to the line-up for our orange-clad neighbours who will host their first ever Premier League night in May.But Klaasen is also in with a shout due to his ability at the oche, not just his popularity. He already counted himself unfortunate to miss out on this years event considering he is ranked by the PDC one place above Chisnall. Bizarrely, he has already played in the 2009 Premier League as a sprightly 24-year-old alongside Sky Sports very own Wayne Mardle but hasnt been invited back since.Premier League Darts returns next Thursday from Sheffield, live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Also See: Fixtures/Results On Sky TV Prem Table Darts betting Get Sky Sports Philadelphia 76ers Pro Shop . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week. 76ers Jerseys China .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. https://www.cheap76ers.com/ . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington.Edmonton Oilers continue to search for their first road win of the season when they take on the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night as the clubs square off at First Niagara Center. The Oilers will be playing the third contest of a five-game road trip and they fell to 0-4-1 on the road this season with last nights 5-2 setback in Boston. The Bruins broke the game open on third-period power-play goals by Carl Soderberg and Dougie Hamilton. Boyd Gordon and Mark Arcobello recorded the goals for Edmonton, while Ben Scrivens stopped 27-of-31 shots in defeat. You cant give a dangerous team like that power-play chances, said Scrivens. We need to find a way to close teams out. Edmonton, playing without forward Taylor Hall (sprained left knee) and defenseman Andrew Ference (suspension), could start Viktor Fasth in net his evening. Fasth, who has never faced the Sabres, has made three starts this season and is 0-2-1 with a 4.70 GAA and .861 save percentage. The Sabres are just 3-8-2 this season, but have won seven of their last eight against the Oilers, who come in having lost four straight and winless on the road this season. Edmonton had lost three straight in Buffalo before picking up a 3-2 victory in February of last season. The Sabres are 1-0-1 on a four-game homestand and 1-1-2 in their past four games overall following a 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreaal Canadiens on Wednesday. Custom Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys. P.A. Parenteau had the deciding goal for the Habs. Buffalos Brian Gionta and the Canadiens Alex Galchenyuk were both successful in the first round of the shootout. Parenteau, the third shooter for Montreal, skated up the middle, fooled Michal Neuvirth with a head fake and ended the game with a quick wrister into the top of the net. Neuvirth made 31 saves and Drew Stafford scored in regulation, with Tyler Ennis registering his 100th career assist on the tally. The effort tonight was really good. Weve been getting good goaltending and I liked how we battled back, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. Nolan will start Jhonas Enroth in net tonight. Enroth is just 1-6-1 with a 3.34 goals against average and .908 save percentage in eight starts this season, losing each of his past five outings. He also lost his only other career start versus the Oilers, allowing three goals on 28 shots. Oilers (9PTS) at Sabres (8PTS) - 7PM Teams split two games last season, EDM winning in BUF BUF has gone 3-1-0 last 4 at home vs EDM (lost last) since 05-06 BUF (3-9-2): last 3 home games gone past regulation 1-0-2 scored 2 or fewer GF in 13 of 14 games Ennis (1G, 3A) past 4 games EDM (4-8-1): lost 4 straight, outscored 16-6, 1/14 on PP 0-4-1 on road, 26GA, 12/18 on PK Eberle (3G, 3A) past 6 games, has 99 career goals ' ' '