Mark Petchey says Japans world No 6 Kei Nishikori offers Great Britain a different test to anything they faced in their Davis Cup triumph last year. Britain begin the defence of the trophy they won in November when they take on Japan in Birmingham this weekend and hopes are high of a potential repeat triumph.With world No 2 Andy Murray in the team, Leon Smiths squad were always strong favourites last year and Murray dropped just two sets in his eight singles rubbers along the way to glory. Evans gets GB nod Leon Smith names team for Japan tie But world No 6 Nishikori is a more than capable performer and already has a title under his belt this year having won in Memphis in February.Murray has a 5-1 winning record over the Japanese No 1, his only defeat coming at the 2014 World Tour Finals, but Petchey believes another top ten ranked player gives the tie a different look. Obviously last year you always felt Andy had the edge in the singles, it always felt like he was the better player in the one v ones. If he tees it up against Kei his superiority on the court is not going to be quite as overwhelming, Petchey told Sky Sports. Great Britain won the Davis Cup in 2015 That is something that gives a different dynamic heading into this tie to anything they had to deal with last year.Lets not underestimate the Japanese team, there is an awful lot of class with Nishikori and with [Taro] Daniel as well who is certainly not to be underestimated.Petchey concedes Britain go into the World Group first-round tie as likely winners despite the prospect of a tough encounter that could go all the way to Sundays final singles rubber - saying Murrays return to action for the first time since his Australian Open final defeat to Novak Djokovic and home advantage should give them the edge. Andy Murrays (right) lost just two sets in eight singles rubbers last year I think they are favourites given what they achieved last year, confidence is high amongst the team and Andy is playing, Petchey added.Despite having a lay-off since Australia I dont see any real problems with him coming back in and hitting the ground running. He knows how to hit a tennis ball, thats not going to have been forgotten amongst the nappy duty! Magical Murray role Remebering Andy Murrays role in Davis Cup glory Its at home, having won it last year the atmosphere will be phenomenal when they walk out on Friday. From that perspective there is not going to be any lack of desire from that team to put in a performance.Having ended a 79-year wait for Davis Cup glory, Petchey believes Great Britain could play with greater freedom having finally won the trophy - but admits things could go the other way with a degree of expectancy now on the team.Expectations are high and you can argue things either way, the Sky Sports expert said.The pressure to defend, wanting to go deep, have another deep run this year and the feeling it gave British tennis after the team did so well. But on the other hand they have won it, so the pressure is off to a large degree as theyve shown that as a team they are able to go on and win it. You could argue that it is now a slightly easier tie for Britain.The feeling is good within British tennis and the Davis Cup camp is strong. GBs route to Davis Cup glory We plot the path to a Great Britain repeat Whenever you have got some like Andy committed to a cause in the manner he was last year and clearly is going to be in the opening tie, you have got a great shot of repeating - a lot will depend on Andys season in terms of what he plays with the Olympics being this year.That is one of those unknown variables this year in terms of how far this team can go. If he is able to come out for every tie than the odds of defending the cup go up significantly. Also See: Evans gets GB nod GBs route to 2016 glory.... Magical Murray Zeroes to heroes Cheap Panthers Jerseys China . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Cheap Adidas Panthers Jerseys . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. http://www.cheapfloridapanthersjerseys.com/ . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Cheap Florida Panthers Jerseys . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. NEW YORK -- After losing twice on goals in the closing minutes during their recent road trip, the New York Islanders were relieved to get a late win after blowing a three-goal lead in the third period.Anders Lee scored the tiebreaking goal with 27 seconds remaining to lift the Islanders to a 5-3 victory over the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.Thomas Hickey took a pass from Johnny Boychuk and fired a slap shot from the point that deflected off Lees stick and past goalie Matt Murray.We had that puck luck, Lee said. We just have to grind it out. Tonight we were able to come through with a game-winning goal. Was a great shot and I was able to tip in. Weve faced enough adversity for a season. Tonight we were able to find a way.Hickey called it relief more than elation, adding, It was nice to get something to go our way. ... It was a great pass by Johnny and a great tip by Anders.Then, with Murray pulled on the ensuing faceoff, Nikolay Kulemin scored into the empty net 3 seconds later to seal the win and give the Islanders consecutive victories for the second time this season.Boychuk, Jason Chimera and Casey Cizikas also scored, and Thomas Greiss made 31 saves.New York, which lost twice on goals in the final 3 minutes of regulation at Los Angeles and San Jose last week before beating Calgary at home in overtime on Monday, has won three of five.Conor Sheary, Justin Schultz and Evgeni Malkin scored in the first 13:08 of the third period to tie the score for the Penguins. Murray finished with 25 saves.Sometimes you can try to work your way back but it doesnt always work out that way, Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby said. We were able to tie it up and unfortunately not at least force overtime.The Islanders had not scored more than two goals in their last eight games -- including a 3-2, 14-round shootout win at Anaheim on Nov. 22.Trailing 3-0 after two periods, the Penguins came out aggressive in the third and quickly got on the scoreboard when Sheary knocked in a rebound past Greiss 32 seconds in.Phil Kessel had a breakaway a minute later but was stoned by Greiss.Schultz pulled the Penguins within one when he skated in across the left faceoff circle and fired a shot top shelf with 9:20 remaining. Malkin then tied it with a wrister past Greiss 2:28 later withh his ninth of the season.ddddddddddddThe Islanders made it 2-0 at 2:10 of the second on a goal credited to Chimera. Scott Mayfield fired a shot from the right slot and the puck bounced off several players before hitting Chimeras skate and off Murray and slowly trickling over the line before the goalie could stop it. It was Chimeras second of the season.Pittsburgh was called for two penalties seconds apart about 8 minutes into the second. After being whistled for too many men, Matt Cullen was called for a delay of game faceoff violation for falling on the puck on the ensuing faceoff. The Islanders managed six shots on the two-man advantage, including a diving glove save by Murray on a shot by John Tavares from the right side.You knew that after the 2-minute 5-on-3 where we didnt score, it always comes back to haunt you a little bit, New York coach Jack Capuano said. Our guys battled right to the end and we found a way to win.Cizikas made it 3-0 with 2:39 left in the second with his third, tipping in the deflection of a shot by Andrew Ladd.Boychuk got the Islanders on the scoreboard first, firing a slap shot from outside the right faceoff circle into the left side of the night on Murrays blocker side with 13 seconds left in the opening period. It was Boychuks third of the season, and first since Oct. 23.Game notes Patric Hornqvist returned for the Penguins after missing six games due to a concussion. ... Pittsburgh was 0 for 3 on the power play and has not scored in 16 opportunities over the last five games. ... The Penguins won the first two meetings, 4-2 at home on Oct. 27 and 3-2 in OT here on Nov. 18. The teams final matchup will be March 24 at Pittsburgh. ... Islanders F Ryan Strome returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the previous two games. ... D Adam Pelech was out after sustaining an upper body injury in Monday nights OT win over Calgary. Mayfield took his place and appeared in his second game of the season.UP NEXTPenguins: Host Dallas on Thursday night in the opener of a three-game homestand.Islanders: At Washington on Thursday night before a three-game homestand.---Follow Vin Cherwoo at www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP ' ' '