Coming off a 5-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, the Maple Leafs didn't register a shot until just after the seven-minute mark of a sluggish opening period.

WSJ: Reimer SO sends Devils to 10th straight loss

That is hard to know, and rather beside the point: economists aside, few are excited by the difference between a mild recession and a period of sluggish growth.

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But a prolonged period of sluggish economic growth could rapidly make the budget numbers even worse, if tax receipts fall and government spending rises further.

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After a period of sluggish growth between fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2012, annual earnings growth is expected to ramp up nicely over the next two years.

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The contrasting stories of Sweden and Japan suggest that although big crises can offer an opportunity to overhaul an entire economy, a prolonged period of sluggish growth makes structural reforms increasingly difficult.

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The slowing of the rate of health care cost increases comes amid a sluggish economy and a period of high unemployment that has made it easier for companies to reduce benefits of their workers.

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At present, my baseline outlook involves a period of sluggish growth, followed by a somewhat stronger pace of growth starting later this year as the effects of monetary and fiscal stimulus begin to be felt.

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The Rangers played yet another sluggish and uninspired first period, as they have done in a recent trend, and fell behind 1-0 despite holding a 12-7 shots edge in the frame.

WSJ: Markstrom, Panthers stop Rangers 3-1

Back at home Monday night after a four-game trip that concluded with losses at Buffalo, Winnipeg and Pittsburgh, the Rangers were sluggish early against the Carolina Hurricanes and started the second period in a familiar hole.

WSJ: Miller's SO goal lifts Rangers over Hurricanes