by Sam McCaig - December 16, 2008 3:20 PM EST
June is a long way off, but in the name of Christmas present fever we look ahead to a few potential Stanley Cup finals.
OK, it’s a little early to be talking about Stanley Cup final matchups, but all the talk of Christmas and wish lists has inspired a wish list of a different sort: five Stanley Cup finals I’d like to see (and they’re pretty realistic, too).
by Sam McCaig - December 2, 2008 5:44 PM EST
If the NHL's annual talent show is about entertaining fans, there's far worse things than having an all-Montreal starting lineup.
Welcome to the Bell Centre in Montreal, home to the Montreal Canadiens and site of the National Hockey League’s 2009 All-Star Game!
“And now, your starting lineup for the Eastern Conference…at center, Saku Koivu, captain of the Montreal Canadiens!…at left wing, Alex Kovalev, of the Montreal Canadiens!…at right wing, Alex Tanguay, of the Montreal Canadiens!…on defense, Andrei Markov, of the Montreal Canadiens!…also on defense, Mike Komisarek, of the Montreal Canadiens!…and in goal, Carey Price, of the Montreal Canadiens!!”
And the fans go wild.
by Sam McCaig - November 18, 2008 3:37 PM EST
What Stanley Cup hangover?... Sharks on pace for NHL record... Top scorers... and overtime success rate.
Stanley Cup hangover? Who came up with that nonsense? Despite being without Marian Hossa and two top defensemen – Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar are sidelined with long-term injuries – the Pittsburgh Penguins have stormed out to an 11-4-2 record through mid-November.
by Sam McCaig - November 4, 2008 3:24 PM EST
We go through each of the NHL's six groupings to study the significant early storylines.
ATLANTIC DIVSION
The Big Story: The Rangers, despite a third period collapse against Toronto on Saturday (New York led 2-0 with eight minutes left, only to give up five goals in 5:20), are off to one of their best starts in franchise history.
by Sam McCaig - October 21, 2008 2:23 PM EDT
With the Wild seemingly unable to sign their top sniper, is it time to cut ties and get what you can before losing him for nothing?
That didn’t take long.
With Minnesota sniper Marian Gaborik eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, the Wild has been concerned about re-signing its franchise face and the early rumblings aren’t encouraging.
by Sam McCaig - October 7, 2008 12:29 PM EDT
The Gardens opened its doors Saturday and fans lined up to get a peek inside the legendary hockey shrine.
I was inside Maple Leaf Gardens this weekend for the first time in nearly a decade.
It looked a lot better than I thought it would. It appears to still be intact inside; it’s as clean as it ever was and, surprisingly, most of the seats still are in place.
by Sam McCaig - September 17, 2008 11:52 AM EDT
After a summer hiatus, the From The Point column returns with a vengeance and an eye on one player from each squad who could surprise this season.
Most teams have a star player who can take a run at the Hart Trophy as league MVP in any given year. But what about their supporting casts? Here is a rundown of potential MVP candidates who you may not see coming.
by Sam McCaig - May 30, 2008 5:51 PM EDT
The NHL's champ may not yet be decided, but it's never too early to celebrate the game's post-season best.
The playoffs aren’t over yet, but they play the regular season All-Star Game halfway through the year, so I feel comfortable nominating the 2008 Playoff All-Star Team just prior to Game 4 of the final.
by Sam McCaig - May 9, 2008 11:19 PM EDT
Detroit continues to win year after year - and are in position to claim another Cup this season - by finding diamonds in the rough.
The NHL entry draft is in Ottawa this year, on June 20th and 21st. But don’t expect to see any Red Wings representatives on the first day, because they probably won’t even show up.
by Sam McCaig - May 2, 2008 5:17 PM EDT
Love him or hate him, few players in the history of the game have stirred fans' emotions like Double J.
Dear Jaromir: Thanks for the memories…or good riddance?
That’s pretty much how it breaks down when fans discuss the possibility that the 2008 playoffs may be the final NHL action for Rangers superstar Jaromir Jagr.
by Sam McCaig - April 18, 2008 10:44 AM EDT
Philly’s highly paid, diminutive center has saved his best for the playoffs…and who’s seeing plenty of ice time.
Not that Daniel Briere’s regular season was a bust – it wasn’t; he did rack up 31 goals and 72 points in 79 games.
But there was also a woeful minus-22 rating, easily the worst on the team, plus the more pertinent fact that greater leadership and overall impact was expected of the dynamic scoring star in the first season of his massive eight-year, $52-million contract (the richest of all the unrestricted free agent deals handed out last summer).
by Sam McCaig - March 21, 2008 10:58 AM EDT
The Oilers are pushing for the playoffs, but really, will they? Can they? Should they?... and a tough night for Leafs MVP Vesa Toskala.
Could they? Would they? Should they?
Sure. Doubtful. Heck yes.
Of course, we’re talking about the playoff chances of the hard-charging Edmonton Oilers (winners of 10 of their past 13, don’t you know?).
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What jersey will John Tavares be wearing at the end of this season?
"There's no greater honor, no greater feeling than standing on that blueline with your teammates representing this country. I'll remember this the rest of my life."
- Canada's John Tavares after winning the country's fifth straight World Junior Championship gold medal.
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