All Entries in the "Featured" Category
Thoughts, Questions and Things that make you go Hmmm
Playoffs On Sunday, when Los Angeles dropped a 2-0 decision to the Coyotes, Kings head coach Darryl Sutter wasn’t happy. He was especially upset with his power play. In postgame comments, Sutter called out his point men for not getting shots on goal. Sutter didn’t pull any punches, which is his way for the most [...]
Running On Empty
So many times this season, the New York Rangers found a way to eke out a win with less than a 60-minute effort and Eastern Conference Final has followed suit. In games 1 and 3, the Rangers managed to hold on through the onslaught for 2 periods, thanks to the defense and, most importantly, the [...]
The King Reigns On Both Sides Of The Hudson
In the first two rounds of the playoffs, the New York Rangers won game 1, lost game 2 and then won game 3. Their Eastern Conference Final series followed the same pattern for the first two and they were looking to continue that pattern and get a game 3 victory over the New Jersey Devils [...]
Are the Blackhawks pursuing Ryan Suter for the wrong reason?
CHICAGO (FOX Chicago News) – On July 1, 2008 The Blackhawks made a huge splash in the hockey world and signed free agentdefenseman Brian Campbell. The cost for Campbellwas steep, an eight year contract with an approximate $7.1 million salary cap hit per season. This was a bold move and was done for a couple [...]
In Game 1, Three Is The Rangers’ Magic Number
For the second series in a row, the New York Rangers took their playoff series to the limit, and for the second series in a row, got past their opponent to move on. For the first time since 1997, they are in the Eastern Conference finals, battling against an old nemesis, the New Jersey Devils. [...]
When will all be well in Blackhawk land?
Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – The teams which are left standing in the NHL post season play a consistent style and they look very comfortable doing so. That is probably why they are still alive in the quest for Lord Stanley. When the going gets tough they stick to their systems for the most part. [...]
Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Finals Predictions
— Welcome back to the Hockey Independent roundtable where five writers from the HI staff have come together once again to provide you all with our Conference Finals predictions. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings), Bill Philp (Tampa [...]
This Seems Familiar
On Monday night, the New York Rangers were moments away from having to stave off elimination 2 days later. That is, until Joel Ward of the Washington Capitals took an ill-advised high-sticking double minor for cutting Carl Hagelin. With Henrik Lundqvist pulled for a 2-man advantage, Brad Richards connected with 7.6 seconds to spare to [...]
The Dustins – Brown and Penner – talk LA Kings playoff run
The Kings will finally return to a full practice today after getting some much deserved time off on Monday and Tuesday. Coming off their series sweep of the St. Louis Blues it was time to recharge and recoup. However, during the down time, we did speak by phone with team captain Dustin Brown and the [...]
Haviland Out, It’s All on Coach Q. Now
Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – Let’s start off with some good news which came out of Tuesday’s media conference call after the firing of assistant coach Mike Haviland. For all those worried about Joel Quenneville being dismissed as head coach to take the same position in Montreal, that’s not happening. Quenneville stated he wants to [...]
Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part II: The Bottom Six
Throughout the month of May, I will be providing you all with a six-part Boston Bruins’ postseason review, grading the performances of each and every player that donned the eight-spoked “B” during the 2011-’12 campaign. The schedule looks like this: Part I –> Top Six Forwards Part II –> Bottom Six Forwards Part III –> [...]
Internal squabbles costly for Rocky Wirtz, Blackhawks fans
Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – When players don’t perform adequately the results are obvious and there is little mystery. When a team’s shortcomings are brought about by mismanagement the cause of problems isn’t as apparent. In the NHL when a head coach and GM aren’t on the same page and a plan of action appears [...]
Coyotes Eliminate the Predators With a 2-1 Win
Backs against the wall. Desperate. No tomorrow. Pick whatever cliche that you want, this is where the Predators find themselves against the Phoenix Coyotes. The task before them is monumental as they had to win a game at Jobing.com Arena in front of an amped up crowd of Coyote faithful. The Predators task was simple. [...]
Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part I: The Top Six
Vacation. Relaxation. Warm weather. Spending time with family. Unfortunately for the Boston Bruins, these wonderful conjectures that encompass the summer season have arrived in the Hub far earlier than many of us expected. Now a week and a half removed from Boston’s game seven loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals at TD Garden [...]
Predators Backs Against the Wall With 1-0 Loss
The Nashville Predators dropped a 1-0 game to the Phoenix Coyotes at the Bridgestone Arena to fall behind in their series 3-1. To say their backs are against the wall is an understatement. The Predators offense was ineffective and rarely threatened Phoenix netminder Mike Smith. When they did threaten, Smith was equal to the task [...]
Bolland on Trading Block – Hawks Will Pursue Suter??
Chicago (FOX Chicago News) – Blackhawk fans looking for some real change may enjoy this summer. For the first time since the 2010 Stanley Cup parade there appears to be a solid chance a core player will be dealt. If my source is correct, and he has been frequently in the past, third line center [...]
NYR 2 WSH 1 – 3OT
I’ve loved the game of hockey for over 40 years. Yeah, I’m old. But there have been a lot of times, particularly in the late nineties/early aughts that I felt the love was unrequited. Then there was last night in the Verizon Center. This was a game that really didn’t decide anything – it was [...]
Predators Play Predator Hockey, Defeat Coyotes 2-0
The Nashville Predators returned to Nashville and the Honkeytonk, also known as Bridgestone Arena, and found their rhythm by beating the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0 for their first win in their semi final series. The Coyotes lead the series 2-1 with the next game Friday night in Nashville. The Predators scored 2 first period goals, and [...]
Predators Suspend Radulov and A. Kostitsyn for Game 3 Against Coyotes
The Nashville Predators have announced today that forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kositisyn will not play in the third games of the the Predators second round series against the Phoenix Coyotes for a violation of team rules. Here is the press release from the Predators, Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced [...]
Rocky Wirtz Needs to Lead the Way for the Blackhawks to Win Another Stanley Cup
Chicago – As the disappointment of another first round playoff exit hits home, there should be one overwhelming question facing Blackhawk faithful. Will the Hawks become the first team since the 2004 NHL Lockout to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions? The group of six clubs which have failed to capture Lord Stanley more than once [...]
