Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 110
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24 Issue #110 March 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com
Over The Boards changes will occur in Leaf Land. The season with playoff aspirations but know
hockey pundits point to the fact that that it will now be a tough go to get in.
many believe they don’t have the true The Wildcard spots in the West will be a
#1 goaltender or a strong enough back dogfight until the end as there are now at
By Brad Robertson home stretch to the playoffs. Let’s look end to go all the way. GM Kyle Dubas least 7 teams battling for those 2 spots.
at how our Canadian NHL teams stack is certainly feeling the pressure and Will any of those teams fall off the pace?
up heading towards the season’s end. although 3 of his 4 low-cost free agent
additions in the off-season have helped The Vancouver Canucks are one of
First on the list is the Calgary Flames. those 7 Wildcard teams. They have totally
They are one of the hottest teams going (forwards Michael Bunting, Ondrej come on since the total restructuring of
and look like contenders for sure. Kase, and David Kampf), Dubas must the management team and coach. Veteran
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has been be gauging what the cost will be for a coach, Bruce Boudreau has stepped in
outstanding with 8 shutouts, a 2.13 top-4 D and another goaltender if they and turned the team around thus far, and
GAA and .925 SA%. Their top players feel it’s necessary. now the playoffs are within reach if they
are performing as Johnny Gaudreau, The Edmonton Oilers have turned a continue to play the way they are. Trade
Matthew Tkachuk, and Elias Lindholm corner after a nose-dive leading up to the talk involving top scorer J.T. Miller has
lead the way offensively. The team firing of Coach Dave Tippett. Obviously,
has bought in to Coach Daryl Sutter’s a team led by Conor McDavid and Leon been speculated, but Vancouver might
system and it’s paying off thus far. They Draisatl is dangerous and new coach, be wise to hold onto him and continue
went out and were proactive before the Todd Woodcroft has the team playing with their playoff push.
deadline acquiring forward Tyler Toffoli well. Finger-pointing has been directly Montreal Canadiens have played
from the Canadiens, but I think they will at goalies Mike Smith and Mikko better since bringing Marty St. Louis
also add a defenseman to the mix. Koskinen. President and GM Ken into coach. Unfortunately, the move
Holland is on record saying he doesn’t came too late to make up the ground
Canadian Teams and Stanley The Toronto Maple Leafs are having want to overpay for a goaltender. Let’s
Cup Aspirations a fine season led by MVP candidate see how this all plays out by the deadline. necessary to get into contention. The
Auston Matthews. This is a year in Ottawa Senators team continues to stay
ell, the NHL trade deadline is which playoff success must happen The Winnipeg Jets have been a the course amidst a rebuild. Better days
Wquickly approaching as is the as they cannot go out in Round 1 or disappointment. They came into the are ahead for both teams for sure.
