Page 32 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 126

32 Issue #126 July 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

Formerly Blue Beacon

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Stanley Cup Playoffs and What Comes Next….?

the game has taken on roots in the crop. Can the Washington Capitals, attack throughout the year and in the
desert due to the immediate success Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York playoffs, and Vegas got outstanding
of the franchise from Day 1. They are Islanders fight for a spot? contributions from so many players in
wonderfully managed, bold in their The NHL has never been stronger the playoff run. A half a dozen Golden
By Brad Robertson moves, and built the team to contend Knights were Conn Smythe worthy.
as a league. Twelve teams had 100 or
for the foreseeable future. Yes, there more points in 2022-23. There will The NHL draft has just concluded
will be challengers in the Western be that many once again. Some of the and at the time of this article being
Conference as the Edmonton Oilers rebuilding teams of the last several written the July 1, NHL free agency
and Los Angeles Kings are going to be years are primed to take the next step period was about to begin. Some
doing their best to load up for a run
and fight for a playoff spot. Both teams will definitely be looking to add
in 2023-24 in the Pacific Division,
conferences have their share of top some talent to improve their chances
and Seattle looks to be for real in teams, and more are knocking on the at either making the playoffs or having
only their second year of existence! door for sure. a deep playoff run. There will be some
In the Central Division the Colorado moving parts throughout the summer
Avalanche should be at the top of that Boston won the Presidents Trophy, through free agency, trades, and the
division, but both the Dallas Stars and running away last year with a record-
setting 135 points. They will, in all casualties of players being bought out.
Minnesota Wild will be fighting for I for one can see the Golden Knights
likelihood, take a step back as they
their place at the top as well. repeating as Stanley Cup champs
traded away Taylor Hall, and are
In the East, the Atlantic Division awaiting the decisions of veteran and it wouldn’t be that shocking, but
ongratulations to the Vegas is going to be one to be watched the list of contenders will grow next
centres Patrice Bergeron and David
CGolden Knights on capturing closely as the mainstays, (Boston season and the regular season should
Krejci as to whether they play another
the 2022-23 Stanley Cup. They went Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida be a fantastic one, in which many
season. In the West Vegas captured
through some very difficult teams Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning), now playoff races will come down the
the top spot and there is no reason
to earn this victory and the fact that will see the upstart teams like the season’s final games. The NHL is in
to think that they won’t be up near
the team didn’t exist until the 2017- Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, great shape and more people in more
the top again. They will run it back
18 season is remarkable, to say the and Buffalo Sabres all knocking on markets are taking notice.
with the same six man defence unit
least. I’ve been to many games there the door of playoff contention. In the
that is arguably the strongest in the Enjoy the off season everyone and
as I possess a pair of season tickets Metropolitan Division the Carolina
NHL. Up front they are balanced and I hope your team makes the moves
in Vegas that I use periodically, and Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and
possess great size. Coach Cassidy necessary to improve their rosters for
the fan base is strong and proud, and New Jersey Devils are the cream of the
was able to incorporate a true 4-line next year!