Page 32 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 135

32 Issue #135 April 2024
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Over the Boards
By Brad Robertson
ell, we are less than 10 games
Waway from the Stanley Cup
Playoffs and the NHL is in great
shape. The year has seen plenty
of positive moments and stories
to keep many fans satisfied. Up to
12 of the 32 teams will finish with
100 points. Parity reins supreme.
There is no clear-cut favourite in
the pursuit of Lord Stanley’s mug.
In the East, the Boston Bruins,
Florida Panthers, and the New
York Rangers are all capable of
representing their conference in
the final with the Toronto Maple
Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning
feeling strong about their chances
as well. In the West the Dallas Stars,
Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver
Canucks, and Edmonton Oilers
are the 4 top teams, record-wise,
to represent the West in the finals;
but you can add the Winnipeg
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NHL News and Notes…
Jets, Nashville Predators, and last all season long but have remained It’s quite evident that in the first
year’s champions, Vegas Golden in the hunt. At the moment, trade round of the playoffs there will
Knights, as teams that won’t deadline acquisition, Tomas Hertl, be several top teams knocked off.
surprise anyone if they come out has been out long term and team This has led many hockey experts
of the West. captain Mark Stone has been out to implore the league to go back
on LTIR as well. Goaltender Adin to the one seed versus eight seed,
Obviously at this time of year
Hill had a recent setback after
the health of each team is a major second versus seventh, third
factor. Team depth is crucial. In the returning from a hip problem. All versus sixth and fourth versus
East, the Toronto Maple Leafs are three of these players are needed fifth playoff format. We will see
dealing with the absence of some to reinforce their roster for another after the season if this gets any
pretty important players. Half of run for glory. more traction with the league and
their top 6 defencemen is on the The regular season has had some it’s owners. The parity that has
shelf, but all should be available great storylines. In the East, an been created within the current
come playoff time. Top forward unexpected regular season run by economic system of a salary cap
Mitch Marner is due back from an the Philadelphia Flyers has them has obviously been on display for
ankle sprain as well. The Tampa fighting for a Wild Card spot. The years and the league seems to be in
Bay Lightning is without top upstart Detroit Red Wings have great shape financially. The salary
defenceman, Mikhail Sergachev, hung around in the Wild Card cap is expected to rise for the
for the season as he broke his leg. hunt as well. The Washington next several years. Most markets
The New York Rangers are without Capitals are also doing everything are stable. There are concerns in
depth forwards Blake Wheeler they can to get in, even though Winnipeg, and the ongoing arena
and Filip Chytil for the year. The they have a bad goal differential saga of the Arizona Coyotes
rest of the conferences playoff of -30. In the West, the Central
hopefuls are relatively healthy. In Divisions Nashville Predators are remains unsettled. Several US
markets are now in the hunt for
the West, the Colorado Avalanche on the most successful run of the an NHL team. Potential cities are
have dealt with the absence of last 20 games, and solidified, have
Atlanta, Salt Lake, Houston, and
captain, Gabe Landeskog, for secured their spot in the playoffs.
the year. His return to hockey is They will be coming in hot for San Diego. That’s obviously a
up in the air, timeline wise, but sure. They still have time to get feather in the cap of the league, that
investors want in on the action.
they remain hopeful. Vancouver into the third spot in the division,
Canucks all star goaltender, but a Wild Card spot is theirs for Well, I hope that everyone is
looking as forward to the playoffs
Thatcher Demko, is out but should sure. Vegas and the Los Angeles
return in time for Game 1 of the Kings are fighting it out for the as I am. There is so much great
playoffs. The reigning champion third spot in the Pacific Division. hockey yet to be played at the best
Vegas Golden Knights have dealt The loser of that race will be the time of the year... the Stanley Cup
with injuries to key performers second Wild Card team. Playoffs! Enjoy what’s to come…