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NHL season preview: Power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios and bold predictions
The 2021-22 NHL season is being called a return to normalcy. Last season was an unprecedented one for the NHL due to the COVID-19 pandemic: Four geographically realigned divisions, including one solely comprising Canadian teams; teams playing only opponents within those divisions; and a new playoff format that eschewed wild-card teams. But it ended just […]
Continue readingLingering questions for all 32 NHL teams heading into training camp: Goaltending, lineup, injuries, more
But now that fall is officially set to begin on Thursday, it’s also time for training camps around the NHL to open, as we look ahead to opening night of the season on Oct. 11. To help get you ready for the next few weeks — as teams decide on which players make the roster, […]
Continue readingFantasy hockey dynasty ranks: What will the NHL look like in 2027
Well, we know their age. We also know what kind of production they have put up in the past. But beyond those two criteria, we don’t really know a whole lot. We can certainly guess a lot. In January 2018, ESPN asked me to do the first one of these dynasty rankings. While I didn’t […]
Continue readingNHL Power Rankings way-too-early edition: Where do the Avalanche, Lightning, every other team land?
While Colorado gets to enjoy its parade, we’re already turning the page. Here are our way-too-early NHL Power Rankings for the 2022-23 season. Plus, before the fun of free agency begins on July 13, we’re making one recommendation for each club on how it can improve its prospects heading into next season. Don’t worry, Colorado […]
Continue readingRyan Strome, Filip Chytil back for Game 5, but New York Rangers fall to Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning won 3-1 to take a 3-2 series lead. Strome was cross-checked by Ondrej Palat in the second period of Sunday’s loss in Tampa and left the game. He tried to skate before Game 4 but was unable to play. Chytil took a hit from Victor Hedman in the second period of Tuesday’s loss […]
Continue readingTampa Bay Lightning eliminate New York Rangers, seal berth in third straight Stanley Cup Final
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the New York Rangers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals 2-1 on Saturday night to advance to their third straight Stanley Cup Final. Steven Stamkos scored both goals to power the Lightning over the Rangers, who saw their surprising and dramatic playoff run end in […]
Continue reading2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: Eastern Conference finals takeaways after two games
The Tampa Bay Lightning entered their Eastern Conference finals matchup against the New York Rangers after a well-executed sweep of the Florida Panthers and as a well-rested team, getting nine days off between series. Two games into this series, the Lightning have failed to execute offensively, looking rusty and out of sync against a Rangers […]
Continue readingNew York Rangers hand Tampa Bay Lightning first consecutive playoff losses since 2019
The two-time Stanley Cup champions had won 18 straight games following a loss in the Stanley Cup playoffs, last losing consecutive games in April 2019. Those losses came during a sweep by the Columbus Blue Jackets, which was the last time the Lightning were down 2-0 in a series before the Rangers’ 3-2 win on […]
Continue reading2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: Conference finals preview, matchups, predictions
The conference final round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs is upon us. Sixteen teams entered the postseason tournament, but only four are left in the bracket, as the New York Rangers will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the East, and the Colorado Avalanche will square off against the Edmonton Oilers in the […]
Continue reading2022 Stanley Cup playoffs: X factors, predictions for New York Rangers-Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are hosting the New York Rangers (8 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN), and the home team has won each game in this series. (In fact, the home team has won every game in which the Hurricanes have played this postseason, which has set an NHL record.) Will the trend continue? Or will the […]
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