Well, don’t get too comfortable, because the second round is here. Let the roller coaster begin anew. Here’s a look at the top storylines of the second round. Who will score first: Rick Nash or Sidney Crosby? The two are both two-time Olympic gold medalists and among the world’s finest players. Crosby is going to […]
Continue readingHow we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits selections ranking teams 1 to 31 — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated in the list featured here. Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to our Week 11 edition, published on March 31. Points percentages are […]
Continue readingWhen the Chicago Blackhawks publicly admitted to a rebuild this past offseason, there was plenty of speculation about whether Chicago’s veteran core would want to see it through. Perhaps we weren’t asking the right questions. One month into the 2021 season, the Blackhawks are far more competitive than expected; at 7-5-4, Chicago is in lockstep […]
Continue readingIf only there were a formula that could determine Hall worthiness … Well, three years ago, we created one. It’s a simple four-quadrant test that one can apply to prospective Hall of Fame candidates to see whether they have the stuff of legends, and here it is: 1. Individual production: This encompasses a player’s statistical […]
Continue readingWhether it’s a perceived cheap shot, a situation where they were allegedly wronged by the on-ice officials, a major mistake by their own team management — or in one case, an NHL arbitrator — these are deep wounds whose scars remain several years (or even decades) later. Let’s delve into the leading grudge for every […]
Continue readingIt’s created by a coach attempting to mesh three players together into a cohesive unit; it’ll stick around for anywhere from a few periods to a few games; and then it’s either broken up, with the spare parts added to different lines, or it passes the chemistry test, living on for months or perhaps for […]
Continue readingNow that the 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend is in the rearview mirror, the league’s trade season is underway in earnest. The next several games for each team will be pivotal, as general managers decide whether their teams should be buyers, improving their chances for the Stanley Cup playoffs, or sellers, perhaps accelerating rebuilds. Get caught […]
Continue reading