The 2019-20 season was shaping up to be a good one, and there were plenty of positive stories across the league. To cheer you up during this lonely time, we revisited a feel-good story for every team this season: Note: Emily Kaplan handled the Metro and Central divisions, while Greg Wyshynski wrote on the Atlantic […]
Continue readingPeter Tripi is a passionate Buffalo Sabres fan, something increasingly rare for the moribund franchise. The kind of fan who shouts “Buffalo’s on the rise!” because it fires up other people, and because it’s what he inherently believed about his team. His family used to have season tickets before the resale market dried up like […]
Continue readingWe’re just three weeks from the NHL trade deadline, meaning most clubs are looking inward, then readjusting expectations. For this week’s ESPN Power Rankings, we take stock of how all 31 teams feel heading into the spiritual second half of the season. How we rank: The ESPN hockey editorial staff submits selections ranking teams 1-31, […]
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 readingThe Washington Capitals lead the NHL in wins, points and goals as they storm into their bye week. If there was a category for dramatic, come-from-behind, weekend, matinee victories in the NHL, the Capitals would probably lead that as well. Alex Ovechkin scored three goals, continuing a recent run that is lofty for even his […]
Continue readingAssistant GM Tom Fitzgerald will serve as the interim GM, and he will “receive support” from Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur, who is serving as an adviser to hockey operations, according to the team. Midseason GM firings are rare, but the Devils are having that kind of season. Here’s what led to the firing […]
Continue readingTeam power play success rate since Dec. 1: 26.8% Ilya Kovalchuk, LW/RW, Montreal Canadiens (rostered in 19.2% of ESPN.com leagues): The inspiration for this week’s column, Kovalchuk is off to a quick start in wooing those supporting the blue, blanc et rouge with three assists in two games, including one with the extra skater. While […]
Continue readingSeriously, how can any prognostication made at the midpoint of the NHL regular season compare to “a team in last place with an interim coach and a rookie goalie is going to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history?” Nevertheless, we’re tasked with making 31 declarative statements about NHL teams in the second half […]
Continue readingSo which team has a chance of repeating that success this season? Here’s how teams currently not super secure in a playoff position stack up, in four different tiers. Los Angeles Kings Anaheim Ducks New Jersey Devils Detroit Red Wings Ottawa Senators Sure, three of these teams (Ottawa, New Jersey, Detroit) are where the Blues […]
Continue readingThe following list ranks the best of the decade, pitting skaters against defenseman against goaltenders. The order was determined through statistical and analytic comparisons; consideration for postseason success and awards; and good old-fashioned subjectivity. A few factors we weighed in creating the ranking: Longevity was respected but not essential. There are players on the list […]
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