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Quick Hits: The Florida Panthers are legit, Winter Classic, Changing the Playoff format
Bobby Bevilacqua
Welcome back to Quick Hits, a series where I talk about anything and everything around the NHL. The NHL is approaching the halfway mark of the season, and there are some really interesting storylines. The Panthers are in first place in the Atlantic, the Ducks are one of the worst teams in the league, and the Canadiens can’t win without Carey Price.
If there’s anything you want me to talk about in the next edition of Quick Hits, leave it in the comments section below.
The Florida Panthers are legit
Photo courtesy of Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images.
Before the season started, I predicted that the Panthers would make the playoffs as a wild card team. I didn’t foresee the Canadiens falling off without Carey Price, or the Lightning struggling, or Detroit playing around .500 hockey.
So to the surprise of just about everybody, it’s the Florida Panthers that lead the Atlantic Division. Dave Tallon has constructed a team with an excellent blend of youth and veteran leadership, constructed through the draft and some smart offseason acquisitions. Read the rest of this entry
The Rangers are winning but not playing well, is it reasonable to be worried?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Watching the Rangers rattle off 16 wins in their first 21 games has been incredible to watch. They’re grinding out tough wins, scoring a lot of goals and not allowing many goals against. They’re the only team in the NHL that is yet to give up 40 goals, and their +28 goal differential is tied with Montreal for the best in the league.
Reading that, you’d probably imagine that this team is cruising along with no problems and nothing to worry about. But apart from the 2-6 start to begin the 2013, the play of the Rangers through the first 21 games has been the most concerning start to a season in recent memory.
Before you say “that’s stupid” or write this off as another blogger being negative about the team, hear me out. I do think the Rangers are still an elite team. I do think they’re in the mix for a Stanley Cup. And I do think this team has room to be much better. But they’ve been downright bad in some situations. Read the rest of this entry
Rick Nash hat trick lifts Rangers to overtime win in Florida
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Sam Rosen said it best- “The Rangers just don’t like to lose.” After an emotionally exhausting night, losing to Tampa Bay 2-1, the Blueshirts got right back on track, defeating the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime to finish the brief two-game road trip.
The line of Stalberg-Hayes-Lindberg received some constructive criticism from Alain Vigneault, and they looked much better once AV put Miller on that line in place of Hayes. The line recorded one goal- Stalberg’s second of the season- on the night.
The Rangers received the first power play opportunity of the game, recording quite a few shots on goal, despite the slow start. McDonagh’s shot was his team’s best opportunity, but it hit Luongo in the head. He recovered fast, though, and play continued. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim for new win streak against Jagr and the Florida Panthers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The win streak ended at nine games, so it’s time to start another one.
After falling a win short of the franchise record 10 game win streak, the Rangers (14-3-2) look to get back to their winning ways against the Florida Panthers (8-8-3) to cap off a brief two game road trip.
The Rangers lost in regulation for just the third time this season, and the first time since October 15th. After Dominic Moore scored a late goal to tie the game at one, but they surrendered a shorthanded goal with just 1:05 remaining in the third period.
This is the first of three games between these two teams, and the first of two at the BB&T Center. The Rangers swept the season series last year against the Panthers. Read the rest of this entry
Which NHL teams improved the most this offseason?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of psdcovers.com
Expect some new playoff challengers for the 2015-16 NHL season.
Every season, there are a few teams that surprise everyone, surge into the playoffs and have an improved season overall. This past year we saw the Winnipeg Jets, the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators all climb their way into the playoffs, bringing new blood into the chase for the Stanley Cup.
This year, it will be no different, and there will be new teams rising in the standings, catching everyone off guard and making a push to get into the playoffs. A few teams have made huge strides in improving their teams, and could be surprise contenders during this upcoming season.
Here are some of the most improved teams heading into the upcoming season. Read the rest of this entry
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