Blog Archives
NHL Division Preview: The Metropolitan
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Capitals will be two of the Metropolitan’s best teams this season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The upcoming NHL season is less than two weeks away, and the excitement is palpable. The rosters are almost finalized, preseason is almost over, and the grind for a Stanley Cup Championship is about to begin.
This is the first post in a series of four where I will preview each division in the NHL, make my predictions, and choose who I think will be in the playoffs. There will be an article for each division in the league.
The Metropolitan Division is shaping up to be the best in the entire league. Many of the teams have either maintained their strong roster or drastically improved, meaning that this division is very likely to send five teams to the playoffs.
The Rangers were the champions of the Metropolitan last season, in the regular season and after the first two rounds, and they’ll look to defend their divisional prowess against some surging teams such as the Penguins, the Capitals, and the Islanders. 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
The Rangers are being overlooked, and that makes them even more dangerous
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite finishing last season with 113 points, the Presidents’ Trophy, and coming within one win of returning to the Stanley Cup Finals, the New York Rangers have found a way to fly under the radar in a very competitive Metropolitan Division. And they’re all the better for it.
The Metropolitan Division is in contention for the strongest division in the entire league. Many people have predicted that they will send five of the eight teams to the playoffs. Teams like the Blue Jackets, Capitals and Penguins all improved their team, with a lot of fantastic scorers and defenders spread out amongst the eight teams.
The Metro really does have the talent to send five teams to the playoffs, with those teams being The Rangers, the Penguins, the Capitals, the Blue Jackets and the Islanders. All five of those teams are extremely good, and they all have potential to make a run in the playoffs. Read the rest of this entry
Derick Brassard or Rick Nash: Who deserves the “A”
Bobby Bevilacqua
Rick Nash or Derick Brassard; who would be a better Alternate Captain? Photos courtesy of MSG Photos.
Choosing the right players to lead your team is very important in the NHL. Not only is it crucial to select the right captain, but providing that person with the right alternate captains can create a strong locker room and great leadership.
This past season, Ryan McDonagh was appointed as the 27th captain in franchise history, taking over after Ryan Callahan was traded to the Lightning during the 2013-14 season. There were four alternate captains, two defensemen and two forwards; Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis.
However, now that St. Louis has hung up his skates, there seems to be an alternate captain spot open for a forward to take. The only question is who should be appointed in that leadership role. Read the rest of this entry
Clear your calendars: Games to watch out for in the 2015-16 season
Bobby Bevilacqua
Hockey season is around the corner, and excitement is building. Here are some of the biggest games to watch out for throughout the season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Last season, the Rangers season came to a disappointing end in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. But with every new season comes new opportunities, and another chance to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Any game can be exciting, because you never really know what will happen in each game. But here are some games that should be interesting, exciting, or eventful in the 2015-16 season. Read the rest of this entry
therangerzone.com 