Category: NHL General

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NHL Power Rankings (week of Feb. 17-24)

After a couple of weeks with dealing with food poisoning, and other various matters, which I deem more important than breathing, I am back with the post-all star edition of the NHL power rankings. Before I begin, let me say this, as someone who is a family member of a victim of domestic abuse, please, if you think anything is going on, or you know anything is going on, please call the police, get them involved. Especially if there are young children around.

Going back to the fun and games department, it seems that all is not well in the land of the Coyote, and their playoff hopes are going downhill. The main question in the west is, who are the legit contenders, besides San Jose? Detroit’s defense is horrible, the Wild cannot score, the Blackhawks are owned by the Wings, and everyone else is mediocre at best.

Over in the east, it looks like the Devils are putting the curse to the the East, as they skyrocket to the two seed. The Flyers are trying to catch them, while the Bruins are starting to slide a little. Where did your team end up?

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NHL Power Rankings: All-Star Edition

Here we are, at the all-star beak. Teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack in the West, while in the East, things are getting a little top heavy. New Jersey is playing better without Broudeur, Boston is sick despite their injury situation, and Montreal is starting to rebound after a cold end of 2008. Over in the west, San Jose is just keeping it on cruise control, while the Detroit and Chicago are locked in a death struggle for the Central. The Northwest is looking worse and worse by the day, but you could blame that all on Peter Budaj. How did your team finish this week?

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NHL General

The Case For Sean Avery

Trash talk, it’s done everywhere, in every sport. We hear it every week, from the disgruntled former player all the way to good friends just getting pumped up for a game. It’s good harmless fun, right? Not according to the National Hockey League. Sean Avery of the Dallas Stars is now testing the limits of what is acceptable and unacceptable “trash talk”.

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NHL General

NHL Power Rankings (for the week of Dec. 1 – 6)

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Now that the holiday season is here, it was time for a change. So, after a long look at the formula I was using for the power rankings, it took a major change. Instead of using a complicated formula, I make it easier to understand. The new power rankings are based on the league ranks and points. This will serve the purpose I wanted it to, keep the bias out, and see through mirages.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, my turkey award goes to the Dallas Stars, who couldn’t win a game if they were paid to. Oh, wait, they already are paid to win. San Jose stays at number one, but finally the Flyers and Hawks are where they should be, instead of at the bottom.

What did we learn this week? The Rangers are a flat out fraud, while the Kings maybe one of the dark horses to make the playoffs. Where did they end up?

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NHL General

NHL Power Rankings (for the week of Nov. 16-22)

The second week of the SportsColumn NHL power rankings sees a shake-up…at the bottom of the standings. People on the Island are rejoicing as the firing of Barry Melrose wasn’t the cap to a horrid week for the Lightning.

The top three teams stay the same, and at the rate things are going, the Sharks should be able to clinch the President’s Trophy by the end of the month.

This week’s Shaker Award winners are the Nashville Predators, while the Anahiem Ducks take home the Titanic Award. Nashville jumped an amazing nine spots to twelve this week, while the once top five ducks, fell to thirteenth from the aforementioned fifth spot.

Where did your team finish up?

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NHL General

NHL Power Rankings (for the week of Nov. 9-15)

As our historic election is over, and the results have been counted, let me take a moment to congratulate Barack Obama on proving that Americans can see past the color of someone’s skin, and elect on ideas.

With that being said, the season’s first edition of the NHL’s power rankings are finally out. What have we learned so far? The Wings may not even be in the Stanley Cup finals. The Flyers are horrible, and most importantly, all three Islander fans should be ashamed of themselves.

Without any further adieu, here we go.

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NHL General

2008-09 NHL Northeast Division Preview

It’s that time again, time for the NHL previews at Sportscolumn. In this upcoming series of columns, we will look at what will drive the NHL this season. We start in the Northeast. There are some interesting story lines in, arguably, the best division in the east. Montreal forgives Patrick Roy and his number will be retired. Will the magical story of Phil Kessel write another chapter? Was Ray Emery the real locker room cancer in Ottawa? Can the Sabres rebound? Finally, just how awful are the Maple Leafs?

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NHL General

2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs–By far the Most Exciting Season in Ages

This year, sports fans are witnessing (or if they aren’t, they should be…) the most exciting playoff season that the National Hockey League has seen since the 2001 season that saw Ray Bourque finally win Lord Stanley’s Cup. This is the time that all fans, be they the traditional fan base of the original six and of ageless wonders such as Chris Chelios or fans of the “next generation” and superstars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Alexander Ovechkin should rejoice and unite as this is the year that their beloved sport can wake up from its long hibernation and win the hearts of millions of sports fans. The post-lockout era of the NHL has much to look forward to, and this post-season has seen every storyline that both the owners and the NHLPA have longed to see. This is the time to be proud to be a hockey fan.

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NHL General

I’m Sorry- You’re Sorry- Bettman Should Be Sorry

I’m sorry, you’re sorry, everyone’s sorry. It’s the same problem that has plagued this sport pretty much since the NHA days. Yes, it’s back to the old headhunting issue. This time, everyone is sorry. Randy Jones is sorry for his hit that gave Patrice Bergeron a broken nose and a concussion. Steve Downie is sorry for almost ending Dean MacAmmond’s career in the preseason. Todd Bertuzzi is still sorry for ending Steve Moore’s career a few years back, and of course, Marty McSorley is sorry for nearly decapitating Donald Brashier in 2000.

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NHL General

NHL Power Rankings for Oct 24 2007

Week three marks the unveiling of the NHL power rankings here at Sportscolumn.com This week, we see the Sens take the top spot, while the Flyers and Wild hot on their heels. Where did your team finish?

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