Hockey Rambling

    What does Mike Babcock bring? Rangers-Cap Game 3 and more     ***     Mike Babcock is generating a lot of buzz, or at least, where he'll end up is being speculated and talked about a lot. It'll be interesting to see where he ends up, too.   What does it really [...]

Stamkos breaks free; Flames turn to The Wolf; plus thoughts on Kuznetsov and more ... *** Steven Stamkos now has a monkey-less back. He scored his first goal of the playoffs and as soon as he did that you just knew that he found his zone. The Habs could be in trouble here, and not [...]

Rangers even series, McDavid to OHL Final, Tripleheader Sunday It’s disappointing that there were no NHL playoff games on tonight, but the NHL’s decision not to schedule any games for this time makes sense. You probably don’t believe that everything the NHL does makes sense, but attempting to schedule, say, the Flames vs. Ducks Game [...]

    Alexander Burmistrov returning? And a look at the Conference Semi Finals.     ***     It appears Alexander Burmistrov is returning to the National Hockey League. The eighth overall selection in 2008 has played the past two seasons with Kazan Ak-Bars of the Kontinental Hockey League. He tallied 37 points -- 10 [...]

Caps-Rangers wild finish, Montreal-Tampa Bay set to start, and Anaheim trounces Calgary in Game 1. **** I think like everyone else, I was getting ready to make the necessary overtime adjustments (fresh beverages, etc.) with the clock winding down in a tied Game 1 between the Capitals and the Rangers last night. All of a [...]

Hart Trophy finalists named; Tampa Bay goes through; a look at the Western Conference second round.  **** As I am going to be doing for Thursdays throughout the summer, I’m going to open a thread for that day in the forums (typically around Noon ET) for readers to ask any fantasy hockey question, and I’ll [...]

Isles and Penguins injury notes; Kronwall suspended; Thoughts on the Blues and more ... *** Kronwall is out for tonight's Game 7. Just when you thought the NHL wouldn't have the cojones - they bring it. I'm shocked, to be honest. If Kucherov was injured, then sure, the NHL has a history of punishing for [...]

    Evgeny Kuznetsov's goal, Niklas Kronwall's hit and a Game 7 in Tampa.    ***   The Evgeny Kuznetsov goal was special. The patience along the half wall for the split second to stall Frans Nielsen, and then as soon as Nielsen leaned in, Kuznetsov's quick cut to the net left Nielsen without a [...]

Thoughts on Hitchcock, Pageau, Price, Penguin injuries and more ... *** They're dropping like flies now, eh? But I'm happy to see that I'm six-and-oh with my calls so far. Wild, Blackhawks, Ducks, Flames, Rangers, Canadiens move on. And as I suspected, the Caps - Isles series is too close to call. But again, as [...]

Isles force Game 7, Wings gain advantage, Preds and Nucks go golfing. Every year, at least one day comes around that I absolutely dread. There’s usually at least a few of them for me every year, for various reasons. But I’ll focus on one particular day, because it’s probably the most relevant to the subject [...]