Category Archives: NHL

THREE REASONS : HOW THE HURRICANES WON THE CUP

BY MIKE RIFKIN The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to capture the franchise’s second Stanley Cup (the first in 2006). Here are the three main reasons they won the Cup in my opinion. Carolina had all the pressure on them, to win the East because of how the season went.Continue reading “THREE REASONS : HOW THE HURRICANES WON THE CUP”

SEEING RED

BY MIKE RIFKIN Rangers General Manager Chris Drury has a task in front of him this summer, he has to make the team competitive, also while restocking the farm system. The good news for Drury is he can do a bit of both as he has almost 27 million dollars in cap space along withContinue reading “SEEING RED”

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

BY MIKE RIFKIN The Carolina Hurricanes evened the Stanley Cup Final at two games apiece with their 5-3 win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday. This has been an excellent Stanley Cup Final where no lead has been safe and both teams have shown their depth. Brandon Bussi was fantastic in game four, after relievingContinue reading “LEADING BY EXAMPLE”

ALTERING THE YZERPLAN

BY MIKE RIFKIN When Steve Yzerman took over as the GM of the Red Wings in 2019, most people thought there were more glory days ahead. Instead the Red Wings still haven’t made the playoffs under Yzerman, in fact the Wings haven’t made the postseason since 2016. This after successfully making the playoffs for 25Continue reading “ALTERING THE YZERPLAN”

THE RIGHT CALL

BY MIKE RIFKIN With the Stanley Cup Final being played, it also means that it’s award season across the NHL. The latest award that was handed out was the Jack Adams (Coach Of The Year) and it was given to Lightning coach Jon Cooper. Cooper edged out Lindy Ruff of the Sabres and Dan MuseContinue reading “THE RIGHT CALL”

TEMPTING OFFERS

BY MIKE RIFKIN We’re down to the final four in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which means July 1st is right around the corner. One team that should be active during July first is the New York Rangers. The Rangers, who missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, were one of the biggest disappointments inContinue reading “TEMPTING OFFERS”

WHAT COMES NEXT : TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

BY Mike Rifkin The Tampa Bay Lightning were the toast of the NHL when they made three straight Stanley Cup Final (won in 2019-20, 2020-21) and lost in 2022. Since then the Lightning have lost in the first round, including this year losing to the Montreal Canadiens in seven games. So now it’s time forContinue reading “WHAT COMES NEXT : TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING”

WHAT COMES NEXT : EDMONTON OILERS

BY MIKE RIFKIN For the first time in four years the Edmonton Oilers did not win a playoff series, as they were dispatched by the Anaheim Ducks in six games. The Oilers had been to the Stanley Cup Final each of the last two seasons. “ We were an average team all year. When you’reContinue reading “WHAT COMES NEXT : EDMONTON OILERS”

LAST DANCE

BY MIKE RIFKIN Four times in the history of the National Hockey League has a team overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. That’s the hole the Pittsburgh Penguins have dug themselves to their interstate rivals the Philadelphia Flyers after losing game three 5-2. The last team to overcome a 3-0 hole wasContinue reading “LAST DANCE”