The Canadian Press

Trading Places: Deadline Deals’ Effect on Playoff Teams

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

Excuse Derick Brassard for having a little difficulty finding his bearings after the veteran centre took an unorthodox cross-country route in reaching the NHL playoffs.
Starting the season with Pittsburgh, Brassard was traded to Florida and spent 10 ga…

‘We’ll Be Better Next Year – Canucks Look Forward as Season Ends

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

VANCOUVER — It’s been a season of growth for the Vancouver Canucks, but after finishing outside of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, players and coaches feel there’s still work to be done.
Standout performances from young players lik…

Flyers Begin Search for New Coach

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Flyers found a pair of rookies this season they expect to become superstars over the long haul.
The first one is obvious: Gritty, the mischievous furball that not only would win an NHL mascot MVP vote by a landslide, the…

Ottawa Senators Looking Forward to Better Things After Awful Season

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

Ottawa Senators defenceman Mark Borowiecki is looking at the bright side.
As players cleaned out their lockers and prepared to go their separate ways following a last-place finish in the NHL standings, the one consistent message was that things would g…

Time Running Out for NHL Veterans Still Chasing First Stanley Cup

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

TORONTO — Time is running out for some NHL players that have yet to win a Stanley Cup over a lengthy career.
Here are 10 NHL veterans still chasing their first Cup:
1. Calgary goaltender Mike Smith — 37, 13 seasons (2018-19: 42 games played, 23-16…

Golden Knights’ Offence Powering a Playoff Push

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights struggled when they opened the season and wound up in last place in the Western Conference at one point, a humbling stumble for a team that was just a few months removed from a charmed run to the Stanley Cup Final i…

Montgomery Steers Stars to Playoffs in Pro Debut

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

DALLAS — While the NHL buzzed in early January over the Dallas Stars CEO profanely ripping the franchise’s two best players, first-year coach Jim Montgomery worked to figure out how to make defence the priority for a team that was having trouble scorin…

St. Louis Blues – From the Cellar to the Playoffs

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

Dead-last in the NHL in early January, the St. Louis Blues looked like underachievers who cost their head coach his job and wouldn’t remain together for long.
Then the Blues did the improbable, winning 30 of their final 45 games to become the seventh t…

Rangers’ Lundqvist: Struggles in 2nd Half ‘More Challenging’

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

Henrik Lundqvist liked how he started the season. The 37-year-old New York Rangers goalie wasn’t so pleased with how he played toward the end.
He was 15-12-7 with a 3.19 goals-against average during the first half while earning his fifth All-Star appea…

Watson’s Return Solidifies Predators’ Lines for Playoffs

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators mixed up the roster in February by bringing in four new players. It turns out the biggest addition may have come in the final week of the regular season.
Coach Peter Laviolette slid Austin Watson back into the third …

Blackhawks Optimistic After Another Lost Season

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

CHICAGO — Patrick Kane dazzled once again. Jonathan Toews put together one of his best seasons, and Alex DeBrincat took another step forward.
And it didn’t matter all that much. Not to them, anyway.
The Chicago Blackhawks missed out on the playoffs for…

Maple Leafs & Matthews Looking for Redemption in Rematch With Bruins

The Canadian Press | April 9, 2019

TORONTO — Leaning on his stick at the conclusion of practice, Auston Matthews did all the listening in a one-way, one-on-one exchange with Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock.
“Do you think I’m going to tell you?” Matthews responded…