NHL Central Division Ryan O'Reilly Nathan Mackinnon Tyler Seguin

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes Logo History

The Arizona Coyotes franchise already has extensive history around its logos and jerseys, as the club has undergone multiple rebranding initiatives throughout its history. The team, like every club in the NHL, has seen its ups and downs over the last quarter-century, but the franchise’s struggles have, more often than not, received the most attention in the news cycle. Off-the-ice problems have earned the team a lot of detractors outside of Arizona, and it’s no secret that the Coyotes are one of the most divisive teams in the history of North American professional sports. There are very few people on…

What Should Utah’s NHL Franchise Be Called? 

Whenever a new sports team rises, all the attention gets directed that way. It happened when the Vegas Golden Knights were introduced to the league and made a statement in their inaugural season, making the Stanley Cup Final. More recently, it occurred with the Seattle Kraken, who also made the playoffs within their first two seasons. In light of that, there’s plenty of pressure to get the jerseys right, the arena situated, and especially, the team name. Related: Meet the Delta Center, the Coyotes’ New Home in Utah  The team name is what everyone calls you, and the new Utah…

“We Shall Return” – Takeaways From Meruelo/Bettman Presser

Alex Meruelo started his press conference with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman by tripping over a light in front of the stand. It wasn’t a fantastic outing for the former Arizona Coyotes owner as he made his first public appearance since 2019 when he first bought the team. Many wanted answers for where he’s been, why he hasn’t been talking, what’s happening now, and other pressing topics and there weren’t a lot of great responses by Meruelo. Here are some takeaways from Friday’s press conference. No One Knows What Is Happening With the Tucson Roadrunners A huge takeaway from the press…

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks 2023-24 Player Grades: Defense

Since the Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2023-24 season ended one week ago, our Blackhawks’ team is looking back on the season and giving player grades, and this edition, you guessed it, is all about the defense. Chicago’s defense was not good at all this season. They allowed the fourth-most goals against per game (3.52 goals), which was a slight decrease from last season when they allowed the fifth-most goals against per game. They also had the sixth-worst penalty-killing percentage at a 75.76% success rate. Not one defenseman was a “plus” on the plus/minus scale or had more than eight goals. But grim…

Today in Hockey History: April 24

If you had to choose two words to describe April 24 throughout the history of the National Hockey League, “overtime goal” would be the perfect pair to use. This date has provided some of the most memorable playoff goals ever scored, as well as some legends breaking records. The THW time machine is ready to take back through the years to relive all the best moments. More OT Goals Than You Can Shake a Stick At Jean Beliveau only scored one overtime playoff goal in his Hall of Fame career. It came early in the second overtime on April 24,…

Today in Hockey History: April 21

April 21 has been a hectic day in National Hockey League history. We have seen defensemen shine on the offensive stage, some big hat tricks, and plenty of other memorable Stanley Cup playoff moments on this date. Plus, one of many legends in Toronto began on this date. The Legend of Bill Barilko Bill Barilko, a defenseman, played five seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of four Stanley Cup-winning teams during his short time in the NHL. At age 24, he had his biggest moment in the league on April 21, 1951. In Game 5 of…

Colorado Avalanche

Jets’ Goaltending Advantage Against Avalanche Hasn’t Materialized

The Winnipeg Jets’ on-paper advantage in net over the Colorado Avalanche has not materialized on the ice so far in the first-round series. Hellebuyck & Georgiev’s Performances On Par Despite Drastically Different Regular Seasons Through the first two games of the series, which is tied 1-1 heading to Colorado, Connor Hellebuyck has not outplayed Alexandar Georgiev. Hellebuyck has allowed 10 goals and posted a 5.04 goals against average (GAA) and .870 save percentage (SV%,) while Georgiev has allowed nine goals and posted a 4.63 GAA and .830 SV%. Related: 3 Key Jets in First-Round Series Versus Avalanche Goaltending seemed the…

Former New York Islanders in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, and there isn’t much for the New York Islanders to be happy about. Of course, they are still in the playoff race, but they are down 2-0 in their best-of-seven series against the Carolina Hurricanes, and optimism is running short. Now seems to be a good time to look at some former Islanders who had regular-season success and are chasing the Stanley Cup. John Tavares John Tavares, the player who left the Islanders as a free agent to play for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, is again in the playoffs. He has had…

Avalanche in Control of Series Against the Jets Going into Game 3

With the first two games of their first-round series in the books, the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets head to Denver with one win apiece, and the Avalanche wresting away home-ice advantage for the remainder of the series. The Jets took Game 1, 7-6, despite being out-shot (46-23) and out-chanced (17-9 in high-danger looks) by significant margins. They had a commanding 7-4 lead before the Avalanche scored two goals in the final eight minutes to bridge the gap, though they ultimately fell short. Game 2 was a more tightly-contested affair despite the final score. The Avalanche scored four goals…

Dallas Stars

Golden Knights Silence Critics With 3-1 Win Over Stars

The Vegas Golden Knights silenced a packed house at American Airlines Center by jumping out to a 2-0 series lead over the top team in the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars, with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night. In a tightly contested physical game, where both goalies made outstanding saves, the Golden Knights just grinded down the offensively gifted Stars, who just couldn’t capitalize on their limited chances. Noah Hanifin had the game-winner in the second period, pouncing on a loose puck after a Jake Oettinger save came out to the top of the left faceoff circle. While sliding across,…

Projected Lineups for the Golden Knights vs Stars – Game 2

The Vegas Golden Knights take on the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center tonight for Game 2 of their first-round series. Here are the projected/expected lineups, sourced from NHL.com staff writers, independent correspondents, and others. Related: 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Hub (2WC) GOLDEN KNIGHTS at (1C) STARS Western Conference First Round, Game 2 9:30 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, BSSW, ESPN, TVAS2, SN360 Vegas leads best-of-7 series 1-0 Golden Knights projected lineup Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Jonathan Marchessault Chandler Stephenson — Tomas Hertl — Mark Stone Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Anthony Mantha William Carrier — Nicolas Roy — Keegan…

Golden Knights’ Stars Are Key to Series Win vs. Stars

On Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights, the lowest-seeded Western Conference playoff team, wrestled home-ice advantage away from the conference-leading Stars with a 4-3 Game 1 win. What’s more, the team’s big-money superstars led the charge. Against a Dallas squad that has been defined by their depth and balance all season, the Golden Knights were driven by their best players. Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl and Jonathan Marchessault all scored for Vegas (as did Brayden McNabb, who netted the game-winner), while Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin contributed two assists apiece. The win gave Golden Knights fans plenty to be excited about, following…

Minnesota Wild

NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Wild, Penguins

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the William Nylander watch continues in Toronto. Meanwhile, uncertainty in Minnesota looms and at least one player is wondering about his future there. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins want to get a deal done, but there haven’t been any formal talks between the two sides. Finally, what have the Penguins told Bryan Rust about his future with the team? Nylander and McMann Closer to Returning? As per TSN’s Darren Dreger, “The Willy watch continues in Toronto as the Leafs hope to even their series with the Bruins on Saturday. Bobby McMann is also being evaluated…

Today in Hockey History: April 24

If you had to choose two words to describe April 24 throughout the history of the National Hockey League, “overtime goal” would be the perfect pair to use. This date has provided some of the most memorable playoff goals ever scored, as well as some legends breaking records. The THW time machine is ready to take back through the years to relive all the best moments. More OT Goals Than You Can Shake a Stick At Jean Beliveau only scored one overtime playoff goal in his Hall of Fame career. It came early in the second overtime on April 24,…

Wild’s John Hynes Did All He Could With the Team He Had

This season clearly ended in disappointment for the Minnesota Wild, even before the final game, due to their postseason elimination a week before. While there were many reasons for how the season ended, head coach John Hynes deserves very little blame.  After firing former head coach Dean Evason following a 5-10-4 start, Hynes was brought in to try something new. The team responded immediately with a 3-1 win at home over their division rival, the St. Louis Blues, but teams with new coaches typically respond.  What they did after that first game earned some respect for both the team and…

Nashville Predators

Former New York Islanders in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, and there isn’t much for the New York Islanders to be happy about. Of course, they are still in the playoff race, but they are down 2-0 in their best-of-seven series against the Carolina Hurricanes, and optimism is running short. Now seems to be a good time to look at some former Islanders who had regular-season success and are chasing the Stanley Cup. John Tavares John Tavares, the player who left the Islanders as a free agent to play for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, is again in the playoffs. He has had…

Takeaways From Predators’ Block Party Game 2 Win Over Canucks

With a potential 2-0 series deficit against the Vancouver Canucks staring them in the face, as well as 18,960 fans of Rogers Arena, the Nashville Predators tweaked their game slightly to play the perfect road playoff game. The result was a 4-1 win and an example of grind-it-out, slow-motion hockey that might not excite many fans, but gets the job done. Now the Predators get to take Smashville back home for Games 3 and 4. Here are some takeaways from Tuesday’s Game 2. Predators Have a Block Party Block parties are usually joyous affairs, where the neighborhood denizens gather together under the sun…

3 Most Underrated Rookies From the 2023-24 NHL Season

The 2023-24 NHL regular season has been completed, and the playoffs are underway. This season was expected to have one of the greatest rookie classes ever, consisting of generational star Connor Bedard, as well as Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, Logan Cooley, and Brock Faber. As a result of this stacked class, a lot of rookies flew under the radar, and it is now time to give them credit. Will Cuylle It is hard to give a player on the New York Rangers a nomination for being underrated given their national attention, but Will Cuylle most definitely had an underrated season….

St. Louis Blues

3 Things the St. Louis Blues Did Right in 2023-24

The St.Louis Blues are back to the drawing board, working on what they need to fix to make the playoffs in the next two to three seasons. It will take a lot of time and consideration, but if they stick to what went right this season, they should be on the right track. Effectively handling free agency and the 2024 NHL Draft in June and July will be the goal and building on what worked. Here are three things the Blues did right this season. Blues Shorthanded Scoring Was On Fire This season, the Blues scored 11 shorthanded goals despite…

NHL Rumors: Ducks, Maple Leafs, Blues, Canadiens

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Anaheim Ducks have an offseason plan and their GM isn’t afraid to share that plan. Meanwhile, William Nylander is practicing again for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Will he play in Game 3? And, are the rumors of disciplinary action against Nylander true? The St. Louis Blues intend to extend Pavel Buchnevich, and will the Montreal Canadiens take a big swing at forward? Ducks Going Shopping in the Summer According to the official X.com account for the Anaheim Ducks, “Ducks GM Pat Verbeek in a season-ending media session says the team is pursuing both a…

Today in Hockey History: April 23

Some of the National Hockey League’s “Original Six” teams made postseason memories on this date. However, there are plenty of the league’s newer franchises that made their mark on Stanley Cup Playoff history on April 23, as well. Let’s begin our daily trip back in time to relive all the best moments. A Big Date in Detroit Red Wings History The Red Wings can fondly look back on this date as they not only won a Stanley Cup on it, but one of their greatest players in franchise history left rewrote the record books. The Red Wings hosted the New…

Winnipeg Jets

Prime Video to Carry National Monday Night Games in Canada

The game of hockey makes a move into the streaming age. The National Hockey League announced alongside Amazon and Rogers Communications a two-year agreement that nationally televised Monday night NHL games will move to Prime Video in Canada beginning with the upcoming 2024-25 season. The package had been named “Prime Monday Night Hockey.” These games’ broadcasts will be produced by Prime Video and will be exclusive to Canadian Amazon Prime Members, according to NHL Public Relations. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon and Rogers on this project. Amazon has a strong track record of presenting sports on Prime Video…

Jets’ Goaltending Advantage Against Avalanche Hasn’t Materialized

The Winnipeg Jets’ on-paper advantage in net over the Colorado Avalanche has not materialized on the ice so far in the first-round series. Hellebuyck & Georgiev’s Performances On Par Despite Drastically Different Regular Seasons Through the first two games of the series, which is tied 1-1 heading to Colorado, Connor Hellebuyck has not outplayed Alexandar Georgiev. Hellebuyck has allowed 10 goals and posted a 5.04 goals against average (GAA) and .870 save percentage (SV%,) while Georgiev has allowed nine goals and posted a 4.63 GAA and .830 SV%. Related: 3 Key Jets in First-Round Series Versus Avalanche Goaltending seemed the…

Avalanche in Control of Series Against the Jets Going into Game 3

With the first two games of their first-round series in the books, the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets head to Denver with one win apiece, and the Avalanche wresting away home-ice advantage for the remainder of the series. The Jets took Game 1, 7-6, despite being out-shot (46-23) and out-chanced (17-9 in high-danger looks) by significant margins. They had a commanding 7-4 lead before the Avalanche scored two goals in the final eight minutes to bridge the gap, though they ultimately fell short. Game 2 was a more tightly-contested affair despite the final score. The Avalanche scored four goals…