Thomas Vanek

NHL

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild Preview, Scores and Predictions

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Chicago Blackhawks will take on the Minnesota Wild in round two of the NHL Playoffs. Chicago eliminated Minnesota in last year’s playoffs, but the two teams are hardly the same as they were just a year ago. Minnesota heads into the series with more experience and a significant upgrade in net, with Devan Dubnyk...

NHL

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals: Preview, Scores, Prediction

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Henrik Lundqvist is healthy and has the Rangers looking good as big favorites in their series with the Capitals.  Last year, when the Rangers lost in the Finals, many looked back at the road they’d traveled to get there which included a pair of seven-game series. This time the Rangers are rested and it’s the Capitals...

NHL

Price, Canadiens Deny Senators Game 7

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Montreal Canadiens will advance to the second round of the NHL Playoffs after defeating the Ottawa Senators 2-0 in game 6 of the first round. The Habs currently sit at +450 to win the Cup. Despite the outcome of the game, Ottawa outplayed Montreal in mostly every facet of the game, outshooting the Canadiens...

NHL

Did Connor McDavid Lose the NHL Draft Lottery?

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The NHL held its Connor McDavid Sweepstakes over the weekend (also known as the draft lottery) and the results have furrowed the brows of not only McDavid himself, but just about everyone who’s interested in professional hockey. Sure McDavid gave that canned line about "Edmonton being a great organization blah blah blah" but that face...

NHL

Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview, Scores and Predictions

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Winnipeg Jets had a tumultuous season with injuries to key players, the trade of star forward Evander Kane and one of their best players, Dustin Byfuglien, being suspended down the stretch. Despite all of the hardship, the +130 underdog Jets have made it back to the NHL Playoffs for the first time since they...

NHL

Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview, Scores and Prediction

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

With Steven Stamkos sniping away, the Tampa Bay Lightning own the NHL’s most potent offence. Tampa Bay is a big -250 favorite to send the Detroit Red Wings to the golf course. Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay was one of the teams nobody wanted to play in the East. The Lightning have speed to burn...

NHL

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues Preview, Scores and Prediction

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The first round series between the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues could be one of the more interesting matchups in these playoffs, as both seem to have been built for postseason play. Both teams have a strong veteran presence and play an aggressive style of hockey while also holding a lot of skill...

NHL

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview, Scores and Prediction

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Rangers are in a New York state of mind as they head into the playoffs as Stanley Cup favorites. They’re big -278 favorites in this series with the Penguins but can they push aside Sid and Geno in the first round? New York Rangers: It’s pretty hard to argue the New York Rangers have been the...

NHL

Can Canada Defy the Odds and Bring the Stanley Cup Home?

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

It’s been 22 years since the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, which was the last time a Canadian NHL team earned the Championship. Currently, a Canadian team has a +331 odds of winning the Stanley Cup, while U.S. based teams are set at -519. (UPDATE: Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup odds moved to +263...

NHL

Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Preview, Scores and Prediction

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Looking for a key to this series? Check out the Capitals’ lethal power play against the Islanders’ shoddy penalty killing. The Capitals are -159 favorites in the series. Washington Capitals: For years, the Capitals were all flash-and-dash living and dying by the red light behind both nets. This year, thanks to Barry Trotz and his...

NHL

Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators Preview, Scores and Prediction

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Are the Ottawa Senators the best underdog bet in the first round or will Price continue to carry the Montreal Canadiens on his back? Montreal Canadiens: The Montreal Canadiens piled up points all season long with Carey Price shouldering the load in goal. The problem is what Price accomplished in the regular season overshadows some...

NHL

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators Preview, Scores and Results

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators are set to face off in the first round of the NHL Playoffs on Wednesday and neither team are strangers to the postseason. Chicago has won two Stanley Cup Championships in the last five years, while the Predators have qualified for the postseason four times in the last six...

NHL

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames Preview, Scores and Results

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

The Vancouver Canucks will host the Calgary Flames in a best-of-seven series in the first round of the NHL playoffs on Wednesday. Neither team made the playoffs last year. In fact, Calgary hasn’t reached the postseason since 2006, which makes their appearance, in spite of a young but up-and-coming roster, even more surprising. Vancouver, on...

NHL

Flames Take Out Kings, Will Face Canucks In Playoffs

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Last night, the Calgary Flames beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 in a crucial game that has eliminated Los Angeles from playoff contention. No one predicted the Flames would make it to the playoffs this year, making a trip to the postseason all the more satisfying for the youngsters. Calgary forward Jiri Hudler netted two...

NHL

Bet Against Toronto Maple Leafs’ Odds to Draft Connor McDavid

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: April 10, 2015

In Toronto, the so-called centre of the hockey universe, only one name matters as the Stanley Cup playoffs near: Connor McDavid. McDavid is pegged as the near-unanimous No. 1 overall selection at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and considering the Maple Leafs have been out of the playoff hunt for months, McDavid has been the...

NHL

Crucial Night for Flames, Senators in Playoff Race

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Tonight is a big night for two Canadian NHL teams as they could secure playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Calgary Flames are clinging to the third spot behind the Vancouver Canucks, while the Winnipeg Jets are hoping to edge the Los Angeles Kings for the last wild card spot. Calgary will face Los...

NHL

Will the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Be Stacked with Canadian Teams?

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

If the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs began today, there would be four Canadian teams (out of seven total) on the right side of the standings for the first time since the 2005-06 season. The Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are all likely to qualify for the 2014-15 playoffs. There’s a possibility...

NHL

New York Rangers Clinch President's Trophy

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Just one year after the New York Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals, they’ve clinched the NHL’s President’s Trophy for earning the best record in the regular season. The Rangers 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night gave New York their third President’s Trophy in...

NHL

Ovechkin Scores 50 Goals in a Season for Sixth Time

• Mike Schultz

• Last Updated: October 4, 2017

Washington Capitals wing Alex Ovechkin has accomplished something that only five other NHL players have done in the history of the league, scoring his 50th goal of the season for the sixth time in his career. The 29 year old Ovechkin joins the list of names including Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Marcel Dionne, Mike Bossy...

NHL

Las Vegas Group Takes Next Step in Securing NHL Franchise

• Frank Doyle

• Last Updated: March 31, 2015

The ownership group aiming to bring an NHL franchise to Las Vegas is now moving on to the second phase of its plan to have a hockey team ready for the 2016-17 season. Since starting the ticket drive in late February, an ESPN report indicates the Vegas team has sold more than 10,000 season ticket...