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The New Yr has been rung in and the NHL season has reached its second half but a lot of the marketing campaign is obvious as mud.
We do know the Colorado Avalanche look like a pressure, though they may use an impactful middle-six ahead and accidents to Gabe Landeskog and Devon Toews will put them to the check.
We all know the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners, the Winnipeg Jets, space in deep trouble and poised to comply with the trail of the New York Rangers final season by going from regular-season champs to non-playoff squad.
Most significantly, we all know how little we all know.
Granted, issues can change seemingly right away, however who previous to the season forecasted the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins forward of each the defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils at this juncture?
As nicely, who had the Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs forward of solely the Columbus Blue Jackets within the Japanese Convention?
Within the Western Convention, the Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild (that commerce for Quinn Hughes has confirmed to be a sensational transfer) are working away from all people else, however the remainder have created an absolute quagmire.
Including to the chaos is the very fact each different workforce within the convention is so clearly flawed, they’ll go from a six-game profitable streak to a six-game dropping skid.
As a fan, the second half will likely be an absolute wild journey to figuring out the playoff golf equipment, particularly within the east with solely 10 factors separating all 16 golf equipment.
With that in mid, listed here are 5 predictions for the second half.
The Edmonton Oilers will discover that ultimate gear and declare the Pacific Division. Whether or not they attain the Stanley Cup Closing for a 3rd consecutive season, is one other story.
Talking of the Stanley Cup, the Panthers have hung powerful with out their two famous person forwards to this point. Whether or not Aleksander Barkov returns is up within the air, nevertheless it seems Matthew Tkachuk is on the verge of becoming a member of the lineup within the subsequent two weeks. Accidents could also be their undoing, together with a road-heavy second-half schedule, however sleep on the Cats at your individual peril.
The Los Angeles Kings would be the most aggressive membership earlier than the commerce deadline. The Kings have a great deal of wage cap area, loads of draft capital and some tantalizing prospects. Don’t be shocked in the event that they swing huge and land defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames.
The 2 golf equipment contending for division titles we aren’t bought on are the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas retains making hay due to loser factors, a league-high 12, whereas the Canadiens are counting on their energy play and time beyond regulation magic to beat unhealthy goaltending.
There are many selections to query in regards to the numerous Olympic rosters. Bypassing Adam Fox and Jason Robertson in favor of Seth Jones and Vincent Trocheck is non-sensical by the united statesA. braintrust. Likewise,
For Canada, having Anthony Cirelli on it as a substitute of Mark Scheifele, Wyatt Johnston and Connor Bedard harkens again to Rob Zamuner named to the 1998 squad.
Even Sweden had a few head-scratchers with Pontus Holmberg named over William Eklund among the many forwards and defenseman Philip Broberg chosen as a substitute of Hampus Lindholm or Simon Edvinsson.
It’s value noting, the condensed schedule between now and the video games in Milan units the stage for a number of adjustments resulting from damage.
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