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The New York Islanders are a long way from their storied years four straight Stanley Cups, but this version of the Isles are hoping to add another chapter to that book. Looking to make their way back to the Stanley Cup final, they will need to beat a red hot Tampa Bay Lightning team, but with Barry Trotz’s system, they can extinguish that flame. Embed from Getty Images Front Runner: Mathew Barzal No John Tavares? No problem. Picking up the talismanic role of the franchise, Barzal has done just that in these Stanley Cup playoffs. From his skill and his skating to his leadership on theRead More →

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Looking to avenge their loss in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals to the Chicago Blackhawks the revenge tour has brought the bolts against some familiar opponents. Remember the Lightning’s unceremonial ejection from last year’s playoffs against the Columbus Blue Jackets? Everyone remembers. Division rival and this year’s president trophy-winning Boston Bruins? Check. Now facing the New York Islanders this team will once again have to prove they have not forgotten the lessons of the past. Front Runner: Embed from Getty Images Andrei Vasilevskiy The big cat is on the prowl for some silverware. Known as one of the quietest players in the Tampa Bay LightningRead More →

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Vegas once again is the dark horse during the playoffs. We forget this team is less than three years old, yet they are firmly among the league’s elite. After seeing off the Canucks in seven games in the semi-final (still piecing my broken heart back together), the Knights will be a formidable showdown for Dallas. Embed from Getty Images Front Runner: Their standout performer by far has been blueliner Shea Theodore. Currently standing on 16 points from 15 games, Theodore has excelled at both ends for Vegas. Already coming off a career high 46 points in the regular season, the 25-year-old British Columbia native hasRead More →

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Another momentous moment for the NHL and they deny themselves. Okay this isn’t ignoring the #Blacklivesmatter movement which fellow 4th liners have covered, this is a chance to grow the game amongst diehard NHL (Chel) fans who buy the game every year. Recognize Greatness with #NHL21 available worldwide October 16th 🏒🎮 Pre-order now 👉 https://t.co/Jw6GQdvPOZ pic.twitter.com/FKCoVdDEJH — EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 24, 2020 Disappointing lack of advancement in play? Probably. Same gameplay with updated graphics and new micropurchase ability? Probably. Yet, these aren’t the biggest issues with this game. No, this is missing out on the opportunity to advertise one of the growing numberRead More →

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It’s no secret that Uncle Gary (Bettman) is not one to make waves. To his credit, he is one of the most responsive commissioners in all of sports. This is why it’s time for the league, the owners, and the commissioner to take a signal from across the pond, and do more than just put out public relations pieces or boost the message of prominent figures in the world. While this would be an unusually public stance from the NHL, this would go beyond a video or Instagram post. The unity this would present would go a long way, while hockey is not the glueRead More →

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The sunshine state is known for being hot and the Tampa Bay Lightning were just that during the 2018-2019 regular season. Once the playoffs started though they cooled off and were out before anyone could blink an eye. Notable Players In: Kevin Shattenkirk, Luke Schenn, Curtis McElhinney, Mike Condon Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Adam Erne, Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, J.T. Miller First Key Game: October 10th, 2019 vs. The Toronto Maple Leafs. Odds to win the division 11:10 (1st overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? No. If you are going to gamble normally you want to see some valueRead More →

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The Penguins have been Eastern Conference contenders for a long time, they have defined retooling instead of rebuilding. In a crowded conference, the Penguins continue to stay in the upper echelon. Notable Players In: Alex Galchenyuk, Dominik Kahun, Brandon Tanev, Samuel Poulin, Nick Bjugstad Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Matt Cullen (ret), Olli Maatta, Phil Kessel First Key Game: October 22nd, 2019 vs. the Florida Panthers. While the Penguins retooled, the Panthers took it to an extreme this summer adding talent from the net out. Odds to win the division 4:1 (2nd overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? Put someRead More →

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The Kings’ crown lost its shine last year. The Los Angeles Kings finished last in the western conference with 71 points only seven points clear of league bottom Ottawa Senators. The Ilya Kovalchuk experiment did not go as anticipated. Changes behind the coaching staff showing he was not what new head coach Willie Desjardins was looking for at the time. With Todd McLellan now taking over in Los Angeles he may provide the spark the team needs. Notable Players In: Joakim Ryan, Martin Frk Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Dion Phaneuf, Kevin Dallman, Peter Budaj First Key Game: Vegas Golden Knights – OctoberRead More →

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The Florida Panthers made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason signing Sergei Bobrovsky and added skilled bench boss Joel Quenneville to maximize their talent. Notable Players/Coach In: Joel Quenneville, Anton Stralman, Noel Acciari, Brett Connolly, Sergei Bobrovsky, Spencer Knight Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Roberto Luongo First Key Game: Opening night (10/3/2019) the Panther’s crucial first game will be against in-state and in division rival Tampa Bay Lightning. Odds to win the division 13:2 (4th overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? This bet is… Not worth taking. I am impressed with the moves the Panthers have made especiallyRead More →

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Pushing the chips into the center can go one of two ways, and for the Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Jarmo Kekalainen,  their gamble came up empty. While the Blue Jackets were able to knock out the Tampa Bay Lightning, their playoff run did not end in them hoisting the cup. While the silverware cabinet sits empty; the dressing room and cupboard of draft picks are also limited thanks to the team trading away their second and third-round pick in 2020 and a second in 2021. Notable Players In: Gustav Nyquist, Elvis Merzlikins Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Sergei Bobrovsky, Artemi Panarin, RyanRead More →