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The Pacific Division is always a difficult one to predict at the best of times. This season will be no exception, especially with a shortened season in hand. The winner of this division will be hard to predict as over the last few seasons teams have made key upgrades. Let’s take a look at the contenders in our midst. Anaheim Ducks On The Christmas List: Draft lottery favor The Ducks will be hoping to improve on an underwhelming 6th place in 2019-20. Their off-season acquisitions have been quieter than fans would’ve liked, but let’s not forget they are rebuilding. Kevin Shattenkirk was signed on a 3-yearRead More →

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When Andrei Vasilevskiy went down with an injury early in the season Tampa Bay Lightning fans and pundits around the league were left to wonder what would happen to the Eastern Conference contender and preseason Stanley Cup favorite in his absence. The answer is as of December 11th is nothing short of Doming-ate. . . That is due in large part to the man who filled the large hole left in net by Vasilevskiy, Louis Domingue. Embed from Getty Images Domingue  was brought to Tampa in November of 2017 in exchange for Tye McGinn and goaltender Michael Leighton. With two other goalies on the rosterRead More →

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Every season it happens — those woebegone teams who have struggled for seasons on end once again get left behind in the dust of discussions about “contenders.” But every season, it also happens that some of them get good and mad and surprise us all . . . or some of us at least. This season, let’s look at just a few that will bring enough shock and awe to make the post-season or at least come close enough to smell it. In order of surprise by season’s end, let’s go: #1 – Buffalo Sabres People talk about Rasmus Dahlin and Jack Eichel, maybe evenRead More →

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There has been lots of talk this season about upcoming free agents in the 2019 class. This is a stacked free agent class, as it boasts players like Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty, Ryan Ellis, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Nikita Kucherov. This class has 2 of the best 5 players in the NHL right now, and also 3 more legit top pair D-men. So it is no wonder that there has been heavy conversation already about where people may go. Two names that started a firestorm were Drew Doughty, and even more so Erik Karlsson. One name however has not caused as much buzz, and that isRead More →

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As usual, being an Arizona Coyotes fan isn’t much fun! Dead last in the Pacific Division with a mere six points from sixteen games. There is very little to cheer about at Gila River Arena. However, there is one bright spot in the darkness. Although the Derek Stepan trade made headlines, it’s the performances of a rookie that has people talking. Clayton Keller had minimal attention during the first few weeks, but right now he’s carrying this team. Embed from Getty Images Drafted 7th overall in 2016, Keller was one of the stars of the 2017 World Junior Championships. Shining brightly, he helped lead TeamRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, Central Division, Metropolitan Division, NHL, Pacific Division
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Every year someone has to finish last and win the Wooden Spoon Award. Who are the most likely to finish first overall? Let us tell you! Arizona Coyotes A team in dire need of a number one draft pick, Arizona is struggling in all departments. So far, the Coyotes have only scored 52 goals. While Max Domi is an exciting young talent, there are few of these prospects in Glendale. Their future has been up in the air for years out in the desert. With low attendance still a problem, this team seems to be looking to the 2017 draft to secure a future. RadimRead More →

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Hockey is practically here. The World Cup of Hockey is a distant memory and preseason games don’t count. Shortly the talking stops and the games begin. That also means it’s time for the last in our series of schedule previews. Today we’ll be looking at the the road trips that the teams in the Pacific division will be facing. As always we’ll start alphabetically: Anaheim Ducks The Ducks’ performances on the road have dipped over the last few seasons, and that might not improve with the season opener that this team has to contend with. The Ducks start the season with a five game roadRead More →

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Since the 2004-5 lockout the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defenseman, has been won 6 different players. These players are Drew Doughty, Erik Karlsson, Duncan Keith, P.K. Subban, Nicklas Lidstrom and Zdeno Chara. Of these winners, every single player made the playoffs the year that they won. For all but three years the winner was in the top 2 in points for defenseman. The exceptions are Doughty was 10th in 2015-16, Chara was 13th in 2008-09 and Lidstrom was 5th in 2006-07. Looking ahead to 2016-17, as much as it’d be nice to put the best shut down D on thisRead More →