NHL

Is DP's Demotion A Reason For The Isles' Success?

April 25, 2013

The New York Islanders assigned goaltender Rick DiPietro to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on February 23rd, 2013. At that time, the Isles were 7-9-1 and appearing as a team that could miss the playoffs once again in another frustrating season (Photo credit: xjowell/Flickr).

Since DP's demotion, the Islanders have gone 17-7-5 due largely in part to a near flawless month of April (8-0-3). Leading the charge between the pipes has been Evgeni Nabokov, who boasts a 23-11-6 record that holds three shutouts - one coming in a 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres the night DiPietro was sent to Bridgeport.

Are There Any Playoff Heroes On The Islanders?

April 21, 2013

Rob McGowan

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Many teams that make the post-season have a player on their roster that elevates his style of play in order to reach a new level of performance during the most meaningful games of the year in the playoffs. These players are instrumental to each team's success in the playoffs and help carry their teams to several victories in their run for the Cup.

Looking back to the recent past, players such as Fernando Pisani and Sean Bergenheim come to mind. Pisani, who was playing for the Edmonton Oilers during their Cup run in 2006, only had 37 points in 80 regular season games but burst onto the playoff scene with 14 goals and 18 points in 24 playoff games.

John Tavares Is MVP Worthy

April 19, 2013

Rob McGowan

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It was only three years ago that John Tavares scored 24 goals in 82 games in his rookie season for the New York Islanders. He finished the year with 54 points and gave Isles fans confirmation that they were witnessing a star starting to bloom in an orange and blue jersey (Photo credit: theseoduke/Flickr).

Here we are in his fourth NHL season and Tavares just might have already surpassed every Islanders' fans wildest dreams.

Who Should Stay, Who Should Go?

April 18, 2013

Jordan Kuhns

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Only five games remain in this lockout-shortened regular season for the Philadelphia Flyers. These five games serve as a tryout period for players to show why they should or shouldn't stay beyond next season. Some players have already been written off, as it may not make much sense to keep for the future.

Many difficult decisions have to be made this summer, including players that have had extended stints as Flyers.

Islanders Defeat Panthers 5-2 In Final Home Game Of The Regular Season

April 16, 2013

Rob McGowan

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When the horn sounded at the end of the third period at the Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday night, Islanders fans rejoiced as their home squad defeated the visiting Florida Panthers 5-2. The Isles skaters removed their jerseys and signed them for the lucky fans who won them as a prize at the end of the game.

Typically, this is a moment at the end of the Islanders season filled with "better luck next year's" and "thanks for supporting us as we rebuild our team." But instead, this time, fans were salivating for more as the Islanders continued to tighten their grasp on their first playoff berth in six years.

"Everyone's been telling me how loud this arena can be," said Matt Martin...

Making Their Case

April 16, 2013

Chuck Gaston Jr

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The season is beginning to find its end. It is a time that we usually reflect on what has occurred and a time where we joyfully anticipate the upcoming playoff battles. This time of the year always has a few major questions though. The question that continues to plague me; however, is the one that so many hockey writers continue to write about. Does Sidney Crosby still deserve the Hart Trophy after missing so many games with a fractured jaw?

It is a question that I am entirely sick of, to be completely honest. Mostly because the answer is yes and just about everyone knows this, but I highly doubt that hockey writers have to continue to post article after article on why he is s...

Returning To The Madhouse Off The Meadowbrook

April 13, 2013

Rob McGowan

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For those that grew up during the great cup runs in the 80's and the "epic" playoff battles that took place in the 90's, fans already know how loud the Nassau Coliseum can get.

But for fans like myself, who were either not born or old enough to appreciate what was taking place on the ice in Long Island at that time, there is only the first round elimination series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2002 that truly proves merit to the Coliseum's nickname, the "Madhouse off the Meadowbrook."

Flyers' Nightmare Reaches Its Conclusion

April 12, 2013

Jordan Kuhns

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The Philadelphia Flyers' season is likely over.

After dropping a 3-1 decision to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, they find themselves seven points back of the final playoff spot with eight games to go, needing a bevy of extremely unlikely circumstances to occur for them to even slide into the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We have a game coming up," head coach Peter Laviolette said after the loss. "We need to win hockey games and focus on the next one."

That may be the only thing the Flyers can do—just try to win with what they have.

(Pictured: Claude Giroux during warm-ups. Photo by Candice Monhollan)

CONTEST: Enter to Win A Puck Signed By Bernie Parent, Dave Schultz

April 11, 2013

John Russo

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The Checking Line -- Flyers Edition is proudly announcing that we will be giving away an autographed puck signed by Philadelphia Flyers legends Bernie Parent and Dave "The Hammer" Schultz.

Details after the jump.

No Room For Bozak in Leafs' future

April 5, 2013

Ron Guillet

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*This article originally appeared on www.mapleleafscentral.com

“If the player wants to be here and we want him, my experience has been that generally we find a way to make it happen."

That quote is from general manager Dave Nonis on April 3 in regards to a possible Tyler Bozak extension.

It’s worrisome if you believe Bozak is the Toronto Maple Leafs’ weakest link among their top-nine centres. The statistics support that claim, as Bozak seems to excel at faceoffs and not much else. His defensive play is suspect and he’s generally a passenger on the top line considering the amount of ice-time he receives. He leads all Maple Leafs in time on ice...