Five reasons Mike Babcock’s decision blew our freakin’ minds (Video) We all saw that one coming, right? Mike Babcock going to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the richest contract for a coach in NHL history? Choosing the pressure of Toronto instead of the comforts of, say, Buffalo?  Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski looks at the impact of Babcock’s decision and the how it stunned the hockey world in … [Read more...]

Nikita Kucherov's OT goal gives Lightning wild 6-5 victory over Rangers An overtime goal from Nikita Kucherov helped give the Tampa Bay Lightning a wild 6-5 win over the New York Rangers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. Tampa now leads the series 2-1 with Game 3 on Friday at Amalie Arena. As they’ve done a number of times this postseason, the Rangers struck first and early as … [Read more...]

NHL Three Stars: 'Triplets' lead the way for Lightning in Game 3 No. 1 Star: Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning Kucherov was the hero for the Lightning as his goal 3:33 into overtime gave Tampa a 6-5 victory in Game 3 against the New York Rangers. They now hold a 2-1 series lead: No. 2 Star: Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning One-third of the “Triplets” line chipped in a pair of goals and … [Read more...]

Mike Babcock to coach Toronto Maple Leafs with NHL record contract The theory on Mike Babcock, perhaps the most high-profile coaching free agent in NHL history, was that he would leave the Detroit Red Wings to chase the money, seek a new challenge and look to win a Stanley Cup in short order. Two out of three ain’t bad. Mike Babcock is the next coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, with an NHL … [Read more...]

NHL Three Stars: Kruger sinks Ducks in 3OT; Crawford, Andersen shine No. 1 Star: Marcus Kruger, Chicago Blackhawks With 3:48 remaining in the third overtime period, a wide open Kruger tipped in a Brett Seabrook shot past the Ducks netminder Frederik Andersen. His goal evens the series at a game a piece as it moves back to Chicago.   No. 2 Star: Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks Stamina of … [Read more...]

Marcus Kruger daggers Ducks in triple OT thriller ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks showed their depth in their Game 1 win over Chicago. In Game 2, the Blackhawks showed they also have some depth and energy up and down their lineup.  From top to bottom, the Blackhawks got contributions from their big guns and their lesser-known quantities to knot their Western Conference Final 1-1 with the … [Read more...]

Chicago triple OT win over Ducks had historical feel ANAHEIM, Calif. – The sense of history was lost on the Chicago Blackhawks after their 3-2 triple overtime Game 2 Western Conference Final win over the Anaheim Ducks. That’s what happens when you’re part of a core group that finds new ways to create thrilling moments for a storied organization.  “We’ve been through that a few times now in … [Read more...]

Andrew Shaw's awesome header sadly isn't a goal (Video) After the Anaheim Ducks hit three posts through one and a half periods of overtime, Andrew Shaw thought he had won the game for the Chicago Blackhawks with one of the most awesome goals ever seen. Yes, Shaw channeled his inner Lionel Messi and head-butted the puck in past Frederik Andersen. Win for the Blackhawks! Or so everyone … [Read more...]