John Gibson is getting even better as the pressure mounts, but don’t be surprised by his post-season heroics.
The Nashville Predators deserved to win Game 1 of the Western Conference final, but John Gibson didn’t deserve the loss for Anaheim. In Game 2, Gibson got the victory he had earned and this series is all the more compelling because of it.
COLOGNE, Ger. – Jimmy Howard couldn’t help but grin when asked about the alternate captain ‘A’ on the shoulder of Dylan Larkins’ jersey at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
“Well, he’s a vet,” Howard said of Larkin, his 20-year old teammate on the Red Wings and the U.S. men’s national team. “It’s his third time being over here (playing for the U.S.) … he’s got the most games on the team, I think.”
That’s not entirely accurate, but Howard’s not far off.
NASHVILLE — David Poile had to think about it for a moment, because he’s waited for this moment for so long.
Poile just finished watching the Nashville Predators, the team he has been general manager for since their inception in the NHL in 1998-99, reach the Western Conference Final for the first time.
Kyle Turris had no choice but to end Game 5 on Saturday with a game-winning goal. He had a prior engagement to attend.
The Ottawa Senators forward scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat the New York Rangers and take a 3-2 series in the Eastern Conference Second Round, then, just hours later, Turris was at the end-of-season banquet for the Capital City Condors.
Just give Pierre-Edouard Bellemare the good-guy award for the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
The Philadelphia Flyers forward, who is representing France at the tournament, was named the player of the game after its 5-1 upset win against Finland on Sunday. But he rejected the acknowledgment, and a free watch, instead letting France goalie Florian Hardy accept the honor.
WASHINGTON — To appreciate what Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ian Cole can do, replay one shift from their 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center on Thursday in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series.
Cole and defense partner Justin Schultz were out against the Capitals’ top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie with the score tied 2-2 in the third period.
It’s all in how you say his name.
When chanted by fans around the NHL — and some in Anaheim who have had cause to consider Kevin Bieksa too mistake-prone and slow to keep up in today’s NHL — it’s pronounced “Bee-EKK-saaa,” with each syllable drawn out and sung in a mocking tone.
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Right wing Jesper Fast could be considered the New York Rangers’ version of a Swiss Army Knife; he can do it all.
If a top-nine forward is struggling, losing focus in the defensive end or in need of a wake-up call, Fast will be called upon to replace him.
If a line is losing its chemistry, Fast will be put on it.
Who’s to say exactly what factor will decide a game – or even swing the series – when the Predators take on Chicago in the First Round of the Western Conference playoffs?
It might be something as clear cut as brilliant goaltending, superior firepower or punishing physical play.
Then again, the difference in a single, tightly contested game – and by extension a series – might might be more swift and subtle.
ADVOCACYMENTORSHIPFAMILY
Contact KO Sports
© 2025 KO Sports. All Rights Reserved.