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Playoff Preview 2017
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
SOAPBOX
HAVE YOUR SAY BY EMAILING US AT LETTERS@THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM The Washington Capitals will win their first Stanley Cup this year. They have an outstanding group of forwards including the game’s premier goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, and one of the game’s best setup men in Nicklas Backstrom. They have the defending Vezina Trophy winner in Braden Holtby. And now with the addition of Kevin Shattenkirk, maybe the game’s deepest and all-around best defensive core. – Shawn Storey I’m biased, but I’m gonna have to say the Sharks. They are heating up and heading in to the playoffs playing great team hockey – a recipe for success. They have different guys contributing every night. The Sharks this year are even better than last year. They have four solid forward lines, one of the deepest defensive corps…
FULLY LOADED, FINALLY READY?
HOW THEY WIN: How much time do you have? The Capitals boast an incredible cadre of talent, and they’re deep at every position. Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov lead the offense, but there’s also battle-tested veterans such as Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie. The defense is stacked (see pg. 36) thanks to a multi-year renovation and change in culture, while reigning Vezina winner Braden Holtby is one of the best goalies in the world. Washington ranks near the top of the league in scoring while surrendering the least amount of goals by a considerable margin. The power play ranks among the NHL’s top 10. The penalty kill is top-five. Led by coach Barry Trotz, this is a team poised for a championship run. The core has years of pentup…
WHAT’S INSIDE
HOW THEY WIN/LOSE The strengths each team leans on for Cup contention and the weaknesses that might spell doom. FANTASY ZONE Each team’s 10 best fantasy performers and No. 1 goalie are listed and awarded star ratings based not simply on their regular season values but also on their health and the team’s likelihood of a deep run. We also feature one noteworthy player. STATS CRUNCH Vital team playoff numbers, from titles won to coaching resumes to the key possession stat (via corsica.hockey) THN GAMEPLAN Every team has a weakness. Here’s the blueprint on how to exploit it if you’re an opposing coach. 1ST CUP PASS Which grizzled veteran or sentimental favorite deserves the captain’s initial handoff of Lord Stanley’s glorious mug?…
HOPE FLOATS ON THE ISLAND
HOW THEY WIN: The Islanders were born anew after Doug Weight took over coaching duties for the fired Jack Capuano mid-season. Whether it was the shock of losing their longtime bench boss or simply having a new mind that wasn’t stuck with certain patterns of deployment for young players, Weight helped New York rise back into the playoff picture. On the talent side, captain John Tavares once again led the way and late-season pushes by call-up Josh Ho-Sang and rookie Anthony Beauvillier helped the team down the stretch. Thanks to old hands such as Andrew Ladd, Johnny Boychuk and Dennis Seidenberg (not to mention the slightly younger Nick Leddy), the Isles have Stanley Cup rings in their dressing room, and that experience never hurts. HOW THEY LOSE: New York is a weird…
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