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December 6, 1991
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.
Offensive shortcomings nearing crisis point
The Edmonton Oilers are in desperate need of scoring punch. After back-to-back shutout losses to Montreal and Winnipeg, the Oilers had gone 128 minutes and 26 seconds without a goal. Getting shut out 1-0 in the Montreal Forum Nov. 18 by the suffocating Habs’ defense is one thing. But being blanked 4-0 by the Winnipeg Jets, on home ice and in front of a friendly crowd, is quite another. Jets’ goalie Bob Essensa stopped 36 shots Nov. 23 for his third consecutive shutout win at Northlands. He blanked the Oilers 1-0 in overtime and 3-0 last season. “We shot the puck lots and Essensa played well in the net,” EsaTikkanen said. “Two games, no goals, that’s not good. We have to get going.” Coming off a disastrous 1-4-1, 13day road swing, the Oilers talked about the fact…
Getting grip on team defense tops on coach Arbour’s list
When coach Al Arbour promised to take the New York Islanders back to square one, there was no ambiguity about where he was heading. For Arbour and his team, everything always has begun with defense. Arbour, once a defensive defenseman. believes even a strong offense has its roots in a team’s own end. That explains his concern about the Islanders having allowed at least four goals fet each of their first eight games following their major trades Oct. 25. It also explains why his team was dissatisfied with its run-and-gun 7-4 road win over Minnesota Nov. 19 and more encouraged by a 3-1 loss in Winnipeg Nov. 20 (one goal was an empty-netter) and 2-2 tie in Pittsburgh Nov. 23. The latter two games revealed the type of progress Arbour has sought. “Every…
Capitals represent NHL’s best bargain at the rink
Want the most for your money in the NHL? Go to the Capital Centre and watch the league’s highest-scoring team in the league’s lowest-priced seats. You can see the Washington Capitals play from the best seat in the house for $28. Compare that to $65 at Madison Square Garden or $55 at the Cow Palace, Great Western Forum and Saddledome. Sure, there may be some extras thrown in elsewhere but it’s hard to argue with a top ticket below $30. Especially when you’re getting a glimpse of a team that averaged a league-high five goals per game through its first 22 games. The New York Rangers recorded a different high in our survey of ticket prices: they had the top-priced standard premium ticket in the league. The Los Angeles Kings charge $205 for…
Ulfie’s story one of love and hate
Ulf Samuelsson could change his name to Kennedy and still be the most hated man in Massachusetts. Look at Boston’s lineup, see the gaping void where No. 8 usually can be found, and it’s easy to see why. Samuelsson has singlehandedly shattered the stereotype of the timid Swede, probably with a well-placed elbow when no one was looking. When he became a father for the first time during the off-season, someone wondered if his newborn son would spend his first few days of life blindsiding other infants in the nursery. The Pittsburgh defenseman is admired by many, loathed by more. Some think of him a rugged, unyielding defenseman in the mold of Leo Boivin and Terry Harper. Others will tell you he is a malicious, wicked player who gets courage from his…
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