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March 8, 2002
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.
Unfamiliar territory for mediocre Devils
The New Jersey Devils never thought they’d return from the Olympic break and have to fight for a playoff spot. The stretch drive is normally when this team refines its game and builds confidence heading into the playoffs. This season, they’re more concerned with nailing down a spot in the Eastern Conference. All the while new coach Kevin Constantine tries to instill his system. For the first few months of this season, veteran Devils talked about how they would know what to do when the playoffs came. Waiting to play hard has cost them. Still if they make the playoffs and have anything left, this team brings the experience that can mean the difference in the post-season. NEEDS The Devils have the talent to make the playoffs and experience to do damage if…
Canucks’ hot streak puts them in race
For the Vancouver Canucks there is only one mantra heading into the stretch drive: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Canucks went on an outstanding 14-4-1-2 run from Christmas to the Olympic break, putting them in the thick of the Western Conference playoff derby. But their dismal first 40 games-seven games under. 500-still left them in a precarious state with respect to the post-season. The Canucks will need a final quarter similar to their third if they hope to make the playoffs for a second straight season. It might be unrealistic to expect them to continue on their astonishing. 738 pace since Christmas, but nothing less than. 615 down the stretch will guarantee them a spot. NEEDS GM Brian Burke isn’t beating the bushes for any help after his pre-Christmas acquisitions…
Lindros’s health crucial for chances
Given the way their season began, the New York Rangers probably feel they should be higher in the standings, instead of in the dogfight for eighth place they were in with 23 games to go. They faced the same questions, though, that were there before the season began. Those questions were about the health of key players, especially Eric Lindros. Lindros has to not only be able to play, but he has to be able to be the dominant monster forward he was through December. If he is, almost anything is possible. If he’s not, it’s a fifth straight non-playoff season. NEEDS Two areas scream out for improvement: special teams, where New York has been horrid for two seasons; and team defense, at which the Rangers are maddeningly inconsistent. TRADE BAIT Sylvain Lefebvre,…
WEST COAST LEAGUE
Two West Coast League alumni took their share of the spotlight in the men’s competition of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Goaltenders Sergei Naumov (Latvia) and Konstantin Simchuk (Ukraine) both played in the WCHL-and each won the league’s outstanding goaltender award. Naumov won it twice while recording 188 career wins during four seasons with the San Diego Gulls. He also won three Taylor Cups and was a playoff MVP. Simchuk won his WCHL outstanding goaltender award in 1997-98 by tying for the league lead with a 3.08 goals-against average and going 33-11-1. He led the expansion Tacoma Sabercats to the Taylor Cup final. His most recent WCHL action was in 2000-01 with San Diego.…
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