The Hockey News

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.

MASTHEAD

IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THINGS UP

CANADIANS ARE POLITE ESPECIALLY GRETZKY

PICKING THE PLAYOFF MVP • ‘It’s a legacy-defining award.’ Take a peek at the process for selecting the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is perhaps hockey’s most undervalued honor

BEHIND THE MASK

JERSEY HOUND

HEARTBREAK-O-METER • Many believe ‘Game 7’ are the two best words in sports, but that isn’t the case for fans of these teams. Among NHL franchises to have played at least five Game 7s in club history, these six have the worst records

IN THE CARDS

ON THE UPAND PUP • Following the example of the Islanders, more NHL teams are joining the ‘Puppy with a Purpose’ program

THE COUNTDOWN • Which NHL teams have seen the most playoff action since the turn of the millennium? We count them down

PUCK CULTURE • This season marks the 30th anniversary of the ’94 NHL lockout, which resulted in a 48-game campaign and had a lasting impact on the hockey-card industry

THE ALL-TIME NO-FINAL TEAM • An impressive lineup can be made from NHLers who never played a game in the Stanley Cup final

TOWER OF POWER • MANY A MODERN NHL PLAYER WOULD’VE BOLTED FOR SUNNIER PASTURES AND FRIENDLIER TAX REGIMES WHEN FREE AGENCY PRESENTED ITSELF. BUT LEON DRAISAITL WASN’T ABOUT TO ABANDON HIS MISSION IN EDMONTON. HE’S A THROWBACK TO THE LEGENDS WHO STAYED THE COURSE WITH THEIR DRAFT TEAM INSTEAD OF JUMPING SHIP TO CHASE THE STANLEY CUP. ONCE AGAIN, THE OILERS WILL EITHER SINK OR SWIM WITH DRAISAITL AND MCDAVID AT THE HELM

WHAT A LONG STRANGE TRIP IT’S BEEN • MIKKO RANTANEN DIDN’T EXPECT TO BE DEALT ONCE THIS SEASON, NEVER MIND TWICE. BUT HIS FINAL DESTINATION HAS HIM AND HIS DALLAS STARS PRIMED FOR STANLEY CUP GLORY

“DON’T SCREW THIS UP” • It’s not as easy as it looks playing with the man set to break the NHL’s all-time goal record. But as much pressure as comes with being Alex Ovechkin’s linemate, the rewards can be just as sweet

DETERMINED DREW • Injuries kept Drew Doughty on the sidelines and out of the spotlight, but a steely resolve landed him a 4 Nations title – and he’s eyeing another Cup ring as well

FLYING UNDER THE RADAR • Nikolaj Ehlers doesn’t get the ink that his star teammates do, but that’s no indication of his elite level of play or his importance to the Jets as they chase that elusive championship

BOOM BOOM BENNETT • The bigger the game, the bigger Sam Bennett plays. The Panthers’ bang-and-crasher brings the hits – and the goals – when it matters most, and he’s gunning for a second consecutive Stanley Cup on a fully loaded Florida team

STARS’ TIME TO SHINE • With a deep and talented forward group, one of the league’s best defense corps and top-notch goaltending, this is the year Dallas captures its second-ever Stanley Cup

POWER RANKINGS

WHAT’S INSIDE

CALGARY FLAMES

CAROLINA HURRICANES

COLORADO AVALANCHE

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

DALLAS STARS

DETROIT RED WINGS

EDMONTON OILERS

FLORIDA PANTHERS

LOS ANGELES KINGS

MINNESOTA WILD

MONTREAL CANADIENS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

NEW YORK RANGERS

OTTAWA SENATORS

ST. LOUIS BLUES

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

UTAH HOCKEY CLUB

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

WINNIPEG JETS

FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD • When it comes to playoff pools, your best chance at winning is to pick a team and load up

A PRINCE OF A TROPHY...