NHL : Top 10 Goals of the Year

NHL Draft 2015: A Look at Toronto Maple Leafs' Pick

source : bleacherreport.com

The NHL Draft Lottery is complete for this year, and the Toronto Maple Leafs will select at the No. 4 spot, as per NHL.com.

Obviously the Leafs would have loved to have won the lottery and had the No. 1 pick. But at least it was the Edmonton Oilers that won the lottery, a team that was already slotted to pick before the Leafs. Because the Oilers were ahead of the Leafs heading into the lottery, the Leafs did not get bumped down to the No. 5 spot.

While Connor McDavid will be an Edmonton Oiler and Jack Eichel seems destined to join the Buffalo Sabres, the draft order becomes much less clear after that.
Let's take a look at the most likely picks for the Toronto Maple Leafs who should get an excellent player at No. 4.

4. Mitch Marner, Centre, London Knights

Mitch Marner is not a large young man, but his game screams big-time talent. If Marner were two inches taller and weighed another 25 pounds, he would be in the conversation as a top-three pick.

Marner has great vision and explosive speed. He's capable of making great plays at break-neck speed. At 5'11" and 160 pounds, he may have to begin his career on the wing, but he has all the tools to be a No. 1 centre at the NHL level.
Marner earned 126 points in 63 games this season. He finished second in OHL scoring in 2014-15. He has to get stronger, but he has elite puck skills. Players that can put up big numbers at the NHL level are not easy to find.
Expect Marner to get a long look from the Leafs in the coming months.

3. Ivan Provorov, Defenceman, Brandon Wheat Kings

Some Leafs fans might not be interested in adding a defenceman, but Ivan Provorov could change their minds. 

Provorov could end up being the best defenceman out of this draft class. He is a great passer, a wonderful skater and an underrated competitor. Provorov makes the game look easy on most nights.
He's not huge at 6'1" and 200 pounds, but with his skill level, that should be absolutely no issue at the pro level.
Provorov has the toolkit to be a top-pairing defender. He would not be in Toronto in 2015-16, but with the Leafs focused on rebuilding, there's absolutely no need to rush him at all.

2. Noah Hanifin, Defenceman, Boston College

Noah Hanifin played most of his freshman year at Boston College as a 17-year-old. That alone is impressive, but earning 23 points in 37 games is eye-popping. He is 6'3" and over 200 pounds. He will get bigger.

Hanifin has a complete game. He's got good offensive instincts, but is an above-average defender in his own end. He's very agile and has great composure with the puck.

He has improved by leaps and bounds this year. That's a great sign for a young defender.
He isn't likely to make the jump to the NHL next season, but he is a lock to become an impact NHL defender.

1. Dylan Strome, Centre, Erie Otters

 

Dylan Strome has been playing in the shadow of Connor McDavid, but don't be fooled into thinking that Strome isn't a superb hockey player.

Strome is 6'3" and nearly 200 pounds. The Leafs must continue to add centres, and Strome would be a great pick for the organization. Strome finished with 129 points in the OHL, which earned him the scoring title.

He's got exceptional on-ice vision and anticipates the play extremely well. He also has great reach and can create something out of very little. He's creative and is one of those players that improves his linemates' play.

Strome is a sure bet to be a No. 1 centre at the NHL level. If he's available at No. 4 at the upcoming draft, the Leafs would be well served to select this talented pivot.

 

LNH: Québec en mode séries

source : journaldequebec.com

Québec vibrera au rythme des séries dès mercredi soir, n’en déplaise aux inconditionnels des Nordiques. Les fans sont attendus par centaines dans les restaurants et bars sportifs pour le premier match de la série Canadien–Sénateurs, au grand plaisir des restaurateurs, qui s’attendent à faire des affaires d’or, dans une ambiance des plus électrisantes.

«Chaque soir du Canadien en séries, c’est vraiment comme un Superbowl, on met le paquet», affirme Philippe Laroche, rencontré à son restaurant La Cage aux Sports de Lebourgneuf.

«L’an passé, on a été plein les 17 matchs des séries du Canadien. Pour nous, c’est 17 Superbowl», expose-t-il, mentionnant que du personnel supplémentaire a d’ailleurs été embauché à l’approche des séries.

Ainsi, pour la mise au jeu mercredi soir, le restaurant sera bondé, la bière coulera à flots, mais surtout, l’ambiance promet d’être de la partie, là comme ailleurs.

«Le frigidaire à bières est plein, on est prêts, assure Jonathan Delarosbil, l’un des propriétaires des Boston Pizza de Lebourgneuf, L’Ancienne-Lorette et Saint-Nicolas. Ça va être la folie!», lance-t-il, visiblement excité à l’aube des séries éliminatoires.

Au Blaxton, «ce sera la frénésie totale», indique pour sa part le gérant, Philippe Duplain, qui précisait avoir déjà plus de 100 réservations, 24 heures avant le match.

Des partisans des Sénateurs ont par ailleurs déjà réservé à La Cage aux Sports Lebourgneuf, une rivalité qui plaît à Philippe Laroche. Mais un peu partout, il y aura surtout des détracteurs du Canadien qui se mêleront aux fans du CH. «Les jeunes aiment les Canadiens, mais ceux qui ont plus de 40 ans sont majoritairement des anti-Canadien, estime le propriétaire du Bar Chez Stanley, Pierre Cuerrier. C’est l’orgueil des vieux fans des Nordiques, c’est plus fort qu’eux autres», exprime-t-il.
Tout comme les amateurs, plus le CH ira loin en séries, plus les restaurateurs seront heureux. Ainsi, on n’espère rien de moins que la Coupe Stanley. «Et en 7 parties en plus!», s’exclame M. Delarosbil.

2015 NHL draft lottery: Here are every team's odds at landing Connor McDavid

Connor McDavid will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft. But which team will win the honor of selecting him? Here are the odds.

source : broadstreethockey.com

The NHL draft lottery was bad to us back in 2007.

The Flyers were by far the worst team in the NHL that year -- the only time in their history they finished as the worst team in hockey, which through nearly 50 seasons is pretty impressive -- and yet, when the ping pong balls fell, the top pick was awarded to the Chicago Blackhawks instead of the Flyers.

Philadelphia missed out on consensus top choice Patrick Kane and instead drafted James van Riemsdyk with the No. 2 overall pick. As it turned out, Philly was not a patient enough place for the 

Central Jersey native JvR, and he was traded in 2011 after "disappointing" in his time here. Meanwhile .... well, we all know what Patrick Kane has done in Chicago since his draft year, including one particular goal that we shall not speak of.

Anyway, the point is that the draft lottery sucks -- and this year, it could suck a whole lot more. There are two prized prospects in this year's draft, Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid and Boston University stud Jack Eichel, so the NHL-worst Buffalo Sabres are guaranteed at least one of those two players. But the second-worst Arizona Coyotes could get bumped back to third in the draft order after the lottery, leaving them without one of those two big-name stars.

That's not to say any of the potential No. 3 picks in this draft are bad. There's Boston College defenseman Noah Hanifin or McDavid's Erie teammate Dylan Strome, and surely they would be good picks too. But neither has the name recognition or flat-out game-changing potential that Eichel and McDavid do, so the Coyotes are certainly hoping that the Sabres win the lottery and that the draft order doesn't change.

How does the draft lottery work?

It's pretty simple. One team will win the lottery. That team will select first overall in the draft, and every other team will subsequently select in order of finish. If Buffalo wins the lottery, nothing changes. If Buffalo loses the lottery, they will select No. 2 overall behind the team that wins the lottery, then Arizona will select No. 3 overall, and then we'll go down the list.

The Philadelphia Flyers finished with the seventh-worst record in the NHL this season. That means they will select either No. 1 overall (if they win the lottery), No. 7 overall (if a team worse than them wins the lottery) or No. 8 overall (if a team better than them wins the lottery).

The odds of winning are slightly different this year versus in previous years, as you'll see in the chart below.

Non-Playoff Team (Rank)	2015 Draft Lottery (Old Odds)	Odds of Staying Put	Odds of Falling
Buffalo (1)	20% (25%)	20.0%	80.0%
Arizona (2)	13.5% (18.8%)	20.0%	66.5%
Edmonton (3)	11.5% (14.2%)	33.5%	55.0%
Toronto (4)	9.5% (10.7%)	45.0%	45.5%
Carolina (5)	8.5% (8.1%)	54.5%	37.0%
New Jersey (6)	7.5% (6.2%)	63.0%	29.5%
Philadelphia (7)	6.5% (4.7%)	70.5%	23.0%
Columbus (8)	6.0% (3.6%)	77.0%	17.0%
San Jose(9)	5.0% (2.7%)	83.0%	12%
Colorado (10)	3.5% (2.1%)	88.0%	8.5%
Florida (11)	3.0% (1.5%)	91.5%	5.5%
Dallas (12)	2.5% (1.1%)	94.5%	3.0%
Los Angeles (13)	2.0% (0.8%)	97.0%	1.0%
Boston (14)	1.0% (0.5%)	99.0%	-

So ... the Flyers have a 6.5 percent chance of landing Connor McDavid. Not likely. But hey, you never know.

The NHL draft lottery will reportedly be held next Saturday, April 18 before that evening's NHL playoff action.

NHL playoff race: 6 things to know

source : cbc.ca


It's the final day of the NHL's 82-game regular season and there's still plenty to be decided as far as playoff berths and positioning.

Ottawa clinched a post-season spot with an afternoon victory over Philadelphia, Winnipeg routed Calgary to ensure the Flames will open the playoffs on the road against Vancouver, while Montreal looks to secure a division title tonight.

Here's what you need to know:

Sens gain playoff berth

The Ottawa Senators secured their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2013 with a 3-1 win in Philadelphia in the afternoon. Now, only one of Boston or Pittsburgh, which play in separate games this evening, will advance to the post-season. The Penguins visit last-place Buffalo and the Bruins are in Tampa Bay. Ottawa could still finish third in the Atlantic Division should the Detroit Red Wings lose in regulation in Carolina.

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Rookie Senators goalie "Hamburglar" Andrew Hammond made 34 saves for his 20th win since the team recalled him from its AHL in mid-February. He finished the regular season 10-0-2 with three shutouts on the road, while Ottawa capped a 22-4-4 run to end the season. The Senators won two of three games in the season series.

Jets rout Flames

Winnipeg finished strong in front of an appreciative home crowd by pounding Calgary 5-1. The Jets own the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference and will face either St. Louis or Anaheim in the first round, pending the Ducks' result at Arizona tonight. A win of any kind would give them the top seed in the West.

Calgary's loss means it will open the first round on the road against Vancouver.

Other playoff scenarios

• Pittsburgh would make the playoff for a ninth straight season with a victory in Buffalo. But the Penguins, who hold the second wild-card spot by a point over Boston, are 3-9-2 since March 12 and winless in five games in April. Defenceman Christian Ehrhoff, who missed Friday's 3-1 loss to the visiting New York Islanders with a suspected concussion, is doubtful Saturday.
• Montreal can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win or post-regulation loss at Toronto. A Canadiens loss could see Tampa Bay take the division should it prevail over visiting Boston.
• Washington and the New York Islanders will meet in the first round. The Isles can take home-ice advantage if they beat Columbus at home tonight.
• Chicago locked up third spot in the Central Division after Minnesota lost to St. Louis. The Blackhawks will open on the road against Nashville.

Scoring races

It's only fitting that a NHL scoring race that has been tightly contested for weeks be decided on the final day of season. Ditto the race for the rookie scoring champion. John Tavares and Sidney Crosby, who each grabbed a point in Friday's head-to-head matchup, enter play Saturday with 84 points apiece, followed by Dallas' Jamie Benn (83). Crosby has had the most success in the group this season against his Saturday opponent, racking up eight points in two games against Buffalo. Tavares has three goals and six points in three games versus Columbus.

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Habs eye sweep of Leafs

Montreal will try to maintain its two-point lead over Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division when it visits longtime rivals Toronto. The Canadiens, who have won all three games in the season series, will also attempt to sweep the Maple Leafs for the first time since 1995-96, when they went 2-0-0. Carey Price will start in goal for Montreal. He has stopped 82 of 86 shots he has faced versus Toronto this season with a 1.30 GAA and .953 save percentage. Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty will miss a second straight contest with a suspected concussion. Tough guy Colton Orr has been summoned from the AHL to play his final game as a Leaf.

Miller time in Vancouver

Canucks goalie Ryan Miller, who hasn't played since suffering a knee injury on Feb. 22, will get the call against the visiting Edmonton Oilers. Miller sports a 28-15-1 record, 2.47 GAA and .913 save percentage in his first season with Vancouver.
The game became meaningless for Vancouver when Calgary lost to Winnipeg in the afternoon, ensuring the Canucks will have home-ice advantage in their first-round playoff matchup against the Flames.
Vancouver is 4-0-0 against Edmonton this season but they haven't faced each other since Nov. 19.

Si les séries commençaient aujourd'hui...

source : 985sports.ca

Évidemment il reste encore des matchs à jouer et le portrait des affrontements au premier tour des séries éliminatoires dans la LNH pourrait changer d'allure d'ici le dernier jour du calendrier régulier, le 11 avril.

Il est toutefois intéressant de jeter un coup d’œil sur ce que seraient les quarts de finale de Conférence si les éliminatoires débutaient aujourd’hui.

Dans l’Est le Canadien, encore premier de la division Atlantique, ferait face aux Penguins de Pittsburgh, première équipe repêchée. Le Tricolore a fait face à la bande de Sid the Kid à trois reprises cette saison, subissant deux défaites de 4-0 et 2-1 (P) à domicile. Montréal l’a toutefois emporté 4-1 à Pittsburgh.

Les trois autres série de la Conférence de l’Est mettraient aux prises, les Rangers de New York, premier la Conférence et premier de la division Metrpolitaine, et les Bruins de Boston, deuxième équipe repêchée.

Les deuxièmes et troisième des divisions seraient les adversaires des deux autres séries. Ainsi dans l’Atlantique, le Ligthning de Tampa Bay jouerait contre les Red Wings de Detroit tandis que dans la Métropolitaine ce serait les Capitals de Washington et les Islanders de New York.

Dans la Conférence de l’Ouest, les Ducks d’Anaheim, premier de la Conférence et de la division Pacifique auraient pour adversaires leurs voisins, les Kings de Los Angeles, deuxième équipe repêchée. Le Predators de Nashville, premier de la Centrale verraient débarquer chez eux le Wild du Minnesota, première équipe repêchée dans l’Ouest.

Comme dans les l’Est les deux autres séries mettraient en scène le deuxième et le troisième des divisions : pour la Centrale, les Blues de St-Louis et les Blackhawks de Chicago et dans la Pacifique, une série canadienne entre les Canucks de Vancouver et les Flames de Calgary.