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Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
‘A big play in a big moment': McDavid's magic leads Oilers to another Cup final
DALLAS - The Edmonton Oilers were teetering on their heels. The Dallas Stars' push felt relentless. The crowd inside a raucous American Airlines Center could sense their team was on the cusp of climbing out of a deep hole. Like he has so many times, Connor McDavid stepped up in a big moment Thursday — and pushed his group to another Stanley Cup final. Edmonton's superstar captain took advantage of a fortunate bounce before moving in alone and dekeing Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith to the ice on an electric forehand move with Dallas centre Roope Hintz all over him for a 4-2 lead. 'My hockey brain goes to, 'That's probably one of the nicest goals I've seen him score,'' said Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl, who has grown up in the NHL alongside McDavid. 'Just the whole situation, how it played out, who he had coming up behind him. That's a big-time play. There's only one player in the world that can do that in that moment. 'We're very fortunate to have him on our side.' McDavid's goal with 5:32 left in the middle period killed the home side's momentum in what would wind up being a 6-3 final to clinch the Oilers' second consecutive Western Conference crown and set up a rematch with the Florida Panthers in the title series. 'Incredible,' said Edmonton defenceman Darnell Nurse, whose team built an early 3-0 advantage before Dallas eventually cut its deficit to one. 'The big moments, he always steps up and makes such a difference for our team. We're so fortunate to have him. That was a goal and an example of a big player making a big play in a big moment.' 'He's not missing that,' Stars head coach Pete DeBoer lamented. 'It's game over.' McDavid, who grabbed hold of the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after not touching the trophy last year when the Oilers also beat the Stars to claim the West, added an assist to become the second-fastest player in league history to reach 100 in the post-season behind only Wayne Gretzky. The 28-year-old also joined The Great One as the second player to register at least three separate playoffs with 20 assists. All the talk, however, was about the goal. 'That's a Connor McDavid kind of play,' said veteran winger Corey Perry, who will play in his sixth final. 'That's just the player he is.' McDavid and his Oilers were left heartbroken last June after coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the final against the Panthers with a trio of victories — largely thanks to No. 97's record-breaking performance — only to come up just short in Game 7. The Richmond Hill, Ont., product then helped Canada to a victory at the Four Nations Face-Off in February with an overtime goal against the United States before leading the Oilers, who were down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round this spring, on another memorable run. 'Last couple of years has been some of the most fun I've had playing hockey,' said the No. 1 pick at the 2015 draft. 'It's going to be an exciting month.' McDavid, whose Oilers will host Game 1 against Florida in the Alberta capital on Wednesday, was asked about his ability to be the player his teammates look to at crunch time. 'We've prepared to be in this position for a long time,' he said. 'These are more normal positions for us now. The moment doesn't feel big, it doesn't feel anything other than hockey, and that allows you to make your play.' Head coach Kris Knoblauch has seen McDavid's magic since he was a teenager when the pair were together with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters more than a decade ago. 'Alleviates a lot of that pressure,' Knoblauch said of Thursday's breakaway brilliance. 'I've seen Connor do it numerous times.' Edmonton will now pivot to Florida, which rolled through the Carolina Hurricanes in five games to take the East title. 'I think we're better,' McDavid said of this Oilers iteration compared to 12 months ago. 'We're better for it going through last year. It was a great learning experience, and it's really driven us all year. 'This run has felt different.' They will be hoping for a different result. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
List of best U.S. cities for hockey doesn't have any from Minnesota in the top 10
Add up the players on the U.S. national team at the Four Nations Face-Off (silver), World Junior Championship (gold), Men's World Championship (gold), and Women's World Championships (gold), and Minnesota has far more players on those rosters than any other state. The Minnesota Frost won their second straight Walter Cup championship this week. The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament speaks for itself. So, when WalletHub released its "Best Cities for Hockey" list on Wednesday, the State of Hockey was obviously well represented. Right? Well... gird yourself, because that's not what happened. St. Paul finished best at 13th. Other Minnesota cities include Bemidji at 42nd, Minneapolis at 48th, St. Cloud at 56th, Duluth at 58th, and Mankato at 64th. No mention, either, of Eveleth, home of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. It's a bitter pill to swallow, seeing a top 10 devoid of Minnesota representation. Here's what that top 10 looks like. Boston Detroit Pittsburgh New York City Newark Denver Sunrise Tampa Buffalo St. Louis Before anyone lights their phone on fire in an attempt to erase this list from history, a little explanation is necessary. WalletHub created the list by comparing 76 cities in two parent categories: NHL hockey and NCAA DI hockey. Inside each category, 21 metrics were considered. Additionally, the NHL category was weighted more heavily than the college hockey is, in many ways, set up for Minnesota to fail. The number of NHL teams is considered (advantage to New York) as is the performance of those teams, Stanley Cup wins, and division championship wins, among other metrics. These are metrics where, to be kind, the Minnesota Wild do not come out on top. Things would look a lot better if women's pro hockey was considered, given the success of the Frost and the Whitecaps before them. College hockey makes a positive impact for Minnesota cities, but it only accounts for 20% of the score and only includes men's hockey. The absence of women's hockey hurts Minnesota (and is generally absurd) since there are so many good teams in the state, including a handful of championships for the Gophers and the Bulldogs. High school hockey and youth hockey participation aren't factored in at all. USA Hockey's most recent data shows Minnesota hockey as having far more youth hockey participation than any other state, with Massachusetts, Michigan, and New York showing well too. Though, it's worth noting that those rankings aren't per capita but raw numbers, and Minnesota's population of 5.7 million is quite a bit lower than those other states. Additionally, that's a statewide metric and not boiled down to individual cities. In other words, it's not a great study. C'est la vie. Given the methodology, it's hard to argue with the success of the teams like the Panthers, Lightning, Avalanche, Penguins, and all the other teams that have managed to do well enough that they don't wind up as a punchline in an NFL schedule announcement video.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Sabre Files - Reinhart Injured In Panthers Win Over Canes
The Florida Panthers appear to be an unstoppable juggernaut, as the reigning Stanley Cup Champions have won their last three playoff games by a combined score of 16-3. The Panthers destroyed the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the second round 6-1 on Sunday, and in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final, they have jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Carolina with a 5-2 win on Tuesday and a 5-0 shutout in Game 2 on Thursday. Florida's momentum may be slowed by the growing number of injuries to key players. Matthew Tkachuk has been hampered by what is suspected to be a groin injury suffered at the Four Nations Face-Off in February, center Anton Lundell is battling an unspecified injury, and on Thursday the Panthers lost forward Sam Reinhart to a knee injury. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change Reinhart collided with Carolina's Sebastian Aho late in the first period, which appeared to be knee-on-knee contact. The former Sabre led the Panthers with 39 goals this season and has 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 14 playoff games. Florida head coach Paul Maurice said that the 2014 second-overall pick will be looked at by the Panthers' medical team on Friday, but his status for Game 3 on Saturday is in doubt. How other Sabres did in the playoffs on Thursday: Florida - 5, Carolina - 0 William Carrier(CAR) 15:03 TOI, 3 Hits Eric Robinson(CAR) 10:46 TOI, 1 SOG, 4 Hits Taylor Hall(CAR) -1, 15:27 TOI, 1 SOG, 1 Hit Mark Jankowski(CAR) 12:14 TOI, 1 SOG, 2 Hits Sam Reinhart(FLA) 5:37 TOI, 1 Hit Evan Rodrigues(FLA) 2A, 16:38 TOI, 2 SOG Dmitri Kulikov(FLA) 17:27 TOI, 1 SOG, 4 Hits Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 Winter Olympics – Men's Ice Hockey Betting Odds & Team Outlooks
Betting Odds unveiled for Men's Ice Hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy As the IIHF World Championships work their way into the final rounds, we look ahead to the next international tournament with the 2026 Winter Olympics. Officially known as the Milano Cortina 2026, the Olympic games will be hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22 with NHL players returning to Olympic ice for the first time since the Four Nations Face-Off this past February. The men's hockey tournament promises to be one of the premier events of the Games. Official Venues: PalaItalia and Fiera Milano Pavilion, Milan. More NHL: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Revealed 1. Canada (+150) 2. USA (+200) 3. Sweden (+550) 4. Finland (+750) 5. Czechia (+1400) 6. Switzerland (+5000) 7. Slovakia (+5000) 8. Germany (+5000) 9. Latvia (+14000) 10. Denmark (+14000) 11. Italy (+25000) 12. France (+25000) More NHL: Conference Finals Betting Round-Up: Unlikely Heroes Emerging as Value Plays After Game 1 Canada enters the tournament as the favorite thanks to its world-class talent pool. Led by superstars such as Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar, the Canadians boast a near-unmatched combination of speed, skill, and experience. While goaltending has been an area of concern in the past, Jordan Binnington showed at Four Nations that he can be a gamer and a reliable netminder when his nation needs him. Anything less than gold would be seen as a disappointment for this hockey powerhouse. The United States is poised to challenge Canada's dominance with one of its deepest Olympic rosters in history. Auston Matthews headlines a forward group supported by Jack Eichel, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. On defense, Adam Fox and Quinn Hughes add elite puck-moving skills. With Connor Hellebuyck likely starting in net, the U.S. has a real chance to capture its first Olympic gold in the sport since 1980. Sweden always brings a balanced, technically skilled team, and 2026 is no different. Veterans like Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson will anchor the defense, while William Nylander, Elias Pettersson, and Mika Zibanejad provide offensive firepower. If they can get consistent goaltending from Linus Ullmark or Filip Gustavsson, Sweden has the tools to make a deep run. Finland's reputation for structured, defensive hockey and team-first mentality makes them a perennial dark horse. Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, and Mikko Rantanen headline a solid group of forwards. On defense, Miro Heiskanen leads the charge. With their gold-medal win at the 2022 Olympics still fresh, the Finns can never be overlooked. Czechia brings a dangerous blend of scoring talent and grit. David Pastrnak is a game-breaking winger, supported by Tomas Hertl, David Krejci, and Martin Nečas. However, their chances will hinge on their defensive structure and whether Petr Mrázek or Karel Vejmelka can deliver elite goaltending. They're not favorites, but they have the potential to surprise. Switzerland has quietly developed into a competitive international team. Roman Josi is a top-tier defenseman, while forwards like Kevin Fiala and Nico Hischier can score in bunches. The challenge will be depth and consistency, especially against the elite teams, but they're capable of a quarterfinal upset. More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender Slovakia is relying heavily on its new wave of young talent. Juraj Slafkovsky, the top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, will be a focal point, while veterans like Tomas Tatar bring experience. Goaltending and defensive depth are areas of concern, but the Slovaks are physical and determined competitors. Germany continues to rise in international hockey, following a silver medal finish in 2018. Leon Draisaitl is one of the world's best players, and Tim Stützle adds offensive flair. If they get strong play from goaltender Philipp Grubauer, Germany could repeat or even exceed its recent Olympic success. Latvia shocked the hockey world with a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. Though lacking NHL star power, players like Rudolfs Balcers and goaltender Elvis Merzļikins give the team credibility. They're physical, disciplined, and never an easy out. Denmark's rise in international hockey has been impressive. Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand lead their offense, while goaltender Frederik Andersen could steal a game or two. Still, limited depth may keep them from progressing beyond the group stage. As co-hosts, Italy will be motivated to put on a respectable showing. While the talent gap is considerable, home-ice energy and experience from dual-national players like Alex Petan or Diego Kostner might make for a competitive game or two. France rounds out the field as an underdog. Pierre-Édouard Bellemare and Alexandre Texier provide NHL pedigree, but overall depth and defensive consistency are lacking. Gaining Olympic experience will be the main goal for this growing hockey nation. More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dubas Puts the Lumber to Erik Karlsson; ‘Actions Must Match Ambitions'
CRANBERRY — It would seem the Pittsburgh Penguins and Erik Karlsson are stuck with each other, but there may be some lingering frustrations. The moment Friday was as close to honest as a general manager could be without levying heavy criticism after another failed season that ended in the Penguins' third-straight playoff miss. Advertisement Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas buried a few nuggets in his more than 30-minute press conference Monday, but the moment that leaped from the page was his plain-spoken criticism of defenseman Erik Karlsson and a slight bristle at Karlsson's expression of frustration. Dubas said that as part of the exit meetings on Friday, he and Karlsson had a lengthy meeting. Dubas seemed a little put off by Karlsson's comments and disappointment. Dubas put the responsibility back on Karlsson. 'Erik, I think, is and will forever be a polarizing figure. While I don't know his exact comments, my view would be that we expect him to be one of the people who pulls us from where we're at and into contention,' Dubas said. 'I had a long meeting with Erik on Friday. My push to him would be that his actions have to match his ambitions. That's in consistency, preparation, and training, like every other player on the team.' Advertisement In other words, if you're angry or frustrated by the results, you bear more responsibility than most players. Karlsson missed all of training camp, and the defenseman admitted the early part of the season was a struggle for him. He didn't feel his best and struggled. Read More: Frustrated Karlsson Speaks of Uncertain Penguins Future; 'Whatever Happens…' Overall, his offensive production looks solid. He had 53 points, including 11 goals in 82 games, but that's well down from his 100-point season that earned him a Norris Trophy and a trade to the Penguins two summers ago. His minus-24 rating is deep red ink, too. Advertisement Karlsson was visibly frustrated when he spoke to the media on clean-out day last Friday. He didn't publicly ask for a trade as he did in San Jose, but he also didn't close the door to the possibility, either. At the risk of stating the obvious, Dubas noted multiple times that the Penguins' defense must improve, and even saddled the blue line with some of the goaltending struggles, too. However, he reserved specifics for Karlsson, who has two years remaining on a contract that carries a $10 million salary cap hit to the Penguins (San Jose is picking up about $1.5 million of the $11.5 million total). The Penguins and Dubas, who made Karlsson the centerpiece of his attempted team revamp during his first summer on the job, need more. Much more. Dubas, especially, seemed to bear the disappointment of not getting Karlsson's best consistently. Advertisement 'He's shown throughout the year that he has another level to him. (He did so) at times playing for us, certainly playing for Sweden at the Four Nations Face-Off, he was a player that you would watch and say, 'this guy can help any team not only contend, but probably win.' But it's emblematic of the rest of the group as well,' said Dubas, pulling back the reins of criticism.'There were moments of great play with too many inconsistencies, and we have to push him to get there. And that's the expectation that's dictated by his talent level and the impact he can make.' Karlsson was magnificent for Team Sweden at the Four Nations Face-Off in February and was one of the stars of the tournament. Yet his elevated play was seen only sporadically while wearing a Penguins sweater. Read More: Insider Nuggets: Why Karlsson Lit Up Team Sweden (+) That juxtaposition of Team Sweden's version of Karlsson vs. the Penguins' version clearly struck a negative chord with the GM. Advertisement 'It's a joint venture. So, yes, part of it is on the team, part is on Erik,' Dubas concluded. 'We have to find our way through.' From the comments, one could also extrapolate greatly diminished trade possibilities, as Dubas clearly spoke of a future together and finding a way to get more out of Karlsson, rather than any future uncertainty. Perhaps it won't be Karlsson's choice if he remains with the Penguins. Perhaps the circumstances will dictate, which could be just the beginning of the next Penguins drama. The post Dubas Puts the Lumber to Erik Karlsson; 'Actions Must Match Ambitions' appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.
