NHL Life: Edition 5

Welcome to the fifth edition of NHL Life, your look at hockey over the pond. This edition will concentrate on the NHL Draft in Dallas over the last couple of the days. As we build up to another year, we plan to talk about the trades going on in the close season for our future NHL articles but then again not - we shall see.

In the meantime, let's talk about the NHL Draft and what it means for a certain person.

The NHL Draft, the picking and the choosing of the best young players in the world to play in the best hockey league in the world. We've seen some fantastic players chosen as number one, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin for example but also we have had some duds over the years haven't we? I mean one that stands out has to be the New York Islanders pick of goaltender Rick DiPietro. Rick is famous for signing an insane 15 year contract with the Isles in 2006, and although he appeared in 328 NHL games (regular and play-off) it was a very stop and start career.

However, this year's number one pick was estimated to be highly talented Swedish defenceman Rasmus Dahlin and sure enough, the Buffalo Sabres (who had the choice) did just that. Yet here in the UK, the interest later on was what we focusing on. Sheffield Steelers winger Liam Kirk had been scouted extensively in the 2017-18 season by a number of NHL scouts at Steelers games. The intensity increased when the Rotherham born player was invited to the prestigious NHL Combine which all the top talents go to and do a number of exercises as well as to talk to prospective NHL teams who might draft them when it comes to the big day(s) ahead. Kirk impressed there, finishing in the top 25: highly rated then despite playing a 79 game season and hardly any rest.

With the results of the Combine, and with what had been said before, a lot of scouting networks were estimating that Liam would go either fourth or fifth round at least. That would be immense considering the actual draft only lasts seven rounds, 217 players chosen. Where he would go was another question. Both the afore-mentioned Sabres and the Detroit Red Wings were the big names touted but it could be anyone to be honest. Come day two of the draft, we waited.

The fourth round came and went. Fourth would have been great but most thought fifth round would be it. Both Buffalo and Detroit had their picks and it passed by, so we went onto round six with some people over here concerned that what we were all expected - was not going to. Round number six, and still nothing. Right this is getting serious now, one more round and 31 choices to make - would Liam get his name on that coveted draft board. At the third pick, the bell finally rang. Arizona Coyotes decided to draft one of the most prestigious talents in the UK since Tony Hand was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in 1986.

So what happens next for Liam? Every hockey fan with half a brain knows that Liam isn't going into the Coyotes starting line up. It's a new learning curve for the young man and he will probably be picked in the upcoming CHL draft, which is this week coming, to continue his development. Give it time, and with his ability, Liam could be knocking on the door further and then make more history. Already he's the first Englishman to be drafted in "The Show", and the sky is the limit for a kid from Maltby. He's certainly got it. We will be keenly watching Liam!

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NHL Life: Edition 4

Welcome to the fourth edition of NHL Life, your look at the "Show" across the pond.

He's done it, he's finally done it! After years of trying, Alexander Ovechkin has finally got what he has been craving for: that being his first Stanley Cup ring. The Washington Capitals are the winners of the 2018 Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1, and ending the possibility of a fairytale story.

However, Vegas made the better of the starts in the Final series by winning a goal fest of an opener 6-4. The teams traded goals like it was the Chuckle Brothers playing hockey, before Vegas' Czech forward Tomas Nosek edged them ahead midway through the third period. Nosek then sealed the deal with an empty net strike three seconds before the final buzzer to give his side the perfect start. Was the dream still on?

A closer game happened in game two, Washington levelling the series with a 3-2 win. However, they owed a massive debt of thanks to netminder Braden Holtby who produced a stellar performance in the third period of this game. With the game delicately poised at 3-2 going into that final period, Vegas dominated that but found Holtby a brick wall as he denied every single one of the 15 shots the Golden Knights aimed at him.

As is the format of the Stanley Cup, the teams now headed up to Washington for the next two games. Game three of the series and it was a nervous opener, with the teams having only just 12 shots between them in that opening period. No surprise it ended scoreless. Yet the talismanic Ovechkin broke the tie early in the middle twenty, a lead that was then doubled midway through. Nosek's third goal in the Finals series made it a one goal game but with just over 6 minutes left in this game, a Vegas mistake was seized on and Devante Smith-Pelly scored the Caps' third and seal the game.

Game four, could the Golden Knights ride back into contention or would the Capitals push them towards elimination? It certainly looked bleak for Vegas as the Caps roared into a 4-0 lead by the end of the second period but two goals without reply had the visitors back in contention. However, the Caps found another gear to score two unanswered strikes of their own to win the game 6-2 and leave them one game away from glory.

Was game five to be the conclusion? The first period was scoreless just like game three but the deadlock was broken at 26:24 by the Capitals, yet the period ended with the Golden Knights in the ascendancy: taking a 3-2 lead with one period left to play. Two goals in two and a half minutes midway through this final period however turned the game on its head and pushed the Capitals into the lead. Try as they might the Golden Knights couldn't get back on parity and after 44 seasons of trying, the Washington Capitals crowned Stanley Cup winners for the first time.

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NHL Life: Edition 3

Welcome to the third edition of NHL Life, my look at hockey across the pond.

Well in October last year we started with 31, now we are down to just two combatants for the biggest prize in world hockey. And this season will see a new name engraved on "Lord Stanley" for the first time ever. The Champions of the East; the Washington Capitals; take on the best from the West; the Vegas Golden Knights.

Will Russian superstar Alexander Ovechkin finally get his hands on the big prize after 14 seasons with the Capitals? Or will the Cinderella story for the Golden Knights be capped with the ultimate fairy tale ending? One thing is for sure, it promises to be a cracking series of games which I'll be honest: could go all the way with seven games being needed to separate the teams and find the 2018 Champions.

Let's look at the teams involved then:

Washington Capitals: After numerous failed attempts, the Caps have finally made the Stanley Cup Final for only the second time in their 42 season history. That first time in 1998 was not the best of Finals if you are a Capitals fan as they were swept 4-0 by the Detroit Red Wings. Since then, they have tried numerous times to repeat this feat but for some reason or other - always fell short. They have dispatched the Columbus Blue Jackets, current Stanley Cup holders the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning to get this far.

Key Player: Alexander Ovechkin, who else but? The Russian is clearly the jewel in the Capitals crown and can win a game on his own.

Vegas Golden Knights: The Cinderella team who have punched their ticket and made the big ball at the end of a remarkable season. Jokingly called by media and players alike as the "Golden Misfits" because as a first season expansion team, their roster comprises of players declared "unprotected" by the other 30 sides when the expansion draft was released. The Golden Knights have on their current roster, players who know how to win and also be winners of the Stanley Cup itself. They have seen off the Los Angeles Kings, San Josè Sharks and the Winnipeg Jets to make the Finals.

Key Player: Marc-André Fleury, a former NHL number 1 draft pick hoping to pick up a third Stanley Cup ring after being unwanted by the Penguins.

So who do I think will win? As I said at the start, I would not be surprised if this goes to the full length of seven. Both sides are as good on the road as they are at home. However, I'm thinking that fairy tales do come true once in a lifetime, and the Golden Knights will be the ones celebrating. Sorry Ovi, but you'll have to try again another year.

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NHL Life: Edition 2

Welcome to the second edition of NHL Life, my look at hockey over the pond.

The Conference Finals are now in full swing with two games played in each, but how are they panning out so far?

We will start with a look at the Eastern Conference first of all. In this one, the Washington Capitals have certainly come out of the proverbial blocks flying as they won the opening games in this series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A 4-2 win in game one was followed by more comprehensive 6-2 win in the second, and for Capitals fans out there these were even better when you consider that they were both on the road. Alex Ovechkin surely has the best possible chance of making his first ever Stanley Cup Final following on from this. Tampa need a massive turnaround in fortunes on the flip side of the coin if they are to make the Final.

Over to the Western Conference now. This is not as clear cut as the teams shared the honours in the first two games in Winnipeg. The Jets took the first game 4-2 but the Golden Knights took the second one last night (Monday) by a 3-1 margin. By sharing the opening spoils it becomes evenly poised as the games switch over to Vegas in the next few days. Both sides are capable of stealing on the other but I personally would not be surprised one little bit if this series went the full duration of seven games. It's certainly got the makings of a classic series. Neither side wants to give the other one an advantage that is plainly clear already.

Eastern Conference Game 3 is Wednesday, and Game 4 is Friday. Could this be when the Caps bring out the broom?

Western Conference Game 3 is Thursday, and Game 4 is Saturday. Will we see someone break the tie and edge ahead?

More updates on the Stanley Cup will follow in a few days, stay tuned...

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NHL Life: Edition 1

As stated in the introductory post, this blog is not all about my club Sheffield Steelers, this is a general hockey blog. So we bring you the first edition of a feature about "The Show"; or to those who didn't know what that is - the NHL. Welcome to NHL Life.

Well it's all hotting up over the pond with the race for the 2018 Stanley Cup well underway. We're at the final four stage at present. Let's look at each.

First up, the Western Conference. 

Well the fairytale is far from over, since Vegas Golden Knights are still on course to create history. That being the first ever team to win the Cup in their inaugural season. They dispatched two-time winners Los Angeles Kings with a clean sweep in the first stage and now are in the Western Conference final after seeing off San Josè Sharks in six games. Cody Eakin's goal with 1:51 left securing a 3-0 win on the night. They will face the Winnipeg Jets next after the Jets saw off last year's losing finalists Nashville Predators in seven pulsating games. Winnipeg had beaten the Minnesota Wild in the opening round in five games and are aiming to be the first Canadian winner of Lord Stanley since the Montreal Canadiens won the last of their 24 Cups in 1993.

Now the Eastern Conference.

2004 Stanley Cup winners Tampa Bay Lightning were the first qualified team after seeing off the Boston Bruins in five games. They had done the same to the New Jersey Devils (my team) in the opening round, so are looking good to land the big prize in addition to the President's Trophy which they accured in the 82-game regular season. Their opponents in the Eastern Conference final are the Washington Capitals. Alex Ovechkin and team denied current two-time champions Pittsburgh Penguins a shot at a historic three-peat thanks to Evgeni Kuznetsov's overtime winner in game six; having beaten the Columbus Blue Jackets in six games as well. Could this actually be the season that Ovechkin gets his first ever Stanley Cup ring? I'm sure Tampa will have a huge say in it.

That's all for now, NHL Life will be back for a review of the opening games in the respective Finals in the next few days once they are up and running.

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