The Fifth Liners

Today has seen the nominations for the James Norris Memorial Trophy been announced and soon the league will vote for the leagues best defenseman. The players nominated are as follows: Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins) Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks)   Shea Weber (Nashville Predators)  Upon first glance it would probably seem most likely that in the fast the Bruins run away success during the regular season and their current form during the play-ofs, that Mount Chara will rack up  another James Norris win after his previous success in 2009- but although he has been a rock at the centre of the Bruins defense. But it seems like a too safer bet and personally I would like to see Shea Weber rewarded for his continually excellent form, here is a list of reasons why: Reasons Why Weber Should Win  Has been one of the few positives for the Nashville Predators over the last few years Leads the league in goals for defenseman with 23 goals and was Preds top scorer with ...

So far the Columbus Blue Jacket s v Pittsburgh Penguins playoff series to proving to be a titantic back and forth affair where to everyone's utter shock, the series stands at 2-2 with over 28 goals scored and all four games have been fighting 4-3 wins for each side. Firstly, it is great to see a struggling side like Columbus make it this far, particularly after my experts dismissed their chances after their strongest link Rick Nash departed for the New York Rangers in 2012. They are not a flashy side and haven't play the most thrilling hockey in the NHL this season, but flair isn't always the key ingredient to a good side- so just what makes this time so effective? The Jackets only just snuck into the playoffs via the Wild Card slot for 7th overall in the East, but after their hard slog, they certainly earned their place. Ryan Johansen has stepped up this season for the Jackets and has bagged an incredible 33 goals in regular season alone which astoundingly has seen h...

This weeks question deals with a long standing hockey playoff tradition that slowly beginning to become a burden on teams- the multiple overtime periods. "Is the overtime system used in the playoffs flawed? Playing repeated 20 minute periods until someone finds twine is tough on the skaters, not to mention the fans and TV schedulers. Should the NHL adopt the same system used during the regular season? Or is it time for something completely different?" Last night during the St Louis Blues 4-3 win over the reigning champions the Chicago Blackhawks - Alexander Steen scored the winner 26 seconds into a third overtime period! Incredible result for this fixture, but there's no denying that fans were kept waiting for too long for a winner this tie, regardless of this being playoff time. I've never fully understood the need for continuing periods, because this can affect a team in the long run because your skaters are overworked and more likely make errors or even ...

What time is it? Midnight. Whatever, no sleep until June! It's the playoffs. The Montreal Canadiens made the trip to sunny Tampa Bay to take on the Lighting in the opening game of the 13/14 playoffs. This is what happened: First Period Some playoff games are careful, guarded affairs. Some are out-and-out battles, this was definitely the latter. The Lightning took home-ice advantage by finishing the regular season one point better than the Habs. Former Red Wing Valtteri Filppula won the opening faceoff for the Bolts against Tomas Plekanec and the first period was played with the energy Lord Stanley's Cup commands. The opening 10 minutes gave plenty of shots and plenty of hits from both teams, pure end to end stuff. Both teams threatened to find net but Tampa were the first team to score. With just less than 10 minutes left on the clock in the first, Nikita Kucherov scored the first goal of the playoffs. J.T. Brown provided the assist. Montreal were not to be ...

Last night, Florida Panthers fans were given rare positive news when it was announce that they won the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft after their name was picked from the Draft Lottery. After another  poor season last year, the Panthers management should already been looking towards the next superstar of the franchise- and this draft year there is a lot of quality on show such as Canadian centre Sam Bennett, defenseman Aaron Ekblad or Sam Reinhart. Plus lets not forget top European prospect Kasperi Kapanen. But does one play change an entire franchises luck? In the case of the Colorado Avalanche the answer to that question is indeed yes as last years number one pick Nathan Mackinnon has proven to be an excellent choice and is one of the favourites for the Calder Trophy this year after an excellent rookie season. However, there is a flipside to that coin, and some teams have failed to raise their game even after more than one first overall picks- yes I am referri...

It's that time of year.  Last week, a loss in overtime meant that you only took one point. This week it's a game lost that could see your team one step closer to elimination from the playoffs. 14 teams didn't even make it this far. Nobody expected in October that the Toronto Maple Leafs wouldn't be making a post-season appearance. Likewise nobody would have expected injury-ravaged Detroit to get as far as they have. Holding into a wildcard place while dressing half their AHL affiliate to replace experienced superstars. Some teams have cruised to the playoffs, as expected while other teams have surprised us all. Who would have thought that the Colorado Avalanche would have made it so easily? The Flyers had a dreadful start, but captain Claude Giroux turned the ship around. Now comes the NHL.com Bracket Challenge. A time for myself and Alex to go head to head. His insane hockey knowledge against my knack for predictions (dumb luck). Last season I predicted ...

Eastern Conference  Detroit Red Wings  v Boston Bruins   This is one of the more difficult series to predict because both teams are of equal quality. The Red Wings hold a 3-1 regular season record against the Bruins, but it has been Boston who tops the Eastern conference and they have been showing this season just why they are contenders. I predict this one to be a tight one, but based on form alone, I have to give this one to the Bruins, sorry Mike! Prediction: Boston Bruins Tampa Bay Lightning v Montreal Canadiens Tampa Bay have been the one of this years real surprise packages, finishing 4th in the Eastern conference despite star Steven Stamkos being injured for a long period and currently holds a 3-1 record against Montreal. But the Canadiens are not a team that should be ruled out (unless Subban goes to the box) and I still think they could spring a surprise here. But overall, I think Tampa has just enough quality to see this one through. Prediction: Tam...

Despite last night's comfortable win over the Carolina Hurricanes , the Washington Capital's remaining games are purely for pride. This week's question talks about the Caps' failure to qualify for the playoffs: " Alex Ovechkin has just notched up his 50th goal for the Washington Capitals this season- but they still seemed destined to miss the playoffs this year! Does this team have any other qualities apart from Ovi? Or are they just a one man band?" The Washington Capitals' 2013/14 campaign is headed for an early bath. Although they beat the St. Louis Blues 4-1 on Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets ' win over Dallas and the Detroit Red Wings ' overtime point in Pittsburgh hammered the nail in Washington's coffin. Columbus and Detroit advance to the playoffs, Washington to the golf course. So the post-mortem into the Caps' season begins and 13/14 was a season of absolute polar opposites. Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin has reason...

The axe has finally fallen in British Columbia and Vancouver Canucks fans cannot argue with the head that has gone on the block! After last nights 3-0 defeat to Anaheim, our playoffs have officially ended- it also saw GM Mike Gillis relieved of his duties by owner Francesco Acquilani after an awful season at the helm! In state issued, the Canucks owner said, "The Vancouver Canucks had success under Mike's leadership, and we nearly reached our ultimate goal; but I believe we have reached a point where a change in leadership and new voice is needed." Firstly, I have to say this one has been coming for sometime because Gillis has not been popular with Vancouver fans for the last couple of seasons and has quite honestly, made some horrendous choices as GM player wise. As Mike's previous post in September denoted, his handling of player trades has brought some questionable decisions (Yes I do mean trading Cory Schneider for Bo Horvat) and his sacking of Alain V...

Yesterday in a press conference, Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis was asked regarding the future of head coach John Tortorella. In typical fashion, Gillis was elusive on giving a direct answer as whether JT would remain next season saying "I'm not sure I'll be back next season!" Although we are still unclear as to whether Tortorella's so far unsuccessful reign in British Columbia will be winding up soon- it does pose an interesting question, does JT deserve a second season at the Rogers Arena? Rather than shooting my mouth and calling for his head (which has become my trademark this year!) I thought I would prepare a constructive for/against argument to see if he deserves his place. Reasons For Tortorella Staying  Proven winner in Hockey with a Stanley Cup win in 2004 with Tampa Bay He finally solved Luongo-gate by trading him to the Florida Panthers, which Alain Vigneault failed to do on numerous occasions. Brought us on a winning streak of seven straigh...

This week's question is about the Colorado Avalanche's young superstar: "Statistically Nathan MacKinnon is having a better rookie season that Wayne Gretzky, is this kid the future of Colorado hockey? Or is this just beginners luck?" When the Avs snapped up MacKinnon at the 2013 Draft, they knew they had something special. MacKinnon, tore the junior leagues apart with his incisive and unselfish play. He may only be 18, but his hockey brain is fully developed. He knows when to shoot and when to pass. MacKinnon takes chances, but will happily provide assists when a colleague has a better chance. It's no surprise he was the first overall draft pick. So far, MacKinnon has 58 points from 75 games (0.77 per game). If this stays the same and he plays all 82 regular season games, then he'll finish on 63 points. This is a pretty good total for a rookie season, although it doesn't quite match up to Sidney Crosby (102) and Alexander Ovechkin (106). Still, ...

This morning the web was full of headlines that the Stanley Cup had been stolen!! While us die hard fans shook our fists the heavens and threatened extreme violence, we soon discovered that it was comedian Nick Kroll who had done the dastardly deed, and in his video he had one big list of demands! Like all good April Fools day films, this one was of course a hoax, but still it is one that will make you laugh as Nick strives to become a big time player in the NHL (and wants a lock of Jaromir Jagr's hair!) Check it out below.