The Fifth Liners

Once more fans of the Edmonton Oilers, will be celebrating as their side have received first overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery! Seems Connor McDavid will be spending some cold winters over in Alberta in years to come! Buffalo Sabres were no doubt disappointed to land the second overall pick, but will no doubt take consolation that this will probably mean Jack Eichel will be in the state of New York! In what could be one of the biggest depth quality drafts, it could well mean that each team has some great talent for the future. My only real doubt with this decision is that Edmonton has had its fair share of number one picks in the last few years, and still nothing has come of it! People paint McDavid as if he is the next Sidney Crosby of hockey, I just worry that this team is the wrong fit for his talents? Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are starting to show the leadership qualities required for the Oilers- but Nail Yakupov has only shown glimpses of what he is capable o...

In the Boston Bruins 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, it included a rare but ultimately hilarious error from Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky . On 1.28 of the 3rd period played, the Jackets goalie allowed Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to score on him from centre ice! This season you will not see many goals like this scored in the NHL this year- Bobrovsky should avoid errors like this if the Blue Jackets have any play off aspirations!

Remember last season when Nazem Kadri tried to wrangle a monster contract out of the Leafs and ended up with a two year bridging contract? Yeah? Well replace Kadri with Ryan Johansen and the Leafs with the Columbus Blue Jackets and it's the same story again. The BC native and the Blue Jackets aren't seeing eye to eye when it comes to contract negotiations. Now that training camp has started, there's even more pressure on the various parties to reach a deal. Johansen's agent, Kurt Overhardt has now reduced his price, down to $4.7 million per season from $6.8 million. So that's something but it's still miles away from the Blue Jackets' offer of $3 million per season. FYI $3 is David Legwand money. The 6'4" center notched 33 goals last regular season. This put him top the table in Columbus, and 12th overall in the NHL. That said, his great season follows two mediocre seasons at the Jackets. NHL teams crave consistency and one swallow doesn'...

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...

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...

This season's playoffs will be the first to be played under the new divisional structure. It's never too early to make playoff predictions. Of course I've no doubt that the teams below will change, especially with the wildcards. It'll be interesting to take a look at this post-season and see how it compares.  If you think I'm wrong, please comment below! Conference Quarter Finals Boston Bruins Vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction - Boston . The Bruins have won more games than the Leafs and will definitely be seeing the postseason. The Leafs have three teams three points behind so that wildcard spot is by no means safe.  Tampa Bay Lightning Vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction - Tampa Bay . The Bolts and the Habs are much more closely matched in season performance so far. While Carey Price is one of the best goalies in the league, offensive issues are letting the Habs down. Pittsburgh Penguins Vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction - Pittsburgh...

The Vancouver Canucks finally ended their five game winless streak with an impressive 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Rogers Arena. But when Matt Calvert scored with Columbus' very first shot after 2.47 of the 1st period, many Canucks fans must have thought this streak would be going to six games! Tom Sessito had a goal waived off for Vancouver before with 15 seconds left Daniel Sedin scored to tie the game at 1-1. A second period flurry ultimate would set the Canucks on their way and in a two minute flurry midway through, goals from Zack Kassian, Captain Henrik Sedin (although knocked in off Sergei Bobrovsky) and a stunning centre ice slap shot from Alex Edler pushed Vancouver 4-1 ahead after 14 minutes played! Daniel Sedin scored again after 9 minutes of the third to give Vancouver a more than comfortable cushion! Although Jannik Hansen missed a penalty shot when Bobrovsky easily saved his weak wrist shot! Artem Anisimov scored for Columbus with three minute...

As Mike's previous two post pointed out, the NHL will be a very different place come the 2013-14 season with the Eastern and Western conference have undergone a dramatic re-alignment and now it has become far more simplied with the East sporting two separate divisions with the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions and the West also having two divisions with the Pacific and Central Division. With new leagues come new rivalrys are long gone are the days of the dull Southwestern Division and sadly Vancouver will not fight for a sixth straight Northwest Division. But what will the big match ups be? Let's take a look in more detail. Atlantic Division  This division promises plenty of thrills with the Detroit Red Wings , Boston Bruins , Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens doing battle for a playoff place- there is no love lost between Leafs and Habs fans and this fixture never fails to entertain. But the clash that will have everyone talking will be when the Ottawa Senators...

Here we looked at the teams in the Western Conference, now let's look at the Eastern. Detroit and Columbus move from west to east and Winnipeg makes the trip the other way. So what does this look like in reality? Metropolitan Division Carolina Hurricanes Columbus Blue Jackets New Jersey Devils New York Islanders New York Rangers Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals Atlantic Division Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Detroit Red Wings Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs

The Columbus Blue Jackets have landed a major score as today it was announced they have signed Boston Bruins Winger Nathan Horton on a seven year deal worth $37 Million! Previously one of my top 3 UFA's in a previous post it seems the Jackets have been thinking ahead and in Horton they have a man who could potentially revitalize a side struggling to score since the departure of Rick Nash last year. Horton brings an  impressive record across to Ohio and last year recorded 13 goals and 22 points in  48 games last year and previously was a Stanley Cup winner in 2011 with the Bruins. Upon joining Horton was quoted as saying "This is a team on the rise with great players and I'm looking forward to being a part of it," With Gaborik and Horton on the wings we could potentially see a drastic rise in fortunes for a side with only one play-off appearence to their name. 

Columbus has had an up and down journey this season and have perhaps been best noted for the well documented off season activity concerning former Captain Rick Nash who was traded to the New York Rangers for seven other players. But how have the Blue Jackets coped in the absence of such an important player to their franchise? Surprisingly the Blue Jacket have surprised many this season and despite an obvious lack of goals, they are currently hanging onto 8th place in the Western Conference above Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings (Sorry Mike!) and they have been aided by the excellent goal tending of Sergei Bobrovsky who has contributed 12 wins and three shutouts and the scoring form of 38 year old veteran Vaclav Prospal has also been an important factor and his 21 points so far has kept them above water. Many people simply disregard this team as Ranger's cast off team and while players such as Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov have yet to come alive, Columbus has however sec...

The unthinkable has happened. The Detroit Red Wings are 9th in the Western Conference.  It wasn't the Phoenix Coyotes but the Dallas Stars that have taken their place, those sneaky Texans have continued their quiet march up the table. The 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks sealed the deal. Although. Dallas, Detroit and the Columbus Blue Jackets are all tied on 45 points, the Stars have won more in regulation, giving them the edge. Columbus on the other hand, have played more games; earning them the 10th spot.  Detroit take on the Nashville Predators tonight. Make or break...

Trade day continues and Pittsburgh have traded Jussi Jokinen with the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a conditional draft pick.  Helmets spoil his hair.  Marian Gaborik has moved from the New York Rangers to the Columbus Blue Jackets. This now means that Columbus have a chance to score some goals. Something that's currently lacking. The Rangers pick up Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore in exchange.  9/10 for synchronised skating.

 By Alex Watson Previously I wrote an article about the turmoil faced by Vancouver Canucks in relation to their goaltending scenario- well it now appears that things have been firmly resolved as Cory Schneider has been in net for the last 5 games and impressively the Canucks have now notched up 5 wins on the bounce after last night’s 1-0 shootout win over Columbus Blue Jackets at the Rogers Arena. Schneider is currently proving to be a hard man to get the puck past and incredibly has recorded two shutout wins during this time. Seems the man from Marblehead, MA is now the firm favourite to keep his place in net and has now elevated the Canucks to top spot above Minnesota in the Northwest Division and they are looking increasingly likely to among the play-off race. The game itself against Columbus was a tale of two goalies with Schneider and CBJ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky making a clutch impressive saves each which forced the game into a shootout where it was left to...

New format, last time took ages. Here's a round up of the scores from the last 7 days. Anaheim Ducks Wins Sharks 5-3 Blackhawks 4-2 Losses Red Wings 5-1 Red Wings 2-1 Calgary Flames Wins Blues 3-2 Losses Stars 4-3 Predators 5-3 Blue Jackets 5-1 Chicago Blackhawks Wins Avalanche 5-2 Losses Ducks 4-2 . Colorado Avalanche Wins Stars 4-3 Losses Blackhawks 5-2 Stars 5-2 Canucks 3-2 Columbus Blue Jackets Wins Predators 4-3 Flames 5-1 Losses Predators 5-2 Dallas Stars Wins Flames 4-3 Kings 2-0 Avalanche 5-2 Losses Avalanche 4-3 Detroit Red Wings Wins Ducks 5-1 Ducks 2-1 Losses Wild 4-2 Edmonton Oilers Wins Losses Sharks 4-3 Blues 3-0 Los Angeles Kings Wins Coyotes 4-0 Coyotes 3-2 Losses Stars 2-0 Canucks 1-0 Minnesota Wild Wins Canucks 3-1 Red Wings 4-2 Sharks 2-0 Losses Nashville Predators Wins Flames 5-3 Bl...

By Alex Watson During the 2012 off season, one man dominated the headlines as his next destination was debated. Rick Nash had been a bright star since being drafted first overall by Columbus Blue Jackets back in 2002 and when made team Captain in 2008 he led them to their first ever playoff appearance in their history. But during last season’s dismal performance by the Blue Jackets, Nash made his intent to leave clear but during the 2011/12 season the move never materialized, frustrating many Blue Jacket’s fans as he finished with a mere 59 points (his worst season since 2007). But finally this season Nash’s future was decided and he officially joined the New York Rangers in exchange for seven players and $15 Million dollars. Expectations were high of him and along with centre Brad Richards and winger Marion Gaborik, people expected this team to be an early season contender for a Stanley Cup run. So what have the results been so far and has this one man been worth all the ...