The Fifth Liners

Among the numerous surprises in the Nashville Predators brilliant start to this season, has been the unexpected form of 20 year old Swedish winger, Filip Forsberg . This young gun is no stranger in the NHL, but so far this season he is sure making an impression with 9 goals and 22 points already! Baring no relation at all to Avalanche legend Peter Forsberg, Filip has shown his true qualities this year and this is marking him as a possible candidate for the Calder Trophy. Originally drafted 11th overall by the Washington Capitals back in 2012, Forsberg spent the majority of his first season playing back in Sweden for his old side Leksands IF. But a blow came when he was unexpected traded to the Predators in 2013. His progress there to start with was slow and last season he notched up only 5 points from a mere 13 NHL games (4 of which were assists). For development he was assigned to the team's AHL affiliate the Milwaukee Admirals where he fared better scoring 34 points in 47 gam...

After shamefully forgetting to include the Phoenix Coyotes on my Most Improved Teams list recently, I thought I would make amends by recapping their impressive 6-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers Rexall Place last night! Mike Ribeiro was the stand out as he turned a 1st star performance with a goal and two assists! But it was Mikkel Boedker who put Phoenix ahead on a powerplay after 03:37 of the first period, but David Perron soon levelled the scores for the Oilers after 9 minutes after making the most of a breakaway. Into the second period and Ribeiro skillful set up Radim Vrbata to put Phoenix ahead after 06.58 played and then Shane Doan's tip in pushed then 3-1 ahead. Perron then pulled one back on a power play for Edmonton with 52 seconds left to give the home side hope! The Coyotes took control in the third period as they scored three without reply with Ribeiro putting them further ahead after 4 minutes and Keith Yandle then made sure of things when fired past Oilers goal...

Washington Capitals are currently top of the Southwest Division, from Mike's previous post about this seemingly mundane division, we have learned it is one that is far from excitement. But this team does boast an impressive roster and based on their 6-5 win over Tampa Bay Lightning- we have learned that this team has plenty of fight in them and this is what counts come playoff time! Led by notorious Captain Alexander Ovechkin- the Caps have been a regular feature in the Eastern Conference playoffs over the last four years and this year their forward line has clocked up some impressive stats- Centre Nicklas Backstrom currently sits on 44 points while Mike Ribeiro has contributed 41 points and along with wingers Joel Ward and Troy Brouwer- we have some offensive lines crying out for progress! Former NHL player Adam Oates was installed as Head Coach earlier this season and so far the results seems to be paying off and with a true star in Ovechkin leading the way, we could well see...