Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 155

30 Issue #155 December 2025
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Over the Boards Trouble in Leaf Land...
By Brad Robertson
he quarter mark of the NHL
Tregular season is upon us and
there are several surprises thus
far. In the Western Conference the
Colorado Avalanche are cruising
with only 1 loss in regulation time.
The Dallas Stars and Minnesota
Wild are also in a firm playoff spot
in the Central Division. The Chicago
Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth,
two teams with young rosters, are
above .500. The Winnipeg Jets are
treading water above .500 without
all-star and MVP goalie, Conor
Hellebuyck, as he recovers from a
surgery. Last seasons surprise team;
the St Louis Blues, haven’t had as
great a start as some predicted they
would, and the Nashville Predators
continue to flounder at the bottom of
the division. Will a shake up occur
in Opryland by the trade deadline?
In the Pacific Division the
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surprising Anaheim Ducks, led lead. The Boston Bruins, Montreal has been felt offensively, but once
by recently reinstated coach Joel Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, they ice a full lineup, they should
Quenneville, are first. The LA and Detroit Red Wings have all be able to overcome this slow start.
Kings are playing excellent hockey. improved and are playing well. The Joseph Woll has been solid since
The Vegas Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres bring up the bottom his return. Young backup goalie,
Seattle Kraken are off to decent once again. Dennis Hildeby, has to take a larger
starts. The San Jose Sharks are That brings us to the role without Stolarz and provide
playing an exciting brand of hockey underachieving Toronto Maple the team with capable starts. The
as they continue their rebuild. The Leafs. power play needs to get it going,
Edmonton Oilers have had a very and defensively the team needs
average start, and the panic has set The Leafs have been hit hard a commitment they showed the
in with regard to their goaltending. by injuries to several key players. previous season. Getting Tanev and
At the bottom of the division are Goaltender Anthony Stolarz had Carlo back will help immensely.
two Canadian teams looking to find to hold the fort while tandem Newcomers Dakota Joshua and
something to feel good about. Both goaltender, Joseph Woll, left the Nic Roy have to produce more in
the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary team before the start of the season a bottom six role. Rookie forward
Flames are bringing up the rear. for personal reasons. Stolarz got Easton Cowan was recalled due to
hurt, but thankfully, Woll returned.
Over in the Eastern Conference, necessity and has played well in
its the Carolina Panthers and the Heart and soul blueliner Chris his time up. His play is making it
New Jersey Devils that are at the Tanev is out long term as well. difficult to send him back down.
top of the Metropolitan Division, Defenceman Brandon Carlo is out John Tavares and William Nylander
but the Washington Capitals and as well. Three key forwards were out are providing their usual offence.
Philadelphia Flyers are at their as well. Captain Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies is playing strong
heels. Pittsburgh Penguins, led power forward, Matthew Knies, for them. Auston Matthews hasn’t
by the ageless Sidney Crosby, and newcomer, Nic Roy, were hurt got it going offensively yet but
are holding their own. The New for a stretch but have since returned. should start contributing more
York Rangers and Columbus Blue The Leafs are .500 and can’t find now that he’s returned from injury.
Jackets bring up the rear but only 7 the consistency they showed last Thankfully, no one is running away
points separate first place from the season. The Leafs were one of the with the division, and a decent
bottom place team! top teams holding a lead last year win streak can propel a team at the
but can’t hold any leads this season. bottom quickly up the standings.
That takes us to the Atlantic The defence is spotty and the power
The run to the Olympic break will
Division, where the Stanley Cup play very inconsistent. The power
be hotly contested. Teams will want
Champion Florida Panthers reside play shouldn’t be an issue with the
to put themselves in favourable
and they linger near the bottom, talent the Leafs run out there. Coach
positions before that long break in
mainly due to injuries to many Craig Berube has also received
the schedule. Let’s see who is in
key guys. The resurgent Tampa criticism. I, for one, don’t count this
playoff positions then.
Bay Lightning rebounded from a team out. They are a veteran laden
rough start to take over the division team. The loss of Mitch Marner Coach Brad