Three Things We Learned in Week 14 of the NHL Season
The doom and gloom of winter is fully upon most of North America, but it's not stopping the hockey world from pressing on with content.
Stick breaking can make for a very hilarious intermission segment
The NHL on TNT crew had a fun time analyzing Dallas Stars coach Rick Bowness' stick-smashing escapades, to say the least.
During the intermission, Liam McHugh, Rick Tocchet, and Paul Bissonnette struggled to smash their sticks, while Anson Carter was incredibly smooth in his attempt.
Full credit to TNT for taking a humorous approach to it. It was all in good fun, even if Bowness' wallet is a bit later because of the incident.
The Oilers are still struggling to stop the downward trend
The rough times in Edmonton continued with a 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. The Oilers once again gave up the first goal of the game – the 22nd time in their past 26 games – and saw a 3-1 lead evaporate in the third period as the Senators responded with three straight goals.
The Oilers' hot start seems like ancient history, given the team hasn't won since Dec. 18. The team currently sits four points back of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference and coach Dave Tippett has not won a game behind Edmonton's bench since Dec. 1.
A new voice is certainly needed in the room, the post-game press conference was one that saw an exasperated Connor McDavid and Zack Kassian facing the media after yet another loss.
In a season that was supposed to be the all-in year, the results this season are not looking good on Tippett or Ken Holland someone whose tenure as GM has been incredibly lackluster save for one or two moves.
A team that had high expectations going into this season should not accept a non-playoff year.
The Philadelphia Flyers wanted Cale Makar, not Nolan Patrick
Cale Makar has been one of the best parts of the Colorado Avalanche this season – and a true Norris Trophy contender yet again.
The Makar tenure in the city of Denver wouldn't have been a thing, however, if Philadelphia Flyers legend and senior advisor Bobby Clarke has his way. Clarke appeared on The Cam and Strick Podcast and gave insight to the Flyers draft plans back in 2017:
Clarke has never been one to mince his words or hold back anything but hearing that then-GM Ron Hextall was in opposition with the scouts on the choice to take Nolan Patrick over Makar is a very interesting revelation.
