Matthew Tkachuk, Courtesy ESPN.com

Panthers’ identity has outcasts dying to grow and bare teeth

 “There is a creature alive today who has survived millions of years of evolution, without change, without logic, it lives to kill. A mindless eating machine, it will attack, it will devour. Anything. It is as if God created the Devil and gave him . . . jaws.”   This

On Avs, Alfie and St. Nick

 Various blips in need of a blast in this week’s special National Hockey League roundup. Lots to cover off as hockey melts the ice on another season and has already fired up a jump-start towards the next. Enjoy. Avs Trump a Dynasty It was bound to happen. In fact, I

Hockey rolls on!

 Been there, done that must count for a lot given the lack of love the New York Rangers are getting heading into the Eastern Conference final. Across the board, hockey prognosticators are throwing their affection at the two-time Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. At NHL.com, some of the best

Battle of Alberta won’t help Canada’s odds

 PHOTO: NHL.COM At first there were three, then there were two. Soon there will be one. The percentages for a Canadian-style NHL championship have been sliced-and-diced down to a mere 25 per cent, regardless of what happens in the upcoming Round 2 of the playoffs. Canada’s last remaining hopes –

All thoughts remain on Brady as NHL season hits pavement

 And I quote: “When these things stretch on, they take on a bit of a life of their own. And, unfortunately, and this may be a little bit of news for you, you can’t believe everything you see on social media. But, unfortunately, what we’ve seen in the last couple

Senators take business-like approach to draft

 Scratch the thought that this was “one of the biggest nights in franchise history.” I’d argue (and we’ll see in the years to come) that this was THE biggest night in Ottawa Senators’ history. General Manager Pierre Dorion threw out the former line with some aplomb. I think he underestimates

Cards are in Ottawa’s hands . . . sort of

 We’re less than a month away from arguably the biggest 48 hours in Ottawa Senators’ history. The drama, mystery and intrigue will definitely get interesting. Kind of an Agatha Christie novel on blades. Without the murder, of course. For the Senators, general manager Pierre Dorion is easily the most fascinating

Losing culture could be problematic down the road for Senators

 PHOTO: Courtesy NHLI via Getty Images We realize over here in this corner that two games is indeed a small sample size, however it is troubling to watch this year’s (early) rendition of the Ottawa Senators creating, what you would hope, is not a template. Yes, it’s wondrous to fill the

Step It Up Sens!

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo Courtesy Andre Ringuette NHLI via Getty Images Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion hasn't made a whole lot of questionable calls, but you have to wonder about the one from last

Hammond Stars as Senators Edge Closer to Playoffs

 Photo courtesy Losangeles.cbslocal.com Saturday was a great night all around for the Ottawa Senators as they romped to a 5-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens to strengthen their push for a playoff spot. As well as sending off one of their main rivals in a game that saw the Sens

Zibanejad is a Star Ready to Explode

 Zibanejad attempts to knock a puck out of mid-air past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer. Photo credit: Blair Gable/Reuters If you’re concerned about Mika Zibanejad ever realizing his potential after being a healthy scratch against the St. Louis Blues on November 25, don’t be. When Zibanejad was drafted sixth overall