Leafs favoured Canadian team
The 2021 NHL season began Wednesday but hockey starved-fans are wondering if the league will be able to complete the projected 56game schedule as COVID-19 cases continue to climb in major cities across Canada.
In opening night play, Toronto edged Montreal 5-4 in overtime and Vancouver trounced Edmonton 4-1, suggesting the playoff spots in this all-Canadian division will be very competitive. This year, the western Canadian teams will not have to face the likes of Colorado, Las Vegas or St. Louis and, for that reason, I expect they will do well against the lesstalented Eastern clubs. Here’s what the final standings could look like:
1. Toronto – The Leafs finished 36-25-9 (81 points) last season and have the firepower to finish first in this division. They have upgraded their goaltending with a reliable back-up in Jack Campbell. They’ve added grit and scoring in veterans Wayne Simmonds and T.J. Brodie. This is by no means a lock, as they could be first or fourth.
2. Edmonton Oilers – Any team that has Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, plus a recharged and mature former Finnish junior star Jesse Puljujärvi and slick centre Kyle Turris, has more than enough scoring to contend for top spot. The Oilers, who were the top Canadian team in 2019-20 with a 37-25-9 record (83 points), also added high-scoring defenceman Tyson Barrie, but lost minutes-eating D Oscar Klefbom. If goaltending duo holds up, the Oilers will challenge for top spot.
3. Calgary Flames – The Flames had 79 points last season and have added a great goaltender in ex-Vancouver playoff standout Jacob Markström, plus defenceman Chris Tanev.
Milan Lucic was great in the playoffs, but can he continue the rebound? No worse than third, and in a three-way hunt for top spot.
4. Winnipeg Jets – The Jets had 80 points last season, have standout veterans in Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, plus highly talented Patrick Laine, Nik Ehlers and top goalie Connor Hellebuyck. All they need is a player or two to surprise and the Jets are playoff bound and possibly near the top.
5. Montreal Canadians – The Habs, who went 31-31-9 (71 points) last season, have improved and they needed to if they hope to make the playoffs. Their core players are a year older and I am wondering if age will catch up with them. The Habs are better than last season and much is expected of Jesperi Kotkaniemi and rookie defenceman Alexander Romanov. The trade for Josh Anderson paid immediate dividends as he scored twice and looked great Wednesday.
6. Vancouver Canucks – Elias Pettersson was sensational in the playoffs for the Canucks, who went 36-27- 6 (78 points) last season, and they’ve got a perennial allstar in defenceman Quinn Hughes. Training camp standout Nils Höglander, plus the addition of goaltender Braden Holtby and ex-Vegas defenceman Nate Schmidt suggests this club will be tough to beat. Two or three of the teams I rated higher have serious question marks. The Canucks are an up-and-coming squad and I will not be a surprise if they make the playoffs.
7. Ottawa Senators – This club is loaded with young talent starting with blue-line quarterback Thomas Chabot. Brady Tkachuk is another on the road to stardom while their third overall pick Tim Stüetzle was sensational for Germany in the world juniors. The Sens (25-24-12, 62 points in 2019-20) had nine points less than Montreal last season and they’ve improved.
HARNESS RACING
Live harness racing continues today at 12:30 p.m. with a 14-dash card. The $2,900 open mares goes in Race 9 with Woodmere Skyroller and Woodmere Chella leaving from the outside in the eight-horse field.
With Ontario dark, former P.E.I. horsemen Patrick Shepherd and Mitch Tierney have moved their operation to Northfield, Ohio. Patrick had a handful in Tuesday while Mitch Tierney’s Silver Beast was a close third in 1:52 over the half-mile track in the $13,500 open handicap. Prestige Seelster was fourth in 1:54:1 in an $8,500 conditioned pace.
Brett MacDonald has also moved to Northfield is driving for Teesha Symes, who has moved her stable there. David Miller and Mitch Kakaley have moved to Pompano Park.
At Yonkers, ex-Maritime star Windemere Frank was eighth in 1:54:1 in a $14,000 overnight race.
The race game lost another former owner and breeder with the sudden passing of Kingston’s Clifford Green, who raised standardbreds and sold quality hay for many years to Charlottetown horsemen. A very successful farmer, a great friend and neighbour and one of the biggest Toronto Maple Leafs fans in the province, so sad. My condolences to Nick, Richard, Jenny and all connected to this gentleman.