June 29, 2025

Behind The Mask

With Kelly Hrudey

Monday, June 30, 2025:		vs

Is there a team playing better hockey than San Jose at the moment? Winners of 10 straight games and showing no signs of slowing down, it appears Mr. Loconte has made all the right moves to piece together a legitimate contender. Incredibly well balanced and coached the Sharks have their eyes on the division leading Ducks whom they trail by 5 points. That's going to go down to the wire. The arrival of Sidney Crosby in Boston has been nothing short of eye opening. His mere presence seems to have energized the Bruins and with 17 points in 13 games it's easy to see why. Boston looked off balanced but now look to have steadied things with some key additions of their own. I'm so looking forward to the MacKinnon Crosby matchup!

Prediction
	vs
3		2

Actual
	vs
3		1

Tuesday, July 1, 2025:		vs

What better way to celebrate Canada Day than with a huge Canadian division clash. It's amazing that a team as of this writing can go a paltry 1-8-1 in their last 10 games and still be in 2nd place in their division and sit 3rd overall in the league. Vancouver haven't been playing their best hockey of late but maybe with some incentive as Calgary are only a point behind them will motivate them and maybe snap them out of their current funk. Calgary could've moved past Vancouver but dropped a 1-0 decision to the New York Rangers earlier. The Flames have looked average lately going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games and after losing 3 straight will look to turn things around against the Canucks. Still easier said than done.

Prediction (OT)
	vs
3		2

Actual
	vs
3		2

Thursday, July 3, 2025:		vs

Tampa are running away with the Statsny Division and are looking to hold off Boston for the 2nd seed in the conference. Goaltender Jordan Binnington is backstopping the Bolts with 11 wins in his last 15 games played. Tampa look solid and looking at their July schedule, they should be able to secure their hold on the 2nd seed. Florida are fighting for their playoff lives and have passed New Jersey and find themselves in the 8th seed. The trick is now to hold onto that spot and hope the Devils continue to falter. The Cats have played the Lightning tough this season.

Prediction
	vs
2		1

Actual
	vs
2		4

Saturday, July 5, 2025:		vs

Don't look now but Nashville aren't singing the Blues. Did you see what I did there? The Preds are playing great hockey and have climbed to 4th in the Western Conference and lead the Blues by 2 points in the Norris Division. I was in attendance for their 1-0 victory over Anaheim and was impressed by the play of goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. The youngster is playing like a veteran and should he keep it up Nashville will pose problems for everyone. ST.Louis are no light weight either and would like nothing more than to knock off their division rival as they did in their only previous encounter a 1-0 victory in ST.Louis. It's a given that any team with Nikita Kucherov will be a tough matchup and I for one will be looking forward to the battle these two teams will have going down the stretch.

Prediction (OT)
	vs
1		2

Actual
	vs
X		X

Thursday, July 3, 2025:		vs

Well if this game isn't worthy of Game of the Week I don't you. Seriously though here we have the two best teams in the RSHL with both rosters bristling with all stars. The Islanders have been a juggernaut this season running rough shot over everyone in their path to sit atop the RSHL overall standings. The only thing left for them to do is secure home ice for the playoffs and finally win that elusive first championship. Is this the year? Edmonton meanwhile are cruising along and there's only one thing for this team to do. Win it all because in my opinion anything else would be a disappointment. After their record setting season a year ago it was all for naught as they fell to the Vancouver Canucks. This year they look just as strong so it's all up to them now to perform when it counts. Could this be a Stanley Cup Final preview? Who ya got?

Prediction
	vs
3		4

Actual
	vs
2		4

Whew well that took a bit of work so I hope you enjoy. As always your feedback is most welcomed and appreciated. Stay safe and enjoy the games. Until next week... KH