Brian Costello's Column

THN.com Playoff Blog: Bad is better as Flames even series with Hawks

THN.com Playoff Blog: Bad is better as Flames even series with Hawks

by Brian Costello - April 23, 2009 12:43 AM EDT

Despite playing better in Games 1 and 2, the Calgary Flames will head back to the Windy City all tied after winning Games 3 and 4.
There's a natural assumption the Calgary Flames are back in their series with Chicago because they're playing better playoff hockey on home ice.


THN.com Playoff Blog: Habby-Kipper battle still the same five years later

THN.com Playoff Blog: Habby-Kipper battle still the same five years later

by Brian Costello - April 22, 2009 3:37 PM EDT

Half a decade since meeting in the Stanley Cup final, the Chicago and Calgary goalies still hold the balance of a series in their hands.
It has been five years since the epic Stanley Cup final playoff battle between the Calgary Flames and Tampa Bay Lightning.   Five years since Martin Gelinas scored the phantom Cup winner on home ice in Game 6.


THN.com Playoff Blog: Young legs leading charge for Hawks

THN.com Playoff Blog: Young legs leading charge for Hawks

by Brian Costello - April 19, 2009 12:44 AM EDT

The kids were supposed to be learning in these playoffs, but it looks like they understand what it takes to win in the post-season already.
So much for the theory playoff inexperience will scupper the Chicago Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane, in an offensive role, and Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, in a shutdown role, are playing like playoff giants in Chicago's 2-0 series lead against Calgary.


THN.com Blog: Injury disclosure policy still makes players a target

THN.com Blog: Injury disclosure policy still makes players a target

by Brian Costello - April 11, 2009 10:27 AM EDT

The upper-body/lower-body trend that has risen to popularity in the NHL over the last few years runs contradictory to standard practice of the information age.
I find the NHL’s stand on injury disclosure extremely condescending and I’m not sure why. The NHL used to have a regulation in place that encouraged teams to be forthright with injury details.


THN.com Blog: HHOF needs voting transparency

THN.com Blog: HHOF needs voting transparency

by Brian Costello - April 5, 2009 9:45 AM EDT

While the Hall opens its doors to a new class of eligible players, it still shuts out fans to the process.
Kudos to the Hockey Hall of Fame for its decision to open up a wing to the best the women’s game has to offer. With two openings every year, it’ll be interesting and educational to see the names and order in which legends of the past filter into the shrine.


THN.com Blog: Don’t give Tavares to the Isles just yet

THN.com Blog: Don’t give Tavares to the Isles just yet

by Brian Costello - March 28, 2009 12:55 PM EDT

The Islanders are all but certain to finish last overall, but odds are they won't end up with the No. 1 draft pick.
It’s one of hockey’s great contradictions that gives the 30th place team in the NHL the best chance at winning the draft lottery, yet the odds are stacked against that team winning that same lottery.


THN.com Blog: Recognizing the invisible retirements

THN.com Blog: Recognizing the invisible retirements

by Brian Costello - March 22, 2009 9:50 AM EDT

They didn't have Hall of Fame careers, but plenty of players who've left the NHL recently deserve a respectful nod.
Yanic Perreault, where did you go?   Kevyn Adams, where did you go?   Chad Kilger, where did you go?   So much about NHL hockey revolves around the here and now that it’s easy to forget the players who are not back with us this season.


THN.com Blog: Looking at the '08 draft through Future Watch goggles

THN.com Blog: Looking at the '08 draft through Future Watch goggles

by Brian Costello - March 15, 2009 10:25 AM EDT

Using THN's Future Watch 2009 as a guide, the draft order in 2008 would look quite different.
Here’s an interesting look at how the 2008 NHL draft would have unfolded had it happened today rather than last June. We do it with the help of the 22 NHL scouts who helped us put together our Future Watch issue.


THN.com Blog: Expand playoffs to include 20 teams

THN.com Blog: Expand playoffs to include 20 teams

by Brian Costello - February 28, 2009 10:20 AM EST

Sixteen of 21 teams used to make the post-season, so now with 30 clubs, increasing the number of playoff teams makes since.
The time has never been better to expand the NHL playoff structure from 16 to 20 teams. It’s way overdue. Come on, way back in the days of the Original 21, it was a 16-team playoff format.


THN.com Blog: Goalie prospect carousel in Future Watch

THN.com Blog: Goalie prospect carousel in Future Watch

by Brian Costello - February 22, 2009 10:50 AM EST

Projecting a top goaltending prospect is a tough task for both teams and magazine producers.
One neat aspect of putting together our Future Watch issue every season is seeing how scouts analyze the ever-so-difficult vocation of prospect goaltender.


THN.com Blog: Turco – not Avery – biggest reason for Dallas turnaround

THN.com Blog: Turco – not Avery – biggest reason for Dallas turnaround

by Brian Costello - February 7, 2009 9:59 AM EST

Ridding themselves of the super-pest helped, but righting the ship between the pipes is the No. 1 reason Big D's now in fifth place.
Make way for the Dallas Stars. They’re doing a steady march up the Western Conference standings all the way from 14th a couple of months ago.


THN.com Blog: Gilmour honored, but not in the ultimate form

THN.com Blog: Gilmour honored, but not in the ultimate form

by Brian Costello - February 1, 2009 9:45 AM EST

Doug Gilmour's No. 93 was honored by the Maple Leafs Saturday night, but he's still not honored in hockey's Great Hall.
Sad, isn't it, that one of hockey's greatest-ever warriors still has to pay admission to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame.   On the night the Toronto Maple Leafs honored Doug Gilmour's No.


Which team trailing 3-1 in their series is most likely to come back and win?





"Probably not. Their depth and our play right now...it doesn't look too good."

- Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, when asked if his team could come back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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