Rory Boylen's Column

THN.com Blog: Do away with conferences come playoff time

THN.com Blog: Do away with conferences come playoff time

by Rory Boylen - March 3, 2009 12:31 PM EST

Ranking the teams one to 16 would help promote rivalrys and ensure the two top teams would meet in the final.
This past weekend, my colleague Brian Costello came up with a formula for a new playoff setup meant to bring in a few more teams and add to the second season’s excitement.


THN.com Blog: Hejda becomes Columbus' Rocky Balboa

THN.com Blog: Hejda becomes Columbus' Rocky Balboa

by Rory Boylen - February 24, 2009 11:32 AM EST

One of the league's most underrated and under-appreciated blueliners, Jan Hejda is a big reason the Jackets are making a playoff push.
Everybody likes a good underdog story. Rocky Balboa is perhaps the most famous: An undersized and unappreciated, honest boxer with a determined heart from the streets of Philadelphia who rose to the lofty, seemingly unattainable status of Heavyweight Champion of the World.


THN.com Blog: Burgeoning rivalries worth watching

THN.com Blog: Burgeoning rivalries worth watching

by Rory Boylen - February 17, 2009 12:13 PM EST

They may not be recognized as must-watch tilts just yet, but these two duos are ready to explode.
Montreal-Toronto. Detroit-Chicago. Montreal-Boston. The NHL – which some might say sells hate – was built and has thrived on rivalries.


THN.com Blog: Who should have gone No. 4 in the '08 draft?

THN.com Blog: Who should have gone No. 4 in the '08 draft?

by Rory Boylen - February 10, 2009 1:21 PM EST

Hindsight is 20/20, but the picture isn't clear enough to pluck one candidate from the pack of prospects who could have gone fourth overall.
With guys like Kris Versteeg, Bobby Ryan, Steve Mason and Patrik Berglund enjoying successful freshman years, a lot of people have been asking about the top pick in 2008.


THN.com Blog: Goaltending will dictate Bruins, Flyers success

THN.com Blog: Goaltending will dictate Bruins, Flyers success

by Rory Boylen - February 3, 2009 2:39 PM EST

Two of the leading candidates to emerge from the East will go only as far as their keepers will take them.
If I had to make a hard decision on which teams I think will be in the Eastern Conference final today – and I don’t, so this is a soft prediction – I’d pick the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.


THN.com Blog: Jackets must come out buzzing to keep playoff hopes alive

THN.com Blog: Jackets must come out buzzing to keep playoff hopes alive

by Rory Boylen - January 27, 2009 2:12 PM EST

If Columbus wants to make the post-season for the first time in club history, they will have to get hot right out of the ASG break.
If the Columbus Blue Jackets are serious about making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, these next few games are of the utmost importance.


THN.com Blog: Off the wall potpourri

THN.com Blog: Off the wall potpourri

by Rory Boylen - January 20, 2009 11:40 AM EST

A look around the wonderful world of hockey with a little of this, a little of that and a whole lotta YouTube.
And now for something completely different… •    Jarrow, 1912 – I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition.


THN.com Blog: Fighting keeps a balance

THN.com Blog: Fighting keeps a balance

by Rory Boylen - January 13, 2009 10:53 AM EST

Getting rid of the fisticuffs would disrupt hockey's already unsteady equilibrium... and Pronger's bad rap gets him again.
I love hockey fights. I think they are part of what makes hockey the game it is and I think abolishing it would open it up for the yappers to reign, without fear of repercussion.


THN.com Blog: Four WJCers who were worth watching

THN.com Blog: Four WJCers who were worth watching

by Rory Boylen - January 6, 2009 10:46 AM EST

There were plenty of impressive performances at the world juniors, but there were a handful who really caught our eye.
For many, the day after the calendar flipped to 2009 marked a return to reality and a time to get back to business. But for hockey fans, the conclusion of the World Junior Championship marks the end to a celebration of a different kind of religious origin.


THN.com Blog: Spengler Cup a holiday treat

THN.com Blog: Spengler Cup a holiday treat

by Rory Boylen - December 30, 2008 11:18 AM EST

The WJC gets most of the hype this time of year, but Davos' annual tournament is something fans shouldn't miss.
Taking a backseat during the holidays to the always-popular World Junior Championship is the relatively ignored and often underappreciated Spengler Cup.


THN.com Blog: Finding favorites at the WJC

THN.com Blog: Finding favorites at the WJC

by Rory Boylen - December 23, 2008 11:30 AM EST

Each year at least one skater stands out as a fan favorite at the world juniors, who will it be this year?; and what are Kane and Crosby doing?
One more day and we’re outta here; officially on Christmas break. It’s time to go home, return to our roots and sit back and watch some great hockey in Ottawa.


THN.com Blog: Pining for some alfresco shinny

THN.com Blog: Pining for some alfresco shinny

by Rory Boylen - December 16, 2008 11:56 AM EST

It's a wonderful time of year as the Christmas break is the time many outdoor rinks get their start.
The NHL season is already more than a quarter of the way through, but the genuine hockey season is almost ready to dig in its heels. I’m talking about outdoor hockey.


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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