NHL

Edmonton’s Connor McDavid battles with Vancouver’s Filip Hronek during Saturday’s game in Edmonton. The Canucks would win 4-3 despite being outshot 40-16. Photo courtesy Edmonton Oilers

THE MOJ: Canucks and Lions overcome adversity to bank wins

Plus, an NFL coach needs to learn the axiom of ‘only losers point fingers’

Edmonton’s Connor McDavid battles with Vancouver’s Filip Hronek during Saturday’s game in Edmonton. The Canucks would win 4-3 despite being outshot 40-16. Photo courtesy Edmonton Oilers
Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring his third goal of the game past Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) during third period NHL hockey action, in Toronto, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Matthews has been named the NHL's first star of its opening week of the 2023-24 season after he posted hat tricks in the Maple Leafs' first two games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Leaf Matthews edges Canuck Pettersson for NHL’s 1st star honours

Toronto centre opens season with two hat-tricks

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring his third goal of the game past Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) during third period NHL hockey action, in Toronto, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Matthews has been named the NHL's first star of its opening week of the 2023-24 season after he posted hat tricks in the Maple Leafs' first two games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Vancouver Canucks’ goalie Casey DeSmith (29) makes the save as Akito Hirose (41) and Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) battle for the puck during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

DeSmith makes 37 stops as Canucks trip Oilers 4-3 for 2nd straight win

Vancouver wins both ends of home-and-home matchup

Vancouver Canucks’ goalie Casey DeSmith (29) makes the save as Akito Hirose (41) and Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) battle for the puck during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Black Press Media digital editor John McKinley and VIFD/PQB News editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)

PODCAST: 2023-24 NHL preview: McDavid, Bedard, Canucks and Cup champs

NHL UPDATE: Black Press insiders John McKinley and Philip Wolf look at year ahead

Black Press Media digital editor John McKinley and VIFD/PQB News editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)
Brock Boeser celebrates the first of four goals on the night as the Vancouver Canucks defeat the Edmonton Oilers 8-1 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Wednesday. (courtesy of Vancouver Canucks)

THE MOJ: ‘Pretty good’ start for the Canucks, but focus already on next game

Tocchet says team stuck to its game plan in thumping Edmonton 8-1 to open the season

Brock Boeser celebrates the first of four goals on the night as the Vancouver Canucks defeat the Edmonton Oilers 8-1 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Wednesday. (courtesy of Vancouver Canucks)
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser celebrates his third goal against the Edmonton Oilers, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NHL: Boeser scores 4 as Canucks crush Oilers 8-1 in season opener

Miller, Pettersson also have big nights for Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser celebrates his third goal against the Edmonton Oilers, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard (98) and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) skate during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

B.C.’s Bedard skates past Sid’s Penguins as NHL’s latest wonderkid wins debut

The top pick in the 2023 NHL entry draft picked up an assist and fired five shots in 4-2 victory

Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard (98) and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) skate during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Alex Lyon (34) warms up while celebrating Pride Night with a colorful hockey stick before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. The NHL sent a memo to teams last week clarifying what players could and could not do as part of theme nights this season, including Pride celebrations that had become a hot-button issue in hockey. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Oct. 10, that the league sent the updated memo to teams.(AP Photo/Michael Laughlin, File)

NHL bans players using Pride tape on the ice

New restriction part of updated set of rules on theme nights

FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Alex Lyon (34) warms up while celebrating Pride Night with a colorful hockey stick before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. The NHL sent a memo to teams last week clarifying what players could and could not do as part of theme nights this season, including Pride celebrations that had become a hot-button issue in hockey. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Oct. 10, that the league sent the updated memo to teams.(AP Photo/Michael Laughlin, File)
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) and center Connor McDavid, front right, warm up before a preseason NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Changing of the guard? What to expect as the NHL season kicks off

Who’s ready to climb, who’s ready to fall, and more AP hockey predictions

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) and center Connor McDavid, front right, warm up before a preseason NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)
North Vancouver’s Connor Bedard is the odds on favorite to win the Calder Cup as the NHL’s Rookie-of-the-Year with Chicago but don’t go to sleep on another rookie from B.C. Photo courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks

THE MOJ: 5 burning questions (and answers) as the NHL season kicks off

What you need to know to prepare as the NHL season hits the ice for another year

North Vancouver’s Connor Bedard is the odds on favorite to win the Calder Cup as the NHL’s Rookie-of-the-Year with Chicago but don’t go to sleep on another rookie from B.C. Photo courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks
FILE - Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard watches his teammates during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Oct. 3, 2023, in Chicago. Bedard, the 18-year-old top pick by the Blackhawks, makes his NHL debut on Tuesday, Oct. 10 when he faces Pittsburgh Penguins and star center Sidney Crosby, a top pick himself 17 years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, file)

B.C.’s Bedard meets aging but still awesome Sid the Kid as NHL opens season

Chicago/Pittsburgh match one of three games as the NHL begins its 1,312-game regular-season schedule

FILE - Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard watches his teammates during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Oct. 3, 2023, in Chicago. Bedard, the 18-year-old top pick by the Blackhawks, makes his NHL debut on Tuesday, Oct. 10 when he faces Pittsburgh Penguins and star center Sidney Crosby, a top pick himself 17 years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, file)
Dominique Rhymes (19) of the Lions tries to score on the last play of the fourth quarter but Winnipeg's Jamal Parker (7) would make a touchdown saving tackle to force overtime. The Bombers beat the Lions 34-26 to secure first place in the Western Division. (Steven Chang, B.C. Lions photo)

THE MOJ: Opportunity Lost as Lions Lose To Winnipeg

B.C. Lions 34-26 lose in overtime at BC Place

  • Oct 7, 2023
Dominique Rhymes (19) of the Lions tries to score on the last play of the fourth quarter but Winnipeg's Jamal Parker (7) would make a touchdown saving tackle to force overtime. The Bombers beat the Lions 34-26 to secure first place in the Western Division. (Steven Chang, B.C. Lions photo)
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) stops Calgary Flames’ Dryden Hunt (15) as Canucks’ Filip Hronek (17) defends during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game in Vancouver on Friday, October 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Di Giuseppe leads Canucks past Calgary Flames 3-1 in pre-season play

Vancouver opens regular season against Edmonton Wednesday at Rogers Arena

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) stops Calgary Flames’ Dryden Hunt (15) as Canucks’ Filip Hronek (17) defends during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game in Vancouver on Friday, October 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Canucks’ Pius Suter (24) takes a shot on Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) during the second period of preseason NHL action in Abbotsford, B.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Tolvanen nets winner as Kraken edge Canucks 2-1 in Abbotsford

Seattle wins NHL pre-season clash in home of Vancouver’s AHL affiliate

Vancouver Canucks’ Pius Suter (24) takes a shot on Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) during the second period of preseason NHL action in Abbotsford, B.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes, back left, scores his first goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of a pre-season NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Captain Hughes helps Vancouver Canucks power past Oilers 5-2

Di Giuseppe adds 3 points for hosts in win over Edmonton

Vancouver Canucks’ Quinn Hughes, back left, scores his first goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the second period of a pre-season NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Former Vancouver Canucks Henrik Sedin, left, of Sweden, goalie Roberto Luongo, centre, and Daniel Sedin, right, of Sweden, stand after being wrapped in First Nations blankets during a ceremony honouring their recent inductions into the Hockey Hall of Fame, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Luongo doesn’t bleed Canuck enough for number retirement

Heck of a player, but asking to be traded takes him out of consideration for team’s highest honour

Former Vancouver Canucks Henrik Sedin, left, of Sweden, goalie Roberto Luongo, centre, and Daniel Sedin, right, of Sweden, stand after being wrapped in First Nations blankets during a ceremony honouring their recent inductions into the Hockey Hall of Fame, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up for the team's preseason NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

B.C.’s Connor Bedard ‘comfortable’ in his NHL exhibition debut

Touted teenager picks up two assists making his preseason debut for Chicago

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up for the team's preseason NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Guillaume Brisebois (55) and Seattle Kraken left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey preseason game, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Tolvanen scores twice as Kraken beat Vancouver Canucks 3-1

Seattle snaps deadlock in third period

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Guillaume Brisebois (55) and Seattle Kraken left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey preseason game, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) and Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrate an overtime goal against the Vancouver Canucks during overtime NHL pre season action in Edmonton, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

McDavid nets OT winner, Oilers edge Canucks 2-1 in pre-season play

Vancouver travels to Seattle on Thursday to tangle with Kraken

Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) and Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrate an overtime goal against the Vancouver Canucks during overtime NHL pre season action in Edmonton, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates a touchdown during a 41-10 win over the Chicago Bears this past Sunday. Kelce’s fledgling romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift has ‘Swifties’ becoming fans of Kelce and the Chiefs. Andrew Mather, Kansas City Chiefs

THE MOJ: Taylor give football fandom a Swift kick south of the border

Plenty to talk about in the sports world during this, the most wonderful time of the year

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates a touchdown during a 41-10 win over the Chicago Bears this past Sunday. Kelce’s fledgling romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift has ‘Swifties’ becoming fans of Kelce and the Chiefs. Andrew Mather, Kansas City Chiefs