Michael Traikos

LATEST STORIES BY MICHAEL TRAIKOS

TRAIKOS: Despite what bookmakers might suggest, the Tampa Bay Lightning should be Stanley Cup favourites

TORONTO — When the Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Colorado Avalanche in last year’s Stanley Cup final, it ended their bid for a third straight championship. But it didn’t necessarily end their reign as a top team in the NHL — no matter what the various betting sites might suggest.

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December 20, 2022 NHL

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre.

TRAIKOS: Stamkos says scoring his 500th goal against the Maple Leafs 'would be pretty cool'

TORONTO — There are fewer than 50 players who have scored 500 goals in their NHL career.

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December 19, 2022 NHL

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos looks on against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Amalie Arena.

TRAIKOS: At 39 years old, Mark Giordano has surprised Maple Leafs by 'doing absolutely everything'

It was an optional skate. But Mark Giordano, who kind of looks like the guy who plays on three different beer league teams, was taking part like he always does.

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December 9, 2022 Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mark Giordano.

TRAIKOS: It turns out Leafs may have dodged a bullet in not landing a top-end goalie last summer

It was while watching Matt Murray stand on his head and stop chance-after-chance during a 5-on-3 penalty kill — what Toronto’s Auston Matthews described as the turning point in a 4-0 win against Dallas on Tuesday — when a familiar question once again emerged.

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December 7, 2022 Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Matt Murray looks up at his teammates as play is stopped during the second period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center.

Seattle's Beniers remains the favourite to win the Calder Trophy

When it comes to scoring, Matty Beniers appears to be running away with the rookie race. But whether that translates to a Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the league remains to be seen.

December 5, 2022 NHL Betting

Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on November 23, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by /)

Despite leading all defencemen in goals and points, Karlsson remains a Norris Trophy long shot

Erik Karlsson leads all defencemen in all measurable stats. But the 32-year-old, who is among the top-5 in NHL scoring, is still considered a long shot for the Norris Trophy.

December 5, 2022 NHL Betting

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson skates in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.

TRAIKOS: One year later, the Seattle Kraken are finally playing like a typical expansion team

New Jersey is the best team in hockey, Colorado is clinging to a wild card spot and Erik Karlsson is back to being a Norris Trophy favourite.

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December 5, 2022 NHL

Oliver Bjorkstrand and Ryan Donato of the Seattle Kraken celebrate Donato's first-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on November 25, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

TRAIKOS: Even with two-thirds of season left, a Leafs-Lightning rematch is looking inevitable

TORONTO — Mitch Marner didn’t want to talk about it. Didn’t even want to think about it.

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December 3, 2022 Toronto Maple Leafs

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul falls towards Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell as Maple Leafs centre Colin Blackwell defends during third period NHL first-round playoff series action in Toronto on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

Odds are good that the Maple Leafs will get a rematch against the Lightning in the playoffs

A game in the first week of December can hardly be considered a playoff preview. But with two months in the books, the odds are good that Toronto and Tampa Bay, who play each other for the first time on Saturday, could be seeing each other again in the first round.

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December 1, 2022 NHL Betting

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pierre Engvall reacts after scoring the winning goal as San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Benning skates away during the third period at Scotiabank Arena.

Move over Colorado — Boston is now co-favourites to win the Stanley Cup

Watch out, Colorado.

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December 1, 2022 NHL Betting

Cory Sarich of the Colorado Avalanche defends against Jarome Iginla of the Boston Bruins at Pepsi Center on March 21, 2014 in Denver, Colorado.

Michael Traikos

LATEST STORIES BY MICHAEL TRAIKOS

TRAIKOS: Despite what bookmakers might suggest, the Tampa Bay Lightning should be Stanley Cup favourites

TRAIKOS: Stamkos says scoring his 500th goal against the Maple Leafs 'would be pretty cool'

TRAIKOS: At 39 years old, Mark Giordano has surprised Maple Leafs by 'doing absolutely everything'

TRAIKOS: It turns out Leafs may have dodged a bullet in not landing a top-end goalie last summer

Seattle's Beniers remains the favourite to win the Calder Trophy

Despite leading all defencemen in goals and points, Karlsson remains a Norris Trophy long shot

TRAIKOS: One year later, the Seattle Kraken are finally playing like a typical expansion team

TRAIKOS: Even with two-thirds of season left, a Leafs-Lightning rematch is looking inevitable

Odds are good that the Maple Leafs will get a rematch against the Lightning in the playoffs

Move over Colorado — Boston is now co-favourites to win the Stanley Cup

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