Author: Patrick Hoffman
Patrick covers the NHL for Inside The Rink. He has previously covered the league for The Ultimate Hockey Fan Cave, WTP Sports, Sportsnet.ca, Kukla’s Korner, Spector’s Hockey, NHL Network Radio blog, TheHockeyNews.com, The Fourth Period, Stan Fischler’s “The Fischler Report”, as well as a slew of others.
Opinion: Rangers’ Shesterkin Is Struggling in a Big Way
In the beginning of the season, New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin looked like the best goaltender in the world. Shesterkin, 28, was stealing games, coming up with big save after big save, and bailing out his team whenever there was a defensive miscue. He looked like a goaltender who was well on his way […]
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Opinion: The Predators Are Singing The Blues in Music City
There was a lot to like about the Nashville Predators going into this season. For starters, the team signed two-time Stanley Cup winner Steven Stamkos to a 4-year contract on the first day of free agency. In Stamkos, they were getting a veteran who has a ton of experience, can put the puck in the […]
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Opinion: The Rangers Are a Broken Hockey Team Right Now
There might still be a lot of hockey left to be played this season, but with the way the New York Rangers are playing right now, the end might come sooner than everyone thinks. Yes, the Rangers still have a winning record of 12-9-1. Yes, the Rangers are somehow still in a playoff spot, and […]
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Mrazek Having Another Solid Season Between the Pipes for the Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a terrible start this season, which should not surprise anyone. As of this writing (Wednesday night, November 27), the Blackhawks are last in the Central Division, last in the Western Conference, and last in the NHL. They do not score a lot of goals, they do not play good […]
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Opinion: After Inconsistent Start, Keefe and the Devils Are Finding Their Winning Rhythm
The New Jersey Devils got off to a quick start this season under new head coach Sheldon Keefe when they swept the Buffalo Sabres in the 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia back in early October. In those two games in which the Devils outscored the Sabres by a 7-2 margin, the team looked like world-beaters. […]
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Opinion: Current Record Not a Reflection of the Rangers’ Play This Season
Everything went right for the New York Rangers last season. They finished first in the Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference, and the entire NHL. The only thing that would have made it better is if they had won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994. Fast forward to this season and the Blueshirts are […]
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Opinion: Put Sam and JD Back in the Booth Together For One Last Game
Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s (I am 41 years old), I had two voices that narrated the hockey that I watched. Those voices belonged to Sam Rosen and John Davidson. They partnered to broadcast New York Rangers games from 1986-2006 helping to form one of the best hockey broadcasting tandems in the industry. […]
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Opinion: Jeff Marek is Back in Hockey Where He Belongs
I want to preface this article by saying that I love everything about what we do here at Inside the Rink. We have great writers, podcasters, editors, photographers, and everything else that is needed in order for a website to be successful. In my opinion, Inside the Rink is the creme de la creme when […]
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Opinion: Wolf Providing Hot Goaltending for the Flames
After missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the past three seasons, the Calgary Flames are looking to right the ship. As of this writing (Sunday afternoon, November 17), the Flames are on the right path to doing just that. The team is currently fourth in the Pacific Division, tied for sixth in the Western Conference, […]
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Opinion: Zibanejad’s Struggles Are Hurting the Rangers
Two seasons ago, it could be argued that New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad was the best player on his team. In that season, which was the 2022-23 campaign, Zibanejad, 31, finished the year with 91 points on 39 goals and 52 assists. He also had 39 points on the power play, five game-winning goals, […]
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