Author: Ryan O'Hara

Award-winning sportswriter from Denver, Colorado.

Nichushkin, Manson score to give Avs early 2-0 lead

DENVER — Ryan McDonagh got called for a hooking penalty, and Valeri Nichushkin made him pay. The Avs right winger tapped in a pass from Game 1 hero Andre Burakovsky, and Colorado is off to a 1-0 lead over the reigning champs. Josh Manson followed up with a wrist shot that sailed past Bolts goaltender […]

Lightning vs Avalanche Stanley Cup Final Game 2: Odds

The Colorado Avalanche outplayed the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-3 overtime victory, but the Bolts were competitive despite not being at their best. If Andrei Vasilevskiy doesn’t allow three goals in the opening period, and his Lightning teammates stay out of the box, it could be […]

Andre Burakovsky buries one-timer in OT, Avs beat Lightning 4-3 to take series lead

DENVER — Overtime decided the first battle of the storms, and the snow came out on top. André Burakovsky destroyed a one-timer from Valeri Nichushkin that sailed by the outstretched glove of Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky, and the Avalanche stung the reigning champions 4-3 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. “I mean, […]

Game 1 remains tied, Avs-Lightning going to overtime!

Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final has arrived as the Colorado Avalanche and the reigning champion Tampa Lightning battle for hockey’s holy grail. The Avs got off to a hot start when captain Gabriel Landeskog capitalized on a juicy rebound from a Mikko Rantanen shot that went past Andrei Vasilevsky for the first […]

Dylan Gambrell to stay in Canada, re-ups with Senators

Dylan Gambrell is sticking with the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old has signed a one-year, $950,000 contract extension for the 2022-23 season. Gambrell appeared in a career-high 63 games this past season and scored seven points (three goals, four assists) after being acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks on October 24. He also […]

Carter Hutton hangs up the skates at 36

Journeyman goaltender Carter Hutton announced his retirement on Tuesday at the age of 36. Hutton was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in February from the Arizona Coyotes for future considerations but never stepped on the ice for the Leafs. “Honestly, I’ve been preparing myself for hockey to be over in some aspect for a while,” Hutton […]

Brayden Point practices with Lightning, status unknown for Game 1.

Brayden Point could return for the Stanley Cup Final, but his status for Game 1 remains unknown. Point, who has missed ten games since sustaining a lower-body injury in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 14, was a full participant when the Tampa Bay Lightning practiced Monday. […]

Colorado Avalanche: Game 1 Stanley Cup Final preview

The stage is set. Youth vs. experience. The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to become the first team to win three consecutive Stanley Cup championships since the 1982 New York Islanders. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are yearning for their third Stanley Cup title as a franchise and their first since 2001. The Tampa Bay Lightning will […]

Patrick Roy is going all-in on the Avalanche to hoist Lord Stanley

Patrick Roy doesn’t appear to have any rift with his old team. The Hall of Famer cleared the air Saturday afternoon in an interview with NHL.com’s Dave Stubbs. “I am an Avalanche fan, seriously,” Roy stated. “I have so much respect for ‘Landy’ [captain Gabriel Landeskog and Nate [MacKinnon]. “It was a privilege coaching […]

Time for the Penguins to cut Evgeni Malkin

It has been an amazing ride, but someone has to go. Now under new ownership, the Pittsburgh Penguins have two of the most recognizable names on the unrestricted free agent market – star center Evgeni Malkin and star defenseman Kris Letang – and it’s unlikely the team will retain both. The salary cap is not […]