It’s my Parting Shot for my reactions to the headlines in today’s Star-Phoenix Sports Section…..
First headline…McDavid named Hart finalist. My reaction…while all three finalists are worthy candidates, I’m sticking with my contention that the N-H-L M-V-P should be the best and Most Valuable Player to one of the top teams, if not thee top team, in the regular-season. That would be Rangers’ forward Artemi Panarin in my mind. But, if I was to choose between Nikita Kucherov of Tampa Bay, Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado and Connor McDavid of Edmonton, I’d go with McDavid because the Oilers were the best team in the N-H-L from late November through the rest of the season – coming back from being outside the playoffs to being second in the Pacific Division!
Next headline…Rested Skinner gives Oilers stability between the pipes, Hometown goaltender’s play much better than it was during first playoffs in 2023. Reaction…as happy as I am for a Western Hockey League grad like Skinner to be a big part of Edmonton’s Stanley Cup hopes, he’s going to have to be lights out to play behind a defence that has turnover machines like Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse logging the minutes they get! I still think the Oilers make it to the league final before that D and Stuart Skinner run out of gas and/or magic!
Last headline…While Jays struggle at plate, bullpen has gone South, too, far too much pressure on starting pitchers with bats cold and relievers unreliable. My reaction…exhibit A was yesterday’s 10-1 loss in Philadelphia where no-one could pick up Jose Berrios after his first real rough outing of the season. Berrios came into the game with a 1.44 earned run-average and got lit up, but as mentioned before in this commentary, Toronto’s so-called star power on offence is pop-gun at best. President Mark Shapiro and G-M Ross Atkins are at fault for this, but it’ll be manager John Schneider who will get axed first! The easy thing isn’t always the right thing to do!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!…..