Author Archives: Jaden Teja

Canucks Oilers Recap

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I said yesterday’s Canucks was going to be entertaining. I mean I was kind of right but mainly if you’re an Oilers fan. For Canucks fans things got bad real fast. With all of the storylines  headed into the game. All of the talk about Connor McDavids suspension and should Conor Garland be worried. Which in itself is a bad narrative because Connor McDavid is the one in the wrong. Whatever the storylines were, it was still an important game for both teams. The thing is Edmonton knew that, as they came out flying. However, for Vancouver in like many games they started out slow and the Oilers made them pay. 

After Zach Hymen opened the scoring, the Oilers scored two goals in 20 seconds to really deflate the Canucks. It was almost the exact reverse of last game. Last Saturday Vancouver scored three goals in the first period and two of them were pretty quick. But Edmonton got two back to get them back in the game in the second period. So did the Canucks do the same? Sort of they let Edmonton get another two to make it 5-0 then Vancouver started their comeback. Brock Boeser and Filip Hronek scored and made it 5-2. 

 

I got really delusional thinking this was the start of a comeback. Vancouver was actually getting some good chances too. Elias Pettersson hit the post and you could start sensing a comeback. Kasperi Kapenen scored and ended all of the hopes of a win. Now there are more question marks in Vancouver. What’s up with Demko?. Is there a trade coming? Who’s responsible for this? Whatever the problem or problems are they need to get sorted fast. As Vancouver has the first place Washington Capitals coming to town on Saturday.

Canucks Oilers Preview

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It’s the rematch we’ve all been waiting for. If last year’s playoff series wasn’t enough. Connor McDavids cross check on Conor Garland added even more fuel to the fire in the Canucks Oilers rivalry.  Since last Saturday the Oilers organization has been in a frenzy. Even putting out a statement following McDavids three game suspension.The Oilers organization is disappointed and we share in our fans’ frustration over the three-game suspension of our captain Connor McDavid. We support him through this process and the organization and our fans look forward to having him back in the lineup vs. Seattle next week.  Who does that? Only the Oilers. 

When the Canucks beat the Oilers last Saturday, most fans were hoping it would be the start of a win streak. So what did the Canucks do? Blow a third period lead to the Buffalo Sabers. Classic Canucks. Hey, at least on the bright side Elias Pettersson scored. Other than that there wasn’t much good. The Canucks haven’t won consecutive games since early December. The crazier part might be they haven’t lost consecutive games since before then. It has truly been a weird year for the Canucks.

 

So what happens in today’s game. Does Conor Garland need to watch his back? I’ve heard rumors that players might be retaliating. I wouldn’t be surprised and it might make for some entertaining hockey. I know there’s no Connor McDavid but I’m expecting this to be one of the most entertaining games of the year. With all the storylines and both teams needing the two points. It should be a good one in Oil Country. 

New York Jets Hire Arron Glenn As Head Coach

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The New York Jets are hiring former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Arron Glenn to be their head coach. Glenn will be the 21st head coach in franchise history. The Jets fired Robert Saleh midway through this season, which at the time was a surprising move. This was the Jets first full season with Aaron Rodgers. But in classic Jets fashion it ended in disappointment. The Jets even traded for Rodgers’ favourite target in Davante Adams mid season and he couldn’t even help. New York finished the season 5-12 with a ton of question marks around the personnel. It looks like Glenn is the first step to trying to help turn things around. 

“This place is special for me,” Glenn said in a statement on Wednesday. “From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island, to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home. I’m thankful to Mr. [Woody] Johnson for this opportunity. To our players, prepare to be coached with everything we have. That is our responsibility. I ask that we share the same vision and that’s working towards winning a championship. To our fans, simply put, expect a winning team that you will be proud of.” 

 

Glenn was New York’s first interview after the Lions were eliminated in the playoffs. It’s clear that they’ve had their eyes on him for a while. The Jets have a solid defence but the offence remains a question mark. Do Rodgers and Adams come back? Or does Glenn want an overhaul of the roster. A lot of these questions will be answered when the Jets hire a general manager.  As for now it’s a step in the right direction, but they are the Jets who knows what happens when the season kicks off.

Conference Championship Predictions

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It comes down to this, a trip to a Super Bowl is on the line. Some teams expected to be here, while others hoped to. For some, being here is playing with house money. Nonetheless this Sunday will either bring joy or heartbreak to franchises and fan bases around the world. It is championship Sunday. Let me break down both games for you.

NFC Championship : Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders 

 

I’m not sure how many people had the Philadelphia Eagles making it to the NFC championship. Even after signing Saquon Barkley, some people were turned off from the Eagles after their second half collapse from last season. A lot more people started counting them out after a slow start this season. Boy do they look stupid now. The Eagles have been dominating. After starting out 2-2 they finished 14-3. Who was that loss to you might ask? None else than the Washington Commanders. What a rookie season for Jayden Daniels. Is it the best rookie season for a quarterback ever? If they win this game then I think there’s no doubt. But do they win this game? Ultimately it comes down to can they stop Saquon Barkely.  Barkley dominated in both games vs the Commanders and after watching last week I’m gonna say he does again. Then again I bet against Jayden Daniels last week and I don’t know if I want to again this week. This Commanders team has a similar feel to the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals team who went to the Super Bowl. So who wins this Sunday? Unfortunately, I think the Commanders Cinderella story comes to an end. They beat the Detroit Lions who had 16 players on IR. I don’t see them having the same fortune in Philly.

 

Score Prediction : Eagles: 26 Commanders: 20

 

AFC Championship : Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills 

 

 The game we have all been waiting for. I don’t have to tell you what’s at stake. Buffalo is looking to make the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994. For a chance at winning their first Super Bowl. So what stands in their way? Their arch-rival, a team that they’ve lost to three times in the postseason. The Kansas City Chiefs, who are looking to be to first ever team to three peat. Say whatever you want about the Chiefs, “ They’re the first 15 win team ever”. “ They have the refs on their side”. “ They show Taylor Swift too much”  Or just say they are really good. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL and continues to show that each year in the playoffs. I’m never going to bet against him. Ironically on the other side is one of the most liked QBs in the NFL. Who at one point had to beg college coaches to offer him a scholarship. Has a chance to take a team, who some people thought would finish third in their division to the Super Bowl. Buffalo is the only team to beat Kansas City when they had their starters in. But that game was in Buffalo. This game is in KC. I think the Bills finally get over the hump. I’m expecting a legacy defining game from Josh Allen in a playoff classic.

 

Score Prediction : Bills 23 Chiefs: 21

What are the Vancouver Canucks?

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Who are the Vancouver Canucks? Can you explain to me how this team beats Toronto and Edmonton. Then loses to the 30th place Buffalo Sabers. This was supposed to be a game where Vancouver was supposed to get on track. It was supposed to be a game where guys could stat pad. But in classic Canuck fashion they lose to the Sabers. Vancouver gave up the first goal of the game for what seems like the millionth time this season. Phill Di Giuseppe got the Canucks back even in the second period. 

Later in the period, after an amazing shift of the Canucks controlling play in the Buffalo zone Elias Pettersson ripped a shot over the shoulder of Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen and you could feel every Canucks fan jump for joy. I forgot these are the 24-25 Canucks, they didn’t generate anything else and let Buffalo come back and take the lead late in the third period.

 

Then Vancouver started to push, Filip Hronek had a chance which he fanned on. Then Elias Pettersson had a pair of chances in the final minute. With one second left Brock Boeser had a shot on goal but Vancouver couldn’t score. They let this game slip away like so many this season. Poor defensive play cost them once again. Nothing’s  new. Things have to change sooner rather than later. We know the Canucks are a better team than this. So when do they start playing like it?

Canucks Quarter-Century Team

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If you didn’t see the NHL finally put out the Vancouver Canucks quarter-century team. While some of the choices were obvious, there were also a couple debatable ones. The first team consisted of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Markus Nasland for the forwards as well as Alex Edler and Quinn Hughes on defence. In goal is no other than Roberto Luongo. Not too much debate on the forwards end you have two hall of farmers and the top two Canucks ever. Along with one of the best players of the 2000s. 

On defence some fans might be surprised to see Quinn Hughes on the first team so soon. However I’m not. I think he’s already the best defenceman in franchise history and the numbers back it up. Plus he is the only defenceman in franchise history to win a Norris Trophy. Edler being on the first team is up for debate however. A lot of people would have Mattias Ohlund over him and I agree. Not saying Edler isn’t deserving, he’s the second highest scoring defenceman in Canuck history. But Ohlund has finished in the top ten in  Norris Trophy voting which is something that Edler’s never done.

 

The second team consists of Ryan Kesler, JT Miller and Elias Pettersson for the forwards. Kevin Bieska and Mattias Ohlund on defence and Thatcher Demko in goal. I don’t think there should be much debate for Kesler and Pettersson as the two of them have been key players for the franchise. Kesler was a key member of the 2011 team scoring 41 goals, finishing eighth in Hart trophy voting along with capturing the Selke trophy. Pettersson has been a superstar since he entered the league in 2019 winning the Calder Trophy and putting up 102 points in 2022-2023. For the third forward spot questions arise. Miller does have the eleventh most points in franchise history, but when you think of the Canucks from 2000 on is he a name that comes to mind? Alex Burrows the dragon slayer himself or Todd Bertuzzi may seem more fitting.

 

Thatcher Demko for the goaltender may seem like a surprise at first, but when you look at the numbers it’s not. Demko has the fourth most wins in franchise history and was a Vezina trophy runner-up and a two time all-star. You might be thinking about Jacob Markstrom but he played on his bad Canucks teams early in his career hurting his numbers. Across some of the others that have been revealed they don’t stack up as bad as I thought. What are some changes you might have made to the team?

Canucks Sabers Preview

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It’s Canucks game day. Your Vancouver Canucks are facing off against the Buffalo Sabers on home ice. It’s Vancouver’s second meeting vs Buffalo this season. The Canucks won the last meeting in overtime 4-3 with Conor Garland scoring the winner. The Canucks will be without defenceman Tyler Myers who will be serving the first game of his three game suspension. Vancouver is coming off a thrilling 3-2 victory over Edmonton on Saturday.

I know I’ve said this a lot but I’m think this is the game where the Canucks can turn this season around. Buffalo sits second last in the league and is the perfect team for Vancouver to turn things around against. The power play scored two goals last game and that was exactly what they needed. So hopefully they can pot a couple more goals with the man-advantage. The big story is still the Miller situation. Will today be his last game as a Canuck? Personally, I think you only move him if you get a good package in return. You cannot dump a 103 point player for nothing. 

 

As we wait for all of that to unfold, tonight’s game is the main focus. The Canucks have to take care of business. I think this is a game where Vancouver needs to come out the gate swinging. It’s a perfect opponent for Elias Pettersson to get going and maybe score a couple goals. You need to take advantage of this game and beat up on a Buffalo team that just played last night as well. Hopefully in the next article I’m talking about a Canucks win.

Tyler Myers and Connor McDavid Suspended 3 Games

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The NHL suspended Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers for three games. During Saturday’s game vs the Canucks McDavid got tangled up with Canuck for Conor Garland. During the scrum McDavid cross-checked Garland in the face which resulted in a match penalty. Just behind McDavid and Garland Myers was tied up with Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard. Myers cross-checked Bouchard in the face as well. He was also given a match penalty.

It’s the second career suspension for McDavid. He received a two-game suspension in February 2019 for an elbow to the head of New York Islanders defenceman Nick Leddy. It is Myers third suspension. The previous two in  2012 and 2014.McDavid will be eligible to return when the Oilers host Seattle on Jan. 27. Myers will be out until the Canucks visit St. Louis the same day.

Vancouver visits Edmonton on Thursday and both players will miss that game. Obviously, the Oilers losing McDavid is the bigger loss of the two. However for the Canucks, their defensive depth isn’t the greatest. Myers is averaging 20:33 of ice time third on the team. But he hasn’t been playing great and the Canucks need to go on a run before the four nations face off break. So losing him might be a bigger loss than most fans think Do you think the three game suspension was fair or should it be more or less?

Bears Hire Ben Johnson As Head Coach

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The Chicago Bears are hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach. Johnson is staying in the NFC and will bring his creative play calling to the Windy City. Chicago fired head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldren midway through another disappointing season. Bears fans are hoping Johnson can turn the ship around and he has some talent to work with. Caleb Williams, D.J. Moore and D’Andre Swift are just a few names Johnson has to work with. The Bears will most likely add to the offensive line through the draft in free agency to help protect quarterback Caleb Williams. 

 

That would be huge because Williams was the most sacked quarterback this past season. Johnson was one of the top head coach candidates this offseason after choosing to stay with Detroit last year.  His creative play calling and trick plays are something Bears fans can be excited about. Also his usage of star players should make Chicago a very exciting offence in 2025. Caleb Williams is excited for Johnson is Chicago. “I think it’s been really cool to watch,” Williams said two weeks ago, when the Bears cleaned out their lockers. “During our game, I would sit back and watch and try and learn something. It was fascinating to watch. He had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game.”

Johnson is also a fan of his new QB. “There’s no question that this guy is talented. I remember standing on the sideline last game and you can hear the ball whistle by you,” Johnson said.

“He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him, can extend plays and is accurate down the field as well. Like I said, I haven’t really dove in and can tell you much more beyond that, but he’s been impressive from afar.”

Chicago had high expectations heading into this year. They were a Jayden Daniels hail mary away from being 5-3. The wheels fell off after that. The Bears haven’t won a playoff game since 2010, and are hoping Johnson can finally help them get over the hump.

Divisional Round Breakdown

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Arguably the best weekend and my favourite weekend of the NFL season wrapped up Sunday night. The divisional round saw some upsets and some great games. I’m here to give you the round down. Let’s not waste anytime and get started.

 

Kansas City Chiefs : 23 Houston Texans : 14

 

The Chiefs won in the divisional round again. What else is new? However, Houston played them tough and if a few plays went the other way the result could have been a lot different. I think the big thing was that Houston had eight penalties called against them. Say what you want about the officials, and Linebacker Will Anderson JR did. This game was not on the refs. I think a big part of the game was that Texans kicker Ka’ami Fairbairn missed two field goals and an extra point leaving seven points on the board. This killed a ton of momentum for Houston and it loomed large. On the Kansas City side Patrick Mahomes continued his streak of not throwing an interception in the divisional round. Travis Kelce also broke Jerry Rice’s record of 100 yard games in the playoffs. Kansas City will host the AFC Championship game next Sunday.

 

Washington Commanders : 45 Detroit Lions : 31 

 

Oh Lions fans, I’m so sorry. I was really pulling for you guys. But just like last year Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness  and the injuries finally caught up to you guys. I got to give credit to Washington. Jayden Daniels incredible rookie season continues and he’s maximizing his weapons in Terry Mclaurin and Brian Robinson. No one expected Washington to be here. However I have one question, Why would you let a wide receiver throw the ball down ten in a playoff game? Just why? Only the Lions. 

Philadelphia Eagles : 28 Los Angeles Rams : 22

 

Saquon Barkley did it again. It wasn’t as bad as last time but that’s not saying much. Barkley once again terrorised the Rams gashing them for 205 and two touchdowns. However, the Rams didn’t let this phase them and they held Jalen Hurts to only 128 passing yards. With two minutes to go and only down by six Matthew Stafford had a chance to do something he’d done several times in his career. Put together another game winning drive. After an unbelievable catch by Puka Nauca to put the Rams at the Eagles 21 yard-line. The Eagles defence held sending Philly back to the NFC Championship game for the second time in three seasons.

 

Buffalo Bills : 27 Baltimore Ravens : 25

 

The game we were all waiting for. While it wasn’t quite the generational game we were all hoping for, it was still a great game.  Baltimore hurt themselves in the first half with two brutal turnovers and Josh Allen was running all over the Ravens. After Mark Andrews fumbled in the fourth quarter. Buffalo had a chance to seal the game, but the Ravens defence held them to a field goal and gave Lamar Jackson time for a game tying drive. Isaiah Likely made a diving touchdown grab and it all time down to a two point conversion. So what did the Ravens do? Something they’ve done multiple times a sprint out to Mark Andrews. Andrews had the ball in his hands and dropped it. A heartbreaking end to Baltimore’s season and setting up a clash between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in the AFC Championship game.