When it comes to top global sports, ice hockey is up there with the biggest. Of course, the NHL is still the spiritual home of hockey and the Montreal Canadiens remain one of the most popular sides to follow. As any Habs fan knows, you are always guaranteed plenty of action, passion and drama when watching the team.

The Canadiens are also a side with a knack for winning, as their 25 NHL league titles and 24 Stanley Cup victories to date show. As with any pro sporting side, though, there are times when things are not going so well or you face a side that is in better form than yours.

Over the years, this has led the Canadiens to go into some games as the underdog. Of course, this is not always a bad thing – if you like to bet online, then backing an underdog that you think can pull off an upset is wise. This is because betting on sports in this way can see you get much better odds and make more money if you are right. While backing the underdog should only be done when you think they have a chance of winning, it can pay off handsomely if you get it right.

Over the years, the Canadiens have clinched some memorable underdog wins that would have made a decent return and also made fans very happy. But which are five of the best?

Vegas Golden Knights 2 – Montreal Canadiens 3: June 16, 2021

Although you could argue that the Canadiens were underdogs in the whole 2021 Stanley Cup semi-final series against the Knights, Game 2 of that series stands out in particular. Coming into it, the Canadiens had already lost the first game 4-1 and were certainly not fancied to pick up a victory in the next match.

When you consider that this 3-2 victory was as visitors to the T-Mobile Arena, then it looks even better. With Carey Price starring in goal, with 29 saves from 31 shots, Joel Edmundson dominant in defense and Paul Byron netting a crucial third goal, it was a brilliant underdog performance.

Stanley Cup qualifiers triumph against Penguins in 2020

 Another famous Canadiens underdog victory involved them facing off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2020 Stanley Cup qualifiers. Many thought this would be a simple win for the Penguins, as the Canadiens were seeded twelfth going into the series, and Pittsburgh fifth! A combination of Carey Price’s dominance between the pipes, a lackluster series performance from Pittsburgh and forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s inspired play all helped.

Montreal Canadiens 5 – Boston Bruins 1: Game 5, 2004 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

 The Habs were really up against it coming into this quarterfinal series against Boston. Many fancied Mike Sullivan’s Boston bruisers to romp home in this series and their initial drive to 3-1 seemed to confirm this. Game 5, though, proved decisive and was a famed Canadiens underdog win. The forward line of Koivu, Zednik and Kovalev were on fire that night and brought home a memorable victory.

Montreal Canadiens 3 – LA Kings 2: 1993 Stanley Cup Finals Game 2

 Although the Canadiens and Kings looked fairly well matched going into the seven-game 1993 Stanley Cup Final series, a 4-1 defeat in the first game at the Forum shocked many. This led a lot of people to predict a Wayne Gretzky-inspired Kings would then be favorites to take home the cup. The Canadiens, though, brushed this off in Game 2 to clinch a 3-2 win in overtime.

Montreal Canadiens beat Quebec Nordiques in 1984 Stanley Cup playoffs

 1984 saw these rivals meet up in the Stanley Cup playoffs in what was a very eventful series. Interestingly, the Nordiques went into the series as favorites due to a decent performance over the whole season. The Canadiens had not been great and had played .500 hockey for most of 1984. Once the action started, though, the Habs looked much better. The first four games were split evenly in terms of wins before a 4-0 romp in Game 5 put the Canadiens in charge. Trailing 2-0 in the sixth game, the Habs slotted home five goals on the spin to win 5-3 overall.

Canadiens’ underdog victories up there with the best

 For an NHL side with such a rich history, it seems strange to talk about underdog victories for the Habs. As with every team, though, they have had periods in their past when things have not been going so well or they have faced teams who many thought were better. As the above shows, they are not put off by this and usually rise to the occasion.

Based on the regular season, the Montréal Canadiens perhaps didn’t deserve to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, but that didn’t matter when Artturi Lehkonen’s overtime winner slotted home on June 24.

Of course, the Habs’ schedule didn’t conclude with a Cinderella story ending, with the Tampa Bay Lightning stamping their authority to repeat as champions. Still, the Canadiens became the first Canadian team to reach the last stage of the playoffs since the Vancouver Canuck in 2011, and it was quite some ride.

Now, attentions turn to the upcoming campaign and how Marc Bergevin will ensure that this wasn’t just a flash in the pan. To do that, it’s essential that the GM reviews exactly what brought the Habs a mere three wins away from Lord Stanley and finds pieces that won’t just patch holes, but provide value down the line.

From so far to come so close

It’s now been 28 years since Canada last brought the Stanley Cup home, with the flying Habs being only the sixth team from the Great White North to come within four games since the franchise hoisted the trophy in 1993. While Carey Price blamed himself for the loss, Shea Weber rightly stated that the Lightning are a great team and were better in the series.

Still, that shouldn’t take away from what was an incredible effort from a team written off before a puck was dropped in the postseason. With a 24-21-11 record, the Habs had the least points of any team to get in, but the tight-knit roster grabbed the opportunity with both hands. First fell the Toronto Maple Leafs, and then the Winnipeg Jets, and finally, the Vegas Golden Knights.

The super-hot glove of Carey Price, stalwart team defending, and a bit of luck all contributed to them making a record 35^th appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. Unlike others who would make it to the Finals, however, Montréal are already being written off, for the most part, to go again next year.

Not much room for improvement right now

While there are some truly menacing and potential contenders in Canada, the Montréal Canadiens enjoyed a fairly easygoing 2021 campaign. The 2021/22 season, however, will see them thrown back into the mix with tyrants like the Boston Bruins and Lightning, as well as the Florida Panthers, who have finally realised their potential.

That said, after last season’s antics, the NHL odds are certainly giving the Habs a nod at success again. Naturally, they see the Lightning, Golden Knights, and Colorado Avalanche as the favourites from +500 to +600, but just four places back are the Habs at +2000 to go all the way, with only the Bruins, Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes ahead. At the very least, Montréal’s rated in the Eastern Conference’s top seven teams.

Relying on last season happening again this year would be foolish, so Bergevin has a lot of work to do to at least improve the team. For the most part, the problems centre on the seven UFA skaters, certain RFA re-signings, and all with a mere $14.6 million in cap space. This could increase to around $17 million if the Seattle Kraken grab the obvious choice in the expansion draft, but that’s still not a lot to play with for a team with many needs and free agents.

The two key needs that the Habs have to address are the need for another puck-moving defenseman and a point-scoring left wing. If the funds appear, there’s players like Gabriel Landeskog, Alex Ovechkin, and Taylor Hall who certainly fit the bill. Still, given the state of the team and the potential funds available, Alec Martinez presents himself as the best primary target in the free agency.

Most of the improvement that will hopefully be seen this season will come from those already on the roster. If the likes of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Alexander Romanov can all take a forward step this year, the team will improve, with even more well-touted prospects developing lower down.

The Habs shouldn’t expect to run all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals this season, but they can certainly remain a wild card should they make it to the playoffs when regular order resumes in the NHL.  

Even the staunchest of his supporters would have a hard time declaring Marc Bergevin as a realistic candidate for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. Yet the Montreal Canadiens GM finds himself nominated for the prize alongside Lou Lamoriello and Bill Zito of the Islanders and Panthers, respectively.

That trophy is typically judged on regular-season form, and so in that sense, Bergevin doesn’t really have a leg to stand on. The Habs were lucky, in some senses of the word, to even reach the playoffs, banking on a run of overtime losses to just see off the Calgary Flames in the hunt for the fourth spot in the North Division.

And yet, the Canadiens have shown their quality in the postseason, and an impressive defeat of the Maple Leafs was followed by a 4-0 demolition of the Jets.

There have even been rumours that Geoff Molson has discussed the possibility of a contract extension with his general manager that would take him through to 2024, and that is a timely issue given that Bergevin’s current deal runs out at the end of the next campaign.

Unless the Habs have a miraculous trade window, it’s unlikely that they will be considered a favourite for the playoffs during the 2021-22 season, and so they will be a long price in upcoming tournaments over the next ear in the NHL betting odds. However, Bergevin’s future is reportedly settled, and the Habs have shown considerable improvements shown during the postseason.

Stable and Able

There is a lot to be said for stability in professional sports.

Habs fans will take some time to get over the dismal regular season campaign in 2020-21, and yet credit must be given to Bergevin for the manner in which the Canadiens have turned their season around in the playoffs.

He has already begun planning for next season, with a new deal offered to Laurent Dauphin, and there’s already mounting suspicion that there will be more activity in the trade window as Bergevin looks to transition his team to be a more strident divisional contender.

There’s no doubt he would have been questioning his own future given the circumstances of the season, the merry-go-round of coaching changes, and that dire end to the campaign will have tested the patience of even the saintliest of hockey’s general managers

But the Habs – and Bergevin – have looked revitalized during the postseason, and that positivity – no matter where the season ends – will surely carry the Canadiens into next term with confidence and hubris.

Having to play 25 games in a 44-day period was unavoidable, but even the strongest of rosters would have struggled with the physical impact both of gameday and the necessary travel. Despite this, the Habs are here, still standing, and ready to contemplate a bright future under their reinvigorated GM.

“I believed in this team since the beginning, and even in January I said we had built a team for the playoffs,” Bergevin said prior to his team’s clash with the Golden Knights.

In 2021-22, Habs supporters might just see the full fruits of that labor.

The first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set, as the Montreal Canadiens were the last team to secure a spot.  The Canadiens are the 16th best team heading into the playoffs.  Same position as last season.

The Canadiens begin their quest for the Stanley Cup on Thursday May 20 vs their rivals Toronto Maple Leafs.  It’s the first time since 1979 that the two teams face off against one another in the post season.

The odds are stacked against the Canadiens.  On that note, for the best online for the best online casino in Canada, check out JackpotCity, a place where you can find quite a few games – including a slot machine called Break Away inspired by our favourite sport, ice hockey – to play while you wait for the next game to start.

This season has been a season like no other.  A season played in a pandemic, in a 56-game shortened season, having a Covid scare, and having a bunch of game re-scheduled.  Forcing the Canadiens to play their last 25 games in 45 days.  The most of any team in that stretch.

After jumping out of the gates when the season started at 7-1-1, the team began to spiral downwards.  To limit the fallout, Habs GM Marc Bergevin fired the head coach, associate coach, and goalie coach.  Gone were Claude Julien, Kirk Muller, and Stephane Waite.

Promoted were Dominic Ducharme as Head Coach (a rookie), and Alex Burrows (another rookie) as Assistant Coach, and Sean Burke as goalie coach.  

But this made me think.  In the past 40 years, when the Canadiens made coaching changes during a season, how do those teams fair during the post season.

1979-1980:  Bernard Geoffrion quit as Head Coach replace by Claude Ruel.  The defending Stanley Cup Champions lost in the Quarter Finals to the Minnesota North Stars.

1983-1984:  Bob Berry was replaced by Jacques Lemaire; during the 1984 post-season, the Canadiens managed to get to the Semi-Finals, only to lose to the NY islanders in 6 games.

1995-1996:  Jacques Demers was fired 5 games into the season.  Mario Tremblay took over.  And the Canadiens lost in the first round to the New Jersey Devils in 5 games.

2000-01:  Alain Vigneault was replaced by Michel Therrien 20 games into the season.  The team failed to make the playoffs.

2002-03:  After 46 games, Michel Therrien was fired and replaced by Claude Julien.  But the Canadiens failed to reach the post-season.

2008-09:  In a surprising move, with a winning percentage 66 games into the season, Guy Carbonneau was fired, and GM Bob Gainey filled the head coaching role for the remainder of the season.  The Canadiens were bounced in a 4-game sweep in the first round vs the Boston Bruins.

2011-12:  In a dreadful season, Jacques Martin was fired at the 32 games mark of the season and replaced by Randy Cunneyworth.  Habs did not make the playoffs.  The two men have never coached an NHL team since.

2016-17:  Michel Therrien , in his second tour of duty with the Canadiens, and after a couple of good seasons, was fired after 58 games and replaced by Claude Julien.  He too was in his second stint with the team.  It didn’t matter, Habs were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the NY Rangers.

2020-21:  After a fast start to the shortened season, Habs GM Marc Bergevin was quick to pull the trigger on Claude Julien.  Julien was let go after 18 games with a record of 9-5-4.  Replaced by Dominique Ducharme who ended the season with a record of 15-16-7.  Remains to be seen how far Habs will go in this season’s playoffs.

Safe to say of all the coaching changes during the last 40 years, only the 1983-84 did it have an immediate impact in the playoffs.

The Montréal Canadiens recently got into the trade deadline, after a long time, to make a purchase. On April 12, they announced the acquisition of the defence man Jon Merrill from Detroit Red Wings, as a part of an exchange deal.

Although on paper it may appear to be a minor move, if you look at it closely, Jon Merrill may just prove to be a major addition to the Canadiens squad. If you are someone who is fond of playing games at any mobile casino Canada offers, particularly those attractive jackpot slot games, you can liken Merrill to be that progressive jackpot Canadiens had always been yearning for! Let’s learn more.

Merrill may prove to be an important addition down the road

Although Merrill’s stats aren’t anywhere close to being good enough to get any Canadiens fan excited, it should be understood that he wasn’t acquired to deliver a lot of offence; irrespective of how much Canadiens require it right now. His purpose of coming into the team is to provide Canadians with some solid depth in their backend, and help in some other areas the team has been struggling in. He made his debut for Canadiens in the game vs Oilers on Wednesday, April 21. And by the time you read this piece, you may have already witnessed how he fared in that game, especially in all the areas we’ll discuss below.

Assisting the transition game

John Merrill can be extremely helpful for the Canadiens’ transition game. He is well known to make an excellent first pass, and can be useful in starting the breakout. It was this ability that got him picked by the New Jersey Devils, back in 2010. Though he may not be the puck-moving defender every team wishes for, he is quite effective in simple plays and moving the puck away from the zone. You can’t expect him to drive the offence or quarterback the powerplay, like many fans may be expecting him to. But, he can be very useful for Canadians when it comes to retrieving the puck in the defensive area, and then quickly passing it for an offensive attack.

His versatility may be extremely beneficial for Canadians

Merrill’s versatility is one of the biggest reasons why Canadiens went after him. He’s a left-shot defender who has spent most of his hockey career on the left side. However, with the Red Wings, he spent an entire season on the right side instead. This can be a major plus for the Canadiens, as they would be able to free up Alexander Romanov who can then play in his natural position, enabling him to further develop his game. On the other hand, Canadians can also use Merrill on the left side of Shea Weber if they need.

Penalty kill specialization

Killing penalties is another skill that Canadians acquired Jon Merrill for. Everyone knows his exceptional ability of killing penalties. Being 6 feet 3 inches tall, Merrill’s long frame enables him to keep the opponents on the outside. His amazing positioning allows him to be a very good shot blocker. In fact, when he was acquired, he had blocked more number of shots than any other player on the Montréal Canadiens roster.

On the whole, it won’t be wrong to state that Jon Merrill can prove to be a very useful player for Canadians down the road, if they stick with him for the long term.

Hockey is without a doubt the most popular sport in Canada. It is also among the most popular spectator sports in the world, the most popular winter sport in the Great White North, and among the most competitive sports on the international stage.

Even during the summer break, Canadians speak about their NHL teams and follow them religiously. The sport generates a lot of excitement around the country, and many Canadians are lifelong supporters of their local teams. Betting on the sport has also gained massive traction over time, with mobile casino Canada growing exponentially within the last few years.

Canada currently has seven NHL-affiliated professional sports teams, as well as numerous semi-professional and amateur leagues.

Is Hockey Betting Legal in Canada?

While the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits all forms of online gaming, online sports betting has yet to be formally legalized in Canada. Individuals who gamble on offshore gambling platforms are not punished by the rules, which are subject to interpretation.

The Canadian government focuses its efforts on sportsbooks that operate from within the country, and it does not prosecute individuals that operate from sites with servers located offshore.

As a result, you will feel safe signing up and betting with any licensed sportsbook.

For those looking to kickstart their hockey betting career, here is a simple step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Create an account with an online betting site.

Opening an online betting account is the first step toward making the first NHL wager. Look for the ideal casino to get you started. There are several betting sites available, but be sure to check out respective reviews online. There is a lot to consider, beginning with the kind of games available for betting, and whether they fully support hockey betting in the country as well as other countries.

Step 2: Make a deposit

You’ll need to finance your sports betting account now that you’ve opened one in order to be able to wager on NHL games. To make a deposit, search through the different segments in the website and press the ‘Deposit’ button. This will take you to the deposit tab, where you will choose from a number of deposit options for Canadians.

Step 3: Make Your NHL Betting Selections

Click on ‘Sports’ in the top navigation bar, then pick the ‘Hockey’ drop down menu from the left sidebar to find the NHL betting lines. Selecting ‘NHL Games’ will bring up the betting lines for that night, or ‘NHL Props’ or ‘NHL Futures’ will bring up the betting lines for all various forms of NHL bets.

You can bet on hockey in a variety of ways, particularly if you’re betting on top-tier competitions.

Money Line – This is the most basic form of bet in hockey, requiring only the prediction of the game’s outright winner. On the money line, the favorite is denoted by a negative (-) value, while the underdog is denoted by a plus (+).

Over/Under – Also known as totals betting, over/under betting is a wager on the total number of goals scored by two hockey teams. Your objective is to predict whether the final cumulative target number would be greater than or less than the value set by the books.

Other forms of betting include; puck line, parlay, future, period, and proposition bets.

It’s no secret that most sports fans love to get involved in the hustle of the game they love and participate in a few plays themselves. While this can be the perfect pastime for most fans of hockey, football, tennis, and more, not all sports fans find the physical aspect of it a treat. There are plenty of sports fans that consider themselves homebodies, and they’d rather enjoy their favorites from the comfort of their own home rather than get directly involved in the game. That said, here’s how most of these fans show often show their appreciation and love for sports.

Watching the Game

We’ll start with the most obvious one. Whether you like to participate in your sport of choice or not, we can all get behind watching our favorite teams as they give their all on the field. Since homebody sports fans aren’t too fond of getting physical, they mainly stick to watching the events develop on their TV screens. There’s nothing like the thrill of cheering on your team as they fight their way to victory, and you might be surprised by how many sports fans prefer to consume sports exclusively in video form.

Online Betting

The world of sports betting is booming. While there’s never been a decrease in popularity in the field, it has gained tons more traction lately due to the growth of online betting. Naturally, there’s a good reason for this. Placing a bet on a game can be a fun way to spice things up and get you more invested in the results. There’s plenty of entertainment that comes attached to sports betting, and top-notch websites like novibet.co.uk make this abundantly clear.

Arguably, one of the best things about betting sites is the diversity they provide. With at least a dozen different sports to choose from in markets all over the world, sports fans can not only find their favorites on the roster, but they can learn more about other sports that might pique their interest. Another reason why online betting is such a hit with most sports fans is its accessibility. All you need to have fun on these websites is a phone and an internet connection, so it’s easy to see why homebodies prefer them to traditional bookies.

Playing Video Games

There’s no denying that gaming is now one of the most talked-about hobbies in the world. Thanks to the incredible progress video games have achieved over the last two decades, it’s easy for anyone to find a fun game they can enjoy in their free time. Since their very conception, video games have been tied to homebodies. They’re one of the top ways to experience adrenaline-fueled entertainment without needing to leave the house, so it’s no surprise to see homebody sports fans go crazy over them.

Luckily, the sports niche in video games is pretty popular, so even if you don’t like the physical aspect of sports, you can still play them in a virtual environment! From boxing to hockey, the range of sports games you can find out there is insane. Some of our personal favorites come from popular publisher EA Games, but be careful when choosing a game, since they do have a few titles you should be wary of.

In recent times, synthetic ice rinks are becoming really popular. This is partly because of the high cost of maintenance and the effects of the real ice rinks on the environment. Also, due to the increasing awareness of winter sports, more people are interested in ice skating and hockey.

However, winter sports, like other sport, come with some challenges. For hockey players, one challenge they face is that of a suitable training platform. Since most of them cannot access or afford ice time, they do not have a platform to horn their skills.

Nonetheless, fake ice affords them the avenue to practice stick-handling, shooting, and skating on a platform that resembles the natural rink. If you are a winter sports lover, you will discover how to enjoy your favorite sport even if you do not have access to real ice.

What Is Synthetic Ice?

Synthetic ice is a solid polymeric material that is designed for skating purposes. It is often referred to as artificial ice. It has been in existence for many decades; however, manufacturers keep improving the quality of the polymeric material.

Materials that have a high molecular weight and density are regarded as industry standards for many manufacturers. Low molecular weight polymer is not good enough because it is too brittle, soft, and can easily break down when manipulated. If the polymer surface is too hard, it can make the skate blade scratch-off quickly. This can make the skate slippery when gliding through the panels.

5 Reasons to Use Synthetic Ice for Skating Training

Here’s why artificial ice is good for skating training:

1. Ease of Maintenance

Having a natural ice panel will require extremely high maintenance. But with artificial polymer rinks, there are less maintenance issues as you do not need to maintain the humidity and temperature. Since it is plastic, it is quite easy to clean.

Also, you can get different enhancers in the market that can clean the surface properly. A simple wipe using a wet mop stick can do a good job. This will remove dirt and not cause any physical damage to the panels.

2. It Can Fit into Any Space

A synthetic rink provides a platform for ice sporting activities. During hot weather conditions when there is no ice to train, the only practical option is installing an artificial one. You can do this anywhere if it is a flat surface.

The panels come in different sizes depending on your space, personal taste, and budget. It also has different thickness and dimensions. Due to its varying dimensions, it is easy to install as it can fit in any space.

3. Easy to Install

The panels are relatively easy to install because they come in form of pallets. The pallets are interlocked to form a smooth surface on the ground. An evenly flat surface however, is a criterion for installing the panels.

4. Does Not Damage Your Skate Blade

Before now, synthetic panels were known for the destruction they caused on the skate blade. But today, things are different. The current rinks are built with improved polymeric materials. They now have smoother surfaces, reduce wear on the blades, and are easier to maintain.

The older technologies allowed the application of waxes and liquids on the panel surfaces before skating. This reduced friction between the skate blades and the surface. On the other hand, the new technology incorporates self-lubricating materials into polymer when manufacturing the rinks. Therefore, you do not need friction management and maintenance after using the rink.

5. It Is Environmentally Friendly

With natural ice rinks, you need electricity and water for maintenance and preservation. This alone will make it awfully expensive, besides, it can have a significant impact on our environment. Water and power are overly used in refrigeration and ice production. The type of material used in refrigeration can cause ozone layer depletion and other environmental hazards.

But with synthetic panels, there is a reduction in power and water costs. Also, the panels are made of bio-friendly, recycled materials. You can visit https://inhabitat.com/ice-rink-alternatives-and-their-environmental-impact/ to learn more about the environmental impacts of artificial rinks.

Things to Consider When Buying A Synthetic Ice Rink

There are many factors to consider when buying an artificial rink. They are:

1. Price of the Product

There are many websites or brands that produce and market artificial rinks. Each of them will indicate how their pricing system works. This may depend on the size of the area for installation.

Generally, people expect a premium product to come at a high price. So if you want a durable and close-to-real ice sensation from the synthetic panels, go for higher-priced brands. A good quality product always comes with a thicker and denser polymeric material. In a nutshell, be ready to spend more if you want a top-quality product.

2. Quality of the Material Used

An industrial standard artificial ice is made with polymer of high density and molecular weight. This material must be non-toxic, bio-friendly, recycled, and have UV-resistance. It must be able to withstand wear and tear and should not start to fade after continuous use.

Low-quality panels usually change color over time due to harsh weather conditions especially when you install them outdoors. High-quality rinks, on the other hand, have enough chemical stability to withstand pressure and friction.

However, it is normal for synthetic panels to have more friction than real ice, whether it is of high quality or not. Viewing this in a positive light, continuous training on such surfaces will help to gain enough skills that will make skating on a natural rink easy for you.

3. Durability of the Product

A durable product is known to last for an exceptionally long time. If properly maintained, an artificial rink can last up to ten years. Even when dangerous or earth-wrecking skills are showcased on this surface, there will hardly be signs of wrinkling or wearing off. So, consider getting a durable product.

4. The Installation

Installing an artificial rink should not take a long time. You can spend just a day assembling a 2,500 square feet rink. You also need to consider where you want it to be installed in your home before making a purchase.

A popular spot where many homeowners install their panels is the garage. You can pack your car on it as far as it is durable and premium quality. One good thing about these synthetic panels is that they are movable. Unlike natural rinks, you can easily breakdown these plastic panels and move them to another location.

5. Versatility of the Product

You can construct a synthetic panel either outdoors or indoors. The only requirement needed is an evenly flat surface. When installing it outdoors, it is important to protect it from harsh weather conditions like sunshine, rain, or storm. You can do this by using a tent or trampoline to cover over it.

Also, consider how heat can affect the rinks when they are placed outside. This is why it is important to buy UV-protected panels so they can last much longer when outside. You can visit this website to know more about UV-resistant plastics.

You can install the rinks at home for skating or hockey training. You can also get them for public recreation center where people can come and skate during non-winter periods.

6. The Equipment Needed

Before buying a synthetic rink, you need to consider the equipment you need for ice skating. Since this type of rink was designed for year-round use, you won’t need the same gear used for natural ice skating. A pair of gloves, puck, stick, and goal are enough.

When training or participating in a game, you need to choose smart pads to protect your knees from potential injury. However, there is no special gear for a synthetic rink.

Furthermore, you should consider the equipment for installing the rink. Depending on where you purchase, the company can send an installer to assemble it. Although some products are not difficult to assemble, you will need some tools to install others.

Are Synthetic Ice Rinks the Future?

Irrespective of the sport, location, or occasion, adding ice skating to the program advert draws a lot of consumers. Winter skating and hockey are becoming popular across the globe, and artificial rinks are the catalysts behind this growth.

Natural ice has been affected due to global warming. We now experience more warm temperatures; ponds are now thawing faster than before. With these changes, artificial ice is even gaining more popularity in the Northern areas. Therefore, synthetic rinks have come to stay.

Conclusion

Winter sports training is now more accessible and affordable, thanks to artificial ice. Before now, the downside of the sport was the entry barrier in terms of purchasing gear. Today, you do not need to look for rinks or pay heavily for quality ice time. You can start with a simple synthetic rink.

Also, an interesting part of owning a rink is that you can watch a YouTube video while on the rink. This gives you a cheap training session that you can undertake at your own pace.

It’s been a few months since the NHL Season reopened. Even with the restrictions and burden brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the action on the rink is still making a comeback and isn’t going away. People from all over the world have been looking forward to the NHL season and not even a pandemic is going to get in the way of their excitement for these games.

In this article, we’ll see the recent events throughout the NHL. From rumors, changes, and forecasts, we drop it all here for you to read on!

Penguin’s three-goal Attack Comes a Shocking Win against the Rangers.

Forward player Kasperi Kapanen had an impressive contribution of a goal and at least two assists for the Penguins against New York Rangers last Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. Kapanen had nine points on the last eight games since he was benched by Pittsburgh Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan in the third period against the Islanders last month,

Impressive enough, Keith Kinkaid made 16 tight saves in his debut for the Rangers, who had won three consecutive matches prior. This is made due to Alexander Georgiev missing out three goals out of six attempted shots in the early period.  The initial switches and plays in the first period paved the way for a smooth offensive for the Penguins and gained a three-goal stretch against the top contender New York Rangers.

Shameless Blow from Wilson to Carlo

Tom Wilson – Getty Images 

NHL has double-downed hard on Washington Capitals Tom Wilson after his hit on Boston Bruins Brandon Carlo that led him to a seven-game ban.

The league says physical hits as Wilson made happen on matches, but considering other factors and the totality of the case, it is best to resolve the concern through discipline. Additionally, Wilson’s history with grave violations had him face suspensions and fines before this case has also been considered.

In this event, where schedules are tighter, suspensions and fines are more severe not just for the player but also for the team. Wilson’s violations will take him out against his hockey team at least eighth of Washington’s schedule, as well as penalty fines reaching up to $300,000, cut from his professional salary.

Toronto Maple Leafs Steal the Top Oddsboard spot from Big Leagues.

Two weeks ago, three top contenders for the Stanley Cup were hailed as favored winners. These are the Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, and The Golden Knights.

But in a sudden turn of events, Toronto Maple Leafs have overtaken all three teams on the board, and it all lies on their impressive start to the season. The Leaf’s surprising upset comes from their win against fellow Canadian clubs in the North Division with a staggering 18-4-2 record.

The Leafs also stepped over the Edmonton Oilers in three mini-game matchups last week. Winning all games with an overall score of 13-1 increased their chances for the Stanley Cup to a +550 odd average. It is worth noting that the power duo Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews of The Toronto Maple Leafs heavily contributed to the team’s rise to the Oddboards. Marner has the highest points of 10 goals, 24 assists to the team. Placing Matthews on his side with an impressive 18 goals and 13 assist contributions.

Injury Report: Matt Duchene of Predators switched over to Reserve

Matt Duchene’s situation with his lower-body injury against Florida may have come at the worst time as the Predator center was switched off to the front roster and moved back to injured reserve. Duchene is expected to miss at least three to five weeks’ worth of events.

It hasn’t been a good year for Duchene as well as for the team. Duchene’s anticlimactic performance of three goals and five assists in 23 matches is not expected from someone on par for achievers and high-performing talents. Duchene’s absence from several upcoming matches quickly adds to the list of dropped lineup players; Players like Juuse Saros, Luke Kunun, and Ryan Ellis.

It is a tough spot to fill in without Duchene. In the meantime, Erik Haula is expected to take Duchene’s place. Although, Mikael Granlund is also a good candidate and more likely to be moved in the middle.

Overall, Duchene’s already diminishing performance and dropped reserves becomes a challenge that Predators have to face. The odds are high, and chances are not in their favor for this year’s event.

Takeaway

With so many ups, downs, and twists since the start of the season, teams have been making major surprises after every match. This year also spurs out controversies, fights, and unwanted injuries that create more interesting feats to the league. In situations like this, never forget to stay ahead of the game and see the events unfold under breaking news.

Hockey is a multi-dimensional sport that combines skating abilities with shooting, balance, and strength

Hockey players, whether amateur or professional, are some of sport’s most talented and multi-faceted athletes. Just think about it – their gameplay involves balancing on a thin sheet of ice while passing a small puck across a rink, all the while maintaining their aim, balance, speed, coordination, and more. The bottom line: to succeed in hockey is no easy feat.

This year, as the Montreal Canadiens continue to prove themselves as one of the best teams in the league’s North Division with a handful of incredible playmakers from Jeff Petry to Josh Anderson, we’ve decided to put together a training guide for prospective hockey stars that aspire to play as well as these Habs. What types of exercise routines do hockey athletes follow during both the regular season and in off-season that makes them such a dominating force? Check out below the fitness tips and tricks that both superstars and everyday players utilize for maximum gameday performance.

Home Gym for Off-Rink Training

Hockey’s elite can’t always be in the gym or on the rink in order to practice their skills. In fact, some of the best workouts can take place right at home for a more personalized, tailored experience. Because the sport requires athletes to have insane levels of endurance and strength, off-rink training that focuses on those aspects of fitness is vital.

To create the best home hockey gym, equipment like free weights, medicine balls, resistance bands, jumping ropes, and even a treadmill are perfect. Practicing running and jumping rope consistently off the rink helps to sustain hockey athletes once they get on the ice. Other non-equipment exercises that work out the legs like crawls, squats, and curls are all useful as hockey players are constantly using their leg muscles.

If after a while of training inside you’re missing the rink, you can even set up a goal indoors to practice your shooting skills. Just lean a mattress up against the wall, aim, and fire away. Other sports stars like tennis players have utilized creative strategies to act as stand-in hitting partners in order to maintain their practice regime. Similarly, practicing puck shoots on dry land is also a valuable way to strengthen skills in this area before hitting the rink. Although hockey gameplay only takes place on the ice, off-rink training is crucial to improve, change, and enhance the way players compete once back in the midst of competition.

Statues of previous players stand outside Centre Bell Stadium, home of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team

A Carb-Heavy, Lean Protein Diet

Every athlete knows that an exercise routine which trains every part of the body is no good without an equally holistic diet to go along with it, and vice versa. Especially for hockey players, these athletes follow a specific food regime that includes carbs for fuel and lean protein for muscle building. Foods that provide vitamins and minerals like veggies, fruits, nut mixes, and milk are also needed.

Because of hockey’s physically demanding nature, professional players often follow strict nutrition plans that includes several phases such as pre-game, in-game, and post-game meals. For breakfast, players have been known to favor packed breakfast wraps with eggs and avocado, low-sugar cereals, and bananas. On gameday in particular, diet is even more important.

The league’s best often practice “carb overloading”, where they eat copious amounts of pasta within the hours leading up to gameday. These dishes are often mixed with some type of protein like chicken or salmon, and a marinara or pesto sauce.

For extra carbs, players utilize carb powders that contain electrolytes for more fuel; this can even be consumed throughout the game. In any sport, proper hydration is directly linked to performance, but in hockey even more so as players are consistently moving and shooting during gameplay. The bottom line: whether you’re aiming to be the next Montreal Canadien or just starting out in the sport, following a proper exercise regime and diet is crucial to becoming the best hockey player you can be.