Who is better: Blackhawks or Penguins?
E.J. Hradek...keep him out of the lineup. Detroit's D is already missing Niklas Kronwall (knee) and Brian Rafalski is day-to-day with wonky back. Welcome back, Kessel! On Saturday evening, Toronto Maple Leafs...
Blog Entry | Conversation | December 04, 2009
Intel: Pitfalls ahead for Pens, contenders
E.J. Hradek, ESPN The MagazineTeams that fancy themselves as Cup favorites must navigate the NHL schedule's rough patches.
Story | Conversation | July 16, 2009
Hradek's instant analysis: Datsyuk, Wings' special teams bounce back in Game 5
E.J. Hradek...a sweet cross-ice pass from the half-wall on the left-wing side to defenseman Brian Rafalski on the right point. The clever defenseman finished the play by firing a wrist shot past...
Blog Entry | Conversation | June 06, 2009Hradek's instant analysis: Staal strong; Wings don't pursue Zetterberg-Crosby matchup
E.J. Hradek...8:35 mark of the second period. In a one-on-one situation against veteran defenseman Brian Rafalski, the lanky 20-year-old attacked the net with the puck on his backhand. He used...
Blog Entry | Conversation | June 04, 2009Postgame report: Keep an eye on the Crosby-Zetterberg duel
E.J. HradekDETROIT -- Here are some quick notes from the Detroit Red Wings' 3-1 Game 1 victory over the Penguins at the Joe Louis Arena on Saturday night: ̶...
Blog Entry | Conversation | May 30, 2009Five Things We Learned: Campbell's on-ice choices continue to hurt Hawks
E.J. Hradek...bench. Still, even in the heat of the moment, he should have known better. 2. Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell suffered through another tough game Sunday. He was on the ice for each of the Wings...
Blog Entry | Conversation | May 26, 2009Five Things We Learned: Turnovers, timely saves in Game 1 of West finals
E.J. HradekIn Game 1 of the Western Conference finals/Original Six matchup between Detroit and Chicago, experience triumphed over youth. In sports, that seems to...
Blog Entry | Conversation | May 18, 2009Five things: Ward loves playoff hockey; Caps' Green rebounding in second round
E.J. Hradek...NHL experience into the playoffs. He's getting a bigger bite of the game with veteran Brian Rafalski sidelined by an "upper-body injury." In Game 1 against the Ducks, the 6-foot-5...
Blog Entry | Conversation | May 04, 2009Five Things: Gonchar, Nash need to step up
E.J. HradekTwo looks back, three peeks forward. Here are five things to think about on a playoff Tuesday: 1. You just know that ex-Hab Michael Ryder loved putti...
Blog Entry | Conversation | April 21, 2009With All-Star Game fan voting in, now it's my turn
E.J. HradekLet me say it right off the top: I'm not a big fan of the NHL All-Star Game. I've probably been to too many of the no-hitters over the years to appre...
Blog Entry | Conversation | January 05, 2009Instant analysis from Winter Classic
E.J. Hradek...with a pair of early third-period goals (they were scored just 16 seconds apart by Brian Rafalski and Buffalo Grove, Ill., native Brett Lebda). With five unanswered goals, the Wings seemed to be...
Blog Entry | Conversation | January 01, 2009Defense, solid netminding will keep Cup in Western Conference
E.J. Hradek, ESPN The MagazineIf you believe defense wins championships, then you have to figure the eventual Stanley Cup winner will come from the Western Conference.
Story | Conversation | April 10, 2008ESPN The Magazine: Western Conference previews
E.J. Hradek, ESPN The MagazineESPN The Magazine's E.J. Hradek breaks down the Western Conference by division.
Story | Conversation | September 26, 2007ESPN The Magazine: Eastern Conference previews
E.J. Hradek, ESPN The MagazineESPN The Magazine's E.J. Hradek breaks down the Eastern Conference by division.
Story | Conversation | September 26, 2007Teams look dramatically different on Day 1
E.J. Hradek, ESPN The MagazineIf you hockey fans were looking for some wild spending reminiscent of the good ol' pre-lockout days, the opening day of free agency didn't disappoint. Here's how the teams fared.
Story | Conversation | July 01, 2007EXPLORE RELATED TOPICS
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