With the NHL set to start in three days, Sportsnet’s HOCKEY CENTRAL will get the 2013 season started with a bang on Thursday, Jan. 17 with the jam-packed, can’t-miss two-hour HOCKEY CENTRAL Game On: NHL preview show at 8 p.m. local time on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, and Pacific, and streamed live on sportsnet.ca.
Host Daren Millard will quarterback the show, as HOCKEY CENTRAL insiders Scott Morrison, Damien Cox, and John Shannon weigh-in on what to expect in the shortened season.
Features in the show will include:
— Jeff Marek will be hosting the HOCKEY CENTRAL Strategy Room with Nick Kypreos, Doug MacLean, Brad May and Mike Keenan going head-to-head on the hot topics heading into the season, including early playoff predictions.
— After a 119-day lockout, Prime Time Sports host Bob McCown provides an overview of all the new faces in new places this season.
— An insider panel, priming fans for a season of action with the latest news from around the league with Morrison, Shannon, Kypreos and Sportsnet’s new senior hockey writer Chris Johnston.
Additionally, Sportsnet’s reporters across the country will provide an up-close look at each Canadian team:
— Dan Murphy in Vancouver: The Canucks are Corey Schneider’s team now. What can he do that Roberto Luongo couldn’t?
— Roger Millions in Calgary: New faces on the roster look to get the Flames back to the playoffs, but will it be enough to keep Jarome Iginla in Calgary?
— Gene Principe in Edmonton: Enough rebuilding, it’s time for the Oilers’ young guns to grow up and start winning.
— Arash Madani in Winnipeg: The Winnipeg Jets need Evander Kane to step up on and off the ice if they want to reach the playoffs in 2013.
— Christine Simpson in Toronto: For the Leafs, the pressure for the playoffs starts in goal. Can James Reimer prove that he’s the real deal and end the playoff drought?
— Ian Mendes in Ottawa: The Senators are looking to prove that last season was no fluke and give Daniel Alfredsson one more shot at a Stanley Cup.
— Alyson Lozoff in Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens have made major changes on and off the ice, including sending Scott Gomez home. Plus, with playoff expectations, can the Canadiens afford to not have P.K. Subban in their lineup?
POLL:
Which player will have the most impact on their new team?
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POLL:
Should the Canucks trade Roberto Luongo?
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POLL:
Should the Leafs trade for Roberto Luongo?
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POLL:
Did the Canadiens make enough moves to make the playoffs?
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POLL:
Which Oiler will lead the team in scoring?
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POLL:
Will Jarome Iginla finish the season with the Flames?
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POLL:
Who will end the season as the Senators starting goaltender?
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POLL:
Do the Jets have a better chance at the playoffs if they played in the East of the West?
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POLL:
Who do you think will win the Art Ross?
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