PRAYERS, PLEASE, FOR RON DUGUAY. ONE OF THE BEST GUYS IN THE BUSINESS. HE'S FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT. PRAYERS AND GOOD WISHES WELCOME.

The Maven gets. excited about new franchises, anywhere. Today I hail the @NYIslanders new ECHL affiliate, the Trenton Ironhawks. (Love that nickname!) Their exciting home opener happens on Saturday at 6 p.m. The@IronhawksHockey host Adirondack, the @NJDevils ECHL farm club. YAY!!

To my Jewish readers; best wishes for Yom Kippur prayers. If you fast, then let it be an easy one.

Sidney Crosby's tribute to Marc-Andre Fleury was so special, so real, so emotional and well -- a great a guy each one has been -- as player and human being. Sid just knocks me out in so many ways as, perhaps, too easily taken for granted. What a man! What a guy!!

L'Shana Tova! Happy, Healthy New Year to all my Jewish readers, friends.

Prayers for Matthew Mayich and full recovery!

The passing of great guy Steve Mars is mourned by all who worked with him -- and dearly loved him -- from SportsChannel and on through MSG Networks days. Steve's annual charity bike rides from NYC to Buffalo were a testament to his courage, charity and love of life, family!

I'm trying to locate author Jay Moran to congratulate him on his superior work, "The Rangers and the Bruins and the End of an Era -- A Tribute to a Great Rivalry." Great research to Jay; and thanks for the hard work involved!

At last a really good @EdmontonOilers move. Babcock will deliver Punch Imlach tough coaching and McDavid, Inc. will listen and follow through because this guy knows the score. So does Connor; time is running out for his coveted Cup. Good luck to Mike. Spector hot stuff rip east.

The Marlies dramatic Calder Cup victory underlines the oft-overlooked AHL strength and influence. Kudos, as well, to the Chi Wolves. Big YAY to Alena Sychova's excellent video coverage throughout including her post-Cup on-ice interviews. It had an NHL quality about it. A-1 to AHL

You tell me: Are The @Canes en route to becoming the next dynasty? Maven says NO because of natural attrition (injuries, fatigue, plus) but I'd love to hear from anyone who thinks otherwise.

YAY TO CANADA POST FOR HONORING @NYISLANDERS ICON #BRYANTROTTIER WITH A TROTS POSTAGE STAMP. And of course, KUDOS TO BRIAN FOR THE WELL-DESERVED HONOR.

Most underrated guy in the champ @Canes camp is young gm #EricTulsky. Combo of owner #TomDundon, coach #RodBrindAmour & Tulsky as good as any in the league. @GoldenKnights high command right up at the top, too. Beauty part of Final was NHL's 2 best collided and better team won.

Big YAY to the @GoldenKnights who took the Champs as far as the Vegas gang could go. From Torts' terrific coaching, Kelly McCrimmon's managing, captain Mark Stone's leadership. You guys provided elite hockey from beginning to end. Thanks for the thrills.

KUDOS TO THE CUP CHAMP CANES, ESPECIALLY OWNER TOM DUNDON, GM ERIC TULSKY, COACH ROD BRIND'AMOUR AND CAPTAIN JORDON STAAL FOR A JOB WELL DONE & A CUP WELL-EARNED, PLUS THE LONG ISLAND PEARL, BRANDON BUSSI. CLEANLY EARNED

Whatever happens tonight in Vegas, The Maven has been thrilled by both clubs and coaches #RodBrindAmour and #JohnTortorella. Some many storylines from #MitchMarner to #JordanStaal. Big league hockey never was better.

Congrats to Knicks; now we see if somehow the @GoldenKnights can tied the Stanley Cup Final and force a seventh game; and wouldn't that be something! Time and goaltending will tell.

There's still gas in the @GoldenKnights' tank; the trick is to get goals and airtight goaltending and no foolish penalties. The @Canes are both formidable and beatable. Game 6 should be another doozie. Enjoy one of the great series in memory.

Either the @GoldenKnights solve the amazing from Long Island rookie goalie or it's over and out. He's not THAT good but the Vegas guys are making him look GREAT. Either way, THANKS for a super series -- both teams.

Brandon, the @Canes un-real goalie, threatens to steal the already fantastic story line of the Cup Final. @Knights gonna have to figure him out pronto. Meanwhile the series keeps getting better and BETTER! Another thriller coming up tonight in Raleigh. Strap seatbelts!