The Definitive Online Sports Stylebook

The Ben Watanabe Sports Stylebook

NHL

  • TD Garden

    The home arena for the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics located in Boston. No “the” when using the full name. On subsequent reference, the Garden is acceptable.

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  • year/season

    Be mindful that “year” and “season” are not synonymous. Year refers to the calendar period between Jan. 1-Dec. 31. Season refers to the period of time designated by a league or governing body, at the end of which a champion usually is crowned, followed by an offseason. When referring to the NFL, NBA, or NHL,

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  • signed/traded/agreed

    signed/traded/agreed

    When reporting on contracts and player movement, be mindful of wording. Do not report that a player has “signed” or been “traded” unless the source uses that language. For instance, none of the following examples indicate a signing or trade being consummated. The Lakers and Pelicans are finalizing details on a trade that would send

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  • NHL team nicknames

    In general news and sports coverage, the full city and team name should be used on first reference in copy. However, in all headlines and on first reference in copy where the NHL context is obvious, only the full team name needs to be used: Flyers drop Game 3 as power play falters again; The

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  • injured reserve (NHL)

    The device by which injured NHL players may be removed from the active roster to be replaced by a healthy player. In all headlines and on subsequent reference in copy, IR is acceptable. A normal IR stint lasts at least seven days. To be eligible for long-term injured reserve, a player must be out for

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  • faceoff

    One word when used as a noun or adjective: win the faceoff; the face-off circle Two words when used as a verb: the teams are set to face off at 7 p.m. ET

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  • blue line

    Two words, unhyphenated, when used as a noun: the Blackhawks are solid on the blue line Two words, hyphenated, when used as an adjective: the Bruins boast one of the league’s best blue-line groups

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  • power play

    Two words, unhyphenated, when used as a noun: the Sabres spent 14 minutes on the power play Two words, hyphenated, when used as an adjective: a power-play goal

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