Scott Timmins and Ty Wishart have become standout figures in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). Originally from Canada, these former NHL players recently celebrated a win with the Melbourne Mustangs, clinching the Goodall Cup as AIHL champions on August 27.

As he celebrated his 34th birthday on September 11, forward Timmins led the AIHL scoreboard with an impressive 82 points from 26 games, while Wishart, at 35, proudly held his position as the league’s top defenseman for the second consecutive year.

However, Australian fans are in for an unparalleled spectacle. "The Aussies are amazed by our performance,” says Timmins, “but the prowess of players from teams like the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings is on another level.” The excitement builds as these NHL teams gear up to play in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.

Starting next week, Melbourne will host the Coyotes and Kings. The teams are scheduled for multiple practice sessions at the O’Brien Icehouse before an open session at the Rod Laver Arena. The highlight will be two preseason games as part of the 2023 NHL Global Series in Melbourne over the weekend. Fans from North America can catch the action live on NHL Network and Sportsnet.

Wishart humorously acknowledges their prominent status in AIHL, “Down here, we feel like big fish in a small pond. But the real spectacle will be when genuine NHL pros take the stage.”

While both players initially came to Melbourne seeking a fun conclusion to their professional careers, they've unexpectedly found a longer-term passion and commitment. Both have decided to extend their stay in Australia.

Timmins and Wishart, with their extensive international experience, recognize the significance of this NHL event. Timmins enthusiastically anticipates a transformative impact on Australian hockey: “The ripple effect from this is bound to uplift the quality and interest in our league here.” Wishart echoes the sentiment.

The 2023-24 NHL season is upon us, and for the St. Louis Blues, it means 26 encounters with their Central Division rivals, a quartet of which will be intense showdowns against the Arizona Coyotes. While the previous season didn't unfold as expected for the Blues, their encounters with the Coyotes were particularly challenging. In the 2021-22 season, they struggled to a 1-2-1 record against Arizona, but the Coyotes made a resounding comeback a year later.

**Recap of the 2022-23 Season**
- Season Record: 28-40-14 (70 points)
- Central Division Ranking: 7th
- Goals For: 228 (28th out of 32 teams)
- Goals Against: 299 (25th out of 32 teams)
- Season Series Against St. Louis: 2-0-1

The standout of the Coyotes' performance against the Blues in the previous season was forward Nick Schmaltz. During their first matchup of the season, Schmaltz orchestrated a remarkable hat trick and emerged as the highest point-scorer with an impressive tally of 10 points (comprising five goals and five assists) in clashes with the Blues. The 27-year-old came remarkably close to matching his career-best record of 23 goals set in the 2021-22 season, despite playing in just 63 regular-season games.

But Schmaltz wasn't the only Coyotes player giving the Blues a run for their money. Forward Clayton Keller managed to amass six points (three goals, three assists), while forward Barrett Hayton and defenseman Juuso Välimäki each contributed four points in three games. Interestingly, despite outshooting the Coyotes by a margin of 112 to 80 over these three games, the Blues found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, conceding twice as many goals (16 against their 8), averaging a concerning 5.33 goals against per game.

For the St. Louis Blues, who encountered their fair share of offensive challenges throughout the season, this defensive struggle was indeed a troubling pattern. With a season average of 3.17 goals against per game, addressing these defensive shortcomings becomes paramount. Failure to do so could pose significant difficulties in containing the formidable offensive arsenal that the Arizona Coyotes have bolstered in the offseason. As the new season kicks off, all eyes will be on St. Louis to see if they've successfully shored up their defense to handle the Coyotes' offensive prowess.

On September 24, 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins will clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets in an exciting pre-season showdown. Both squads come in with momentum from the previous season: the Penguins celebrated a playoff berth, while the Blue Jackets narrowly missed out.

Spearheading the Penguins are their star players, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Crosby showcased his prowess last season with 51 points, and Malkin was close behind with 42 points. These two stalwarts remain vital assets, promising to drive the team's fortunes this year.

For the Blue Jackets, the spotlight shines on their emerging stars: Patrik Laine, Cole Sillinger, and Kent Johnson. With Laine's impressive 34 goals from the last season, Sillinger's commendable 24 points in his debut year, and the much-anticipated contributions from Johnson, the Blue Jackets have a promising future.

When it comes to guarding the net, both teams are solid. Penguins boast of Tristan Jarry, who had an admirable save percentage of .910 last season. On the other side, the Blue Jackets counter with Elvis Merzlikins, who posted a .908 save percentage.

This encounter is shaping up to be a nail-biter. While the Penguins have the advantage in terms of seasoned players and star appeal, the Blue Jackets are not to be underestimated with their youthful energy and ambition.

Match Prediction: Penguins edge it out 4-3 against the Blue Jackets.

Players to Keep an Eye On:

- Sidney Crosby (PIT)
- Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
- Patrik Laine (CBJ)
- Cole Sillinger (CBJ)
- Kent Johnson (CBJ)
- Tristan Jarry (PIT)
- Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ)

The international dateline may present a minor scheduling puzzle, but there's no confusion about the thrilling showdown ahead. The LA Kings and the Arizona Coyotes are gearing up to face off in a pair of highly anticipated games in Australia later this month.

For local fans Down Under, it's an extraordinary opportunity to witness dozens of NHL stars up close and personal. On Friday, September 22, both teams will hold an open practice, giving fans a sneak peek into their preparations. Then, the action kicks into high gear on Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24, when the Kings and Coyotes will take to the ice at 2 pm Australian time. Now, here's where it gets interesting: that translates to 9 pm California time. It might seem straightforward until you realize it's 9 pm Pacific Time the *day before*. So, Saturday's game will be played on Friday night in SoCal, while Sunday's showdown will unfold on Saturday evening in Los Angeles. Clear as crystal? Fantastic.

Based on the latest insights from Mayor's Manor, it appears that training camp preparations will primarily unfold in the Land Down Under. Players are set to undergo medical assessments around Friday, September 15, and they'll embark on their journey to Australia starting on Saturday, September 16. Yes, you read that correctly – this exciting venture aligns with the same timeline as the Rookie Faceoff tournament in Las Vegas. Exciting times are ahead for NHL fans on both sides of the Pacific!