Game recaps, plus the latest on Duncan Keith, Matt Dumba, Tanner Glass and Patrick Roy in your NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL game recaps.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE/SUNSENTINEL.COM: Sidney Crosby snapped out of his scoreless streak with a goal and two assists while Evgeni Malkin scored in overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. Reilly Smith and Quinton Howden replied for the Panthers. Both clubs had third period goals overturned on review.
NEWSDAY/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Columbus Blue Jackets misery continued as the New York Islanders shut them out 4-0 to extend the Jackets losing skid to seven games. Jaroslav Halak made 37 saves for the shutout, as the Islanders winning streak stretched to four games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Something’s gotta give for the Blue Jackets. Either a trade or a coaching change, but something has to change soon. They cannot keep going at their current rate without consequences. They’ve already dug themselves a very deep early-season hole (0-7-0) to climb out of. The more losses pile up, the longer their odds of contending for a playoff berth.
THE TENNESSEAN/THE TAMPA TRIBUNE: James Neal scored twice while Filip Forsberg netted the only goal in a shootout to lift the Nashville Predators to a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Steven Stamkos scored his team-leading fifth goal for the Lightning, who blew three one-goal leads.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS/PHILLY.COM: Antti Niemi made 34 saves while Jamie Benn tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Stars now have a record of 5-1-0 to start the season. Sean Couturier netted the sole goal for the Flyers.
NJ.COM/THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Adam Larsson’s overtime goal lifted the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes, who had overcome 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to force the extra frame. Coyotes captain Shane Doan reached his 1,400 career game.
Notable headlines.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: The Chicago Blackhawks will be without top defenseman Duncan Keith, who recently underwent knee surgery and will miss between four-to-six weeks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a serious blow to the Blackhawks defense. They could receive some salary-cap relief by placing Keith ($5.54 million cap hit) on LTIR to make create room for a short-term replacement via their farm team, waivers, free agency or trade. However, that player won’t adequately replace what Keith brings to the blueline.
TWINCITIES.COM: Promising Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba hopes to overcome his early-season struggles.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: The Rangers have placed rugged forward Tanner Glass on waivers. If he clears, he’s expected to be demoted to their AHL affiliate.
NBC SPORTS: Colorado Avalanche coach Patrick Roy isn’t a fan of advanced stats like Corsi. The Avalanche are currently among the league’s worst puck-possession teams.
Something gave alright for the jackets, they fired their coach and hired the devil himself John Torterella. Must really suck to be a jackets player knowing that a-hole is now your boss.