Recapping the playoff race, injury updates, comparing the careers of Johnny Hockey vs Johnny Football & more in today’s collection of NHL headlines.
NHL Playoff Race.
Nazem Kadri’s 4-point effort lifted the Maple Leafs over the Ducks.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Despite falling in overtime 6-5 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Anaheim Ducks gained a point to clinch a playoff berth. Nazem Kadri netted four points, including the game winner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are struggling on their current road trip, but considering where they were three months ago (last in the Western Conference), clinching a postseason spot is at least a source of satisfaction.
LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Los Angeles Kings dropped a 4-1 decision to the Winnipeg Jets. The loss prevents the Kings from extending their division lead over the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: The Sharks missed an opportunity to gain on the Kings, falling 6-3 to the Edmonton Oilers.
TWINCITIES.COM: Zach Parise’s first-period hat trick led the Minnesota Wild to a 6-2 drubbing of the Calgary Flames, spoiling the return of former Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom.
PHILLY.COM: “Claude Giroux and Radko Gudas scored 19 seconds apart late in the game, lifting the Flyers to a dramatic 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.”
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Riley Sheahan scored twice and Anthony Mantha tallied his first NHL goal as the Detroit Red Wings edges the Montreal Canadiens 4-3.
TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins six-game winning streak came to a halt as they were blanked 3-0 by the New Jersey Devils. In just his second NHL game, Devils goalie Scott Wedgewood turned in a 39-save performance for the shutout.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Dallas Stars fell to the Arizona Coyotes 3-1, blowing an opportunity to widen their lead over the St. Louis Blues for top spot in the Western Conference.
SUN-SENTINEL.COM: The Florida Panthers downed the Boston Bruins 4-1, leapfrogging the Tampa Bay Lightning into first in the Atlantic Division while handing the slumping Bruins their fifth straight defeat.
TSN: Craig Smith’s shootout goal lifted the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers and Red Wings are tied with 85 points, but the former holds the final wild card berth in the Eastern Conference as they hold a game in hand over the latter. The Bruins are only one point over the Wings in the Atlantic Division and in danger of falling out of a playoff berth. The Penguins loss prevented them from gaining ground on the NY Rangers for second in the Metropolitan Division. In the Western Conference, the Wild now hold a three-point lead over the Avalanche for that final wild-card spot, while the Predators win puts them only two points behind the struggling Chicago Blackhawks for third in the Central Division.
Notable NHL Headlines.
WINNIPEG SUN: Jets defenseman Tyler Myers underwent season-ending knee surgery yesterday and also faces offseason hip surgery.
YAHOO SPORTS: Florida Panthers captain Willie Mitchell (concussion) could return to action, but some doctors are advising against it for his future well being.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitchell’s played nearly 15 years in the NHL and won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings. At 38, he’s got nothing left to prove. If he’s reached a point in his career where doctors believe he needs to shut it down for the sake of his long-term health, he should listen to them.
EDMONTON SUN: Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins suffered a concussion following a clean hit on Tuesday by Arizona Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy.
THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche forwards Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon remain week-to-week with knee injuries. A further update isn’t expected until at least Sunday.
THE SCORE: Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan is leaning toward returning with the club next season.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll received a four-game suspension for a late hit on Philadelphia’s Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.
SI.COM: A timeline of the careers of Johnny Football (NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel) and Johnny Hockey (Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Clearly, Johnny Hockey’s having the better career.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres are raising their season-ticket prices for next season.
Lyle, did you catch the Nick Kypreos report from Florida on expansion, where Nick says Toronto will get a second team before Quebec City does. Nick cites a split in Toronto`s ownership Bell and Roger`s is the reason there`s a chance.
I’d take that with a grain of salt, Yogi. For one thing, Toronto lacks a suitable second venue. Until that’s built, no second team for Toronto.
What Nick was saying, if there is any merit to it, both teams would play out of the Air Canada Centre until the second arena was built. Of coarse Nick didn`t elaborate which of the owners he had spoken to
Again, huge grain of salt.