Game recaps, injury updates,Claude Julien remaining with the Bruins and more in today’s collection of notable NHL headlines.
Playoff Recaps.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: Joe Pavelski scored twice to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series Kings defenseman Alec Martinez, who recently returned after missing several regular-season games to an undisclosed injury, didn’t play in the third period.
Islanders captain John Tavares celebrates his game-tying goal against the Panthers.
NEWSDAY: John Tavares had a goal and two assists as the New York Islanders rallied to down the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game One of their first-round matchup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: These two games were the best of the evening. Terrific back-and-forth play and plenty of good scoring opportunities, with the winning teams overcoming deficits and then hanging on for the win. In other words, entertaining playoff hockey.
THE WASHINGTON POST: John Carlson and Jay Beagle scored to give the Washington Capitals a series-opening 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, It was a costly loss for the Flyers, as center Sean Couturier could be sidelined for perhaps the rest of the series with an AC sprain in his left shoulder following a crushing, but clean, hit by Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin wasn’t a factor on the score sheet in this game, but that hit on Couturier could have a long-term effect upon this series.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Jason Spezza and Jamie Benn scored and Kari Lehtonen made 21 saves as the Dallas Stars blanked the Minnesota Wild 4-0 in the opening game of their first-round series. The Stars also received some good news, as center Tyler Seguin (sliced right Achllles tendon) is expected to return to action in Game Two.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lopsided victory for the Stars. If the Wild don’t find a way to rally back in Game Two, this series could be over quickly.
Injury Updates.
STARTRIBUNE.COM: Wild left wing Zach Parise faces possible season-ending back surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back.
TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (upper-body injury) could return to action during his club’s series against the New York Rangers. Marc-Andre Fleury (concussion), Bryan Rust (lower body) and Beau Bennett (shoulder) remain day-to-day.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Though goalie Henrik Lundqvist’s eye injury isn’t considered serious, swelling around the eye could keep him out of the lineup for Game Two of the Rangers’ series against the Penguins. The club has recalled Magnus Hellberg from their farm team.
Other Notable News.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: The Boston Bruins announced head coach Claude Julien will return with the club next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for the “Julien-to-Ottawa” speculation. The announcement received mixed reviews from Bruins followers, with some praising the decision to retain Julien and others believing the club punted on an opportunity for a sweeping change.
TSN.CA: Speaking of the Senators, now-former head coach Dave Cameron staged his first press conference since his dismissal, admitting team owner Eugene Melnyk’s criticism of his coaching decisions last month left him feeling like he’d been fired for three weeks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I sympathize with Cameron, but Melnyk couldn’t give two farts in a windstorm about his feelings. He’s a demanding owner, though he seems to give his management a free pass for his club’s inconsistent play in recent years. Some in the Ottawa media suggest Melnyk could make it difficult for the Sens to hire new coaches, but there’s plenty of bench bosses (ex-NHL and current minor league coaches) who’ll happily line up for an opportunity to coach the Senators. The problem, however, is finding one who’ll not only garner Melnyk’s respect but also improve a team whose defense over the last four seasons has ranked among the league’s worst.
YAHOO SPORTS: Los Angeles Kings center Vincent Lecavalier isn’t rethinking his plans to retire at the end of this season.
Here’s a rebuttal I posted to an article on Dobber hockey regarding Dave Cameron.
I disagree. I see 3 factors in why Ottawa didn’t make the playoffs.
1. The most important being Murray trying to compete with what was 1 of the worst defenses in Hockey before the acquisition of Phaneuf which has at least solidified the top 4 but after that Ottawa doesn’t currently have another Dman that should be playing a regular role in the NHL. None are currently more than depth Dman. Wideman may be an NHL Dman eventually but not today. 5th worst GA overall in the NHL. Murray’s fault.
2. A complete lack of depth to cover for injuries. The loss of MacArthur, followed by Michalek & then Turris meant players who weren’t ready for the roles they were asked to play in NHL had to take on far greater responsibility. That said Ottawa still finished 9th in GF overall. Murray’s fault.
3. Cameron’s neanderthal personal decisions & love of old world players. Cameron’s whipping boy was Hoffman, Mind Boggling. 1st player to be punished for anything it happened last season; 2014-15, as well. He may have finished 6th for PP TOI/GP at forward but when deployed on the PP he played as a point man as opposed to a forward. He should have been playing the 1/2 wall. Chaisson a Cameron favorite got ice time he didn’t earn or deserve & it went on all season long. Prince who was a great possession player, skater, fore checker & back checker couldn’t get a sniff of icetime under Cameron & then was given away for nothing. A late 3rd rounder. He should have played over Chaisson. Cameron & Murray’s faults.
If not for reason #1 the defense, Ottawa would have made the playoffs never mind the other 2.
Nor was the center ice position as bad as you imply. Zibanejad 21 goals, 1306 faceoffs winning 50.4%, Pageau 19, 1177 winning 52.2%, Turris 13 in 57 games, 1044 winning 51.3%, Smith 25; later moved to LW but still took draws on his side, 729 winning 52.1%. These C’s were top 4 for draws in Ottawa & all were on the plus side of 50 & had decent offensive totals although none are currently #1’s. Zibanejad or Turris maybe. Zibanejad is still young & Turris may have more than he has shown to date.
Cameron had everything he received coming. He was a brutal coach that lived in a different decade making player personal decisions solely by eye test. What ailed Ottawa has been addressed. How Murray lasted almost 9 years as GM is shocking & if not for Hammond & Stone’s play down the stretch last season; 14-15, Cameron would have been fired then & should have been regardless. His personal decisions against Montreal last season cost Ottawa a chance to get by Montreal. Hoffman was playing 4th line.
Last Seasons Mtl series.
Game 1. Ottawa lost 4-3. Hoffman’s TOI 12:21, tied for 11th for PP time. Played 4th line with Legwand & Chaisson.
Game 2. Ottawa lost 3-2 in OT. Hoffman’s TOI 12:40 8th for PP time. Same line mates.
Game 3. Ottawa lost 2-1 in OT. Hoffman 10:26 TOI. ZERO PP time. Same linesmates.
Game 4. Ottawa won 1-0. Hoffman 12:54 TOI. Same line mates. Tied for 6th with 4 other players for PP time. Scored the only goal.
Game 5. Ottawa won 5-1. 13:53 TOI. 5th for PP time. Played with Zibanejad & Ryan although line barely played. Had 2 points, 1 on the PP. This line accounted for 3 of the 5 goals.
Game 6. Ottawa lost 2-0. Hoffman 15:54 TOI. 9th for PP time. Played with Zibanejad & Ryan.
Hoffman finished the playoffs that season 5th in points for Ottawa with 3 in 6 games, the 4 above him had 4 points. Scored 1 of only 2 game winners. 9 other forwards had more TOI/GP than Hoffman. Eric Condra averaged 4:30 more per game in average ice time than Hoffman! Hoffman finished 9th in PP TOI/GP in that series.
That’s all on Cameron. No 1 else & I believe the reason Murray was moved out & up & Cameron out unceremoniously was Ottawa hoping to say to Hoffman were sorry so sorry as to how we treated you. We have eliminated the problem please stay.
“He’s a demanding owner, though he seems to give his management a free pass for his club’s inconsistent play in recent years.”
You nailed it dead on – Melnyk has been a joke of an owner and does more harm than good. What is surprising is that he is open about wanting to have a winner and a good team, but seems to insist on an internal salary cap. He makes this city look like a joke (remember getting the police to check into Matt Cooke to law assault charges) and ion my mind has clearly been hiding behind Bryan Murray and his cancer through bonehead comments that are always followed up about how much he is pushing and supporting Murray by the end of any news conference or especially any local issues. For example, on the 22nd last month, he ripped the team (players and coaches) about poor play and how he wants change next season. Then he mentions he will have a sit down and chat with Murray and about how great he is. I am not disputing that Murray is a decent man and a talented executive, but he’s the architect of this team and let’s be honest, GM’s have been fired for less (Looking at you Shero). Hands down the Sens do not get competitive again until Melnyk gets real change by changing his ownership.
As for Cameron, it was a lousy situation and I can appreciate how he feels, but these comments don’t do him any justice. He should have said nothing, taken it on the chin with some respect, take a few weeks off and get back on finding another job.
Melnyk as owner has a right to do as he chooses. I don’t think he’s a bad owner specifically. He just shouldn’t come out & make these bold states many of which are true & some of which just make no sense at all.
Had Melnyk not closed the purchase of the Senators in August of 2003, the last time the Canadian dollar was in peril & there was virtually no revenue sharing system in place Ottawa would be playing else where today.
Ottawa is a small market Canadian team. They simply don’t have the revenue sources numerous NHL teams have who’s other business ventures are interrelated to their sports teams & generate significant revenue from such allowing them to lose money on hockey operations. In Ottawa hockey operations are funded from Hockey operations.
Ottawa isn’t the only other team with an internal cap. According to CapFreindly both Nashville & Anaheim spent less money on salary’s this season. NYI & Florida only nominally more.