NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 21, 2020
Alex Ovechkin is one goal shy of 700, Mark Scheifele and Jonathan Huberdeau have four-point performances, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines
NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin tallied his 699th career goal, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his club from dropping a 4-3 overtime decision to the Montreal Canadiens. Ben Chiarot scored twice, including the winning goal. The Capitals moved into a first-place tie (80 points) with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division, but the Pens hold a game in hand. Earlier in the day, the Canadiens made a minor trade with the Penguins, acquiring Joseph Blandisi and Jake Lucchini in exchange for Riley Barber and Phil Varone
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is one goal away from reaching 700. (Photo via NHL Images)
The Toronto Maple Leafs bounced back from a 5-2 defeat against the Penguins by blanking the latter 4-0 in the second game of their home-and-home series. Frederik Andersen made 24 saves for the shutout while Jake Muzzin had a goal and two assists. With the win, the Leafs (72 points) regained possession of third place in the Atlantic Division.
Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele had a hat trick and added an assist to lead his club over the Ottawa Senators 5-1. With 69 points, the Jets vaulted over the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes into the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Kevin Hayes scored in overtime as the Philadelphia Flyers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. Travis Konecny had a goal and two assists for the Flyers (75 points), opening a two-point lead over the Jackets for third in the Metro Division. Earlier in the day, the Flyers sent defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to their AHL affiliate on a conditioning stint.
The Vegas Golden Knights picked up their fourth straight win by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Alec Martinez had a goal and an assist in his debut with the Golden Knights. Steven Stamkos tallied twice for the Lightning as their 11-game winning streak – and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s 21-game points streak – came to an end. The Bolts (85 points) sit three behind the league-leading Boston Bruins, while Vegas (72 points) moved into the top spot in the Pacific Division.
Despite a four-point effort by Jonathan Huberdeau, the Florida Panthers were nipped by the Los Angeles Kings 5-4. Kings rookie Gabe Vilardi had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut. The Panthers (70 points) slipped to fourth in the Atlantic Division.
St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington turned aside 14 shots for his second straight shutout in a 1-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Ryan O’Reilly tallied the only goal as the Blues (78 points) regained sole possession of first place in the Central Division.
P.K. Subban tallied the game-winner as the New Jersey Devils edged the San Jose Sharks 2-1. Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood kicked out 36 shots to win his sixth game (6-0-1) in his last seven starts. Earlier in the day, the Devils placed Domingue on waivers and held him out of this game for precautionary reasons.
Helluva game for the Leafs – played it tight in front of Andersen throughout and he was excellent with anything that did get through, stayed patient in the offensive zone and, probably most importantly insofar as the rest of the season is concerned, learned a group lesson as to what it takes to win. Muzzin and Holl were especially effective in their own end clearing rebounds and both wound up +3 on the night.
Really didn’t think they had it in them … but grudging congratulations for a win in a game that could have spelled disaster and against one of the top team in the entire league. Tavares especially who owned Crosby in the face-off circle. Not easy to do.
When the forwards want to play both ends of the ice it only helps it’s not always on the D
@ George O
Iam going to be very reluctant to say this is going to be a trend…Iam going to give kudos for a great ONE OFF game ..but Ive seen this before with the Leafs like early on in the season when the played the Blues ..it looked like they were going to be a special team ..but inconsistency is a disease with these guys …..I think this is a case unfortunately where a leopard can not change its spots !
also B T W …this Malgin kid is a pure bust …WAYYYY to small for what the Leafs need right now what a waste of an asset in Marchment !
and way to go by giving him to the team that is looking to take your playoff spot !!
What a complete debacle!
On another note…lol
Watched the Vegas Bolts game after the Leafs game ……OH …. I am sorry I mean the Western All Star Game …LOL..WOW …Picked out a few things here …
# 1… HAVE NO IDEA WHY LEAFS DID NOT ASK FOR MARTINEZ when getting Campbell …JOKE!
#2 Vegas is Stronger than when they wet to the Cup a few years ago ….Fleury is sooooo underrated ..and your buddy Mark Stone is a SUPER STAR!
#3
Tampa need more size on the Wings …
Great skating team ..sharp shooters on the PP ..but in a tight neutral zone game and in the corners they have some issues ..also very similar to Leafs.
HATS OFF to Nathan Gerbe for going toe to toe with Sanhiem ..way to go!!
It looks tight with Jackets Philly Canes Leafs and Panthers …EVERY point matters …I fear the Leafs skid here may have cost them and that Buffalo game was the dagger !
I’m glad you’re not on the Bruins Booster Club, Kal El.
It’s HARD to play the right way.
You learn how to do it for the two guys going over the boards with you and yourself.
They’re a young team, and last night they showed they’re both proud, and growing as teammates.
Losing in Pittsburgh is an easy thing to do. It’s a hard place to win a game.
They responded well at home, as they should have and now they’re back in 3rd.
Team effort. Selling out. Sticking up for one another.
All things that come with maturation, if it isnt breed into you.
@ Shore or park
LOL..yea I am a bit jealous of the Bruins ..to say the least …no player over $ 8 million Pastrnak one of the best players in the world …for less than Nylander…and a bottom 6 that has been cultivated to play old school checking hockey by moving your feet and finishing your checks and playing physical roles to wear down your opponents over the long game so the 3rd period can be your for the taking …love everything they do 4 lines deep …there bottom 6 is the same ages as the leafs so …experience is not the issue ..Coaching and HEART is but more so the GM needs to recognise that the leagues is still played this way …intensifies in the last 20 games and then gets even more momentum in physicality in the first round …a GM can not ignore this and bee successful as Dubas has !
Cheers
I think the difference was Dubas traded for the can’t miss prospect from Ottawa.
Veronneau had Matthews, Kapanen, Tavares on their toes knowing that if they didn’t perform they would be out and he would be in.
Andersen was worried that once they traded once with Ottawa they might again and bring in Craig Anderson.
And we all know what that would mean
One goal from the final.
Geez, now Dorion is building the Maple Leafs.
I didn’t take the time to look at it that way, Vinnie, but you just might be onto something.
Fear is an impressive motivator as well.
You’re right Shoreorrpark, they have a very young core who are trying to figure out the commitment and desire to win.
To me Matthews has really developed this year, he even throws a body check now.
If Kapanen decides to be I think he can be a game changer. He has a little bit of everything.
Leafs will be alright, they just need to mature and play defense first.
Kapanen with his 1 goal in the last 18 games real game breaker! Lol veronneau couldn’t crack the sens roster he’s a career ahler, dubas has taken this team back a step with the terrible trades and signings.is it time for yet another rebuild leaf fans?
@ bigbadbruins
Not enough size heart and or balls…to go anywhere …Dubas and his mentality about the dippsy doodle style game has NO IDEA !
This isnt the OHL …and a boys game ..its the NHL and a mans game …someone forgot to send him a memo….BRING BACK HUNTER!
Hunter would NEVER have traded away the Draft picks Dubas has to cover up all these mistakes …DRAFT PICKS are Hunters bread and butter and what he does best and what he values as the quintessential base of a professional NHL hockey program ..Dubas looks at it as currency ..NOT GOOD!
Bigbadbruins, you’re like George you don’t get sarcasm .But like George says, as I pointed out yesterday, and if you don’t I’ll post it again tomorrow
Gee, I’m sorry I hurt your feelings when I called you an a-hole. I truly thought you already knew.
@George now Keefe has to try to do what Babcock was trying to do play a 200 ft game. Some of the players refused to try and cost Babcock his job because he had no backing from Dubas or Shanny. Will Keefe have better luck and support. Somehow I kinda doubt it, Dubas has made such a mess with cap and some bad trades. This team has too many flaws and a GM that doesn’t seem to have any direction or game plan. Until Dubas is gone last nights game was more like an a bad dream for leaf fans
Oh My Dickens
It was a Tale of Two Cities
It was the Best of Times
It was the Worst of Times
He says ….. re Back2Back Pens/Leafs
Home team advantage????
Game 1-
Pens dominant; confident; fast; successful;
Leafs submissive; confused ; slow; unsuccessful
Game 2—switch team names in above
As a fan of both …. I was pleased and disappointed at the same time in BOTH games
Was hoping for 2 OT wins by Leafs …. Pens got the two points I was hoping for ; still first in Metro 🙂
Leafs got 2 of the 4 points I was hoping for☹️
Leafs Now back in playoffs; 2 points up on Cats (but Cats have one game in hand)
This whole season may come down to Thurs 27/2 and Mon 23/3…. head-2-head and it may further come down to goaltending in those games…. both teams can score and in bunches
Bobo has not been consistent at all. He’s had “lights out” games (Bolts) but also often lays eggs …. last night save %’age of 875
On the year….
Bobo 898/3.29 GAA;
Mont 890/3.30
Driedger 932/2.35
If teams still neck and neck and Driedger healthy …. JQ should start Driedger
…. set Ur PVRs!!!