NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2020
Game recaps, three stars of the week, plus updates on Frederik Andersen, Carey Price and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: An upper-body injury to Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen overshadowed their 5-3 defeat to the Florida Panthers. Andersen suffered the injury following a first-period collision with Panthers winger Frank Vatrano. Before that, the Leafs goalie was a bit slow getting re-set after being bumped twice. No word yet regarding his status for Wednesday’s game against the New York Rangers. Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk tallied his first career NHL hat trick. The Panthers (63 points) moved into third place in the Atlantic Division, pushing the Leafs out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen suffered an upper-body injury during Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers (Photo via NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs were down 1-0 before Andersen’s injury. They took as 3-1 lead after backup Michael Hutchinson came in, but gave up four straight third-period goals. If Andersen’s sidelined long-term it’ll be a serious blow to the Leafs playoff hopes. It could also push general manager Kyle Dubas into the trade market for help. I’ll have more in the Rumors section.
Stephen Johns scored his first goal in nearly two years as the Dallas Stars downed the New York Rangers 5-3. Johns recently returned to action after being sidelined since 2018 by a head injury. Stars center Joe Pavelski scored twice within 16 seconds in the first period.
Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Elliott made 16 saves in a 3-0 blanking of the Detroit Red Wings. Scott Laughton, Kevin Hayes, and Matt Niskanen were the goal scorers. The Flyers (65 points) have won six of their last eight games and hold the first wild-card in the Eastern Conference.
HEADLINES
Edmonton Oilers winger Leon Draisaitl, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, and Vancouver Canucks winger J.T. Miller are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Feb. 2.
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen revealed his recent one-game benching was due to missing practice on Friday because he overslept.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: The flu has sidelined Canadiens netminder Carey Price from tonight’s game with the New Jersey Devils.
CBS SPORTS: Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (upper body) was placed on injury reserve. He’s expected to miss three-to-four weeks.
TSN: The Chicago Blackhawks claimed defenseman Nick Seeler off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Local police have cleared Flyers mascot Gritty in the alleged assault of a 13-year-old fan in November.
I was at last night’s Leafs/Panthers game.
For such an important game (winner 3rd place Atl; loser sitting out of playoffs) you’d think there would be great excitement from crowd
Far from it
Humdrum from crowd all first period
Only time any real crowd “buzz” was the less than 2 mins that they (Leafs) had a 2 goal lead
Start of 2nd when the announcement was …. “and now in goal for your Leafs…. Hutchinson…” ….., the crowd collectively gasped… it seemed very odd and I’m sure didn’t help Hutch
Leafs didn’t lose this game; Hutch didn’t lose this game; Bobo stood on his head. Give credit where credit is due. Last night he (Bobo) played at his Salary level
GMKD,
do not panic and trade assets/roster players for any UFAs…. Cup window starts next year
In or out of playoffs this year does not matter ( out is not cataclysmic).
Spending current assets in a gamble to maybe win 1 round (two would be mind-boggling this year) if Leafs get in; while simultaneously weakening rosters of ‘20/‘21 through ‘23/‘24; is not a prudent move
GO LEAFS GO
My very thought, Pengy, when you can hear the players’ and officials’ voices on the telecast, the fans are sitting on their hands.
Too many people with lots of cash but zero interest in the actual game. The team deserves better.
Ceci make Jake Gardiner look like Chris Pronger
@Pengy: I too would rather they not waste assets etc on UFA”s and instead become sellers with their UFA’s rather than risk being fleeced by rival GM’s because of circumstance
Your chances of winning a cup are in large part dependent on how you r playing when u get in. There is no question the leafs have enough talent to win it. They need a backup to challenge freddie or if he is hurt at playoff time. They can find the money easy by sending ceci who was a whole new level of brutal last night to Anaheim with a 4th and a 7th which ana traded away.