NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2020
The Islanders advance to the Eastern Conference Final, the NHL will begin announcing its award winners, and more in today’s morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: For the first time since 1993, the New York Islanders are going to the Conference Finals. They shut out the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0 in Game 7 of their second-round series and face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final in Edmonton.
Thomas Greiss made 16 saves for the shutout while Brock Nelson led the way offensively with a goal and two assists.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a complete team victory by the Islanders. They stifled the Flyers’ offense with their defensive play and aggressive forecheck. Head coach Barry Trotz’s decision to start Greiss over Semyon Varlamov also paid off.
The lack of consistent production by the Flyers’ top scorers was a problem throughout the playoffs. It came home to roost in Game 7 against the Isles defense.
The NHL will begin revealing some of the winners of its individual awards from Sept. 6 to Sept. 13. Those to be announced include the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Sept. 6), Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Sept. 7), Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award (Sept. 8), Jack Adams Award (Sept. 9), Frank J. Selke Trophy (Sept. 10), Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sept. 11), Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award (Sept. 12), and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (Sept. 13).
A 30-minute program during the Stanley Cup Final will announce the winners of the Calder Memorial Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy, James Norris Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and the Vezina Trophy.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I like this format and I hope the league sticks with it going forward. Their annual award show in Las Vegas has a cringe factor comparable to “The Dundies” episode of The Office.
NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON: The Capitals have reportedly interviewed Mike Babcock and Gerard Gallant for their vacant head-coaching position.
SPORTSNET: The Arizona Coyotes have interviewed NBC hockey analyst Pierre McGuire for their vacant general manager job.
LAS VEGAS SUN: Vegas Golden Knights winger Ryan Reaves received a one-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Tyler Motte.
TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed defenseman Juuso Riikola to a two-year contract worth an annual average value of $1.15 million.
SPORTSNET: A resolution has yet to be reached allowing the families of the players on the remaining four NHL clubs to join them in the playoff bubble in Edmonton. Discussions are ongoing between the league, the NHL Players Association, and the Canadian federal government.
Congrats to the islanders – couldn’t happen to a better coach! Mind you, that knocks down the 3rd first round Ottawa pick a few notches, but I don’t care … would LOVE to now see them stifle the Lightning.
They’re not to be taken lightly, that’s for sure.
They’re not to be taken lightly, that’s for sure.
Lyle,
Do you have predictions for the series?
Not yet
Negotiating on whether or not to allow family members into the Edmonton bubble is akin to insanity. All the other sports have had many and varied interruptions in their seasons due to positive Covid tests and only the NHL has avoided this with their “Bubble” policy. So naturally the powers that be want to screw this up when almost at the finish line. Listen up Sportsfan’s, military members go 6 months to a year being separated, and in far more hostile environments. If it ain’t broke, DON’T FIX IT.
Amen to that. But … as seen every day with the gatherings – on both sides of the border – of crowds in their hundreds and, yes, even thousands, the knucklehead mentality is alive and thriving.
OMG what is Washington and Arizona thinking considering Babcock and McGuire. I actually would love to see McGuire as ARIZ GM. That would pretty guarantee the franchise moving before AM34 contract expires if he has any thoughts of ‘going home’
Are you saying the Leaf venture pricked the Infallible Babcock balloon? I agree there hasn’t been air in McGuire’s balloon since he was in Hartford.
Thank you hockey gods for the Islanders series win
I dont wish injuries but Coutourier got his karma for the cheap shot on Lehkonen
Players laid down to peer pressure maybe now they will stand up for their families ,NBA MLB NHL and soon NFL losing fans by the millions but hey kneel until your broke and leagues fold most fans don’t care.
Read in the past week that NBA TV ratings down 23% and MLB down 30%. Have seen nothing on NHL. Also cable / dish watching is down and AT&T is trying to sell Direct TV for around 20 billion which they paid 50 billion in 2015 so something is up.
The rating’s are important as it will help determine how much commercial time will cost in up coming season.
I don’t see the Islanders or Stars with a snowball hell of a chance.
If TB or LV starting goaltender gets injured then i may change my mind.
I dont expect either series to go pass 5 games.
Don’t bet the farm on that Caper.
George O, if big Ben plays, I’ll give Dallas i little more of a chance.
Just based on the goaltenders I can’t see the Islanders or Stars with any kind of a realistic chance.
Don’t bet too much Caper. An upset in 2020 is not the same as an upset in 1994. Back in the day a team like Detroit could’ve finished 30 points ahead of their opposition and once in a while they were upsets. The Islanders might have the best player in their series with Barzal, the stars might have the best player in their series with Heiskenen.