NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 16, 2021

by | May 16, 2021 | News, NHL | 10 comments

Capitals down Bruins for a series-opening win, Connor McDavid wins the scoring title, David Perron on COVID-19 protocol list, plus updates on Brayden Point, Zach Parise and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Nic Dowd gave the Washington Capitals a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Washington goaltender Craig Anderson made 21 saves on 22 shots in relief of Vitek Vanecek, who left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury. Tom Wilson had a goal and an assist for the Capitals. Game 2 is Monday night in Washington.

Washington Capitals goaltender Craig Anderson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 39-year-old Anderson struggled a bit finding his rhythm but eventually settled in well spelling off Vanecek. No word on Vanecek’s status for Game 2.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. McDavid finishes the season with 105 points in 56 games to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid is only the third player in league history to win the Art Ross Trophy by age 24. Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky were the others.

With their regular season over, the Oilers will face the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

STLTODAY.COM: St. Louis Blues winger David Perron is on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list, casting doubt on his availability for his club’s upcoming first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. He joins teammates Jake Walman and Nathan Walker on that list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This doesn’t necessarily mean Perron had COVID-19. It could be a false positive. So far, there doesn’t appear to be a surge in cases among the Blues. An outbreak would have significant consequences for the NHL’s playoff schedule. Players remain at risk of contracting the coronavirus despite COVID cases dropping in the United States as more people are vaccinated.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning coach Jon Cooper downplayed Brayden Point’s departure from practice yesterday. “He got nicked up. He’s fine. No alarm bells,” said Cooper. Point was their leading scorer this season. The Lightning face off this evening against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of their opening-round series.

THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild winger Zach Parise is slated to be a healthy scratch when his club opens their first-round series this afternoon against the Vegas Golden Knights. He was a healthy scratch in three straight games before the Wild’s final regular-season contest.

THE PROVINCE: Reports indicate the Vancouver Canucks could bring in former Canucks star Geoff Courtnall to serve in an undetermined front-office position. Courtnall is a friend of the Aquilini family, who owns the Canucks. It’s assumed it would be an advisory position.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: And perhaps, as a potential successor to Jim Benning as general manager? Time will tell.







10 Comments

  1. Re Bruins/Caps tilt…. this game definitely could have gone either way, and went to OT.

    That was entertaining

    A couple of things missed here and there but overall entertaining

    As a Pens fan… hoping that series goes 7 with many bruised and aching victors

    Re Perron …. very tough to lose your top point getter, and face Avs…. for Iowa Prince’s sake… hoping this is a false positive

    Will be watching real-time at noon

    Go Pens Go

  2. Not sure how it works in Canada, but vaccine is available in US to EVERYONE!! How is it that league hasn’t updated protocols. Or that teams havnt set up a day to vaccinate? Rangers did on an off day over a month ago. No line jumping. At this point, there’s no way anyone should be missing games.

    • Slick, this left me scratching my head as well. Anyone who wants the vaccine can get one(in the US as you stated). Maybe Perron chose not to get it or is in the process of getting it? I’ve also read of asymptomatic positive tests among the vaccinated.

    • It being available doesn’t mean people are smart enough to take it, like back last year when we were all praying for a vaccine to get us back to normal.
      I’m now covid proof and my overload, bill gates controls me.

    • Leafs are all vaccinated as far as I know. Slick, I just got the jab on Friday and I am 42. It was a very slow roll out but things are picking up.

  3. Overall wasn’t a very exciting game, not alot of great scoring chances.

    Boston was fortunate to get a pp goal. A better PP would’ve resulted in a win.

    Rask didn’t lose the game for them but the constant butterfly, down way to early. He made the save he should’ve but that isn’t good enough. On to game 2

  4. Bruins fans are looking to trade everybody after last night … couldn’t beat a rusty 40 year-old goaltender … bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha .. Bruins are done

  5. If the bruins continue to be pushed around by guys like ovechkin & Wilson without hitting back this series will be over quick they have to hit the caps stars Oshie Alex etc I would feel more comfy with Swayman in net but they had plenty of chances to bury the puck and they didn’t. The bruins have to win Monday of its over.Speed and Skill will win over this club and even though I never thought I’d say this they need Frederick unlike Miller and The plodding Ritchie this guys got good wheels and size let him loose. If they go down 2 games they have to put Swayman in to lose To the caps third string goalies is disgraceful.

  6. The best team doesn’t always win but last night, the Caps were the better team. Why does it seem everyone has a problem with the better team winning? Me? I’m hoping for OT every game AND OT in the 7th game.

    • The caps were not the better team last night I thought the play was pretty even though they outhit the bruins that’s a given. That is the only reason they won and a little luck. I still think that Marchand goal the one where Anderson in one of the worst acting jobs in hockey pretended to lose his balance and then knocked the net off it’s moorings thus no goal.