NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 23, 2021
Another multi-point game for Connor McDavid, the Sharks are unbeaten in four straight, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: Connor McDavid collected two assists while Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman each scored twice to give the Edmonton Oilers a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Oilers captain has a league-leading 13 points in five games. Only Wayne Gretzky had more points (15) in franchise history over the same period to start a season. The Oilers sit atop the overall standings with a 5-0-0 record while the Golden Knights are 1-3-0.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).
The San Jose Sharks pushed their season-opening win streak to four games (4-0-0) by downing the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3. Logan Couture scored two goals and set up another while goalie Adin Hill made 30 saves for his third straight victory. The Leafs are 2-2-1 in their first five.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks general manager Doug Wilson entered this season on the hot seat as his club missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. He was also criticized for his handling of Evander Kane’s off-ice issues. The Sharks will eventually lose some games but building on this impressive start will reduce the heat on Wilson.
A 35-save performance by Linus Ullmark backstopped the Boston Bruins to a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, handing the latter their first loss of the season (3-1-0). Charlie Coyle had a goal and two assists while Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand chipped in two points. This was Ullmark’s first game against his former club.
An overtime goal by Denis Gurianov lifted the Dallas Stars over the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. Miro Heiskanen had a goal and two assists for the Stars. Kings captain Anze Kopitar tallied his sixth goal of the season and has scored in all four of his club’s games. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty left the game in the second period following a knee-on-knee hit by Stars blueliner Jani Hakanpaa, who received a five-minute major and game misconduct for kneeing. Doughty’s status remains unknown.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hakanpaa could receive supplemental discipline for what was a dirty hit on Doughty, who could end up missing significant time as a result.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Anaheim Ducks forward Max Jones will be sidelined between four and six months after suffering a torn pectoral tendon during Monday’s game against the Calgary Flames.
TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry was removed from COVID protocol yesterday and rejoined his teammates in practice. Jarry had received a false positive test on Thursday.
SPORTSNET: Winger Alex Barre-Boulet was reclaimed off waiver by the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday. He was originally claimed by the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 11 and saw action in two games with them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I look forward to his video tribute by the Kraken the next time those two clubs meet.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports the NHL and its team of medical experts are currently debating the merits of testing asymptomatic players. This comes after several players, including Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifle and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter missed games due to a positive COVID-19 test despite being asymptomatic. That’s led to growing frustration among players and general managers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli speculates this could lead to changes to the protocol only to test players and team staff who show symptoms of COVID-19. However, he notes even the experts have split opinions on the matter.
The league and the NHLPA will meet on Nov. 1 to review the protocol. Given the 99.5 percent vaccination rate among players and staff and the strict rules on social distancing, it wouldn’t be surprising if the testing rules become adjusted.
Not a good night for me ….. Leafs and Argos lost …. Both with bonehead coaching moves 👎👎👎👎👎🤬😡🤬😡🤬😡💩💩💩
Hutch could not come through in the clutch (had to say it)…. He was not good at all
The Ritchie replacement (for Hyman) so far not even close. Hyman had a pair and was first star last night. He’s 5-1-6 in 5 GP. Ritchie…. NADA in 5 GP
Raptors won though…. 👍👍
Well, since Leafs play Pens tonight… I’ll witness a win for one of my teams… hoping for OT. With Pens down all 3 top Centres; and Rusty… even though it is a B2B game (with flight) for Leafs… Leafs SHOULD win (again… OT please)
McD only 2 points last night….. slacker…. Oil 5-0…. Looking good (note Knights seriously depleted though)
Pengy, I wouldn’t lay too much blame on Hutchinson – they did bugger all in front of him against a team playing a back-to-back and 3rd in 4 nights. Marner had ONE shot on goal and in their first 5 games has 1 assist.
True George but here I fully agree with Button’s assessment… Hutch was very poor … two absolute “give me” goals and another that he certainly could have had
Yes poor D in front… but w e a k goaltending
Great game by Linus.
Coyle is looking sharp. He should really shoot more.
Nice to see Pasta get his 1st of the season.
Marchand is a top 10 playmaker in the league. He just keeps getting better with age and maturity.
Coyle did look good SOP. 2nd line might be OK after all.
Ullmark may win the Vezina behind a solid B’s team!
Thoughts Rick?
Koskinen may give him a run.
Hopefully Ullmark isn’t lured away by that pesky, veteran Thornhill team in the off season.
Hyman fits like a glove so far in EDM. The type of player they needed. Motor never stops, physical and smart.
Meanwhile Ritchie, his replacement in Toronto (thanks to the Dubas method of “managing” the cap), has zilch in 5 games and last night was benched for long stretches.
Unfortunately he may turn out to be another who will wilt under the unyielding pressure of the TO media.
The scary thing for the rest of the pacific is the top 6 hasn’t even really clicked yet 5v5 . The 3rd line has been the most consistent , the last couple mcdavid and draisaitl have been apart and both units aren’t really clicking , yet , Leon nuge and yamo have the chemistry edge having played together before. The pp is lethal for a third straight year and Hyman has benefited the most so far with 3 kick ins from close range , nice snipe and a shorty and all kinds of grit mixed in as well but 5v5 the top 6 has another couple levels to find . Bouchard played 25 last night , penalty killing , on at the end defending a lead , koskinen is 3-0 with a .943. It is super early but other than barries dreadful start I can’t think of many better ways the first 5 could have went .
Keith and Ceci have also been solid , not great , but getting to know each other and a new team after Keith’s late start I give them a passing grade maybe c+
Looking at ALL aspects of hockey, to me Marchand is the most underrated player in the league. He can do it all … and mostly in the clutch. By that I mean, he’s not one who will pop goals 5 and 6 in a blowout (like some who thrive on that aspect), but rather a late game tying goal and maybe the OT winner.
He’s a motivator supreme. A player that fans of the other 31 hate … but would be doing cartwheels if they acquired him.
He’s nothing but a cheap shot spot picking face licker …
I’d rather lose with pride than have that turd on my roster helping me win.
Agree on Marchand guys, he is the offensive driver on that line, has been for a few years.
Think he is under rated due to his past, ummm, extra curricular activities.
But he’s cleaned that up, and agree with SOP when he predicted he would be the next Captain when Bergy hangs them up or moves on.
Ray; George; SOP
Yep…Marchand certainly not the player he was…. He’s P&V, clutch, motivator rolled into one now
Not sure when PB hangs them up… but yes, can see Marchand as next C
Love him on Team Canada, other times not so much.
Those Vegas shiny gold helmets need to be buried. It’s unclear whether you are watching a hockey game or a Star Wars convention.
March is a gem one of best clutch players in the league. Foligno’s a porcelain Doll. And the jury’s not out on a Ullmark yet he had one good game, but even then I think the right move is to start Linus tomorrow.