NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 31, 2022
The Avalanche maintain their win streaks, Carey Price talks about his future, All-Star Game updates and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche extended two winning streaks with a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. They’ve won 10 straight and are undefeated at home in their last 20 (19-0-1). Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin each had a goal and an assist as the Avs regained first place in the overall standings with 67 points. The Avalanche tied an NHL record for the most victories (15) in one month.
Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).
Speaking of unbeaten streaks, the Minnesota Wild extended theirs to nine games (8-0-1) by holding off the New York Islanders 4-3. Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy each had a goal and an assist as the Wild (57 points) moved into third place in the Central Division. Wild winger Kevin Fiala collected an assist to extend his points streak to 11 games.
Andrei Svechnikov broked a 1-1 tie to lift the Carolina Hurricanes over the San Jose Sharks 2-1. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 27 saves as the Hurricanes have won four straight and sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 64 points.
A third-period goal by K’Andre Miller lifted the New York Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. Igor Shesterkin kicked out 40 shots while teammate Mika Zibanejad had a goal and two assists to keep the Rangers (62 points) within two points of the Hurricanes.
Los Angeles Kings winger Trevor Moore tallied twice to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. Kings captain Anze Kopitar collected two assists while Bryan Rust scored two goals for the Penguins. With 53 points, the Kings move within one point of the second-place Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific Division while the Penguins (61 points) remain one point behind the second-place Rangers in the Metro Division.
Tyler Seguin scored twice and picked up an assist while Jamie Benn had a goal and an assist as the Dallas Stars rolled to a convincing 6-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Dallas forward Roope Hintz reached the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career. The Stars moved into a tie with the Calgary Flames with 48 points but the Flames hold the final wild-card spot with two games in hand.
The Columbus Blue Jackets rode a four-goal first period to a 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Patrik Laine scored twice for the Jackets while Nick Suzuki had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens.
HEADLINES
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens goaltender Carey Price spoke to the media yesterday for the first time since the Stanley Cup Final in July. He still hopes to return to action this season after suffering setbacks in his recovery from off-season knee surgery. Price also insisted he wants to remain with the Canadiens and has no plans to move anywhere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Price also entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program for a month back in October. He has been the subject of trade speculation as some pundits mused about whether he’ll want to stick with a struggling team that appears headed for a rebuild after this season. Even if he was willing to waive his no-movement clause, his injury and his $10.5 million cap hit through 2025-26 would ensure he remains in Montreal for the rest of this season and probably beyond.
NHL.COM: Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi and Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov were added to the rosters for next weekend’s NHL All-Star game. They are replacing New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon as both are sidelined by injuries.
CBS SPORTS: Carolina Hurricanes winger Teuvo Teravainen missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres forward Zemgus Zirgensons is out past the All-Star weekend with an undisclosed injury.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights signed defenseman Brayden McNabb to a three-year contract extension with an annual average value of $2.85 million. Forward Michael Amadio was inked to a two-year extension with an annual cap hit of $762,500 while goaltender Logan Thompson inked a three-year deal worth an AAV of $766, 667.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Former Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton will take over as head coach of Canada’s Men’s Olympic hockey team after Claude Julien slipped on ice and fractured some ribs during training camp in Switzerland.
Why even show up when you play like that?!? Just mail in the two points. Don’t bother to embarrass yourselves or the fans with that display Sunday. I turned it off after the 4th goal. Sweeney get busy!! This team just isn’t good enough. Although, with the job he’s done so far 2015 draft, dreadful free agent signings I really don’t think he’s the guy to get the job done. When the going gets tough Sweeney seems to go into instant hibernation. He’s kind of like Wiarton Will if he sees his shadow Feb 2nd six more weeks of bad trades and free agent signings.
Nice timely/accurate comparison Rick, brought a smile to my morning readings.
Now THAT is funny stuff.
Even I need to give a stick tap to Rick on that one.
Montreal isn’t this bad, unfortunately lots of injuries and other factors.
No sense worrying about this season might as well as secure last place and get the best draft position.
Notice both Price and Petry wife are getting negative attention in Montreal.
Does this change the way the fans feel about the players? Or is it much to do about nothing? Will the players want out because of comments directed at their spouse.
I really hope that Kasperi Kapanen’s next head coach appreciates him because Mike Sullivan surely doesn’t … playing a career 4th liner with Malkin makes zero sense, while Kappy skates with Brian Boyle and Dominic Simon …
Appreciates what? A one trick pony who isn’t all that good at said trick in the first place? He hasn’t even played well enough to justify 4th line minutes.
I don’t know about others but the Avalanche style of play is concerning to me? They’re red hot obviously with their winning streak but watching them consistently turn the puck over and the chances they give up are problematic! I couldn’t watch the rest of that game last night because, I’m tired of those habits they still haven’t broken for the last few years or so. I don’t know, what do you think Lyle? GO AVS!!!!!
tommyboy, those are indeed the kind of habits that catch up to you when you hit playoff hockey
tommyboy: I think you’re raising a valid point regarding the turnovers. I’m also concerned about their goaltending. Kuemper isn’t as solid as I thought he’d be for the Avs this season. Francouz has looked good but his injury history is concerning.
idk…19-0-1?…seems to be ok to me…can they clean up a few things …yes…do they need maybe another dman if byram can’t go …yes….maybe a depth piece for the bottom 6?…yes…Klemper over the last month has been good..Frankie just fine as well