NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 25, 2022
Zdeno Chara sets record for defensemen, Zach Parise reaches a scoring milestone, the Predators retire Pekka Rinne’s number, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The New York Islanders’ Zdeno Chara surpassed Chris Chelios for most games (1,652) by an NHL defenseman but his club dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the San Jose Sharks. Isles winger Zach Parise also reached a personal milestone by tallying his 400th career NHL regular-season goal. Logan Couture netted the winning goal for the Sharks (52 points), who sit seven points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference.
New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Chara and Parise on their respective achievements in what could be their final NHL seasons. Both are now well past their playing prime and could face retirement following this season.
A shootout goal by Mikael Granlund gave the Nashville Predators a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars after they honored former goaltender Pekka Rinne by retiring his jersey No. 35 in a pre-game ceremony. Rinne’s successor, Juuse Saros, made 27 saves for the win as the Predators opened a six-point lead over the Oilers in the first Western wild-card berth with 64 points. The Stars (59 points) sit just behind the Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Winner of the Vezina Trophy in 2018 and a two-time All-Star, Rinne retired at the end of last season as the Predators’ all-time leader in games played (683), wins (369), save percentage (.921), goals-against average (2.43) and shutouts (60).
J.T. Miller scored twice and added two assists while Thatcher Demko made 29 saves as the Vancouver Canucks thumped the Calgary Flames 7-1, snapping the latter’s 10-game win streak. Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat each tallied two goals as the Canucks (56 points) moved within three points of the Oilers. The Flames remain atop the Pacific Division with 66 points.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored twice to take over the NHL goal-scoring lead (36) in a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild to snap a three-game losing skid. Petr Mrazek kicked out 29 shots while Mitch Marner collected two assists. With 70 points, the Leafs sit two points behind the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division. The Wild remain in third place in the Central with 65 points, one behind the St. Louis Blues. Leafs winger Ilya Mikheyev left the game early with a non-COVID-related illness.
The Boston Bruins got a two-goal performance by Jake DeBrusk, including the winning goal in overtime, to down the Seattle Kraken 3-2. Charlie McAvoy collected two assists while Linus Ullmark stopped 25 shots. Bruins winger Brad Marchand was held scoreless in his return from a six-game suspension. The Bruins hold the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 64 points, one behind the Washington Capitals. The Kraken has dropped six straight games.
Speaking of the Capitals, they suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin turned aside 36 shots for the Rangers while teammates Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere each had a goal and an assist. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin netted his 32nd goal of the season. The Rangers sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 71 points, three behind the division-leading Carolina Hurricanes.
Patrik Laine scored a goal to extend his points streak to 11 games as his Columbus Blue Jackets upset the Florida Panthers 6-3. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jakub Voracek and Jack Roslovic each collected two points for the Jackets while J-F Berube made 39 saves for the win. The Jackets have won four straight games and sit nine points behind the Bruins. The Panthers remain atop the Eastern Conference with 75 points.
Speaking of upsets, the New Jersey Devils rolled to a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes each collected three points while Nico Daws turned in a 37-save performance for the Devils. The Penguins sit one point behind the Rangers in the Metro Division.
IN OTHER NEWS…
NEWSOBSERVER.COM: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo will be sidelined for at least a month with an upper-body injury. It appears he injured his midsection during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeAngelo was enjoying a solid bounce-back performance with the Hurricanes. Skating for much of the season alongside Jaccob Slavin, he’s third among Hurricanes scorers with 40 points.
THE ATHLETIC: Daniel Kaplan reports Evander Kane described his professional prospects beyond this season as “uncertain” and his pending contract grievance with the San Jose Sharks as “unclear” in a recent court filing in his ongoing bankruptcy case.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL Players Association reportedly filed a grievance on Kane’s behalf three weeks ago over the Sharks terminating his contract. A date for a hearing has yet to be determined.
FOX 13 SEATTLE: The Kraken placed winger Jared McCann (upper body) on injured reserve. He’s their leading scorer with 21 goals and 33 points in 48 games.
NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting was fined $2,000.00 by the department of player safety for diving/embellishment during a recent game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
TSN: The Dallas Stars claimed forward Martin Studenic off waivers from the New Jersey Devils.
George – other interested
Mark Spector was on during the intermission last night .
My gut feeling is correct
Washington and Toronto are in on MAF
Fleury seems ok with this , but doesn’t want any part of Edmonton
A first and a prospect, cheap thrill – doable
Add the chippy winger , we add some more
Not sure if there is a defender to add , make it a “real” deal
Valamarov – U have to contend with Lamorello – he left with bad feelings
Chara we will take as well , toss him in
There are lots of defence out there , whether it be Phillie , NJ, whomever , non contenders , without getting fleeced on a high market target
Never know , maybe somebody would like Nylander or Kerfoot , pony up as a trade partner
Mrazek was fine in goal last night , but he is really flaky
Campbell isn’t ready to be a number goalie right now , guy is a bundle of nerves
Needs a Fleury to tutor him
Leafs have no goaltender prospects which is pathetic , other than Woll?
Not many leaf fans on here , seems predominately – Boston
I kind of hope Nylander and Kerfoot are traded away just to see how they play elsewhere.
Freddie is doing pretty well in Carolina eh.
TML are a good team, enjoy them instead of always complaining.
Habfan 30
Complaining
55 Years
Enjoy what !
Not enjoy a Stanley cup u mean
Stick to watching your Habs
Go make your self a peanut butter sandwich or go over to the buzz
Hey Habfan30, nice to see your Habs playing better of late. It’s good to see Freddie doing well too but the buds know him inside and out and he has serious trouble playing even slightly injured and given his age and playoff performance they weren’t going to get far with him. Kerfoot has been having a career year and has been playing some inspired hockey. As for Nylander, he is probably the most frustrating player to have on your team as he’s just disappears for games at a stretch, but when he shows up he’s elite. I dream at night that he and whatever else Nashville wants are traded for Philip Forsberg …
The Habs have been responding very will to St. Louis – I am gaining more respect for Caufield and Suzuki with each passing game and their D has tightened up in front of Montembeult.
Should be a good one in Ottawa tomorrow where the Habs will enjoy a home game away from home. They should win that one too – I figure a close one – maybe 3-2 in OT. Ottawa just does not have enough natural scoring until Norris, Batherson and Pinto get back.
George,
St. Louis is starting Hammond in goal Saturday night, will he be cheered?
Wawman93,
Thanks but 4 games is a bump OR was Toffoli the cancer in the room? Everything is roses since he’s gone. lol
Ken,
I’ve celebrated 12 Stanley Cups, been alive for a few more yet I don’t complain about a dumpster fire of a season.
You aren’t a fan, you just need a release for your bile.
Oh man, if they DON’T give Hammond a standing O then the sooner this team is moved out of Ottawa the better. That was a magical time.
Hi Ken
Leaf fan here
It seems from several sources in Media that the Flower to Caps has been nixed
Would love him on Leafs but space probably precludes this AND would require giving up future assets (prospect and/or pick)…
and Leafs should not be doing that this season… for a cup this year… they’d need to take at least one series in FLA (likely 2); then likely meet Canes (low probability) and then Knights or Avs…. Cup odds this year…. Very very low.
Full focus should be on off season… and re-jig roster away from 1/2 cap spent on 4 forwards
Pengy..The boys in Black and Gold are struggling right now. Three losses in a row and 4-4-3 in their last 11..
They have fallen from 1st to third in the Metro but with at home versus the Rangers they can jump back in to second ahead of the Rangers. big if he way they are playing lately.
Marino -6 last net Petersson (your boy benched)
Three moves that aren.t gigantic make us better, stronger, deeper
Three players to move on
-Vladislav Nemenstinkov
-Luke Schenn
– Phil Kessel
Stevie Y will take a mid round pick for Namestnikov
i would go
Kapanen plus a # 2nd round pick for Namestnikov we save $1.2 million
Chad Rudwhedel and # 3rd round pick for Luke Schenn money is almost even
Pierre Oliver Joseph + for Phil Kessel salary retention.by Arizona..
All Doable…..anyway to get these three players
3rd line Namestinikov Zucker Rodriques
4th line Blueger McGinn Heinen
Hi BnG
Yes Marina was absolutely horrific last night… worst game he has ever played for Pens… on ice for 5 of 6 goals; was actually -4 as one was on PP
He was individually responsible for 3 of those goals and mutually responsible for another
I can’t understand why Pettersson was benched when Marino wasn’t. Pettersson cost 1 goal; Marino cost 3 and shared responsibility for another
The good news is that I don’t foresee Marino having another game like that for a very long time (if at all)
Re your acquisition suggestions … Schenn and Namisnakiv yes… Phil …no
I’d love CR and a 3rd for Schenn…. But no way Pens get off that easy… even though Jimbo backed CR when Jimbo was here… he won’t be that stupid… it’ll likely cost a 1st for him to take CR…. Not worth it
Re PO-J…. Under no circumstances should Pens trade him…. He’s the best prospect (of a very short list of prospects) that Pens have—- he’s 2nd in points on WBS team; first in PPG…. And he’s a Dman
Pens need to rid Zucker contract as well… unfortunately now; likely to be off season
Something needs to be done… it does not have to be major
Not sure you’re a Leaf fan either, Ken.
BCLeaf fan
What hole did u just crawl out of
I know my hockey
It’s hard watching the Leafs
Matthews shows up
They don’t have a Steve Yzerman , or a Cam Neely behind the wheel
Lack structure
U wouldn’t understand this anyways
Chara is a hanger on & taking away someone else’s job. A pylon way past due date. Some players just don’t know when to move on.
Incorrect. Chara has earned everything he has achieved. Including ice time with the Isles. He may have lost a step, but he’s no liability in his own zone. The man is a solid contributor on that, or any team he plays for.
As for taking some kids job……….earn it.
You are 100% correct. Big Z is slow and old but solid 3rd pair d man at 44
This version of Patrick Laine is long awaited.
Auston looks complete.
Igor is in the zone.
Some nice stories this season
First of all…acknowledging that I try my best to steer clear of politics…. But… my thoughts and prayers out to all Ukrainians and those with Ukrainian relatives/friends
Congrats to Big Z …. Great milestone
Congrats ZP… liked your dad as well!
Leafs… now that was a much better 60 min effort… attago AM… Rocket Richard leader!
‘Nucks… didn’t see, but from stats line…. Demko shone and Vladar/Markstrom had a tough go
Pens… yes for those who didn’t see it and look at the score… ouch
Yes not a good night…. but I don’t see another night in the near future where simultaneously (1) their star goalie (who is top 5in league) falters enough to being pulled AND (2) Pens come in over confident in meeting a “fresh face” goalie [just turned 21; in only his 5th NHL game] that stands on his head ; AND (3) their stalwart third best Dman has his ABSOLUTE worst game EVER in the NHL (on for 5 of the 6 goals against; directly responsible for 3 GAs)
That troika of cataclysmic scenarios happening again (in near future) in same game…. Very low chance
That said… wake up call for sure…. Tough schedule ahead…. Many games intra-Div ; well more than 1/2 of remaining games vs playoff (currently) teams
Trade of some sort needed
On a positive note…. Matheson played great; and Gino seemed to be flying
Not sure why Sully benched Pettersson when he didn’t sit Marino (as I mentioned above ….worst game he has EVER played as a Pen)
Perfect time for the Bruins west coast trip to showcase Debrusk.All the stops on the trip could be potential trade suitors.Bruin s should use this trip to make deals before they come home.Don t wait until the deadline when your back They are now about 10-14 in the NHL power ratings so they should be both buyers and sellers.Don t just consider draft picks and young prospects,look at moving roster players since they really only have 1 untouchable in my eye s.That s Mcavoy.Would love a good old fashioned hockey trade.Remember Sweeney is on the last year of his contract.
Untouchables on Boston are as follows
63 37 88 73 and 1 is making a strong case as well
No such thing as untouchable… a 27 year old WG was traded
I would love to see Chara in Toronto ..
What a great influence on someone like Sandin , pair those 2 up..
Playoff hockey is a different brand of game …
Chara can play any style U like
Wild wild west , whatever U like
For the Bruins a 2nd line center is going to be to costly…..must have 2 Dmen who can get the puck out of the D zone and play shutdown D and a banger at forward ….. need names B’s fans
Chara, Gio, Rakell, Deslauriers.
Lots of Beef there