NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 3, 2022
The Rangers down the Blues, the Stars get a big win over the Kings, Senators owner pledges support for Ukraine, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Three unanswered third-period goals by Patrik Nemeth, Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin rallied the New York Rangers to a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Kreider’s goal was his 35th of the season and his league-leading 18th on the power play while teammates Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox each collected three points. The Rangers (73 points) sit one point back of the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division. Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron each had two points for the Blues, who remain in second place in the Central Division with 70 points.
New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).
Dallas Stars winger Alexander Radulov tallied the winning goal in his 500th career NHL game as his club overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3. Jason Robertson and Ryan Suter also scored for the Stars, who are 3-0-1 in their last four games to hold the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference with 63 points, holding a game in hand over the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings got two goals from Arthur Kaliyev and remain in second place in the Pacific Division with 65 points.
The Seattle Kraken snapped a seven-game losing skid with a 4-3 upset of the Nashville Predators. Colin Blackwell broke a 3-3 tie with the only goal in the third period. Nashville captain Roman Josi collected two assists (including his 500th career point) while Matt Duchene scored twice. The Predators (64 points) sit one point ahead of the Stars in the first Western wild-card spot.
Speaking of teams snapping long losing streaks, the Buffalo Sabres ended their six-game skid by upsetting the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1, breaking the latter’s three-game win streak. Jeff Skinner had a goal and an assist for the Sabres while Toronto goaltender Petr Mrazek gave up five goals on 31 shots. With 74 points, the Leafs remain one back of the second-place Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs were flatter than pancakes playing in front of a full house in their home arena for the first time since December against an opponent they should’ve easily defeated. That’s not going to soothe jittery Leafs fans concerned over their club’s shaky goaltending, inconsistent defense, and a second line whose center (John Tavares) is mired in a long goal-scoring slump.
HEADLINES
OTTAWA SUN: Senators owner Eugene Melnyk published an open letter yesterday saying he’ll try to support Ukraine in the unprovoked war with Russia. Melnyk has strong ties to the country as his parents were both born in Ukraine. Among the means he’ll use to pledge support is directing some of the funds from the Senators Community Fund 50/50 draws to charitable causes to help Ukraine. The team will also work with the Ukrainian community in Ottawa to facilitate charitable donations to that country.
ESPN.COM: NHL player agent Dan Milstein said his Russian clients are experiencing “disturbing levels” of harassment and believes draft-eligible players are already being discriminated against because of their country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Among his clients is Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who’s among the few Russian players to speak out publicly against the invasion. However, he’s received derogatory messages to his Instagram account for speaking out.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This war could affect Russian players eligible for this year’s NHL draft if it is still going on when the event is held in July or if Russia has taken control of Ukraine by that point.
Teams could be reluctant to select Russian players if there’s concern about a backlash for doing so from their fans. Those players could also find it difficult to leave Russia if the strict travel restrictions that are part of the tough sanctions imposed by North American and European countries remain in place. It’s also possible the Russian government could prevent those players from leaving the country.
Russian players already under NHL contracts beyond this season will still keep their jobs as the league isn’t expected to ban them from playing. However, those slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer could encounter difficulty finding new contracts with NHL clubs.
Milstein also tweeted yesterday the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) was expected yesterday to ban Russian and Belarussian players from its 2022 import draft. While the CHL announced it was canceling the 2022 Canada-Russia series, no decision has been reached yet regarding the date and format of this year’s import draft.
NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON: Capitals winger Carl Hagelin will be sidelined for an extended period with an injury to his left eye.
ESPN.COM: An injury to James Reimer prompted the San Jose Sharks to acquire goaltender Alex Stalock from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for future considerations. Backup Adin Hill has also been sidelined but is expected to return to the Sharks’ lineup soon.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens traded minor-league goaltender Michael McNiven to the Calgary Flames for future considerations.
TSN: Speaking of the Canadiens, they’re expected to return to full capacity at the Bell Centre on March 12 as pandemic restrictions are eased through Quebec.
Leafs…. Ouch. I don’t want to minimize how well Sabres played… they did….. but Leafs …. Ouch and more ouch
Pens are approaching (in Masters’ vernacular ) “Amen corner”…. B2B … in TBay and Raleigh , then back home to host the Panthers….
I’m certainly hoping it doesn’t happen, but Ofer is a possibility
Tomorrow is a 4 point game (Div rival) and Pens can I’ll afford to burden Jarry playing B2B…. Do they go DeSmith tonight then Jarry v Canes?
Announcement pre trade deadline…. The price has been set for AHL goalies (who just maybe [?????] be able to fill in at NHL …. If Zamboni driver is sick )….. “future considerations”
Do these “future considerations” actually ever get considered/fulfilled? Is there a case of beer exchanged on the next “sending” GMs birthday? Better be Extra Stock or Bradeur (sp?)…. that mention is for any here who were teenagers Lin late 70’s/early 80’s
teenagers= mid 60s=Hamms (from the land of sky blue waters)
We drank Extra Stock or Bradeur (sp?) because it was more “potnent”…. 6.5 % alcohol vs. (at that time) the usual Canadian Brew at 5%…. LOL
BTW— we did NOT drink it for the taste
Pengy,
The McNiven trade was for the Habs to gain a roster spot.
Setting the table for some player movement.
The “future considerations” usually means a small amount of money
roster spot was meant to be contract spot.
Thanks HF30
I was just having fun re “future” considerations.
Are you sure it is money… I thought the CBA prohibited trades that included Cash. They can retain, and take on a crappy contract (effectively “paying” ) but I don’t believe they can actually pay for the player.
Anybody here know for sure
3 point night from Panarin, 3 point night for Fox, pp goal from Kreider, lots of defensive melt downs late in the 2nd resulting in multiple odd man rushes leaving Sheterkin out to dry. Nothing to see here folks, just another Ranger game!
Same ole same ole. This team has more deadline cap space (32 million) than any other playoff team other than Nashville. I’d suggest they use it. That bottom 6 needs to get better, that defense in front of Sheterkin needs to get better. Laffrienere needs to stay out of the box with ill timed penalties.
I believe NY has found their much needed RW’er. His name is Kandre Miller. And each passing game I think shows us more and more that he does not belong on defense.
Hey Captain, sounds like an Oil game until 3 weeks ago.
With the Oil it was changing how the forward group was playing to support the D that led to improvement in chances against, especially the high danger ones. Also moved some ice time around.
Is it possible that is the case with the Rags as well? Plenty of young guys all over the lineup that also has to be a factor. Takes a while.
When you look at the #’s Shesterkin is the #1 reason they win as much as they do. Seems to mask other deficiencies.
Does that match what you see watching them?
leafs need a second line with some effort perhaps cal klutterbuck
This whole anti Russian player attitude is simply shortsighted stupidity. What exactly do you expect these players to do about something they can’t control?? I’m a little disappointed in this whole league quick frankly, about how many issues have been handled over the last couple years. Just leave these guys alone and let’s just get back to hockey!
jcamp, I agree the attitude is short sighted.
What league, the NHL?
All I have seen is them looking to support or offer assistance to the players in question.
They can’t control what others outside the league do, just what they do.
You truly don’t get it, do you? It has NOTHING to do with the individual players, just as the soccer cancellations against Russia have nothing to do with those players, or Para-Olympic decisions to do with those athletes.
What it is is an effort on their part to put as much internal pressure on Putin as is possible – and from all quarters. If the pressure grows perhaps this insane war will end with his ouster from office (and his arrest for wear crimes).
War crimes – not “wear” – although parts of The Ukraine – and targeted – civilian population and infrastructure are suffering monumental “wear and tear.”
Maybe I don’t get it George, but disagree.
Agree with all the sanctions, also think they should they should target their energy sector and push the Saudi’s to increase output.
Agree with the business guys who have profited from it.
Agree with any other companies who have done the same, especially those that help them launder.
Agree with freezing the foreign reserves.
Agree with arming the Ukraine.
Agree with shutting down their state run propaganda arm RT.
My great grandfather emigrated here from Ukraine, when grandfather was 2. Small village an hour outside Lviv, Stoyaniv.
I don’t agree with NHL players, they have family there. Easy for us to ask, from our comfy life here in Canada, not easy for them to do. And I don’t think we truly understand unless you are from a place like that.
Nothing more complicated than that.
Ray, that comment was directed at jcamp.
Yes, the NHL Russians players have family there. So, presumably, do the thousands protesting in Russian cities – and being arrested for voicing their opposition to the invasion. Ordinary Russian citizens from all walks of life and, who knows, maybe even some players in the KHL.
I wouldn’t want to be playing alongside or against Russians who have said nothing – one way or another – so who may, in fact, be in total support of Putin’s actions.
Sorry, but it’s time for everyone to either s*&t or get off the pot. Not after the SOB takes the next step – wherever and whenever that may be.
It’s coming George in fact already started.
I have zero doubts about that either and it will be bloody.
Maybe if they can get their families out we will hear what they really think.
The league should help them do that as should our gov’s.
I agree what a guy like Ovie says will have an impact, which is why I think it’s a good idea. Putin also knows his family.
This will go on for a very long time I fear.