NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2022

by | May 11, 2022 | News, NHL | 35 comments

The Leafs, Hurricanes, Blues and Kings go up 3-2 in their respective series, the Canadiens win the 2022 NHL draft lottery, the Vezina Trophy finalists are announced, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Auston Matthews snapped a 3-3 tie to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of their first-round series. Toronto rallied from a 2-0 deficit and held a 3-2 lead until Ryan McDonagh tied it for Tampa Bay before Matthews netted the game-winner. William Nylander had a goal and two assists and John Tavares had a goal and an assist for the Leafs, who hold a 3-2 series lead over the Lightning as the series returns to Tampa Bay for Game 6.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That was the most entertaining game of this series. The Lightning dominated the opening period but the Leafs rallied in part thanks to a motivating between-period speech by center Jason Spezza. Their biggest test comes on Thursday as they must finally get the monkey off their backs and win the franchise’s first playoff series since 2004.

St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko tallied a natural hat trick in the third period to lead his club to a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 of their opening-round series. Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington picked up his second straight win by stopping 32 shots. Kirill Kaprizov scored both Wild goals. The series heads back to St. Louis on Thursday for Game 6 with the Blues holding a 3-2 lead.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues showed their mettle by overcoming a 2-1 series deficit to put themselves in the driver’s seat heading into Thursday’s contest. We’ll find out if the Wild can do the same to force a seventh and deciding game back home in Minnesota on Saturday.

The Carolina Hurricanes atoned for their undisciplined Game 4 loss against the Boston Bruins with a 5-1 victory in Game 5. Seth Jarvis scored two goals, Teuvo Teravainen, Vincent Trocheck and Tony DeAngelo each had three points and Antti Raanta made 33 saves for the win. Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy returned to the lineup after spending Game 4 in COVID protocol. The Hurricanes lead the series three games to two heading back to Boston for Game 6 on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins fell behind 2-0 in the first and spent the next two periods falling further behind as they tried to play catch-up. They need more from their secondary scorers such as Taylor Hall, Jake DeBrusk and Craig Smith or this series will be over on Thursday.

An overtime goal by Adrian Kempe lifted the Los Angeles Kings to a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their series. The Oilers overcame a 4-2 deficit in the third period on two goals by Leon Draisaitl to force the extra frame. Kempe and Draisaitl each finished the night with two goals and an assist. The Kings hold a 3-2 series lead heading home to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings are poised to pull off the first upset of the 2022 NHL playoffs unless the Oilers can win Game 6 and return home to Edmonton to take Game 7 on Saturday. The Oilers haven’t won a playoff series since 2017 so it’s gut-check time for Draisaitl, fellow superstar Connor McDavid and their teammates.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens will select first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft after winning the draft lottery on Tuesday evening. The New Jersey Devils won the second-overall selection while the Arizona Coyotes will get the No. 3 pick. The draft will be held at the Bell Centre in Montreal on July 7-8.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full list of the draft order from selections 1 through 16. The remainder of the order will be determined by the outcomes of the four rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The top prospect in this year’s draft is Kingston Frontenacs center Shane Wright. However, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes played coy over which player he’ll select on July 7, indicating he and his staff will continue to evaluate the prospects before making their final decision.

Winger Juraj Slafkovsky of TPS Finland and center Logan Cooley of the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) are also ranked among the top three in this year’s prospect pool.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens will conduct due diligence but they’ll likely take Wright, who was ranked this year’s top prospect throughout this season. While the 18-year-old center isn’t a generational talent, he’s drawn favorable comparisons to Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron. If Hughes chooses Wright, Canadiens fans will be thrilled if he becomes a multiple Selke Trophy winner.

Hughes’ son, Jack, is also among this year’s top-32 prospects. However, the Canadiens GM joked he wouldn’t be taking him with that selection.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks wound up with the sixth-overall selection. However, that pick goes to the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of the terms of last year’s Seth Jones trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could work in the Blackhawks’ favor. Had this year’s pick landed among the top two, the Blue Jackets would’ve received the Hawks’ first-rounder in the 2023 draft, which is considered to be deeper in talented prospects.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights wound up with the 16th overall pick but that selection goes to the Buffalo Sabres as part of last November’s Jack Eichel trade. The Sabres also own the ninth-overall pick.

NHL.COM: The Calgary Flames’ Jacob Markstrom, Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros, and New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin are the 2022 finalists for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These three are certainly worthwhile candidates. Shesterkin is considered the favorite as he led all starters during the regular season with a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Patrick Marleau officially announced his retirement as an NHL player on Tuesday. He spent 21 of his 23 seasons with the San Jose Sharks and holds the league record for most games played with 1,779. Marleau is also the Sharks’ all-time leader with 1,607 games played, 522 goals and 1,111 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Marleau and his family in their future endeavors.

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was fined $5,000.00 by the department of player safety for a dangerous trip on Calgary Flames forward Trevor Lewis during Game 4 on Monday.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel played the final six weeks of the regular season with a broken finger.







35 Comments

  1. Even with Charlie back the bruins looked inept, got to be all hands on deck Thurs. forget about concussion protocol Lindholm take some aspirin get back in the lineup suck it in right now you’re fighting for your playoff lives. I’m not sure if I would go for Swayman in game six he didn’t look good Tuesday.This is it, bite the bullet and show up for the game. Play with playoff intensity or go home and mull about what could have been for the five hundredth time

    • Where the hell were you yesterday? Day late and a dollar short.

    • Grizz had the least amount of ice time of all B’s damage; I guess it’s just not me who see the difference in playoff hockey.

      Win game 6 just need to win one on the road.

  2. Good to see the Habs retain the # 1 pick, especially since Montreal is hosting the draft. Hard to believe that that hasn’t happened since 1985 (in Toronto).

    In this morning’s Ottawa newspapers, Ken Warren writes this sobering thought on the benefits of retaining the # 1 as opposed to dealing it for a load of talent;. Here’s an excerpt

    “The last first overall selection to win the Stanley Cup is Steven Stamkos, the top choice by the Tampa Bay Lightning way back in 2008. Stamkos is one of only six first picks in the past 30 years that has gone on to lead the team that drafted him all the way to the Stanley Cup. It’s an elite, star-studded group that also includes Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Marc-Andre Fleury and Vincent Lecavalier.

    Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs (2016), Connor McDavid (2014) and Ryan Nugent Hopkins (2011) of the Edmonton Oilers (2015), Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers (2014) and Nate MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (2013) have yet to go deep in the post-season.

    It’s hardly news in Toronto, but Matthews, now finishing off his sixth NHL season, has yet to win a playoff round. McDavid, playing in his seventh campaign, has won a grand total of one post-season series. Nugent-Hopkins has played a decade, with only one playoff round victory to his name.

    First Overall Picks and Playoff Success (*Still playing in 2022 playoffs with drafted team – First Pick  Stanley Cups Won (with drafting team):
    2021 Owen Power Buffalo – 0; 2020 Alexis Lafreniere NYR 0; 2019 Jack Hughes NJ 0; 2018 Rasmus Dahlin Buff 0; 2017 Nico Hischier NYI 0; *2016 Auston Matthews Tor 0; *2015 Connor McDavid Edm 0; *2014 Aaron Ekblad Fla 0; *2013 Nathan MacKinnon Col 0; 2012 Nail Yakupov Edm 0; *2011 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Edm 0; 2010 Taylor Hall Edm 0; 2009 John Tavares NYI 0; *2008 Steven Stamkos TB 2; 2007 Patrick Kane Chi 3; 2006 Erik Johnson St. L 0; *2005 Sidney Crosby Pitt 3; *2004 Alex Ovechkin Wash 1; 2003 Marc-Andre Fleury Pitt 3; 2002 Rick Nash Clb 0; 2001 Ilya Kovalchuk Atl 0; 2000 Rick DiPietro NYI 0; 1999 Patrik Stepan Atl 0; 1998 Vincent Lecavalier TB 1; 1997 Joe Thornton Bos 0; 1996 Chris Phillips Ott 0; 1995 Bryan Berard Ott 0; 1994 Ed Jovanovski Fla  0; 1993 Alexandre Daigle Ott 0; 1992 Roman Hamrlik TB 0; 1991 Eric Lindros Que 0

    • Obviously it must be considered that the teams picking first overall do so because they’re not that good. In the NHL one or two superstars isn’t enough. A good team must be built around them. Many teams have had trouble doing that.
      That being said, I don’t see any situation in which the Habs would be better off trading the pick than they would be by drafting Wright. I am confident that Wright will be a solid NHL center in the Bergeron for a number of years. But he’s not McDavid or Crosby. Any player or players they pick up in a trade wouldn’t be worth not taking him.
      Two of the number one picks listed by George were traded before suiting up for the teams that picked them. Both because they refused to play there. Berard, also a good but not generational player, netted Wade Redden, who had been the number two pick. Lindros of course brought in a passel of players and picks that built the dominant Avalanche team. But he was a generational player, one that doesn’t come around every year.

      • Oh I agree Howard. It would take a GM with gonads of steel to trade away a pick like Crosby, Stamkos, McDavid, Matthews, Ovechkin, – clearly consensus “generational” picks at the time, only to see them shine as they have while the package they received in exchange fizzled. They wouldn’t be GMs for very long.

        But for every one of those players there has been another who, although highly-touted as legitimate # 1 picks but not “generational,” would go on to be significantly less of an impact player by some chosen well after they went # 1 – e.g. Hanrlik, Daigle, Jovanovski, Stepan, DiPietro, Johnson, Nugent-Hopkins, Yakopov.

        They don’t call it a crap-shoot for nothing. Remember Doug Wickenheiser back in 1980? A “can’t miss” who did while the guy the Habs ignored, Denis Savard, eventually would up in the Hall Of Fame following his selection 3rd by ChIcago. Hell, Winnipeg also by-passed him, taking D-man Babych 2nd while Edmonton got another eventual Hall-of-Famer 6th – Paul Coffey.

      • Hey George,

        I think you meant Stefan, not Stepan . Stepan was a 2nd rounder.

      • The trick is as you said, Howard, building a solid team around the young stars. Tampa Bay has done a great job in that regard.
        The frozen salary cap has made it even more difficult during the pandemic.
        My pet peeve with the NHL draft is its length. Three or four rounds would be so much more interesting and far less boring. It would also force teams to do a better job of scouting prospects.
        It’s also better for the league if a hundred more 18 year olds are free agents, able to sign with a team that could give them a stronger chance of playing in the NHL.

      • This above. Except it should be 19 year olds for fa. Each player should have been eligible for draft twice prior to fa

    • Of course the Habs got the #1 pick this year. The NHL wouldn’t have it any other way.

    • I always enjoy your comments George. One major thing to consider is in most cases when a team is selecting top picks in a draft usually means that team finished last or close to it… ie that team is/was going nowhere close to a playoffs let alone a playoff series!
      How much time do you give a team that’s preforming a major rebuild to say anything, really? What do you call success? I call it winning it all and until then the team either sucks or is on its way to becoming a consistent contender. I also believe you need luck to go with skill simply because of how good all the teams really are.

      • No denying that, Ron.

  3. I hope folks don’t give Marleau a bunch of crap. He may not have won a cup, but he was a fantastic player. And just because he was not an overly physical player shouldn’t mean he doesn’t earn a spot in the Hall. His achievements speak for themselves.

    • Marleau deserves all the accolades he can get. However before he ends up in The Hall let’s make sure Rod Brind’Amour gets there first. His numbers also speak for themselves.

  4. Nosek,Haula,Foligno,Smith = $10 million pre season and the B’s are stuck with all of them for another year …… this is going to be a brutal offseason for the Bruins

    • Buy out Foligno, then he can go play on the Wild for a minimum contract with his better bro. Wild will need cheap grit. LOL

    • Joe, I know it looks dire after that display last night but believe me, over the years I have seen many series just like this and it shifts back to Boston I would not be surprised to see a different Bruins team prevail and send it to game 7 – then ALL the pressure is on Carolina. Last night, despite outshooting Carolina 37-34, unfortunately Swayman appeared to be fighting the puck all night.

      As for that Leafs-TB tilt, that was an exciting one to watch. Despite being outshot 35-25, the Leafs – and Campbell – hung in there and eventually took over the play This one, too, will likely go to 7 games, as will that Blues-Wild battle.

      Edmonton, I’m not too hopeful for a Canadian franchise advancement there. How the hell do they go into a game 5 with a plan that winds up allowing 43 shots on their geriatric goalie, while managing just 28 on Quick? With one of the best D in game, Doughty, still out?

      • The Canes out shot Boston 37-34 FWIW

    • Joe out of those really only. Foligno was the error. Nosek as 4th line ctr is fine. Smith is colder than a popsicle. Right now but usually a consistent 15-20 goal scorer. Haula is having I think his best year beside the fluke in Vegas

    • Joe Here my take on those four Foligno worst signing since Belesky and Hayes don’t need another dressing room presence there’s a good reason other teams didn’t take a chance on him he is washed up. Nosek almost as bad as Foligno, Smiths become invisible if Fabian was available I’d slot him in Smiths spot, Huala gone awol. One line cannot do it alone in the playoffs. Last night after the 4th goal I turned it off, went down and played my drums. I’m not sure if they’ve got it them to win another game. Blow it up start all over.

    • Joe Here my take on those four Foligno worst signing since Belesky and Hayes don’t need another dressing room presence there’s a good reason other teams didn’t take a chance on him he is washed up. Nosek almost as bad as Foligno, Smiths become invisible if Fabian was available I’d slot him in Smiths spot, Huala gone awol. One line cannot do it alone in the playoffs. Last night after the 4th goal I turned it off, went down and played my drums. I’m not sure if they’ve got it them to win another game. Blow it up start all over.

  5. So while 15 teams remain to play for the Stanley Cup, the Habs won the only Cup they’d been playing for since last fall.
    It will be a huge shock if they don’t draft Wright, who is clearly the best player available and a center. That’ll leave them with a potentially solid 1-2 punch up the middle for years to come in Suzuki and Wright, a reliable veteran in Dvorak and as good a 4th line center as there is in Jake Evans. They must build around that center core rather than try to chase a veteran center in free agency or trade. A guy like Giroux is certainly good to have, but the Habs are better off developing the young centers they have.
    Now the to-do list is basically resolving the Price situation, deciding what to do with Petry – keeping him is fine, but if they trade him they’ll need a replacement – dumping off some contracts (Drouin and Byron) and adding a winger who can score some goals.

  6. Take the comeback win and run…👍👍👍👍

    Soupy started poor…. Finished well

    Leafs started poor… Finished well

    Leafs found a way to shake things off and rally

    Loads of tick-tack calls; and Leafs certainly got the better end and benefited at key times (Bolts called for too many men TWICE; it happened to Leafs twice, but no call; the high stick that cut Stamkos and no call [third] etc)

    These calls can go either way, I certainly don’t blame Bolts for being upset; I expect a game 7…. Just don’t let the Karma penalties come back and biteLeafs in game 7 🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞

    Oil v Kings…. Well McD did his job. Leon did his job. It just seemed that oft Kings won the battles more… wanted it more…. Outshot the Oil. I think this could go to 7….. but Kings are going to be full tilt in game 6. Bad D play for Oil in OT that lead to Kuemper winner

    Hoping for full out Pens onslaught (get go to final buzzer) tonight

    Habs will pick Wright

    Shesterkin gets Vez

    Again…. Parros screws up Royally…. Handing out fines to other teams…. But Oshie avoids suspension (?????) and not even a fine. Are you Fuddle Duddle kidding me. I saw this post and it just hit home with reality…. Paraphrasing…. it went something like “ As Caps have Wilson and Ovechkin on the team and they get away with everything, any other Cap would have to literally commit murder for the DOPS to hand out a suspension”

    Parros must be watching re-runs of Hogan’s Heros…. John Banner (as Sgt. Schultz)…”I see nothing, I hear nothing, I do nothing”

    Parros is going to get someone killed

    Gary… if you won’t do the logical move of Yotes; at least fire Parros…. You could very well save a career or two; possibly a life

    • Pengy The way I see it in the Toronto Tampa Bay series at least there have been more calls made that shouldn’t have been made than blatant ones that were missed. This is not playoff hockey as in a five on five grind it out style to me that epitomizes the fight for the cup. This doesn’t do it

  7. Howard….Suzki & Wright if they are to be the Habs centers it does leave them with you call a solid 1-2 punch at centre but it leaves them without a number 1 . You can win without a number 1 as George’s research shows. But real number one is better.

    • Old blue. Weight is projected to be a legit #1 ctr in the mood of Bergeron. As per most scouts

      • I’d also add that at 22 Suzuki hasn’t fully developed and I am hoping he has not reached his full potential.

        I will use that to segue … wow was I impressed with the Leafs gutsy play last night. Nylander driving the net, the pressure, and Campbell’s steady play. I wasn’t sold on Campbell. Great game all around. Greater effort by the Leafs.

  8. Grizz had the least amount of ice time for Bruins dman

    Seem Cassidy not a big fan of playoff Grizz

    Boston will win game 6 and we’ll see what happens in game 7

    • He should sit Griz. Reilly has out played him in the games he got in. Sit Nosek will happen too. I would also sit Foligno. And insert blidth and Frederick

    • Kinda of surprised Grzelcyk hasn’t hit the IL yet in these playoffs

  9. Grzelcyk has had a very hard time playing in playoff games for the Bruins throughout his career..

  10. just thoughts & hindsights….would a T Deangelo even though on the smaller side had helped the Bruins D at a 1 million UFA signing ? Would a Ant Duclair had helped the Bruins on the 2nd or 3 rd line at 3 mill per as a UFA signing ? Would had a Nic Deslauriers 1 million per have helped the Bruins and keep teams from baiting the Bruins top playmakers…..

  11. Hope nobody bet on the picks you guys recommended as locks yesterday….Pengy didn’t you say to put $2K on EDM?

  12. Game 1. Toronto 5 Tampa Bay 0.
    John Cooper says he’s not so sure a Toronto beat them but more Tampa May gave them a freebie.

    Game 2. Tampa smothers Toronto. Toronto undisciplined as usual after a hard fought win game prior. Jon Cooper looks like he has this in the bag.

    Game 3. Toronto hands Tampa a slice of humble pie. Jon Cooper looks nervous.

    Game 4. Tampa destroys Toronto who look undisciplined. Jon Cooper walking around bench like the cock of the walk. Images of a three-pete stirring in his mind under that freshly combed hair.

    Gave 5. Tampa 2 Toronto 0….Lightning firing more shots holding Toronto to limited shots. 2-1. Spezza interrupts Taylor Swift music in the locker room and stands up and provides fiery speech. Nylander inspired.

    Toronto ties 2-2, then 3-2. Then Tampa ties. Then Marner and Matthews seal the deal. Jon Cooper feeling the pressure.

    Game 6. No clue how this will go.

  13. Frank, knocking off the defending Cup champions in their own barn is never an easy task … but if the Leafs do that and win their first series in 18 years, I see that shedding that monkey as the catalyst for a deep cup run.