NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 21, 2022
The Oilers tie their series with the Flames while the Hurricanes take a 2-0 series lead over the Rangers. Recaps and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Calgary Flames 5-3 in Game 2 to tie their second-round series at a game apiece. Connor McDavid started the rally with a goal and finished the game with two points while Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman each had a goal and two assists. Johnny Gaudreau collected two assists for the Flames. The series shifts to Edmonton for Game 3 on Sunday.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames’ solid defensive play of the regular season and their first-round series against the Dallas Stars has abandoned them thus far in this series, as they’ve given 11 goals in two games to the Flames. They got away with it in Game 1 with a wild 9-6 win but it cost them in this game against an Oilers club determined not to fall behind 2-0 heading back home to Edmonton.
A shorthanded goal by Brendan Smith was the game-winner as the Carolina Hurricanes blanked the New York Rangers 2-0 in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead in their second-round series. Antti Raanta made 21 saves for the shutout while Sebastian Aho also tallied for the Hurricanes. The series heads to New York for Game 3 on Sunday afternoon.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers are struggling against the Hurricanes’ suffocating defensive play. They’ve been held to just one goal thus far with their leading scorers (Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin) yet to make their mark in this series. If they don’t find a solution soon, they’ll be packing up their gear for the season by the middle of next week.
HEADLINES
NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and New Jersey Devils blueliner P.K. Subban are this year’s finalists for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy honoring players who show leadership on and off the ice and make a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars head coach Rick Bowness announced Friday he was stepping down from his role. The club also announced assistant coaches Derek Laxdal, John Stevens and Todd Nelson would not be returning.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s talk Bowness isn’t done coaching in the NHL but could seek opportunities elsewhere. In his three seasons with the Stars, he guided them to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final and got them back into the playoffs this season after missing the cut in 2021. While the Stars were among the best defensive teams under his watch, they were also among the lowest-scoring. His replacement will likely put more emphasis on offense.
Speaking of coaches, Chicago Blackhawks beat reporter Jay Zawaski reports the club has reached out to former New York Islanders bench boss Barry Trotz. However, he’s likely not interested in coaching a rebuilding club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz has been interviewed by the Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers thus far. The Blackhawks are among what’s believed to be six or seven clubs that have reached out to him.
TSN: Florida Panthers forward Mason Marchment (lower-body injury) is unlikely to be available for Games 3 and 4 of his club’s series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He hasn’t played since Game 4 of their first-round series against the Washington Capitals on May 9.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchment’s absence is among the reasons the Panthers find themselves down 2-0 in this series with the Lightning. He’s a valuable spark-plug player who netted 47 points in 54 games during the regular season.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander is joining Sweden for the remainder of the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Finland.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Joonas Korpisalo won’t be testing this summer’s unrestricted free agent market. On Friday, the 28-year-old goaltender signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension with the Blues Jackets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a significant pay cut from the $3.4 million in actual salary ($2.8 million annual average value) he earned this season. Korpisalo lost the starter’s job to Elvis Merzlikins and struggled with injuries this season. Nevertheless, Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen praised his professionalism. He also has a good relationship with Merzlikins.
CBS SPORTS: Speaking of the Blue Jackets, pending free agent defenseman Dean Kukan intends to spend next season playing in Switzerland. The ZSC Lions are considered the front-runners for his services.
THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Scott Walker won’t be returning with the club next season.
Wow…. Just love the Battle of Alta
Smith redemption???
Shorty killer for Flames
Two goals (one for each team) waived off because same ref was out of place and lost sight of puck
McD was…. Well…. McD
Series all square heading 3hours North up the Queen Elizabrth Hiway
Just a tad more excitement than Stamps heading to Elks
The Oil keep getting off the mat Pengy.
Not sure if sustainable but impressive thus far.
Smith keeps redeeming himself, last year in reg season, this year in reg season, after game 1 against LA, again in RD 2 against the Flames.
Gotta hand it to the guy.
And can we just say that the Keith signing was an excellent move by Holland. Having a 3 time cup winner, Conn Smythe winner, Norris winner, and first ballot HOF’er, who can still play an important role on the ice and off seems to be a good idea.
And he paid sweet FA for him in terms of assets.
Agree Ray
Not sure if they can sustain it…. But it definitely was an entertaining game
Fire Sweeney and Neely. Say hey to The triplets this morning George, Ray, and the on site moderator Mr Bruin. The bruins are built for the playoffs.
Your not a Bruin fan as per your post the other day Cheer for yotes already. Lol
Bruins keeping Neely Sweeney and Cassidy. Firing RWM 🤔
If only. And he had the gonads to say, piously, “I don’t like you …” to both of us at one point. I was shattered …. we’re you?
Maybe Sweeney can cobble you back together George
Scanning the list of UFAs you get the feeling that Kukan won’t be the only one looking at Europe if they wish to continue playing at a competitive level.
And there are some high-ticket players who, if they want to continue playing in the NHL, will have to come in at drastically-reduced cap hit, while a few others look like they may be finished.
Those who could find a slot in the NHL at a radically-reduced cap hit (expiring hit shown in brackets):
P.K. Subban – 33 – D ($9 mil)
Phil Kessel – 35 – RW ($6.8 mil)
Alex Radulov – 36 – RW ($6.25 mil)
Dustin Brown – 38 – RW ($5.8 mil)
Calvin de Haan – 31 – D ($4.5 mil)
Mikko Koskinen – 34 – G ($4.5 mil)
Those who could be finished:
Loui Eriksson – 37 – RW ($6 mil)
Andrew Ladd – 36 – LW ($6.5 mil)
Anton St ralman – 36 – D ($5.5 mil)
Danny deKeyser – 32 – D ($5 mil)
Antoine Roussel – 32 – LW ($3 mil)
Jay Beagle – 37 – RW ($3 mil)
Hey Geo,
Brown retired, and it was just published that Koskinen is headed to Switzerland! I think Strahlman will sign for less than $1M
Didn’t know that about Brown, thanks Johnny Z. As Mrbruin4 says below, there could be several “going home” to finish off their careers.
I jumped the gun on Ladd – sheesh, 1 more year at that contract with production that would make an ELC call-up blush in embarrassment. And a -20 to boot.
That kind of surprises me about Koskinen John Z.
He won’t make any where what he makes next season, but could see him getting a backup role in NHL next year. Especially when you look at the tender market.
Maybe he just would prefer to live over there. Switzerland looks like a nice place to be.
G O
Ladd has one more year left on his deal so I assume he is back in AZ not walking away from 6mil+. Can see guys like raduluv and Erickson. Going home to end careers
G O
I am still crying over it ruins my long weekend. 😜
Rangers 3rd period was a tough watch. Gallant continued to push his top line players who had zero jump and the 4th line. Reaves had more 3rd period minutes than Kakko or Chytil both who had legs and good shifts
Carolina is a strong team. They dictate how the opposition plays.
Gonna have to win on special teams. Need more PP time.
YA SOP, they pressure you all over the ice and defend as good as any body. Nobody cheats for offence on that team.
Have gained playoff experience last few years.
Have a real shot to get to SCF.
last nights Oilers & Flames Game was very good and Yes it was the McDavid Show…..😎
We are use to seeing it and maybe we take it for granted….??
But the best of this series is yet to come we have seen this before he get him self going and Wound up…. Wait for the next 2 games at home hear in Edmonton….
Young Evan Bouchard is starting to come into his own He has a Fantastic Shot from the point ask his buddy from Bakersfield ( Skinner ) our back up goaltender for next year ❗️