NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 3, 2022
The opening night of the Stanley Cup playoffs saw the Leafs shut out the Lightning, the Kings upset the Oilers, the Blues blank the Wild & the Hurricanes tame the Bruins. Details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Auston Matthew scored twice in a three-point performance and Jack Campbell made 24 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs shut out the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning 5-0 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven opening-round series. Mitch Marner scored to snap an 18-game playoff goal drought and collected two assists. Leafs forward Kyle Clifford was ejected from the game in the first period for boarding Lightning forward Ross Colton.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was total domination by the Leafs. They out-skated and outworked the Lightning, who were stymied on the power play and gave up too many odd-man rushes. This lopsided defeat could spark a better effort from the Lightning in Game 2, but the Leafs deserve full marks for their strong effort in this series-opening contest.
A turnover by Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith led to Phillip Danault’s game-winning goal as the Los Angeles Kings got a 4-3 upset win in Game 1 of their opening-round series. The Kings jumped to an early 2-0 lead but the Oilers bounced back on goals by Connor McDavid and Kailer Yamamoto. Kings netminder Jonathan Quick made 37 saves for the win while Trevor Moore had a goal and two assists. Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson (undisclosed) missed this game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t know what Smith was thinking but attempting to pass the puck up the middle from behind his own net rather than chipping it up along the boards was a big mistake. Quick was outstanding for the Kings, showing the form that backstopped his club to two Stanley Cups.
St. Louis Blues winger David Perron tallied a hat trick while Ville Husso had a 37-save shutout to blank the Minnesota Wild 4-0 in the first game of their opening-round series. Perron finished with four points while Torey Krug collected three assists. It was reported the league will review a nasty downward cross-check by Wild captain Jared Spurgeon across the ankle of Blues winger Pavel Buchenich.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild controlled the play for most of this game, out-shooting and out-chancing the Blues. Husso, however, proved up to the challenge in his first-ever NHL playoff game while his teammates capitalized on their chances, including two power-play goals.
Third-period goals by Teuvo Teravainen, Vincent Trocheck and Andrei Svechnikov carried the Carolina Hurricanes to a series-opening 5-1 victory in Game 1 against the Boston Bruins. Backup Antti Raanta kicked out 35 shots for the win.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raanta was superb between the pipes as this game went along, shaking off what appeared to be a nervous start with several big saves as the Bruins pressed to open the scoring. The Hurricanes will need more of that from him as starter Frederik Andersen could remain sidelined for Game 2 with a sprained knee.
HEADLINES
DAILY FACEOFF: The Philadelphia Flyers will be moving on from interim head coach Mike Yeo as they’ll search for a new bench boss. Yeo took over from Alain Vigneault when the latter was fired in December.
WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets are also searching for a new head coach, though interim Dave Lowry will have the opportunity to interview for the job. Lowry replaced Paul Maurice when the latter resigned in December. Associate coach Jamie Kompon and assistant coach Charlie Huddy face uncertain futures.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise the Flyers and Jets will be seeking new coaches given their disappointing performances this season.
VANCOUVER HOCKEY NOW: Bruce Boudreau is confident he’ll be returning next season as the Canucks’ head coach. The club missed the playoffs but made significant improvement after he took over behind the bench in December. Boudreau said he’s spoken with Canucks management and is hopeful a contract can be worked out.
TSN: Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (left leg injury) will miss the first two games of his club’s opening-round series with the Colorado Avalanche.
TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jason Zucker has been cleared to play in Game 1 of his club’s first-round series with the New York Rangers. Zucker was sidelined on April 26 with an undisclosed injury.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond will no longer be participating in the upcoming World Championships for his native Sweden as originally planned. His father, Jean Raymond, and his agent, Peter Werner, explained the rigors of his first NHL season took more physical and mental energy than expected. “My advice to Lucas was to listen to his mind and body,” said Werner. “He needs this time to during the summer to recharge the batteries.”
What it all boils down to is Sweeney didn’t do enough to compete with the big boys, bruins out in four straight. Never mind about winning a game the bruins will find it a challenge to even score another goal, embarrassing and hopeless.
Built for regular season not the playoffs it’s how Sweeney works …..this coming offseason has the looks of a disaster for the B’s
Playoff series never won after one game. Lol
Look. The sky is falling
you have your opinion and I have mine …4 games against the Canes this season the Bruins have been outscored 21-1…..what am I missing here ?
Well to your playoff point regarding the B’s under Sweeney Joe.
B’s have beat the Canes each of the previous 2 series.
Ibn fact since Sweeney took over not many teams have won more playoff rounds than the Bruins.
3 or 4, 5 tops if I had to guess.
So, in reality the B’s are built for playoff success.
Having said that when we were picking series winners on here I too the Canes because they defend so well, and their PK is the best in the NHL. I thought they would be a slight favorite.
And having said that – GO B’s
Rick, it’s only one game. The game was more even than the score would indicate. Fans in Carolina are still expecting a long tough series!
The Leafs looked very good and Tampa’s puck movement was off all game.
Canes and Bruins were tight to start but the Canes keep coming
Jared Spurgeon gets a game for that.
0-4 last night, one game doesn’t make a series.
Carolina full marks for their win. Bergeron was at 36% on the faceoff dot in the third period, don’t see that very often.
The lamborghini was parked last night but the Pontica continue the chug along, even using the hardware for some results.
Why does Ullmark goe down on his knees, then lean forward dropping the head and shoulders. He isn’t the reason they loss but surely didn’t contribute to keeping them in the game.
2 changes for game 2 Ullmark and Foligno out and Swayman Blidh in.
PP start to refuse them. Dump and chase, trying to carry in is not working.
Hurricanes don’t give any room, very impressive fore-check.
Seen some of Toronto game and total domination full marks.
Agree on the PP Caper.
Need to adjust.
Canes giving no time and space, so getting it low and winning puck battle. High to low and back and get some shots through from the backend in middle of the ice. Back to basics, which should open some lanes if they have success.
I would start Ullmark again. Shows confidence not just in your tender but the team.
When the playoff opponents were set I said from the get this was going to be the worst matchup for the Bruins, the Bruins are built for the regular season and thats it, been this way for years now ….the Bruins D stats are very misleading they aren’t that good they have the top 2 and maybe Carlo and that’s it …..the bodies around the B’s goalie is relentless…….Canes are just to good they showed that in regular season play with the Bruins and it will continue in these playoffs
Wow! Leafs were dynamite last night! Loved the effort and explosiveness. That’s what it’s gonna take to get past TB for sure.
One more from me I need another coffee… who ever told Trent Frederic he was a tough guy because he isn’t …Bush move last night, you want to hit someone from behind down 5 -1 with 7 seconds left don’t do it and skate away
Joe, if ever the bruins ever needed to take advantage of the situation it was lastnight no Anderson. Ranta.is a good goalie, Anderson’s an elite goalie. Win the first game make statement, go from there. After that embarrassment. Lastnight, I just can’t see the bruins winning even one game. The b’s need to start from scratch players that have to go Forbort, Foligno, Matt Get a goalie that can stop the puck. Rebuild Sweeney and Needles gone.
Load up that pipe. Lol
Wow….Leafs finally “played” a true full play-off game
Very very exciting. From the get go Bolts seemed discombobulated. The 5 min PP… was not as much a 5 min kill by Leafs as it was Bolts just couldn’t get any accurate passes going; and kept making multiple mistakes and getting more and more frustrated.
Yet… Bolts we’re still in it. It was still a game that either side could win , even at 2-0. The shorty turned the tide….. Leafs never looked back after that.
Great hits; great P&V ; full crowd energy; full dust ups…. Very exciting
Downside… Clifford will get suspended. I’d be a hypocrite if I argued that he shouldn’t get suspended …. No ifs ands or buts…. Hit from behind, straight into boards, unsuspecting … only question is how many games
Suspensions due to the “bench brawl”…. Not as clear cut
Leafs… no matter what… do not think that next game will be as easy. This game was a full on victory. Expect Bolts to be much better prepared for next tilt
The other games…
I did not see a 4-0 win coming for Blues @ Wild with the Flower in net.
I didn’t see the Bruins/Canes game but with Stat lines showing Ulmark @ 0.833 , I’m guessing Bruins fans will lay some (most?) blame on him…????
I did see Oil v Kings game…. Exciting for sure…. Quick just better than Smith (who had a couple of brain farts hamper his success)
Ullmark was far from perfect, but the defense did little to help him. Cassidy said prior to the TD their defense needed some “pricks” who will clear the front of the net and nobody has stepped up to do that. Not many goalies would have stopped at least 3 of the goals.
Thanks for that update/viewpoint DM, makes sense
Clifford is having a telepone call with Player Safety. That only results in a fine at most.
Hi Randy
In person offered if Parros is considering 5 or more games , which it won’t be
so if teleconference… could be up to 4 games
If he gets zero games…. 31 franchises are going to have a full on conniption
I am a Leaf fan and I think he deserves a minimum of 1 game
Had say Maroon done the exact same hit to Marner…. Leafland would be calling for 5 games
Fair is fair…. Not sure if Clifford has any history, but with zero history…. 1 game. If he is a repeat offender… it should go up from there
Now , with that said…. Parros is THE most unpredictable person associated in any way with the NHL
He’s levied game suspensions for open ice trips (not near boards, other players, or net) with no injuries; and same for open ice slew foots with no injuries ; but has turned a blind eye to Wilson, Ovi, and Hathaway…. who have all done full numbers hits with player going face first into boards
Parros needs to warm up his Magic 8 Ball…. for consultation on appropriate punishment
1game is what he got
Re Pens tonight…. The fact that Zucker is cleared and likely to play tonight is in no way a game changer. Not a great season for him when healthy
The game is really Shesterkin (who is my pick for Hart, and who should get Vezina) vs DeSmith….. an overwhelming advantage to Blueshirts
Unless Pens gets couple of bounces going their way early, and somehow get up 2-0, with energy then on their side…. the result could very well be akin to last night’s Raanta over Ulmark or Husso over the Flower
My gut for tonight….
V’s by Cats, Avs, Flames, Rangers (💩😭👎🤬)
Man, guys are gonna get all kinds of hurt, jumping on and off of the Bruins and Leafs bandwagons this spring.
Careful, folks!
Shore. “fake news” I don’t think anyone is jumping off the Leafs bandwagon at all!! Boston fans are however though.
Best ever opening playoff game for the Leafs. The Pk was crucial and shows how dangerous we are on the penalty kill with our speed.
I don’t care if some think the TB loss should riel them up. How bout we got in their heads last night and they know they are facing a HUNGRY fast, capable team of knocking off the S.C. Champs.
I’m glad the refs were calling everything and when Tampa had to resort to scrapping well the team answered the bell! Maroon going down as Simmonds will see how he tried to just lay it out on Morgan.
Cliff gonna get two games for that rub out but Spurgon should get 3 just for that dirty attempt on trying o bust Bush’es ankle.
GLG, hard climb but well worth it!
For Bruin fans a little bit of good news. Since we are now out after loosing 1 game in playoffs 😞
Boston’s 2021 first-round pick had a ridiculous 15 points in six games to help lead the Vancouver Giants to a historic upset over the Everett Silvertips.
Bruins won’t win another Game
ever?
Because you said another game, they haven’t won a game yet in the playoffs so another game would indicate all games. I’m not a Bruins fan but I’ll bet that one day they WILL win a game again Rick, take heart.
Since you are wrong way more then you are right means the Bruins have good chance
Raanta deserves credit for stopping Boston early and Vasieleski – well, let’s hope he keeps it up.