NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 4, 2022
The Penguins down the Rangers in triple OT, the Avalanche bury the Predators, the Flames blank the Stars and the Capitals tame the Panthers in the opening games of their first-round playoff series. Details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Evgeni Malkin scored in triple overtime as the Pittsburgh Penguins downed the New York Rangers 4-3 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round series in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Jake Guentzel scored two goals in regulation, Bryan Rust had a goal and two assists and Sidney Crosby collected two assists. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 79 saves in the six-period marathon while Chris Kreider and Mike Zibanejad each had two points.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins’ third-string goalie Louis Domingue got the win after replacing Casey DeSmith in the second overtime when the latter suffered a lower-body injury. DeSmith is being evaluated and his status is listed as day-to-day. Penguins starter Tristan Jarry’s been out since April 14 with a lower-body injury.
DeSmith wasn’t the only Penguin injured in this game. Winger Rickard Rakell suffered a head injury following a hit by Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren in the first period and didn’t return. He’s also being evaluated.
A five-goal first period carried the Colorado Avalanche to a lopsided 7-2 victory over the Nashville Predators in the first game of their best-of-seven opening-round series. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen led the way with three points each. Matt Duchene scored both Nashville goals while Predators goalie David Rittich got the hook after giving up five goals on 13 shots.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: To say the Predators missed sidelined starting goaltender Juuse Saros in this contest is an understatement. Nevertheless, the Predators still would’ve lost this game even with a healthy Saros between the pipes, only it wouldn’t have been quite so one-sided. The Avalanche dominated this game from the opening puck drop. The Predators will need a better team effort as well as better goaltending or this series will be over quickly.
Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom had a 16-save shutout and Elias Lindholm scored the only goal in a 1-0 blanking of the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of their first-round series. Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger acquitted himself well in his first-ever playoff game with 25 saves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A line brawl broke out during the first period after Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk hit Dallas defenseman John Klingberg behind the Stars net. Tkachuk wound up scrapping with Michael Raffl while Klingberg wound up tangling with Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Both blueliners received game misconducts.
The Washington Capitals got three third-period goals from Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie and Lars Eller to double up the Florida Panthers 4-2 in Game 1 of their first-round series. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 34 saves in a losing cause. It was a costly win for the Capitals as winger Tom Wilson left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury. He is being evaluated and his status for Game 2 remains uncertain.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wilson’s injury was the only blight on what was a solid defensive effort by the Capitals in neutralizing the Panthers’ vaunted offense.
HEADLINES
THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said head coach Bruce Boudreau will not receive a contract extension. They are instead willing to bring him back on his current deal, which has an option year in which either side can opt-out by June 1.
Rutherford praised Boudreau’s performance after the club went 32-15-10 when he took over from Travis Green in December. However, the club president pointed out his interim bench boss did not coach a full season. He said that Boudreau was informed that the club wants him back next season on his current deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: So the decision now rests with Boudreau if he’ll return for next season or look elsewhere for a long-term coaching job. He shouldn’t have any trouble finding a new team given the fine work he did in reversing the Canucks’ sagging fortunes this season.
Rutherford’s announcement also gives the impression he’d like to bring in a coach of his choosing. He inherited Boudreau, who was hired days beforehand.
NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford receive a one-game suspension for boarding Lightning forward Ross Colton in Game 1 of their first-round series on Monday. Lightning forwards Pat Maroon and Corey Perry and Leafs winger Wayne Simmonds received fines for unsportsmanlike conduct during that contest.
Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon was fined $5,000.00 for cross-checking St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchenvich during the first game of their opening-round series on Monday.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy is tinkering with his top-four defense pairings for Game 2 of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Matt Grzelcyk will move up alongside Charlie McAvoy on the left side of the first pairing while Hampus Lindholm drops to the second pairing with Brandon Carlo.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer said he’ll be meeting with club management to discuss his future with the franchise. He has a year remaining on his contract. DeBoer also confirmed starting goalie Robin Lehner will undergo shoulder surgery on Wednesday while backup Laurent Brossoit will require an offseason medical procedure.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBoer expressed his hope to return with the Golden Knights next season. We’ll find out soon if management gives him that opportunity after the club missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Multiple knee injuries have forced Flyers defenseman Samuel Morin to end his playing career. The 26-year-old has spoken with management about an off-ice role with the club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Morin was a highly-touted blueliner who was chosen 11th overall by the Flyers in the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut in 2017 but the knee injuries began soon afterward, derailing what could’ve been a promising career.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks hired St. Louis Blues director of player personnel Rob DiMaio as their new assistant general manager.
THE ATHLETIC: The Seattle Kraken parted ways with goaltending coach Andrew Allen.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former and current Canadiens, hockey luminaries, politicians and fans bide a final farewell to Hall-of-Famer Guy Lafleur during his state funeral in Montreal on Tuesday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rest in peace, Flower. You will never be forgotten.
I think the bruins should study the game between the Pens and Rangers on how to score goals and come back from a deficit. Tonight will be like scaling The Annapurna wearing a pair of crocs. I just don’t see it. Oldsmobile roadsters vs stingrays. The canes could have Red Light Racicot in goal they would still win.
https://www.reddit.com/r/nhl/comments/uhtmcm/wise_words_from_alan_may/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Missed the 3 regular periods but watched all the Overtime of the Pitt vs Ranger game.
What a game, best hockey i watched in a long time.
Goalie leaves in second period third string goalie has to come in cold in double overtime.
It was exciting the goaltenders were excellent!!! Crosby line seem to have a chance every shift in OT, they simply dominated every time they were on the ice.
The announcer were msg, Rangers fans but they were really good.
Not one penalty called in OT and to be honest there was a couple incidents if were in regulation time might have been called, but not many. I don’t think the teams complained.
It was entertaining hockey and the three goalies played extremely well. Best game of the early playoffs so far.
What a win by Pittsburgh. Based on what I saw early, the Penguins looked ready to get blown out. Not only that, the backup goalie comes off the bench and they win in triple OT.
Love the playoffs.
Not just the back up the back ups back up. Best playoff game in recent memory
Was very exciting…. An excellent surprise (I certainly didn’t think Pens had a chance after Rangers went up 2-0)
I’ve never seen a playoff game where a goalie pulls himself for non impact injury in OT; and a “cold” goalie comes in to win it for his tandem team-mate
Yep Pens earned that one.
I would rather lose 5-1 than in triple OT.
Those seem like the toughest to come back from.
George O, Happy 83? this week? hope you had/have a great day.
HBD George… thought it was 84 (1938?)
Caper…. Hopefully you are not in the flood areas…. Looks awful
George spent the entire morning trying to blow out all the candles on his birthday cake this morning
LOL. Nah – I use a bellows for that. I keep my own wind for here! 🙂 Thanks for the wishes – and it’s the 84th (I’d much rather the damned digits were reversed).
Happy birthday, George.
Rick no one blows out candles anymore; unless you want the whole cake to yourself. Plus picking the dentures off the cake can be embarrassingly funny.
On, and thanks for yesterday’s wishes, ShoreOrrPark – and hangin’ in like Gunga Din. . Friggin’ pollen allergies driving me nuts though – living on Reactine!
Thanks Lyle – hey, what are your thoughts on re-naming the bridge to the Island? Much more “character” than “Confederation”
No thoughts either way. Everyone here just calls it “The Link” or “The Bridge”.
LOL Caper. Not me. Believe it or not I still have all my choppers. And just for the record, the actual date is May 9 – and the next day we get out booster booster, followed in June by a tetanus shot update and, for me anyway, a pneumonia shot update. Beginning to feel like a bloody pin cushion!
Are you safe from that flooding?
If you’re really having trouble blowing out the candles we’ll send over the Boeing Wind Tunnel Mr. Bruin
Hbd.
They didn’t name it bridgy mcbridgeface?
https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/17/boaty-mcboatface-wins-poll-to-name-polar-research-vessel
Hi Pengy, im fortunate nothing flooded in my area, we are also luck didn’t get all the rain they called for.
Next several days 19 and plus 20’s should be good.
Good to hear
Did I envision a game 1 blow-out win by Avs…. Yes
Did I envision a Flames V with a possible shutout… yes; but a 1-0 win… Nope
Did I think Caps could steal a win and get two separate goals when they should have been on the PK for both of them …. this is nothing new for Caps (that kind of win was seen a few times in their run to their only cup…. Why do refs turn a blind eye on Ovi and Wilson in the playoffs?)
Now…. Did I think Pens would win last night? Hoped yes, but did not realistically think it could happen? No. After period 1…. I really considered it basically impossible
Lesson learned…. To get a win against Shesterkin…. you need to go the equivalent of almost 2 full games and pepper 83 shots on him…. and you have to have deflected shots to win…he’s a beast… Vezina and Hart are owed
Crosby , Guentz, Rusty line absolutely flying…7 points
I hope Rackell is going to be fine…. Hit looked awful
DeSmith played very well , goes 48/51… 941…. But gets a ND
Domingue coming in after sitting (and not even on bench with team) for well over 4 hours, to stop all shots for the V…. Kudos abound
Rest up pens, loads of fluids and energy food… have you got another 83 shots in you for tomorrow night?
And, Sully…. Please please please…. Bring in Friedman or P-O J….. Ruhweedel actually costly on only 1 goal (Copp’s….. CR literally had no clue where to be) ; but almost cost 5 (yes 5 ) others… hat tip to both DeSnith and Domingue. Every time CR was on the ice, my sphincters tightened so hard I thought I’d have a seizure. At the very least…. Cut his minutes in 1/2. You had him playing more minutes than Pettersson…. Who had a great game ??????
Captain Sid really got that team reset in the first intermission. They looked completely different and like a new team.
Where the Rangers started to try to get too fancy. There were too many passes when the shot was the better option, a handful of sloppy passes back to the D which led to the Pens breaking out, etc
I do feel the Chytil goal was good, Kappo still in theory had the ability to curl back but he was pushed in the back. that call could of gone either way
Gallant also used the top 2 lines too much too early.
Hi ds
full speed and right when it happened…. I thought for sure … goalie interference… no goal
First replay straight on shot (facing DeSmith)….I changed my mind…. Good goal
Then slow and a few angles shown…. I changed my mind again…. The review wasn’t that long …. so that leads me to think refs and review team were unanimous in their decision
I’m certainly glad it went Pens way; and do empathize for Rangers fans…. as I would have been very down had the reverse happened (late reg goal by Pens, overturned)
The overall game was very impressive
Not sure if Pens can get another 83 shots on Shesterkin , tomorrow night
Shesterkin ..Vezina AND Hart
Pengy, if the Leafs win tonight that series will be over in 5 and they’ll have their first series win since 2004.
And someone needs to mention that Calgary win – not often you see a 1-0 game in a playoff series.
Hi George
I’d like to think a Leafs win tonight means over in 5; even meaning Leafs win series in 6 or 7
That said… a win tonight only means they are up 2-0 ….. they have home ice advantage
Many many teams in history have lost first two games on the road and then won the series
On the flip side… if Leafs lose tonight…, then going to TBay for 2…. does not necessarily give the advantage to Bolts
I’m hopeful, but not counting my chickens yet
I fully expect a different Bolts team tonight
Further on the Flames game – the Stars did a good job of keeping the likes of Gaudreau and Tkachuk in check and limiting the Flames to 26 shots – but Calgary did an even better job in smothering the Stars scorers, limiting Dallas to 16 shots. That won’t win you many games against Markstrom.
Something else I found interesting was that the Flames rolled 4 lines to the point where not one among the F had 20 minutes or more of ice time (Lindholm – the goal-scorer – came closest at 19.58) – the rest were down around 16 – 17 minutes each.
On D, however, Tanev (25.51), Hanifin (25.21) and Gudbranson (23.19) were the work-horses, with Zadorov the closest to them at 19:04.
IMO it is amazing what Sutter has done with the Flames George. I did not see that coming.
Guys like Gudbranson and Zadorov were considered by some to be too slow and are now playing important roles and doing it well, although Anderson getting a misconduct likely contributed to the ice time bump.
Top players thriving.
Ray, up front Sutter is keeping the shifts short and making maximum use of 4 lines. The fact the top guns are not over-used and therefore full of piss and vinegar each time they got on the ice, and so always seem to have the puck, makes it a lot easier for the slower D-men like Gudbranson and Zadorov.
And yeah, your point about Anderson is almost assuredly the main reason for the upticks in the ice time of those two.
Pengy…Pens activated defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from LTRL he can play as soon as needed. He would help big and physical and fresh. John Marino got pounded and Rudwhedel scares me…every time he turns to get back and play or pass the puck…LOL
Very moving funeral for The Flower
RIP Guy
Not sure I could categorize Wilson leaving with injury as a blight.
Boooyah!
Think rutherford will try and bring zucker to the nucks? xD hopefully he’ll get them a cup before trading 1’st rnders for 4 liners!
Be still my heart Mark
Pens will gladly give Jimbo, Zucker; and throw in Ruhweedel…. and ask for but a friendly “future considerations” in 2030
Gedddderrrrdone!!
If Canucks don’t keep Boudreau, I’ll bet the Sharks will bite (pun intended), especially with all the youngsters in the organization at this point.
First off George (*sung in my own voice>) “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…..and many more”!!
secondly – That scrap Tkachuk had with Michael Rafl,…well Rafl loaded up his rifle fist and caught Tkachuk good on a few occasions. I would say this is where Lucic steps in next time because MT felt those fists and pretty sure he don’t want to feel them again. They were jawbreakers. n’uff said about that one.
Marroon must be on Simmonds naughty list and not saying a fight will break out between them both tonight but guaranteed both Simmonds and Clifford got it on file.
Tampa gonna bring their best tonight but the Leafs know that, and will bring their best so in Tampa’s best interest they best switch their supper and eat some sonic the hedge hog cereal just to keep up. I look forward to this second game.
Go Leafs Go! Keep that crowd LOUD!
lastly- totally agree with the setiment of Guy Lafleur not ever to be forgotten. Once again r.i.p. Guy x10
DJ, I base my thoughts on two aspects I saw in game 1 – first, the top scorers like Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares did not throw caution to the wind when they went up 3-0 – as they have done in the past – and made sure they continued to pick up their checks when not in possession (in other words, played a sold 2-way game). And secondly, the D avoided trying to do things in their own end which are not in their overall make-up (or as Pat Quinn used to love calling it, Dick-Around). They kept it tight and simple. They continue to do that and TB will be hard-pressed to dominate – as they have been accustomed.
I really believe the team has finally realized that it takes 60 solid minutes of attending to business to win in the playoffs.
Birthday George O
“I really believe the team has finally realized that it takes 60 solid minutes of attending to business to win in the playoffs.”
Coming from the “Birthday Boy” …this wish has been granted. (lol)
You bet, and I agree! even if it was one game, but you can almost feel it and for sure you can see it the way theu never let up (both ends of the ice, ice baby)
For all those who thought Tampa came out flat, well that’s w hat the Leafs made it look like because they seemed unstoppable and that is exactly the effort level needed as you said. 😉 🙂
Again HBG and maybe if you could do the leafs a little fave when bellowing(lol as you said) you’re candles out and give them a lil chunk of a good wish to keep the same drive…it would be appreciated. Go GEORGE GO!!
Well, as you know DJ, I am not a fan of the Leafs per se, but I think it’s way past time for Lord Stanley to return home and, to that end, there’s nothing I’d like to see more than one or more of the Leafs, Flames and Oilers to go deep. Plus, I have a long-suffering Grandson and Granddaughter – both devoted fans – in Scarborough who need the monkey off their backs.
But while I could live with the kids on the Leafs finally bringing some joy to Mudville and silencing up their critics, what I dread is the sure-to-be endless drivel from the talking heads at Sportsnet, TSN and CBC – all supposedly “national” outlets (especially the CBC who subsist on an annual $1 billion stipend courtesy of taxpayers from coast to coast to coast) – talking it up like it was the greatest display of hockey in the annals of the sport, while popping their homer buttons – as if 6 other Canadian franchises didn’t exist.
At least THAT I could ultimately shut out by simply not tuning in. LOL
As to who I THINK will ultimately prevail, it’s going to be Colorado, now at that stage where TB was a couple of seasons ago following some disappointing results where everyone thought they were shoe-ins. They are solid top to bottom.
Hey, George, all the best. As a lifelong golfer, I always thought that shooting my age would get easier as aged.
Turns out I was wrong, so far anyway. What’s your take, George?
Thanks too for your confidence in the Leafs. I’ll feel confident when the buzzer goes after they clinch the series. Till then……
BCLeafFan, all my life I kept hearing how, for athletes, the legs are always the first to go. As a young guy, playing football at various levels for something like 12 years, I used to brush that off as hogwash IF you stayed in shape. But nope, despite the best efforts (and at 84 I am still around the 205 lbs I played at spread out over a 6′ 2″ frame) – the legs eventually said “nope … that’s it man … you’re on your own now …” Now I doubt I could last 18 holes (maybe on a pitch and putt course).
Hey George I’m late to the Party ….Happy Birthday 🎂