NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 9, 2022
The Lightning, Bruins, Kings and Blues tie their best-of-seven first-round series at two games apiece. Check out the details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning took a 5-0 lead after two periods over the Toronto Maple Leafs on route to a 7-3 victory, tying their best-of-seven opening-round playoff series at two games apiece. Ross Colton scored twice while Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Brandon Hagel each collected two assists. William Nylander tallied two goals for the Leafs while teammate Jack Campbell was pulled after giving up five goals on 16 shots. The series returns to Toronto for Game 5 on Tuesday night.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs are learning the hard way that the defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning rises to the occasion when their backs are to the wall. At least the Lightning hasn’t held a lead in this series but that could change if the Leafs come out with another flat effort in Game 5.
Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand (NHL Images).
Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand scored twice and set up three others to lead his club over the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 to square their first-round series at two games each. Patrice Bergeron had a goal and two assists and David Pastrnak scored and picked up a helper. Jeremy Swayman got the win with a 24-save performance while Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy missed this game due to COVID protocol. Game 5 is in Carolina on Tuesday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ill-disciplined play proved costly for the Hurricanes as the Bruins went two-for-nine on the power play. Marchand was also his usual pesky self, getting into the head of Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo by appearing to call him a racist during a heated exchange. Meanwhile, Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour was frustrated when his challenge of Jake DeBrusk’s tying goal in the second period for goalie interference was ruled as incidental contact while attempting to make a play with the puck loose in the crease.
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick made 31 saves to shut out the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 to tie their series at 2-2. He set the playoff shutout record (10) for American-born NHL netminders. Carl Grundstrom scored two goals and collected an assist while Trevor Moore and Troy Stecher each had a goal and an assist. The series shifts back to Edmonton on Tuesday night for Game 5.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings looked done like dinner following lopsided losses in the previous two games. Quick’s superb goaltending and the Kings’ veteran leadership were crucial in this series-tying win. The Oilers played as though they were expecting another easy victory. This game should be a wake-up call that they’re facing an opponent they cannot take lightly.
The St. Louis Blues got a 28-save effort from Jordan Binnington in his 2022 postseason debut to tame the Minnesota Wild 5-2 and even their series at two games apiece. Jordan Kyrou scored two goals while Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron each picked up three points. Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy replied for the Wild. The two sides face off in Minnesota for Game 5 on Tuesday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues’ revolving door blueline continued in this game as Scott Perunovich returned to action for the first time since January while Marco Scandella left this game with a lower-body injury. It’s possible Nick Leddy, Robert Bortuzzo or both could return for Game 5.
HEADLINES
THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper escaped a serious eye injury on Saturday but swelling could keep him out of Game 4 against the Nashville Predators on Monday. The injury occurred in Game 3 when the blade of Predators center Ryan Johansen’s stick accidentally poked through the cage of Kuemper’s mask. Johansen was remorseful over the incident and was glad to hear the Avs goalie wasn’t seriously hurt.
ASSOCIATED PRESS: Teresa Walker reports Predators coach John Hynes said starting goalie Juuse Saros will not be playing in Game 4 against the Avs. He’s been sidelined since April 26 by a lower-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Predators down 3-0 in this series it would be folly to put Saros in net if he’s not fully recovered.
NHL.COM: Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was fined $5,000.00 by the NHL department of player safety for high-sticking Calgary Flames winger Andrew Mangiapane during Game 3 of their first-round series on Saturday.
Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov received the same fine for a similar infraction against Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari in Game 3 of their series on Saturday.
WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Capitals, winger Tom Wilson remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury. An update on his status is expected later today before Game 4 against the Panthers.
I’ll repeat what I’ve said many times in here …. Marchand, the guy everybody not a Bruins fan seems to detest, is among THE most complete players in the game who constantly rises to the occasion. And every one of those fans would be doing cartwheels if their team of choice somehow acquired him – or a player just like him.
The fact he is never considered seriously for the Hart is criminal. And it’s not as if players with a nasty edge have not won it before – Perry, Pronger, Messier, Clarke, Shore are prime examples.
As matters stand right now, without Marchand the Bruins are probably gone in 4.
Hi George
Fully agree re Marchand as a full player and certainly a huge reason that this series is tied 2-2
Marchand as Bruins most complete player…. yes I can see your argument
As a Hart winner (most valuable to HIS team)….
Sorry…. But I truly believe…
Shesterkin (value to Rangers) > Marchand (to Bruins)
Johnny Hockey (value to Flames) > Marchand (to Bruins)
Jossi (value to Predz) > Marchand (to Bruins)
Yes Marchand should be Bruins choice as Hart candidate this year…. But IMHO … Shesterkin deserves Hart, the most, over any other player
Not if he continues to be a sieve in the series against Pittsburgh and Marchand elevates the Bruins past Carolina.
Put it this way (from my perspective) – Marchand suddenly with the Senators next season would elevate them to a playoff contender a helluva lot faster than Shesterkin in goal.
He’s been a single-handed catalyst on that team for years and you know that that isn’t going to change in the foreseeable future, whereas Shesterkin – in 53 gp – was part of a Rangers team that made the playoffs for the first time in a few years after improvements all across the line-up.
Did he play well during the season? Yes, of course. So did Georgiev in the 33 games in which he appeared. Marchand was in there every game – logging top minutes, killing penalties, a force on the PP and wound up the top point-getter on his team despite missing 12 games – 3 ahead of Pastrnak, 15 up on Bergeron and 19 ahead of Hall.
Not even close in comparison. Sorry.
I don’t know that I’d call Sheterkin a “sieve”. The guy had one bad game.
He essentially played 3 games in his first 2, and put up a .951 and 952. Save %.
Pulling him in the 1st period in game 3 after allowing 4 goals certainly didn’t help his stats.
Marchand had an awful game 1. 0 goals, 0 assists -3 and didn’t record a shot on goal.
Not sure I’d place the blame on Sheterkin. Game 1 , 79 saves in 105 minutes? What more can you realistically ask for?
Also disagree with Marchand elevating the sens quicker than Sheterkin.
Take Sheterkin off NYs roster, and they miss the playoffs my a significant margin.
The fact that NY is even I. The playoffs this year is shocking to even most hardcore Ranger fans.
The additions of Vatrano, Copp have plugged a lot of issues for the rangers. Prior to that, this team had almost no secondary scoring. Adding these guys pushed guys like Kakko , Hunt, Goodrow and Laffrienere down the roster.
But before that, Sheterkin was forced to stand on his head every night. And still is doing it.
Yea, poor choice of phraseology Captain Obvious. Didn’t mean to imply he’s a “sieve” in general. I was just thinking of that bad period and only meant it in the context of, if it happens again and they get blown away in the next 2 games it could put a crimp in his Hart hopes (or do the playoffs even count when it comes to that award?).
He certainly had an eye-opening season and, for the kid’s sake, I hope he keeps it up. But we all know that, when it comes to goalies, you just never know. Ottawa is a classic example – Gustavsson was huge for them the season before and had hopes raised that he could be the go-to guy this season should Murray (a 2-time cup winner) faltered again. And suddenly Gustavsson couldn’t stop a beach ball – Murray faltered (again) – and suddenly a much-travelled goalie named Forsberg became THE goalie.
But from this view, the Rangers making the playoffs as solidly as they did came as no surprise. You don’t finish 7th overall, just 9 pts back of being # 2 by a fluke. Their 207ga was only bettered by Carolina’s 202.
Offensive improvement is the catalyst, seeing as how their 254gf ranked them 16th in the league – and what immediately stands out is the need for improvement there by Lafreniere (who should be capable of 35+ with his talent) and Kakko.
Adding an established sniper could make all the difference in the world next season.
Hi George
With CO in this
Shesterkin would be my first pick (and by far ) for Hart
Rangers vied for Metro first down the stretch, finished in second …. Without Shesterkin…. At best Rangers are WC2 in the East…. May have missed the cut
Rangers are a good young team on the rise; still favoured v Pens in the series… Shesterkin played fantastic in first 2 games (almost 3 games in total time) and last game he’d want 2 back; the other two I certainly wouldn’t hold him accountable
This kid is the real McCoy… I had joked before the series started that he had played so well this s season that he deserved a vacation (so he then would be unavailable v Pens)
Shesterkin shcares the shesh$&t out of me (as a Pens fan)
I’m confident the Rangers (upper management through to the towel lad) see him as a great goalie
Re “crimp on his Hart hopes”…. Voting is locked as at end of season….. he could let in 8 in each of next 2 games (I can dream can’t I) and it won’t affect his Hart status
Ahh, thought that may be the case. Thanks Pengy.
But at this stage – despite “guarantees” from fans – given a choice between him and Marchand I’d still take the latter … à chacun son goût 🙂
Don’t speak for me George. Don’t care how good he is. Bruins can keep him.
See, the difference between us in our approach to viewing the game is that I don’t let personal opinions get in the way of pragmatic recognition of opposition talent.
I’m not a Bruins fan – or a Leafs fan – or, for that matter, of any one of 29 other teams. But I do appreciate outstanding talent and, where Marchand is concerned, I see him as a player I would love to have on my team of choice.
I had the same opinion of Kadri when he was with the Leafs – and skewered by desperate fan base for being single-handedly responsible for back-to-back playoff eliminations due to being suspended.
I’ve learned to appreciate the overall team experience over winning vs losing. I’d rather have pride in my team and lose. I’ll admit that my viewpoint is likely tempered by 5 championships in my lifetime so far. Probably makes it easier to take the high road.
The Leafs loss is not on how they played…. They all just misheard Keefe …. When he said… “Tonight, you all must do your best at Playoff Hockey”…. But all 20 players actually misheard and thought he said “ Tonight, you all must do your best at Playstation Hockey”
Re Oilers v Kings and “superman” goal (that basically shut the door on Oil)…. for sure that should have been disallowed …fully and rapidly extending his arms and pushing Smith into net…. Wow…. Blown call. Not saying Oil could have come back late in the game from 2-0 when Quick was playing sharp…. BUT wrong review call…. And league back stepping on the call claiming Nurse “caused him to go in to Smith”…. Nurse didn’t cause him to extend the arms pushing Smith and his pads in the net…. Bad call IMHO
So Nurse tripping him had zero to do with the crash into Quick. OK got it, Canadian teams can do no wrong.
Agree 100% on Marchand
Johanson was relieved…. Same will happen one day to the children showing off with their Michigan crap. They will hit a goalie or dman in the eye. Let’s hope in advance that injury isn’t serious either because we don’t have the sense nough to keep the sticks down and the Puck on the ice
Hi AZHN
We agree to disagree on this
I never said Nurse contact had nothing to do with the contact with Smith
My contention is , Nurse…. Contact…player into Smith…without the superman push/extend arms… the goal would not have gone in…. and the arm extension push IMHO IS goaltender interference (GI)
With the push by arms.. it did push Smith and pads, and resulted in a goal
Again… no vested interest at all in this series… I’m a Leafs and Pens fan; AND in my hockey pool, I have no Oil or Kings players…. I was just making an observation on what I believe was a bad call on the review for GI
Had this happened to Campbell, Domingue or Jarry…
I would have hit the roof
The outcome IMHO; should have been no goal due to GI; and then no PP for Kings (due to the failed challenge)
I am not in any way saying that this blown review resulted in Kings win…. Still very tough to get 2 more goals (to tie and send to OT) especially with Quick on his game.
I am saying, that IMHO…. It was a blown review…. And since that made it 3-0 AND gave Kings a PP… that literally made it impossible for Oil to win
I am not sure why you are viewing this as a Canadian vs American team thing…. Just two teams and one persons viewpoint on it
We agree to disagree n the outcome of the call
That’s the whole beauty of Lyle’s site…. an opportunity to banter/discuss on hockey viewpoints
Okay, I’m an Oilers fan so take this any way you want.
Yes, Nurse tripped Grunstrom. However, Grunstrom made zero effort to avoid Smith. He actually initiated contact by pushing his arms forward into Smith’s pads. That is goalie interference.
I’m not going to make a big deal about this. This goal had zero impact on deciding the winner of the game. McLellan had his team dialled in and playing desperate. I expect the Oilers to come out in game 5 the way they did in games 2 and 3.
Pengy I often agree with but Ovie and Sid get the calls and benefits. Maybe as a Pens fan you dont see it but Sullivan wins every arguments and I havent seen a captain have a ref’s ear like Sid since when Messier could yap and yap to them without a worry
Hi ds
No argument … Sid does have the ear of many refs
He does banter with them tons…. And yes oft gets the benefit of the doubt
Re Ovi…. Sorry..l can’t agree that Ovi gets advantage due to his banter with refs
He just gets the advantage. Period.
Every game so far this post season, Ovi has had AT LEAST 1 elbows/forearm hit to head after a charge and into the boards… 2 of them more than 1 second post puck release (league usually views in the 0.8 second and below range, not late for interference calls)…. No call on head shot, no call for interference (late), no call for boarding; no call for elbow; no call for roughing; no call for charging
Does Sid get away with stuff…. Yep
Is his “free ride” on no calls in line with Ovi’s free rides…. Not even close
And…. Sid will get the benefit of the doubt in a hook, slash to the stick, and a pick (interference calls often…..Ovi gets away over and over again (as does Wilson) on charges, hits from behind, boarding, head shots, elbows…. All that could cause serious injuries
Transparency here…. Sid is my favourite current NHL player
Again…. Just my opinion
I cant disagree with you about the difference with Ovi yese
NHL is still a business. easier to market them stars. more ppl know who ovi is than mcdavid still
One of THE greatest to ever play the game – Gordie Howe – was notorious for his elbow use.
Pengy, like you I have been watching hockey a long time … in fact, when you were a toddler watching the Leafs win their last cup in 1967, I was already 29 y/o and had been following the game closely since about 1948/49 when I started going to the Senators games in the QSHL and then the NHL on TV in or around 1950. About the same with both football and baseball.
One thing I have learned – often the hard way – is to shrug off what I perceived as “bad calls” because a) they happen ALL the time and b) there’s not a damned thing one can do about them.
Like it or not they are part and parcel of split-second human perception – and at times legitimate error – and so have been are now and always will be part of every team sport – including basketball (which I detest at the pro level). Lingering on “we wuz robbed” only adds to frustration.
Spot on George. Bad calls have always happened…..always will. Great teams overcome them, mediocre ones whine about it and find something to blame their failures on. I lost some respect for Brind’Amour after reading his comments this morning.
Ya agree on the bad calls, they have always happened and agree that whining about them hurts more than it helps.
But disagree on great teams overcoming them, these days the teams are very close and a break here or there can be the difference in a series. TBay last year may be the exception, but they had to break that one up too due to the cap crunch.
I’m not referring to last night in particular, but a bad call is the same as any bad break, and teams need to move on and not dwell on it or use it as an excuse. But, in a tight series it has an impact as a single goal can be the difference in a game and series when it is this close.
Hi George
First off..l Happy 84th(?) B-Day
Agree …. Bad calls come, bad calls go… split second …. Part of the game
I’m not challenging the goal called on the ice… split second call
….. and first review was fine as they are there to determine (1) did it enter net ; and (2) by contact with stick…both 1 & 2 valid…. Good gal
But….. when challenged for goaltender interference …. And player actually extended arms and pushed Smith and Smith’s pads into net… and then they say NO goaltender interference… that’s my bugaboo
I’m a Pens/Leafs fan so no real skin off my back
Just irks me
Marchand told DeAngelo, “You wait. You wait”
He never called him a racist from what I could tell.
Debrusks goal was perfectly legal according to the rule book.
Brindamour is a great guy and a terrific coach, but the constant whining is getting old.
Wonder if Aho gets a 5 grand fine for his carving on St. Patrice?
Who throws a stick at a guy about to score an empty net goal? What a piece of work that DeAngelo is.
Watching the game the guys in studio have a whole lot of knowl dge and scored a whole lot more than most fans…. All of them agreed its a goal. They thought the challenge was dumb. Enough said. Put your emotions away you make bad decisions with those
Deangelo. Should get a 5000 fine for the toss. But doubt anything more then that. 63 was a beast yesterday. Big win will be hard to replicate in gm 5 with top 2 d men still out but not impossible Wagner playing well on 4th line considering he was whole year in AHL
Plus another 5 grand for crosschecking Lazar in the face.
Watched the clip again and I believe I was wrong. It does appear that Marchand said “you’re so racist” to DeAngelo before telling him “you wait.”
I’m a pretty fair hand at lip reading given the fact that I’ve developed a hearing impairment over the years.
Either way, DeAngelo isn’t a good dude, imo.
GeorgeO, Happy Birthday have an awesome day.
From a person who lost their Father to dementia and mother presently going thru the same disease. As a family we consider ourselves lucky we were able to get them in the same facility and same room
I say this only because I admire your advanced age, great memory and well read.
May not always agree and debate but truly admire from a distance.
Enjoy and live each day to its fullest.
Many thanks Caper – and hey, disagreeing is what constitutes all fans of all team sports. Back when I was a fanatical Habs fan, my two closest buddies (now deceased) were Chicago and Detroit fans – we had some fantastic times rubbing it in to one another.
Was dissapointed in the effort level of the Leafs last night as they were physically out played.
Vas still looks acceptable of being beat more often but having to run Campbell out of the net falls onto the onslaught of pressure the team couldn’t answer and was pressured and pinned in waaaay too much.
Be Better Leafs!
I still believe.
George- so true what you state about the bad calls and how you have to shrug it off. The players and team have to work through it and step up even more sometimes to overcome the bad call. Matter of fact a bad call (penalty) can also give the team insperation if they work their way out of it and gain momentum that way too.
Anyway, again, Go team go! Happy Birthday George!! Make that wish lol 😉
Oh and Calgary – score more goals than the other team. That’s how you win!
LOL, thanks DJ – and I think Sutter fervently shares that wish right about now. Sometimes it’s hard to fathom how a team can play so well – in all aspects of the game – one night and, two nights later, look like a completely different team.
So, my prediction of a Leafs series win in 5 is out the window … but they still hold home-ice advantage. Hopefully for them Keefe has abandoned the thought of not using that advantage when it comes to last line changes – which he shrugged off last year against Montreal as irrelevant. It do make a difference!
Happy Birthday, George. I’m rooting for you to have many more.
Many thanks ShoreOrrPark. As Brenda Lee warbled many years ago – One Step At A Time!
Pulling for the Bruins to oust Carolina and their whining coach. Be amazing to see Leafs eliminate TB and Washington take out Florida (they came close last night to going up 3-1).