NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 4, 2022
The Rangers go up 2-0 over the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals, Carey Price wins the Masterton Trophy, Charlie McAvoy is among three Bruins defensemen to undergo surgery, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves as his New York Rangers held off the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 3-2 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Mika Zibanejad’s goal early in the third period proved to be the game winner though the Lightning cut the lead to 3-2 late in the period on a goal by Nicholas Paul. Adam Fox and Chris Kreider each had two assists for the Blueshirts while Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist for the Lightning.
With the win, the Rangers take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, which moves to Tampa Bay for the next two games. Game 3 goes Sunday afternoon at 3 pm ET.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was closer than Game 1’s 6-2 blowout. Nevertheless, the Rangers still controlled the play for most of this game, out-hustling and out-chancing the Lightning while thwarting the latter’s scoring opportunities.
Shesterkin is winning the goaltending duel with the Bolts’ Andrei Vasilevskiy, who looks vulnerable high to the blocker side and is having difficulty at times controlling the puck. Shesterkin also acts as a third defenseman with his skillful stickhandling and accurate outlet passes to his teammates.
This is the first time since 2019 that the Lightning has lost consecutive postseason games. They face a big challenge bouncing back on home ice against the hungry Rangers. The ongoing absence of sidelined center Brayden Point is also becoming a factor in this series. The Bolts are missing his clutch scoring and reliable two-way presence.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is the 2022 winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He underwent knee surgery last summer and voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in October to deal with substance-abuse issues. Price missed most of this season recovering from his knee surgery before returning for five games late in the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Price worked hard to recover from complications arising from his surgery while also seeking treatment for substance abuse. His future as an NHL player remains uncertain as he continues to encounter post-game swelling in his knee. Nevertheless, there’s no question he’s show perseverance in attempting to overcome the obstacles he’s faced this season.
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: The Bruins announced top defenseman Charlie McAvoy underwent surgery on his left shoulder with a recovery time of six months. Blueliner Matt Grzelcyk had a procedure on his right shoulder and is expected to require five months to recover. Rearguard Mike Reilly underwent right ankle tendon repair and removal of bone fragments and will require three months to recover.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins will have a depleted roster to start next season. Reilly could be back in the Bruins’ lineup in October. McAvoy, however, won’t be back until January given his recovery timeline while Grzelcyk could be out until December, which is also when winger Brad Marchand is expected back from his recent hip surgeries. Factor in the possible retirement of captain Patrice Bergeron, and 2022-23 could be a grim season for the Bruins.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers captain Connor McDavid must find a way to break through against the Colorado Avalanche’s defense with his club down 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals. Game 3 is tonight in Edmonton.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid had three points in Edmonton’s 8-6 loss in Game 1 but was shut down by the Avs in Game 2. The Oilers need more from all their scorers but McDavid remains their offensive linchpin. They’ll need him to find a way to break through if they’re to have a chance to come back in this series.
TSN: Speaking of the Oilers, winger Zack Kassian was fined $2,500.00 for unsportsmanlike conduct in Game 2 for ripping Bowen Byram’s helmet off his head after the Avalanche defenseman was checked over the boards.
THE DENVER POST: The Avalanche hope to extend their perfect road record in this postseason. They are 5-0 heading into Game 3.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs have given the Oilers fits with their speed, depth and puck possession. Should that trend continue, their road record could reach 7-0 and they’ll be heading to the Stanley Cup Final.
OK, so is it STILL all just Shesterkin? This is a damned good young team that is clearly learning fast what it takes to be a consistent winner in the playoffs.
And who’da thunk Zach Hyman (9) would have more goals in the playoffs so far than Connor McDavid (8)?
No, my Bolts have been pretty well out-hustled up and down the lineup; they have used up their quota of mistakes and have to hope NY has used up their quota of perfect snipes. NY probably gets through this series unless they come to Tampa with their heads already in the Cup final; the nuances that have carried the Blue Shirts can swap sides in a second, and they may yet be tested. Vasy’s still young as well so this could be the start of quite a rivalry.
That’s a fair assessment, Richard.
Rangers a year ahead of schedule.
The kids dont seem to get rattled or tight in the playoffs. And the vets are showing up
You mean shestuthedoor? GM CR would be crazy to not keep IS around. I know they have AG, but what if they didn’t have CR, MZ?
And what about WW? GM KD must must must find a way to to move his annual CH. maybe he can send him to Pittsburgh for CR if GM RH can make it happen.
I have a cousin PG who has an inside source close to all this, and I’m positive half the owners know it!
😀
Should be GM CD, not CR. And replace The other CR with CK.
God, that could have really confused the hell out of people.
Sorry!
CO
LOL
Hahaha
Not gonna figure out all the initials in your post there, Homer. LOL
Johnny z.
Man , nothing gets by you does it?
Homer? Lmao. I’m a horrible homer. You keep on keepin on.
Perfect solution to all that Lyle.
I apologize, and thank you!
I will do better at not taking the bait.
Bruins will be in a tough spot the prospects and goaltending will have to rise to the occasion or will be out before it starts. Similar to Isles this year
Man, those are grim prognoses … when they say Marchand could be back by December do they mean back skating in December and, if that’s the case, how long will it take him to get to game shape?
At least those with shoulder injuries can skate long before they’re cleared to actually play.
When a player is listed as returning from an injury by a certain date or month, it means returning to the lineup, George.
Thanks Lyle. Here in Ottawa that was muddied a bit when they first posted the prognosis for Shane Pinto – he never did get into a game whereas Colin White, who had essentially the same surgery, did eventually play.
Great year to tank. I’d love to see Bedard in a Bruins sweater.
It would be a perfect time to reset for bruins. Tell 37 take year off rest up. Play the kids. See what you really have. Trade what you can. And get best pic you can
Remember the odds, SOP. The Habs got lucky in this year’s draft, and I have to imagine that a # of teams will try to swing a trade to increase their chances of getting a # 1 pick with Bedard on their mind.
Still, as you know misery loves company and the Bs are most welcome to join the Habs in the wilderness for the next several years.
Ya, thought the same thing as you guys when I heard about all these.
Not surprised about Grz, as I saw the game he got hurt it in, not surprised about Marchand as he didn’t look like himself for a large portion of the season.
Charlie surprised me, guess he’s good at playing hurt.
Not hard to understand why Bergy is considering retirement, as he has known about these injuries for quite a while I think.
Big ask to have him play the mentor role for first have of the season with a grim prognosis.
Would be a great trade chip at end of year, or maybe he just signs in COL if they can’t afford Kadri if he wants to give it another go, wouldn’t mind seeing that happen either.
Rangers have definitely had more space than they had vs Canes. Tampa really missing Pointe. It’s funny how some folks say they’re ahead of schedule while others have consistently labeled their youngsters busts. I like Gallant. He’s the right guy at the right time. He doesn’t worry about where they were drafted,or if they’re in top 6, he just lets them play. He’s done a good job of staying in the moment. Playing one game at a time.
Slick62, what stands out for me are the improved games of Kakko and Lafreniere … they are showing the positive results of “tough love” – in other words, we don’t care where you were drafted … you will play a complete two-way game. And they are.
Agree George. Even Chytil who’s the old man on that line at 22. Was a 1st round pick. Near end of season Gallant talked about conversation he had with him. Told him to be like Mika. Not that he had to be as good as Zibanejad, but he wanted him to be noticeable when he was on the ice. Also Schneider holding his own. Gallant more confident in him than free agent signing Nemeth who I think has entered the witness protection program.
I know you’re all thinking. Caper is going to give us a reminder of his preseason prediction of Av’s vs Rangers Cup final
No, not me. I don’t roll that way. The series are far from over, and you’re never out of it until you lose at home.
Yes the goalie played well but the team earned both of them wins.
Yup – Bolts need to play mistake-free from here on out & even that might not be good enough for 4 of 5. Did you get to watch the Russian Five video? Yet another tale of how hard it is to win a cup even with a world class team.
If there was ever a season for a team to take a nose dive, 2022-2023 is it.
Your top 2 players out plus another 2 dman.
Boston still has talent, but it might be a long season.
Connor Bedard could be the prize for a terrible season, and that wouldn’t be too terrible.
All us Ranger fans need to thank Rick Nash again
without the trade to Boston we would not have Miller or Lindgren
Can’t believe Byram got a penalty for sticking up for himself after Kassian purposely held his head down in their bench when he’s trying to get back on the ice? Awful call. Hope Avalanche bring their A game tonight in Edmonton, need to play like Game 2 not Game 1! GO AVS!!!!!!!
Time to retool Bruins …. Said it all along this offseason was going to be a disaster … injuries or no injuries
Hey Joe I agree next season is a bust there’s a lot of for if’s one of em is Chuck coming back earlier then expected,another is Lysell sticking with big club and contributing, Swayman has to play lights out both Bergy and David need to sign & then maybe just maybe they can rack up enough wins to put themselves in position for a wild card berth. I am not confident that Sweeney can do The Right Thing.