NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 30, 2022
The Canadiens rally to beat the Blues, the Oilers win the latest chapter of “The Battle of Alberta”, the Stars lose Jake Oettinger to injury, and Flyers center Sean Couturier is sidelined for months by back surgery. Details and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens overcame a 3-1 deficit to upset the St. Louis Blues 7-4. Christian Dvorak had a hat trick while Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield each collected three points for the Canadiens (5-4-0). Jordan Kyrou scored twice for the Blues, whose record falls to 3-4-0. Pavel Buchnevich returned to the Blues lineup after missing five games with a lower-body injury.
Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the most surprising outcome of the evening. A big comeback win against the Blues for the Canadiens, who would’ve folded like a cheap lawnchair at this point last season had they fallen behind 3-1 to the Blues or any other club. Habs rookie Juraj Slafkovsky tallied his first-ever NHL power-play goal in this contest while fellow rookie Jordan Harris collected two assists.
Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists and Zach Hyman scored twice to lift the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames in the latest chapter of “The Battle of Alberta”. Stuart Skinner kicked out 40 shots to pick up the win for the Oilers, who improved to 6-3-0. Mikael Backlund and Brett Ritchie replied for the Flames (5-2-0).
The Florida Panthers got three-point performances from Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe and Brandon Montour as they dropped the Ottawa Senators 5-3. Verhaeghe tallied twice as the Panthers improved to 5-3-1. Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg made 53 saves as his club’s record fell to 4-4-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The score flattered the Senators, who would’ve lost by a more lopsided margin if not for Forsberg, who deserved better from his teammates as they wasted his performance in this one. He kept them in this game despite facing 47(!) shots through the first two periods. Yes, the Sens were playing without one of their top-four defensemen in Artem Zub, but they still should’ve put forth a better defensive effort.
Four straight third-period goals (two within 17 seconds by Scott Mayfield and Anthony Beauvillier) lifted the New York Islanders from a 3-1 deficit to hold off the Colorado Avalanche 5-4. The Isles were down 3-0 at one point in the second period until Noah Dobson got them on the scoreboard. Their record now sits at 5-4-0. Evan Rodrigues scored twice for the Avalanche as the defending champions fall to 4-4-1.
Three goals in a 2:07 span in the third period lifted the New York Rangers over the Dallas Stars 6-3 to snap a four-game winless skid. Vincent Trocheck scored twice and collected an assist while Mika Zibanejad had a goal and two assists for the Rangers (4-3-2). The Stars dropped to 5-3-1 but also lost starting goalie Jake Oettinger to a lower-body injury midway through the second period.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oettinger will be reevaluated today. The Stars will be hoping his injury isn’t serious. He’s the league leader in goals-against average (1.40) while his .952 save percentage is second overall.
Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist and Anze Kopitar picked up two helpers as the Los Angeles Kings doubled up the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2. John Tavares and Pierre Engvall scored for the slumping Leafs (4-4-1), who have lost three straight games. The Kings improved their record to 5-5-0.
A late goal by Nikita Kucherov carried the Tampa Bay Lightning over the San Jose Sharks 4-3. Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel each had two assists while Alex Killorn had a goal and an assist for the Lightning (5-4-0). Erik Karlsson tallied twice for the Sharks but their record now stands at 3-8-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson’s been among the few bright spots in an otherwise horrible start for the Sharks. He leads all NHL defensemen with six goals and 11 points.
An overtime goal by Brent Burns gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal had a goal and an assist in his 1,100th career game as his club improves to 5-2-1. Wade Allison and Nicolas Deslauriers each had a goal and an assist for the 5-2-1 Flyers. Hurricanes center Derek Stepan left this game with an upper-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers also announced Sean Couturier will be sidelined for three-four months due to back surgery while winger James van Riemsdyk will miss six weeks recovering from surgery to repair a broken finger. Couturier has now undergone two procedures on his back since February, raising concerns that his condition could prematurely end his career.
Washington Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper stopped 34 shots to shut out the Nashville Predators 3-0. Alex Ovechkin tallied the Capitals’ third goal. It was a costly win for the Capitals (5-4-0) as T.J. Oshie and John Carlson left the game with lower-body injuries in the first period. The Predators dropped to 3-5-1.
Three unanswered goals by Jordan Eberle, Morgan Geekie and Jaden Schwartz gave the Seattle Kraken a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, extending the latter’s losing streak to four games. Jake Guentzel and Jason Zucker returned to the lineup with Guentzel tallying the only goal for the Penguins, who fall to 4-4-1 while the Kraken improve to 4-4-2.
The Buffalo Sabres got two goals each from Tage Thompson and Victor Olofsson as they overcame a 3-1 deficit to nip the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime. Olofsson opened and closed the scoring for the Sabres, who improve to 5-3-0. Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom made 41 saves for the Blackhawks as their record sits at 4-3-1.
Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond scored his first two goals of the season and Ville Husso made 30 saves in a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. Kirill Kaprizov tallied for the Wild (3-4-1) while the Wings improve to 4-2-2.
IN OTHER NEWS…
NJ.COM: The New Jersey Devils placed winger Ondrej Palat on injured reserve with a lower-body injury retroactive to Oct. 24.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks are awaiting test results on Jamie Drysdale, who suffered an upper-body injury in Friday’s loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Drysdale was hurt following a hit by Golden Knights’ forward William Carrier.
TSN: Devan Dubnyk yesterday officially announced his NHL retirement after 12 seasons and 542 games with the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. He won 253 games with a career 2.61 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and 33 shutouts. In 2014-15, he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and was named to the Second All-Star Team.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubnyk spent nearly six seasons with the Wild, where he played his best hockey. He’s now working as an analyst for NHL Network. Best wishes to him in his post-playing career.
What is going on with the leafs??? Gotta pkg 34 to bruins😉
Mrbruin4, I saw this posted on Facebook which, in and of itself, is quite startling in these early days
A picture of Tavares – Matthews – Marner celebrating a goal under the caption – 8 goals combined – $33.5 million
Below that a picture of Cole Caufield under the caption – 7 goals alone – $880,833
But it is early days. Things will change.
George
Yes it would be hard to believe if 34 does not get rolling at some point he is a top player in world i would say number 2 only behind McDavid. He would look great with spoked B on his chest 🏒
Another sleepwalking effort(or lack thereof) for the Make Believes. As a Leafs fan , it was so brutal to watch that I switched to the Montreal game after 5 minutes of the second period. At least, Montreal is winning AND entertaining.
This Leafs/Pens fan is hating Western road trips…. Pens now 13th; Leafs 14th in the East
Note: Sens have played 1 less game…. so it could have been 14th/15th for Pens and Leafs
💩🤬😭
Not all on them….. but Holl and Dumo….. NOT playing well by any stretch of the imagination
The Senators are finding themselves on the lower half of the left side of that high learning curve.
53 shots? Is a goalie able to sue for non-support? Can someone on the team spell “back-checking?” Or was it that and a combination of that and a “system” designed by Smith?
If that continues over the next couple of weeks I believe Mr. Smith will be a candidate for the first coach to be canned.
Re the Leafs – how many even-strength goals have they scored this season? Anyone know?
I agree, George. Smith does not seem to be able to put effective defensive systems in place. That includes forwards and defenders. Getting hemmed into their defensive zone has been a Sens trademark ever since he came in as coach and it can’t be all on the players. DJ doesn’t have a long leash!
Saw my first Providence game of the year will watch a few more before the season ends, first period Providence d and offence looked disjointed. They woke up in the 2nd and 3rd & won in shootout. Goalie KinKaid best player on the ice.
Fabian for the most part didn’t do much got an assist
Beecher scored but seemed to fall down a lot and was hardly noticeable, Georgii Merkulov didn’t register a point but he was impressive could have easily had two.
He looks like he might be ready to play with big club but needs to gain some strength and seasoning, very good with puck. just one game but he dipsy-doodled through the d on more than a couple of occasions also took the puck off one of forwards and almost scored. Best D Renouf. Vinnie Letterri scored with20 seconds left and also had the shootout winner. Thee end. Off to Timmy’s Big cup of the best Coffee in the world and a dainty latte for my wife. Will not respond to guess who. As for the leafs forget about d or forwards they need goaltending.
How’d McLaughlin look, Rick? Did Vinni Lettrieri pass the old eye test? I think there might be something there.
SOP is Ches Fish n Chips still open ? best Fish n Chips in the modern day free World. And that means England, Britain second best Ches best. In answer to your 1st question Some players after being sent down lose their confidence and that’s what McLaughlin Looked like lost. I’ll watch at least 5 more games and let you know, how some of the others do over the next couple months. Yes b’y fire up some scoff.
They have three restaurants open in Sin Jawns. I agree it is the best restaurant fish and chips in the free world, but my mother in laws is better still.
Guhle plays like a veteran … until he makes a total rookie mistake and the puck is in his net. But wow, he is going to be great.
Harris is playing over his head but smart enough not to try to play outside his abilities. I think he can learn in the NHL.
Xhekaj would benefit from being sent down.
Hoffman is where all plays go to die.
Dach is looking a lot like so many other highly skilled but ineffective players on the Habs. How much time does he get to figure it out? He seems to position himself out of plays with alarming consistency.
Is Karlsson’s resurgence a factor of health, getting Burns’ minutes, both?
Regarding Karlsson, I’d say both…
Dach is not playing badly at all. Looked pretty good last night. He’ll be a solid player but needs some time. He’s only 21 years old. I figure he’ll need to get at least 40 points this year. It’s early, but he’s on pace.
Habs have a better record right now than the defending Cup champions. No one expects that to last, but let’s enjoy the moment.
Absolutely enjoying it all … it’s like watching Juniors: no expectations and thrilling when they achieve.
And Suzuki and Caulfield, individually and together, are a thrill.
Shaun, I was wondering about the Karlsson “resurrection” too. In normal circumstances his 6g 5a 11 pts in 11 gp and modest -2 on a bad team might have some team expressing interest at the trade deadline, thereby opening up an opportunity for Grier to shed that contract.
But $11.5 per with 4 more seasons to run after this one, at which time he’ll be 37 y/o, makes that highly unlikely unless San Jose agreed to withhold at least 50%. That, too, is unlikely.
Calgary outplayed Edmonton and was controlling the game, then one bonehead play by Marstrom to give McDavid a gift of a goal, follow by a bounce off the skate of Hyman for the win.
I believe the goal by McDavid was his first shot on net.
The Flames have a few problems that nobody has been talking about.
One – their 5on5 scoring. A good number of their top players have more power-play points than even strength points.
Two – their team save percentage is .901.
Third – the production from all their other lines except Kadri’s line. Huberdeau hasn’t been the replacement for Gaudreau that Flames fans have been thinking he would be. He only has 1 even-strength point so far this season. Lindholm has zero even strength points.
This is just my early observation of the Flames so far this season.
The Avalanche got what they deserved last might. Thought that W was in the bank @3-0 !
As good as the Avalanche are they still have those bad habits from McKinnon & Makar? Reckless with the puck and bad decision making often. It cost them that game last night. “Georgi” was very good in goal and can’t be blamed for that fiasco! GO AVS!!!!!