NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 5, 2022

by | Dec 5, 2022 | News, NHL | 18 comments

Jason Robertson and Kirill Kaprizov extend their points streaks, Johnny Gaudreau is playing well with the injury-depleted Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Minnesota Wild overcame blowing a four-goal lead to defeat the Dallas Stars 6-5 on a shootout goal by Frederick Gaudreau. Kirill Kaprizov scored in regulation to extend his points streak to 12 games as the Wild improve their record to 13-9-2. Dallas winger Jason Robertson had two points to extend his streak to 18 games while Roope Hintz tallied a hat trick and Joe Pavelski added three assists. The Stars are 14-6-5 on the season.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

The Winnipeg Jets scored five unanswered goals to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2. Saku Maenalanen and Nate Schmidt each had a goal and an assist while Connor Hellebucyk made 28 saves for the Jets (15-7-1) while the last overall Ducks drop to 6-17-3.

New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov stopped 21 shots to shut out the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0. Matt Martin, Zach Parise and Brock Nelson tallied for the 16-10-0 Islanders while the Blackhawks fall to 7-13-4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Blackhawks announced that goaltender Petr Mrazek will be sidelined for at least a week with a groin injury.

The Detroit Red Wings doubled up the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 to snap a three-game losing skid. Ville Husso kicked out 32 shots while David Perron, Filip Hronek and Olli Maatta each collected two assists for the Red Wings (12-7-5). Boone Jenner had two assists for the 8-13-2 Blue Jackets.

Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Quinn scored twice while teammate Tage Thompson had a goal and an assist and Dylan Cozens collected three helpers in a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks. The Sabres improve to 11-13-1 while the Sharks (8-16-4) have lost six of their last seven contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thompson’s been drawing considerable attention for his scoring feats but Cozens has also been garnering notice for his production this season. Now in his third NHL campaign, the 21-year-old center’s 24 points in 25 games have him on a path to far exceed last season’s 38 points.

HEADLINES

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Johnny Gaudreau is still producing well despite the high number of injuries depleting the Blue Jackets’ lineup this season. He’s on pace for franchise records in assists (63) and points (93) over a full 82 games. The 29-year-old left winger has drawn praise from Jackets coach Brad Larsen for his production and poise.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been a disappointing season thus far for the injury-ravaged Blue Jackets but Gaudreau has been among their few bright spots. His production would undoubtedly be higher if he had healthier, consistent linemates. He continues to prove himself as an elite offensive player.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights will be without defenseman Alex Pietrangelo when they face off tonight against the Boston Bruins. It’s the fourth straight game he’s missed due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, Jack Eichel will be a game-day decision as he’s nursing an apparent leg injury suffered during the Golden Knight’s 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks forward Andreas Athanasiou was angered at Jacob Trouba after the New York Rangers defenseman laid him out with a high hit on Saturday. Athanasiou was unhurt on the play but accused Trouba of deliberately attempting to injure opponents.

That’s his game; that’s what he does,” said Athanasiou. “He’s an $8 million man with zero goals, so he has to figure out how to do something when making that much. If you can’t help the team, I guess you try to hurt guys on the other team.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trouba does have a reputation for high hits, with the most notable examples being those he laid out on Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby last season. The Rangers’ captain has only been suspended and fined once in his career and that was back in 2017 when he was with the Winnipeg Jets.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper and defenseman Martin Fehervary are both listed as day-to-day with upper-body injuries.

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok is expected to miss two weeks with a groin injury.

NHL.COM: The NHL has rescheduled two Nashville Predators games recently postponed by flooding at Bridgestone Arena. Their game against the Blue Jackets which was originally scheduled for Nov. 26 will take place on Jan. 17, 2023 while their contest against the Colorado Avalanche (originally scheduled for Nov. 25) will occur on Apr. 14, 2023.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Former Oilers head scout Barry Fraser passed on Sunday at age 82. He was the architect of the Oilers dynasty of the 1980s as his scouting led to the club selecting such notables as Kevin Lowe, Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri and Grant Fuhr.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Fraser’s family, friends, former co-workers and the Oilers organization.







18 Comments

  1. Well Pengy, it seems the Penguins did get a crack at plucking big RD Philippe Myers off waivers from Tampa Bay, along with 30 other teams, but no one bit. His $2,550,000 cap hit was probably a deterrent in some cases, but there are a few teams with tons of cap space AND needing D shoring up. Strange one.

    • It would be nice to get a big defender off waivers but it’s better to get someone that’s actually good and won’t hurt your team with their cap or play.

      • Yeah but Ron, just having been acquired by, and played reasonably well with, a 2-time Cup winner suggests he’s got to be better than some among the D on teams like Arizona, Anahem, San Jose!

    • George, other teams now have the option to trade for Myers who can be assigned to the minors without going through waivers. TB is stuck with a buried penalty of $1.4 million, leaving them with no flexibility and only a 22 player roster.

      Other teams may be willing to take on Myers, but only if they receive additional compensation such as a low draft pick.

      • Good point. Something to watch for.

    • Hi George

      Would have been good for Pens but they didn’t have the space

      They would have had to put Tanger on LTIR and deal with space on his return…

      However , putting him on LTIR now (and retro to last Monday) guarantees he misses 10 games minimum

      I’m not sure they made that decision yet

      • Peggy 2 strokes in a few years? Thinking even as mild as they are someone should be in his ear saying retire .
        Already won the cups . No chance at a norris or team Canada at this point . So what is there to play for?
        Money will still be paid no way you cant find a Doctor to say after 2 stokes in 3 years that maybe try to step back.
        In saying that hope he plays even a Hab enjoys watching him

      • Agree Swany that he has to seriously think about his life and potential future

        I’m sure he’ll get the best medical advice; and he’ll be dis cussing with his wife

        Just a side note…. It is his second stroke in over 8 years (2014) ; and the doctors say this is much milder

        Still a concern

  2. Athanasiou Preach brotha!

    • Legal hit Chrism and yes hitting is a big part of Trouba game. Keep your head up and be aware of who is on the ice.

      Trouba is the new version of Scott Stevens.

      Not saying i agree with the hit(s) as they look predatory in nature. Still legal

      • Predatory hits = legal. You identified the problem nicely.

      • Glad some player had the guts to speak out here. He just ruined his chance to ever work for Gary B and NHL corporate, but, still nice to hear the truth now and again.

  3. George, I have a suspicion as to why the Jackets passed on Myers. Despite half (and more) of their anticipated top 7 either on, or having been on, the injured list, in the last two drafts, the Jackets used 3 of their 5 first round picks on defensemen with fantastic upsides. Add in the free agent signed Marcus Bjork has been a solid two-way defenseman who is earning a contract extension and I think that the Jackets are willing to accept some short term pain in exchange for long-term success.

    • Good points … and there are probably others that have cap but also what they regard as a deep enough pool of D. But certainly Arizona and Anaheim, you’d think, would have taken a flyer on this guy. Even Ottawa as, perhaps, a good RD pairing on the third tandem.

      • I have no special insights, George. Being a Jackets fan, I look at what they do and don’t do, then try to reach a logical conclusion. As for Arizona, they’re on a perpetual rebuild which probably started after relocating from Winnipeg. Anaheim is a mystery to me. I haven’t been able to figure out what they’re trying to do. And you would understand what’s happening with Ottawa much better than I would.

  4. Vegas in Boston tonight the return of Bruce Cassidy.

    Vegas players r going to try and win for Bruce.

    Should be the best game on the card tonight.

      • Yup. Weak goals. Why is he lunging at pucks?