NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 6, 2022

by | Dec 6, 2022 | News, NHL | 36 comments

The Golden Knights snap the Bruins’ home win streak, the Canucks rally from a 4-goal deficit to down the Canadiens, the three stars of the week are revealed and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Boston Bruins’ 14-game home winning streak came to an end as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated them 4-3 on a shootout goal by Reilly Smith. Vegas had jumped to a 3-0 lead with Paul Cotter scoring twice but the Bruins rallied to tie the game on goals by Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Taylor Hall. Logan Thompson made 40 saves for the Golden Knights (19-7-1) as they lead the Western Conference with 39 points. The Bruins (20-3-1) picked up a point to hold first place in the overall standings (41 points) with a game in hand over the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy picked up the win in his first game against the Bruins since they fired him as head coach in the off-season. He received a standing ovation from Boston fans during a video tribute in the first period.

Jack Eichel missed this game for the Golden Knights as he’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Teammate Alex Pietrangelo missed his fourth straight game due to personal reasons.

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson scored in overtime as his club overcame 4-0 and 6-5 deficits to beat the Montreal Canadiens 7-6. Pettersson finished the night with three points while Ilya Mikheyev scored twice as the Canucks improved to 11-12-3. Nick Suzuki and Jordan Harris each had two points for the 12-11-2 Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens entered this game with winger Brendan Gallagher sidelined for two weeks with a lower-body injury and defenseman David Savard out with an upper-body injury. Center Sean Monahan left the game in the second period and was spotted after the game wearing a walking boot cast on his right foot. He’s been nursing that injury since the start of this road trip.

The Philadelphia Flyers upset the Colorado Avalanche by a score of 5-3. Kevin Hayes, Scott Laughton and Travis Sanheim each had two points and Carter Hart made 29 saves for the Flyers (9-12-5). Alex Newhook tallied twice for the Avalanche (13-9-1), who also lost center Nathan MacKinnon in the first period with an apparent wrist injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no update on MacKinnon’s condition following the game. The Avalanche went into this game already shorthanded with Valeri Nichushkin, Gabriel Landeskog, Bo Byram, Evan Rodrigues, Darren Helm and Kurtis MacDermid among their sidelined players.

Three unanswered third-period goals by K’Andre Miller, Alexis Lafreniere and Chris Kreider lifted the New York Rangers to a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Lafreniere, Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck finished the night with two points apiece as the Rangers improved to 12-10-5. Jordan Kyrou had two points for the Blues (11-14-0) as they’ve dropped four straight.

A third-period goal by Nic Dowd snapped a 2-2 tie as the Washington Capitals nipped the Edmonton Oilers 3-2. Lars Eller and TJ Oshie also scored for the 11-12-4 Capitals. Stuart Skinner stopped 47 shots for the Oilers (14-12-0) while Connor McDavid scored to extend his points streak to six games. He leads the league with 48 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kailer Yamamoto returned to action after missing 11 games with an undisclosed injury.

The Calgary Flames downed the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 on a third-period power-play goal by Nazem Kadri, who finished the night with three points. Jakob Chychrun and Shayne Gostisbehere each had a goal and an assist for the Coyotes (7-12-4) while the Flames improved to 12-10-3.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens and Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Dec. 4, 2022.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets winger Jakub Voracek acknowledged his playing days might be over due to concussion symptoms. The 33-year-old winger said he has a history of head injuries. He added there’s a slim chance he might be able to resume his playing career but it won’t be happening anytime soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Voracek has a year remaining on his contract but he’ll likely finish that on long-term injury reserve. He’s had a productive career with 806 points in 1,058 NHL games over 15 seasons but he has to put his health and well-being first.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers have placed winger Patric Hornqvist on LTIR after he suffered a concussion during Saturday’s game against the Seattle Kraken. He’ll be sidelined for at least 10 games and 24 days.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The move also provides the Panthers with some short-term salary cap relief for Anthony Duclair’s expected return to action later this month.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Artem Zub could be sidelined for a month with a broken jaw. He suffered the injury when he was struck in the face by a puck during Friday’s game against the New York Rangers. Zub missed eight games earlier this season with an upper-body injury.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken have recalled Shane Wright from his stint with their AHL affiliate in time for Tuesday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nice dramatic touch by Kraken management. The Canadiens passed over Wright during the opening round of the 2022 NHL Draft, using the first-overall pick to select Juraj Slafkovsky, who’ll be in the lineup for this contest.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens and Carey Price have apologized for the goaltender’s recent support of a pro-gun organization on social media just days before the Dec. 6 anniversary of the 1989 Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal. On that date, 14 women were killed and another 10 were wounded by a lone gunman armed with a legally purchased semi-automatic rifle.

Over the weekend, Price posted a message on Instagram expressing his support of the Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights’ opposition to a proposed federal gun control bill (C-21). The bill originally targeted handguns but an amendment was tacked on that would focus on a number of rifles used for hunting. The government is still listening to feedback to ensure the bill doesn’t target hunting rifles or shotguns.

Price faced a backlash for his remarks over both the timing of his post and for supporting the CCFR, who recently ran a promo code “POLY” for 10 percent off merchandise purchases. According to a survivor of the Polytechnique shooting, the promo code mocked the massacre.

In their apology, the Canadiens announced they would make a donation to the “Week of the White Rose” campaign. The team also claimed Price was unaware of the Polytechnique anniversary. Meanwhile, Price followed up on social media claiming he meant no disrespect and didn’t agree with the CCFR’s promo code campaign. An avid hunter, he said he stood by his fellow hunters and sport shooters who have legally purchased firearms and use them safely.

Unlike the United States, Canadian citizens do not have a constitutional right to bear arms.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Commenters are asked to limit their replies to this story to Price’s remarks and the Canadiens’ response. I don’t want to see this derail off-topic into a broad debate on your personal views about gun control.







36 Comments

  1. Bruins were clearly not ready for last nights onslaught Swayman needs a stint in ahl before they start his sorry carcass again he was awful lastnight

    • Holy crap, Rick! Did we watch the same game? The first Vegas goal early in the game, maybe, but other than that I thought Swayman was OK – it took 5 SO shots for the winner

      • George. Whole Bruin started flat but ended up dominating the game should have got 2 points
        Never was this streak going to keep going. Loss had 0 to do with Swayman. He made several key saves to keep bruins alive while they were waking up Great game to watch.

    • Why did Ullmark not get the start?Especially after he gave up 1 goal in defeating the Stanley Cup champions 2 nights ago.

  2. Wow! If ever it can be said that a goalie “stole” a game it has to be in that Boston-Vegas tilt. The Bruins may have had their home winning streak snapped, but they did pick up a point and, based on the play, certainly deserved 2.

    And that Montreal-Vancouver barn-burner has to be a hard lesson to a young team that you can never assume anything, even when up 4 goals against a struggling team.

  3. The Price is right! Just his timing has been off lately….

  4. I hope this isn’t derailing but the whole poly thing is just gross. Like a place in the USA using the promo code park or sandy or any other of way to many allusions to a mass shooting. I sincerely hope (and lean towards believing) that price didn’t know. If it was just a bad coincidence of the promo and his support then no harm no foul.

    I’ve never understood the appeal of hunting and targeting an animal with a rifle that can’t fight back. But I’m not anti hunting. If that’s your thing you do you. I know it’s a family tradition for many. Just not my thing.

    • I can’t speak for anyone else but where I grew up (rural Nova Scotia) we hunted for food. Everyone on both sides of my family did (including me) and many still do today. A good-sized deer or moose will fill your freezer with meat for months and saves money. I believe it’s the same for Price where he grew up in British Columbia, especially given his indigenous heritage.

      I no longer hunt because I just don’t have the time plus there’s no deer here on Prince Edward Island.

      • That’s fair. I guess I was specifically speaking to sports hunting. I e never had moose. Any good?

      • Much better than deer!

      • I don’t agree with it. I love animals if someone has to put meat on the table I am still not good with this.

      • Lyle, I’m not a hunter, but the deer at my cottage ate the pumpkins i left for them.

        As a meat eater and former fur buyer, i support people’s right to hunt for food and trap for a living.

      • Whoda thunk it. Ricks a vegetarian

      • Legit hunters will use a bow instead.

      • Hey Rick! If you are an animal lover, what do you think of Wolves and other predator animals who attack these helpless animals so they can eat and survive?
        I’m not a hunter myself, but game hunting is all good in my books. What I hate is trophy hunting.

      • Rick,

        Are you a vegan or vegetarian? Does it seem more palatable to purchase your meat from a supermarket where animals come from slaughterhouses?

        It’s always an odd stance for me when people think shopping for their meat is somehow doing the world a favor. Go visit a slaughterhouse, then tell me how cruel hunting is to animals.

        Eating steak, sausage and chicken by the truckload from a grocer doesn’t give people a reason to complain about hunters (outside of sport hunting).

      • I get that Price didn’t know about Poly promo. Most folks wouldn’t, I sure didn’t. And yes, hunting is part of the indigenous culture in Canada, and you will not find better stewards of the land and our wild environment in Canada than them. I have no issue with hunting unless it is for species under population stress.

        I hunted quite a bit in the past, when with my dad and his brothers. Recently went with a buddy who has some good bush land in mid/north Sask. I gave one of the other guys the meat, he gave me a few pounds of sausage after as that is the only way deer tastes good to me, mixed with pork and spices.

        Moose is better, Elk is best IMO.

        Not sure if people have ever thought about how a deer normally dies in the wild if it isn’t shot? Especially when lots of snow and cold like this year. They either starve, or are prey.

        Chrisms, met some Pennsylvania guys in the EDM airport bar about 10 days ago. Had to be 20 guys in camo on my flight all here to hunt, not sure why they wear the camo everywhere, but whatever. Plenty of deer here. They donated the meat to feed hungry folks.

      • Central pa is huge fir the deer hunting. And I know plenty of people who hunt and use the meat themselves or for donation. But I also know plenty of people who just was the biggest rack to hang in their basement. I also think it’s a weird thing to term a sport. Maybe it would be a sport if a hunter took on a stag with a Bowie knife. But not with a rifle from 100 yards out. As I said above. More power to the hunters. Not my thing though.

        I do love visiting my buds hunting cabin in the winter for a weekend though. The peace. The quite. The beauty of pa woods in the winter. The sound of crunching snow when you walk. I do get that piece of hunting.

      • I’ve hunted all my life and the meat I don’t eat I donate to Org’s like Hunters for the hungry , Hunters table etc. that feed the needy or homeless this time of year. The sale of hunting licenses and tag’s pay for wildlife conservation such as studying CWD (chronic wasting disease) that effect Deer, Elk herds that are a result of overpopulation which left unchecked can wipeout entire herds. CWD is the deer equivalent to mad cow disease in cattle and is a horrible death to animals that contract CWD which would be even worse than starving and eaten alive by Wolves or Coyotes. The thought of punishing the 99.99% of honest law abiding citizens for the acts of the mentally ill commiting violent acts isn’t just. The thought that the government is trying to protect society from itself by making such laws will make citizens protected subjects, not free men.

      • I think that is why most folks hunt Chrisms, sport probably isn’t the right word, but don’t really care what folks call it.

        Getting into nature with your buds. Same reason I drive for 12 hours each way in early June for 30 plus years to go fishing. There is decent fishing way closer to where I live than where we go, but it isn’t the remote, beautiful place like the Churchill River in Northern Sask.

    • It’s certainly possible that Price was not aware of the CCFR “POLY” campaign. But that misses the larger point. An organization that mocks the victims of a mass shooting in order to fundraise has and will do other horrible things as well. Hard to believe that Price wouldn’t have any knowledge of the people he’s speaking for.
      Price’s non-pology, as well as his original statement, was a missed opportunity on his part. He would come across as a lot more sincere if he would mix his support for hunting with a statement about gun safety and the need to do more to keep assault rifles out of the hands of lunatics. His failure to do so make his “apology” ring hollow.

  5. I’m on the fence, vis-a-vis the Carey Price thing. On the one hand, I’ve owned guns and hunted (for food only) most of my adult life. Therefore, I understand that a gun, either handgun or rifle, is only a tool. On the other hand, his timing sucks. I can’t believe that a quick internet search would not have turned up references to that shooting.
    On another matter, while I hope that Voracek can return to the ice, if not, it’s somehow fitting that his career will end where it began.

    • I’ve been a city boy my whole life so I’m not into hunting. But I certainly understand it’s appeal to rural folks and I understand why Price would want to defend his hunting pastime. Never mind that his statement was loaded with hyperbole – that’s par for the course these days.
      That being said, Price should be ashamed of himself for associating with the CCFR. Their mocking of the victims of a mass shooting is beyond the pale. Like the NRA in the US, they are not defenders of freedom who simply look to promote safe and responsible gun ownership. They are screw loose survivalists.

    • “A quick internet search….”
      Are we expecting everyone to search the internet for anything that may be tangentially related and potentially offensive before posting in support of anything? That’s not reasonable.

      • I’m 63 and permanently disabled. Lots of time on my hands. Just like Carey. Are you telling me that he, and I, can’t take 2 minutes to do such a check. And Carey, being a public figure, has to know that absolutely everything he posts to any social media will come under scrutiny.

      • Maybe so Paul. And I guess it’s foolish to assume anything in todays world. But who would even think someone would be sick enough to casually use an allusion to a mass shooting as a promotion?

      • This is why so many organizations now have ethics boards and such that will fine a public personality for supporting things without them vetting it first. Not saying this is what should happen, but the problem is bad enough that a lot of places have this now. I am not even allowed to say things publicly without thinking deeply first because I am a public servant!

  6. Good on Bruce Cassidy, very good coach. Deserved the standing O and he very much appreciated.

    Under Cassidy coaching style Bergeron became a regular 30 goal scorer.

    Interesting enough Debrusk is playing the game that Cassidy was preaching to him for the past couple of seasons. For Jake it appears he needed a different approach.

    • Ya Caper, DeBrusk is playing well. Not sure if it is a different approach, or simply another coach telling him the same thing the last one did, and he accepted it and applied himself.

      Whatever, will take it!

  7. Didn’t expect Knights over Bruins pre game (with League best Bruins on fire and Petro and Handsome Jack out)

    Watching the game…. still thought Bruins should get the V…. Holy Logan Thompson Batman!!

    Flyers over Avs…. Didn’t see that coming. Hope Mac K is OK

    Missed the west coast 13 goal free for all…. would the score have been less going 6 skaters in 6 instead of having goalies

    As I said… didn’t see the game… were the goalies that bad? Or were the snipers on force last night?

    Oil…. Nice McD goal….. but outshot 50-30 (and allowing 22 shots in the first alone) …. Hard to win. Yes 3 or 4 missed calls on Caps (2 on Ovi)… but Caps dominated in this game…. If not for Skinner….. 6-2 or 7-2 would not be unrealistic

    Tonight….Hoping for full tilt Pens ; and the only points by a Robertson is by Nick

    Re Price…. Just hoping that he was just unaware of the timing/event. My views may differ; but freedom to advocate is his right…. just terrible timing

    • Same old Oilers Pengy, save the last 3rd of last season and playoffs.

      Campbell has not played well at all, so he needs to find it or won’t get his starters job back. But the root problem is the same as it has been, they don’t defend as a team.

      Best get on that habits are hard to break come April, can’t just flip a switch.

      • Agree Ray

        I love their explosive offence; but they do have trouble keeping the shots down. Skinner can only do so much (Campbell not the answer)

        Seattle doing well ; so it won’t happen; but….

        Yammo/Ryan for Soucy/3rd would certainly help

      • Agree they will add a d-man come TDL Pengy, and Soucy is a good option, but ya Seattle keeps him if they keep winning. IMO the problem runs deeper than just the D core with the Oil. This is a team defense issue.

        Time to wake up or Holland won’t be trading for anyone. Which they can and have in the past so have to think they will.

        Just take a look at your Leafs with their D stung by injuries. Keefe has them playing with structure and are protecting their D and it’s working. Goaltender friendly as well.

      • Hello Ray, Pengy,

        Re; Oilers
        Last night was a good game, Thank god for young Stu Skinner. if not for him the Caps could of have 4+ more goals…Stu stood on his head
        The Oilers d SUCK ‘s… that the Big Problem there

        They need to move out 2 of there d/men
        Murray has been a very poor as a 6-7 d/man
        they need a 2nd paring d/man …
        Dare I say like a Jakob Chycrun …❓ but the AZ ask is way to high

        Both d/men Tyson Barrie & Evan Bouchard play the same Very Soft Game❗️, they are both easy to play against, team’s go down there side all the time the Oilers dont clear the front of the net, After Nurse they dont have a Big Physical d/man thats going to Hurt the other team…

        Carson Sucey is not getting traded, Seattle will make the play off Cut, They are staring to roll
        its going to be Ugly in the Pacific this year…

        One of the Alberta teams may not make the final cut 4, or 5,
        And the Central have 5 teams that can all make the cut there is only 6 points between 1st and 5th place …🤔

        The Oilers better get a Trade going for a d/man early in the NY, if not they will be in a Dog fight with the flames to make the 4 spot in the division playoff cut..
        Both the Kraken & Vegas are now way out front and both playing well, LA is now starting to roll also… its going to be Fun👌

  8. I am disappointed in the Habs organization RE Dec 6. I am from Mtl, and I remember that night and the days after. I was a truly heart wrenching moment. I have felt for years the Habs have not done enough to honour the lessons of the Ecole Polytechnique. The players should be wearing white ribbon decals replacing the poppy after Nov 11. They should be doing PSAs about violence against women.
    My point is I do believe {price weas unaware of the timing, and that it should be impossible for any current or future Habs to be unaware of Dec 6, nor it’s meaning to Mtl in particular.

  9. Bruins lost because the Vegas goalie played very well …Bruins outplayed Vegas and lost it happens