NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 10, 2023

by | Jan 10, 2023 | News, NHL | 9 comments

Kings captain Anze Kopitar reaches a career milestone, the Predators, Kraken and Flyers earn shutout wins, the three stars of the week are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar collected an assist to reach 1,100 career points in a 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Kevin Fiala scored twice and collected four assists while Adrian Kempe tallied two goals as the Kings scored four power-play goals. Oilers captain Connor McDavid netted his league-leading 34th goal of the season. With 54 points, the Kings (24-14-6) sit two points behind the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights. The Oilers (21-18-3) hold the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 45 points.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kopitar sits second in assists (727) and third in points among the Kings’ all-time leading scorers. He’s 33 assists behind Marcel Dionne but still a long way from breaking the latter’s franchise record of 1,307 points.

The Nashville Predators got a 38-save shutout by Juuse Saros to blank the Ottawa Senators 3-0. Roman Josi, Jeremy Lauzon and Filip Forsberg were the goal scorers as the Predators (19-14-6) sit one point behind the Oilers. The Senators, meanwhile, dropped to 18-19-3 on the season.

Seattle Kraken goaltender Martin Jones stopped 21 shots to blank the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 to earn their fifth straight road victory. Matty Beniers, Vince Dunn and Eeli Tolvanen each had a goal and an assist as the Kraken improved to 23-12-4 to sit four points behind the Kings in third place in the Pacific Division with 50 points. The Canadiens dropped to 16-22-3 and have lost eight of their last nine contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Canadiens recalled goalie Cayden Primeau as Jake Allen is sidelined day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

The Philadelphia Flyers upset the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 with rookie goalie Samuel Ersson kicking out 28 shots for his first career NHL shutout. Joel Farabee and Travis Konecny each had two points for the Flyers (16-18-7) while the Sabres (20-16-2) remain four points out of the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference with 42 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Sabres activated goaltender Eric Comrie off injured reserve and loaned netminder Ukka-Pekka Luukkanen to their AHL affiliate in Rochester.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin are the league’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 8, 2023.

THE ATHLETIC: Following their 4-1 win over the Coyotes in Arizona on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins flew to Montreal to attend the funeral of Claude Fouquet, the father of teammate Kris Letang.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nice to see the Penguins going the extra mile as a team to support a teammate in his time of grieving. My condolences to Letang and his family.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Tyler Bertuzzi is expected to make his return to the Red Wings lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. He’s been limited to just nine games this season by two hand injuries. His last game was against the Jets on Nov. 30.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Anthony Mantha called his being a healthy scratch from the Capitals’ game against Columbus on Sunday a “wake-up call”. He’s struggled with consistency this season, managing 23 points in 42 games this season.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Anaheim Ducks forward Justin Kirkland was hospitalized after a car accident on Sunday while on his way to play against the Boston Bruins. He has full mobility and is communicating with family and teammates. He could be released from the hospital within the next 24-48 hours.

CBS SPORTS: The St. Louis Blues placed defenseman Robert Bortuzzo (lower body) on injured reserve.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators broadcaster Pete Weber expects to return to work after undergoing brain surgery on Monday for hydrocephalus. He anticipates being ready to return to the booth for the Predators’ home game on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres and hopes to return to the road in three weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Weber for a speedy recovery.







9 Comments

  1. Kudos to the Penguins leadership group and Coach Sullivan by being there for their friend and teammate in his time of need. Losing a parent is an emotional experience. My dad passed away 4 years ago, and I’m still not over it. Grief is a tough thing to overcome.
    All I can offer Letang or anyone else are my humble prayers.

    • Agree 100% SOP

      Lost my Dad 5 years ago; was 90 and lived a full life; but more ss him very much as you do your dad

      Having friends and fam around to support you in times of grief certainly helps

      Good on ya Pens

      Seconding your humble prayers

  2. Oil v Kings…. I’m not as convinced that Kings great PP single handedly won the game; Oil PK was brutal…. Combine those two…. Easy Kings V

    Tons o’penalties…. Hard to get game flow

    Oil actually outscored Kings 3-1 5on5

    Kane expected back soon…. Should be a good jolt to oil

    • Well Pengy, they definitely need a jolt of some kind.
      Maybe the 3 scraps last night will help them get into the fight a little sooner for the next one.

      That and figure out how to defend, an not just the D. Their problems on the PK are an extension of that IMO.

      • Only got to see 1/2 of the game

        So many penalties/stoppages screws up flow

        Nice steal and goal by McD; but yes—- team D was not sound last night

        Kane in helps balance lines better; certainly adds grit

        Campbell for sure an issue

        On cusp of line right now; certainly a better team in paper than their current ranking indicates

        Kane back in; tweak/strengthen D; ride Skinner most of the way….should be big diff

        Won’t happen as Krakken firing on all cylinders and win’t even consider it….

        But Yammo and Ryan for Soucy/3rd; would make a big diff

      • Well Pengy, Skinner is going to miss the next few as they are having their first child. So Campbell is in.
        He might be coming around, and has been solid last few starts. Not spectacular, but solid.

        He made a change to bigger and lighter equipment as he was old school I guess. They need him to get it going and at least share the load with Skinner as he isn’t used to playing as much as he has been. Campbell is capable of doing that and has been putting in the extra work in practice by all accounts.

        Maybe that gets them going? Good opportunity to.

        Edmonton fans are officially in panic mode here in Edmonton if TSN radio is any indication.

  3. @SOP

    I empathize with you .
    I lost my mother “4” years ago and I am struggling with it to this day .
    She attended all of my games growing up – always there for me , she was a best friend , and missed so much – sisters , nieces and nephews ..
    She was an avid fan to the sport of hockey !

    • Sorry for your loss, Ken. My Dad was a Habs fan, but he also liked the Leafs. He was good pals with Howie Meeker, and I suppose that’s why he had two favorite teams. The stories I heard as a child while those two were having coffee is something I’ll never forget.

  4. Hi SOP

    Wow , Howie Meeker – I could just imagine , what a positive , upbeat guy !
    Interesting how your dad was pals with him , must of been a very, very special man as well!

    My mom attended Brad Parks wedding , love to send you a warm picture of the 2 of them !
    My mom was Special !!