NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 13, 2023
The Kraken hand the Bruins their first home regulation loss, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour collects his 200th win, the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos edges closer to 500 career goals, the Canadiens honor P.K. Subban, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Seattle Kraken blanked the Boston Bruins 3-0, handing the latter their first home regulation loss of the season. Martin Jones stopped 27 shots for his second straight shutout while Brandon Tanev, Eeli Tolvanen and Jaden Schwartz scored for the Kraken (25-12-4), who sit in third place in the Pacific Division with 54 points. Linus Ullmark made 28 saves for the 35-5-4 Bruins as they remain in first place in the overall standings with 68 points.
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour collected his 200th career victory as his club thumped the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2. Brett Pesce scored twice, Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi each collected two assists and Frederik Anderson made 21 saves for the win in his first start since Nov. 6. The Hurricanes (26-9-7) sit in second place in the overall standings with 59 points. Sean Kuraly and Johnny Gaudreau replied for the 12-27-2 Blue Jackets as they sink into last place overall.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes winger Max Pacioretty left the game in the first period with an upper-body injury. It was his fourth game of the season since returning for an off-season Achilles’ injury. Earlier in the day, the Blue Jackets activated defenseman Nick Blankenburg off injured reserve and placed forward Eric Robinson on IR.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).
The Tampa Bay Lightning held off the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 5-4. Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos tallied his 499th career goal and collected an assist as they stretched their home win streak to nine games. The Lightning (26-13-1) sit in third place in the Atlantic Division with 53 points. Quinn Hughes had a goal and two assists as the Canucks fell to 17-21-3.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Hughes, he expressed his unhappiness over the treatment teammate Tanner Pearson received when he suffered a broken hand two months ago. Hughes felt it wasn’t handled properly, leading to Pearson undergoing two more procedures that ended his season. Vancouver also lost defenseman Travis Dermott in this game to an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson was a healthy scratch from this contest.
Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield tallied two power-play goals in a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. Jonathan Drouin collected three assists while Sam Montembeault kicked out 39 shots as the Canadiens improved to 17-22-3 on the season. Nashville goalie Yaroslav Askarov stopped 31 shots in his NHL debut. The Predators (19-16-6) are three points out of the finals Western Conference wild-card berth with 44 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens honored recently-retired defenseman P.K. Subban in a pre-game ceremony. Subban played for both clubs during his 13 NHL seasons, spending seven of those in Montreal where he became a fan favorite. He thanked the club, his teammates and the Montreal fans and staged a final “low-five” celebration with sidelined Habs goalie Carey Price.
A third-period goal by Taylor Raddysh lifted the Chicago Blackhawks over the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. Petr Mrazek made 31 saves for Chicago (11-25-4) as they rose to second-last in the overall standings with 26 points. The Avalanche (20-17-3) got two assists from Nathan MacKinnon but sit four points out of a Western wild-card spot with 43 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The defending Stanley Cup champions have been walloped by injuries this season but they’re also feeling the offseason departures of such notable players as Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky. Having lost seven of their last eight games, they’re in danger of falling further behind in the playoff race.
The Detroit Red Wings upset the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 as Lucas Raymond led the way with a goal and two assists. Ville Husso made 32 saves as the Wings (18-15-7) sit within five points of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 43 points. Rasmus Sandin replied for the Leafs, who sit behind the Hurricanes for second place in the East with 59 points as the latter has a game in hand.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs center Auston Matthews missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury that has nagged him this season. He’s expected to return to the lineup on Saturday.
An overtime goal by Adam Fox gave the New York Rangers a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars. K’Andre Miller tied the game with a second remaining in regulation to force the extra frame as the Rangers (24-12-7) sit one point back of the second-place New Jersey Devils in the Metropolitan Division with 55 points as the Devils hold two games in hand. Tyler Seguin scored for the 25-11-7 Stars as they slip to second place in the Western Conference with 57 points.
The Vegas Golden Knights got third-period goals from Jack Eichel, William Carrier and William Karlson to double up the Florida Panthers 4-2. Adin Hill stopped 38 shots for the Golden Knights as they improved to 28-13-2 and took over first place in the West with 58 points. Nick Cousins and Sam Reinhart replied for the Panthers as their record fell to 19-20-4.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas captain Mark Stone left his contest in the first period with an undisclosed injury. No other information was provided.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 39 saves in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Kyle Connor scored the game-winner and also collected an assist as the 27-14-1 Jets sit in fourth place in the Western Conference with 55 points. Victor Olofsson and Tyson Jost scored for the Sabres as they slipped to 20-18-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Jets activated forward Saku Maenalanen off injured reserve and moved forward David Gustafsson on IR.
The Minnesota Wild snapped a three-game losing skid to down the New York Islanders 3-1 on third-period goals by Frederick Gaudreau, Sam Steel and Kirill Kaprisov. The 23-14-4 Wild hold third place in the Central Division with 50 points. Scott Mayfield scored for the Islanders (22-18-3) and Ilya Sorokin made 33 saves as they sit one point out of the final Eastern wild-card berth with 47 points.
Calgary Flames winger Dillon Dube netted two goals and Dan Vladar made 25 saves in a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. At 20-14-9, the Flames hold the first wild-card spot in the West with 49 points. Jake Neighbours tallied for the Blues (21-19-3), who sit two points out of a Western wild-card spot with 45 points.
The Ottawa Senators defeated the Arizona Coyotes 5-3, handing the latter their seventh straight loss. Alex DeBrincat had a goal and an assist for the Senators as they improved to 19-19-3 on the season. Goalie Karel Vejmelka stopped 42 shots in a losing cause for the 13-23-5 Coyotes.
Fire Montgomery and trade the entire Boston roster. The Bruins are toast….probably won’t even make the playoffs.
LOL. Where are ya Rick?
I miss Rick’s daily rants. Come back Rick!
Was thinking same thing. Sky is falling. Fire Sweeney. Trade Ullmark and Pasta. Start the rebuild. TGIF
Mic drop for RW
so now I understand, the real reason that Johnny Hockey signed in Columbus was to have the chance to play with Conor Bedard.
makes perfect sense now
There are Jackets fans questioning Brad Larsen’s qualifications for head coach on the Jackets blogs I follow. I have begun questioning some of his decisions.
R the Kraken for Real !
Is this a temporary thing ?
I didn’t think at first , interrupting their structure to build , but they have done so in rapid fashion
How much more than Shane Wright would it cost them to obtain Bo Horvat out of Vancouver !
Kraken need a Center
Vancouver needs to climb in on the Bedard sweepstakes !!
IT honestly seems like a win , win to me – or Am I thinking wrong !
To me , Kraken are an interesting topic , Cinderella story, why not go for the “gusto”!
Kraken have 4 second rounders for the upcoming draft , a deep draft , amongst prospects without emptying the cupboard for Horvat
They are certainly not going to miss Shane Wright …
Francis is a mastermind , super high hockey, passionate hockey IQ , can make this a reality and Horvat wants to stay close to Vancouver
Seems like a no brainer to me !
Hi Ken,
I think Bo Horvat ends up in Seattle now for the playoffs… Or in July as a UFA 🤔
Ron francis is a very smart GM and has put together a good team, I wonder Would the Canucks take a 2023, 1st & 2nd pick for Bo Horvat❓or is it
Shane Wright and a 2nd pick….Or do they wait till UFA season in July to get him..
Ya Ken, Seattle could become a buyer at TDL, but am skeptical he goes high end rental. I would be shocked if he moved Wright for a rental. I think he will be a top 6 C for a very long time along with Beniers, he is a 200′ player with plenty of value IMO.
If he wanted to try and go on a run, he might want to get a tender. No Seattle goaltender is in the top 50 in SV%.
If SEA wasn’t so good at limiting shots, it would look even worse.
They are scoring more than I thought they would and it’s spread out the lineup. Plenty of quality veterans on that team, many with cups, they play the right way. Kinda built like Carolina, really solid blue line and deep with 2 way responsible forwards, go figure?
Ken, Ray, Willie
Re Ronny Francis @ TDL and more specifically re BH bid
Francis should NOT fall into the ADHD Foley Folly ….. “ now now now; spare no expense”
Foley wanted to buy a cup and blew his prospect cupboard brains out doing so
Horvat for sure would certainly move the needle this year…. But bidding wars….. selling the farm so to speak
Better to wait it out; small tweak if necessary ; save assets; bid on BH in summer … if he is not coming back to ‘Nucks…. Kraken certainly have some advantages over other teams when trying (in July) to convince BH to sign:
Just “down the road” from where he is now
Great city (rain aside [but rain just as oft in Van])
Fresh/new/young team ; with futures (prospects) still in tact; and with recent 22/23 great showing; tram in the upswing
Can’t forget…. Huge tax advantages for massive extra take home pay; only matched by Knights; Stars; Predz; Cats; Bolts (looks like only Stars may have room)
UNLESS….. sign/trade OR ‘Nucks allow Bo to speak with Ronny re next contract
If that is the case…. Make the trade this TDL
Kraken has bright future; but can’t see last night’s outcome v Bruins, if Kraken did miraculously get past Pac Div and win WCF and on to SCF
PK Subban is a confident individual and he has a lot of pride.
Pk could be and probably should be still playing in the NHL.
A recent interview, Subban said his agent told him to stay in shape and once an injury happens or someone is playing well or a team defense isnt as good and opportunity will be there for him.
Pk said he didn’t want to be a spare part and felt he could still be a regular player. Pk also said he wanted to play for a contender.
Sometimes you have to swallow some pride.
When the opportunity present it’s self you can then show your confidence and rebuild your status as a regular NHL player.
Could Pk help a team like Edmonton?
Interesting you would say bring up EDM and PK Caper. And no, he isn’t the type of guy they need at this point in his career, unless he accepted a 7th D man role. Sure was a good player though. Bruin killer.
Check out this article in the Edmonton Journal this AM, it almost happened in 2016.
He is comparing that trade that didn’t happen, to today’s quest for a top 4 D and the risk in moving a guy like Broberg, which is the same reason Holland is resisting GM’s asking for him. Classic case of the trade you didn’t make, being the best one.
MTL fans wish EDM would have!
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/dangerous-times-for-edmonton-oilers-as-the-pot-is-boiling-for-a-big-trade
Quite the homer article there Ray.
The problem with his thinking is he thinks everything is fine and all the players the oilers have not are great or going to be great.
Of greater interest is the impact that Kane will have when he returns.
Pretty dang good that at basically the 1/2 point of the season the most recent expansion franchises; with 5 1/2 and 1 1/2 years respectively , under their belt; hold 1st and 3rd (by winning %’age) in the West
Knights not a huge surprise; Kraken ARE
shutting out the Leagues best team; IN their barn…. Wow. Just Wow!!
Just to add insult (to Pens fans)…,
Top Kraken goal scorer… McC (82 game pace for 41 Gs)
Sprong …. 82 G pace…… 31-31-62 and PLUS 39
Shultz 82 G pace of 11-37-48 and PLUS 23
Tanev 82 G pace…. 16-25-42 and plus 44
Oleksiak 82 G pace …. 12-12-24 and PLUS 7
Total cap hit for those 5 former Pens…. Less than $16.9 M
💩🤬👎💩🤬👎💩🤬👎
@ Ray Bark and Willie W
Can the Kraken not arrange a sign and trade for Horvat
Seattle is a picturesque state , I am sure Bo would be delighted to go there !! ???
Maybe, he will want too much do Ray me ???
Sign him now vs awaiting upcoming contracts
Pastranak – rumour has it , he will be the highest paid in the nhl ??
This will really send the books out of whack in Beantown if this rumour is true ..
Unfortunate , I really like Boston , A total Character team , led by u know who ??
Gonna have to send a contract the other way Ken, so subtracting required to get Horvat and even more to sign him long term. He is having a career year, and somebody will pay him at least $8.5M on a long term deal. Will he repeat this production?
IMO there is a reasonable change Wright turns out to be a better player than Horvat, and Horvat is a really good player. But this season is the outlier for him in the goal department.
SEA has had a good first half, true contender? Not with that tending IMO. They should target a goalie IMO.
Hi Ray
Contract going back (for this year) not mandatory
‘Nucks are expected (IF they move BH) to retain 1/2
That’s annual Cap hit of $2.75 M coming over
Kraken already with $1.5 in space AND that is (per Cap
freiendly ) accouting for 24 (not 23) players; as 2 are on IR. Since one in IR is Dreidger; they won’t carry 3 Goalies on the 23 man for Cap reasons; lowest (at worst) Cap goalie drops
So…. Doable in 22/23 without a contract coming back
Next year….$2.4 in Dead Cap drops; Cap increases by $1M and league min is $775 K…. ~$4.2 M…. So next year (relative to this year) cap “find” required to get BH is hus 23/24 Cap hit less ~$4.2 M
Not all currently on roster will be back
In summary… BH on Kraken doable now or next year; but I stick with my earlier post…. No need to blow futures now…. Bid on him come July
Give ya this year Pengy if they eat half, and is doable next year, I suppose, but not many UFA’s with large $ leaving, so if they sign Horvat still be in real tough to fill the roster and keep RFA’s.
Doesn’t seem like a Francis type move IMO, especially when you end up blocking Wright in a couple years. I would prefer to bet on Wright becoming a legit 2C, than hoping Horvat lives up to the overpay he will likely get if he hits the market.
I think he signs or trades for a tender.
Excellent points Ray
Agree re a goalie for Kraken
Oil have one @ $5M Cap for another 4 years 🧐
Pengy, Ray Bark, Willie W
IMO / I am not Sold on Shane Wright – too early in his career I know …
Kinda of ghosted in the world juniors , then again Bedard had the spotlight and for valid reason !
Horvat meanwhile – Character guy , London Knight pedigree , Present Captain , A true leader..
He probably produces on a regular basis ..
Horvat and a Tender – Do able ?
Uncertain …
Rutherford is away over due ..
Not his style to sit back , as per his tenure in Vancouver !
Is he a realistic figure to win Bedard in the upcoming draft if he truly wants to explore that opportunity ?!?!
May make him re- think – Abe a motivated seller !
@Pengy
Surely U R not thinking Campbell , as per the 5 mil over the next 5?years !
Yikes !!
I will be speaking on behalf on behalf of R.Francis
Thanks, but No thanks !!