NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 20, 2023
The Sabres retire Ryan Miller’s No. 30, milestone games for the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron and the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, the final 12 players are named to the 2023 All-Star Game, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Buffalo Sabres retired Ryan Miller’s No. 30 in a pregame ceremony before downing the New York Islanders 3-2 on an overtime goal by Dylan Cozens. Rasmus Dahlen collected two assists for the Sabres (22-19-3) as they sit four points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 47 points. Ilya Sorokin stopped 42 shots for the Islanders (23-19-6), who remain tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins with 51 points. The Penguins, however, hold the last wild-card spot with three games in hand over the Isles.
Buffalo Sabres raise Ryan Miller’s banner (NHL.com).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller played 11 seasons with the Sabres from 2002 to 2014. He’s their all-time goaltending leader with 284 wins, 540 games played, 14, 847 saves and single-season wins with 41. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2009-10 and was named to that season’s First All-Star Team. He retired in 2021 after 18 NHL seasons.
Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron scored the game-winning goal and Jeremy Swayman made 31 saves in a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers. Bergeron surpassed Phil Esposito to move into second place among Bruins scorers with 78 game-winning goals. Boston (35-5-4) maintains a 12-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the overall standings with 76 points. The 25-14-7 Rangers sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 57 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: John Bucyk is Boston’s all-time leader in game-winning goals with 88. Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo left this game after blocking a shot with his left leg.
Speaking of the Hurricanes, they defeated the Minnesota Wild by a score of 5-2. Frederik Andersen turned aside 29 shots while Martin Necas had a goal and an assist for the 28-9-8 Hurricanes. Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov scored his 100th career goal, becoming the third-fastest active skater to reach that milestone by doing it in his 180th career NHL game. The Wild (25-14-4) remain in third place in the Central Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly loss for the Hurricanes as winger Max Pacioretty left the game in the third period after suffering an injury to the same leg that sidelined him for all but five games this season. It remains to be seen if he reinjured the Achilles tendon.
The Dallas Stars got a 34-save shutout from Scott Wedgewood to blank the Los Angeles Kings 4-0. Tyler Seguin scored twice and collected an assist as the Stars (27-13-7) took over sole possession of first place in the Western Conference with 61 points. The Kings slipped to 25-16-6 and hold third place in the Pacific Division.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored twice and Ilya Samsonov kicked out 37 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Mitch Marner scored to extend his home points streak record to 20 games as the Leafs (28-11-7) sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 63 points. Kyle Connor replied for the Jets (29-16-1) as they slipped two points behind the Stars in the Western Conference standings.
The Edmonton Oilers picked up their fifth straight win by downing the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Connor McDavid netted his league-leading 39 goal of the season to snap a 3-3 in the third period while Zach Hyman tallied twice for the 26-18-3 Oilers, who hold the first Western Conference wild-card berth with 55 points. Brayden Point had a goal and an assist for the Lightning (29-14-1) as their five-game win streak came to an end, leaving them four points behind the Leafs in third place in the Atlantic Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers winger Evander Kane faces two trials next week in a San Jose courtroom after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy two years ago. The two creditors hope to block a discharge that would allow Kane to walk away from his remaining debts. His trial briefs revealed he borrowed $48 million between 2014 and 2019.
An overtime goal by Andre Burakovsky lifted the Seattle Kraken over the New Jersey Devils 4-3, snapping the latter’s five-game win streak. Ryan Donato scored two goals and added an assist for the 27-14-4 Kraken, who moved ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights into first place in the Pacific Division with 58 points. Devils captain Nico Hischier tallied his 21st goal of the season as they sit two points behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes with 62 points (29-12-4).
Speaking of the Golden Knights (28-16-2), they fell 3-2 to the Detroit Red Wings. Ville Husso made 33 saves while Joe Veleno scored what proved to be the game-winning goal. Reilly Smith collected two assists for the Golden Knights, who have the same number of points as the Kraken (58) but the latter hold first in the Pacific with a game in hand. The Wings, meanwhile, improved to 19-17-8 on the season.
Washington Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper made 26 saves to pick up his league-leading fifth shutout of the season to beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-0. Dylan Strome scored twice for the Capitals (25-17-6) as they opened a five-point lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first Eastern wild-card spot with 56 points. The Coyotes (14-26-5) played without leading goal scorer Lawson Crouse (16 goals) as he’s listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
St. Louis Blues forwards Brandon Saad and Robert Thomas each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Blues improved to 23-20-3 (49 points) to sit two points behind the Calgary Flames for the final Western wild-card spot. The Predators (21-18-6) sit one point back of the Blues.
The Florida Panthers (22-20-5, 49 points) moved to within two points of the Penguins for the final Eastern wild-card spot with a 6-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Matthew Tkachuk scored twice and Aleksander Barkov collected two assists for the Panthers. The Canadiens fell to 19-24-3.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and forward Eric Staal left this game with injuries. Backup netminder Alex Lyon made 23 saves for the win. Earlier in the day, Panthers coach Paul Maurice was fined $25,000 by the NHL for making comments about the officiating in their game against the Leafs on Jan. 17.
Five unanswered goals rallied the Anaheim Ducks over the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3. Trevor Zegras, Cam Fowler and Adam Henrique each had a goal and an assist for the 13-28-5 Ducks as they snapped a five-game losing skid. The Jackets dropped to 13-20-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks activated forward Isac Lundestrom off injured reserve but forward Mason McTavish missed this contest with a lower-body injury.
The Chicago Blackhawks ended a 17-game regular-season road winless skid against the Philadelphia Flyers with a 4-1 victory. Petr Mrazek stopped 37 shots while Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist for the 13-26-4 Blackhawks. The Flyers fell to 19-20-7.
HEADLINES
NHL.COM: The final 12 players were named to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game. Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, Leafs center Auston Matthews, Bruins winger David Pastrnak and Rangers winger Artemi Panarin were among the notables chosen by fan voting.
Speaking of the All-Star game, the jerseys for the event were also unveiled yesterday.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers head coach John Tortorella continued to support Ivan Provorov after the defenseman declined to participate in a warm-up skate before Tuesday’s game against Anaheim wearing an LGBTQ+-themed jersey during Pride Night citing his religious beliefs. “Prov did nothing wrong,” said Tortorella. “Just because you don’t agree with his decision doesn’t mean he did anything wrong.”
DAILY FACEOFF: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman weighed in on the situation to put the focus on the 700 players who supported LGBTQ+ Pride and embrace inclusivity.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those comments did little to quell the wave of criticism from a number of fans and pundits on social media over Provorov’s stance and Tortorella’s support of his decision.
OTTAWA SUN: Senators forward Mathieu Joseph was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Penguins for breaking a team rule. Neither he or the club elaborated on the situation but Joseph is keen to return to action for Friday’s rematch in Pittsburgh.
Patches injury looked like his Achilles again if you watch replay. Hopefully it wasn’t but not looking good As far as Proverov he is entitled to his beliefs as we all are. He hurt no one by skipping warm up. The world is becoming less tolerant to anything or anyone who has a different opinion. Sad times. On lighter note. Looks like Swayman has found his mojo again
This Leafs’ fan would like Sway to once again lose his mojo
Pengy
Of course you would just as I hope AM gets a high ankle sprain 😉
I agree….things look bad for Patches….tough luck. If in fact it was the Achilles again, look for the Canes to move to the top of the list of teams looking for a goal scorer at the TDL, or earlier.
Iago, yep.
DeBrincat would sure fit the bill if OTT decides they can’t extend him to a fair deal.
Does Carolina have a top 4 RD with term they’d be willing to part with for DeBrincat? Forget picks.
Tough luck injury for Pacioretty He would have been a key player for the Canes down the stretch and playoffs.
If Pacioretty didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck at all.
I stand with Ivan!
Me too JC and if so many upset than why has his jerseys sold out. Stop using sports to shove LGBWXYZ down our throats it’s hogwash. Swayman looked real good last night and Bergeron is best leader in sports.
Wow… really letting the bigotry out to play now.
So Obe, you watched the warmup to the Flyer game where they wore pride jerseys?
And that triggered you to the extent you need to complain about it being shoved down your throat?
Is the NHL not the “safe space” you want it to be? Perhaps a service dog would help when you watched a game to stop you from feeling emotionally violated and you can keep watching hockey. I think you still enjoy it as long as they didn’t wear those damn jerseys in warmup in Philadelphia right?
Hope you will be OK, I am starting to get concerned about your emotional well being as you seem really upset by this whole thing.
Obe,
Just a thought. Several studies have shown that the most vehemently anti-gay people are likely trying to conceal their same sex desires.
I don’t care.
Congrats to Skinner who I have heard is the first rookie goaltender voted to play in the NHL All-Star game. Not that I watch it, but I do try and watch the skills competition.
Perhaps Ivan did what he did because of the trade rumors and now he becomes tougher to move depending on the new teams PR and all
fairly certain he does not get moved
Call me skeptical ds.
I would be surprised if any team really cares about his opinion on gay people. Lots of strict religious folks don’t approve of it, he ain’t any different from them. I don’t understand why people care so much about his opinion on that. I don’t understand why people care so much about what other people do in their private lives when it has no real impact on their life. Just don’t get it.
Why wouldn’t he want out of Philly, IMO they look like a team that won’t contend for a while. I think most players would prefer winning.
I agree on the Philly situation but if Prov wants to be moved you dont think this hurt the amount of interested teams? some cities’ news outlets would run this one to the ground.
i am not getting into his personal decision either way. just pointing out where he just put his trade value…or the cost went down . we shall see
he might love Philly
Ya ds, none of us know what he is thinking, that’s fair. Just would seem odd to that to avoid a trade.
If I had to bet, I would put it on that is what he believes.
Nice 2 goals by AM secured the V
I think Hellebuyck wants one back
Before the game; I didn’t think Samsonov could best Hellebuyck; had tough Jets in regulation…. I had that wrong
McD… 2 more points; another goal…. Can we just hand him Rocket, Hart; Art Ross; Lyndsay now…. Shorten the awards ceremonies in June
He is just mesmerizing to watch
82 G pace ….. 68-82-150
Oil looking much better; like Deharnais; couple of more games and Kane will be up to speed
Campbell listed at 74th in League (all goalies) for Sav % (887); but has been 900 or better last 5 games….913, 962; 900; 935; 903….. 141 of 152 (927) in that stretch
Has he turned it around?
If he can maintain 920 plus for balance of year…. Oil in good shape. But can he?
Seeing as it is almost a certainty that first round will be Bolts/Leafs…. Shouldn’t all “opponent”game film reviews be limited to Bolts… LOL
The Panthers/Habs game was one more example of officiating gone wild.
Blatant missed calls on goaltender interference, kneeing, boarding, diving that strongly impacted the game.
HF30,
And reverse hit interference. The refs did let this one get out of hand.
I didn’t risk death, nor have untold millions make the ultimate sacrifice so that people can be forced to think and say whatever is popular. People need to remember the true kind of free speech. “I don’t agree with what you said and I think you’re a damned fool for saying it, but I will fight to the death to defend your right to say it.”
And, no, I will not say whether or not I agree with what Provorov did.
True that Paul.
Way too much – free speech for me but not for thee, out there these days.
Free speech is for all, he ook a public position, people can say what they want. He’s still playing, still getting paid so who cares? He has a right to do what he did, can’t then say nobody can have an opinion.
True Paul. I find it odd that the same people that took issue over Kaepernick’s protest are defending Provorov (not an American).
The both had the right and guys like you and others made sure of that. But we can’t be so blissfully ignorant to think they are one and the same and both won’t get nailed for standing out.
Bang on Paul.
🍁Edmonton Oilers played the Tampa team well last night in a 5-3 Win,
Jack Cambell 5-0 since he got his New Equipment with a Save % 9.26…and GA of 2.20👌
Kucherov got away with 3 penalty’s last night, just Brutal…⁉️
The Refs need to get some New Elton John’s 🤓😜
The Oilers got an other Great Game from Rookie d/man “Vin diesel” with one more assist making it 3 assists in his first 5 games for the rookie with an other solid defensive performance from him 👌
Dont think we need a top 4 d/man now more like a 5/7 LD /man to fill out the roster for the playoffs like a Luke Schenn type🤔
Kostin stepping up and becoming more more Physical, he has 9G & 4A in his first 30 games
Last but not least,
Congratts to the Newest Oilers Dad Stuart Skinner and to Leon Draisaitl being nominated to be in the All Star Game Feb 3rd&4th ….👌
And thank you to Connor McDavid for Promoting saying that Leon Draisaitl should 100% be at the All Start Game…
Very Nicly said Captan Connor👌
Interesting to hear there’s a documentary on Ballard coming up on Sunday on the CBC. Hopefully it will show just how mad the guy was and how poorly an owner can be resulting in years and years of futility and drive a once proud franchise into the abyss it toiled for over 20yrs!
I don’t see an issue with what Ivan did, his beliefs and his decisions as long as it isn’t illegal, which it isn’t.
The problem with sensationalizing such events is that it washes down more malicious examples.
Reporting these days is so trash, present forum NOT included