NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 10, 2023
The Lightning blank the Avalanche in their first game since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, Dougie Hamilton sets a franchise record for Devils defensemen, Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky reaches a career milestone and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy turned in a 30-save performance to shut out the Colorado Avalanche 5-0 in the first game between the two clubs since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. Brandon Hagel scored twice and collected an assist and Alex Killorn had three assists for the Lightning (33-16-2) as they move within two points of the second-place Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division with 68 points. The 27-19-4 Avalanche cling to third place in the Central Division with 58 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche played without defenseman Cale Makar as he’ll be sidelined for the remainder of their road trip with an upper-body injury following a blindside hit by Pittsburgh Penguins center Jeff Carter on Tuesday. Carter wasn’t penalized on the play and received no supplemental discipline. Lighting forward Nick Paul missed this game with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.
The New Jersey Devils got two power-play goals by Dougie Hamilton in a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. MacKenzie Blackwood stopped 33 shots for the 34-13-4 Devils as they move two points ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs into third place in the Eastern Conference standings with 72 points. Adam Larsson replied for the Kraken (29-17-5) as they remain in second place in the Pacific Division with 63 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton (51 points) set a record for Devils defensemen for the fewest games to reach 50 points in a season (51 games). The previous record was 55 games by Bryan Rafalski in 2006-07. The Devils played this game without leading scorer Jack Hughes as he’s week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky picked up his 350th career win with a 33-save performance to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1. Sam Reinhart and Eric Staal each tallied twice for the 26-22-6 Panthers as they moved within one point of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 58 points. Alexander Barabanov replied for the 16-26-11 Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bobrovsky sits 25th overall in career wins among NHL goaltenders.
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. It was a costly win for the Golden Knights as goaltender Logan Thompson was helped from the ice in the third period with an apparent left-leg injury. Vegas improved their record to 31-18-4 to open a three-point lead over the Kraken in the Pacific Division with 66 points. Kirill Kaprizov replied for the Wild (27-20-4) as they’ve dropped three straight games and cling to the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 58 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the game, Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said Thompson was moving around and will undergo an MRI on Friday morning. He’s hopeful that the injury isn’t serious.
The Vancouver Canucks overcame a 4-2 deficit to nip the New York Islanders 6-5. Former Islander Anthony Beauvillier tallied the game-winner while former Canucks captain Bo Horvat also scored in this game. Brock Boeser had a four-point night and Elias Pettersson had three points for the Canucks (21-27-3). Mathew Barzal had a three-point game as the Islanders (27-23-5) remained behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders and Penguins each have 59 points but the latter holds five games in hand. Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn missed this game with an upper-body injury.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart kicked out 34 shots to upset the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 on a shootout goal by James van Riemsdyk. Kevin Hayes opened the scoring for the Flyers (22-22-9), who sit six points out of the final Eastern playoff spot with 53 points. Evander Kane replied for the 29-18-5 Oilers, who hold third place in the Pacific Division with 63 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected an assist to extend his points streak to 14 games.
The Detroit Red Wings kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 upset of the Calgary Flames. Ville Husso stopped 35 shots while Filip Zadina netted the game-winner as the Wings (22-20-8) sit seven points out of the final Eastern wild-card berth with 52 points. Blake Coleman scored for the Flames (24-18-10) as they sit just outside the final Western playoff spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are tied in points with the Wild but the latter holds that final wild-card berth with a game in hand. Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson missed this game after being struck by a vehicle while riding a scooter in Detroit on Wednesday evening. He was taken to a hospital, underwent a battery of tests and was released. Andersson was rattled by the accident but is otherwise ok.
HEADLINES
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs goaltender Matt Murray has returned to the injured reserve list as he remains sidelined by an ankle injury suffered in late January. The Leafs also announced the signing of defenseman Conor Timmins to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.1 million.
THE TENNESSEAN: In a recent interview, Nashville Predators general manager David Poile gave a vote of confidence to head coach John Hynes, saying he’s absolutely not in jeopardy of losing his job. The Predators are currently battling for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
THE PROVINCE: Speaking of coaches, former Canucks bench boss Bruce Boudreau is returning to NHL Network as a TV analyst. He previously worked with the network from August 2020 until hired by the Canucks in December 2021.
WINNIPEG SUN: Jets forward Mason Appleton will return to action on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s been sidelined by a broken wrist since mid-November.
Well,
Bo Horvat has now done what Crosby and Ovi will never ever likely be able to accomplish.
He (BH) has now scored against all 32 NHL teams.
Congrats Bo
BTW , love the high scoring games
I thought Bolts would beat Avs; did not see a 5-0 game in the cards though
Hi Pengy,
Maple Leafs must be Shaking right now after watching the Tampa Hamer the Avs 5-0 ❗️😵💫
It Looks like right now the the Leafs & Tampa will play in the first round of the playoffs…
Looking at Matt Murrays schedule
He should be on and off the IR 2 more time’s….
Then ready for the playoffs, cant wait to hear what my freinds who are leaf fans have to say about the playoffs this time round 🤔😂
Hi Willie
The one match up in the ‘23 playoffs that has the absolute highest probability of happening; is Leafs v Bolts
Despite who wins that battle…. Bruins next….. not a high probability path to cup
Re “Maple Leafs goaltender Matt Murray has returned to the injured reserve list ….” – now, where have I heard that before?
I was thinking that too… Leafs fans rubbed my nose in how they “fleeced” Dorion in getting Murray. Apparently he only struggled with injuries and consistency because of the Sens org.
LOL. There are effective treatments for hiccups Pengy
Well these latest Metro teams’ trade acquisitions scare me…. Didn’t stop my hiccups
Pengy
Even though the Pens beat COl 2-1, they were badly outplayed the first two periods. Seeing TB beat them 5-0 is not a good sign!
No challenge there SJPP
Something needs to be done…. Even if it was a tweak
3C upgrade a priority …. Let’s see if HexBurkie gets interest in Henrique after the Ducks game
Maybe the Pens take a chance and buy low on Vrana. Their options are limited!
Hi SJPP
Pens need to get a 3C before considering Vrana
If Pysyk gets healthy…. Offer a 7th rounder…. Plays both RW and RD…. Flexible depth add for zilch (7Th)… could start at 4 RW and if there is an in game injury to s D-man; hr could step in
If they don’t use him… black ace that cost a 7th rounder (a player who may not even make the AHL)
In all those years crosby nor ovi have never deflected a goal into their own net? I don’t buy it
LOL
Still trying to figure out Andersson getting his by a car riding a scooter to the game in Detroit? Take the team bus , taxi , walk ….going to be an interesting clause in his next contract.
https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm
Doesn’t look good for many teams, eh?
Yeah, makes you wonder why they bother? Maybe consolidate and go back to a 6-team league. Wouldn’t that be thrilling?
Chart shows Flames (as at now; outside of the playoff picture [albeit tied but more GP] ) having 7th best odds of winning the Cup at 6.6 % ???? Note: that 6.6 % is almost twice the odds given to the current Western Conference leader (Stars) at 3.4%
It has most probable cup winner as Canes (over 12% probability); with Oil at # 2 most likely (11%)???
So after seeing your post Pengy, I had to look at it. Not what I expected either.
Only thing I can figure is strength of the divisions/conference they are in. The Atlantic with BOS/TB/TOR is a beast, while the Oil have SEA & VEG to contend with, which as it looks today seems easier on the surface.
Carolina has NJ and NYR. NJ first time in a while and young, so likely not getting the same respect. Rags gonna be tough out though.
Kinda wide open, should be entertaining!