NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 30, 2023
The Golden Knights advance to the Stanley Cup Final, the schedule for the Final is released, plus the latest on Milan Lucic, Oliver Wahlstrom and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Vegas Golden Knights are heading to the Stanley Cup Final after blanking the Dallas Stars 6-0 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final to win the series four games to two. It’s the second time in the Golden Knights’ six-season history that they’ve gone to the Cup Final.
Vegas Golden Knights pose with Clarence Campbell Bowl as the 2023 Western Conference champions (NHL.com).
Adin Hill stopped 23 shots for his second career playoff shutout while William Karlsson scored twice and collected an assist. William Carrier, Keegan Kolesar and Michael Amadio each had a goal and an assist.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As in the Golden Knights’ lopsided victory in Game 3, they jumped out to an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. They dominated the Stars with their aggressive forecheck and exploited the Stars’ defensive breakdowns.
Vegas’ quick start was powered by the fourth line of Carrier, Kolesar and Nicolas Roy. They started the game on the opening faceoff and were key to their club’s quick start with Carrier and Kolesar tallying two of the Golden Knights’ three first-period goals.
It was another tough night for Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger as he gave up all six goals. However, Stars head coach Peter DeBoer pointed out that his club left Oettinger hung out to dry. “We put him in some tough spots,” said DeBoer. “We can’t ask him to win that game all by himself.”
Stars captain Jamie Benn returned to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for cross-checking Vegas captain Mark Stone in Game 3. However, he was a non-factor in this game.
The Golden Knights will face off against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final with Game 1 in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 3 at 8 pm ET.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers will have had a 10-day break from the end of the Eastern Conference Final to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. They intend on making the most of it to prepare for the Golden Knights and allow time for banged-up players to recuperate.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The downside of such a lengthy break is the Panthers could be rusty when they face off against the Golden Knights on Saturday. Practice helps but is no substitute for game action.
TSN: Milan Lucic is mulling his future after helping Canada win gold at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. The 34-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after spending the past four seasons with the Calgary Flames. He said he’ll spend the next month thinking about the next step in his career and the best fit moving forward.
NEW YORK POST: Oliver Wahlstrom’s role with the Islanders remains unclear heading into the offseason. The 22-year-old restricted free-agent winger is expected to be back with the Isles next season.
Because it’s unclear whether veteran wingers like Pierre Engvall, Zack Parise and Josh Bailey will return next season, it’s unclear whether Wahlstrom will move into a top-six role with the Isles next season.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports NHL sources claimed the sale of the Senators has reached its final pivotal stages. One of the sources believes Toronto billionaire Steve Apostopoulos had the highest bid at $1 billion USD. “It’s getting there,” said one source, adding it’s hoped there will be something announced later this week.
Milan Lucic, said his contract weigh on him, because he didn’t live up to it and is happy it’s over.
He will play somewhere as long as he willing to take $1m – $1.5 contract
He would at some grit, energy and toughness, just don’t expect much else
He’ll sign with the bruins for pennies. He’s still bros with all those guys. He’ll replace Hathaway on the fourth line.
Benn was invisible in this game. Deboer called him an angry bear. More like a hybrinating bear in this one. He looked completely hesitant with everything he did…maybe he was expecting retaliation from someone on the Knights, but he had zero impact on this game.
Like so many teams, Dallas handed out some big contracts that are not aging well and may have a negative impact on the Stars ability to be a contender over the next few years. Benn (11 pts in 19 playoff games) has 2 years remaining at $9.5 million per year and Seguin (9 pts in 19 playoff games) has 4 years remaining at $9.85 million per year. These contracts account for 23% of Dallas’ cap and have NMCs.
Sorry, I should have read the rumours section before I posted, you covered this there.
Dallas Stars came out Flat …
Jamie Benn after being suspended 2 game for a Brutal Hit and cross check, played not like a leader or captain and only scored 3 goals in 18 Games…‼️ time for him to Go
As for $9.8M dollar Man Tyler Sequin he was MIA all series long with Vegas, No Goals and No Asists Brutal..
They have a Great young Core But These two are holding the Team Back……⁉️
You’re right Benn went missing… How much longer is his and seguin’s contract for? Both not able to live up to them especially playing that down the line up. How much better would this team be without them two?
The other shoe is prepping to drop in Toronto as assistant coach, Carbery is expected to join the Capitals to a four-year deal and become their 20th head coach in franchise history. He’s going back home to the Caps! Good on him.
Well, it seems teams like their coaches. There’s no end of speculation as to who would jump at Keefe if he were replaced by the new GM, and a couple of years back Ottawa grabbed D. J. Smith and now Carbery.
There might have been one more … anyone?
Hakstol to Seattle last year was the one you’re thinking of.
We’re almost into June and the Stanley Cup Finals will, if it goes 7 games, feature four 2+ day breaks between games. It goes without saying but the NHL is just run terribly.
No kidding Brock! If they REALLY tried I bet they could drag it on into July. Ridiculous.
That’s because they’re too beholden to dollars and tv prime spots as opposed to what’s best for the team’s and fans. Money talks!!!
TV viewership will be pitiful regardless and this will only dampen the enthusiastic few who care to watch.
After hockey there is cfl and baseball draaaaag it out is ok by me xD