NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 13, 2023
Recaps of Thursday’s games featured two-goal performances by the Rangers’ Chris Kreider and the Devils’ Jack Hughes plus the Bruins reveal their All-Centennial Team. Details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider scored a power play and a shorthanded goal in a 5-1 season-opening victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Mika Zibanejad collected three assists while Igor Shesterkin made 23 saves for his 100th career victory to give Peter Laviolette his first win as Rangers head coach. JJ Peterka scored for the Sabres.
New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).
The New Jersey Devils opened the season with a two-goal performance by Jack Hughes to hold off the Detroit Red Wings 4-3. Jonas Siegenthaler collected three assists while Vitek Vanecek stopped 32 shots for the win. Alex DeBrincat scored his first goal for the Red Wings while Ville Husso made 23 saves.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny tallied twice, Scott Laughton had two assists and Carter Hart kicked out 31 shots in a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Patrik Laine scored for the Jackets while rookie Adam Fantilli picked up an assist for his first career NHL point.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers center Sean Couturier had an assist and winger Cam Atkinson scored as both players played their first games after being sidelined by injuries for the entirety of last season. Meanwhile, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski left the game in the second period with a quadriceps contusion following a hit by Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway.
The Minnesota Wild got a 41-save shutout from Filip Gustavsson to blank the Florida Panthers 2-0. Wild rookie (and Minnesota native) Brock Faber scored his first career NHL goal while Joel Eriksson Ek scored and assisted on Faber’s goal. Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves for the Panthers.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 23 shots for his 21st career shutout in a 3-0 win over the Seattle Kraken. Colton Sissons, Gustav Nyquist and Juuso Parssinen scored for the Predators, giving head coach Andrew Brunette his first win behind their bench. Philipp Grubauer made 32 saves for the Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken played without forward Brandon Tanev as he remains sidelined with an upper-body injury. Predators defenseman Luke Schenn was a late scratch from this game with a lower-body injury.
Shootout goals by Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene lifted the Dallas Stars over the St. Louis Blues 2-1. Jamie Benn opened the scoring while Jake Oettinger stopped 23 shots for the Stars. Tyler Tucker replied for the Blues, who got a 33-save effort from Jordan Binnington.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars played without top-line forward Roope Hintz as he continues to nurse an upper-body injury.
Second-period goals by Nic Hague and Nicolas Roy carried the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. Logan Thompson made 22 saves for the Golden Knights. Filip Zadina replied for the Sharks.
HEADLINES
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins announced their All-Centennial Team yesterday.
Forwards: Patrice Bergeron, Johnny Bucyk, Wayne Cashman, Bill Cowley, Phil Esposito, David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Rick Middleton, Cam Neely, Terry O’Reilly, David Pastrnak, and Milt Schmidt.
Defense: Ray Bourque, Zdeno Chara, Dit Clapper, Bobby Orr, Brad Park and Eddie Shore.
Goaltenders: Frankie Brimsek and Gerry Cheevers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fans will likely quibble over the same of the names on this list, making for what should be a fun debate. Overall, however, it’s comprised of players who played major roles for the Bruins in their biggest moments over their 100-year history.
Oh, and if they haven’t already chosen the biggest moment in Bruins history, it’s unquestionably Orr’s Stanley Cup winner in 1970. That is the most iconic goal ever scored in the NHL.
TSN: The Los Angeles Kings placed winger Viktor Arvidsson (lower-body injury) on long-term injury reserve. Meanwhile, Kings center Phillip Danault was fined $5,000.00 for slashing Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton on Wednesday.
DAILY FACEOFF: *WARNING: GROSSNESS AHEAD!*
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet revealed the reason why goaltender Thatcher Demko left the game during Wednesday’s 8-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Demko was battling the flu and was pulled during the third period after he “puked in his mask,” according to Tocchet.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My apologies to those of you who may have been eating when you read this bit, but I did warn you!
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov pointed to the Flyers and their style of play for the decline in his performance during his final three seasons with the club. Provorov was traded to the Jackets in June.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any reaction from the Flyers about Provorov’s comments, especially from head coach John Tortorella. Time will tell if his move to the Jackets will improve his game.
Mind you, Provorov does have a point about the Flyers’ style of play. Part of that was due to their coaching changes since 2021, firing Alain Vigneault and going with Mike Yeo on an interim basis before hiring Tortorella in 2022.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Anaheim Ducks rookie Leo Carlsson will miss the club’s season opener on Saturday with a lower-body injury. However, he’s expected to rejoin the lineup at some point next week.
TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning recalled forward Alex Barre-Boulet, which is seen as an indication that winger Tyler Motte will remain sidelined with an injured hand.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ottawa Senators free agent Alex Formenton has signed with Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta until the end of the calendar year. The club also released a statement referencing an ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations made toward some unnamed members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team. Formenton was part of that club but hasn’t commented on the investigation nor has he been accused or charged.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Formenton’s contract also contains an out-clause allowing him to return to the NHL.
That’s a pretty good Bruins’ roster (Dit Clapper, no less).
But Orr’s goal the most iconic goal ever scored in the NHL? Hyperbole at its best.
My vote is for Lafleur’s goal, game 7, 1979. Or maybe it was Lambert’s in OT.
I know SOP and Ray Bark are with me on this, right guys? 😉
Lafleur’s goal was great, but Orr’s goal stands above that. Lafleur’s goal save a dynasty but Orr’s won the Stanley Cup. Not to mention Orr was the greatest player of his generation and the greatest defenseman of all time.
The picture of Orr in mid air after the goal may be iconic, but the goal itself wasn’t anything all that special. I can think of more than a few that were the result of more skill than Orr needed to exhibit on that particular play.
Yes, there have been goals scored with better skill but Orr’s was iconic and that’s why it’s considered (not just by me) as the greatest goal in hockey history. It was a dramatic moment, the greatest defenseman of all time and one of the all-time great players soaring through the air a split second after being tripped while scoring in overtime to win the Bruins’ first Stanley Cup in 29 years.
Exactly Lyle. Maybe you guys don’t get what iconic really means…look that picture as a record of time and you’ll get it.
There are maybe better goals or moments but that’s not to say you know exactly what image we are talking about. Can you say that about your choice? I watched the Habs a lot as a child and I might know which goal you’re talking about but I definitely know the one Lyle is. That’s the difference with me and I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
Every team has their greatest goal highlight. But when you say the Orr goal every NHL fan knows what you are talking about.
The two goals you mentioned, I’m sure they were pretty goals, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. The Wayne Gretzky slapper over Vernon’s glove in OT is known as one of the greatest goals in Oilers history, but I’m sure most NHL fans won’t know what I’m talking about.
That is what makes Orr’s goal so iconic.
I think “hyperbole” is an appropriate adjective for “iconic”. We can argue forever about the best goal, or most important goal, but I can’t think of any goal that comes even close to the number of posters sold of Orr flying through the air after scoring that one.
Just having fun.
Yes, Orr’s goal was memorable, call it iconic.
But seriously, is there a point of calling anything the most memorable of all time? Or any player the best of all time? Harvey gave way to Orr, Gretzky to McDavid, Matthews is now a better pure goal scorer than Ovie.
Surely we should just enjoy players and moments on for their own worth without GOAT declarations which, even if inadvertent, both date and devalue others.
My list of memorable goals starts with Hendorsons against Russia. Others I will always remember include Baun in OT on a broken foot against Detroit, Henri Richart in OT sliding into the Detroit goalie in 1966, Lafleur against Boston, LaFontaine in OT against Washington, McCarty against Philly in 97. The best effort was MacKinnons end to end goal against St. Louis.
The picture of Orr in mid-air was iconic- but the goal against an over matched expansion team wasn’t.
I guess we all have our own lists, each with as much meaning to us.
Well said, Iago. The picture is iconic.
Bruins need a 1st line center otherwise goals will be hard to come by this year .. lot of 2-1 …3-2 games either way
Is there any Canadian who doesn’t remember where they were when Henderson scored the winning goal against the Russian Red Army Team to win the 1972 series?
Those who were under five or not even born in 1972.
Seriously. How long is this hockey Canada investigation going to take? Let’s get on with it.
If Formenton hasn’t been accused of highly improper conduct or worse, then why wasn’t he signed? Obviously some players on that Junior team were singled out, otherwise there would be no investigation.
Isn’t the NHL investigation secret and private? IF so, then we simply don’t know the names of the individuals allegedly involved.
Became a Bruins fan in 1970 …was great seeing a lot of the guys again …The Big Bad Bruins and the Garden Rocked
You must have not been watching Bruins games in the 70’s if Don Marcotte is not on the list. Very good hockey player!
Can’t believe Danault isn’t called for a slash on Colton when they call other slashes for penalties breaking the guys stick? That could have easily broken some fingers or a hand. The officiating in that game was pretty bad overall not just that missed call!!
I agree with Provorov, the Flyer’s messed up his game They squandered a lot of good prospects games during those years
Marcotte was a terrific two-way forward. However, the others on this list are far more worthy of being there.
Mike Milbury!
Who can forget that night when he was in the stands beating a fan with his own shoe!!! LOL
I didn’t say the others were not worthy. How do you measure worthy? Points or what? I was at the series where the Bruins eliminated the flyer’s in 4 straight. Scored the only goal in that game and watched him on other Bruins teams and there is a more than better chance they wouldn’t have come out on top without him. Knocked Lonsberry into next week with a clean check. Guy was a piece of granite. Killed penalties, did everything!
Any list is subjected to debate and various decisions.
My favorite hockey player of all times is Terry O’Reilly. Glad he made the list.
Most iconic goal, definitely the most highlighted goal ever shown and picture ever taken of a goal being scored.
No there’s also the last goal Barilko scored and noted on in the song “50 mission cap” by the hip that is also Bobby Orr like goal but not as famous outside the fan base. Everyone who watches hockey has seen the Orr goal.
David Krejci over Jean Ratelle is prosperous!!!
Totally agree!
There is no comparison.