NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 15, 2023
Lightning stars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov enjoy milestone performances, the Blue Jackets beat the Leafs after blowing a huge lead, the Canucks honor Roberto Luongo, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos enjoyed his first-ever four-goal game while Nikita Kucherov becomes the first player this season to reach 50 points in a 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Andrei Vasilevskiy kicked out 53 shots as the Lightning (14-12-5) sit just outside the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 33 points. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had three points and Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist for the 13-13-1 Oilers as their win streak ended at eight games.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With 40 points, McDavid now sits 10 behind Kucherov in the scoring race while his Oilers (27 points) are two points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Meanwhile, Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury.
The Columbus Blue Jackets blew a 5-0 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs but prevailed 6-5 on an overtime goal by Kent Johnson, who finished the night with two goals and an assist. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 43 shots for the 10-16-5 Blue Jackets as he returned to action after missing three games to an illness. Auston Matthews scored twice and added an assist while Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists for the Leafs (15-6-6) as they sit second in the Atlantic Division with 36 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets seemed to be cruising to an easy victory entering the third period but the Leafs made it interesting with a five-goal rally. It was a costly win for the Jackets as winger Patrik Laine left this game favoring his left shoulder. Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves departed with a lower-body injury.
After inducting Hall-of-Famer Roberto Luongo into their Ring of Honour, the Vancouver Canucks blanked the Florida Panthers 4-0. Thatcher Demko turned in a 36-save shutout while Dakota Joshua tallied twice for the Canucks, who became the second team to reach 20 wins (41 points) this season and second overall in the Western Conference. The Panthers (17-10-2) sit third in the Atlantic Division with 36 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demko and his Canucks teammates are starting to look like the squad that Luongo backstopped to five division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies and a run to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final from 2008-09 to 2012-13.
A shootout goal by Bobby Brink gave the Philadelphia Flyers a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals. Owen Tippett scored the game-tying goal late in the third period while Morgan Frost collected two points as the Flyers improved to 16-10-3 to sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 35 points. Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome each had a goal and an assist as the Capitals slipped to 14-8-4 (32 points) to sit one point out of an Eastern wild-card berth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov missed this game due to an illness.
The Carolina Hurricanes nipped the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. Jordan Staal netted the game-winning goal in the second period while Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 25 shots for the Hurricanes (16-12-1), who hold the final Eastern wild-card spot with 33 points based on wins. Ville Husso made 37 saves for the 15-10-4 Red Wings as they hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 34 points.
Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy’s shootout goal gave his club a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Boldy also scored in regulation while Filip Gustavsson turned aside 35 shots for the win as the Wild improved to 11-12-4 (26 points), sitting three points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Yegor Sharangovich had a goal and an assist for the Flames (11-14-5) as they sit two points out of a wild-card spot in the West with 27 points.
The St. Louis Blues doubled up the Ottawa Senators 4-2 in their first game under interim head coach Drew Bannister. Robert Thomas scored twice and set up another while Jordan Binnington made 32 saves as the Blues (14-14-1) snapped a four-game losing skid to move into the final Western wild-card spot with 29 points. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 26 shots for the Senators (11-13-0), who remain in last place in the Eastern Conference with 22 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, Blues forward Jordan Kyrou was asked about the firing of now-former head coach Craig Berube. “I’ve got no comment. He’s not my coach anymore,” said Kyrou.
Those remarks didn’t sit well with Blues fans as they booed Kyrou during this game. He was visibly upset afterward, saying he respected Berube and was only trying to say that he was focusing on his future and helping the team win. Overcome by emotion, Kyrou said, “I love playing here, so it’s tough hearing the fans boo me.”
Speaking of coaching changes, one wonders how much longer the Senators front office will remain patient with bench boss D.J. Smith as the losses mount and another season starts to slip away.
The Seattle Kraken thumped the Chicago Blackhawks 7-1, ending Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard’s 10-game road points streak. Kailer Yamamoto tallied twice while Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and two assists for the 10-14-7 Kraken, who also sit just outside the final Western wild-card spot with 27 points. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, remain mired in last place in the overall standings a record of 9-19-1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Kraken indicated goaltender Philipp Grubauer is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
HEADLINES
THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin was the focus of an investigation following a human resources complaint by a team employee alleging verbal abuse in the workplace.
The alleged incident took place in late November. Two team sources claim the investigation is completed and determined Guerin did not commit a fireable offense.
The Wild aren’t commenting on the matter but released a statement indicating they conducted two separate investigations into alleged violations of their code of conduct and took appropriate steps to address those issues. This news comes a day after the club and assistant general manager Chris O’Hearn “mutually agreed to part ways”. Team sources say it was coincidental that the two investigations were concluded almost simultaneously.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said he and league commissioner Gary Bettman had been briefed about the investigations and were satisfied with the results.
SPORTSNET: Oilers winger Zach Hyman is calling for the eradication of antisemitism. Hyman is Jewish and the grandson of Holocaust survivors. “We live in Canada, in the US, where these things (antisemitism) shouldn’t be happening. And we can’t turn a blind eye to it,” he said. “Being a Jewish person doesn’t feel comfortable right now, and that’s a scary feeling.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No one should be the target of hate because of their religion. Freedom of religion is among the rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Buffalo Sabres placed winger Jeff Skinner (upper body) on injured reserve.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and center Pavel Zacha were placed on injured reserve.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Arizona Coyotes center Nick Schmaltz (undisclosed injury) will be a game-day decision for Friday’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Sean Durzi (lower body) has missed the last two games and is doubtful to face the Sharks.
How about those Canucks?
Indeed!
Looking like the real deal
Why do I feel like Laine is in the NHL because of a monkey’s paw he found in his youth?
To me he seems not to put in the work Not sure if true or not but that is what I think from the eye test if goals not coming he is invisible highly over paid
How do the coaches in Ottawa and Buffalo still have their jobs? Those two teams are supposed to be ahead of the Red Wings in terms of their rebuilds, but they’ve been atrocious this season! I’m not complaining, I’d love to go to a playoff game in Hockeytown this year, I’m just really curious. In Buffalo it’s not that surprising, they are always very slow to pull the trigger, but in Ottawa they have a new owner and a new GM so what’s the deal there?
A huge number of the more intelligent among the fan base here have been asking that question for quite some time now, bigphatbastard.
As for myself, with all the health problems being experienced by my wife of 62 years requiring constant attention, I have finally decided to pull the plug on any further interest in hockey in general and the Senators in particular, both of which have dropped to the very bottom of any priority list.
Take care everyone.
You’ve got your priorities right, George. Best wishes to you and your wife.
Take care, George, best wishes to you and your wife. You’re always welcome back.
Take care George. Hope your wife will regain health soon. Your comments and knowledge will be missed but family matters more than anything. Wish you and yours all the best.
George O my prayers are with your wife and your family. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Merry Christmas and good health.
Hi George,
Sorry to hear that, I wish you and you wife good health, family is very important.
Your Hockey wisdom, comments, knowledge will be Greatly missed on this page.
I always enjoy reading your commment’s especaly about the Sens, my second team.
Willie
We will miss you George. Best wishes to you and your wife.
Thanks for every comment you put here. I am praying for your family and that you realize how close God and this band of hockey enthusiasts are to your hardships.
All the best George , good luck with your family situation.
I can’t watch anymore. Won’t be long before we hear Tkachuk wants out.
I was pledging patience before Woodcroft, Evason and Berube came available.
As you said there are more important things in life to dedicate time to.
Best to you and your Mrs., George. Yours will be a good Christmas.
Bye George. It’s a shame hockey couldn’t be the brief escape for you from all the stress. Hopefully your lovely missus feels better.
George
Family is always #1. Hope you have a nice holidays. Your insightful comments will be missed
All of our collective best to you and especially your wife, George. Sincere best wishes for a very happy holiday to come your way.
Very sorry to hear that George. I hope you manage to enjoy the holidays and life goes well. Sending you my thoughts. Hope one day you return.
Take care George. Putting family first is always the right decision. Thanks for all your great comments over the years.
Always enjoy reading your comments George. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care.
Sorry to hear that George, hopefully her condition improves.
Very sorry to hear George. Tend to what’s most important in life and come back to us when you’re able.
“Go n-éirí leat”
To all: your kind words and wishes are most sincerely appreciated. Have a joyous Christmas and all the best in 2024 – Tá meas ar do chuid focal
Farewell, George. I will miss your sayings and old stories even more than reading your on point opinions.
All my best to your wife. I only pray that I can achieve what you have in your long lasting marriage.
Love is the most powerful thing in life.
Wishing Christmas blessings to you both.
DeAngelo runs the power play better than any Carolina defenseman but Carolina can’t continue to play 7D. They got away with several mistakes as a result of working the 7th D through the lineup last night. Great game by Kochetkov.
Detroit played well even without Larkin. They are a legitimate playoff contender with Larkin in the lineup. Detroit and Carolina are my two favorite teams. I never expected a goalie battle last night. Both goalies played well.
Good observations, GP.
I found it interesting that Husso played excellent, but it was his one misplay that cost them the game. On the other hand, without him, they might have lost 5-1.
I wouldn’t pull the plug on 7 D in Carolina just yet. In fact, I’ve been wishing for some time that they’d go with that. Basically 6 D and DeAngelo as a PP specialist. I don’t know that losing a 4th line winger in the lineup is that big a blow.
But yes, they will need to sort out the assignments a little better if they stay with 7D
Re; Ottawa Senators
They got beet again last night, and looked like a very disorganized team out there,
They have lost 6 of there last nine games there poor play looks to continue.
Its looking like No Playoffs for the Sens this year,⁉️
very disapointing, The Goaltending continues to be poor letting in a minium of 4+ goals per game . Along with a no sysyem on defence…. they are really missing Thomas Chabot back there and the 3rd paring looks like it needs fixing, add a big & tough shut down d/man for next year…🤔
Watching some highlights from last nights game you can tell Brady Tkachuk is Very Frustrated he is Fighting any one who will go with him…..🙈
I know Steve Staios wants to keep the turmoil down to a minimum… but clearly DJ Smith is not getting the job done now at all, they are sitting 4th from the bottom of the whole NHL…
The next 4-5 game’s are against good teams that will be hard for the Sen’s to beat.
Stars, Vegas, Avs, Pens, & Leafs…….
Columbus omg, what a joke. Didn’t want a hard nose coach, don’t want a soft coach, maybe try no coach.
Lots of folks talk about Huberdeau contract as one of the worst in the NHL and it is at present.
That Johnny Gaudreau contract 5 more years at $9,750,000 isn’t looking very good.
Gaudreau 5g 11a 16pts -14 in 31 games buts Johnny hockey on pace for 13 goals. yikes
Zach Werenski, i would of thought he be on fire after getting Babcock out of town… well he got 1 goal on pace for 2. Put he does have 22 assist just another player that Columbus isn’t get value from another 4yrs at $9,583,333 better value than Johnny; however, on his way to his worst goal total since entering the league 8yrs ago.
Columbus, Ottawa and Buffalo all three teams should be climbing the ladder in the east. All three are at the bottom in both points and winning percentage. Must be frustrating to the fan base.
Re; Oilers & Tampa game last night
Good fast game, the reason the Oil lost was Goaltending and Stu Skinner was first to point the finger at him self….👍 There was no deflecting or excuse making, he said I ended up losing us the game.
The Oilers outshot Tampa 55-24….⁉️
it was a 3-3 tie with the Lightning with just eight minutes remaining in the final period…..🤔
Enter Mr Stamkos❗️ Still one of the best player in the game…
Skinner looked like he had checked out and let in a few soft goals.
A Re-set for Saturdays game against florida, maybe we see Pickard getting a Start..?
Funniest thing I seen last night was Ryan Reaves turning himself into the boards than falling down the stairs my God he’s horrible. I never count out the Leaf’s or Oilers way to much fire power not to storm back. Take care George and have a great Xmas.
Yeah George O, don’t blame you!! You have good insight into hockey. I feel the same at times. Close to “pulling the plug” on hockey, too! I love it but don’t like the Avalanche broadcast or the way they cover the team and the same thing with TNT. It’s all like a carnival than just talking hockey? To me, the Dan Kelly’s, the Brian MacFarland’s, Rick Jeanrette, etc are all gone. Instead, it’s all feeble attempts at comedy. Regardless, I know that’s not your reasons but I am right behind you I think? GO AVS!!!!
P.S. I still think Ottawa will make hay, there’s a lot of hockey to be played yet!!!
@George
I just caught your note now
I am so SORRY to hear the sudden turn
To Myself and many more on Spector- U R a hockey “ICON” – with your knowledge – wisdom , charisma , humour , being a very Special person who will be sorely missed on here !
I am one in particular who enjoyed your posts …
I put you beside King Clancy , Don Cherry , Howie Meeker, Dick Beddoes , Huge hockey minds from the past !!!
God Bless U and your family !!