NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 21, 2024
The Oilers set a win streak record for Canadian teams, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar reach notable milestones, the Islanders replace Lane Lambert as head coach with Patrick Roy, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers set an NHL record for the longest win streak by a Canadian team (13) by defeating the Calgary Flames 3-1. Sam Gagner snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period while Stuart Skinner stopped 26 shots for the 26-15-1 Oilers, who took over third place in the Pacific Division with 53 points. Mackenzie Weegar scored for the Flames (21-20-5) as they sit four points out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 47 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Flames placed forward Martin Pospisil (upper body) on injured reserve, activated defenseman Dennis Gilbert off IR and recalled blueliner Oliver Kylington from his conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate. Gilbert suited up against the Oilers while Kylington could soon be coming off long-term injury reserve.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images)
Colorado Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar had milestone performances in a 7-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. MacKinnon extended his points streak to 11 games with two goals and two assists to take over first place in the NHL scoring race with 77 points, two more than Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov. Makar, meanwhile, collected an assist to become the second-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 300 points as the Avalanche (30-14-3) sit fourth in the overall standings with 63 points. Cam Atkinson had a goal and two assists for the 25-15-6 Flyers, who remain second in the Metropolitan Division with 56 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar achieved this feat in 280 games, one shy of Bobby Orr’s 279 games. His teammate Liam O’Connor also reached a milestone as he tallied his first career NHL hat trick. It was a costly loss for the Flyers as winger Owen Tippett left the game with what appeared to be an injured knee. There was no postgame update regarding his condition.
Third-period goals by J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson lifted the Vancouver Canucks to a 6-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Conor Garland and Nils Hoglander each scored twice while Quinn Hughes collected three assists for the Canucks (31-11-4), who remain atop the overall standings with 66 points. William Nylander tallied two goals for the 22-14-8 Maple Leafs, who hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 52 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Past the midway point of the season, I think we can safely assume the Canucks are for real as an emerging powerhouse. Meanwhile, the Leafs have won just once in their last six games (1-4-1). That will raise the heat on general manager Brad Treliving to do something to snap his club out of its funk.
The Boston Bruins scored four unanswered third-period goals to thump the Montreal Canadiens 9-4. Danton Heinen scored his first career NHL hat trick while David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Jake DeBrusk and Charlie Coyle each had a goal and an assist for the 28-8-9 Bruins (65 points), who picked up their fourth straight win. They hold first place in the Eastern Conference and sit one point back of the Canucks in the overall standings. Cole Caufield scored to extend his goal streak to five games for the Canadiens, who slipped to 19-20-7 on the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was close through two periods with Boston holding a 5-4 lead before they blew it open in the third. Earlier in the day, the Bruins activated defensemen Brandon Carlo and Derek Forbort off injured reserve and assigned John Beecher and Mason Lohrei to their AHL affiliate in Providence.
An overtime goal by Nikolaj Ehlers gave the Winnipeg Jets a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Mason Appleton also scored for the Jets (30-10-4) as they collected their 10th win in their last 11 games, sitting third overall with 64 points. Parker Kelly replied for the 16-24-1 Senators as they’ve lost seven of their last nine contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators center Josh Norris collected an assist in his return to action after missing four games with an upper-body injury. Shane Pinto will make his season debut today against the Flyers after serving a 41-game suspension for violating the league’s sports-wagering rules.
Rookie Brendan Brisson capped a third-period rally by the Vegas Golden Knights as they nipped the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Jonathan Marchessault scored his 20th goal of the season for the Golden Knights (27-14-5) as they’ve won four of their last five and hold second place in the Pacific Division with 59 points. Jake Guentzel netted his 20th of the season for the 21-16-6 Penguins (48 points) as they sit three points out of the final Eastern wild-card berth.
Arizona Coyotes winger Clayton Keller scored twice in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. Sean Durzi had two assists for the 22-19-3 Coyotes (47 points), who sit four points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Roman Josi scored 167th career goal to surpass Shea Weber as the Predators’ highest-scoring defenseman. With a record of 25-20-1, the Predators (51 points) hold that final wild-card spot in the conference.
The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their win streak to five games by downing the Buffalo Sabres 3-1. Nick Paul had a goal and an assist for the 24-17-5 Lightning (53 points), as they moved past the Maple Leafs into third place in the Atlantic Division. Dylan Cozens replied for the 20-22-4 Sabres.
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz tallied two goals as his club cruised to a 6-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Scott Wedgewood stopped 29 shots for the Stars (27-13-5) as they hold third place in the Central Division with 59 points. Jesper Bratt and Tyler Toffoli replied for the 23-18-3 Devils (49 points) as they sit two points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.
The St. Louis Blues blanked the Washington Capitals 3-0 with Jordan Binnington making 18 saves for the shutout. Colton Parayko, Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours scored for the 22-20-2 Blues. Charlie Lindgren stopped 26 shots for the Capitals (22-16-6) as they sit one point out of the final Eastern wild-card spot with 50 points.
Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield snapped a 1-1 tie in the second period as his club held off the New York Rangers 2-1. Kevin Fiala also scored while David Rittich made 22 saves for the Kings (22-13-8) as they hold the first Western wild-card berth with 52 points. Chris Kreider scored while Jonathan Quick made 24 saves against his former club as the 28-15-2 Rangers (58 points) remain in first place in the Metropolitan Division.
San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture picked up an assist in his season debut as his club rolled to a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Tomas Hertl and Fabian Zetterlund each had a goal and an assist for the 11-31-4 Sharks. Adam Henrique had a goal and an assist for the 15-29-1 Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Couture revealed he’d been sidelined by osteitis pubis, which is inflammation in the joint between the left and right pubic bones causing pain and swelling in the groin or lower abdomen. Recovery is rest and, when able, strengthening. Meanwhile, the Ducks announced before this game that winger Alex Killorn will be out four to six weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
HEADLINES
NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders announced Saturday they had relieved Lane Lambert of his coaching duties and hired Patrick Roy as his replacement. Roy coached the Colorado Avalanche from 2013-2016, winning the Jack Adams Award in 2013-14. The Hall-of-Fame goaltender also coached the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts to the Memorial Cup in 2006 and 2023.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders have been struggling this season and sit two points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. The initial reaction to this news on social media was how long it would take before the hot-tempered Roy started clashing with Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello.
I don’t believe that’s going to happen. Lamoriello never would’ve hired Roy if he felt the latter would question his decisions. Roy, meanwhile, seems to have mellowed after being passed over for NHL coaching opportunities in recent years.
The more important question is how well Roy can coach in a league that has changed in the eight years since he last stood behind an NHL bench. Lamoriello believes he’s the guy who can right the Isles’ sinking ship. It’ll be interesting to see how things go from here.
NHL.COM: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and forward J.T. Miller were selected by NHL fans to participate in the skills competition at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers forward Will Lockwood received a three-game suspension for running Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury on Friday. Fleury left the game with an upper-body injury.
“The Edmonton Oilers set an NHL record for the longest win streak by a Canadian team” afterwards all the Edmonton players lined up to kiss their sisters. It was a great night!
On the topic of a sinking ship..
When are the Leafs going to make a coaching change !
A coaching change won’t make a difference on a team that spends half of it’s cap space on four forwards and trying to get by with a cheap blue line.
100% a comical the way the front office refuses to trade any forwards to ice a real blue line and Goalie…I suspect ownership has a say In who stays and goes as the last to regimes can’t seem to move any of the big four which makes the situation less digestible.
Paul, all the more reason why a coaching change COULD make a difference. Leafs need to play team defense. Toronto is among the league’s worst in terms of O-zone possession stats. Why? because there are far too many “Hail Mary” and forced pass attempts.
Since the start of December, Toronto has 2 wins and 7 losses against teams currently sitting in a playoff position. Goaltending is only part of the problem.
It’s easy to say that but how or what would you do? I don’t hear your thoughts on a solution to back up your opinion of the perceived weakness. Having 4 excellent forwards that are top players in the league is quite a weakness for the team that has drafted them. A weakness created by a cap to make sure teams in markets like yours have a team.
Maybe you’re right, the team needs to move money and pay replaceable players more so it won’t be so top heavy… I realize it’s a waste talking about it since I feel it’s much easier to point out less than optimal situations than suggestions thoughtful suggestions.
Hopefully very soon
Habs played 4 games in 5 nights had a day off then played 3 games in 4 nights on the road, 2 sets of back to back, is it any wonder they fell apart in the 3rd period?
I imagine every team goes through scheduling and have seen other posters here mention it.
4 of the 7 games were against the Oilers. Avalanche, Devils and Bruins, it’s hard to believe the schedule maker can’t make it less brutal.
If it was just the Habs it wouldn’t be too bad since the team has no playoff expectations and maybe its a way to separate the men from the boys.
On the other hand the owners are to blame for adding 6 teams to an 82 game regular season in the same 6.5 month time frame and extended playoffs.
Montreal fell apart after there goalie was hit in the head with the puck, I blame the coach who should have replaced him after the first goal was scored after the hit.
No one has a worst schedule than Ottawa.
Montreal goaltender took a hard shot to the head, and wasn’t the same player after that.
My question to the league would be: Why didn’t the concussion spotter pull Montembeault after that shot to the head?
Secondly why didn’t Montreal pull him after if not the first goal after the hit then definitely the 2nd. It was clear as day watching the game, that he was effected by the shot to the head. Instead St. Louis left his injured goal out to dry.
Yes he pulled him after the 8th goal, put for Montembeault only safety he should’ve been after the first or second one after the shot.
Yes HF30, the schedule was tough. And Caper, I think you are being charitable. If the shot had a lingering effect that’s on Montebeault to say he didn’t feel right.
The score was close through two periods but the play was not. A typical Habs game sees them outshot, and a win coming with stellar goaltending. They came unglued in Boston, just like they did the night before in Ottawa.
Not terribly surprising given a line up where arguably half the forwards are mediocre. Look out below if the Habs trade Monahan.
I am stunned St. Patrick is back in the NHL. I thought they were still giving him the Ted Nolan treatment. Gonna be tough to right that ship on the Isle. Wish him lots of luck
An egotistical guy with anger management problems and control issues coaching under an aging calculating no nonsense GM, fasten your seatbelts Islander fans.
I for one was very happy when Roy was passed over for a role with the Habs.
Agree habfan30. Best thing that ever happened to the Avalanche was Roy leaving and the arrival of Coach Bednar!! Good luck to Roy and the Islanders. Perhaps he has changed and he does sound different when interviewed but as an Avalanche fan, very grateful for the way it turned out for the Avalanche!!!
I’m very impressed with both the Canadiens and the Flyers. They are both headed in the right direction. I do not like the way the Avalanche play trying to outscore their problems as they are asleep at the wheel defensively! However, when you have the “big 3” you are fortunate but come playoff time, that won’t cut it. I hope by then, they will have a handle on that; otherwise, they could be out easily IMHO? GO AVS!!!!
I, for one, am happy to see Patrick Roy has been given a second chance at coaching in the NHL. Historically, lots of coaches have been given multiple kicks at the proverbial can. Some have learned from their previous mistakes and have become better coaches and some have not. Time will tell whether Patrick has learned anything about himself. But Patrick has lots of passion, he was a star and played with multiple star players during his career. There will be accountability and I for one think that is a good thing especially for the dollars being paid out to these players. Good Luck Patrick, I am rooting for you. Maybe one day …
Roy would have been the wrong guy to coach in the Montreal pressure cooker, especially given his history in Montreal and his controversial departure as a player. But that doesn’t mean that he won’t be the right guy on Long Island. I too am rooting for him.
Awesome reception for Quick in LA! Nice to see it!
All that being said, is Drury going to address some badly needed changes? Or is he good watching them plummet from 1st overall to outside looking in? They have been passed by 6 teams in the overall standings, and have 2 more nipping at their heels.