NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 8, 2024
The Jets extend their points streak as they remain atop the overall standings, the injury-depleted Blackhawks upset the Flames, the Capitals and Red Wings score late game winners, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Winnipeg Jets picked up their sixth straight win and extended their points streak to 12 games by defeating the Arizona Coyotes 6-2. Mark Scheifele scored two goals while Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and an assist for the 26-9-4 Jets, who sit alone atop the overall standings with 56 points. Nick Schmaltz and Dylan Guenther replied for the 19-17-2 Coyotes (40 points), who sit one point out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth.
Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (NHL Images).
Chicago Blackhawks forward Colin Blackwell tallied twice and collected an assist to lead his injury-depleted club to a 4-3 upset of the Calgary Flames. Petr Mrazek made 28 saves for the 12-26-2 Blackhawks. Nazem Kadri scored two goals for the 17-18-5 Flames, who are three points out of the final Western wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks have nine regular players sidelined by injuries. They include Connor Bedard (fractured jaw), Taylor Hall, (season-ending knee surgery), Seth Jones (shoulder), Nick Foligno (fractured finger), Anthony Beauvillier (upper body), Tyler Johnson (undisclosed), Andreas Athanasiou (groin), Joey Anderson (shoulder) and Taylor Raddysh (lower body).
The Washington Capitals nipped the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on John Carlson’s goal with 53 seconds remaining in the third period. Carlson also picked up an assist while Nicolas Aube-Kubel had a goal and two assists as the Capitals (19-13-6) sit just outside the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 44 points. Kevin Fiala scored twice for the 20-10-6 Kings as they are perched in third place in the Pacific Division with 46 points.
Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen netted the game-winner with 1:07 left in the third period in a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Alex Lyon made 29 saves for the win as the Red Wings improved to 20-16-4 and also sit one point out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. Trevor Zegras scored both goals for the 13-25-1 Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New Jersey Devils hold the final Eastern wild card spot with 44 points with two more wins than the Capitals and two games in hand over the Red Wings.
CBS SPORTS: Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche. It’s unclear if he’ll be available for Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Devils placed forward Tomas Nosek (foot) on long-term injury reserve.
The Minnesota Wild have called up goaltender Jesper Wallstedt for the first time in his career. Wallstedt, 21, was the Wild’s first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Winnipeg Jets first overall with 39 games played and they’ll be 1st in their division with 41 games played.
At the start of the season Hellebuyck and Scheifele were entering the season as ufa’s and most media and fans thought they should be traded for the best return, couldn’t afford to lose both for nothing.
Pierre-Luc Dubois wanted out and Chevy hands were tied.
Doom and Gloom in Winnipeg; uncertain future, player wanting out and two star players entering the season in their final season. No one wants to play in Winnipeg; most likely Hellebuyck and Scheifele gone and we will get peanuts for return for a player Dubois who everyone knows wants out and wants out now!
On June 27 Kevin Cheveldayoff signs Pierre-Luc Dubois to and 8yr contract @ $8.5m per and trades him to LA for Gab Vilardi, Alex Iaffalo, Rasmus Kupari and Mtl 2nd pund pick in 2024
On Oct 9/24 Kevin Cheveldayoff announced he has signed both Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele to identical contracts 7yrs at $8.5m per.
From doom and gloom to the top of the league, I dare say Kevin Cheveldayoff has to be at the top of the list for GM of the year.
Hey Caper,
Well said, I thinks your right, Kevin Cheveldayoff could well win GM of the year with what he has done with the Jets…đź‘Ś
The still have there 1st round pick and 3rd picks in this years draft to add a top player to the team for the playoff run 🤔
Ya the Jets don’t give up their young assets easily and tend to keep them and their picks.
They also seem not to rush them either, there are a few guys that have been seasoning with the Moose that might be of interest to other teams, or be ready to contribute with the Jets soon.
Bowness should get some luv too.
Ray, you know my thoughts on Bowness.
He will definitely get some coach of the year consideration along with Torts and Tocchet.
I will say I’m happy Bowness is not coaching thru the media.