NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 23, 2024
The Rangers move within one game of tying a franchise-record win streak, the Bruins rise while the Canucks slump and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The New York Rangers extended their win streak to nine games by beating the New Jersey Devils 5-1. Igor Shesterkin made 39 saves while Alexis Lafreniere scored two goals and Artemi Panarin collected three assists for the 38-16-3 Rangers (79 points), who lead the Metropolitan Division and sit one point behind the league-leading Boston Bruins. Jack Hughes scored for the 28-24-4 Devils (60 points) as they sit five points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.
New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers are within one game of their franchise-record win streak of 10 games held by the 1939-40 Blueshirts and the 1972-73 edition. Rangers forward Matthew Rempe received a match penalty for an illegal hit on Devils forward Nate Bastian.
Speaking of the Bruins, they dropped a 3-2 decision to the Calgary Flames on an overtime goal by Nazem Kadri. Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 shots for the 27-25-2 Flames (59 points) as they sit three points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Charlie Coyle tallied both goals for the Bruins (34-12-12) as they gained a point and moved into first place in the overall standings with 80 points, holding a game in hand over the slumping Vancouver Canucks.
As for the Canucks, they dropped their fourth straight game by falling to the Seattle Kraken 5-2. Jared McCann led the way with a goal and three assists while Jordan Eberle scored twice and collected an assist as the Kraken improved to 24-21-11 (59 points) and sit three points out of the final Western wild-card berth. J.T. Miller and Sam Lafferty replied for the 37-16-6 Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the first significant losing skid for the Canucks this season. They’re not in any danger of tumbling out of a playoff berth but two of their four losses came against teams like Seattle and Minnesota that are trying to get into postseason contention. This could be merely a bump in the road in what’s been a successful regular season thus far for the Canucks. Nevertheless, it’s making some of their fans nervous given the club’s inconsistency in recent years.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored his league-leading 52nd goal of the season in a 7-3 rout of the Vegas Golden Knights. Max Domi scored two goals and Mitch Marner picked up two assists for the Leafs (32-16-8) as they sit third in the Atlantic Division with 72 points. Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore each had two points for the 32-19-6 Golden Knights (70 points), who sit in second place in the Pacific Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews has scored 10 goals in the last five games and has widened his league in the goal-scoring race over Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart, who sits in second place with 39 goals…Before this game, the Golden Knights announced captain Mark Stone is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov kicked out 44 shots to shut out the Florida Panthers 1-0. Sebastian Aho scored with 19 seconds remaining in regulation for the Hurricanes as they improved to 34-17-5 and sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 73 points. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves for the Panthers (37-16-4) as they sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 78 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Gustav Forsling left this game with injuries during the first period. They’re considered day-to-day as they undergo further evaluation.
The St. Louis Blues scored three goals within 32 seconds to blank the New York Islanders 4-0. Pavel Buchnevich tallied a natural hat trick, Robert Thomas had three assists and Jordan Binnington turned in a 38-save shutout performance for the 30-24-2 Blues (62 points) as they hold the final Western wild-card berth. Semyon Varlamov stopped 21 shots as the Islanders dropped to 23-19-14 (60 points) and sit five points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.
Speaking of that wild-card berth, the Washington Capitals (26-21-8) also moved to within five points of it with a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning (30-23-5) as they hold that spot with 65 points. Connor McMichael scored twice and Alex Ovechkin picked up an assist to extend his points streak to 10 games. Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov collected an assist as he sits atop the scoring race with 95 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals forward T.J. Oshie left this game in the third period following a non-contact injury. He will be evaluated on Friday.
An overtime goal by Patrick Kane lifted the Detroit Red Wings over the Colorado Avalanche by a score of 2-1. Dylan Larkin also scored while Alex Lyon turned aside 30 shots for the 30-20-6 Red Wings as they hold the first Eastern wild-card spot with 66 points. Nathan MacKinnon replied for Colorado to move within two points of Kucherov in the scoring race. The 35-18-5 Avs, meanwhile, gained a point (75) and sit one point behind the Central Division-leading Dallas Stars.
The Stars, meanwhile, suffered a 4-1 upset loss to the Ottawa Senators. Josh Norris scored two goals and Drake Batherson collected two assists for the 24-27-3 Senators. Joe Pavelski scored for the 34-18-8 Stars.
Nashville Predators forward Colton Sissons had a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Juuse Saros stopped 27 shots for the 30-25-2 Predators, who won their third straight and are tied with the Blues with 60 points. Kevin Fiala scored for the Kings (28-17-10) as their four-game winning streak came to an end. They hold the first Western wild-card spot with 66 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues maintain their hold on that final wild-card spot with a game in hand over the Predators.
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. Kris Letang tallied twice and Tristan Jarry made 30 saves for the 25-21-8 Penguins. Mike Matheson replied for the 22-27-8 Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Canadiens claimed center Colin White off waivers from the Penguins.
I can honestly say that I would have bet my home last year if someone offered a bet the bruins would be in 1st in nhl on Feb 23rd. Glad no one offered such a betđ
Means nothing if they get bounced in the first round again, no?
True, but you must admit they continue to exceed expectations in what was supposed to be a transition season.
You have to admire the season when many picked them to be out of the picture. As for playoffs there can be only 1 winner it usually comes down to heather team and hot goalie Too much parity from cap all 16 have legit shot to hoist
True that MB4, sit back and enjoy.
I was at the game last night, they looked tired early, and then found their in the 2nd, and had the better of it until OT. The Coyler just missed the trick late in the 3rd. He was their best player last night.
They started to defend in the 2nd, and it let to out chancing the flames.
It was just a one game sample:
1 – Tanev isn’t worth a 1st.
2 – Don’t trade Lohrei. There is upside in this player, and he already belongs in the NHL.
I will admit that the Bruins are exceeding expectations. Still means nothing if they get bounced in the first round. Regular season is what it is, a run up to the playoffs. Bruins where in first place at the end of last season too, right?
Agree MbB4, enjoy the ride and lower expectations, is a healthy balance.
You would think the Bruins would be able to handle the forecheck, and hitting of any team.
Boston has 9 forwards over 6’1″ and 5 of then are 6’3″
Boston has 4 dman 6’4″ or taller
Not only should they be able to handle it, they should also be the enforcer of the physical play if they wish to play that way.
Their defensemen play much smaller than they are! Mcavoy is by far their most physical,which opens him up to injury! The guy that puzzles me is Carlo! Not very physical and he does not skate well or handle the puck!Great penalty killer but no decisions to make just ice the puck!Forbort is obviously hurt,Lindholm is more finesse than anything and Grez is just Grez!
Bruins for the most part are a team with size but they donât use their size well, Freddy is their most consistent player who gets involved and when he gets engaged ( fights) he loses more than he wins, as far as I can tell the new guy ( Brazeua ) is big will take the body but isnât a peacemaker at all and last night playing against a team that does body he wasnât even in the lineup ⌠if they donât improve in the physical area they will get bounced from the playoffs quick
Their defensemen play much smaller than they are! Mcavoy is by far their most physical,which opens him up to injury! The guy that puzzles me is Carlo! Not very physical and he does not skate well or handle the puck!Great penalty killer but no decisions to make just ice the puck!Forbort is obviously hurt,Lindholm is more finesse than anything and Grez is just Grez!
Carlos problem might be his 4-5-6 conc
Bruinsâ Brandon Carlo, a 5th concussion and his vision that went âblackâ.. this was last October (23) âŚhow many of these can one take at such a young age
Shows how important goaltending is to team success in today s NHL!
If he is playing afraid of getting hurt move on from him! You can t be effective if you are playing not to get Hurt! Bergeron lasted a long time after his early concussion issues!If he has had like 4,5,6 concussions the doctor that cleared him should be fired!
Shows you how important goaltending is in todays NHL!
Rempe had 2 options , skate around Bastian and allow him to skate up the ice, or lower the boom. Tough call. I get protecting players from head shots. Bastian had his head down and was crouching a bit, Rempe is 6â7â. A head shot in that scenario is inevitable.
I guess the answer is crouch and keep your head down and youâll either get a 5 minute major PP or keep possession on the puck? Seems like a win win?
Side note, why on earth was that boy even allowed back in the game? He clearly looked concussed . Then he takes another huge Trouba hit and thought dropping with Trouba was a good idea?
Never came back after that.
I hope heâs okay, but NJ should never allowed him back in that game!
Agree on why they let Bastian out of protocol and he was holding his arm or shoulder after the Rempe hit right away too.
But it should not be a suspension. big fella came off the bench and into the play. he was not head hunting. he is barely an AHL player and i also have no idea why he came up before a few other prospects
Othmann was called up, thought we might see him. But not exactly sure where he fits into their current lineup? He certainly shouldnât be in the top 6. And the 3rd line is playing well. I donât think I like a Goodrow Edstrom Othmann line. I think his time is next year.
@capt
Panarin and Vesey were banged up so I understand Othmann was brought up in case either was out. agree he is not for the 4th line and I would not break up the 3rd line. their zone time is great lately
And thus is born another “thug” in the NHL….Matthew Rempe. His history of penalties is telling. He’s only 21 years old and in his short career has managed 397 penalty minutes in both the minors and NHL. He didn’t even attempt to let up on Bastian. You don’t see much of enforcers in todays’ game so I’m not sure why the Rangers are wasting their time on this guy. A fight in his first NHL shift the other night and now this. There must be a better player in their system that can contribute without the drama.
Watched him play a couple of times and he has a very mean streak
Joe, there are – and always have been -players who have to take that approach in order to harbor any hope of landing an NHL roster spot.
Reaves in Toronto jumps to mind. Useless in every other aspect of the game.
@ George: and the truly sad part is that Reaves isn’t even effective in THAT ONE role! He can sure chirp and talk big, but it seems to end there…
Not a huge fan of inserting Rempe into the lineup. Itâs a bit redundant with Edstrom who is also a monster with a tad more skill.
But damn, I wouldnât want to get hit or drop with him. That guy loves his role. Maybe a little too much. He owned it in a recent interview.
Iâd put him up against Wilson , Reeves or whoever. But he isnât bringing much else to the table.
Looking at the Playoff trade deadline and not many trade to date, lots of Speculation
The East with 6 teams in all chasing the final 1 or 2 Wild card spots, Detrot look like they will get 7th spot
Tampa in 8th spot with 65 pts ?
then, Caps, NJD, NYI, all with 60 pts all with 2 or 3 game in hand over Tampa Bay…..
The West, 5 teams all in the running for the final last playoff spot chasing the for the 8th spot Blues with 62 pts, Wild 58, Kraken 59, Preds 62, Flames 59,
untill the playoff standing look more set over the next 14 days,
This will hold up the Trade deadline until the first week sometime in March…â
The flames will move Hainfin if not they lose him for nothing, and maybe Chris Tanev
this could be an other quite week coming with no trades…..đ¤
Seems to me DeBrusk shows up to play when he feels like it and this has been going on for last few years..is game stats donât lie. Cassidy called him out on it Monty wont
So, why no mention of yesterday’s trade? I know very few people reading this are Columbus fans, but it sometimes seems that all Crosby has to do is fart and Pittsburgh gets a paragraph.
i hear you brother. i’m an Avalanche fan and hardly anyone even talks Avalanche except Lyle, which i am grateful for!!! i like Columbus. the whole cannon thing and i like john davidson, always have. good man. don’t understand their struggles though. they have had some good players over the years but don’t manage to do much except they knocked off Tampa Bay once in th playoffs, i believe? Hopefully, they will get back on track, tough division but they are a disappointment. Nylander, is that William’s brother? wasn’t he on Chicago before Pittsburgh? he dosen’t seem to jell no matter where he is. hope he finds it in Blue Jacket country