NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2024
Team Matthews defeats Team McDavid to win the 2024 All-Star Game. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored two goals to lead his team to a 7-4 victory over Team McDavid to win the 2024 NHL All-Star Game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. His team was awarded a check for $1 million.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (NHL Images).
In the best-of-three format, the captain of Team Matthews finished the three-on-three tournament with four points, becoming the first Leaf in 33 years to be named MVP of the All-Star Game. His team eliminated Team Hughes 6-5 in a shootout while Team McDavid needed a shootout to eliminate Team MacKinnon 4-3.
Matthews is the fifth Leaf to be named MVP, joining Vincent Damphousse (1991), Bruce Gamble (1968), Frank Mahovlich (1963) and Eddie Shack (1962). He also became the 11th player in NHL All-Star Game history to win MVP honors in his home arena.
Five players on Team Matthews finished with at least four points. Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (3 goals, 3 assists) and New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (1 goal, five assists) lead the way with six points each, followed by Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg (3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points), and Matthews and Arizona Coyotes winger Clayton Keller (1 goal, 3 assists) with four points apiece.
Team McDavid forward Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) led his club with five points (1 goal, 4 assists) while teammate David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) had 2 goals and 2 assists for four points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the usual friendly pond-hockey style affair though the results weren’t as lopsided as we’ve seen in previous All-Star games. The fans in attendance seemed to have a good time, which is what matters here. The NHL All-Star Game is more of a benefit for the host city.
ESPN.COM: New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes said he’s close to returning to action. He’s been sidelined for a month with an injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s good news for the Devils as they’re struggling to remain in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 24-20-3 (51 points), they’re seven points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final Eastern wild-card berth.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Colorado Avalanche placed goaltender Ivan Prosvetov on waivers while the Vegas Golden Knights did the same with defenseman Brayden Pachal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Putting Prosvetov on waivers has raised speculation that the Avalanche will bring in a replacement backup goalie for Alexandar Georgiev via trade or their farm system. Stay tuned…
THE ATHLETIC: recently released the results of an anonymous player poll on a variety of topics.
Of note was Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov being named the league’s most underrated player, Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras chosen as the most overrated, Panthers forward Nick Cousins was considered the player whose face they’d most like to punch, and Wes McAuley was named the best referee.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full results if you have a subscription. I just picked out the ones that interested me. The other topics had predictable results (the current captain of the Edmonton Oilers being named best player and it wasn’t even close).
I mentioned on yesterdays post this morning how tilted and misleading the Zegras poll was. 12.89% of players (roughly 13 players out of 101) answered Zegras.
This is also the same poll that had Carey Price as the leagues best goaltender in 21. Even though logic and just about every statistical category said otherwise.
Grain of salt.
Face they’d most like to punch? Stay classy NHL, Stay classy!
Way to top off your gimmicky all star weekend NHL!!!
As if that clown show isn’t embarrassing enough?
It was the Athletic’s poll, not the NHL’s.
And The Athletic published the results on Jan. 31, days before the All-Star Game.
Wow, and they actually have the audacity to charge for this hot garbage?
Alex DeBrincat (3 goals, 3 assists), was robbed of the MVP. Goes to show that MVP is nothing but a PR move.
Zegras is built for the all-star game and 3 on 3 OT given his skill and imagination and that’s a negative for such conservative league and players.
I’d be happy to trade a 1st for Zegras and see how MSL would use him.
As noted yesterday by somebody his numbers are on the same trajectory Suzuki , one is humble and cerebral while the other flashy and mouthy.
He’s a kid and needs to grow into his game, Montreal is a great environment for a player like this.
I’m with you on this habfan. Even though he’s having a down tear, Zegras would be a solid pickup for the Habs. Having additional first rounders the next two drafts, basically picked up for nothing, gives them pieces to deal.
Jake Allen to the Avs for. ???
Did I miss something about what charities were being played for during the Skills contest and the ASG?
Right on, Brock. Can’t believe the winners didn’t name their favourite charities for the prize money.