NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 20, 2024
Hat trick performances by the Bruins David Pastrnak, the Jets Mark Scheifele and the Avalanche’s Mikko Rantanen highlight Tuesday’s action. Get the details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak scored one of three hat tricks in the league on Tuesday in a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Rookie Justin Brazeau tallied twice for the Bruins (41-14-15) as they picked up their third straight win and remain atop the overall standings with 97 points. Brady Tkachuk scored his 31st goal of the season for the 28-35-4 Senators.
Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pastrnak has 44 goals on the season and sits fourth among this season’s goalscoring leaders. His 99 points rank fourth among the scoring leaders.
The Winnipeg Jets doubled up the New York Rangers 4-2 thanks to Mark Scheifele’s hat-trick performance. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck kicked out 38 shots and Kyle Connor netted his 30th goal of the season for the 44-19-15 Jets as they remain in first place in the Central Division with 93 points and a game in hand over the Colorado Avalanche. Alexis Lafreniere netted his 20th of the season for the Rangers (45-20-4) as they hold first place in the Metropolitan Division with 94 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets played without head coach Rick Bowness as he’s on an indefinite leave of absence following a minor medical procedure in Winnipeg. Meanwhile, Lafreniere reached the 20-goal milestone for the first time in his young career.
Speaking of the Avalanche, Mikko Rantanen’s hat trick lifted them over the St. Louis Blues 4-3. Nathan MacKinnon collected an assist to extend his points streak to 16 games for the Avalanche (44-20-5) as they remain behind the Jets in second place in the Central with 93 points. Nathan Walker had a goal and an assist for the 36-30-3 Blues (75 points) to remain four points out of the final Western Conference wildcard berth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche extended their win streak to seven games.
The Carolina Hurricanes got a two-goal performance from Seth Jarvis in a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders. Jake Guentzel had a goal and two assists and Evgeny Kuznetsov collected an assist as the Hurricanes (43-20-6) have won seven of their last eight and sit two points behind the Rangers in second place in the Metro Division. Kyle Palmieri scored for the 29-24-15 Islanders (73 points) as they’ve lost five straight and sit three points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings got an overtime goal from Patrick Kane to nip the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. Kane also collected two assists while Lucas Raymond tallied twice for the 35-28-6 Red Wings (76 points) as they regained that Eastern wildcard berth from the Washington Capitals. Zach Werenski had a goal and two assists for the 23-34-12 Blue Jackets.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov had a goal and three assists in a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Brayden Point netted two third-period goals for the Lightning (37-25-6) as they hold the first Eastern wildcard spot with 80 points. Jonathan Marchessault tallied his 38th goal of the season for the 36-25-7 Golden Knights as they cling to the final Western wild-card berth with 79 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov regained first place in the scoring race with 118 points, sitting one point up on the Avalanche’s MacKinnon.
The Vancouver Canucks picked up their fifth win in their last seven games by downing the Buffalo Sabres 3-2. Elias Pettersson scored twice and set up another for the Canucks (43-18-8) as they hold a one-point lead over the Jets and Avalanche for first place in the Western Conference with 94 points. Rasmus Dahlin scored both goals for the 33-32-5 Sabres (71 points) as they sit five points behind the Red Wings for that final Eastern wildcard berth.
An overtime power-play goal by Leon Draisaitl lifted the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Connor McDavid and Adam Henrique also scored for the 41-21-4 Oilers as they hold second place in the Pacific Division with 86 points. Nick Suzuki scored his career-high 27th goal of the season for the 25-31-12 Canadiens.
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 with Anze Kopitar scoring twice and collecting an assist. Adrian Kempe picked up two assists for the Kings (35-22-11), who sit third in the Pacific Division with 81 points. Philipp Kurashev had two assists for the 19-45-5 Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackhawks center Connor Bedard collected an assist as he tied Jonathan Toews’ franchise rookie record of 54 points.
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi and winger Filip Forsberg each had a goal and two assists as their club thumped the San Jose Sharks 8-2. Ryan McDonagh and Kiefer Sherwood each had three assists as the Predators improved to 40-25-4 and hold the first Western wildcard spot with 84 points. Mario Ferraro had a goal and an assist for the 16-45-7 Sharks.
The Philadelphia Flyers held off the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 4-3 victory. Owen Tippett and Morgan Frost each had a goal and an assist for the Flyers (35-26-8) as they remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 78 points. John Tavares had a goal and two assists for the 38-20-9 Maple Leafs (85 points) as they hold third place in the Atlantic Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers captain Sean Couturier was a healthy scratch. This drew criticism from his agent citing a lack of communication between his client and head coach John Tortorella.
The Minnesota Wild got a 27-save shutout from Filip Gustavsson to blank the Anaheim Ducks 4-0. Matt Boldy and Ryan Hartman each had two points and Kirill Kaprizov scored his 36th goal of the season for the 34-27-8 Wild (76 points) as they sit three points back of the Golden Knights for the final Western wildcard berth. John Gibson stopped 28 shots for the 23-43-3 Ducks.
New Jersey Devils forwards Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer scored twice in a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jake Allen stopped 36 shots for the Devils (33-32-4) as they sit five points behind the Red Wings for that final Eastern wildcard berth. Tristan Jarry turned aside 33 shots for the 30-29-9 Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins forward Jeff Carter missed this game, listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
HEADLINES
THE SCORE: Six proposed rule changes have been proposed to the NHL’s competition committee following this week’s meetings of NHL general managers in Florida.
One rule change will go into effect immediately as players will be banned from hanging their legs over the boards when not on the ice. A team will be warned first before receiving a bench minor.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That should reduce the increasing number of “too many men on the ice” penalties resulting from line changes.
The proposed changes include goaltenders being called for delay of game for intentionally dislodging the net, coach’s challenge for puck over-the-glass calls, and reviews for high-sticking penalties if it’s believed an offense wasn’t committed by the penalized player.
SPORTSNET: Rick Nash was named the general manager of Team Canada at this year’s IIHF World Championships in May. Nash is currently the director of player development for the Columbus Blue Jackets and was assistant GM for Canada at the 2022 Worlds.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Buffalo Sabres and Bills owner Terry Pegula named Pete Guelli as chief operating officer of both teams on Tuesday.
TSN: Former NHL player Chris Simon died Monday at age 52.
Simon played 15 NHL seasons with the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild from 1992-93 to 2007-08.
One of the league’s most feared enforcers, he collected 1,824 PIMs in 782 games and received eight suspensions totaling 65 games. He also collected 144 goals and 161 assists for 305 regular-season points along with 10 goals and 17 points in 75 playoff games. In 1999-2000, he led the Capitals with 29 goals.
Simon won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1995-96, helped the Washington Capitals reach the 1998 Stanley Cup Final and the Calgary Flames advance to the 2004 Final.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Simon’s family indicated his death was by suicide. His agent indicated his former client struggled with CTE related to his playing career.
Simon’s role as an enforcer overshadowed his abilities as a player. My condolences to his family, friends and former teammates.
Johnny Hockey was hooked on the winning goal, but the ref standing just a couple feet away didn’t call it.
It was a stick lift by Seider, not a hook, it wasn’t up in the hands or his body. Johnny turned around as it was lifted. That happens on every FO and many other times during a game.
It was at his waist.
Gaudreau got slapped with a 10 min misconduct after the game for crying about “Seider’s interference.”
Habs deserved better in Edmonton last night, a minor with 3 minutes left killed off, followed by a double minor through OT was too much to overcome.
The proposed review for high-sticking penalties if it’s believed an offense wasn’t committed by the penalized player was made for last night
The fan in me says Habs are a better team than the record but the reality is that the Oilers took the Habs lightly and helped them look good.
Hey habfan
I think your right in your coments the Habs are a better than there record shows,
they are fast and young, 4 of there top young 6 d/men 2 are 22 & 2 are 23yrs old ❗️
in the miniors they have 3 good d/men waiting in the in wings , Reinbacher, Barron, & Mailloux
it looks like they will pick 6 or 7 in the June Draft,
there are some good Centre’s & Goal scoring wingers there,
I think they should look at a centre the habs have 6 LW/RW coming up and only 1 Centre Beck…
i can see them making a trade with there 2nd 1st round pick & prospect at the draft this year
The Montreal record indicates that they play just well enough to lose! Must get rid of that stigma to make the playoffs again!
Same player did the same high sticking play to Kane earlier in the game, drew blood, with no call. Go to the well to often and stuff happens. He needs to learn how to play. HE COSTS CANADIANS THE GAME. You’re right oil made the Canadians look good.
Bruins….toughest part of the B’s 2023-24 schedule is coming up in the next couple of weeks …how they get through it will go a long way in what you can expect in the upcoming playoffs …tighten down the team D and stay of of the penalty box…fast and hard to the puck
Joe, every time I think the B’s will come back down to earth, they start to play really well again.
This Brazeau kid has some skill and hands. Great story of persistence, doesn’t hit the NHL until he was 26, was in the flippin’ ECHL.
I was at my 5 yr old grand kid’s first hockey tourney in Sherwood park on the weekend and one of the Mom’s from his team I was talking too is from his hometown in Ont and knew the family. I was wearing a B’s hat, so she brought it up.
Highly entertaining hockey tourney, I must say. Actually got a bit chippy in the last game! Funny as hell.
And yes, the G kid is a Bruins fan.
Ray… how nice it would be if Brazeau had a little mean streak with his size it might give him a little more room to roam would help during playoff time … just saying
Perfect time as well as the playoffs to evaluate the goaltending and decide who you want to ride and who do you want to trade!Concerned about the Bruins 3rd pair on D! Even though Shatty had 3 assists,not sold on him at LD!Don t want the club to forget about Lohrei he hasn t dressed the last 3 games!Wotherspoon deserves some time also! Not sold on Grez playing all the time!
Another enforcer death by suicide. Fans still love those fights though.
Has that been confirmed?
I was a 67″s game as a kid and watched Chris Simon body check a kid behind the net and he left on a stretcher. Easily the hardest hit I’d seen at that point in my life…and live. I was right behind the net. One of those “left his feet” kind hits. He was quite the hockey player. Interesting how he was part of the Lindros trade and managed to get a Stanley Cup ring….and Eric didn’t.
Next time you watch rempe or reeves etc remember the Simon’s and proberts etc. is your entertainment worth the risk? I’m all for personal responsibility and they chose to make that their style of play… but it’s also why if a fight starts up it’s time for a pee and or beer break. It’s so unnecessary, it takes away from the entertainment value of the game, AND its player risking so much. Can we move on already?
Both Simon and Koltsov have been ruled suicides.
Truly sad 2 former NHL’ers within 2 days of each other.
Putting on my homer glasses and got my pom pom out for a moment.
I listen to hockey talk on the radio and various voices (some in my head) and i hear them discuss the Hart trophy; I’ve heard McKinnon, Kucherov, McDavid, Matthews as of recent and prior they had Panarin in the discussion. The one name that was constant in being left out of the conversation is David Pastrnak.
Pastrnak sits 4th in scoring with 44goals and 55assist for 99pts with a +22
Pastrnak closes player to him on the bruins in points is Brad Marchand 61pts that’s 38pts behind Pasta
Pastrnak +22 leads all bruins and is a +9 more than the next closes forward in Jake Debrusk at +13
Pastrnak line mates is a PTO signee in Danton Heinen who has 13 goals and 15 assist (very respectable for a guy on a pto) and Pastrnak center is Pavel Zacha who has 17goals and 30a for 47 points; he’s just shy of Pastrnak total by 52pts.
I’m not advocating Pastrnak for the Hart, personally it goes to Nathan McKinnon.
When you look at David Pastrnak numbers and that of his linemates and teammates there is no way he should be left out of the Hart conversation, he is clearly Boston hart trophy players and he does it all without a number 1 center and a mixed bag of Left wingers.
My last pom pom, over the last two season NO player has more goals than DAVID PASTRNAK 105 goals.
Right on, Caper! I’m advocating for Pasta for the exact reasons you’ve mentioned.
Valid points Caper.
He also was the runner up last year too, as he should have been.
I have argued on here in the past, I think it was the year MacKinnon was 2nd, that McDavid should win because he was the best player, and I have a hard time understanding how the best player in the NHL, can’t be the most valuable to his team. Seems self evident the way my brain works. Best = most valuable.
Using the folks I was debating against argument, that Mac was better as his supporting cast wasn’t as good, so hence more valuable to his team, then it absolutely should go to Pasta this season.
This year using my past argument, it should be Mac, as he has been the best player in the NHL this year, so far. You could also argue he has the best supporting cast in the NHL.
IMO a player shouldn’t win or lose the Hart based on the quality of his team mates.
Having said that, would luv to see Pasta get some luv, he deserves it.
Good point Pasta is a stud and he gets over looked a lot when it comes to MVP.
great player and scorer and I am a Penguins fan..LOL
I am not even upset about Sens losses anymore. They are just so laughably horrible I can only cackle and sigh and go to bed.
I don’t even watch the games. Just look at the score on my app and shake my head and guffaw.
I hope someone can do some miracles this summer… I am no longer holding on to the idea of “they need a solid coach and some tweaking” and have shifted to… “whatever… blow it all up and start again…”