NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 25, 2024
The Oilers’ Zach Hyman and the Panthers’ Sam Reinhart reach the 50-goal plateau, Nathan MacKinnon sets an Avalanche scoring record and the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin reaches another goal-scoring milestone. Get the details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman scored his 50th goal of the season in a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Jakob Chychrun scored twice while Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson had a goal and two assists each for the 30-36-4 Senators. Evan Bouchard collected three assists for the Oilers (42-23-4), who hold second place in the Pacific Division with 88 points.
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hyman is the seventh player in Oilers’ history to score 50 goals in a season, joining Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Speaking of 50-goal seasons, Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart scored twice to reach that milestone as his club downed the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1. Brandon Montour picked up three assists for the Panthers (46-20-5) as they snapped a four-game losing skid to sit third in the overall standings with 97 points. Bobby Brink scored for the 36-27-9 Flyers, who hold third place in the Metropolitan Division with 81 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reinhart joins Pavel Bure as the only two players in Panthers history with 50-goal seasons. He and Hyman are eight goals behind Toronto’s Auston Matthews in the race for the Richard Trophy.
Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists as his Colorado Avalanche overcame a 4-0 deficit for a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jonathan Drouin scored twice, including the winner in overtime as the Avalanche improved to 46-20-5 to hold first place in the Central Division (97 points) and move into fourth in the overall standings. Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists for the 30-30-10 Penguins, who’ve won just twice in their last 10 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon moved past Joe Sakic to set the Avalanche single-season points record (122). He needs 18 points to break Peter Stastny’s all-time franchise record of 139 points. The Avalanche center sits one point behind Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov in the race for the Art Ross Trophy. MacKinnon also extended his home points streak to 34 games and his overall points streak to 18 games.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored two goals as his club blanked the Winnipeg Jets 3-0. Charlie Lindgren turned in a 27-save shutout for the Capitals (35-26-9) as they moved one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings into the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth with 79 points. The Jets (44-22-5)have lost three straight and remain in third place in the Central Division with 93 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin eclipsed the 25-goal plateau to join Gordie Howe and Jaromir Jagr as the only players in NHL history to accomplish that feat 18 times. Speaking of the Capitals, they honored winger T.J. Oshie in a pregame ceremony for recently reaching the 1,000 career regular-season game plateau.
The Carolina Hurricanes got a 32-save performance from Frederik Andersen in a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sebastian Aho and Brady Skjei scored for the 45-20-7 Hurricanes (97 points) as they sit one point behind the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers and one point behind the league-leading Vancouver Canucks. Joseph Woll kicked out 41 shots for the Leafs (40-21-9) as they hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 89 points.
Dallas Stars forwards Tyler Seguin and Matt Duchene had a goal and two assists each to double up the Arizona Coyotes 4-2. Miro Heiskanen snapped a 2-2 tie in the third period and Joel Oettinger made 26 saves for the Stars (44-19-6) as they hold second place in the Central Division with 97 points and sixth place in the overall standings. Clayton Keller tallied his 30th goal of the season for the 29-37-5 Coyotes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the second straight season that Keller has reached the 30-goal plateau.
An overtime goal by Anthony Cirelli lifted the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Anthony Duclair and Luke Glendening also scored for the Lightning (39-25-7) as they hold the first Eastern wildcard spot with 85 points. Lukas Dostal stopped 24 shots for the 24-43-4 Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning were without defenseman Victor Hedman and center Brayden Point as they’re day-to-day with lower-body injuries. Meanwhile, Duclair has fit in well with the Lightning since being acquired from the San Jose Sharks before the trade deadline. He has five goals and nine points in his seven games with the Bolts.
The New Jersey Devils got a 36-save shutout from Kaapo Kahkonen to defeat the New York Islanders 4-0. Timo Meier and Jack Hughes had a goal and an assist each as the Devils improved to 35-33-4 (74 points) to sit five points behind the Capitals for that final Eastern wildcard. Islanders captain Anders Lee was ejected in the second period for a knee-on-knee hit to Devils captain Nico Hischier, who left the game but returned for the third period. The 30-26-15 Isles (75 points) are four points back of the Capitals.
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 32 shots for the 34-33-5 Sabres. Jonathan Huberdeau replied for the 33-32-5 Flames.
The Montreal Canadiens erupted for four first-period goals as they cruised to a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken, extending the latter’s winless skid to eight games (0-6-2). Alex Newhook scored twice and Kaiden Guhle had a goal and two assists for the 26-32-12 Canadiens. Jordan Eberle scored for the 28-29-13 Kraken.
The Oilers won’t go far in the playoffs if those back-to-back games in Toronto and Ottawa are an indication of their goaltending tandem’s capabilities.
5 goals on 23 shots on Skinner in Toronto before Pickard took over, stopping all 5 shots he faced in a 6-3 loss, which included an empty-netter.
Last night, Pickard blew a 3-1 lead by giving up 3 straight goals to “one of the worst teams in the league” which potted 5 – including an empty-netter – on 15 (FIFTEEN) total shots. At the other end Korpisalo stopped 33 of 36.
While Pickard looked pretty pedestrian on the Stutzle and Batherson goals…..a top 4 that includes Cody Ceci and Darnell “what happened” Nurse isn’t going far. You can win in the playoffs with average goaltending if you can’t get to them. But the defense is SOFT. I turned to the Oiler fan beside me in the building last night and asked “whos’ the giant pilon in the 73 jersey?”…….Desharnais was the grumbled response.
It’s easy to be critical from the cheap seats. Ottawa’s season has been a huge disappointment but the Sens 2nd 3rd and 4th line exposed the weakness of the oilers up front too….after whatever line McDavid and Draisaitl happen to be on. Their power play is deadly but…..vs. LA in the first round….eek.
Old habits cropped up again for the Oilers, last couple games. Happens during a long season.
IMO they will get it figured out, and these last 2 games should provide plenty of motivation to get back to what has made them so successful since the coaching change, where they have been one of the best teams overall and defensively in the NHL.
They beat LA each of the last 2 playoffs, so if they meet up again, I will take that bet all day. And I am someone who thinks LA is better than their record.
I’m so done with the regular season. I remember when the players started the first week of April.
Games schedule up to April 18th; Too late.
I know it never going to happen, but throw my vote in for Playoffs start:
April 1st – May 31st (latest)
Re “I’m so done with the regular season.”
That’s written on the Penguins dressing room whiteboard.
Below it is April T-Off pairings and times
I agree … the schedule has to many days off between games … don’t follow other teams schedules but they all have to be the same I would think … Bruins have gone 3 & 4 days without playing and not many back to back games … they could easily get the reg season over by April 1st
Congratulations to Zach Hyman on becoming the NHL’s first Jewish 50-goal scorer! We’re all proud of you Zach. Even those of us that aren’t Oilers fans.
Have they been keeping score on all religions over the years? Who was the first Episcopalean?
George
We all respect your views here but that sarcastic remark was uncalled for.
Why is it wrong for Howard to post his pride in his own religion and acknowledge an accomplishment of another who has his same beliefs?
Religion is irrelevant is my point. Are we now going to be told the religion of all those who reach the 50-goal plateau? Did they mention Reinhart’s religion? It’s none of our business.
Howard was not making Hyman’s religion relevant to us nor was Howard trying to convert me (or any other non Jews here) to Judaism
He was acknowledging the accomplishment of a fellow Jew. That’s all.
I read your comment as sarcasm of Howard’s post.
If I misinterpreted your post. My bad. Apologies.
It was just me reading it as sarcasm and putting myself in Howard’s shoes; I felt demeaned.
Again, if your comment was not meant as sarcasm; I apologize
I repeat – his religion is irrelevant – as are his politics.
As usual, I agree with George.
It`s just George trolling again. He seems to think his point of view is better than everyone else`s and we should all abide by his thoughts and opinions. There was nothing wrong with Howard`s comment, as they say hockey is for everyone
Im with George on this one.
His point is made by your response 87.
Why is it necessary to point it out even.
You’re just asking for, and inviting discourse that has now infected sports as well. Should we have still pointed it out if he was born Catholic but converted to Judaism to marry his spouse?
It’s hockey. Congrats to Zach because we all thought it was a terrible signing by the Oil and now it looks genius.
Totally agree. When it appeared he’d be available I was hoping Dorion would jump in right away.
Had he become a Senator I could not have cared less what religion he followed nor which political party he preferred. Neither is any of my business.
Proud of Zach, proud of his nod to the heritage by donning #18
Zach you’re the one that got away! Congrats to a very deserving person….a great hockey player (not that anyone thought of while a Leaf) who happens to pen books for children. Great guy!
While it’s unnecessary to point out a fact that he is a hockey player with Jewish heritage or faith, there also shouldn’t be an issue if it is brought up – I’d like to know things like that so I can have more of an understanding of what makes the man (player). Just like how unnecessary it is to use quotation marks when one accurately describe the Ottawa Senators as one of the worse teams in the league… there’s no need for quotes as they simply are just that.
Is Hyman’s faith Judaism or is his ethnicity Jewish?
Many “Jews” now a days are actually atheist, even in Israel. And of course, some “Jews” are of other faiths. Maybe Hyman’s ethnicity is Jewish. So “religion” might have nothing to do with this discussion.
Hyman’s faith is Jewish. He recently spoke out against antisemitism. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/oilers-zach-hyman-we-must-eradicate-antisemitism/
In a sport where there aren’t many notable Jewish players, Hyman becoming the first to score 50 goals is a significant achievement. Just as it one day will be when players of other faiths other than Christians (the predominant religion among NHL players throughout the league’s history) reach that milestone. Rather than get upset over someone pointing out that Hyman is the first Jewish player to score 50 goals, maybe it’s worthwhile to be happy for Hyman and for those of his faith who are celebrating his achievement.
By the way, nobody raised a peep two years ago when I noted on this site that Nazem Kadri was the first Muslim player to win the Stanley Cup.
Johnny, Hyman did attend a religious Jewish school, the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. So while he and his family are not strictly religiously observant, they certainly are of the Jewish faith.
Two 50th goals scored in same night… a very welcome rarity. Congratulations Hyman and Reinhart.
I guess Penguins didn’t read the “tank command memo” until late 2nd period.
That OT point is not what the Dr ordered. I think with true tanking strategies (maybe expand Rierdon’s roll and have him not only as PP coach; but all special teams’ coach; forwards’ coach; D coach; goalie coach) that Penguins (now sitting 24th) could get to 28th
28th place gets them 8.5 % chance at Celebrini; 17.1 % chance of picking top 2
Crosby aced his audition for MacFarland/Sackic
4 points and also 2 posts away from 6 points in a visitor’s building; against one of the leagues top teams (and one of the league’s top players); at 36… wow…. no “audition tape” necessary; he did it live
Imagine Mackinnon and Crosby 1-2 at Centre on the Avs
I’m sure MacKinnon would love this
No way Crosby says this publicly but you have to think that this is on his mind
Retaining 1/2 … what’s the return???
Do I want this to happen? No. I really don’t want to move to Denver.
I know my wife and our 5 teenagers don’t
Tongue ‘n cheek aside; I hope this doesn’t happen, but I definitely wouldn’t blame him at all if he privately asks Dubas to get him the hell out of Dodge
Dubas , you blew it.
To keep Crosby; you will have to move Karlsson and Accairi (at least) for youth (with size, grit, strength); and UFA signings of only 27/28 year olds or younger (tough to find; but there may be a few).
I just wish Hyman would`ve scored his 50th in front of Dubas, a reminder of how bad a GM he is
I just wish EVERYBODY would remind Dubas how bad a GM he is.
He crippled Toronto with no Cap room and has crippled Penguins :
loading up with age (and mostly with lower end talent);
overpaying on the Karlsson acquisition;
not firing Rierdon;
spending to Cap again with no flex;
giving term and raises to players already showing (at time of contract) steady decline (hello Accairi, 60% raise, with a 3 year term on a player who was then in 3rd year of decline and was on a 1 year prove me contract)
And absolutely bending over and having Waddell smack his butt several times with a heavy cricket bat (over the Guentzel trade)
That’s just to name a few (of the many) instances/examples of how not to manage an NHL team
Caper, I agree. Don’t like it when SC final goes into June. Should be over around Memorial day . 90 degrees and hockey don’t mix
My two favourite teams playing Sunday afternoon
The Oilers & Sen’s…
Congrats to Zack Hyman on scoring his 50th goal..👌
The best i have seen Korpisalo play this season…, The Sen’s kept coming and all the Oilers wanted to do was play Gun & Run hockey
The Oilers forwards not playing defence Again similar to the Sataurday game, not helping Pickard out on Sunday night.
3 more points for Evan Bouchard, must be close to 70pts…
An other Great game by Chychrun, Sens will have a tough choice to make Trading one of the LD-men Chabot or Chychrun…..❓
Both teams need a top 4 RD,
williew – they held Ottawa to 15 shots! How much more protection can they provide?
George,
From watching the game yesterday thats all the Sen’s needed to win..
The oiler forwards did not help out there d again same as Saturdays game in toronto,
in saying that
The Sem’s looked very good yesterday…. i hate to say it but Korpisalo best game of the year facing 36 shots…
and
Jakob Chychrun played Great.. 👍 i dont think the Sen’s should be trading him, i would trade Chabot First……❓