NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 26, 2024
Kings captain Anze Kopitar reaches an assist milestone, the three stars of the week are announced, Martin St. Louis returns to the Canadiens’ bench, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist as his club held off the Vancouver Canucks 3-2. Kopitar reached the 40-assist mark for the 14th time, tying Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby for the most among active players. Sam Lafferty and Brock Boeser replied for the Canucks, who slipped to 45-19-8 and dropped to second overall with 98 points. The Kings (38-22-11) sit in third place in the Pacific Division with 87 points, one behind the second-place Edmonton Oilers.
Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks missed an opportunity to become the first team to reach 100 points and clinch a playoff berth this season. Canucks center Elias Lindholm missed this game for what is believed to be a hand or wrist injury. He’s listed as day-to-day.
An overtime goal by Jonathan Marchessault lifted the Vegas Golden Knights to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Logan Thompson stopped 32 shots for the Golden Knights (39-25-7), who hold a five-point lead over the Blues for the final Western Conference wildcard berth with 85 points. Brandon Saad scored and Jordan Binnington made 32 saves for the 38-30-4 Blues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist left this game in the second period favoring his right leg following a hit by Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb.
HEADLINES
NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid are the league’s three stars for the week ending March 24, 2024.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis has returned to the club following a two-week leave of absence to take care of a family-related matter. His son, Mason, suffered complications from an injury sustained while playing hockey in Connecticut requiring hospitalization. His condition has stabilized and he’s now recovering at home.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Anthony Duclair has been on fire since joining the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade from the San Jose Sharks earlier this month. He has points in all seven of his games with the Lightning.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Sharks, winger Mike Hoffman has been sidelined since March 9 recovering from a concussion following a hit from Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Meanwhile, rookie defenseman Ty Emberson’s season may be over due to a lower-body laceration suffered on Feb. 29.
ARIZONA SPORTS: The Coyotes recalled forward Josh Doan from their AHL affiliate. The 22-year-old is the son of former Coyotes star Shane Doan.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Jaromir Jagr bobblehead dolls stolen on their way to Pittsburgh have been recovered. The 18,000 dolls were to be handed out during a game on March 14 at PPG Paints Arena. Fans who received vouchers for the dolls can redeem them during a drive-through event at the arena on Apr. 6.
Montreal is a hockey mecca and everybody knows somebody who knows somebody and this will be the 3rd year in a row that they miss the playoffs.
A rookie coach under the loupe yet fans and media support the team wholeheartedly and fully respect coach MSL’s family privacy.
The fan base has confidence in the rebuild and the work of Hughes, Gorton and MSL and are not looking for bones to pick.
Welcome back MSL.
Living in the past…Now more Hockey meh.
The Blues pushed hard last night. The pace they played with in the third period. wow. Hit a crossbar and post, with Saad eventually tying it up close to the 5 minute mark; Vegas hung on to get it to OT. The Blues with a penalty shot in OT and Logan Thompson with a great save, next shift Vegas gets the 2 points.
Vegas 11 games remaining, their next 3 on the road Nashville, Winnipeg, Minny this isn’t a easy schedule, then come home to face Vancouver.
Vegas has a little breathing room and they need it going down the stretch.
Hoping St Louis catches them and knocks them out of the playoffs. I was thinking that Buch would win it on the penalty shot, but Thompson was there when his team needed him.
The West is a much tougher road to hoe than the East IMHO. tougher brand of hockey; more physical and more speed. GO AVS!!!!