NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 3, 2024
The Flames honor Miikka Kiprusoff and rally to beat the Penguins, the Jets overcome a three-goal deficit to down the Hurricanes, the Predators pick up their eighth straight win, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Calgary Flames retired Miikka Kiprusoff’s No. 34 in a pregame ceremony and scored three third-period goals to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman and Yegor Sharangovich were the goal scorers for the Flames after the Penguins made it 3-1 early in the third. Sharangovich finished with two goals for the 30-25-5 Flames (65 points) as they picked up their fifth straight win and sit five points out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. The Penguins sank to 27-23-8 (62 points) and are 10 points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kiprusoff earned the accolades and the undying love of Flames fans. He holds the franchise single-season records for wins (45), goals-against average (1.69), save percentage (.933) and shutouts (10), and is the franchise leader among goalies for games played (576), wins (305), GAA (2.46), SP (.913) and shutouts (41).
A five-goal third period lifted the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Sean Monahan netted the game-winning goal, Nino Niederreiter tallied twice and Josh Morrissey collected three assists for the Jets (38-16-5) as they sit in second place in the Central Division with 81 points. Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov each had two points for the Hurricanes (36-19-6) as they remain in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 78 points.
Nashville Predators forward Cody Glass (NHL Images)
Nashville Predators forward Cody Glass netted his first career NHL hat trick in a 5-1 upset of the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators (35-25-2) extended their win streak to eight games and moved ahead of the Los Angeles Kings into the first Western wild-card spot with 72 points. Nathan MacKinnon scored and remains second in the scoring race with 101 points while his Avalanche (37-20-5) are third in the Central Division with 79 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Predators, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports they’re making progress on a contract extension for forward Tommy Novak, who was a player of interest in the trade market as the March 8 deadline approaches. It’s also safe to assume that the Predators won’t be moving goaltender Juuse Saros as they attempt to lock down a playoff berth.
The league-leading Florida Panthers picked up their 10th win in their last 11 games by blanking the Detroit Red Wings 4-0. Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves for the shutout and Brandon Montour had a goal and two assists for the 41-16-4 Panthers as they sit atop the overall standings with 86 points. Patrick Kane’s points streak ended at 10 games as his Red Wings (33-22-6) hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 72 points.
A shootout goal by Max Domi gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers. Ilya Samsonov stopped 32 shots while William Nylander scored to extend his points streak to 10 games as the Leafs (35-17-8) hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 78 points. Vincent Trocheck scored two goals and Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and two assists for the 40-17-4 Rangers, who sit second overall with 84 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ilya Lyubushkin’s first game back with the Leafs after being reacquired from the Anaheim Ducks lasted two periods before leaving the game after taking a big hit from Rangers forward Matt Rempe. There was no immediate word postgame regarding his condition. Before the game, the Leafs activated forward Calle Jarnkrok off injured reserve and sent forward Nick Robertson to their AHL affiliate.
The New York Islanders picked up their third straight victory by upsetting the Boston Bruins 5-1, handing the latter their fourth loss in their last five games. Kyle Palmieri led the way with a hat trick plus an assist for the 26-20-14 Islanders (66 points) as they sit six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the final Eastern wild-card spot. Marc McLaughlin scored for the 35-13-14 Bruins as they’re perched in third place in the overall standings with 84 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins also lost forward Pavel Zacha as he left this game in the first period with a lower-body injury. There was no immediate word following the game regarding his condition.
Speaking of the Lightning, they nipped the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on a shootout goal by Victor Hedman. Nikita Kucherov collected an assist to lead the scoring race with 105 points as the Lightning improved to 33-25-6 (72 points). The Canadiens dropped to 23-28-10 (56 points) and are winless in six of their last seven games (1-5-1).
A shootout goal by Jamie Benn gave the Dallas Stars a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Jason Robertson scored the tying goal for the Stars (37-17-9), who hold first place in the Central Division with 83 points. Magnus Chrona kicked out 36 shots for the 15-38-6 Sharks.
The Edmonton Oilers beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1. Leon Draisaitl netted his 30th goal of the season and collected an assist and Connor McDavid had an assist to extend his points streak to 10 games. The Oilers (36-20-2) picked up their third straight win and vaulted over the Vegas Golden Knights into second place in the Pacific Division with 74 points. Eeli Tolvanen replied for the 26-23-11 Kraken (63 points), who are seven points out of the final Western wild-card berth.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights were thumped by the Buffalo Sabres 7-2. Jeff Skinner and Owen Power each had a goal and two assists and Dylan Cozens tallied twice for the 29-28-4 Sabres (62 points). Brendan Brisson and William Karlsson scored for the 33-21-7 Golden Knights (73 points) as they’ve won just three of their last 10 games.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Tyson Foerster scored two goals in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Felix Sandstrom stopped 23 shots for the 32-23-7 Flyers, who sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 71 points. Vladimir Tarasenko and Thomas Chabot scored for the 25-31-3 Senators.
The St. Louis Blues kept their playoff hopes alive by taming the Minnesota Wild 3-1. Torey Krug had a goal and an assist, Jake Neighbours tallied his 20th goal of the season and Jordan Binnington turned aside 21 shots for the Blues (31-26-3) as they sit five points behind the Kings with 65 points. Jon Merrill replied for the 28-27-6 Wild (62 points) as they’ve dropped three straight and are eight points behind the Kings.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger scored in his third straight game in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Zach Werenski and Jack Roslovic each had two assists for the 20-30-10 Blue Jackets. Philipp Kurashev and Ryan Donato each had a goal and an assist for the 15-41-5 Blackhawks.
The NHL, wow! A forth liner, that skates like Bambi. Really has no business being in the league. Runs Lyubushkin. Charging, head shot, leaving his feet, intent to injure. No penalty. Should this be a suspension? I’ve seen 5 game suspensions handed out for a lot less. If Makar was on the receiving end, does that change things?
At the moment of contact Rempe’s right foot was still on the ice negating the charging call. You really have to watch the hit in slow motion as it was really close.
Rule 42
Builds up speed by taking two or more strides immediately prior to making contact. Travels an excessive distance with the sole purpose of delivering such a hit.
Key word “immediately “. His feet aren’t even moving prior to “immediately “ making contact.
If the rule is you can’t skate at all prior to contact, hits will become extinct, or 99% of all hits in the NHL will be suspension worthy.
No it wasn’t, his feet clearly left the ice prior to the hit, either clean your specs or wipe the sleepy dust out of your eyes. Regardless, he came from distance at a high rate of speed and slammed a defenceless player into the boards, worth at least a minor if not something more.
@dov you need glasses bad, Captain what ever, his feet stopped moving, no kidding the boards were there and your feet stop moving when you jump. Are those 2 things not obvious to you? He started his run from in front of the net and he jumped just so he could get the headshot in. That shows clear intent to injure, which is a match penalty. Then the chickensh^t runs from Reaves. Even the coach wouldn`t let him back on the bench, when he tried to escape Reaves. Now that was funny. Sadly Reaves let the bum off the hook, one more punch and Rempe would`ve been off to never never land. Rempe great at cheap shots from behind, not so great at fighting. Martin already gave him that rocky raccoon look
Lol, I guess you have some sort of blinders on.
What happened to “make hockey violent again”? Has 2 weeks and 1 “violent “ hit changed everyone’s mind?
If he took a slap shot at an empty net, would it be justified to try and take his head off with a stick?
Please, I normally don’t really want to engage in this type of bs, but Toronto is probably one of the last fan bases that should be talking 💩 2 weeks removed from such actions followed by the widespread excusing of Reillys actions!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-ayUfiHx_7k
The play by Rempe is not an intent to injure. Lybushkin is in the corner , rempe starts in front of the net , the puck goes to the corner , rempe takes off , 4 strides , glides 2 quick strides before contact and throws the hit (he is 6”7 and does jump into the contact) but it’s a hockey play , that has the desired effect , knocking lybushkin off the puck and a quick chance for the rangers to turn the puck over . The puck wasn’t in another area code or passed off 5 seconds beforehand. Rempe has 1 job , create energy if you want to stay in the lineup , he’s trying to do that with a big hit here.
As far as a suspension goes , if you have a random number generator , punch it in , pretty sure that’s what parros does anyways !
But wasn’t it a Leaf – Reeves – who recently said they need to “bring violence back in the game?” Yet he remains a “hero” – go figure
To be clear , I don’t believe it should be suspension , just pointing out , who knows with parros. I agree with captain. Could have been 2 minutes on the play , should have gotten a response from reeves , which it did , on we go in my eyes.
@George, m-ntc means modified no trade contract. Which means that a player can block a trade to a negotiated amount of teams, any teams not on that list, he can be traded to. NTC or NMC gives a player full control of where he plays. M-NTC only gives a player partial control. So wtf does a full m-ntc mean. And George despite what you think, you troll. You try and disguise it, but you do troll. Whether you want to call it trash talking or trolling everybody is guilty of it, including you. So get off your high horse #*%^*%# you arrogant ao
Touched a nerve did I Yogi? And you have the stones to call my posts “trolling.” Jaysus!
Somebody else recognized you for what you are in yesterday’s posts – a thin-skinned, frustrated Leafs fan hypocrite.
Must have absolutely sent you into convulsions when that “mess” in Ottawa won 3 of 4 against Toronto and outscored them badly in doing it.
I won’t argue about the “mess” epithet – Hell, I’ve been calling them worse for some time now. I see reality – clearly you do not.
Again, I wouldn’t have even bothered mentioning that series … but since YOU invited it I felt it was worthwhile pointing it out – apparently it went right over your sorry head.
Curse away you pathetic excuse for a human being.
Oh, and you win on the M-NTC – an admitted error on my part – unlike you I’m not perfect – thinking it meant Movement – NO Trade Clause without double-checking. Thanks for pointing it out – although it could have been done without the WTF? But then again, that simply highlights your juvenile persona.
George, one other point: everyone is free to express their opinions no matter how dumb or wrong they are…and in case you haven’t noticed, when it comes to the volume Leafs fans hear, yeah I guess one could see that as being defensive or “thin skinned”. Something you’re all too familiar with your defense of Tarasenko to Lyle where he agreed (and not alone with that assessment) regarding your Sens UFA signing.
I don’t know but it seems like the kettle is calling the pot black here.
As I recall, all I pointed out re Tarasenko were his stats – not bad and certainly better than Florida’s current lines 3 & 4 RWs … and not too shabby behind Reinhart and Tkachuk to add a bit more punch on line 3 or 4. He’d be, after all, just a rental with most of his cap cost paid up.
And where did I say no one had a right to an opinion? I could care less what he thinks – I’ll feel free to disagree … and so can he – but insults and cursing? I’ll give back as good as I get when anyone goes down that road.
As for “opinion”
Yesterday
“You hate Toronto, I get it and you know nothing about their prospects so why comment or is it your version of trolling. But George one question. WTF is a full M-NTC, is that like a definite maybe ”
and today
“George despite what you think, you troll. You try and disguise it, but you do troll. Whether you want to call it trash talking or trolling everybody is guilty of it, including you. So get off your high horse #*%^*%# you arrogant ao”
Opinion?
Rempe never actually touches his head. It’s 100% shoulder to shoulder. Lyubushkin’s head hits the glass as part of the contact.
Also something to keep in mind, because of his size ( he’s listed anywhere from 6’7”-6’8.5”) a lot of hits will appear to be high. My guess is just about any hit he throws on a player under 6’4” will come into question.
However, in this particular case , Rempe never even touches his head.
Rule 48.1:
And this one gets constantly overlooked.
incidental head contact is permitted. The NHL defines Rule 48.1 as follows: A hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted.
As far as a charge, his feet definitely aren’t even moving for 2 strides . How does a slow skater / Bambi even deliver a hit gliding?
As far as “skates like Bambi “ he’s actually a pretty good / fast skater for a man of this size. Much to even my surprise.
It was a charge. Bringing back violence to the game is OK in Bettman’s NHL as long as it does not hurt his star players.
Rempe also won that fight. Reeve’s couldn’t even reach face and then acting like he’s in the WWE after is even more embarrassing for the Leafs.
@H you and dov 2 for 1 sale glasses in NY. Reaves last 3 punches on Rempe, back of the head just below the helmet, next was side of the head just above his ear, 3rd caught Rempe squarely on the jaw. Reaves stopped throwing punches because he knew Rempe was finished. At that point Rempe`s hands dropped, he no longer could defend himself or throw punches anymore. He tried to hold Reaves off with his reach out of fear. Martin had already given Rempe the rocky raccoon look or was Rempe wearing makeup for the Toronto game. It was the end of the shift for both players so you can`t use that as an excuse. Rempe avoided Reaves all game for a reason and it was hilarious that the ranger coach forced him to fight Reaves, by not letting him back on the bench. Now that`s was embarrassing for NY
I think saying he took a couple of strides if you count every other. Seems like he came a long ways out to flatten him. The contact looked legal with the result of a much bigger body on a smaller one. It looked a lot like a charging call that could have gone either way. It wasn’t clean by any stretch.
H is redefining a victory in a hockey fight. I never knew after taking a couple of bombs to your jaw at then look at the guy you’re fighting and signal you had enough is a win!
Keep up your astute observations H.
PS Let me just, H is for hater? If not too bad.
Good thing I didn’t say he took a couple of strides.
What I said was “ his feet aren’t even moving for 2 strides.”
Obviously he didn’t float from in front of the net to the corner that quickly without taking strides to get there.
Look at the footage. Him not moving his feet for a couple of strides isn’t even debatable. His feet were not moving.
I think you’re both a little delusional. I don’t think either guy clearly won anything.
The hater thing is so grossly overblown , abused and ridiculous.
Why would anyone have any jealousy of EITHER of these teams right now?
Mediocracy is grounds to be a hater? Lol. I mean, Toronto did manage to get into the 2nd round last year. Which is a huge step I suppose. But haters? Please stop! Just stop that silliness right now please!
CaptainObvious, could not agree more on the “hate” card …. ANY criticism of ANYTHING the Leafs do – or don’t do – draws out that crap.
All that does is invite more – and sometimes uncalled for – criticism of the franchise.
Too bad it should have been Mathews .
Wow Rick! Cheer up bro. I hope you learn hating is a waste of time.
Why Rick? To what end?
Boston looked like they were sleep walking last night! Is this a trend or a bump in the road? Time to make a deal and shake up the group!Let s get on with the retool!
If I was Sweeney I would wait until the off season. One or two guys that they can get are not going to make this team more than what they are, a 1 and done.
Wait until the off season and reassess. If any thing see if you can get something for Debrusk and Griz. But this team has made up for low high end talent with team defense and discipline. There is no evidence of that now.
A teams have figured out quick in the playoffs that there is no push back from them. The series last year against Florida turned when Tcakchuk went after Ulmark and no one did a thing about it.
Elias Lindholm was the big prize in the available centers and the Canucks were the big winners, moving 3 bodies a 1st rounder and a conditional 4th.
His production since the trade in 13 games is 4G and 2A.
Jets got the leftover, Sean Monahan for a 1st rounder and a conditional 3rd.
His production since the trade in 11 games is 7G and 1A.
I’ll admit a biased view as I was hoping to keep Monahan, then was hoping to e-sig him as a UFA this off-season but the Jets can’t afford not to keep him.
He’s a great guy and left a big hole in Montreal, who have lost 8 of 11 games since the trade.
Good for Monahan and the Jets
I was hoping that the Habs would extend Monahan but it wasn’t to be. We’ve all heard the reports that he was promised a trade to a contender. The Habs have been a one long team since the trade. Especially with Dach out.
It’s only a matter of time , Rempe will inflict serious damage
The guy is out of control ..
Mind boggling – some “goon” running across the ice – crushing a Leaf into the boards
It could have been a lot worse
A star player is going to get injured and miss significant time and finally the league will step in
Rock “N” sock him hockey is fine , but this “goon” is totally unacceptable and should be barred from the game
Yes indeed. A true goon like Morgan Rielly, truly deserves a 5 game suspension.
But, Ken and YesGuy, wasn’t it a Leaf who advocated bringing “violence back into the game?”
I didn’t hear a lot of negative comments from Leafs fans about that a few weeks ago – can’t have it both ways
Opinion: Maple Leafs’ Reaves Says ‘Make Hockey Violent …
The Hockey News
https://thehockeynews.com › News
Feb 12, 2024 — Opinion: Maple Leafs’ Reaves Says ‘Make Hockey Violent Again,’ But the Sport’s Better Without It. Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves felt Morgan …
Yes George, it was Reeves who said that and good on him for saying something so dumb that a lot of fans would make that a talking point. I didn’t see him say nor imply injure or blindside or be dirty in any way, he said violent which as a catch phrase sounds more “old school” than physical or ruff and tough or rock’n’sock. Violent doesn’t mean no hold bar anything goes either…sometimes the way someone interprets things say more about that person than what is being said.
Yeah, right.
If he reads any of the press about him, his ego must be huge. He’s feeling encouraged and untouchable and I agree he will do damage that makes Matt Cooke look like a Lady Byng winner.
Actually, the Habs are 1-4-2 in the last 7. The last game was also a SO loss, to the Panthers.
Rempe is the newest beast on the block and folks like to badmouth him, but under your breath would like to have him.
Skates well, finishes his checks and if he wasn’t so big, you’d love him.
He actually made Reaves look small.
For his own well being, coaches need to shut down his fighting or at least slow it down, he has the black eyes to show for it.
Agreed Habsfan.
This guy cannot be dropping the gloves in every single game.
He’s coming off 2 brutal fights in the last week. At some point, someone needs to be worried about his long term health.
At 21 and trying to stay put, I doubt he’ll make the right decision himself.
It’s okay to just skate away sometimes!!!
habfan30 and Howard, I wanted Monahan in Boston last season. Most laughed and scoffed at Winnipeg giving up a first for Monahan.
Including me i thought it was an overpayment based on previous seasons.
The 7 goals are impressive, but his play away from the puck and he good at the dot. Monahan help set the center position in their proper spot. He is shown that he been worth the first round pick.
Well, he can certainly take a punch but his future in the league might be short and sad if he keeps on going the way he’s gone so far.
The Avalanche show why they should be concerned about their play; not necessarily goaltending. They give up easy hat tricks and “lay up” goals by their opponents because they didn’t get the job done defensively. No urgency with their 5×5 play, fritter away PP chances, don’t shoot when they have high scoring area chances; instead passing or forcing passes to areas that offers low scoring opportunities? Then, they wonder why they come out on the short end. Totally out worked by Nashville. This is why guys like Landeskog, Nichushkin, and Lekhonen are so important, North, South not east west. Really an appalling effort against a team that has designs on wanting to catch you. GO AVS!!!!
A Poem for Dubas
3 days ago with games in hand
Pens fans hoped they’d make a stand
With hearts full they’d show their best
Come home with pride, post sweeping West
Instead they flounder, flop, and flub
A far cry from that 5 Cup club
True Grubauer shut the door on them
But last night’s fall was pure mayhem
Old, weary, confused, no will
Weakened heart, no drive for kill
Only one man drives and gives his all
Graying now as his Penguins fall
Time upon us to make the trades
Fix cracks that Ron and Jim hath made
With tears in eyes we watch Jakey go
Jake Shakes vanish, we’ll miss his show
‘Tis time for change, time for youth
Retaining Cap ‘tis NOT uncouth
Move out, move on, just don’t give up
5 more years of drought, then on to cup
Kyle, take this as a good opportunity. I expect another loss today sealing the deal.
Vegas has tons of space (Stone LTIR) and needs an offence uptick ASAP. They also like Smith.
Retain 50% on both Guentzel and Smith (yes one more year but Carter off books next year), add Accairi
For Roy, Howden, Korczak, 1st…. Penguins get bigger, stronger, younger, and bring in 2 players under reasonable contracts , plus an RFA coming out of his ELC.
And gained $2.6 M in annualized Cap space in trade, so could accept a bad UFA contract dump from another team in exchange for a mid rounder
Move Nedjelkovic for a 2nd?? Bring up Blomkvist
If you’re not Pengy, you’re Pengys twin brother.
The evidence is too much to ignore at this point.
This reminds me of 70s /80s bad movies or tv where someone portrayed twins in a movie, but you’d never see both faces at the same time / shot.
Don’t give Pengy credit for my great Poetry. LOL
I’ll accept him as a Twin though. “Inheritance” is retirement planning isn’t it?
Pengy, say hi to Mom and Dad. See you at Easter.
How are Bruins fan this morning?
Wasn’t that just brutal, what worst, i switched to watch some NYR vs Tor, then over to the TB vs Mtl overtime.
Not one single dman played well last night. ZERO
The left side was really bad. The forwards zero energy, zero forecheck, zero care.
Ullmark could’ve made an extra save here or there. With that said i think the quality high danger chances were like a million to one. Ullmark kept the game close a 5-1
Boston plays Toronto twice this week and before Friday trade deadline. This should give Sweeney a good measuring stick to where his team is. Recent play says this it two tough games for Boston.
Moving Debrusk, Grzelcyk or Forbort only matters if your bringing someone in; otherwise don’t need the capspace. Mind you, not necessarily a bad think to have Grzelcyk and / or Forbort removed from the roster.
Caper
Even the whiskey 🥃 couldn’t help make it thru that stinker. They looked like they didn’t really give a 💩
I am all for Sweeney. Moving any or all of Gryz Forbert debrusk. JVR too. Change the team chemistry and get some assets Won’t hurt them much or at all moving those guys
RM, I don’t disagree with the regular season comment.
Boston and Toronto are likely first round opponents and are playing each other twice in the week of the trade deadline.
Depending on the outcome of these games and how they are played. It may give both GM food for thought. Being fresh in their minds and what they may feel they need to add to give them an edge in the series.
Caper, what exactly is the measuring stick going to tell you about where the team is? Do regular season games matter after all? What would winning or losing against the Leafs going to tell you about your team?
After this week and weekend I’m 100 percent on George’s side. Trade anyone and everyone to get something new happening in Ottawa. This is a pathetic dumpster fire.
I do not understand some of these comments. Hitting and getting hit is inherent to this game. When there is a solid hit, comments here scream for suspensions. Just stop it. Sometimes players just get nailed.
And to boot, now every hit follows up with a 3rd party jumping in and fighting the guy who laid the hit.
See every Trouba hit for the last 3-4 years.
I think most people complaining about this hit, read theToronto headlines and didn’t even see it or watched it through blinders.
The man is huge. Every hit he throws is going to look devastating.
Grez..Forbort..Ullmark…DeBrusk,JVR all need to leave,BTW … Carlo’s play has fallen off too his D zone crease coverage is terrible
Every time I mention Carlo people just talk about concussions! Either play aggressively or retire if there is a concussion problem!
Why has no one mentioned the fantastic game Bedard had last night? He had an assist because he tripped Nylander and then made the greatest pass ever made in the history of hockey. He was only -2 for the night. All in all another feather in his cap screw the rest of the rookies. Next week he is going to learn his goaltenders’ names.