NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 5, 2024
Recaps of Monday’s games feature the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon moving into a tie for the league scoring lead, the Devils fire head coach Lindy Ruff, the three stars of the week are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and collected two assists in a 5-0 romp over the Chicago Blackhawks. Justus Annunen collected his second straight shutout over the Blackhawks with a 37-save performance for the 38-20-5 Avalanche, who sit third in the Central Division with 81 points. Petr Mrazek stopped 32 shots for the 15-42-5 Blackhawks, who are winless in their last seven games (0-5-2).
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon extended his season-opening home points streak to 30 games and tied Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov for the scoring lead with 105 points.
The Florida Panthers picked up their fifth straight win by doubling up on the New York Rangers 4-2. Sam Reinhart tallied twice, Aleksander Barkov picked up two assists and Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 26 shots for the Panthers (42-16-4) as they remain atop the overall standings with 88 points. Will Cuylle and Chris Kreider replied for the 40-18-4 Rangers, who lead the Metropolitan Division with 84 points but slipped to fourth in the overall standings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reinhart took over sole possession of second place in the goal-scoring race with 44 goals.
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha scored two goals and David Pastrnak had three assists in a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jeremy Swayman kicked out 32 shots for the Bruins (36-13-14) as they moved into second place in the overall standings with 86 points. John Tavares scored for the 35-18-8 Leafs, who hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 78 points.
The Columbus Blue Jackets upset the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3 as Alex Nylander tallied his first career NHL hat trick. Daniil Tarasov made 37 saves for the 21-30-10 Blue Jackets. Vegas center Jack Eichel was held scoreless in his first game since being sidelined on Jan. 11 with a knee injury. The Golden Knights (33-22-7) remain in third place in the Pacific Division with 73 points but have just two wins (2-7-1) in their last 10 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the Golden Knights activated Eichel off long-term injury reserve they placed captain Mark Stone (upper body) on LTIR. That leaves them with roughly $7.3 million in salary-cap flexibility to put toward adding to their roster by Friday’s trade deadline.
A shootout goal by Pavel Buchnevich lifted the St. Louis Blues over the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1. Jordan Binnington stopped 40 shots for the 32-26-3 Blues (67 points) as they kept their playoff hopes alive by moving within five points of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. Scott Laughton scored for the Flyers (32-23-8) to remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 72 points.
The Seattle Kraken snapped the Calgary Flames’ five-game win streak with a 4-2 victory. Philipp Grubauer made 35 saves while Jared McCann had a goal and an assist for the Kraken (27-23-11). Andrei Kuzmenko tallied both goals for the 30-26-5 Flames. Both teams have 65 points and sit seven points out of the final Western wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames forward Martin Pospisil faces supplemental discipline following his ejection from this game for hitting Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn from behind.
Before this game, the Kraken announced they scratched center Alex Wennberg from this game for trade-related reasons. The Rangers and Avalanche are among the clubs rumored to be interested in Wennberg, who could be on the move before Friday’s trade deadline.
HEADLINES
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils yesterday fired head coach Lindy Ruff. Associate coach Travis Green has taken over on an interim basis.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils management had to do something to shake things up. Their playoff hopes are fading and they’re struggling to land a reliable starting netminder in the trade market.
Ruff had difficulty finding solutions to the Devils’ problems this season but I don’t consider him solely to blame. They probably wouldn’t be in their current predicament if they had better goaltending and a healthier roster. It’ll be interesting to see if Green has better luck finding a solution than his predecessor.
NHL.COM: Defensemen dominate the league’s three stars for the week ending March 3. Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi was the first star, followed by the Florida Panthers’ Brandon Montour and the Winnipeg Jets’ Josh Morrissey.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin will be sidelined for the next two weeks with a lower-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: How well the Wings adjust to Larkin’s absence could determine whether they clinch their first playoff berth since 2016. They hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 72 points.
THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed forward Tommy Novak to a three-year, $10.5-million contract extension. His annual average value is $3.5 million. The 26-year-old center was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Novak drew some interest in the trade market amid speculation about whether the Predators would re-sign him. This isn’t a sign-and-trade scenario as the Preds want to keep Novak in the fold.
SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes signed former Anaheim Ducks winger Max Comtois to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775K at the NHL level. The 25-year-old has 28 points in 45 games this season with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is an affordable depth addition by the Hurricanes as they prepare to bolster their roster for the playoffs. It’s unlikely that this is the only move they’ll have in store before Friday’s trade deadline.
Good job by Bruins with lots of jump last night, Sway played real well and the forwards helped out the D and attack the puck … two needs a shutdown Dman with size and grit and a forward also with size who can play both ends of ice …. DeBrusk/Ullmark put on a show tonight and improve your trade value ..
DeBrusk usually plays well against Oilers
+320 to score a goal tonight
+3000 to score 2 goals
Yes because he is Scard his dad will kick his ass if he dose not
He is very inconstant player
He is not going to get lots of $$ as a UFA this summer $3.M to $3.5M…….⁉️⁉️
If firing Lindy was the right move, then it should have happened weeks ago. He can’t play goal either.
Your 100 % Right…..🤙
They have had no starting goaltender All year both have been Very poor when it come down to the wire…….
Traves Green is a very good coach, if the get a goaltender they could do some damage in the playoffs….❓
Yeah – let’s hope Detroit doesn’t lose Dylan Larkinn too !
I feel bad for Lindy Ruff. 800+ career wins, 53 wins last year (coach of the year candidate), having to babysit 2 pure rookie D men, bad goalies, all the injuries (Hamilton for most of the year, plus Timo, Nico, Hughes for substantial periods). I didn’t agree with all of his decisions at times (some line combos, PP make up, etc.) But imo he was doing the best he could with the hand he was dealt & didn’t deserve to be fired. Changing the line combos, pairings, & PP was not gonna change the horrible goaltending and suddenly give the rookie D guys 5 yrs experience. And he didn’t get any help from the front office either. I think the bitching and moaning from social media helped seal his fate. The team has been playing lousy, especially lately, and now that Lindy has been sacrificed, I hope it gives the players, who are ultimately responsible, a kick start
Good team win for the bruins , I wasn’t comfortable until the 3 minute remaining in the third.
How many games for Posisil… I’m saying 5 games
rumors out there Swayman 5yrs@ $7m
Tonight Boston plays Edmonton: is Edmonton and Toronto mirror image of each other? Elite forwards, Ok defense and Ok but suspectable goaltending.
Caper….5/7 would be about right for Sway …then move Ullmark for a need
Actually heard it’s 7 for 8 yrs.
It was a good win, a bit of a relief for me. The game was closer than the score. Better tending, special teams, and defended home plate better.
Strangely enough being the home team, the B’s will be playing the 2nd game of a back to back, with travel. The Oil were in their hotel last night.
Oil seem to have found their structure again, and are starting to look like the team that was on a major heater prior to All Star break.
Good test for the B’s!
Correct cheese and ej 8yrs @$7m is what I read also. Type o, thanks for pointing out.
Hoping this doesn’t double post. It disappeared?
NJ’s issues go well beyond a starting goaltender. That defense is god awful!
Last time I checked, it’s not the head coaches job to put together a decent roster in front of their net-minder .
Patrick Roy or Dominik Hasek in their prime couldn’t help this team!
Speaking of god awful.
What has NY taught us this week? If this team thinks that they’re a 3rd line center and a top 6 RW’er away they’re sadly mistaken. This team needs a serious shake up.
They’re beginning to look like the regular season “fraud” I called them early on in the season.
Outside of Fox , Panarin , Trocheck and a warming up Laffrienere this team has serious issues. Zero chance they add a Wennberg, and a Tarasenko and get by the 2nd round , if they’re lucky!!!
Fraud! Keep Trouba, Fox, Schneider, Panarin, Laffrienere, Trocheck, Cullye, Sheterkin and maybe Kreider. If they can get a decent return on Kreider take it!
Build for next year! You don’t have a snowballs chance in hell to go as assembled this year!
First off, I’ll say the Bruins played great last night. The Leafs 1st and at times 4th line looked decent But Bruins fans will tell you that they too have been a phantom type team. They built a big cushion of points at the beginning and have been pretty mediocre for a while. I like the Rangers. They’re fast. I don’t know what it is that makes a team great instead of just really good.
The Devils remind me of the Senators. Same colours too. Some great pieces, some missing pieces, maybe the wrong coach—-and not yet able to put it together.
NJ’s goalie save percentage is horrible. Goalie issues were evident at the beginning of the year but never addressed. That’s not on Lindy.
Rangers do have 1 thing that could win a Cup: A superstar goalie who can steal wins and series.
When you are going to be a top seed and have Shesterkin in his prime, you don’t sell.
Could they get bounced in the 1st round? Yes.
Could Shesterkin lead them to a Cup. Also Yes.
As a Ranger fan, we learned with Lundqvist that a goaltender can steal a game, a series. Realistically that can’t steal multiple series nor is it fair to expect it.
Bobrovsky, Swayman, Ullmark and Vasilesky are also are / can be elite goaltenders. How does NY match up against them?
The problem is, without even looking I can almost guarantee their 5 on 5 scoring is much better than NYs.
I’m not talking a total rebuild. I listed untouchable players. More of a retool on the fly. Maybe build for next year.
Because as assembled, this team is NOT getting by the 2nd round, if their lucky.
Minimum of 3 pieces away. And Zibanejad remembering how to play 5on5 hockey.
And I don’t think Wennberg is one of those pieces. Yet I’m sure that trade is coming.
The Rangers looked better recently when Kakko was on the third line and a possession monster… right now the 3rd line is a 4th line
Zib is streaky and without him being dangerous 5 on 5 the team wont go too far. the panarin trocheck line is good but if you shut them down you beat them
the rangers need some balance asap. they could still beat aflorida in 7 games with one forward add and kakko back to his own line
NJD – When you start 2 rookies and one 2nd year D-man, lose your best and minute munching D-Man for the season, you will make mistakes, and you will give up goals. Even when you outchance your opposition overall, which NJ does. Maybe last years unexpected success has set expectations a little too high as well?
Captain, so your post was interesting, and your right about the Rangers and 5 on 5. They aren’t very good. I was surprised by that. BOS is better but not great. TB should be better, but their save % is brutal. BOS and NYR shine in net and have good special teams.
FLA is dominant at 5 on 5, and is the class of the east in that regard.
I change my pick from NYR to wing East, to FLA!
Stark difference actually, kind of a wow moment.
Thanks Ray,
And I’d agree. I had these thoughts earlier in the season.
NY as constructed are fundamentally flawed. They have 2 forwards that are good possession players. Panarin and Kakko. The latter can’t finish. 1 d-men that can posses the puck , Fox.
Zibanejad 5on5 has been absolutely putrid this year, but he’s not alone. Plenty of that going around.
When they play better teams the cracks shine through a little brighter. The Metro is pretty weak so the standings show a different story. But this team isn’t going far unless a couple of big 1st round upsets happen. And even then, I’m not betting the farm at their success.
Today, Ny isn’t beating Florida (sweep) Boston, Tampa or Toronto. Zero chance.
In all likelihood, a fix isn’t happening between now and Friday.
If I’m Drury, I’m thinking next year and beyond. I want futures rather than patches.
Kick the tires on some bigger deals. I’m infatuated with the idea of Turcotte, Zegras etc.
They have plenty of young talent. Fox, Laffrienere, Schneider, Kakko (who’s ceiling I believe is much lower than I expected) Miller, Lindgren, Jones, Cullye and on the way, Othmann and Perreault, and secondary guys like Sykora , Garand , Berard, Robertson etc.
I don’t believe they can fix what ails them with plugs like Okposo, Henrique, Wennberg.
Think bigger, think long term.
Now, getting fans and the world to look a little deeper than the standings show today is a different story.
If you look hard enough, and are honest with the reality of things, it’s a pretty easy choice.
“Hoping this doesn’t double post. It disappeared?”
It didn’t disappear. You put in the wrong e-mail address and that’s why it didn’t post.
Sorry Lyle.
Thank you!
Been there done that
Dubas F’d up
I fully agree with this guy:
7-Eleven That’s Hockey: Did Dubas make a huge mistake in first year as Penguins GM? – Video – TSN:
https://www.tsn.ca/video/7-eleven-that-s-hockey-did-dubas-make-a-huge-mistake-in-first-year-as-penguins-gm~2878042
Sell sell sell
But get actual players (overall) vs picks
I say again, Vegas are desperate now…. Give them 3 NHLers replacing just one currently playing: Guentzel (50%); Smith (50%); Accairi; for Roy, Howden (currently on IR) , Korczack (Rightie D prospect); 1st…. $7.5 M in for Vegas, $4.9 out… nets $2.6 M in space and still has $9.5 LTIR (Stone)…. Heck, convince Carter to waive to go to cup contender…. Throw him in for free
Penguins from above …..net $3.1 M
Eller for a 3rd and prospect
Now $5.6 M freed up…. Bring in one or two “bad” UFA contracts from contenders looking for space… couple of 4th rounders ???? for doing so
Now take that basket of picks (1st, 3rd, 4th, 4th) and Gruden and if you must O’Connor; get a mid 20’s top 6 winger with term, even if you have to add another pick…Crouse?
Crosby Rackell Crouse
Malkin Rust Bemstrom
Roy Howden Puustinen
Two of the UFA cast offs that came in, Puuljarvi
Penguins got much bigger, much stronger, younger , and a much more balanced roster than right now, brought in players with term, gained two prospects, gained space…..all For the future loss of O’Connor, Gruden , and maybe an extra pick, and players that wouldn’t be here next year anyway (UFAs); or shouldn’t be (Smith, Accairi)
Of course there is no way all of the complicated moves from above happens
Absolutely NO WAY!!!
But this type of mindset and trades are what needs to happen
Something must be done.
Basically any set of trades that gets them younger and bigger while mitigating some of the current Cap Hell
Retention is a must, not an option
This will maximize the returns
A few problems.
I doubt Arizona has any interest in moving Crouse.
I really doubt Vegas has interest in bringing in anything mentioned outside of Guentzel. I’m pretty sure Reilly Smith and Acciari are penguins Friday evening. Ditto Carter.
I don’t think any team out there has interest in Carter. Heck, most teams have 3-4 better options in the AHL. He’s a pending UFA. He’s going away anyway.
And no, “he’s a cup winner “ain’t cutting it. You and I are closer to winning a cup before Carter. lol!
Absolutely valid points re Carter and Accairi
Again…. My suggested trade is too much and too complicated to work; won’t happen
That said; I disagree regarding Smith
Smith at $5M…. Stays a Pen
Smith at $2.5 M this year and next WOULD definitely be of interest to Vegas…. He did well for them and coming in at $2.5 M; worth it
Korczack and a massive d rounder for Smith at 50% retained is fair IMHO
Dubas can work with another club for Guentzel at 50%…. Good prospect; depth NHL player with term; 1st (or 2nd if prospect and/or depth player are not as good)
To me that’s fair
Eller should get a prospect
The rest are either untouchable (Crosby, Malkin, Letang) or untradeable (many), or should not be traded (Pettersson and Olivier-Joseph) or prob should not be traded (O’Connor)
They MUST, at the very least; retain 50% on Guentzel and max the return
I’d even suggest that Penguins actually pay a 4th to another team (to retain 25% more on Guentzel) to absolutely maximize the return for him (receiving team gets him at 25% Cap hit)
I DO believe that the most likely destination is either Florida or Vegas
Dubas has nothing to lose and everything to gain from letting other GMs speak to Guentzel’s agent regarding an extension
This mess needs mopping
Typo
“massive d “ was to be “mid”
Auto-correct. Not a fan