NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 12, 2024
Two scoring milestones for Sidney Crosby as his Penguins regain the Eastern wildcard spot, the Kings clinch a postseason berth, the Golden Knights re-sign Noah Hanifin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby collected his 1,000th career NHL assist as his club nipped the Detroit Red Wings 6-5 on an overtime goal by Erik Karlsson. Crosby and Bryan Rust each had a goal and an assist for the 37-30-12 Penguins, who regained the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth with 86 points. Lucas Raymond tallied a hat trick and Alex DeBrincat picked up three assists for the Red Wings (38-32-9) as they sit one point back of the Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby also took supplanted Phil Esposito for 10th overall with 1,591 points. He’s 50 points behind ninth-place Joe Sakic and 132 behind eighth-place Mario Lemieux. Meanwhile, the Penguins announced defenseman Ryan Graves (concussion) has been moved to injured reserve. He could return to action if the Penguins reach the first round of the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Kings clinched a playoff berth by defeating the Calgary Flames 4-1. Viktor Arvidsson tallied twice for the Kings, who improved to 42-26-11 and sit third in the Pacific Division with 95 points. Jonathan Huberdeau replied for the Flames.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The final wildcard berth is the only playoff spot available in the West. The Golden Knights (92 points) hold that spot with a three-point lead over the St. Louis Blues.
Returning to the Eastern wildcard race, the Washington Capitals dropped a 4-2 decision to the Buffalo Sabres. Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson scored for the Capitals (37-31-11) as they sit one point behind the Penguins. Alex Tuch netted his 22nd goal of the season for the Sabres.
An overtime goal by Kyle Palmieri lifted the New York Islanders over the Montreal Canadiens 3-2. The Islanders (37-27-15) sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points, three points up on the Penguins. Cole Caufield tallied his 25th goal of the season for the Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury. It’s unclear how long he might be sidelined.
The Philadelphia Flyers kept their playoff hopes alive by upsetting the New York Rangers 4-1, snapping an eight-game winless skid. Travis Konecny had a goal and an assist and Samuel Ersson stopped 24 shots for the 37-32-11 Flyers, who sit one point behind the Penguins for that final wildcard berth. Artemi Panarin scored his 47th of the season for the 53-23-4 Rangers, who have lost two straight but remain first in the overall standings with 110 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Third place in the Metro and the final Eastern wildcard are the only playoff spots still up for grabs in the Eastern Conference. Four points separate the Islanders from the Flyers with the Penguins, Capitals and Red Wings between them.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit turned in a 24-save shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars. Nikolaj Ehlers, David Gustafsson and Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets (49-24-6), who’ve won five straight games and moved into seventh overall with 104 points. Jake Oettinger turned aside 21 shots for the 50-21-9 Stars as they remain one point behind the league-leading Rangers.
The New Jersey Devils upset the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5. Jesper Bratt snapped a 5-5 time with 1:14 remaining in the third period for the Devils. Bratt and Timo Meier finished each finished with two goals and an assist. Auston Matthews scored two goals to move with two of the 70-goal plateau for the Leafs (46-24-9), who sit tenth in the overall standings with 101 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews also reached a notable milestone, becoming the first player to score 50 even-strength goals in a season since Teemu Selanne in 1992-93. As for the Devils, their elimination from playoff contention earlier this week means their 2024 second-round pick belongs to the San Jose Sharks. It was the remaining condition of their acquisition of Meier last year.
Florida Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 shots to shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0. Sam Reinhart scored his 54th goal of the season for the 50-24-6 Panthers, who sit fifth overall with 106 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and defenseman Zach Werenski intend to suit up for Team USA at the 2024 World Championships in Czechia from May 10-26.
The Ottawa Senators upset the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on a shootout goal by Brady Tkachuk, who also had a goal and an assist in regulation play. Nikita Kucherov collected two assists to extend his lead in the scoring race to 141 points as the Lightning (44-27-8) hold the first Eastern wildcard with 96 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov holds a four-point lead over Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon in the race for the Art Ross Trophy. MacKinnon’s next game is Saturday against the Jets while Kucherov and his Lightning face off against the Capitals.
San Jose Sharks goalie Devin Cooley kicked out 49 shots to down the Seattle Kraken 3-1.
HEADLINES
SPORTSNET: The Vegas Golden Knights signed Noah Hanifin to an eight-year, $58.8 million contract extension. They acquired the 27-year-old defenseman from the Calgary Flames two days before the March 8 trade deadline. The average annual value is $7.35 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanifin is completing a six-year contract with an AAV of $4.95 million. His new deal is similar in term and dollars to what he was reportedly close to signing with the Flames last fall before their negotiations derailed. However, he’ll keep more of that because of the lower taxes in Nevada.
It’s a good move by the Golden Knights. Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden McNabb are in their mid-thirties and Alec Martinez isn’t expected to be re-signed. Hanifin has fit in well since joining them and will take on a greater role on their blueline in the coming years.
The signing also raises questions about Jonathan Marchessault’s future in Vegas. The 33-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. I’ll have more in today’s Rumors update.
ARIZONA SPORTS: Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny said the news of a possible relocation of his team to Salt Lake City is having a “huge impact” on his players because they love playing in Phoenix.
Tourigny also voiced concern for the club’s 31 staff members without contracts for next season. He noted the effect it could have on their families and personal lives.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the NHL continues to work behind the scenes trying to find a solution for what deputy commissioner Bill Daly called a “difficult and challenging situation.”
In terms of a timeline of a possible sale of the Coyotes and a move to Salt Lake City, LeBrun noted the sale and relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg in 2011 took place in late May. However, he cited a source suggesting it wouldn’t take that long but could require some time to get done.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some reports suggest it could happen as early as April 18, the end of the regular season schedule. LeBrun doubted that it would take place that quickly. He also cautioned that this isn’t a fait accompli as the deal still might not take place. As he observed, this remains a delicate situation.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Anaheim Ducks winger Jakob Silfverberg announced his retirement from the NHL at the end of this season. Silfverberg, 33, began his 12-year NHL career with the Ottawa Senators but spent the past 11 seasons with the Ducks. He’s returning to his native Sweden where it’s believed he’ll finish his playing career where it began, with Brynas IF in his hometown of Gavle.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silfverberg currently sits fifth among Ducks players in games played (769) and goals (158), eighth in assists with 196 and seventh in points with 354. He also has 16 goals and 41 points in 57 career playoff games.
That should be 1000 assists for Crosby, not points.
Fixed, thank you, Howard.
Re; Noah Hanifin….
LV, keep pulling Rabbits out there Hat…?
Hanifin’s new extension with the Golden Knights has a salary cap hit of $7.35 million over the next eight seasons after signing yesterday with L.V.⁉️
Lyle,
With Mark Stone out injured @$9.5M and LV Right at the Cap… What happens cap wise when he comes back for the playoffs….❓
Forwards– $47,837,500
Defence— $29,231,650
Goaltender-$5,666,667
Total Cap Hit today $ 82.734.00
The salary cap doesn’t count in the playoffs.
Hey Lyle,
Wow thats what i heard from my friend who live’s down in Phoenix … LV Really do know how to get round it ALL…..🤔
They’re not “getting around” anything. They’re doing what every team is allowed to do when they have a player on LTIR. Stone, by the way, isn’t expected to return for the first round of the playoffs.
Congratulations to Sid the Kid 🍁
Crosby moves into 10th overall with 1,591 points.
9th Spot
50 points behind Joe Sakic
8th Spot
132 behind Mario Lemieux.
7th Spot
32 points behind Steve Y.
6th spot
16 points behind Marcel Dionne.
5th Spot
27 points behind Ron Frances.
WoW in 3 more Season he could hit 5th Spot‼️👌
Per many in media they estimate Steckel’s hit and lockout cost Crosby between 230-260 points
The low end of those numbers would have Crosby right now just about 30 points behind Howe (4th) and about 65 behind Messier (3rd) ; and would have almost certainly have him finish his career in 2nd ahead of Jagr.
Friggin’ Steckel
Is there any fight by Max Domi where he doesn’t sucker punch a guy.
This is the kind of crap the NHL needs out of the game. Nemec should not have received any fighting major.
Domi, got the instigator and 5 for fighting. Should’ve received another 5 minute major for attempt to injure and an additional 1 game suspension.
My new rule proposal any fight after a clean hit, should result in a 5 minute major for instigation and an automatic 1 game suspension.
Does anyone have any video of a Max Domi fight where he doesn’t sucker punch a player first. He’s a coward.
I can’t believe he jumped that 19-year-old kid.
He’ll get his comeuppance yet.
Domi isn’t afraid to fight (I loved it when he knocked Kesler out), but yep, cheap to jump a 19 year old European (I say European because they don’t fight in overseas leagues) kid over nothing.
Were I the opposition I would now push Matthews and wait for Domi to take an instigator penalty.
Ron Moore, please provide example of one rule for Toronto and one rule for everyone else?
Domi is a coward! always sucker punches a guy and a goes after non fighters.
Again i repeat. If a clean check no matter player or team and an opposing players goes after the player for throwing the hit and automatic 5 minute major and a game misconduct.
It’s garbage and doesn’t belong in the game.
Same as the line brawl in New York, every player should’ve received an additional 5 game suspension. The nhl doesn’t need the garbage.
Strange anyone who calls himself a Bruin fan would complain about garbage in the NHL considering they have Marchand as their captain and their hero. Marchand is the garbage player of the decade. Garbage see Marchand or do you make exceptions to your rule for Bruin players Caper and Domi was wrong in this case to jump the guy. Next time you defend Marchand, he`s as much if not more garbage than any other player in the NHL. It`s so funny to listen to a guy who defends Marchand ripping another player for being garbage. Priceless
Yeah sure. I guess if someone takes liberties towards one of your stars we should just ignore it. I think Domi was sending a message that anyone (Boston, Florida players) who think they can push around the Leafs stars will have to answer to it this time. Good play in a meaningless game. Typical comment from you though one rule for the leafs and another for everyone else.
I can only assume that you didn’t see the play, Ron. Nemec pushed Matthews in a battle for the puck. Matthews pushed back and skated away.
Nothing that warranted Domi getting involved, a shenanigan that cost him 17 minutes of playing time.
One more win by the Sens, next game, please George. That should solidify another (glorious) 28th place finish for the Habs.
Go Sens Go!!!
NHL needs to end the non cap playoff b.s. if the league believes they should play regular season under a cap then it makes zero sense to allow teams to circumvent the cap by using ltir for the playoffs benefits. Put the cap in for playoffs then teams have to stay compliant or they don’t qualify for playoffs. If they think their player stays on ltir for playoffs then they can fill spot with another player but they shouldn’t be allowed to have the player return and exceed cap.
I agree Richard. No point in trying to create parity and an even playing ground during the regular season only to throw that out the window once the playoff starts. Teams do need the ability though to replace injured players during the regular season, so I think the fairest way to address this is the lineup a team submits for any particular game in the playoffs has to be cap compliant which means you may have a star player as a healthy scratch.
I don’t want to take anything away from Raymond’s performance. His game was fantastic.
However my congrats must go out to Crosby. 3 points; assist on GWG; reaching 1,000 career assists and top 10 in points all time.
Atta go Sid!
Glad for the redemption goal by Karllson after 3 bonehead moves/miscues lead to 3 Wings goals and reason it went to OT.
Hoping Penguins do get in now because if not; they’ll just miss and likely (99% probability) hand Sharks the 15th or 16th overall pick.
If they are playoff bound; this is all on Crosby. Without him this year, their picking top 8 for sure and likely top 5.