NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 14, 2024
The Hurricanes force Game 6 with the Rangers, the Stars push the Avalanche to the brink of elimination, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes erupted for four unanswered third-period goals to defeat the New York Rangers 4-1 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Jordan Staal, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jordan Martinook and Martin Necas found the back of the net as the Hurricanes avoided elimination for the second straight game. Jacob Trouba opened the scoring for the Rangers in the second period. This series returns to Carolina for Game 6 on Thursday, May 16 at 7 pm EDT.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A series that seemed all but done after Game 3 has become more intriguing and entertaining.
The Rangers looked sluggish in this contest while the Hurricanes were again determined to avoid the end of their season. They didn’t fall apart after Trouba’s shorthanded goal gave the Blueshirts the early lead. Staal’s tying goal following his impressive drive to the net seemed to suck the life out of the Rangers.
Heading back to Carolina, the Rangers remain in control with a 3-2 series lead. However, if the Hurricanes take Game 6, it’ll force a seventh and deciding game back in New York with all the pressure on the Blueshirts.
Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston (NHL Images).
The Dallas Stars are poised to advance to the Western Conference Finals following a dominating 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of their second-round series. Wyatt Johnston scored twice and collected an assist while Miro Heiskanen had a goal and two assists for the Stars, who’ve taken a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Casey Mittelstadt replied for the Avalanche. The series returns to Dallas for Game 5 on Wednesday, May 15 at 8 pm EDT.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars stormed from the gate in this game, outshooting Colorado 16-2 in the first period. They had a 3-0 lead midway through the second before the Avalanche finally got on the board.
Johnston continues to thrive in this postseason. The 21-year-old sophomore forward set a franchise record by scoring his 10th career playoff goal, the most of any Stars player before the age of 21, eclipsing Mike Modano’s previous record of nine. He added another to make it 11 goals. Johnston turns 21 today.
Stars forward Roope Hintz left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury after blocking a shot by Avs defenseman Scott Walker. There was no immediate update on his condition.
Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews was sidelined by illness. Meanwhile, winger Jonathan Drouin returned for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury during their regular-season finale.
PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin’s postseason is over after entering Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports the 29-year-old winger failed a drug test.
Nichushkin entered the program in January and returned to the Avalanche in March. He will now be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and can apply for reinstatement in November.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche learned about Nichushkin on Monday morning. His teammates attempted to put a brave face on the situation but his absence affected their performance against the Stars in Game 4. Nichushkin’s nine goals in this postseason ties him with Edmonton’s Zach Hyman for the goal-scoring lead.
This is a major setback for the Avalanche and the second straight postseason that Nichushkin has required time away from the team to deal with personal matters. However, the important thing right now is he receives the treatment and support he needs to regain control of his health and his life.
THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy received a one-game suspension and blueliner Nikita Zadorov was fined $5,000.00 by the NHL department of player safety for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid at the end of Game 3 on Sunday.
NHL.COM: The Oilers aren’t revealing their starting goaltender for Game 4 against the Canucks on Tuesday. Stuart Skinner started the previous three games but was replaced by Calvin Pickard following the second period of Game 3.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner has struggled against the Canucks with a .793 save percentage in those three games. Pickard could get the nod for Game 4.
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Bruins general manager Don Sweeney believes the league and on-ice officials should go before the media to answer questions about controversial calls. His comments come after his club was on the wrong end of a couple of calls in their second-round series against the Florida Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney has a point but don’t hold your breath expecting the NHL to follow his advice. Commissioner Gary Bettman believes his league has “the best officials in the world.” Try not to let your eyes roll too far back into your head after reading that.
IN OTHER NEWS…
DAILY FACEOFF: The Fontainebleau Las Vegas will host the 2024 NHL Awards on June 27.
NJ HOCKEY NOW: New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier suffered a facial laceration playing for Switzerland against Czechia on Monday in the 2024 IIHF World Championships. He received stitches and returned to action as the Swiss won the game 2-1.
CITY NEWS: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have interviewed former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube for their vacant head-coaching position. They’re also expected to speak with former Los Angeles Kings bench boss Todd McLellan this week. They’ve also been interviewed by the New Jersey Devils.
BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres promoted Seth Appert as an assistant coach. He was the head coach of their AHL affiliate in Rochester.
Another bit of news = former Ottawa 1st round pick # 19 in 2019 RD Lassi Thomson has decided to go back to Sweden and play for Malmo in their Elite League.
He just could never adapt to the pro game and got only 18 games at the NHL level – with minimal minutes.
Apparently, an RFA this year, he was not going to get a qualifying offer. There is also chatter that Eric Brannstrom – also an RFA and also a 1st round pick (# 15 by Vegas in 2017)- may also not receive a qualifying offer if attempts to deal him fail. This season in 76gp he had 3g 17a 20 pts and was a decent +5 on a team riddled with minus totals – including Chychrun (-30).
Both entered the system under the watch of former GM Pierre Dorion.
Loved the headline this morning in the Ottawa Sun “Lassi Goes Home”
Re Sen’s
I hope they use young d/man Eric Brannstrom
as part of a trade package, Maybe he just need a change of seine
That would put them up to $14.M in cap space if the can move out a goaltender (Forsberg ) in a trade with d/man Chychrun….
Getting back a Goaltender or a RD/man….❓
Maybe in a trade that would give them close to $$20.M in Cap Space this year
That would help to Fix the RD Defence and Goaltending Mess they have and Re-sign Pinto to a bridge deal
Adding 1 or 2 new d/men to there top six with young
big tough Tyler Kleven who likes to hit…👍
Not sure what they do with there 2nd 1st round pick at 19 or 20….. ? if its trade bait for a Larger deal.. Or try to trade down to 14-16 range to get a Big RW power forward
like
Liam Greentree, or Michael Brandsegg, or
Beckett Sennecke,
All 3 are over 6.ft to 6.ft 2 & 200lb to 210.lb
The sen’s need some size in there Top 9
Hours before their most important game of the season, Avs players were undoubtedly put into shock with the news about Nichushkin. This was obviously quite a blow and it clearly affected their concentration. They looked like zombies for the first half of the game and dug themselves into a hole they couldn’t get out of. They’ll have to find a way to snap out of their funk tomorrow night.
Intentional pun or accidental pun?
One aspect I don’t understand is the player being suspended without pay whilst in the Player Safety Program. Those in unionized environments in Canada at least would be covered by either a short or long term disability clause with some pay coming in.
Yes, I am aware that player salaries are lucrative. I don’t see how a program can be called Player Assistance when part of it means losing your salary for 6 months. How is that helpful to recovery?
LJ, maybe players may have their own STD or LTD for this type of stuff since they are independent contractors? Just guessing.
Rangers looking like they assumed the series was over.
Coverage lapses…that was a winnable game
Last nights goal aside, Trouba has been awful. Miller / Schneider pairing awful. Panarin pretty invisible last 2 games. Probably time to reunite Trouba / Miller. I’m positive Fox and Trouba are both dealing with some type of injury, but that pairing of Schneider and Miller needs to be broken up. God awful!!!!
What is Laviolette doing? PP has gone MIA and he isn’t making changes or adjustments?
Has this team learned nothing from last years meltdown against NJ or the year priors against Tampa?
Why is Rempe back in the lineup? I’ll take 10-12 minutes from Brodzinski or Chytil rather than 6 minutes from Rempe. Maybe time to scratch any left D-man and put Jones in the lineup. He’s been fantastic when he plays.
If NY loses game 6, this series is over!
This series just became must see TV for Thursday. Have the Canes broken the seal on Shesterkin?
Confidence can be contagious.
@capt
I like the Miller/Schneider pair minus last night.
team had no bite last night
When Trouba went down with an injury, I thought that pair should stay intact. But it really isn’t just this one game hiccup.
These two are still pretty young. Trouba has been awful, and this pairing hasn’t been good. Why not switch back?
Financially , I’m happy if this goes 7 and Rangers win.
I’m loaded with Rangers in my playoff draft.
Personally, I don’t cheer for Rangers
High scoring games; Rangers in 7, and I’ll be happy
Low scoring series, Canes in 7…. Ouch
Just from a pure viewing stance , would love to see the series go 7
Using pure logic; my gut says Rangers say “enough is enough” and end it all Thursday. 3-1 (including an empty netter).
As a person in recovery myself, I feel for Big Val and his family. But despite that, this is the second time he has let the team down and @ the most significant time of the year. I cut him slack last year ; however, this is totally unacceptable for me as an Avalanche fan. I am so frustrated at this team. When we need all hands on deck in this series, we don’t have them It’s already difficult with not everyone rowing in the same direction? There is something wrong with some of these players in this room. Bednar never considered for Jack Adams award is a mystery to me? People take for granted because of the skill this team has, they are just going to win when I think in fact this coach has done yeoman’s work getting what he has gotten from this team IMO!!
Bednar showed what he could do when he coached the Lake Erie (now, Cleveland) Monsters to the Calder Cup. He’s vastly underrated as a coach.
This league is a Joke!
McDavid gets cross-checked no time missed, no injury. Player receives a one game a suspension.
Brad Marchand get sucker punched, missed the third period and the next game and maybe more, player is concussed. NHL player safety ex panther George Parros “nothing to see here”
Sam Bennet cross-check Charlie Coyle into Swayman, then take the puck for a tap in goal.
rule: If a defending player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by an attacking player so as to cause the defending player to come into contact with his own goalkeeper, such contact shall be deemed contact initiated by the attacking player for purpose of this rule, and if necessary a penalty assessed to the attacking player and if a goal is scored it would be disallowed.
The rule describes to a T the Bennet cross-check on Coyle.
What did the NHL say “oh we didn’t think the cross-check by Bennet on Coyle into Swayman impeded Swayman ability to make a save.
I would’ve much preferred “unfortunately we made the wrong call.”
The league needs to clean up its act.
Gary Galley on the Ekblad interfering penalty in game 5 said: That a penalty all season long but it’s one they have not been calling in the playoffs.
This is my argument: refs to want to affect the out come of the game but they are!
If one team is playing by the rule book and one isn’t and not being penalized for it, then i would argue the ref is impacting the game.
unless you have two different rule books, one for regular season and one for playoffs then ok; however there isn’t, so call the rule book correctly and stop influencing the game.
I’m good now. Time to move on.
Must be a joke.
This is the exact question i raised yesterday. Still no good answer.
By the way, Caper, was the little brother comment meant as an insult or a funny quip? Just making sure where we stand.
ol 82nd guy… definitely not an insult. Sorry if it came across that way.
I was guessing by your handle the 82nd implied your age (which might not be correct) and GeorgeO regular poster, is around 84yrs old.
therefore my attempt at a funny quip, failed.
Actually, Caper, I just turned 86 … I’d be much happier if those digits were reversed!
Caper, thanks for clarifying.
Im not at the 80 year mark just yet.
The 82 is the US Army unit i served with.
Paratroopers.
Best regards
No further proof needed, Caper, that the rules change in the playoffs.
That’s why teams are always on the lookout for proven playoff performers, the guys who thrive under playoff rules.
Until the owners demand a change, same old, same old.
I feel your pain Caper and agree on tender interference call being wrong. Great rant by the way, outstanding! Heck, I feel better just reading it.
I think having on ice officials in front of the camera is a bad idea. Way to many cranks out there, and refs make mistakes, get blocked from seeing everything, and often just miss stuff. Fast game with 10 guys moving constantly. The players miss guys in the other sweater (Foegele the other night) as well. But the FANatics won’t get it. Especially the conspiracy morons who believe to their bones it is intentional against their team. That can easily lead to trouble.
The guys making the replay decisions, or a league spokesperson to explain controversial decisions, and answer questions, seems like a reasonable idea though. Would luv to see the decision maker on that goal explain how they know Swayman couldn’t have got there, or that Coyle couldn’t have had an impact, and that the rule isn’t written the way it was supposedly interpreted.
Ya BCLeaf Fan, if we were to go back a year, and the year before that, this site would have very similar posts just different actors involved in the same play.
And yes, they call it differently in the playoffs. Kinda sorta. Most of the same calls get made, just with the increased intensity and physical play, there are way more infractions, so they don’t call them all. So if they did, would it become a steady march to the box and a PP/PK battle? Or would the players adapt and play with less physical play and intensity that comes from that physicality?
And most of all – would that make the game better in the playoffs? Or is that intensity and drama/controversy what makes it so special this time of year? Or the relief we feel as fans when our teams gets through a tough and sometimes unfair series?
Toughest trophy in sports to win, for multiple reasons it seems.
The reffing inconsistency is the main issue
Not just series to series
Not just 4 man striped squad to 4 man striped squad
Not just same squad, same series different periods/OT
It sometimes is literally same ref same game same shit of 10 skaters, ignoring a hook by one team, then calling a hook for the other team 10 seconds later
Re suspensions. That is a joke in and of itself. That review and outcome seems more inconsistent than reffing
Now that (reffing inconsistencies) said. We’re not on the ice; they don’t get the benefit of slow-motion to make calls at the time on the ice; and they don’t have eyes in the back of their heads (we see multiple camera angles, and slowed down)
Do I believe there are some “grudges”/“biases” by Refs who have been imbarrased more than once by a player? Yes, I would think this happens.
Do I think there are phantom/highly subjective make-up calls. Absolutely.
Do the refs see two guys (both guilty) in a scrum in front of net, post-whistle, then only call one of them, giving an undeserved (should have been 4 on 4) PP for one just to “set the tone”/“show them who is boss”…. Yes all the time
Do refs let one coach throw F-Bombs for a tirade yet give the other coach, 5 minutes later, a bench minor for arguing a call/non-call and THAT coach didn’t swear… yep
These guys are human, overall (big picture , full season) are fair; but these inconsistencies (especially in the same game) can , and have, decided games.
We are all homers. We hate when calls don’t go our way; gleefully cheer when they do go our way.
We also remember (this goes for everybody) the negatives (calls going against us) longer and more profoundly; than the calls that did go our way
Engrained in Pens fans’ minds , 2018 attempted decapitation by Wilson on Zack Aston-Reese. Pens were leading game at time; series tied 1-1 at time;
Instead of an ejection and 5 minute Power play (and most assuredly a Pens victory); Wilson contributor on tying and winning goal
Pens won game 4; should have been up 3 games to 1; just needing to win 1 of final 3 games to move on
Instead; Wilson skates free, Caps eventually win series; then eventually on and win cup
Had that proper call been made; certainly not saying Pens 3-peat; but I’d have to strongly believe Pens win that series; meaning Caps first (and only) cup doesn’t happen
That non call sticks in our minds very likely as much as another call (or non call) does for EACH and everyone here for THEIR team
Personally , I can’t stand any player cowardly cross checking a guy in the face, or spearing to the gnads.A Player (on my team, opponent, or on a team in a game that I don’t care two farts about ) cross checking to the face or spearing to the gnads should get an automatic 5 AND ejection AND 2 games minimum (with exponential increases in suspensions, regardless of time between, for subsequent infractions)
I’m good now. Time to move on.
The Rat got caught trying to put a dirty hit on a bigger dirty player and its on Bennett? Nah its not, it wasn’t even a dirty hit just a get of me punk hit…Nobody cares if the Rat gets leveled he has had it coming for years as does Bennett. The way they both play it all goes back to “If you live by the sword you die by the sword”…Nothing to see here
Re; Sweeney Suggestion 👏
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney believes the league and on-ice officials should go before the media to answer questions about controversial calls.
This is a Great Idea….
Why should Coaches and players try to figure out the Ref’s Call infant of ther Media , when they Dont understand them
This make so much sence..❓
Great Rule change for Next year…..
Williew iSweeney and Neeley avoid going on 98.5 because they Don t want to be calledOut?
The Bruins are just out matched vs a better, deeper, faster more physical team thats all it is
Rob,
they have Wingers playing 1st & 2nd line Centre Positions
They miss there 2 top Centres from last year and need to Re-place them.
Get a good top 4 LD/man to replace the 2nd pairing LD, UFA guy in Boston then they will do much better nextt year……❓
Ullmark for Chychrun…
refs missing blatant calls and then out of blue call soft ones.
Bennett goal gonna haunt like Duchene offsides?
Burns breaking his stick in half crosschecking Zib in the back yesterday…..
Does seem the NHL wants Florida back in the Cup…and they are a very good team yes
One thing that can be said for the officiating and DPS, they are consistently inconsistent
Time to flip the script.
Congratulations to Seth Appert on his promotion to Assistant Coach with the Buffalo Sabres. He has coached and developed several Sabres prospects with the Americans: forwards Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.
Forwads Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen could graduate to the Sabres for the 2024-2025 season.
Other changes for the Sabres’ coaching staff are the hiring of Amir Gulati, Video Coordinator; the transition of Matt Ellis, Assistant Coach, from the bench to the press box; and the departure of Dan Girardi, Development Coach.
Who could replace Appert as the Head Coach for the Americans?
“McDavid gets cross-checked no time missed, no injury. Player receives a one game a suspension.” The guy gets two blatant hard cross check sandwich and that’s okay because he got up???
What is ignored is that Marchand ran Bennett after he had gotten rid of the puck….and he got the horns.
The crease play as explained there was no hard crosscheck as is expected, it was a shove and Coyle did nothing to mitigate contact, skates were pointed straight so he glided easily.
It’s galling when it happens to “your” team, but it isn’t refs or league picking the team.
Bruins have to play a lot better instead of relying on goaltending to carry them. Having Maroon on the ice to end periods and at the end of the game trying to catch anybody to hit won’t put the puck in the net.
Might want to have another look HF30, and the rule doesn’t state it has to be a cross check. But it sure looks like a cross check to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh5w3sKf_Xg
But you’re right the B’s are getting smoked in this series, and haven’t been close to good enough to win a series against Florida. They simply don’t have the horses. That call is not the determining factor in this series. But I agree with Caper, it was the wrong decision by he league. Especially the rule language he pasted above. Assuming it is accurate.
Ray, I wonder what John Cooper thought when the Bennett goal was allowed to stand.
IF the Panther goal was a good goal, then both of the disallowed Tampa goals against Florida should also have been good goals, especially the first one that was initially called a goal by the on ice referees.
Years ago, when the league tried to take the judgement out pf goalie obstruction by making the blue paint sacred, they created an abject failure & mockery soon rescinded.
In the abstract:
1. was the goalie denied the opportunity to make the save?
2. By an opposing player
3. Not created by a teammate
4. In the crease
Work until there is a close call in a tight game.
The level of battle allowed in front of the crease, especially in the playoffs, including the odd crosscheck, hold, trip, tough, and general mugging otherwise frowned on, mean goalie contact will take place…and some goalies aren’t especially shy about trying to a Billy Smith medal by taking part.
AIn’t no answer, folks.
As a Habs fan I find it rather entertaining that Boston is be beatin’ by Boston Bruin hockey!!!
Boston is basicly being out Bruined!!!!
For example, see Brian Burke’s comments about the Bruins run to the Cup in 2011.
I wouldn’t respect a Habs fan who felt any different Uwey.
I find it entertaining that Montreal “is be beatin’ by” everybody!
Les Canadiens ne sont pas la anymore!