NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 15, 2024
The latest on the Panthers and Oilers on the eve of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
ESPN.COM: The Florida Panthers hold a 3-0 series lead in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final and can win hockey’s holy grail with a win in Game 4 on Saturday.
Teams that previously sat in this position in the Cup Final have won 27 out of 28 times. The sole exception was in 1942 when the Toronto Maple Leafs overcame that deficit to upset the Detroit Red Wings in seven games.
Teams that were down 3-0 in the Final have avoided the sweep only eight times. The most recent examples were the Montreal Canadiens winning Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021 and the New York Rangers doing the same against the Los Angeles Kings in 2014.
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).
Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk indicated he and his teammates aren’t thinking about that as they approach Game 4. “We’ve done such a good job of having that one game, simple mindset. Win your first few shifts. It’s all you’ve got to do tomorrow,” he said on Friday. “It’s really calm, kind of chill and relaxed group today. We’ll use that to our advantage.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers may be outwardly calm approaching Game 4. Carrying a commanding series lead, however, they must be feeling some excitement and anticipation about being a win away from winning hockey’s greatest prize. How they handle those emotions will factor into their performance in Saturday’s crucial contest.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun and Shayna Goldman suggested Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, and defenseman Gustav Forsling as Conn Smythe Trophy candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It seems premature to start debating which Panthers will be named playoff MVP. Still, you can’t blame the pundits given everything we’ve seen in this series thus far.
Barkov, Bobrovsky, and Forsling certainly appear the most likely candidates. I think it’s down to Barkov or Bobrovsky. If I had a vote, I’d cast it for the Panthers’ goalie.
WINNIPEG SUN: Two-and-a-half years after resigning as coach of the Jets, Panthers bench boss Paul Maurice is on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup.
After nine seasons, Maurice stepped down from the Jets believing that the team needed somebody else behind the bench to help them get to the next level. They’re now on their third coach since his departure.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maurice guided the Jets to three of their best seasons, including the franchise-best 114-point performance in 2017-18 and marching to the 2018 Western Conference Final.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards wonders where the Panthers will hold their Stanley Cup parade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers haven’t won Lord Stanley’s Mug yet but you can’t blame Richards or any of the club’s followers if they’re a little giddy with excitement right now. If there was ever an apt opportunity for the phrase “plan the parade” without sarcasm, it’s now.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychkowski reports the Oilers are clinging to hope but things are looking bleak for them approaching Game 4.
Zach Hyman was the latest Oiler to remind everyone that his club had been counted out earlier this season when they were near the bottom of the standings. However, Edmonton’s offense has been stymied thus far by the Panthers.
Hyman, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins don’t have a single point between them. The Oilers’ vaunted power play is 0-for-10 in this series.
Meanwhile, Jim Matheson reports the Oilers are trying to reignite their offense and find ways to score against Bobrovsky. Hyman acknowledged they must find a way to get to the dirty areas and cash in on rebounds and other opportunities.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers believe they’re getting their chances but must bear down more and create more opportunities. The problem is they haven’t yet solved the riddle of Bobrovsky. If they can’t crack the code tonight, they’ll be watching the Panthers celebrate their first Stanley Cup championship.
Really enjoyed watching Forsling !Has been the best defenseman in the playoffs! Great signing by Fla. Panthers need to wrap this one up soon! Many of their players could be moving on to greener pastures!
As mentioned above, 3 of the Oilers top 5 forwards dont have a point in 3 game in the Final,
McDavid & Kaine do.
Oilers are Still missing a Top 6 RW to complete there 2nd line….
They need to come out and play there game, Change up the PP, Spongbob know where the puck in going before its on Leon Stick thats before Leon dose❗️
Ceci & Nurse have been a Brutal d pairing
Nurse Has been Just Horable our worst d/man
Young Broberg make the team next year on d…
Jeff Jackson, PO-HO will have to make some changes after the playoffs are done….
i see him taking over as GM role also….
A sweep in the finals is boring; give us at least a game 5
Re:
“ Pierre LeBrun and Shayna Goldman suggested Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, and defenseman Gustav Forsling as Conn Smythe Trophy candidates.”
Since Bobrovsky has basically “won” at least 5 games this post season for Panthers; including game 1 of the finals; it has to be Bobrovsky at this point
For those persnickety ones here that correctly point out that the only “true” way a goalie can actually win a game for his team is by shutout AND also by somehow getting the only goal for his team… I say….
“your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries”
8787: But can you say it with a silly French accent while slapping your helmet at the same time?
I’m much better at “none shall pass” in a Brittish accent
I don’t live in Winnipeg, but three head coaches since Maurice left?
Lyle, you make it sound like a revolving door.
One was an “interim”.
One retired.
One hasn’t even had a game under his belt yet.
Fair enough. I’ve changed the wording to better reflect the author’s words. Technically, they’re now on their third coach since Maurice’s departure. As per Scott Billeck:
“If you count interim coach Dave Lowry, Maurice’s replacement for the remaining months of that ugly season, the Jets will be on their third new voice this fall after Scott Arniel replaced the retiring Rick Bowness in May.”
We must point out the fact Maurice, quite on the Jets.
Maurice had a good jets team and couldn’t get them over the hump.
He didn’t like his soft players so he quite.
Lowry was hold me over coach.
Bowness was no one else will come here coach.
Arneil see Bowness above.
Chevy built a good team but forgot about defense.
Little sensitive in Winnepeg ey!
It’s small market syndrome…;)
Nope, not sensitive at all. Just stating facts.
I find it funny thay the media applaud Maurice for quiting on his team. Meanwhile will go after a player when he wants out of a market.
Maurice is a bully and he openly admits it. Don’t like him, never did.
Scott Billeck hardly applauded Maurice. The headline to the story was, “After walking out on Jets, Paul Maurice a win away from Stanley Cup glory”.
Lyle go research Dec 17, 2021 and listen to the hockey night crew, review Pierre LeBrun, Darren Dregger etc and post them comments.
Wow, you really hold a grudge there, Caper. I was referring to Scott Billeck’s report.
Lol, Lyle. Maybe hard for you to believe but I’m more of a water off a duck back kind of guy.
No grudge was never a fan of Maurice. Loyal to the veterans, benched the young.
Dress Gagner.
I hope they dress Sam Ganger….👍
Put Nurse as the 7th d/man, Broberg is playing way better,
Big Gun’s need to come out strong tonight