NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2024
Nathan MacKinnon has a five-point game, a milestone game for Quinn Hughes, the Jets and Hurricanes win again, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Nathan MacKinnon collected five assists as the Colorado Avalanche snapped a three-game losing skid with a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken. MacKinnon and teammate Cale Makar extended their season-opening point streaks to 13 games. Mikko Rantanen scored two goals for the Avalanche. Kraken winger Jared McCann had a goal and an assist as he played his 600th regular-season game.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar picked up two assists before leaving in the second period. After the game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said the defenseman “tweaked something” but didn’t provide details.
Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes had three assists in his club’s 5-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Brock Boeser had a goal and an assist for the Canucks, who’ve won six of their last eight contests. Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal made 31 saves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes reached a notable career milestone, becoming the third-fastest defenseman in league history to reach 300 career assists in his 376th career game. He joins Bobby Orr (346 games) and Brian Leetch (368).
The Winnipeg Jets extended their win streak to four games by blanking the Utah Hockey Club 3-0. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves for the shutout and Nino Niederreiter scored twice in his 900th regular-season game as the Jets have a league-leading record of 12-1-0 (24 points). Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka stopped 25 shots as his club has one win in their last seven games.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas snapped a 4-4 tie with 31 seconds remaining in the third period and Seth Jarvis had the insurance goal in a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes have won seven straight. Flyers forward Travis Konecny scored twice and added two assists.
SPECTORS’ NOTE: The Flyers also placed forward Ryan Poehling on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
The St. Louis Blues 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning was overshadowed by winger Dylan Holloway leaving the game after being struck in the neck with a puck during the first period. Holloway skated to the bench but later left on a stretcher and was taken to a hospital for observation. Blues forward Brayden Schenn said Holloway is doing fine and will be ok.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jordan Kyrou scored what proved to be the game-winner and Jordan Binnington stopped 21 shots for the Blues. Nikita Kucherov assisted on both Tampa Bay goals. The Lightning were also playing without center Brayden Point as he’s nursing an undisclosed injury suffered during Sunday’s game with the Jets.
The New York Islanders overcame a 3-1 deficit and defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on a shootout goal by Bo Horvat. Igor Sorokin made 32 saves for the Isles. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored his 598th regular-season goal.
Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz made 29 saves in a 4-0 shutout of the Boston Bruins. Morgan Rielly had a goal and two assists as the Leafs scored three power-play goals and went six-for-six on the penalty kill. Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman turned aside 23 shots.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs captain Auston Matthews missed this game and is listed as day-to-day with a lingering upper-body injury. Boston defenseman Andrew Peeke left in the second period with an upper-body injury. Earlier in the day, the Bruins placed forward Max Jones on waivers.
Los Angeles Kings forward Trevor Lewis tallied two third-period goals to lead his club over the Minnesota Wild 5-1. Kings forwards Quinton Byfield, Alex Laferriere and Trevor Moore each had two points. Zach Bogosian scored for the Wild, who had won seven of eight games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov left this game in the second period after being struck in the mouth by a puck but returned for the third.
The Calgary Flames nipped the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on an overtime goal by Matt Coronato, who also scored the tying goal late in the third period to force the extra frame. Joel Armia had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, who are winless in their last four (0-3-1).
Buffalo Sabres forward J.J. Peterka had two goals and an assist and defenseman Bowen Byram tallied twice in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 37 shots for the Sabres. Ridly Greig replied for the Senators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres returned forward Jiri Kulich to their AHL affiliate before this game to activate forward Zach Benson from injured reserve.
The San Jose Sharks defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1. Sharks netminder Vitek Vanecek stopped 49 shots and Alex Wennberg netted the winner in overtime.
Yogi, yesterday you commented about the fact the Leafs sport a better record when Matthews is not in the line-up.
Can’t get much better than that.
Now one has to wonder if management isn’t looking closely at that as they move to forge a better distribution of their cap.
As for Ottawa – back to “one step forward … two steps back ….” it seems.
so Auston for Igor?
Heh. That’ll emerge somewhere in the conversation, I’m sure.
The only problem is, that wouldn’t do much for a better distribution of the cap should Shesterkin continue to seek $12.5 mil per.
George, Toronto`s record without Matthews in the lineup is 36-19-2. They actually score at a slightly higher rate and give up fewer goals. The reason is they play like a team without Matthews or Marner. The forwards all seem to play a 200 ft game when they don`t have Matthews or Marner to blame. The 21 games they didn`t win were all close hard fought games. It`s weird and very frustrating to watch because you start thinking about how good they should be when Matthews comes back and it just doesn`t happen. When Ray said good news for Boston, Matthews isn`t playing, not really Ray
Yogi those numbers are basically with him in the line up as well. Sure some guys pick up the slack but you can say that about any team – see Oilers.
The only thing important here is having that similar feeling some fans here comment about how they feel when they see the Leafs lose watching the Leafs whitewash the big bad bruins.
The Leafs still look bad and still needs to figure things out. I’m actually happy they struggle early and learn to figure it out like the good teams do. There’s a lot of good here but they need to learn to have it running on all cylinders. This also can be said for a lot of teams too.
No Ron you`re wrong, that is their record with Matthews out of the lineup. I actually thought it was better than that. The covid year they went something like 8 and 1 and shutout the Oilers twice. What does basically him in the lineup mean???? I only speak english, terrible at jibberish. Ron
George, I watched a good bit of the Ottawa game via streaming ESPN’s TSN Ottawa feed.
It’s the first time I’ve seen Ottawa this year.
Both the team – and announcers – seemed oddly fascinated with hits. From what I saw, perhaps they should concentrate on defense, and worry less about trying to pummel the opponents. In some cases, it led to silly penalties. It certainly didn’t work last night.
Couldn’t agree more. Yes, play aggressive “finish-your-check” hockey … but don’t lose sight of the simple aspects of the game – in both zones – that can frustrate the opponents. That’s the way they approached their last few games ,,, and with success for the most part. Last night, it was Buffalo who played it that way while Ottawa seemed intent on pure intimidation.
It did not work. They do that again against the Islanders and they lose two in a row.
The Holloway incident appeared so innocent until he returned to the bench. It then became so serious, so fast. The trainer provided immediate assistance, as well as docs. The stretcher at the bench is always so frightening. Glad for a good report
IP
Boston been shutout 3 times in its first 14 games, in another 5 games they scored 2 goals or less.
Total goals in them 8 games was 9 goals!
Last night they had good effort. Carlo had a bad night, looks like he screen Swayman on the first pp goal, the second pp goal went in off his skate and the third pp goal he didn’t tie up Knies stick.
Coyle 2 goals, last year 25 goals
Zacha 1 goal, last year 21 goals
Frederic 1 goal, last year 18 goals
Geekie 0 goal, 17 goals
Time to start putting the puck in the net.
Ya, need to score more goals Caper, and take fewer penalties. Fixing the PP will help on the scoring front.
Sounds like the Leafs do better without Matthews, maybe he is available, that would help the PP and scoring.
Hey Caper,
Yes Boston look like they need Scoring help up front
maybe on the wing is where they can up-grade as its way cheaper then Centre….
Boston has lots of Hype over young Rookie 21yr old Fabian Lysell but he is still Not on the team….❓
A trade
it may cost them a 1st pick and Fabian Lysell and a salary dump like $3.m Joonas Korpisalo and Morgan Geekie $2.M to make the money work as boston only have $500,000 in cap space left to land a scoring winger like the ducks Trevor Zegras in a trade..🤔
Elias Lindholm is more like a 2nd line centre….
Pavel Zacha only has 3 points in 12 games as bostons 2nd line centre, So looks like they have to upgrade there Wing positions to fix scoring ….❓
looking from the outside in as im not a Boston fan, maybe a coaching change in boston if things dont improve bye december..🤔
williew, i don’t know if they can wait that long.
I will say if Boston losses its next two games at home against Calgary and Ottawa, Monty is done.
Something is up in Boston but i don’t know what.
Look at a player like Trent Frederick in a contract year, scored 18 goals last year. Yet his play look disinterested, last night i forgot he was in the lineup. One thing not to score but another when you’re not any making an effort.
If I`m the Ducks, I`d pass if you offered Boston`s 1st and Lysell just to take the 2 salary dumps, especially with Korpisalo having 3 more years on his contract and I`m not even a fan of showboat Zegras. If I`m Anaheim , I use Zegras in a package to get something I need. At this point and time Anaheim doesn`t need picks or prospects that are borderline busts, nor 4th line players or Korpisalo. Poitras or Beecher might interest Anaheim
Caper,I honestly thought this might happen last year when Bergeron and Krecji retired!And no I do not want JDB back,he is frustrating Vancouver already!The entire forward group exceptPasta,Marchand and Lindholm are bottom 6 players!If you are not going to look at Lysell and Merkulov trade them!A trade for a top 6 winger is desperately needed! Someone like Zegras comes to mind!
Hughes…. Wow; didn’t realize he’d had that many assists already. Excellent!
I actually thought Makar would have been up there as well, so I checked. Not at 300 A’s yet but remarkably could (with a big push) actually break Orr’s record (346 games to get to 300 A’s).
Makar at 268 A’s in 328 Games
At his current (24/25) pace; he’d reach 300 A’s in game 351
Not likely, but possible
Sully, please call Monty for “sitting” advice. If Monty can sit his best player; you better wise up and sit a certain player that has been on for 38% of the goals against over the last 9 games.
You need players on ice that are there to play full tilt; from opening face-off to final horn. Not 3rd period coasters and laise-fare (sp ??) /sporadic “vacationers” during the first two periods.
Dubas reminder. You promised Crosby (as part of his re-signing) that you would make team better.
Caper & Yogi,
i think its the coach is whats up….
he is not getting along with his players…😤
Any trade has to be salarys out for boston as the only have $500,000 in cap space..?? if they need a top 6 forward who could score
i think a trade with $5.M players going out and Bostons 1st pick and Fabian Lysell would do it..
Ducks only have 1 first round pick, there GM
Pat Verbeek has said he would like to add more picks,…
there only real RW bye position is 3rd line guy
Brett Leason….⁉️
they also have $21M in cap space right now….
Who would you guys trade out of Boston….❓
Where does Lysell play on the Bruins? Ok, so how come he’s so valuable if he can’t make the team especially as one which could use help on the back end?
Last time we saw a fringe player get traded it was worth a lot less than you’re asking.
To Ron’s point, most teams have a guy like Lysell. A player drafted pretty early, who scored as a teenager, has skills, but can’t crack the NHL lineup. He ain’t worth much today, until he figures it out, in which case you keep him.
I would be surprised if the B’s made any significant changes to their roster at this time in the season. For sure not for a guy like Zegras. What does he really bring to the table other than flash? Only deals out there right now will be ones you lose. It’s why coaches get fired this time of year, only real option.
If the B’s don’t play significantly better over the next 20 games and then into the TDL, they might be moving guys for picks not giving them up.
I am still still hopeful they get it turned around, same coach or new one, but that is my heart, not my brain. Other than the back to back shutouts, where they were solid against mediocre teams, there hasn’t been much reason for optimism based on their play.
But hey, doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t and they are by no means out of it. Go B’s!
Ray Bark one of the problems that teams have in trading players is NMC and NTC in player contracts! That is the fault of the GM !
Not sure you can blame an individual GM for NTC’s Sr. Every team has them and continues to agree to them.
The reason must be that if they don’t, the player won’t sign there for any of his UFA years.
The player, if he is good, has all the leverage with regards to those years.
The cup champ Panthers: their best Fwd’s, D and tender all have them.
If you don’t agree to them say goodbye to your best players once they hit 27, and give up on signing quality UFA’s that come from another team.
Williew please why should Anaheim or any other team take players they don’t need or neccessarily want. Korpisalo is a dead weight to Boston for 3 more years and it will cost Boston to rid themselves of that contract. Lysell isn’t exactly tearing up the AHL either.
Same old Sens it seems. *sigh*
Yep. 17 seconds into the 2nd period they give up the 2-0 goals then, just to show it was no fluke, 21 seconds and 37 seconds into the 3rd they give up the 3-1 and 4-1 goals. Brilliant preparation!
The faint hope is that they are learning from these relapses … but I’m not holding my breath. It’s been going on like that for over 5 seasons now, and even a roughly 30% change in personnel – including in goal, on the D and among the bottom 6 F group – isn’t showing any appreciable change in the pattern.
Toronto was the same way George, not starting periods on time and worse they took the final 60 seconds off too. One remedy that might work, is, the players that are on the ice when it happens, aren`t the players that start the next period for you. Most teams put a lot of emphasizes on the the last 90 seconds, but not so much the first 90 seconds. Or at least you get 2 goals scored on you like that