NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 8, 2024
Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck reaches a career milestone, the Panthers, Hurricanes and Wild each reach the 20-point plateau, the Sabres upset the Rangers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves for his second straight shutout (and the 40th of his NHL career) as his club held on to blank the Colorado Avalanche 1-0. Gabriel Vilardi scored the only goal at 1:06 of the first period for the Jets, who extended their league-leading record to 13-1-0 (26 points). Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev stopped 27 shots.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck became the sixth US-born goaltender to record 40 career shutouts, joining Jonathan Quick (66 shutouts), Ryan Miller (44), Craig Anderson (43), Frankie Brimsek and John Vanbiesbrouck (40 each).
The shutout snapped the 13-game season-opening points streaks of Avalanche stars Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. Cale Makar suffered an injury against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday but played over 25 minutes in this contest, recording two shots on net.
The Florida Panthers picked up their sixth straight win with a 6-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, handing the latter their fifth loss in their last six games. Carter Verhaeghe scored two goals and collected an assist, Aleksander Barkov picked up three assists and Sam Reinhart extended his goal streak to five games. Steven Stamkos and Juuso Parssinen replied for the Predators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers sit atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-3-1 (21 points). Predators forward Colton Sissons missed this game as he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Carolina Hurricanes netminder Pyotr Kochetkov turned aside 35 shots to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1. The Hurricanes picked up their eighth straight victory as Jack Roslovic scored twice and picked up an assist and Jalen Chatfield had three assists. Blake Lizotte scored for the Penguins.
The Buffalo Sabres romped to a 6-1 upset of the New York Rangers. Zach Benson had a goal and an assist and Jack Quinn picked up two assists for the Sabres. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin got the hook early in the second period after giving up five goals on 12 shots.
An overtime goal by Brad Marchand lifted the Boston Bruins over the Calgary Flames 4-3. Bruins forward Pavel Zacha had a goal and an assist while Joona Korpisalo made 34 saves for the win. The Flames forced the extra frame by overcoming a two-goal deficit on third-period goals by Yegor Sherangovich and Nazem Kadri.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames winger Anthony Mantha missed this game with a lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve.
Dallas Stars forwards Logan Stankoven and Sam Steel each had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Tyler Seguin also scored and Jake Oettinger made 25 saves for the Stars. Tyler Bertuzzi replied for the Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stankoven leads all rookie scorers with 12 points.
The Minnesota Wild got three assists from Kirill Kaprizov to drop the San Jose Sharks 5-2. Matt Boldy tallied twice for the Wild, who sit second in the Western Conference with a record of 9-2-2 (20 points). Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini scored both goals for the Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks defenseman Jake Walman missed this game with an upper-body injury. He missed their previous contest for non-hockey reasons.
Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes had a goal and an assist as his club doubled up the Los Angeles Kings 4-2. Canucks winger Brock Boeser left this game midway through the first period following a blindside hit to the head by Kings forward Tanner Jeannot. There was no update on his condition following the game. Quinton Byfield and Vladislav Gavrikov scored for the Kings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jeannot received a match penalty for his illegal hit on Boeser. The incident will be reviewed by the league but remains to be seen whether he receives supplemental discipline.
A shootout goal by Owen Tippett lifted the Philadelphia Flyers to a 2-1 upset of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tipett also scored in regulation while Ivan Fedotov made 23 saves for his first NHL victory. Nikita Kucherov replied for the Lightning, who played without Brayden Point as he remains sidelined by a lower-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov was a healthy scratch as head coach John Tortorella expressed concerns over Michkov’s play at even strength. The 19-year-old winger is second among NHL rookie scorers with 10 points, seven of which were on the power play. He was held to one assist in his last five games.
The Utah Hockey Club defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-2 as Dylan Guenther scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period. Guenther finished the night with two points. Colton Parayko and Jordan Kyrou tallied for the Blues.
New Jersey Devils forwards Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt each collected three points in a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, handing the latter their fifth straight loss (0-4-1). Alex Newhook scored twice for the struggling Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ leading scorers have been shut down lately. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have no points in their last three games while Juraj Slafkovsky was held to an assist in his last four contests. Meanwhile, the Devils reassigned defenseman Simon Nemec to their AHL affiliate in Utica. He’d been a healthy scratch for over two weeks.
The New York Islanders doubled up the Ottawa Senators 4-2. Bo Horvat led the way with a goal and two assists while Semyon Varlamov stopped 28 shots for the win. Nick Jensen and Drake Batherson replied for the Senators, who’ve dropped five of their last seven games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators forward Tim Stutzle was cut above his right eye after taking a puck to the face in the first period. He left the game but returned at the start of the second period, finishing the game with two assists.
IN OTHER NEWS…
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews missed practice on Thursday as he remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Leafs coach Craig Berube hasn’t ruled out Matthews from their upcoming two games against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday and the Canadiens on Saturday.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer is listed as day-to-day after suffering what the club called “an unfortunate accident” at home. He’s expected to return within the next couple of days.
RG.ORG: Former New Jersey Devils forward John Madden remains puzzled as to why former teammate Alexander Mogilny continues to be passed over for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“It was crazy how many key goals he scored for us at the right moments, at the right time, whether it was regular season or playoffs; he just had that knack for burying goals that mattered,” said Madden. He considers Mogilny “one of the best players not to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Madden’s not the only person wondering why the Hall of Fame has continually passed over Mogilny since his first year of eligibility in 2009. A growing number of fans and pundits have openly questioned the Hall’s ongoing snub of one of the most skillful and exciting forwards to play the game.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The NCAA has voted to allow major junior players to maintain college eligibility if they are not signed to a pro contract. This decision allows players in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which includes the QMJHL, OHL and WHL to transfer to NCAA teams beginning next season.
The move would enable players drafted by NHL teams out of the CHL to play NCAA Division I hockey as their next step in developing their game before signing a professional contract. How it will impact other leagues like the United States Hockey League (USHL) or the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) remains to be seen.
I’m not sure that NCAA decision has any impact on the CHL honestly. Isn’t the widely held belief that the CHL is better hockey, more games and a longer season? I know the American’s program has come a long way but….is it maybe for over agers who can no longer find a spot on CHL teams having a place to go that’s competitive?
I was at last night’s game George. We aren’t discussing it. LOL
Hey Dark G, if a top NCAA team played a top CHL team, I would place my bet on the NCAA team, because they are older and more physically mature as a group.
Has to make a huge difference.
It sounded like the purpose is for NHL drafted players who get sent back to Jr as they can’t make the NHL club, and don’t qualify for the AHL.
The NCAA gives them a chance to compete against physically stronger players and the fewer games allows for more specific skill development, and gym time. Seems like a good idea if you are already lighting up major Jr as an 18 or 19 yr old.
Something to be said for playing more games too, that has it’s upsides, so this seems tailored to a specific group of players.
But that’s just me guessing.
Ray, the stuff described in the link about NCAA athletes getting paid has been going on for a long time … maybe it’s also time for the hypocrites to stop looking down their elitist noses at Major Junior hockey players who would like to transfer to an NCAA program but can’t because they are regarded as “pros.”
https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/sports/college-athletes-are-getting-paid-fans-are-starting-to-see-growing-share-of-bill/article_f1abe582-9ca8-11ef-a8a2-0f71b2ae2be7.html
Ray you`d lose your shorts betting on the NCAA against the CHL. Most NCAA teams may have a couple of good players and are older, they lack the depth to compete with most CHL teams. A lot of the kids go the college route because they aren`t ready for the physical aspect of the game. We`ve had season tickets for the Penticton Vees for the past 25 years and I wander up to Kelowna to see the Rockets occasionally. The Vees have been a powerhouse in Jr. A forever and one of the top feeders for the NCAA forever. The Rockets would crush the Vees on any given night. While the Jr. A kids have skill, but they need more time to develop them. The college route gives them the advantage of more practice time and way less pressure of having to perform at a higher level faster. We were surprised that Nadeau was drafted in the 1st round, he`s got a great shot, but needed to work on almost every other aspect of his game. His size and lack of physical development, college was his best bet. With some CHL players now being eligible to go to the NCAA, that`ll improve the quality and depth of college teams.It`ll likely be the death knell for Jr. A in Canada. Already a few of the BCHL teams have feelers out to try and join the USHL
Yogi, yes many NCAA teams have a big disparity of players, which is why I said if a top CHL team played a top NCAA team. The best players seem to collect on those teams.
Denver are the defending champs and ranked #1 down south. Alberta is the main feeder province from Canada for Denver as there are personal connections with MGT there and Alberta, plus a pretty straight line south.
That is a good team that would give any CHL team all they could handle and more. I would take that bet all day. Especially in a 7 game series when they can knock around the scrawny 17, 18 & 19 yr old’s night after night.
A team like the Moncton Wildcats who are #1 in Canada right now, will likely put more players in the NHL, but most are still kids.
Maybe we will get to test that theory some day and see who’s right. I would place a significant bet on Denver to take that series.
Ray, at least where Moncton is concerned, I wouldn’t use the term “scrawny.”
Their average weight is 183 lbs.
4 are 5.10, 1 is 5.11, 3 are 6′, 4 are 6.1, 7 are 6.2, 1 is 6.3 and 2 are 6.4.
A few clips from a game between Moncton and the team across the river from Ottawa, the Gatineau Olympiques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeeI87_ki9Q
Ray you don`t watch any minor hockey do you. How many 18 year olds step right into the NHL and are physical ready to play. The big argument right now is that 19 year old CHL players that are too good to play in the CHL should be allowed to play in the AHL. In comparison few make the jump directly from college to the NHL even at 23 or 24. The big reason is the physical aspect and the demand of playing every other day. No Ray the days of scrawny kids in Jrs. is long past. These kids work out as hard as any NHL player. Them scrawny kids head to the college ranks. Even Matthew Knies who`s built like a tank found it hard to adjust and he`s what 6’3″ and 225lbs. The CHL is the best and fastest route to the NHL, even the Europeans have figured that out. I can remember when the McCrimmon brothers played in the Hat. Yeah them scrawny kids
A change in ownership, a change in the GM’s office, a slew of new assistant-whatevers, a change in the coaching staff, presumably new “systems” installed, a 34% change in the roster …. and the same bloody half-assed one step forward – two steps back efforts on the ice.
It has to be dawning on even the densest among management that the problem begins within the so-called “core.” Overrated and over-paid.
Great play by Lindholm last night on the OT winner to Marchand. The type of play Bergeron used to make for us.
Marchand had to be relived, his stupid penalty in the 3rd was a gift PP that got CGY to within a goal. It was also a ticky tak call, but still dumb. Glad to see Monty send him out there, and glad he got a big goal.
Ray Bark I honestly think the Bruins will be better come playoff time,that is if they qualify!The last 2 years they had such great records that the second half of the year they had very few meaningful games!When playoffs rolled around they were a little shell shocked!Remind those CHL guys that a BU player was the first pick in last years draft,and a BC player could follow suit this year!
Re the Pens & Preds,
The Pens are really strugling this season yet Again❗️
seen some of the game last nite,
The Pen’s have the worst GA in the whole league
-Pens 59…..
followed bye the
-Habs,58
-Preds,51
-Sharks,50
I wonder what Sid is thinking….
at this rate they will not make the playoffs, should the trade me…🤔
The Preds also in a mess after 15 games…
poor goaltending and the cant score goals…33 Goals to date, 2nd lowest after the ducks at 25⁉️
they really need a good centre to get some scoring going…..
Sounds like the Oilers are ready to trade
Adam Henrique, Or Jeff Skinner and a pick for good help on RD…..
Preds and Penguins have the exact same problem! High priced,older players with poor supporting casts around them!
Agree in general Sr
Can’t speak to the Preds coaching, but Sully must shoulder a fair bit of blame
He is not sitting apathetic playing culprits; he’s giving disproportionate ice time to apathetic playing culprits and those repeatedly making defensive errors; and his line shuffling, line combos and who is relegated to the press box and/or sent to WBS has been rife with mistakes.
Ultimately, Pens are where they are because of Dubas.
It is absolutely sad to see the Uber competitive Crosby playing on this backward moving team
Don’t hold your breath tonight
A 5-0 shutout loss will not be a surprise
The pen’s have way to many Old and over priced players
I would not put all the blame on Dubas, the last GM left the farm team Bear with No Talent and nothing coming up to help,
There Re-build will be a long one 6-8 years⁉️
i would think they will start trading players out
5 ufa forwards, maybe a 2nd pick and
a couple of 4th picks with retained salarys
on d they have 2 UFA’s Marcus Pettersson and
Matt Grzelcyk who could get them a couple of 2nd pick’ s for teams in need….,🤔
then you have Crosby, 3 years, and Malkin, 2 yrs
and the 2 RD on d, Erik Karlson at $10.M for 3 years and 34 yr old
Kris Letang at 37 yrs old 4 more yrs at $6.1M….
maybe the Habs take a flyer on the local boy Letang⁉️ with some salary retained…