NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 20, 2024
Recaps of Thursday’s games, Rangers GM Chris Drury meets with his team to clear the air following two recent trades, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust each had four points in a 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators. Rust scored twice (including the winner in overtime) and Crosby snapped a 10-game goal drought as the Penguins (35 points) remain one point behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Filip Forsberg and Brady Skjei each had two points for the Predators, who remain at the bottom of the overall standings with 25 points.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators placed captain Roman Josi on injured reserve and activated blueliner Jeremy Lauzon for this game. Josi is expected to be sidelined for at least one week.
Meanwhile, the Senators got an overtime goal by Brady Tkachuk to defeat the Calgary Flames 3-2. Goaltender Linus Ullmark turned aside 29 shots for his seventh straight win as the Senators have won five straight games. Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the Flames (37 points) as they remain one point behind the Colorado Avalanche for the final Western Conference wild-card berth.
The Avalanche netted three unanswered third-period goals to double up the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Joel Kiviranta tallied the winning and insurance goals and Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves in his first game against his former club. Luke Kunin had two assists for the Sharks.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins kicked out 40 shots to backstop his club over the New Jersey Devils 4-2, ending the latter’s three-game win streak. Sean Monahan had two goals and an assist for the Jackets as they snapped a five-game losing skid. Luke Hughes and Timo Meier replied for the Devils, who remain in first place in the Eastern Conference with 45 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils forward Jack Hughes fired a career-high 13 shots on Merzlikins, who robbed him of two sure goals with spectacular saves. That effort earned Hughes the praise of Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, calling his effort “outstanding”.
Los Angeles Kings forwards Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala each tallied twice in a 7-3 romp over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Kings (42 points) have won eight of their last 10 games (8-1-1) and sit three points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division. Tyson Foerster scored two goals and collected an assist for the slumping Flyers as they’ve dropped three straight.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers head coach John Tortorella made Cam York a healthy scratch, saying the 23-year-old defenseman has struggled in his last 12 games since returning from an upper-body injury on Nov. 23.
Speaking of the Golden Knights, William Karlsson snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period as they defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-1. Brett Howden had a goal and an assist as Vegas has won six of their last seven contests. Teddy Blueger replied for the Canucks, who’ve won two of their last seven games (2-3-2).
The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Boston Bruins 3-2 on an overtime goal by Mattias Ekholm. Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid scored in the third period to set the stage for Ekholm’s heroics in OT as the Oilers have won six of their last seven games and 10 of their last 13. Elias Lindholm and Mark Kastelic tallied for the Bruins, who hold the first Eastern wild-card spot with 38 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers winger Viktor Arvidsson returned to the lineup after missing 15 games with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Bruins placed forward Tyler Johnson on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract. The 34-year-old center signed a one-year contract on Nov. 3 but appeared in nine games, collecting two points.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov collected two assists to extend his points streak to nine games in a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31 shots and Gage Goncalves tallied his first NHL goal as the Lightning won their fourth straight game. Pavel Buchnevich replied for the Blues as they’ve dropped four of their last five (1-3-1).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning played without defenseman J.J. Moser as he’ll be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks with a lower-body injury. An illness forced Blues rearguard Philip Broberg to be sidelined for this game.
The Chicago Blackhawks picked up their third straight win by downing the Seattle Kraken 3-1. Ilya Mikheyev scored twice and Nolan Allan got his first-ever NHL goal. Ryker Evans replied for the Kraken.
HEADLINES
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL holiday roster freeze is in effect from Dec.20 to 12:01 am on Dec. 28.
NEW YORK POST: Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury addressed the entire team for the first time before their practice on Thursday. Afterward, the club engaged in a fun, energetic session that concluded with a full-team shootout game.
Following practice, Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck met with the media to deny a report claiming a recent players-only meeting was to criticize Drury. “That could not be further from the truth,” he said. “When we have closed-door meetings in here, it’s about us. It’s about what we can do.”
The Rangers have been the hot topic of speculation among pundits and fans in recent weeks following their slide in the standings and Drury’s league-wide memo last month indicating he was willing to entertain trade offers for certain players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jacob Trouba was on Drury’s list and was shipped to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. Winger Kaapo Kakko was traded to Seattle on Wednesday but it’s not known if he was also on that list.
The report indicated a lighthearted mood among the players during practice following their meeting with Drury. Whether this marks the moment the Rangers snap out of their funk remains to be seen.
NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders placed goaltender Semyon Varlamov on long-term injury reserve, potentially clearing the way for sidelined winger Anthony Duclair’s return on Saturday.
SPORTSNET: Buffalo Sabres winger Jordan Greenway will be sidelined long-term following surgery for a middle-body injury. There is no timetable for his return but head coach Lindy Ruff expects he’ll be back later this season.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings sent goaltender Ville Husso to their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. The move suggests sidelined netminder Cam Talbot will soon return to action.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Wild placed forward Yakov Trenin (upper body) on injured reserve.
Devils forward Jack Hughes fired a career-high 13 shots on Merzlikins, who robbed him of two sure goals with spectacular saves. That effort earned Hughes the praise of Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, calling his effort “outstanding”.
Sadly, it was Jack’s bad turnover that led to Monahan’s ENG that stifled NJ’s momentum after getting 2 goals with the extra attacker.
Saw both Pens/Preds and Oil/Bruins games
Great to see OT games. Fantastic move by McDavid to get Oilers to OT. What a goal!
I’m beginning to really dislike Ulmark
That’s another night (this time for only an hour) that Ulmark has taken Pens from above the WC cut line to below it.
Great night (again) by the Pen’s top line. If not for top line and some fantastic saves by Jarry, this could have been 7 or 8 to one against. Team still struggling as a whole defensively. Pens in absolute need of a 3rd pairing RD. We only have to Righties (Letang and Karllsson). Lefties filling in on the right have been a sh@#$t-show.
Dubas could have picked up an RD @ League minimum off of the waiver wire. Picking up a league minimum player off of the waiver wire is basically a zero risk move. If the player doesn’t work out, worst case, back on waivers and then playing in the AHL .
I would really like to see Dubas trade for Desharnais (rumoured to be shopped, and cheaply at that, by Allvin)
8787, for the World Juniors about to get under way here in Ottawa, Braydan Yagar – who Pittsburgh relinquished for McGroarty – has been named the new “Captain Canada”
https://ottawasun.com/sports/brayden-yager-takes-on-role-of-captain-canada-for-world-junior-ignites-pre-tourney-win-over-swiss
Sure rub it in George
Dubas lost that trade from the get go; regardless of projected NHL careers for either player
Chevy had an asset literally worth zero to Jets (McGroarty told him he would not sign with Jets)
So Chevy was not trading from a strength position
He traded for a same draft position player ; but a C and 1 year younger (so asset would be owned longer).
Chevy HAD to trade . Chevy called Dubas. Dubas did NOT have to trade.
Dubas WAS (pre trade) in the power position of that trade as he didn’t HAVE to make the trade AND had the younger player.
There shiuld have been a pick attached to McGroarty. Even if the pick was a 5th rounder in ‘26
Nyet.
Zip. Zero. Bupkis . Nada. Nothing extra
Dubas lost that trade (just adding to his resume filled with lost trades)
The Penguins are pushing 5-4 OT win on the road.
Big Mistake by Nashville they roughed up Sid some and Sid was chirping man and he made them pay.
1 goal 3 assists 4 point night…like Marchand said one time don’t piss Crosby off its bad news.
Nice to see the Penguins playing better i liked the 3-2 OT win over LA than the sloppy 5-4 OT win last night but 2 points anyway anyhow.
Letang has been playing well lately
but he twice made the most dumb ass pinches leading to odd man rushes and Pickering left out to dry..
I agree Desharnais would e a solid. If we make a couple smart moves after the freeze they can definitley push for a playoff spot.
Great game by the Oil & Bruins…
Oil were sleeping in the first again… afer the 2nd goal they woke up
Zack Atack Hyman scored his 8th goal in his 7th game back….👍
The oil look like they are starting to roll
As Green said post-game, “a few weeks ago we’d have lost that one” … meaning the ability to win “ugly” is usually what separates the wheat from the chaff by season’s end.
Ullmark comes as advertised and is a graphic example as to what reasonable consistency in goal can do for a team.
Refreshing to see Tkachuk’s reaction to being high-sticked by Backlund, losing a tooth and getting 9 stitches around the mouth in the process. Instead of the usual – as might happen in similar instances – “revenge” crapola, when Backlund apologized Tkachuk took it in stride, saying later “No hard feelings, he didn’t do it intentionally … It happens, it’s all good.”
The “revenge” came later when he scored the winner in OT.
He also displayed a sense of humour, saying “I don’t feel too good, I don’t feel too good looking, either … thank God we got the Christmas pictures done already. It’ll be a fun couple of days.”
Re- Canucks Pettersson and JT.Millar👀
Sounds like J.T. and Elias Pettersson dont like each other at and and Don’t get along at All….
That came out yesterday, Would not surprise one little bit to see one get Traded out……
Im thinking Buffalo And Or Ottawa…Trade…⁉️
The past 10 games for each team reveal expected and, in a few cases, totally unexpected trends (based upon pre-season projections, anyway) as we near the half-way mark of 41 games. Utah, Pittsburgh and Ottawa ranking right there with the best records over that stretch certainly qualify as “unexpected” … as do Nashville, NYR and perhaps Calgary and Seattle spinning their wheels among the bottom 10.
Here are the Top 10 teams over the past 10 each with the order based first on points gained and, if identical W L OT/SO results, then by wins and finally by goal differential
Los Angeles – 8 1 1 17pts 36 18 +18
Edmonton – 8 2 0 16pts 41 23 +18
Utah – 7 1 2 16pts 37 23 +14
Florida – 7 2 1 15pts 40 28 +12
Pittsburgh – 7 2 1 15pts 41 30 +11
Ottawa – 7 2 1 15pts 29 20 +9
Washington – 7 2 1 15pts 33 27 +6
Vegas – 7 2 1 15 pts 25 25 E
Tampa – 7 3 0 14pts 44 25 +19
Toronto – 7 3 0 14pts 32 27 +5
At the other end of the scale are these 10 teams, with the order based on the worst record in that span using the above formula
Buffalo – 0 7 3 3pts 24 43 -19
Columbus – 2 6 2 6pts 24 37 -13
NYR – 3 7 0 6pts 22 34 -12
Nashville – 2 5 3 7pts 22 30 -8
Chicago – 4 6 0 8pts 26 34 -8
San Jose – 4 6 0 8pts 30 37 -7
Calgary – 4 5 1 9pts 27 39 -12
Anaheim – 4 5 1 9pts 24 32 -8
Philadelphia – 4 5 1 9pts 33 39 -6
Seattle – 4 5 1 9pts 28 30 -2
These are the records past 10 for the 12 teams middle-of-the-pack, best to worst
New Jersey – 6 3 1 13pts 32 26 +6
Boston – 6 3 1 13pts 31 32 -1
Colorado – 6 4 0 12pts 32 27 +5
Dallas – 6 4 0 12pts 29 24 +5
Minnesota – 6 4 0 12 pts 28 32 -4
Winnipeg – 5 4 1 11pts 30 28 +2
Vancouver – 4 3 3 11pts 28 29 -1
Montreal – 5 5 0 10pts 30 34 -4
Carolina – 5 5 0 10pts 28 32 -4
Detroit – 4 4 2 10pts 31 33 -2
St. Louis – 4 4 2 10pts 25 29 -4
NYI – 4 4 2 10pts 27 33 -6
Good list George, seems like the wheat is starting to separate from the chaff.
I thought OTT and Utah would be better this year, their underlying #’s were better than their records early in the year as well. Both teams made important, impactful deals in the offseason to address areas of need with Sergachev and Ullmark. Both have been big. I really miss Ullmark.
Kesserling is turning out to be a steal for Utah as well. Huge RD playing top 4 minutes, even putting up some points. Sergachev has changed that team, and Guenther and Cooley both seem like real offensive players at NHL level early in their careers. Bright future in Utah.
Surprised by NYR struggles, something weird going on there. Something seems not right in that organization right now.
Also surprised by the Pens, they are kind of where I thought they would be, bubble team, but after that start I thought they had aged out. But hey, they’ve got guys in that room with multiple championships, they ain’t goin’ down easy. Kind of nice to see. I should have known better I suppose.
My B’s are playing better, especially 5 on 5, somewhat hopeful they can get more consistent victories and get the stinkers out of their game.
Go Canada in WJC!
Yeah, should be a good tournament to watch.
Still can’t believe, though, that the powers-that-be in Hockey Canada think there are TEN better D prospects in Major Junior than 6′ 3″ 201 lbs Carter Yakemchuk to the point where they’d not even invite him to the tryout camp knowing the tournament is in the same city as the NHL team that drafted him 7th overall. Especially after the NHL camp he had.
Any introductions of Hockey Canada personnel during the tournament should be interesting.
Ray, re the NYR – definitely something lurking just below the average fan perception.
One thing does stand out – the 1st line of Panarin – Trochek – Lafrenière have decent offensive numbers (32g 43a 75 pts), but collectively they are a combined minus 25, with Lafrenière leading the way at minus 14.
By comparison, the 2nd unit of Kreider – Chytill – Cuylle drop off to 17g 19a 36 pts, but are collectively a plus 16. That’s the kind of performance you’d love to see on a checking 3rd or 4th line, but not good enough for a 2nd unit.
The 3rd line with Berard currently at LW with Zibanejad and Smith have 13g 25a 38 pts, but they are a collective minus 21, while the 4th line of Edstrim – Carrick and Rempe (back up) is virtually non-existent with 3g 6a 9 pts and a collective minus 7.
On D, the st pairing of Lindgren – Fox have only produced 2g to go along with 27a and combine for a minus 1.
The 2nd duo of Schneider – Borgen have 3g 8a 11 pts and combine for a minus 8. Right now it looks like the 3rd pairing is Vaakanainen and Ruhwedel.
They need Miller and Jones back in the D mix as soon as possible.
Ya bit of a head scratcher with Yakemchuk George. A northern AB boy to boot!
Matthew Shaefer made the team, and he is an exciting prospect, guessing he goes top 5, maybe even top 3 with a shot at #1. But it’s a 19 yr old tourney, and can be hard on a 17 yr old. Not sure I would have done that, plus a few more he could have bumped.
Another question is how the heck is Hyman not on Canada’s roster for the 4 nations cup. There’s 4 or 5 fwds on that team that I would bump vs Hyman. Including a Bruin Mr Marchand. 3 years ago, I take Marchand, but he isn’t the guy who can break open a game with his wheels and skill anymore.
I would play him with McDavid, but even if you want to move him down the lineup he can excel in that roll as well. The guy can check and grind, and not many CDN’s have more goals than him over last couple years. Don’t get it it.
Nor do I. Hyman’s approach to the game is exactly what is needed on that team.