NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 9, 2024
Upset victories for the Kraken and Blue Jackets highlight Sunday’s action, three players hit the waiver wire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Seattle Kraken overcame a 3-1 deficit to upset the New York Rangers 7-5. Kraken forward Oliver Bjorkstrand scored two goals and collected two assists and Eeli Tolvanen had a goal and two assists. Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and K’Andre Miller each had two points for the Rangers, who’ve lost seven of their last nine games.
Seattle Kraken forward Oliver Bjorkstrand (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken played this game with emergency backup goalie Michael Matyas. There was a brief moment midway through the first period where it appeared Matyas was getting into the game when Rangers center Filip Chytil clipped Kraken starter Philipp Grubauer. However, Grubauer shook it off and stayed in the game.
A two-goal performance by Kent Johnson carried the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-1 upset of the Winnipeg Jets. Elvis Merzlikins got the win with 24 saves as his club ended a three-game losing skid. Kyle Connor netted his 15th of the season for the Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot from Jets defenseman Colin Miller.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists as his club doubled up the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. Kucherov had missed the previous two games with an undisclosed injury. Brayden Point tallied twice and picked up two assists for the Lightning. Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood replied for the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes left the game in the first period when a high stick from Lightning forward Brandon Hagel stuck him in the face. The Canucks captain got several stitches and returned to action.
Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is expected to start Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, meaning goalie Arturs Silovs was assigned to their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Center J.T. Miller is expected to return from his leave of absence on Thursday against the Florida Panthers.
Lighting center Anthony Cirelli left this game in the first period following a hit by Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen.
The Colorado Avalanche got a 25-save shutout performance from Scott Wedgewood in a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Casey Mittelstadt collected two assists and Ross Colton scored his first goal since returning from a 17-game absence with a broken foot. Devils goalie Jake Allen gave up three goals on 22 shots.
Four unanswered third-period goals lifted the Dallas Stars to a 6-2 win against the Calgary Flames. Thomas Harley scored twice, Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist, and Jake Oettinger made 29 stops. Jonathan Huberdeau and Conor Zary tallied for the Flames.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames assistant coach Brad Larsen missed this game. He’s taking an indefinite leave of absence to deal with a family matter.
The New York Islanders defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-2. Ilya Sorokin kicked out 29 shots while Kyle Palmieri, Anders Lee and Noah Dobson each had two points for the Islanders. Senators forward Adam Gaudette tallied a career-high 13th goal.
Utah Hockey Club forward Logan Cooley had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. It was Utah’s fourth straight road win. Joel Farabee and Owen Tippett replied for the Flyers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goaltender Samuel Ersson and defenseman Jamie Drysdale returned to the Flyers lineup after missing several games due to injuries.
IN OTHER NEWS…
TSN: The Chicago Blackhawks placed goalie Petr Mrazek on injured reserve with a left groin injury.
DAILY FACEOFF: On Sunday, Blackhawks winger Joey Anderson, San Jose Sharks winger Givani Smith, and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Caleb Jones were placed on waivers.
4 teams off to great starts and were surprises this year! Washington,LA Kings,Minnesota and to some extent the CBJ! Evason has done a great job to have that team at 500! Boston has a gut check 5 game road trip to Western Canada !
Agree with you Sr re Caps, Wild, Jackets
To me, Kings doing great but not in the league of giant surprises as the other 3.
Wild with the $15 M buyout Cap handicap . Wow.
Caps made changes in the offseason so many expected some uptick. SOME . That’s a huge uptick!!
Jackets at 500 hockey with only $68 M in Cap expenditures and the tragic tragic loss. Very very good.
Senators…. same old same old.
TheSaint, I love their forward group! Tkachuk,Stutzle,Norris,Pinto,Batherson,Giroux,Perron,they are solid in Goal with Ullmark! Is D their biggest need! Hurts to see the year that Chycrun is having.
I love the group too…on paper…but they STILL don’t seem to consistently play with any purpose.
They need a fire lit under them.
Chychrun just had to go… can’t have that many 8million dollar d- men, and Chabot has been quite good this year.
SR,
Yes 💯 %
it hurts to see Jackob Chycrun have such a Very Good year, with the Sen’s struggling
Just a thought, After the Draft, if the Sen’s dont Get a Top LD @ draft, like a top 6 pick,
Matthew Schaefer….maybe they go back after
Jackob Chycrun as he is a UFA……❓👍
PS
No George again today…..?
the saint,
Dont know what it is with the Sen’s⁉️ same as the last 3 years.
I Really feel its Time to make some BIG Trades…….
Do # 1 or 2 or 3 ( see below )
have a good look at the UFA Market too….
Sen’s could have $20.M ++ in cap space next year depending have it go’s up…..🤔
1– LD, D/man, Thomas Chabot
or
2–Centre, 25 yr old Josh Norris
and
3– RD-men are in BIG Demand this year…🤔
To Trade out Artyom Zub
who has been the Sen’s
1st & 2nd RD pairing over the past few years but onten hurt
then
Trade with Nashville or The Ducks or and or Sharks
With 25yr old Centre Norris
Then picks 2-5 for there 1st pick & a 2nd Go after LD d/man Matthew Schaefer,
Ottawa will Also have a Top 7-10 pick go after centre, like one of these guys
Caleb Desnoyers, Ivan Ryabkin , Michael Misa
Next season they will have Big RD-man
Carter Yakemchuk 6ft-4 and 210lb he will be 20 yrs old and ready to play 2nd pairing..👍
Centre Shane Pinto.. I like him, His line mates have been very poor Especaly ( Perron ) @$4.M… we need to get him someone better to play with..❓
David Perron has been a dud UFA signing so far this season, i know he has been out for X 18 Games
& 0 points in 9 games… ❗️
They still need a good d/man, But if they add the
2 d men, like these 2
LD–Matthew Schaefer & RD-Carter Yakemchuk, they are set. on d
Sen’s look like they miss the playoffs again….
A Good Older forward aged 28 to 32 years old,
I wonder what the NYR are looking for in returen form Big Chris Kreider …..?
A 2nd pick, a good d prospect..or a player…
Yes, I have to say I have been INCREDIBLY underwhelmed with the FA signings so far.
Tough to give up on Norris though… Zub can go. He’s amazing if he’s healthy but that’s rare. Carter will be in the big club next year I am almost positive.
I am just so sick of having to always look at “next year” for hope…
Also let’s not forget… either this year or next, Staios has to surrender the first round pick.
I am guessing at this trajectory it will be next year’s if he wants to use the pick or trade it.