NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 19, 2025

by | Jan 19, 2025 | News, NHL | 26 comments

A major comeback win for the Leafs, the Senators rally for a big win over the Bruins, milestone performances by the Avalanche’s Cale Makar and the Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov, the Capitals reveal their Quarter-Century Team, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 7-3, snapping the latter’s six-game points streak. Oliver Ekman-Larsson tallied the winning goal and collected two assists, Mitch Marner had two helpers, and Joseph Woll stopped 32 shots as the Leafs sit atop the Atlantic Division with 60 points. Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens (48 points), who sit two points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens dominated the first half of this game but took their foot off the gas in the second half and the Leafs made them pay. Woll made several big saves to prevent the Canadiens from running away with the game, enabling his teammates to stage their comeback.

A shootout goal by Tim Stutzle completed a three-goal comeback for the Ottawa Senators in a 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins. Nick Jensen and Josh Norris scored late in the third period to set the stage for Stutzle’s winning goal, with Norris finishing the game with two goals. David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists for the Bruins, who slipped behind the Senators out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators and Bruins each have 50 points but the Sens have two games in hand and one more victory (23 to 22). Bruins coach Joe Sacco made the puzzling decision to bench captain Brad Marchand for overtime and the shootout.

Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen scored two goals and set up two others in a 6-3 win against the Dallas Stars. Cale Makar scored twice while Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt each had a goal and two assists for the Avs, who hold the first Western Conference wild-card berth with 57 points. Jason Robertson tallied twice and picked up an assist and Wyatt Johnston had three assists for the Stars, who sit third in the Central Division with 57 points.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar reached the 100-goal plateau, becoming the sixth-fastest blueliner in NHL history to reach that milestone. George Boucher was the fastest (223 games played), followed by Bobby Orr (299), Paul Coffey (300), Raymond Bourque (329) and Denis Potvin (348).

The Tampa Bay Lightning downed the Detroit Red Wings 5-1. Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel each had a goal and two assists and Andrei Vasilevskiy kicked out 39 shots for the Lightning, who’ve won three of their last four games and hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 53 points. Lucas Raymond replied for the Red Wings (46 points), who sit four points behind the Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov became the second player in Lightning history to reach 600 NHL regular-season assists. Victor Hedman was the first to do so, reaching that milestone on Jan. 16 against the Anaheim Ducks. Following this game, the Red Wings sent goaltender Ville Husso back to their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids.

Utah Hockey Club forward Clayton Keller had a goal and three assists as he led his team to a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Logan Cooley had a goal and two assists as Utah snapped a three-game losing skid. Tyler Tucker and Jake Neighbours replied for the Blues (48 points), who sit three points behind the Calgary Flames for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah defenseman Mikhail Sergachev missed this game as he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Speaking of the Flames, they got a 38-save performance by Dustin Wolf to upset the Winnipeg Jets 3-1. Blake Coleman had a goal and two assists and Andrei Kuzmenko scored his first goal since Oct. 15. Adam Lowry tallied Winnipeg’s only goal as their three-game win streak ended. With 65 points, the Jets sit second in the overall standings.

The Washington Capitals took over sole possession of first place in the overall standings (67 points) by dropping the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1, extending their points streak to 10 games (7-0-3). Aliaksei Protas and Pierre-Luc Dubois each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals. Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals unveiled their Quarter-Century Team on Saturday.

Forwards Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, defensemen John Carlson and Mike Green, and goaltender Braden Holtby comprised the First Team.

The Second Team featured forwards Peter Bondra, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson, blueliners Sergei Gonchar and Dmitry Orlov, and goaltender Olaf Kolzig.

The Capitals also removed goalie Charlie Lindgren from injured reserve after missing the last three games with an upper-body injury.

New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves to shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0. Vincent Trocheck scored the only goal in the shootout. Daniil Tarasov stopped 26 shots for his first career shutout, becoming the first netminder in league history to record a shutout and suffer a loss in the same game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On Friday, the Blue Jackets announced defenseman Jake Christiansen signed a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $975K.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes tallied twice and J.T. Miller picked up two assists as their club held on for a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. It was the Canucks’ second win in their last eight games, leaving them one point behind the Flames in the Western wild-card race. Leon Draisaitl scored both goals for the Oilers as their four-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers could face supplemental discipline from the league. McDavid cross-checked Canucks forward Conor Garland in the head after the latter pinned him to the ice. In the ensuing scrum, Myers cross-checked Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in the face. Both players received match penalties.

Miller was the subject of trade buzz yesterday with some reports suggesting this game may be his last with the Canucks. I’ll have more details in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

The Chicago Blackhawks upset the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3, leaving the latter with five losses in their last six games. Tyler Bertuzzi scored two power-play goals and Nick Foligno collected an assist in his 1,200th NHL regular-season game as the Blackhawks snapped a four-game winless skid (0-3-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas and Edmonton are tied with 61 points but the Golden Knights hold first place in the Pacific Division with 26 regulation wins.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Bobby Brink snapped a 1-1 tie and Travis Konecny potted the insurance goal into an empty net in a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. The Flyers are 4-0-1 in their last five (48 points) and sit two points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. Dougie Hamilton scored for the Devils, who are winless in their last three games (0-1-2) and hold second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Florida Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight turned aside 34 shots to blank the Anaheim Ducks 3-0. Jesper Boqvist, Anton Lundell and Gustav Forsling were the goalscorers for the Panthers, who sit second in the Atlantic Division with 57 points. John Gibson made 42 stops for the Ducks, who are 1-4-2 in their last seven contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers forward Sam Reinhart received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom late in the first period. Lundestrom left the game in obvious pain favoring his right leg.

The New York Islanders defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-1, handing the latter their fifth loss in their last six contests. Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist for the Islanders as they ended a two-game losing skid. Barclay Goodrow replied for the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brent Sutter was inducted into the Islanders’ Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony. Sutter spent 12 of his 18-season NHL playing career with the Islanders, helping them win two of the franchise’s four Stanley Cups. He had 610 points in 694 games with the Islanders, including a career-high 102 in 1984-85.

Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg scored twice and collected two assists in a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Juuse Saros made 27 saves for the Predators, who picked up their third straight win. David Jiricek and Matt Boldy scored for the Wild as they are 1-4-0 in their last five contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators placed winger Luke Evangelista (lower body) on injured reserve before this game. He’s not expected to return until early February. Defenseman Adam Wilsby was taken off IR. Meanwhile, the Wild placed blueliner Jonas Brodin (lower body) on IR. They also recalled goalie Dylan Ferguson on an emergency basis as Filip Gustavsson was out of the lineup with an illness.

A hat trick by Jaden Schwartz led the Seattle Kraken to a 4-2 upset of the Los Angeles Kings. Kaapo Kakko collected three assists and Joey Daccord made 28 saves for the Kraken. Adrian Kempe and Jordan Spence replied for the Kings, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 55 points.







26 Comments

  1. Sounds like interim coach Sacco wanted to establish the fact that he’s in charge … but focusing on the team captain – who also happens to be one the THE best clutch players in the game – may not have been the wisest way to go about that,

    The fact Norris tied the game with 12 seconds to go can’t be blamed squarely on Marchand. In fact, it seemed a Bruins D partially screened Swayman.

    • A Bruins D , I should add, clearly never heard Don Cherry’s sage advice to “get the Hell out of the way so your goalie can see the coming shot”

      • Hey George,

        I’m Not sure if you got to see my replie from Sat,

        They are not playing Jeff Skinner, they know he has a NMC, he has sat 3-4 games in the past 10
        He just cant Crack the Oilers top 6….

        Im Sure he waves it, as they may only play him for contending Teams as he is not a devencive forward at all…….❓
        As have brought up Noah Philip a defencive Right shot very good in face offs and can Score..,
        He can also play C & RW To play in the bottom 6.
        they also have Carter Savioe, A local 20 yr old who is Lighting it up in Bako,
        the Oilers Top prospect, the Oilers also expect to call him up late Feb to give him some game’s.. he will be on the Oilers roster next season.👍

      • I agree George. On the second goal all four defenders went to the right side of the blue paint completely screening Swayman. If the puck had not gone in, an Ottawa player was all alone on the backdoor for any rebound. A great defensive team it is NOT.

      • williew, funny way of “showcasing” a player you’d like to peddle and to a team for which me MIGHT waive his NMC.

        Yes, Skinner’s past offensive skills are well-known around the league – but that was then and this is now – and IF some team where he might agree to waive for is to show interest, I think they’d want to be sure he can still keep up … and no one can assess that if he’s not even being dressed!

      • above should read “for which he MIGHT …”

        Sheesh, I hate making spelling mistakes/typos … you transpose 2 friggin’ letters and a whole post can be urined!

    • GeorgeO Bad loss giving up2 goals that late in the game! The one with12 seconds left was ridiculous! I was traveling during the game but my brother was pissed that Swayman went for a goal instead of putting the puck in a better place!

      • Somebody out there for the Bruins HAD to know they would try and set up Norris in the slot as he has one of the hardest, fastest shots on the Senators.

        Do you think Swayman was thinking “goal” and not simply “clear the bloody puck out of the zone” ?? I find it hard to believe he’d do something that idiotic.

      • GeorgeO today’s athletes think about their own highlights first and then the team! I ask you would you have Pasternak on the ice at the end of a game protecting a lead?

  2. I also watched some of the Leafs-Habs game and for Montreal, who normally seldom take their foot off the pedal, they reverted back to that aberration in mid December when they did that at home against the Penguins who pumped in 6 goals in the 3rd on the way to a 9-2 route.

    Young teams are prone to that.

    • Charitable, George.

      I still can’t figure out how the Habs could have so many combined chances and still give up 6 goals to lose the game.

      • LJ, now you know how Ottawa fans have felt for at least the past 3 of their 7-season playoff drought – one step forward … two steps back was the norm.

        They MAY have finally figured out the formula for consistent success, with yet another back-to-back win, this time over Boston yesterday and New Jersey today.

        With young teams it definitely takes time.

      • LOL. Classic

  3. Here is a positive for us Pens fans to look forward to

    We know we are very unlikely to get Schaefer, Martone, Misa , Hagens

    But we will be able to get one of these:

    McQueen C/W 6’ 5”, 195: 8-3-11 in 8 GP

    Desnoyers C , 6’ 2”, 175: 25-34-59 in 36 GP

    Spence LW 6’2”, 205: 18-27-45 in 37 GP

    Bear C/LW 6’, 180: 29-32-60 in 35 GP

    Smith LD 6’3”, 195: 2-28-30 in 40 GP

    Reid LD, 6’, 175: 8-25-33 in 43 GP

    Frondel, C (Swedish League) , 6’ 0”, 196: 3-3-6 in 15 GP (consolidated ranking has him 5th?.)

    Kindell , RW, 5’ 10”, 177, , 24-40-64 in 39 GP

    • 8787,

      After the top 5, the next 5 also Really good some have been in & out the top 6 over the past few months..they all look good,

      Pens may start there Re-build at the draft in June…🤔 The Pens have not started Trading out players as yet… But im sure they will in late feb, 1st week in March, they could pick up more 1st & 2nd pick for the next 2 seasons…
      All the Teams below all have Games in hand, except
      Boston & all look stronger

      The race for the 2 final spots in the East

      7th, CBJ, +1 G
      8th, Sen’s, +2G
      10th, Hab’s, +2G
      9th, Boston, have played 47,G, Zero in hand
      14th Spot are the Pen’s with 48 G.P. and 46 pts,
      in the next 12–16 days they could well be 10 points behind 7th amd 8th place teams especially when the Sen’s get LU in Goal…🥅❓
      and
      If Boston can get a Scoring LW forward…?
      If the Hab’s keep up winning they could also be a Team in the East chasing the final 2 spots.❓

      • Hi Williew

        Agree trades will happen. I expect we’ll not do well in trades. Can’t see us getting a 1st rounder. Dubas couldn’t even get a 1st for Guentzel when every media outlet had Guentzel’s market value pegged at least at 1st, good roster, prospect.

        Sadly they will move our best D-Man, Pettersson. I’m guessing 2nd plus roster

        The rest of any potential trades (if we do get takers) will get much much less

        That’s unless Dubas goes big and moves (with retention) Karllsson (would be his call) or Rackell . Then we’d get a first rounder plus.

        No one is taking Karlsson at $10 M cap hit (that’s already WITH retention).

        50% of remaining retained (so $5 M) and taking back a similar hit to fit in for a contender; then Pen’s get a 1st plus

        Rackell (who I don’t want gone) would also get a first plus

        Pens current UFAs and possible return (WITHOUT retention):

        Pettersson—— 2nd + prospect

        Beauvillier—- 4th to 6th in ‘25, OR 3rd to 4th in ‘26 or ‘27; OR B prospect

        O’Connor—- 7th in ‘25, OR 5th/6th in ‘26 or ‘27

        Nieto-untradeable

        Grzylcyk—-6th/7th in ‘26; OR 5th/6th in ‘27 or ‘28

        Shea-untradeable

        Players with one year remaining after this (WITHOUT RETENTION)

        Bunting ($4.5 M)—- 3rd /maybe 2nd in ‘25 OR prospect

        Hayes ($3.75 M)—- we’d have to pay to get rid of

        Glass ($2.5 M)—- 3rd /maybe 2nd in ‘25. OR prospect

        Accairi ($2M) —- we’d have to pay to get rid of

        Lizotte ($1.85 M) — 4th, maybe 3rd in ‘25

        Nedjelkovic ($2.5 M)—-3rd /maybe 2nd in ‘26

  4. @George

    I don’t know if it was do much , as Montreal taking their foot off the medal or Joseph Woll absolutely stoning the Canadians with spectacular saves !
    Caufield, ESPECIALLY , must be shaking his head

    Leafs defence has been loosey- goosey , of late ???

    All in all , an exciting game !

    • Woll certainly settled down after looking anything but good on a couple of those 3 opening goals.

    • 8787,

      Think your right trades will happen over the Next 2 seasons, this year looks like they could move 5-6 players…

      if the Oilers Experiment does not work out with
      John Klingberg, as a 2nd pairing d/man and i personally dont think it will..❗️

      One of the players I see the Oil going after your
      Pen’s Marcus Pettersson to fill the 2nd d/man spot as he is freinds with fellow Sweed, Oilers d/man Mattias Ekholm for 2nd pick + A player, maybe a Jeff Skinner or maybe a prospect going the other way.

      At the trade deadline , in 2026 i see them Moving Sid to a contender to win an other cup…more than likely To his good buddy Nate’s team the Avs❓

  5. Oilerrs’/Canuck’s tilt

    Normally the entertaining Wes McCauley calls a fair game and his calls are consistent.

    The two upcoming suspensions (McDavid and Myers) are a direct product of how McCauley and Lee called the game.

    Consistency is all the players want. Didn’t happen.

    Canucks get a PP goal on a questionable call AND during that PP, a blatant trip by Canucks is missed (should have been 4 on 4 instead of a goal).

    The rest of the game (until dying seconds) saw missed calls (both teams) with both Toccet and Knaublach unhappy and having heated discussions with both McCauley and Lee.

    Dying seconds, 6 on 5, Oilers pressing

    Garland manhandles McDavid and tackles him 3 times. No call.

    Skinny Pete loses stick, punches in the face. No call.

    A trip. No call.

    Canuck’s did temporarily get possession.

    That’s 3 opportunities for a call and whistle. Should have happened. Didn’t happen. McCauley/Lee both afraid to give a 6-4 PP!!!

    Result: frustration both teams; and Myers tries to knock out all of Bouchard teeth with his stick; while McDavid cross-checks Garland in the neck.

    Two game misconducts (and both will get multiple game suspensions); and then McCauley in a frenzy “everybody else on the ice gets a 2 minute minor”. WTF. Certainly some deserved roughing…. But all of the other 10 get a minor for an undisclosed crime?

    McCauley/Lee, that fiasco is on you.

  6. “Never point to the scoreboard before the game’s over.”

    I did that in minor hockey 35 years ago and to this day, god love em, the guy who was reffing the game still says that to me as a joke whenever I run into him. He’s 92 years old now.

  7. I think that last night proved how close the NHL teams are. So many “upsets” by teams that are playing to their potential, while some games went as expected…parity is alive and wellin the NHL

  8. Habs were thumped by the hockey gods last night, the score not reflecting the actual play BUT bottom line us that it’s the score that counts.

    Montembeault looked very ordinary in period 2 and 3m while Woll was incredible in periods 2-3.

    TML scored on their chances, Habs missed on their opportunities.

    Question is how do the Habs rebound today.