NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 23, 2025
The NHL regular season returned from its 4 Nations Face-Off break with 14 games on Saturday. Check out the recaps and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines
NHL.COM: The league-leading Winnipeg Jets got two goals by Gabe Vilardi and a shootout winner from Kyle Connor to nip the St. Louis Blues 4-3, extending their win streak to a season-best nine games. Vilardi scored the tying goal with 28 seconds left in the third period. Robert Thomas scored twice and collected an assist for the Blues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets sit first overall with 83 points and are the first team to reach 40 wins this season. They went with backup goalie Eric Comrie to give starter Connor Hellebuyck a break after he played three games for Team USA in the 4 Nations tournament. Blues starter Jordan Binnington was in the lineup for the Blues but served as backup for Joel Hofer. Binnington appeared in four games for Canada at the 4 Nations.
Speaking of the Jets, they signed forward Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year contract extension. The average annual value is $3 million.
Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun scored two of five second-period goals in an 8-3 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Penguins, extending their points streak to seven games (4-0-3). Pierre-Luc Dubois had three assists for the Capitals, who hold first place in the Eastern Conference and sit one point behind the Jets in the overall standings. Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Danton Heinen replied for the Penguins.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images).
The Minnesota Wild overcame a 3-1 deficit to squeak past the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on an overtime goal by Marco Rossi. Wild forwards Matt Boldy and Marcus Foligno scored in the third period to force the extra frame. Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin each had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings as they hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 62 points. The Wild hold third place in the Central Division with 72 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was another milestone game for Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. He passed Roberto Luongo for the second-most games played by an NHL goaltender with 1,045. Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur holds the record with 1,266. Red Wings forward Andrew Copp left the game late in the second period with an apparent shoulder injury following a melee behind the Minnesota net following a thunderous bodycheck by DeBrincat on Wild defenseman Brock Faber.
Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and center Tage Thompson each had two goals and an assist as their club thumped the New York Rangers 8-2. Jason Zucker picked up three assists and Ryan McLeod tallied twice as the Sabres erupted for five first-period goals, chasing Rangers starter Igor Shesterkin from the net before the end of the period. Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad scored for the Blueshirts (58 points) as they remain four points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern wild-card berth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres rinkside commentator Rob Ray was struck in the face by a puck early in the first period. Sabres training staff attended to the former NHL enforcer, who finished the game. Sabres forward Jordan Greenway and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson were activated off injured reserve.
The Philadelphia Flyers got two goals from Owen Tippett in a 6-3 upset of the Edmonton Oilers. Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov each had a goal and two assists for the Flyers (57 points) as they sit five points behind the Red Wings in the Eastern standings. Leon Draisaitl and John Klingberg each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who sit second in the Pacific Division with 72 points.
Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 26 shots to beat the Florida Panthers 2-1. Kaapo Kakko and Jared McCann scored for the Kraken while Eetu Luostarinen tallied for the Panthers, who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 71 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk missed this game with a lower-body injury suffered during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Kraken captain Jordan Eberle returned to action after missing 40 games following pelvic surgery in mid-November.
The Dallas Stars got a 31-save performance from Casey DeSmith in a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston each had a goal and an assist as the Stars (74 points) remain two points ahead of the Wild for second place in the Central Division. Jack Hughes had both goals for the Devils (68 points) as they sit two points behind the second-place Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils captain Nico Hischier returned to the lineup after missing six games with an oblique injury.
Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault broke a 1-1 tie in the third period to lift his club past the Colorado Avalanche 2-1. Juuse Saros made 31 saves and Justin Barron also scored for the Predators. Sam Malinski had the lone goal for the Avalanche, who hold the first Western Conference wild-card berth with 68 points.
An overtime goal by Leo Carlsson gave the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Carlsson and Jackson Lacombe each finished with two points as the Ducks have won seven of their last eight games. Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie scored for the Bruins (61 points) as they sit one point behind the Senators for the final Eastern wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins winger David Pastrnak collected an assist to extend his points streak to 14 games. Ducks goalie John Gibson left the game following the second period with an upper-body injury.
The Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3. Auston Matthews scored his 389th regular-season goal, tying Darryl Sittler for second-most in Leafs history. Pontus Holmberg scored twice and set up another while rookie Alex Steeves scored his first NHL goal as the Leafs (70 points) moved within a point of the first-place Panthers in the Atlantic Division. Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes (70 points) as they sit second in the Metro Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs winger Max Pacioretty missed this game with an undisclosed injury and will be sidelined for Sunday’s match with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators to snap a three-game losing skid. Nick Suzuki picked up two assists and Sam Montembault turned aside 25 shots as the Canadiens (57 points) moved within five points of the Senators in the Eastern wild-card race. Tim Stutzle had a goal and an assist for the Senators as their losing streak reached four games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal winger Juraj Slafkovsky was a physical presence in this game, scoring a goal, fighting with Senators center Ridly Greig, and making a team-leading eight hits. Canadiens forward Emil Heineman returned to action after a 14-game absence with a lower-body injury after being struck by a car in Salt Lake City last month. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk missed this game with an undisclosed injury suffered during the 4 Nations tournament.
The Columbus Blue Jackets ended a four-game winless skid by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1. Zach Werenski had a goal and two assists to extend his home points streak to 22 games while Kent Johnson scored twice for the Jackets (62 points). They’re just behind the Senators, who have two more regulation wins. Craig Smith scored for the Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets fans sang Happy Birthday to Johnny Gaudreau Jr on his first birthday. His father was killed by an alleged drunk driver last August.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty had a goal and two assists in a 5-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist for the Kings as they hold third place in the Pacific Division with 67 points. Barrett Hayton tallied the first hat trick in Utah’s short franchise history.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson returned to the lineup after missing four games with an injured finger.
The Vegas Golden Knights got 33 saves from Adin Hill to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1. Brandon Saad snapped a 1-1 tie with his first goal for Vegas since signing with them on Jan. 31. The Golden Knights have won three straight and hold first place in the Pacific Division with 74 points. Jake DeBrusk scored for the Canucks, who hold the final Western wild-card spot with 63 points.
Four Nations fallout last night, several stars missing in action.
Will be interesting to see how it affects trade deadline decisions.
Bcleaf fan, Detroit blowing a 2 goal lead at home,and Boston coming back from a 2 goal deficit only to lose in OT!Wonder if teams can afford to wait until the TDL to make moves!
The Hanson Brothers both missed their first games after 4 Nations
Yep. No Tkachuk, no Pinto, no Norris, no saves, no effort made that one a foregone conclusion. And some of the scores!! 5-2, 5-3, 6-3 (x 2), 8-2, 8-3. Holy Coach;s Nightmare, Batman. You’d think some of them had been off for 2 months – not 2 weeks.
Solid game by the Habs last night. Their best game in a month.
The broadcasters were talking about how Montembeault was part of the gold medal winning Canadian team and about how being around so many talented leaders on Team Canada was beneficial to him even if he didn’t dress for any games. Got me thinking. Monty got a gold medal for watching Team Canada play. I watched Team Canada play. Where’s my gold medal?
Howard,
It’s the practicing, gameday prep, looking for strengths and weaknesses, questioning and talking with others.
Some guys are sponges and pick up things.
They didn’t play in the game but they were on the ice working getting the opportunity to grow.
You get a Gold medal too
“Got me thinking. Monty got a gold medal for watching Team Canada play. I watched Team Canada play. Where’s my gold medal?”
When were you selected for Team Canada?
Folks just don’t understand sarcasm anymore.
HabFan, I agree. That’s what the broadcasters said last night. Just being around winners, superstars and leaders is a benefit. Let’s hope it helps lift Monty’s game.
Slafkovsky was a presence on the ice all night long, which is good news for the second half of the season.
Coring, hitting, using his size to keep possession in te Sens zone.
I’d rather he didn’t fight Ridly Greig after a hit one could call marginal at worst, he should have just moved on.
Greig does have a target on his back which he brings on himself though.
Sens looked discombobulated last night, D was making mistakes all night and too many key players missing the game .
Montembeault had a good game, something for us fans to keep an eye on regarding the 4 nations tourney. Some guys come back really improved by being around the league top guns even if they don’t play. They soak up the professionalism.
I’d rather Slavkovsky not drop the gloves as part or his repetoire but I am glad he finally played a game with a burr under his saddle. If he keeps it up then I have something to thank Brady Tkachuk to thank for, given Slavkovsky expressed admiration for the way he plays.
If you ask me, if injuries from the 4 Nations effect the standings, the league will kill any further such exhibitions. It’s injuries to star players in such meaningless games which had owners against things like the 4 Nations.
Yeah but viewership could outweigh the injury issue.
Shea Theodore will be out a while. Matthew Tkachuk possibly as well.
I’m surprised Mike Sullivan hasn’t come under more questioning for his lineup decisions. Matthew Tkachuk was in the lineup but was clearly not fit to play. Chris Kreider was in the lineup but hardly played. Meanwhile, Kyle Connor, a talented scorer and good skater, was a healthy scratch. Not a wise decision.
Yep! Matty may have been the heart and soul of the team, but does little to win the game sitting on the bench being a cheerleader!
Howard, add Mcavoy to the mix! If he is out long term,no playoffs for Boston!
As a lifelong Penguins fan, Sullivan’s lineup decisions have been very questionable for quite some time. I think he has passed his (in Pittsburgh, at least) “use by” date.
Fully agree Some Old Guy
Just yesterday alone: playing Nietto, and waiting 2 goals too long to pull Ned (who struggled with shots right out of the gate), are two examples of poor Sullivan choices
Spasmodic and chaotic line combo and D combo changes throughout games is another example
TOI disproportionately given to defensively problematic, 100’, apathetic players is another
Turning a blind eye to repeated mistakes by players born and/or raised near him is another
Sully is NOT the coach needed for a retool/rebuild
Injuries happen in season too. I think they will roll with whatever happens. There really is no “best” time to do a best on best tournament; it’s whether you do or don’t and it’s a vast majority that do want it.
These days, the GMs and coaches don’t complain as much, don’t seem to want to rock the boat.
Back in the 70s and 80s, GMs were a lot more vocal about the risks of injuries in international tournaments like the Canada Cup. Punch Imlach wrote about it in Heaven and Hell in the NHL. “Injuries happen of course but if a player is injured it should be in a game for our team and our fans”.
After those ratings Paul… and all the hype about the nhl being the best product besides baseball for “all star” activities… it’s not going away. NHL will beat this horse till it’s beyond dead.
Eastern conference losers last night,Boston,Detroit,Ottawa,Rangers,Only winner was Columbus! This looks like a day to day thing!Never remember the competition being this tight!
Re; Hottest player
in the UAF market this year?
Is goaltender A din Hill the 28 year old goaltender from the Vegas Golden Knights.
He’s young as put great numbers again this year currently making $4.9 million and now he’s a free agent.
I think he’s probably gonna end up getting about $8–$8.5 Million a year ….❓🤔
However, if he goes to the openmarket, who knows how much he’s not gonna make$$❗️❓
Remember when some people were saying if NY didn’t re-sign Shesterkin it would be a clear sign that they were going into “rebuild mode part deux”? And I disagreed saying “re-signing Shesterkin to a deal north of 10 million would more than likely push them out of future contention and push them into a rebuild mode down the road”?
I don’t want to be right here, but that man hasn’t looked like the 5 million goaltender he is today. I can’t wait to see him grabbing 11.5 while surrendering an absurd amount of goals for the next 8 years!
Good times!
Double Benny Ailaires salary and bring him back into the fold full time.
No sympathies. Welcome to Tristan Jarry syndrome, but for only twice the price. Good luck with that…
lol. I wasn’t looking or asking asking for sympathy but okay.
Here’s to the race out of mediocrity! Let’s see who wins?
The Rangers will win the race to mediocrity. The Penguins will be, and maybe already are, far below mediocre.
I suppose sympathy wasn’t the most apt choice. Commiserate seems a better choice.
lol, I got ya.
Honestly, I would have preferred bottom feeder over mediocre. It at least sets you up for a brighter future.
For some bizarre reason, Drury felt the need to make a few trades even though the odds were seriously stacked against a playoff push.
They’ve bounced anywhere from a 2% chance to about 50% chance of even making it over the last month and a half. Today they sit at a 38% chance.
Jim Carey:
“So you’re saying there’s a chance”
In the brawl of the “we just gave up 8 goals” teams, the Rangers prevail. Honestly, at this point, that is fine for the Pens. The worse they fare from here out serves to increase their chances at a decent draft position. So Let’s Go Pens! Get to losing (more) already. Trade any
available (and tradeable) asset not named Crosby. Shi#can Sullivan in the spring, spend wisely in free agency, convince Malkin to retire and go home to Mother Russia (not gonna happen, but…) and things will be juuuuuust fine come October 2025.
Injuries happen all the time and I’d venture to say that less happen playing full out best on best than expecting floating and getting a harder than expected hit.
League play injury isn’t lower than Olympic and World Cup hockey
Some of the guys just came back from injury and chose to play, some got hurt and chose to play on as they do during regular season.
Nobody got injured on an egregious hit like we see during regular NHL play. NHL players are accustomed to playing through pain, just listen to post play-off reporting.
@8787..watching Penguins dominate the Ranger outshooting the Rangers 31-9 tied 1-1 and your stupid boy Pierre o joseph fumbles at the blue line falls down 2 on 1 Rangers the other way score 2-1 rangers now
I have said this so many times he is borderline nhl you think he is bibby orr.
He is a 7th defensemen.at best
Pee-Ew is terrible. Always has been…always will be.