NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 24, 2025
A hat trick moves Alex Ovechkin closer to Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, brothers Jason and Nicholas Robertson achieve a rare milestone, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin continued pursuing Wayne Gretzky’s goal record with a hat trick in a 7-3 drubbing of the Edmonton Oilers. Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists and Aliaksei Protas collected three assists as the Capitals moved ahead of the Winnipeg Jets into first place in the overall standings with 84 points. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a goal and an assist for the Oilers (72 points), who sit second in the Pacific Division but have lost three straight games.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With 882 goals, Ovechkin is 13 away from breaking Gretzky’s record.
The Dallas Stars got a hat trick from Jason Robertson to nip the New York Islanders 4-3. Jake Oettinger made 34 saves while Roope Hintz and Matt Duchene each had two assists as the Stars sit second in the Central Division with 76 points. Pierre Engvall, Kyle Palmieri and Anthony Duclair replied for the Islanders (57 points), who’ve lost four of their last five games and remain five points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders activated defenseman Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock off injured reserve for this game. Teammate Max Tsyplakov said he’s had no contract talks yet with Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello. His agent told a Russian news agency that the two sides are already in extension talks but Tsyplakov believes there’s plenty of time for that following the season. He’s eligible to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson tallied twice in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Max Domi, Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe each had two points as the Leafs vaulted over the Florida Panthers into first place in the Atlantic Division with 72 points. Blackhawks forward Tyler Bertuzzi had two assists.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Robertsons became the first pair of brothers to score multiple goals on the same night since Pavel and Valeri Bure did it on March 1, 2000.
Three unanswered second-period goals by Brayden Schenn, Colton Parayko and Dylan Holloway lifted the St. Louis Blues over the Colorado Avalanche 3-1. Jordan Binnington turned aside 28 shots for the Blues, who sit five points behind the Vancouver Canucks for the final Western wild-card spot with 58 points. Devon Toews scored for the Avalanche, who remain in the first Western wild card with 68 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cale Makar assisted on Toews’ goal, becoming the third-fastest defenseman to reach the 400-point plateau (374 games played) behind Hall-of-Famers Bobby Orr (333 games played) and Paul Coffey (359 games played).
New Jersey Devils goaltender Nico Daws kicked out 29 shots for his first NHL shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. Nico Hischier collected three assists while Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes each had two points as the Devils sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 70 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bratt reached the 50-assist plateau for the second straight season while Hamilton and Ondrej Palat reached the 500-point milestone.
The New York Rangers got two goals from J.T. Miller to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3. Adam Fox scored the winning goal and Igor Shesterkin made 36 saves as the Rangers (60 points) moved within two points of the final Eastern wild-card berth. Ryan Shea scored two goals for the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers winger Chris Kreider was a late scratch with an upper-body injury. Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk left this game in the first period with an undisclosed injury after being hit from behind by Rangers forward Matt Rempe.
An overtime goal by Patrick Kane lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Kane finished with two goals and an assist while Lucas Raymond and Marco Kasper for the Red Wings, who hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 64 points. Cutter Gauthier tallied twice for the Ducks as their four-game win streak ended.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen left this game in the second period following a blindside hit to the head from Ducks winger Trevor Zegras. There was no call on the play and it remains to be seen if Zegras will receive supplemental discipline from the league. Meanwhile, the Ducks recalled goalie Oscar Dansk as John Gibson was ruled out for this game with an upper-body injury
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 36 shots as his club defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-1. Brandon Hagel had a goal and an assist for the Lightning (68 points), who’ve won five straight and sit third in the Atlantic Division. Shane Wright replied for the Kraken.
Calgary Flames defenseman Joel Hanley snapped a 2-2 tie to lift his club to a 3-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks. Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist and rookie goalie Dustin Wolf made 27 saves for his 20th win of the season as the Flames (62 points) moved within one point of the Canucks for the final Western wild card. Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli scored for the Sharks, who’ve dropped 11 of their last 12 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames forward Connor Zary was held scoreless as he returned to action after being sidelined since Jan. 7 with a knee injury.
Speaking of the Canucks, they fell 2-1 to the Utah Hockey Club. Dylan Guenther snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period as Utah (59 points) moved within four points of the Canucks. Jake DeBrusk scored for Vancouver.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah placed defenseman Juuso Valimaki on waivers Sunday. The Canucks placed goaltender Thatcher Demko on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 8 and recalled defenseman Victor Mancini.
HEADLINES
NHL.COM: NHL alumni, celebrities and first responders participated in the Skate For LA Strong charity game at Crypto.com Arena to support relief efforts for the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
Hockey Hall of Famers Mark Messier, Rob Blake, Jeremy Roenick and Cammi Granato, singer Justin Bieber and actor Steve Carrell were among the notables suiting up for this game. Celebrity coaches included Snoop Dogg and Will Ferrell.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Matthew Tkachuk isn’t expected to travel with the Panthers for Tuesday’s game against the Predators in Nashville. TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reported there is concern that Tkachuk could miss the remainder of the season due to a suspected groin injury, claiming the club is awaiting medical results.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk was injured during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. He missed the Panthers’ 2-1 loss to the Kraken on Saturday.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said there is no timeline for sidelined defenseman Hampus Lindholm to return to the lineup. He’s been out since mid-November following surgery to repair a broken kneecap. It seems unlikely he’ll be back before the end of the regular season.
Sweeney also said there is no timeline for blueliner Charlie McAvoy’s return after he suffered a shoulder injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The absence of their top defensemen puts the Bruins at a disadvantage as they jockey for a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. They’re currently one point behind the Senators for that final spot.
TSN: The NHL confirmed it will stage its first decentralized draft at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles from June 27 to 28.
The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Shesterkin:
Saturday : .688 vs Sabres
Yesterday : .923 vs Pens (and 2 of those goals he literally had zero chance on; could have been a 38 stops of 39 (.974) night.
Pens need to have Shesterkin keep this Jekyll/Hyde routine to let Rangers improve 1 -3 more ranking spots; but no more.
Right now Rangers pick for ‘25 (traded to Pens via Cannucks) is staying with Rangers (top 13 protected and they are right at 20th [13th overall pick] )
If they (Rangers) climb 1-3 spots; then Pens are picking in the 6th-10th spot (their own) AND 14th-16th spot (Rangers)
If Rangers sneak into playoffs and Shesterkin gets hot; that pick could potentially get to final two in round 1.
Big difference
Hoping for a little Ranger improvement; but not much.
Re: Pens
Great effort by 18 skaters yesterday.
Ouch on goaltending.
Last two games: 34 saves on 46 shots (.739)
Robertson, along with depth scoring , dominated the scoreboard over the weekend , resulting in wins over Carolina and Chicago
Nice to see, hopefully continues ?
Seth Jones , I wasn’t impressed with in last nights game against the Leafs , reversing my thoughts on him becoming a Leaf
Free agent flops in Boston and Nashville should lead to open season in trading for Bruins and Predators players! Both clubs are tied up with long term,no trade contracts for a long time!Boston holding on to Marchand will only prolong the agony! That is why Boston is in this predicament they fall in love with players or they don’t t react to UFA S so they let them walk like Krug and most recently Debrusk!
Sr
Pretty sure Jake didn’t want to stay. As for Krug he wanted a payday. And bruins were correct in saying goodbye. Not a good sign by blues. And I loved Krug as a Bruin
Mrbruin4 that s my point! Why didn t they trade him and get something for those guys! No cup,why hold on to them and let them walk!
Sr
Krug was on team 2029 final run that is why he was own rental. Same for Jake. But I woulda traded Jake though I also liked him aswell
Mrbruin4 they should have at least got draft picks for Krug,Debrusk and even Grezlyk! To let them walk out the door for nothing is terrible,even if in 2019 they were in the cup final!
Max Tsyplakov was sought after by many teams this past summer.
He’s old for a rookie but he has put up very good numbers.
It’s hard to gauge KHL numbers as some NHL rejects are high in stat lines but this kid is working out well.
isles fans, how is the eye test?
Sr. And MrBruin4
I would love Marchand as a rental in Toronto
Boston can have him back after the playoffs
He is a high character guy – team mates will luv him, plus , still a GREAT player !
Not likely to happen , Marchand is not likely going anywhere , retire a Bruin
Wishful thinking on my behalf !
He would fit in there but I cannot see him going there. I could see Avs though