NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 26, 2025
Check out the game recaps from a busy Tuesday night in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame 3-0 and 4-3 deficits for a 5-4 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins. Mitch Marner scored twice, including the game-winner, and Morgan Rielly had a goal and three assists to surpass the 500-point plateau (502). Bruins winger David Pastrnak had two goals and an assist, extending his points streak to 15 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have won three straight and hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 74 points. However, they lost forward William Nylander and defenseman Chris Tanev to injuries. The Bruins (62 points) are 0-2-2 in their last four games and sit two points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.
Florida Panthers forwards Sam Bennett and Aleksander Barkov had two points each to defeat the Nashville Predators 4-1. Bennett had a goal and an assist and Barkov two assists as the Panthers remain one point behind the Leafs in the Atlantic Division. Michael McCarron replied for the Predators, who lost team captain Roman Josi to an upper-body injury following a heavy hit from Bennett in the second period.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators general manager Barry Trotz said he’s talked to his players about his plans for the team over the next several years. If anyone isn’t interested in buying in, he said he’d try to move them. It’s something to keep an eye on as the March 7 trade deadline approaches.
The Tampa Bay Lightning pushed their win streak to six games with a 4-1 win over the slumping Edmonton Oilers. Brandon Hagel netted the game-winning goal, Nikita Kucherov picked up two assists, and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 23 shots as the Lightning sit three points back of the Panthers in third place in the Atlantic Division. Leon Draisaitl scored his league-leading 43rd goal for the Oilers, who hold second place in the Pacific Division but have lost four straight games.
Calgary Flames forwards Martin Pospisil, Matt Coronato and Jonathan Huberdeau scored to beat the Washington Capitals 3-1. Alex Ovechkin scored his 883rd regular-season goal for the Capitals (84 points), who remain one point behind the first-overall Winnipeg Jets. The Flames (64 points) vaulted over the Vancouver Canucks into the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin needs 12 goals to break Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals. He joins Gordie Howe, Johnny Bucyk and Teemu Selanne as the only NHL players to score 30 goals in a season at age 39 or older. Ovechkin is the only player with nineteen 30-goal seasons. Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl returned to action after missing nine games due to illness and an upper-body injury.
The Detroit Red Wings got two goals from defenseman Simon Edvinsson to tame the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Marco Rossi and Jakub Lauko opened the scoring for the Wild before Vladimir Tarasenko scored, setting the stage for Edvinsson’s two goals. The Wings hold the first Eastern wild card with 66 points, while the Wild are third in the Central Division with 72 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings announced before this game that forward Andrew Copp is out for the season following surgery on his left pectoral tendon. His recovery period is four to six months. Meanwhile, Minnesota center Joel Eriksson Ek is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The Wild also placed defenseman Travis Dermott on waivers.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko scored two goals and set up another in a 6-4 victory over the Dallas Stars. Adam Fantilli, Ivan Provorov and Dmitri Voronkov each collected two points as the Blues Jackets hold the final Eastern wild card with 64 points. Jason Robertson and Mikael Granlund each had two points for the Stars, who sit second in the Central with 76 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel missed this game as he remains in concussion protocol after being hit in the head by New York Islanders forward Casey Cizikas on Sunday. He’s expected to be sidelined for at least a week.
The Montreal Canadiens got a 20-save shutout from Sam Montembeault in a 4-0 upset of the Carolina Hurricanes. Nick Suzuki and Patrik Laine each had a goal and two assists as the Canadiens (59 points) remain five points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. The Hurricanes are in second place in the Metropolitan Division (70 points) but have lost five of their last six games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens winger Josh Anderson left the game with an upper-body injury after slamming into the boards in the third period. There was no post-game update on his status.
New York Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski scored two goals and collected an assist in a 5-1 win over the New York Islanders. Defenseman Urho Vaakanainen had a goal and two assists, and goaltender Igor Shesterkin kicked out 36 shots as the Rangers (62 points) are two points behind the Blue Jackets. Alexander Romanov replied for the slumping Islanders as they dropped their fourth straight game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sitting seven points behind the Blue Jackets, the Islanders’ playoff hopes are fading and could push GM Lou Lamoriello into sell mode. Isles forward Matt Martin (lower body) missed the game as he was placed on injured reserve.
Meanwhile, Rangers winger Chris Kreider missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury. Defensemen Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller left the game with injuries late in the third period. Both were being evaluated following the game.
Utah Hockey Club forward Lawson Crouse scored the game-winner to nip the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1. Seth Jones opened the scoring in the first period for Chicago but Clayton Keller tied it for Utah in the second period. The win moves Utah (61 points) within three points of the Flames.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jones vented his frustration after the game over the Blackhawks’ performance, saying they haven’t improved since the start of the season. The 30-year-old defenseman went public last week about his desire to play for a contender, but his hefty contract and full no-movement clause remain significant obstacles in the path to a trade.
The St. Louis Blues crushed the Seattle Kraken 7-2. Robert Thomas extended his points streak to seven games with a goal and an assist, Zack Bolduc tallied twice, and Cam Fowler and Oskar Sundqvist each had a goal and two assists for the Blues, who moved within four points of the Western wild-card spot with 60 points. Vince Dunn and Jaden Schwartz replied for the Kraken.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Bobby Brink had a goal and three assists in a 6-1 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster each collected three points as the Flyers (59 points) got their third straight win to move within five points of the Blue Jackets. Philip Tomasino had the Penguins’ only goal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins forward Bryan Rust was activated off injured reserve before this game.
Three unanswered third-period goals by JJ Peterka, Alex Tuch and Henri Jokiharju lifted the Buffalo Sabres over the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. Sabres center Dylan Cozens collected three assists. Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson tallied for the Ducks.
Ouch ouch and more ouch on Pens thrashing by Flyers
I guess the good news is Pens are getting higher odds re lottery and getting closer to top 5 pick
Dubas better retain 50% and move Karllsson NOW (today if possible) while 4 Nations performance is fresh on other GMs minds
Any returns for those (not named Rackell) we were potentially moving by/at TDL ; are continuing to plummet.
After TDL, play Nedjelkovic every single game; get as low in standings (and as best a pick ) as possible.
Sadly with these continued performances, this is wearing on Sid’s great determination and pride. When he re-upped , Dubas promised him to improve team and gave Sid the expectation that the team would be playoff bound during his extension . This is obviously not going to happen. If Sid retires a Pen, he’ll never play an NHL playoff game again. There is going to be a point (the straw that breaks the Camel’s back) , if it hasn’t already happened, that he secretly wants out of here.
Will he act on those feelings?
Be prepared for years of pain. Pittsburgh should have begun a rebuild two or three years ago. Instead, more overpaid aging former stars were brought in in a sad attempt to get into the playoffs one more time (and probably get another one and done). No one is going to take Karlsson’s contract at his age. Everyone sees his 4 Nations play for what it is, a short term outburst in an otherwise declining season.
Hopefully, Dubas delaying the rebuild will mean you fans won’t be coming to NWA to watch the up and coming Jackets beat your old and slow Penguins.
This is adorable.
8787, Sid knows exactly what is going on with the Pens, otherwise you would have to believe he is a fool, which he obviously isn’t.
The reason the Pens aren’t tearing it down to the studs is because they have Sid, Malkin and Letang signed for multiple years with NMC’s. The big one being Sid as he is still a great player. So Dubas is trying to suck and blow at the same time.
That rarely, if ever works, and Sidney Crosby knows that better than anyone. Hell, almost everyone on here knows that. I dare say the convo between Dubas and Sid was a little more honest and pragmatic than that. Sid wants to retire a Pen, and until that changes, he will be one.
I sure wouldn’t want to be Dubas walking into ownership and asking them to retain $5M for 2 seasons after this one. Not saying he won’t, but that won’t be fun, nor should it be. He traded for him.
Ray Bark, great observations Crosby is one of the smartest players on and off the ice who is still playing at a high level. His agent is regarded as one of the smartest and most forward thinking agents in the game. Between the two of them they knew exactly what they were doing when they signed the extension. They apparently believe in whatever Dubas’s plan is.
As far as the team goes when you finally start rebuilding with young NHL players and prospects you want Crosby on your team to show them how to play the game the right way.
Agree Paul
No one takes him at $10 M Cap
There will be suitors at $5 M Cap
Hi Ray
Re “Sid knows exactly what is going on with the Pens, otherwise you would have to believe he is a fool, which he obviously isn’t.”
No challenge with the above and using present tense. Yep he does (painfully) know now. He is fully aware now!
Absolutely zero chance (at time of re-upping) he knew how bad things would get. Zero chance.
Dubas promised him (to get Crosby to re-up) that he (Dubas) would improve team and to the extent that he was gearing towards improvements that would provide a pretty fair chance at making playoffs (if not this year, then next).
The team will in no way make playoffs this year OR next 2 years. No NHL playoffs for Sid (at least as a Pen) for the rest of his career.
Again, literally zero chance Crosby expected things to be this bad and for him to never play another NHL playoff game.
Absolutely no one will blame him if he wants out. He has definitely earned his exit flight (if he asks for it).
Atta go Dubas. Crippling the twilight years of Sid, Tanger and Malkin.
Snold49
Re “They apparently believe in whatever Dubas’s plan is.”
Sorry can’t disagree more, your line above is in present tense.
Absolutely no way they believe in what he (Dubas) has already done and what is coming.
They got sold a bill of goods last summer ; and truly believed Dubas was going to improve the team and not destroy it.
No he is a Penguin for life…period
Look Washington retooled in 1 year no one expected they would or could Pittsburgh can do the same.
29 draft picks the next 3 year most in the nhl and 15 in the first three rounds……
We also have $ 26million in cap space this summer…hopefully Karlsson will be moved fingers crossed
Boston needs to start dealing with reality! They have slipped to the bottom half of the Eastern Conference This group is outliving itself! If TB can let Stamkos walk,why shouldn’t t Boston entertain trading Marchand This slide should have happened last year if not for the lights out goaltending by Ullmark and Swayman!Time to end the ride of the Bergeron- Krecji Era
Sr
I think they should move what they can. Including 63 can always re sign But I only think he gets moved if asking too much $$ and or term I think they should retool around new core. 73 88 1 Everyone else should be available
Agree MB4 and Sr. I think Sweeney talks to him first, including he salary expectations for next season.
It will be respectful and professional. Both sides know where they’re at with this team and Marchand’s abilities as he gets older.
If he is willing to sign a short term reasonable extension, he stays. Heck maybe he likes the idea of giving it a go these playoffs for a shot at another cup. I dunno, but would think that conversation has recently happened, or will be shortly.
Retool is in the cards for sure, what that looks like, not sure.
Stolarz was stellar in net last night …
Depth players again rising for Toronto once again ..
Geekie for Boston is 1 hell of a player IMO for Boston
I don’t know what crazy trade rumours are out there , but that guy is a keeper !
Injuries have reared their ugly head , Tanev and Nylander .. Hope for the best here and get news that it isn’t serious
In the meantime , Tampa keeps winning and Leafs need to make the right moves before the trade deadline to overcome the fierce competition
Have to agree Geekie has a new found confidence in Boston and worth keeping on
I have suggested on my local blog for the Oilers to call up Rodrique. We need goaltending help.
If are arch nemesis Calgary can call up Dustin Wolff
then the Oilers can call up Rodrique.
4 losses in a row for Edmonton.
If this do called slide is happening in Boston , I would love Toronto to to go after Marchand and Geekie
I would even make Matthew Kneis available , which I am sure , I will get negative replies, parting with Knies
It would take more than Knies , but Boston isn’t going to entertain trading with Toronto anyways .
I like. Geekies upside and the fact , Marchand is a WINNER
Boston played well last night
Stolarz was the difference
Knies for Dobson
Negative. Three games in four nights after the Four Nations. Give your head a shake and maybe stick with the Penguins. The Leafs will get along without you.
LOL No team played well enough to say one played better than the other even though Toronto came back three goals down to win. Boston looks very not Boston like. Still playing big body hockey but not successfully or good enough. Being short two very good Dmen is going to hurt you. Having Tanev out is going to have a negative effect on the Leafs.
What else can be said about Marner. Wow 12 points in 4 games for him is crazy. What a game tonight.
Boston has entered the wilderness where teams either turn it around or get lost and parish.
Stolarz was outstanding. Swayman was average at best, again.
For whatever reason…breaks kill the Oilers…all the time. Sure they are not getting stellar goaltending…but they are also being outshot and outplayed start to finish.
That is not typical oiler hockey.
Not sure what it is but they will sort it out.
I am not saying they could not use an upgrade in net but there is a lot of blame to are around on the last 3 losses.
Why don’t you suggest on your local blog that Ottawa Senators found Danish goalie gold in Leevi Merelainen is available. As is Forsberg.
Sens need scoring help. JBD is also available though he shouldn’t be.
Skinner? For Forsberg?
Oil will keep Skinner IMO, unless they find a significant upgrade as starter and include him. Not sure who that would be out there on a non playoff team.
1Oilerfan is right, this isn’t just on tending. They only way the Oil win last nigh is if Stu stole it by pitching a shut out, or getting them to OT with only one. You’re also right about after a break, it’s weird, but true.
The Oil are getting out chanced and quality out chanced for 4 straight games and haven’t played well since January. But, they were one of the best teams in the NHL in January, if not the best.
We’ve seen these stretches before with the Oil, and then they get it going. Players only meeting required before FLA game, and if they don’t get fired up for that one, then WTF?
They miss the speed up front – McLeod, Foegele & Holloway. All of them could wheel. Best go get some Stan.
Leevi is Finnish.
Also… if they made this move I guarantee you will be one of those bellyachers in a couple years screaming about why we traded a future star goalie again.
SMH
Forsberg is almost sure as gone though.
Yup, The Danish goalie in Ottawa’s system is Mads Sogaard
Seth Jones is frustrated with losing and wants out of Chicago. The Hawks invested a lot in him, both in terms of salary and return on the trade. He was supposed to be part of the foundation to lead them back to contention. Maybe he’ll ultimately realize that he’s part of the problem.
No kidding, Howard. An assistant captain in the middle of a 9.5/yr – 76 million dollar contract whose contract includes a no movement clause whining about not winning. That’s how to represent your team and yourself. Some players think the term professional begins and ends with being paid, no other considerations necessary.
But always easier to point a finger than look in a mirror.
Laine has 14 goals in 30 games and is handling the media very well.
Complaints about him floating are greatly exaggerated, the guy has been a good teammate and showing himself to be coachable, even leveling some big hits.
I’m pleasantly surprised by his game and am leaning to grabbing UFA Ehlers to join him.
@ JohnnyZ
I am in favour of that deal
Knies for Dobson
Ken and Johnny Z
Where were you guys yesterday? 🤣
I don’t mind letting Knies go to solve an issue the Leafs back end. Dobson is young enough to fit within the Leafs core group.
The Leafs have 4 excellent forwards and no elite or near elite defencemen in their system. Sacrifice from a position of strength to address a weakness.
They can then try to trade for a 3C like Kunin, Evans, or Bjugstad. Frédéric from BOS would be good but he’s a lefty and BOS unlikely to do the Leafs any favours
As much as Dobson in a leafs uniform would be nice, trading Knies for him would be a big mistake. LW is not a position of strength for the leafs and you might of noticed that Knies is Toronto`s only true power forward which is another weakness of theirs. Another thing you might take note of is that it`s harder to find a power forward that has the potential to score 40+ goals than it is to find a RHD. Knies has a ton of room for improvement and the only stat that he won`t sustain is his 23% shooting percentage. That will come down but is goals will continue because he`ll start shooting more, 92 shots is way below what he will have when he hits his prime. Neither Marner or Nylander are as effective playing the left side and if you put Tavares on the LW then you need a centre. Toronto is 11th in goals for not 1st and most of Knies production comes at 5vs5 which again is a weakness for Toronto. Trading for Dobson would be nice, but trading Knies for him is not trading from a strength
Yogi:
Knies and a 2nd for Dobson and Palmieri(1/2 salary) Kyle can fill that need for now.
No Knies, sorry
This is off the threads of today’s headlines, but yesterday HF30 proposed a rotation of Olympics/4 Nations competitions for the NHL.
One problem is everyone is focusing on 4 nations. At some point the Russians will be back in international play. That makes 5, and the tournament isn’t going to be played with an odd # of teams. The Czechs already feel snubbed.
This would mean both tournaments would cause lengthy extensions to the NHL season. I get that the Olympics are too hard to pass on, but again, who wants hockey in July?
Once the NHL is back in the Olympics then we are likely back to the superfluous All Star game, or some variant.
This has already been agreed to, and will alternate every 2 years starting with Olympics in 2026, then an 8-nations World Cup in 2028, Oympics 2030, WC 2032, etc.
Ray Bark
Dubas walks into management and tells them I’m going to retain 5 million on Karlsson’s contract.
Management coughs and says no way.
Dubas responds that I’m saving you 5 million it’s the best I can do
I’ll be management in this role paying exercise Isotopes, and to be fair to you I have a way easier argument.
So Kyle, YOU are saving me $5M?
YOU traded a 1st, Granlund (who just brought back a 1st), and some other guys who don’t matter, for Karlsson, a 3rd, and some other guys.
Knowing that, Kyle, please explain how the business paying Karlsson $5M to play for somebody else is saving us $5M?
The Penguins ownership is more solid than the previous one…..
Karlsson will mostly likely go in the summer when there is more cap flexibility…
If a team wants him now Dubas will know it and get a fair deal…otherwise he waits until the summer
Yogi
While LW is not a position of strength for the Leafs, neither is offence from the back end.
Knies doesn’t get a lot of shots because Matthews is the shooter on that line. He doesn’t get much PP time either because there are currently 4 better options up front. Once his shooting percentage comes down to earth he’ll be scoring at a 30G pace.
McMann is doing very well as a power forward with far less ice time with inferior line mates.
The Leafs have a few desirable prospects in Minten, Cowan, Danford, and Hildeby. They also have their ‘26 1st round pick.
If any combination of those players would entice Lou to send Dobson to TOR that’s fine too.
Most difficult positions to fill in NHL…#1C, #1D, #1 Goalie
Daryl and others that share this view, what do you have against depth? You guys are really big on moving guys weakening one area even if one of strength to address or improve another.
It’s like guys that think if you move out your star player, somehow your team will be better off for it. It won’t and never has for any team.
Adding to a team means adding. Not weaken one area to improve a weaker one. No team is perfect but the goal should be to improve and limit the weaknesses your team has and one way in doing this is by having a deep team.
Daryl I`m going to guess you`re not a fan of Knies. Love McMann but he`s not really a power forward. McMann is big and can skate like the wind and he has very little net front presence. McMann will be 29 this summer so his ceiling is pretty much what it is now a 3rd line winger who can move up in a pinch. Knies is already on a 30 goal pace with tons of room for improvement. If you`re trading Knies because of his shooting %, then all I can say is I`m glad you`re not the GM. When you`re a contender looking to impre the team you simply don`t make trades that fill a hole and create another and you`re dead wrong about the reasons for his low shot total, he`s still on a learning curve. The shots will come when his confidence builds. Like Tanev says when he gets in front of the net you can`t move him. He`s the type of player that`s hard to play against. As Knies learns what he can do he will get a lot better. You might notice defencemen tend to score more when somebody is screening. Knies and Tavares are the only 2 that serve that purpose. If you want to make Toronto better, you do it by adding not subtracting. Islanders need picks and prospects and that`s what you offer
I like Knies just fine.
He’s a very good young player but I can hear it already when his next contract is signed…”the Leafs have all their money tied up in 5 forwards”
I only suggested Knies for Dobson because the NYI might consider a one for one…they need scoring. They’re both young players full of potential.
The player I don’t like on the Leafs is Domi. I thought he was an unnecessary signing and his cap dollars could have been spent elsewhere.