NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 21, 2025
Recaps of Sunday’s playoff action, plus the latest on Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Pierre-Luc Dubois and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPPING SUNDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: “The Battle Of Ontario” resumed after 21 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs getting a convincing 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round series.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists and Anthony Stolarz stopped 31 shots for Toronto, who went 3-for-6 on the power play. Leafs forwards William Nylander and John Tavares each had a goal and an assist and Auston Matthews collected two assists. Drake Batherson and Ridly Greig replied for the Senators. Game 2 of this series is Tuesday, Apr. 22, at 7:30 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators swept the three-game regular-season series, but the Leafs’ experience in postseason play was evident in this contest. They were tenacious on the forecheck, their “Core Four” of Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares stepped up, and they didn’t shy away from the Senators’ physical style, seizing the opportunity with the man advantage.
The Senators will have to regroup and focus on a more disciplined effort. They’ll also need a better performance from goaltender Linus Ullmark, who continues to struggle in postseason play.
Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl had a goal and an assist to double up the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in Game 1 of their opening-round series. Brett Howden tallied twice and Adin Hill turned aside 18 shots for the Golden Knights. Matt Boldy scored both of the Wild’s goals and Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves. Game 2 of this series is Wednesday, Apr. 23, at 11 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the most closely contested game of the evening. There weren’t many penalties, but the Golden Knights made the most of their opportunities, going 2-for-2 with the man advantage.
NHL linesman Bryan Pancich left this game in the second period following an accidental collision with Howden. Backup official Frederick L’Ecuyer replaced Pancich for the remainder of the game.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven scored two goals in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Taylor Hall picked up two assists and Frederik Andersen made 23 saves as the Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead in this first-round series. Nico Hischier scored for the Devils. Game 2 goes Tuesday, Apr. 22, at 7 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The score flattered New Jersey as Carolina dominated most of this game. It got worse for the Devils as Brenden Dillon and Cody Glass left the game with injuries. Glass was accidentally struck on the knee by teammate Jacob Markstrom as the Devils’ goalie attempted to whack Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov with his stick.
HEADLINES
SI.COM: Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters not to read too much in Gabriel Landeskog’s absence from practice on Sunday, saying the team captain remains on his own recovery schedule. However, he didn’t rule out Landeskog replacing injured winger Ross Colton for Game 2 of their series against the Dallas Stars.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Landeskog’s last NHL game was Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup. He’s been sidelined since by knee surgeries but recently completed a two-game conditioning stint with the Avs’ AHL affiliate as he attempts a comeback.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars need winger Mikko Rantanen to be a bigger factor in their series against his former team. On Saturday, he was held scoreless in their 5-1 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.
TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy said he felt like he played last season on one leg following back surgery in 2023. He claims he’s feeling like he’s back to his old self this season and has a clear mind entering the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The improvement in Vasilevskiy’s performance contributed to the Lightning’s improvement as a team this season, rising from sixth overall in the Eastern Conference in 2023-24 to third overall this season.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois credits head coach Spencer Carbery with helping him regain his focus and form. The 26-year-old Dubois has become one of the league’s best two-way centers and a beloved leader in the Capitals’ dressing room. Dubois and his teammates face the Montreal Canadiens with Game 1 of their first-round series starting Monday.
NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers winger Jeff Skinner looks forward to his first playoff game in his 15-season NHL career when he and his teammates meet the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of their first-round series on Monday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner played for the Hurricanes when they struggled throughout most of the previous decade. He also played for the hapless Buffalo Sabres until they bought out his contract last summer. His postseason drought was 1,078 regular-season games.
ROTOWIRE: Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot remains week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.
THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets are prepared for another physical contest with the St. Louis Blues when the two clubs face off for Game 2 of their first-round series on Monday. The Jets won Game 1 5-3 but were outhit 53-33.
The Leafs-Senators result did not surprise me at all.
I’ve said all season that Toronto’s “game” has looked very different under Berube. And that continued with the opening game this season.
Severely criticized – both as a team as well as individuals – in their home media for their lack of playoff success, they are obviously determined to get that monkey off their backs.
Although actually out-shot, the goalie they went out and got in the off-season performed a whole lot better than the highly-publicized one Ottawa went out and got – for a fraction of the cost – and their pp clicked on all cylinders, taking advantage of some pretty dumb penalties by the undisciplined opposition.
habfan30
Kind of agree with your summary of that game. I am not sure about losing the bench with the coach but maybe you are right? One thing that is always certain about these playoff hockey games, is you can get yourself into a rut right away in the series if you are determined to take penalties just to retaliate? Then, it’s all of the sudden an uphill climb. I would prefer Ottawa just play hard but don’t be concerned with retaliation unless it’s absolutely necessary. Easier said than done in the heat of the game, lol!!!
It sure surprised me George, I figured it to be a tight checking 2-1 or 3-2 game. But you`re right Ottawa can`t go taking so many (4) stupid penalties 200 ft. from their goal. Somehow Ottawa`s scouting report that they could intimidate Toronto needs to go. Toronto out hit Ottawa 19 to 8 in the first and then sat back and watched Ottawa implode in the 2nd and 3rd. Berube played Green like a fiddle. Green should`ve used the 1st intermission to get the players to focus on winning, not being stupid. Green went with stupid. Green`s post game comments kinda says he`s getting caught up in the antics and not using his head. Toronto stopped hitting in the 2nd for a reason, the need to pace one`s self. I still think the series will go 6 and very doubtful anybody will score 6 again. One thing that should be very concerning to Ottawa is that Toronto`s 4th line utterly crushed Ottawa`s 4th line
I think the senators fans are finding out why the Bruins moved on from Ullmark. Great regular season but yet to prove he can handle the pressure of the playoffs
I have to agree He will need to be much better if Sens are to have a chance Way to many soft goals and no timely saves but only 1 gm
True – and it can’t be all that hard to improve upon a .750 save % (6 goals on 24 shots) … Hell, they could have gotten that from a goalie plucked from a local beer league.
Ullmark wasn`t as bad as you guys are making him out to be. 3 PP goals, a breakaway and a deflection by his own player. Even the 1st Toronto goal, they let Larsson walk right in. Well it`s nice when a goalie makes that game saving save, expecting Ullmark to make them all the time is being unreasonable. The 1st goal given up by Stolarz was probably the weakest of the 8 goals scored last night in last nights game
GeorgeO,one game no time to panic. Easy to see Toronto,veteran team playoff experience vs. Ottawa,first playoff game for most of the team. Second game is the real tell tale sign for Sens. Ullmark needs to steal a game. Is he up to it?
12 team redraft h/h points
I can have Sale for Kikuchi and Mahle…
My SPers ( start 5 per week ) are
Gilbert
King
Schwellenbach
C Sanchez
Pepiot
Mize
C Schmidt
Kikuchi
Mahle
@Joe I have no idea what you are talking about!
Well George Ottawa was running around a lot they are young and will be better next game.
Reminded me of the other 4 battle of Ontario it anything close to too those it will be a great series.
Sens went out to set the tone and played ugly undisciplined hockey and the Leafs made them pay.
Ullmark wasn’t the reason the Sens lost, thinking they could run the Leafs out of the rink with cross-checks, slew foots and after the whistle shenanigans is why they lost.
Green lost control of the team during and after complaining about diving.
Sens draw the most amount of penalties in the league and it isn’t on account of their speed and skill.
It’s only one game and I expect a very different game 2.
Ullmark was definitely a big reason along with penalty issues. 5 on 5 was all sens. Let see if they can stay out of the box and get a timely save here or there. If so they will be fine
I think it shouldn’t be a surprise at the result of this game. Yes the Sens did play undisciplined but only once the game was outta reach…and no the Leafs weren’t diving unless you call Tavares face getting cross checked a dive or Greig sliding into the goalie an oopsie! Their 5 on 5 game wasn’t threatening as most of their shots where of the low danger variety and what the Leafs have been giving all season long.
It’s only one game so we should expect a tighter game but also not be surprised if a similar result happens. There was a lot of no shows on Ottawa so it remains to be seen if they will show up or not but regardless, it will be a tough battle to beat this Leafs team when you allow the “core four” that don’t show up, puts up a combined 9 pts on the night.
Top 5 takeaways
1- reffing in Leafs game brutal flop fest embarrassing
2- Ullmark wasn’t very good
3- Ottawa was good 5 on 5
4- Refs let the boys play in Vegas awesome hockey
5- Vegas is a big team will be tuff out
Obe
Hard to argue with those points 👍
Obe you`re upset that Ottawa`s intimidation tactics didn`t work. Stutzle and Tkachuk king and queen of the flop fest, yeah upsetting they don`t get called more. 3 goals against 5 on 5 yeah I guess for Ottawa that`s being good
Yogi, you’re wasting your time talking to people like Obe who is unaware that Stutzle gets a lot of calls in his favor when it comes to penalties. I wouldn’t be able to say he’s a flopper or diver, even though I heard some people claim that as well but usually players like that get a lot of calls for them because they don’t relinquish the puck that easily.
Again it’s a shame a more hockey centric conversation can’t be had because taking cheap shots is more entertaining.
Both teams can and will improve from this crappy game. Both the Leafs can play better and have the horses to elevate their game as well as the Sens with the exception of how high they can or match. Game one proved physical intimidation Didn’t work, but if they can score more goals like their second one that will be Ottawa’s best chance if Ullmark ceans up his game.
You`re quite right Ron, the talk about Ottawa dominating 5 on 5 is a bit of a laugher. They spent 2:02 more in the offensive zone than Toronto did. Most of that advantage came against the Matthews line, which shouldn`t continue, plus Toronto started to be far less aggressive after they jumped to a 4-1 lead, again contributed to the 2:02. Toronto dominated in all the right ares and that`s all that matters in the end. It`s up to Ottawa to figure out what to next
Comments like this make me feel that either some folks here think they know more than they actually do and will holdfast to their misconceptions no matter how wrong they are or have hateful lives and don’t know how to celebrate something worth complementing when due. Which are you?
It’s just too bad I’m in a minority that feel you can make comments giving credit and praise when it’s due and come down when deserved based on actual proof to back up your comment. Having 5 takeaways and only one point is valid, is sad.
👏
👏
👏