NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 16, 2025
The Hurricanes advance to the Eastern Conference Final while the Jets stave off elimination by the Stars. Check out the details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION
NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes are heading to the Eastern Conference Final for the third time in seven years. They eliminated the Washington Capitals with a 3-1 victory in Game 5 of their second-round series.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov (NHL Images).
Andrei Svechnikov tallied the winning goal with 1:59 remaining in the third period. Jordan Staal and Seth Jarvis also scored for the Hurricanes. Anthony Beauvillier replied for the Capitals.
The Hurricanes await the winner of the Toronto Maple Leafs-Florida Panthers series.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A well-deserved series victory by the Hurricanes. They did a terrific job neutralizing the Capitals’ offense, scoring with the man advantage, and killing off penalties.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Capitals after finishing first overall in the Eastern Conference this season. Goaltender Logan Thompson was solid throughout this series, but his efforts couldn’t compensate for his teammates’ inability to score against the Hurricanes.
After the game, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery praised Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin’s performance in this series. “How he’s not in the Norris Trophy conversation every single year, it doesn’t seem right”, said Carbery. “Obviously, the guys that are there are tremendous players in their own right, but he’s one heck of a player.”
This game saw the debut of Hurricanes rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who replaced a sidelined Jalen Chatfield. The 23-year-old saw 10:33 minutes of ice time skating on their third line.
The Winnipeg Jets avoided elimination from their second-round series by blanking the Dallas Stars 4-0 in Game 5.
Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves for the shutout, Mark Scheifele scored what proved to be the game-winner, and Nikolaj Ehlers tallied twice for the Jets, who trail Dallas three games to two.
Jake Oettinger stopped 31 shots for the Stars while team captain Jamie Benn received a 10-minute misconduct late in the third period for sucker-punching Scheifele.
The series returns to Dallas for Game 6 on Saturday, May 17, at 8 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets’ previous win in this series was also a 4-0 shutout. They’ll need a similar effort on Saturday if they hope to return to Winnipeg for the seventh and deciding game. The Jets haven’t won a road game in this postseason.
HEADLINES
SPORTSNET: Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin dismissed speculation suggesting team captain Quinn Hughes had a hand in the promotion of Adam Foote as their new head coach.
Foote has been close with Hughes during his role as assistant GM, but he stated that his relationship with the captain is no different than those he has with the rest of the players.
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings general manager Ken Holland said Jim Hiller will return as the club’s head coach next season. His remarks came during his introductory press conference as their new GM, quelling speculation that he might seek a new bench boss.
TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube isn’t optimistic that sidelined goaltender Anthony Stolarz will return for Game 6 against the Florida Panthers on Friday. Stolarz has been sidelined with a suspected concussion since Game 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Even if Stolarz were good to go, he wouldn’t be enough to save the Leafs if his teammates have another uninspired, disgraceful effort as they did in Game 5.
CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks announced the addition of their Hall of Fame as part of commemorating their 100th anniversary. They will induct two players each year as voted by the fans.
The nine players with their numbers retired and hanging in the rafters are automatic inductees. They are Glenn Hall, Keith Magnuson, Pierre Pilote, Chris Chelios, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Marian Hossa.
DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Blackhawks, winger Teuvo Teravainen tied the IIHF World Championship record with six assists in one game in Finland’s 9-1 win over Slovenia.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators have opened contract extension talks with Claude Giroux. They also hired former NHL player Sam Gagner as director of player development.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Giroux is UFA-eligible on July 1. The 37-year-old forward is completing a three-year deal with an average annual value of $6.5 million. It’s expected he could get a one-year contract with an AAV between $3 million and $4 million.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Interim coach Brad Shaw reportedly won’t be returning to the Flyers coaching staff.
TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning have signed a contract with Scripps Sports to broadcast their games locally over the air, meaning any viewer with a TV and an antenna can watch the games for free.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: How very retro. I’m so old, I remember when that was the usual way of watching hockey games.
It s safe to say that Carolina has had the easier road so far this playoffs with wins over Washington and a beat up New Jersey.Do you think they have a chance against Fla.- Toronto?
Against the Leafs definitely. Less certain about Florida.
Carolinas defensemen are the best unit I’ve seen in a while.
Slavin doesn’t let anything happen while he’s on the ice.
The forward group is deep with great options for PP/PK.
They’re gonna be a tough out no matter who they face.
So, playing against the team with the highest point total in the entire conference is the easier road?
Absolutely they have a chance against TOR. I would dare to say I don’t think TOR would really pose that big of a problem. CAR’s ability to roll 4 lines, pretty much in any situation, makes them a matchup nightmare. Especially against what is (more or less) a 2-line team. Kudos to TOR, though, for addressing clear weaknesses from previous years. This is a better team. Better enough? – I have my doubts.
FLA, on the other hand, will pose a huge problem. FLA’s size, ‘truculence’, scoring that can come from anywhere, and solid D and goaltending leads me to think we’d be looking at a sweep or near-sweep. I’d love to be wrong. Please be wrong.
Agree Whalercane, Florida would be the favorite if they get past the Leafs. They are top 5 in expected goals scored, an top 5 expected goals against. Teams that finish in both of those lists win the cup 75% of the time. Last year both cup finalists did.
But, the Cane can check anyone with their depth and speed. So in theory can keep it low scoring and close. Freddy is playing well too.
Guess I’m saying they aren’t the favorite, but have a punchers chance.
Repeat of 06 final would be entertaining, just need a different winner!
The Canes look good, Whalercane. Well balanced team, full credit for their win.
As for the Caps, did I not say Ovie was a half sheet player? Maybe he was emotionally spent chasing the goals scoring record and just didn’t have much gas left. But 1 point in 5 games, including -2 in game 5 to go along with PLDisappointment’s identical stats in the same series. Were I Washington’s mgmt I would be worried about next season.
and that 1 pt by Ovechkin was on a 5-on-3, hardly an earth-shattering feat.
I am a fossil as well. I remember moving the antennae around to catch NHL games out of northern New York.
This new generation will be flicking the remote trying to get the picture to come in more clearly.
How about those Jets and Oilers?
I don’t know how far TML will go but I find it amusing at how quickly they get thrown under the bus which unfortunately see too often on Hab boards as well by “fans”.
TML aren’t built for playoffs.
Core 4 are an anchor
Can’t get out of 1st round
Won’t get out of 2nd round
Too soft a team
Too dirty (Domi) a team.
Can’t win the big one
Lucky to win an elimination game.
It’s fans waiting for failure and TML haters schadenfreude
Actually, HF30, I thought the Leafs might be different this year. Winning the division was a big step forward but that performance the other night was so bad it just cancelled all the good thoughts.
If they play tonight like the Jets did last night, even if they lose, they will have salvaged some pride.
I’m not waiting for failure btw, I’m waiting for success.
As a neutral fan I think Toronto has been better this year. They won the division which helped them avoid the Floridas. LOL
They have overall looked tougher and more steady in the playoffs this year. Which was surprising they laid that stink bomb at home vs Florida…they were bad.
Lets see what they do tonight if they show up and battle… Berube has made them better but Matthews consistently disappears in the playoffs that’s concerning.
Where guys like Crosby, Mcdavid, Mckinnon, Draistal, Rantanen and Ovechkin show up when the lights are on the brightest.
Toronto fans are nuts but this years team does look better than previous in the playoffs minus the last stink bomb.
I think the Leafs show up tonight BCLeaf Fan. Not saying they will win, Florida is a tough team and the champs for a reason, but I think they give them a go.
Bob can be tough, but he’s human, Oil proved that last year.
Nothing to lose tonight, go for it boys! Take some chances and be super aggressive on the forecheck, and attack the bloody net.
The tale will be told by this series, HF30. If they Leafs bounce back and win of course the narrative will be different, just as if they lose it will be the same.
But what is this malarky about Habs fans ridiculing the Leafs, as well as by “fans?” Leaf fans can be their own worst critics. Presumably such posts one can see just about anywhere are by those who are as legitimate fans as any here?
And can anyone blame them, given the Leafs’ playoff performances to date? It might even be more justified this year given that this edition of the Leafs looked much improved this season.
If, that is, they lose the series …
LJ,
I meant Hafans trolling other Habfans, vut after considerstion, plenty of TML hate is there too, lokk at Eye on the prize.
I don’t post over there for that reason. Disagreeing with you for example is at least constructive.
Too dirty? Compared to Florida they are angelic.
Hurricanes put fourth a solid effort every year they are just a good hockey franchise… I expect to see them in the SC finals this season … also they aren’t going away their main core are in place for a while
Joe,replacing Burns and Orlov won t be easy.
Burns 40 years old making 5.2 and is probably going to want a raise 6 – 7 mil …pass
Orlov 33 years old making 7.7 and is also going to get paid more $$$ ( final contract ) somewhere around 9 mil per … pass
I can see then chasing after Younger ..Fabbro..Provorov…Lindgren..Bouchard if available… with 3 mil in cap and could add another around another 20 million that will give them plenty of $$ to add a couple of young Dmen and a couple of 3rd – 4th line players
Joe a lot of teams missed the boat on Carlo when Boston traded him.The 4 that you listed other than Bouchard are probably 3rd pair guys.You need to replace 2 top 4 defensemen,and that won t be easy.
Joe, Burns is making $8M AAV, SJ is still paying 34% of his salary.
r.e. the Lightning signing a contract for over-the-air broadcast: Good for them! For all the talk the NHL spews about growing the game and broadening the appeal to new audiences, they tend to bury broadcasts on a variety of costly options while chasing the biggest payout. Yes, it is a business, but the broadcast rights distribution is short-sighted and part of the reason the NHL is falling behind soccer in the US. At least TB is trying.
I agree PG. It sucks for people that can’t afford the different packages that enable them to watch hockey on a regular basis. I live in Michigan, a hotbed of hockey, yet I haven’t been able to see much at all. I’m confined to listening online. Reminds me of the old, old days….
Free television broadcast is how you grow the game. The only sport my parents ever watched was an occasional football game; I came to watching hockey on my own, and because of my schoolmates. No way would they have subscribed to a cable service for hockey.
In Texas the Stars are using Victory+ and it’s been the best! Free streaming and behind the scenes locker room footage. However, nationally televised games aren’t included.
Laura, Paris FC offers free tickets to its home games. How’s that for an attempt to grow the game, especially for you and your student friends!
Regarding my post yesterday supporting Marco Roosi as a fiiling the scoring and playmaking needs, he plays big for his size and they can fill the physical needs with another player eg Tanner Jeannot and letting Pezzetta go.
Does LA plan to re-sign him as a UFA his toi is 14-15 minutes per game? He seems to be the kind of heavyweight that would fit MSL game IF he can rein in his a aggression like does with Arber.
Players usually do a strong penalty kill in appreciation for all they bring to the team.
The replacement for Burns and Orlov are already on the roster.
Nikishin in for Orlov and Morrow in for Burns.
Good luck,there will be a learning curve for those players.Nikishin played under 11 minutes last night and I Don t know how much Morrow has played in the NHL.