Recaps of Friday’s action, Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck sidelined, Predators GM Barry Trotz stands by his coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Buffalo Sabres crushed the Chicago Blackhawks 9-3. Alex Tuch collected four assists, Josh Doan scored twice, and Jason Zucker had a goal and two assists for the Sabres, who’ve won three of their last four games and improved to 8-9-4. Tyler Bertuzzi tallied two goals for the 10-7-4 Blackhawks.

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal tallied twice as his club extended its points streak to five games by downing the Winnipeg Jets 4-3. Nikolaj Ehlers collected an assist in his first game back in Winnipeg to face his former club. With the win, the 14-5-2 Hurricanes (30 points)opened a three-point lead over the New Jersey Devils for first place in the Eastern Conference. Gabriel Vilardi tallied twice for the 12-8-0 Jets.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Jets announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will undergo knee surgery on Saturday and is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. His absence will be a significant test for the Jets. Hellebuyck was last season’s winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson turned in a 19-save shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Boldy scored two goals and picked up an assist for the Wild (11-7-4), who’ve won four straight and eight of their last 10 games. Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs gave up four goals on 10 shots and was replaced in the second period by Sergei Murashov, who stopped 10 of 11 shots for the 10-6-4 Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild forward Vinnie Hinostroza left the game with an undisclosed injury in the second period. He is flying back to Minnesota for a reevaluation. Meanwhile, the Wild activated Zach Bogosian and Nico Sturm off injured reserve, and placed winger Vladimir Tarasenko on IR.

An overtime goal by Morgan Geekie lifted the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Geekie netted both goals for the 13-10-0 Bruins, who regained first place in the Atlantic Division with 26 points. Joel Armia scored for the Kings (10-6-6), who are winless in their last three games (0-2-1).

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz praised Head Coach Andrew Brunette and his staff despite the club’s 6-10-4 record.

“I believe our coaches have done a really good job,” Trotz said. “Our record may not show it, but they are coaching their butts off.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz also defended Brunette and his staff through last season’s disappointing performance. His recent comments might quell the speculation about Brunette’s future for now, but if the Predators’ struggles continue, the pressure will grow to shake things up behind the bench and on the ice.

SPORTSNET: Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen was fined $5,000.00 for embellishment by the NHL department of player safety. The incident occurred during a Nov. 11 game against the Ottawa Senators.

CALGARY SUN: Flames rookie forward Samuel Honzek underwent season-ending surgery for an upper-body injury. He’s expected to be sidelined for six months.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens recalled center Florian Xhekaj from their AHL affiliate in Laval. He’s the younger brother of Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj. The move comes after center Jake Evans was injured during Thursday’s 8-4 loss to the Washington Capitals.