NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 21, 2025
Recapping Saturday’s games, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler turned in a 31-save performance for his first NHL shutout to blank the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0. Josh Anderson scored two goals, Lane Hutson collected his 100th regular-season point, and rookie center Owen Beck tallied his first NHL goal as the Canadiens improved to 19-12-4. The Penguins are winless in their last eight games (0-4-4) and dropped to 14-11-9.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson returned to action after missing two games with an injury. Jayden Struble was a healthy scratch to make way for Matheson. The Canadiens placed defenseman Kaiden Guhle and center Kirby Dach on long-term injury reserve to free up salary-cap space for recently acquired center Phillip Danault, who will join the team for Tuesday’s game in Boston against the Bruins. Canadiens center Jake Evans won’t be traveling with the team on their road trip after leaving Saturday’s game in the first period with a lower-body injury.
The New York Rangers overcame a 4-2 deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 on shootout goals by Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Panarin tallied twice in regulation, and Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist for the 18-15-4 Rangers. Rookie Denver Barkey collected two assists for their first two NHL points for the Flyers (17-10-7).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly victory for the Rangers as team captain J.T. Miller left the game in the third period with an upper-body injury following a hit from Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler. Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar and center Christian Dvorak missed this contest with injuries and are listed as day-to-day.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel scored two third-period goals as his club overcame 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-4. Ryan McDonagh had a goal and an assist as the Lightning (19-13-3) snapped a three-game losing skid. Hurricanes rookie Bradly Nadeau scored his second career NHL goal for the Hurricanes (22-10-3), who blew a three-goal lead for the second straight game. They remain in first place in the Eastern Conference with 47 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nadeau was called up as Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least a week. Meanwhile, Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (upper body) was placed on IR.
The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2. Moritz Seider had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 20-13-3 (43 points). Aliaksei Protas and Martin Fehervary replied for the Capitals (19-12-4), who’ve lost four of their last five contests.
Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle scored a shorthanded goal and picked up two assists in a 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Brady Tkachuk and David Perron each scored twice as the Senators have won three straight and improved to 17-13-4. Ilya Mikheyev tallied two goals for the Blackhawks (13-16-6), who dropped their fourth straight game and slipped into last place in the Western Conference.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The news got worse for the Blackhawks as center Frank Nazar left the game in the first period after taking a puck to the face. After the game, head coach Jeff Blashill said Nazar will be sidelined for four weeks, joining superstar Connor Bedard on the sidelines.
Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot returned to the lineup after missing 15 games with an oblique muscle injury. However, they lost blueliner Tyler Kleven day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy scored twice as the Minnesota Wild won their seventh straight game by downing the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 5-2. Mats Zuccarello and Vladimir Tarasenko each had two points for the surging Wild (22-9-5). Leon Draisaitl had two assists for the Oilers (17-13-6).
A shootout goal by Josh Norris lifted the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. Tage Thompson scored to extend his goal streak to six games as the Sabres collected their fifth straight victory and improved to 16-14-4. Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist for the Islanders (19-13-4), who’ve dropped three straight games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Sabres announced they’ve parted company with assistant general manager Jason Karmanos. They also recalled forward Isak Rosen from their AHL affiliate in Rochester.
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas scored twice and set up another goal in a 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers, snapping the latter’s win streak at four games. Jake Neighbours tallied two goals, and Jonatan Berggren had a goal and two assists for the Blues (14-15-8). A.J. Greer and Sam Reinhart replied for the 19-14-2 Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich missed this game as he’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
The Vancouver Canucks got a shootout goal from Liam Ohgren to upset the Boston Bruins 5-4. Linus Karlsson led the way for the Canucks with two goals and an assist as they picked up their fourth straight win and improved to 15-17-3. Morgan Geekie scored his 25th goal of the season and picked up an assist for the 20-15-1 Bruins.
Nashville Predators winger Luke Evangelista snapped a 3-3 tie as his club defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3, handing the latter their fourth loss in their last five games. Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist for the 14-16-4 Predators. Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson each picked up two points for the Maple Leafs, who dropped to 15-14-5.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was a healthy scratch for this game. He’s mired in a 22-game goal drought and has a team-worst plus/minus of minus-13.
The Calgary Flames upset the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3. Mikael Backlund scored twice and had an assist while MacKenzie Weegar and Connor Zary each collected three assists for the 15-17-4 Flames. Mark Stone had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights (16-7-10).
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov scored the tie-breaking goal with 3:29 remaining in the third period to lift his club to a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mikael Granlund had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who hold first place in the Pacific Division with a record of 21-13-2. Zach Werenski had two points, and Mason Marchment scored in his first game with the Blue Jackets, who dropped to 14-15-6.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski left the game with a leg injury late in the game. There was no postgame update on his status. Earlier in the day, the NHL’s department of player safety fined Ducks forward Frank Vatrano $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Dallas Stars on Friday.
Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 35 shots as his club doubled up the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Chandler Stephenson scored to extend his goal streak to four games and his points streak to eight as the Kraken (13-14-6) snapped a four-game losing skid. Adam Gaudette and Collin Graf scored for the Sharks (17-16-3) as they’ve dropped two straight.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren missed this game with an upper-body injury.
“Earlier in the day, the Sabres announced they’ve parted company with assistant general manager Jason Karmanos.”
He was replaced with Marc Marc Bergevin.
Jarmo is hiring guys with extensive experience, unlike the previous administration. The influx of proven leadership into the Sabres management structure lends credence to Kekäläinen’s claim that owner Terry Pegula has given him total control of the hockey department.
For his own sake, I hope Marc “Hollywood” Bergevin did not throw out his winter clothing when he left Montreal to return to sunny California.
It was only a matter of time before two big and conflicting egos, Ken Holland & Bergevin, would part ways and it has finally happened.
Not a bad hire for Buffalo. Bergevin is not the guy you want running the show but he can be helpful in an associate role. The Sabres also hired Josh Flynn from the Jackets.
The east is so tight anyone can get in to the dance. Makes every game important. Good for hockey every where
Hoo yeah, Mrbruin4. Like the proverbial saying “tighter than a drum.” (I was about to use another popular saying., but Lyle probably would have censored it).
A few weeks back I posted comparisons between the 2024-25 and this season’s standings on the U.S. Thanksgiving, saying, in essence, that gaps in the standings should start to appear by the Christmas Break. Not only has that not transpired, but things have gotten even tighter.
Should be a good one tonight between the Bruins and Senators, both playing the 2nd of a back-to-back.
I know of what you speak, George. Morning laugh. Thanks.
Hey, that was a nice game by both Fowler and Beck last night, LJ.
That Beck goal was as slick as I’ve seen in a long time from a rookie. A combination of speed and a nice snap-shot that completely fooled Skinner.
They are going to need him again, George. He would likely have been scratched if not sent down, given the Danault trade. But with Evans out with a knee (not promising) he’ll likely get a chance to continue his audition.
GeorgeO,there is not one team in the east that could compete with Colorado,Dallas and Minnesota in the west. Guerins trade for Hughes put the Wild in that class. His trade with Vancouver was great for both teams. Saw the Ohgren kid scored the winner in the shootout in Boston last night.
Sr., while it certainly appears that those 3 are emerging as the class of the league, let’s not lose sight of the fact they play the vast bulk of their games within their Conference where there are 7 teams below the .500 mark, and 7 with goals differentials in double-digits.
In the East, only Columbus is currently below .500 (but close at .486) and with a goals differential in double digits.
that should be “minus goals differential” in both places
Vatrano should have gotten at least one game. Completely unnecessary and dangerous play, with intent to injure. The fact that his team was getting embarrassed on home ice is not a reason to molest another player.