NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 15, 2021
Concern as COVID-19 cases rises among the players, Sidney Crosby and Auston Matthews scoring reach milestones and Ben Bishop ends his playing career. Details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
COVID-19 CASES RISING AMONG NHL PLAYERS
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal (NHL Images).
NHL.COM: Tuesday’s game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild was postponed as six Hurricanes players and a member of their training staff went into COVID protocol. Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov, Steve Lorentz and Ian Cole entered the protocol one day after Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis did. The NHL will provide a further update on the Hurricanes schedule on Wednesday.
CALGARY SUN: The number of Flames on COVID protocol reached 10 after Milan Lucic, Sean Monahan and Noah Hanifin were placed on the list yesterday.
NEW YORK POST: Islanders center Mathew Barzal is in COVID protocol. This comes three days after Casey Cizikas was the last of eight Isles to come off the list following an outbreak that began last month.
THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews will miss at least six games after testing positive for COVID-19.
THE PROVINCE: Four members of the Vancouver Canucks (Luke Schenn, Tucker Poolman, Brad Hunt and Juho Lammikko) have tested positive for COVID-19 since Monday. Poolman was pulled from last night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets five minutes into the first period after the results of his test came through.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers forward Ryan McLeod joined the COVID protocol list yesterday. Head coach Dave Tippett was held out of last night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs as a precautionary measure.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers forward Morgan Frost left last night’s game against the New Jersey Devils within the first five minutes of the first period due to COVID protocols.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: 24 NHL players entered the league’s COVID protocol within 36 hours. The good news is their symptoms (and those of players who tested positive earlier this season) were in most cases minor because all but one player is double-vaccinated. Nevertheless, they must self-isolate for between seven-to-10 days depending on the outcome of subsequent testing to prevent or slow the spread of the coronavirus.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the NHL isn’t considering pausing its schedule yet because of the recent outbreaks. Doctors with the league and NHLPA advising both sides had a call on Tuesday evening to discuss the latest events and consider the next steps. That could include a return to enhanced protocols such as more mandated mask-wearing to daily testing of players and staff.
The outbreaks also raised concern over NHL participation in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics based on the three-to-five week quarantine rules for players who test positive while taking part in the Men’s Ice Hockey tournament. The mood among the NHLPA membership is to wait and see, review the information and reach a decision on participation as the Jan. 10 deadline to opt-out approaches.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun also said that to his knowledge no players have yet to decide against skating in the Olympics based on those strict COVID rules. The league has left it in the NHLPA’s hands whether or not they’ll take part. It could depend on the spread of the Omicron variant between now and the Jan. 10 deadline.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby became the 14th player in NHL history to reach 400 multi-point games by collecting two assists in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Crosby is the only active player to reach that mark. Evan Rodrigues had a goal and two assists as the Penguins pushed their winning streak to five straight. The Canadiens have dropped seven in a row.
Auston Matthews scored two goals to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-1 victory over the slumping Edmonton Oilers. Matthews joined Dave Keon as the only Leaf to reach 20 goals in each of their first six seasons. The Leafs sit atop the overall standings with 42 points. Oilers defenseman Duncan Keith returned to action after missing eight games with an upper-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews is now tied for second place in the goal-scoring race with Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin with 20 goals. Edmonton Leon Draisaitl has 23.
The Vancouver Canucks extended their winning streak to five games by nipping the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. The Canucks overcame a 3-0 deficit as Bo Horvat scored twice and Quinn Hughes collected three assists. They have yet to lose since Bruce Boudreau took over as head coach last week.
Vegas Golden Knights winger Max Pacioretty tallied twice to extend his goal streak to seven games in a 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. Mark Stone collected two assists as he and Pacioretty have each collected points in nine straight contests.
The Ottawa Senators upset the Florida Panthers 8-2. Josh Norris scored twice and added an assist, Drake Batherson had a goal and three assists and Connor Brown had three helpers.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Cam Atkinson’s hat trick led his club to a 6-1 drubbing of the New Jersey Devils. The Flyers have won three straight games after dropping their first two games under interim coach Mike Yeo.
An overtime goal by Mathieu Joseph lifted the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. The Lightning has won six of their last seven games. With 40 points, the defending Stanley Cup champions are just two back of the league-leading Maple Leafs.
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals and Nazem Kadri had three assists to beat the New York Rangers 4-2. Nathan MacKinnon also picked up two assists for the Avalanche as they’ve won five straight.
Vladimir Tarasenko scored and chipped in two assists in the St. Louis Blues’ 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. Blues goalie Charlie Lindgren made 33 saves as his club is unbeaten (4-0-2) in their last six games. The Stars, meanwhile, have dropped four straight.
The Buffalo Sabres snapped a seven-game skid by doubling up the Winnipeg Jets 4-2. Rasmus Dahlin scored twice (including the game-winner) while rookie goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 34 saves for his first career NHL win.
Detroit Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made 34 saves to hold off the New York Islanders 2-1. Dylan Larkin and Michael Rasmussen tallied for the Wings while Anders Lee replied for the Isles.
The Seattle Kraken got a 33-save performance by Chris Driedger to down the San Jose Sharks 3-1. Calle Jarnkrok had a goal and an assist.
IN OTHER NEWS…
TWINCITIES.COM: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin has been officially named as GM of Team USA in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars goaltender Ben Bishop yesterday announced his playing career was over after struggling with a knee injury that has hampered him since the 2019 playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Bishop and his family in their future endeavors. He was one of the NHL elite goaltenders between 2013-14 and 2019-20.
Bishop finishes with a record of 222 wins, 128 losses and 36 overtime losses with a career 2.32 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and 33 shutouts. He was a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist and a two-time Second Team All-Star during his tenures with the Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning.
No, no, no, and a big “HELL NO” to players going to the Olympics.
I actually hope Canada completely boycotts the games.
China has said that they will retaliate against Canada and the U.S. because of the diplomatic boycott.
What’s the best way to do it? A whole bunch of positive covid tests before an important game or event.
We’re dealing with the worlds most corrupt organization, the IOC, in one of the worlds most corrupt countries.
Imagine if Conner or Syd or Auston all of a sudden get a positive test. The NHL and IIHF can do nothing about it. We’re talking about the Chinese hierarchy having control of their lives.
Ask Mike and Mike how that is!
Never thought I’d agree with a Bruins fan on anything, but you’re 100% correct.
The non symptomatic testing needs to stop. With supposedly one non vaccinated player it’s not necessary
And that player has immunity now! LOL
This is the second time Tucker Poolman has had Covid. He also tested positive early last season.
See this is what happens when a good team meets a team full of Ahlers. One of Swayman’s worst efforts yet, they should have yanked him after the second goal, although the rest of the team were terrible as well. I’m not going to watch till they get a few more players that can actually play the game, get rid of Kuhlman he’s great at skating up and down the ice. Frederick maybe the worst first round pick since Senysyn and Hamill,he has got to go, he brings zilch. Anton Blidh great character and dressing room presence hopefully this is the last year for him as well. I’ve seen nothing that even shows a glimmer of hope that the bruins will even make the playoffs. Grab Kane.
Re “ LeBrun also said that to his knowledge no players have yet to decide against skating in the Olympics based on those strict COVID rules. ”…. Lehner already said no
Glad Pens and Leafs won
Congrats Sid (400 multi point games) and AM (tying Keon)
ERod and Sid shining again 👍👍👍 Kappy … nice bunt 👍👍👍
Sens … wow… they had quite a Knight (sorry had to)
‘Nucks… great come from behind V
Olympics…. w/o a change in quarantine policy for pos tests (now at 3-5 weeks)…. Just can’t see NHL players going…. as soon as 1 or 2 KEY (top) players announce their dropping out…. Count on rapid (exponential) announcements following
Pengy: Lehner’s decision was based on mental health reasons, not because of the strict COVID rules in China.
Thanks Lyle
I had interpreted incorrectly when he said due to mental health he didn’t want to be stuck there(China) ….. I thought he meant stuck there longer if he tested positive during the tournament
Thanks for clarifying
Bumper sticker diplomacy and a hell no get you the 2 Michaels which we righteously yap about, forgetting that we made the first move by arresting Meng Wanzhou on behalf of the Trump government.
Releasing her brought about the release of the two M’s.
It was a dumb move to arrest the CFO of Huawei in the first place and even dumber to not see China clapping back.
Realpolitik dictated the awarding of the Winter Games to China and will dictate the presence of Olympic teams.
As for quarantine- any athlete who tests positive for COVID-19 in China will need to produce two negative results 24 hours apart. If they’re unable to do so, the quarantine period could last from three to five weeks.
Get out of the fishbowl
Tested positive in China no problem. Suit those affected in space suits and hire a Gulfstream to fly them back. They can afford it.
Nhl should go back to last years blueprint. At least everyone got to witness full playoffs. Take a break now until Jan. Don’t go to olympics and use that time to make games up.
League wide shut down is right around the corner …
Perhhaps the NHL could convince Putin to bring in the ” hole in the wall “test facility from Sarejevo to get us out clean.