NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 14, 2024
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 14, 2024
The Stars clinch the Central Division title, the first playoff matchup is decided, the Eastern Conference’s final wildcard remains up for grabs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars clinched the Central Division title by downing the Seattle Kraken 3-1. Miro Heiskanen had a goal and two assists for the Stars (51-21-9), who sit one point behind the league-leading New York Rangers with 111 points. Kailer Yamamoto replied for the Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, Kraken general manager Ron Francis said defenseman Vince Dunn isn’t expected to return before the end of the season. He’s still recovering from upper-body injuries.
The first matchup of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs has been set as the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets will face each other in the opening round after the Jets thumped the Avs 7-0. Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves for the shutout, Sean Monahan and Adam Lowry scored two goals and Josh Morrissey collected three points for the 50-24-6 Jets, who sit second in the Central with 106 points. The Avs (49-25-6) sit two points behind the Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard left this game in the first period and was placed in concussion protocol.
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson scored the winner in a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sonny Milano scored twice as the Capitals improved to 38-31-11 to hold the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth with 87 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen was stretchered from this game in the first period after a hard hit from Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont sent him crashing into the boards. The Capitals released a statement indicating Jensen was conscious, alert and has full use of his extremities. He will be monitored by the Capitals medical staff.
An overtime goal by Dylan Larkin lifted the Detroit Red Wings over the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4. Alex DeBrincat tallied twice for the Red Wings (39-32-9) as they sit behind the Capitals with 87 points due to regulation wins. Auston Matthews tallied his 69th goal of the season and Mitch Marner had three points as the Maple Leafs (46-24-10) sit 10th overall with 102 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs forward Bobby McMann left this game in the second period with a lower-body injury. Earlier in the day, the Leafs announced goaltender Matt Murray was assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on a conditioning stint.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson turned in a 20-save shutout to blank the New Jersey Devils 1-0. Travis Konecny scored his 400 career point for the 38-32-11 Flyers, who also have 87 points. They sit behind the Capitals and Red Wings, who have a game in hand.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, former Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds signed a one-day contract with the club and formally retired as a Flyer. The club honored Simmonds during a pregame ceremony.
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff hopes suffered a blow with a 6-4 loss to the Boston Bruins. David Pastrnak and Charlie Coyle each collected two assists as the Bruins improved to 47-18-15 and sit fourth overall with 109 points. Evgeni Malkin, Michael Bunting and Drew O’Connor each had a goal and an assist for the Penguins (37-31-12) as they sit one point behind the Capitals, Red Wings and Flyers.
A shootout goal by Vincent Trocheck gave the New York Rangers a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. Artemi Panarin scored his 48th goal of the season to tie the game for the Rangers, who set a franchise single-season record with their 54th win as they sit atop the overall standings with 112 points. Brock Nelson tallied twice for the Islanders (37-27-16) as they hold third place in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson missed this game as he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart scored in overtime to beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2. Reinhart has 55 goals this season as the Panthers (51-24-6) sit fifth overall with 108 points. Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen kicked out 39 shots.
The Vancouver Canucks rode a 32-save performance by Casey DeSmith to a 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Sam Lafferty, Pius Suter and Dakota Joshua were the goalscorers for the 49-22-9 Canucks, who sit sixth overall with 107 points. Evander Kane scored for the Oilers (48-25-6) as they sit ninth overall with 102 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers captain Connor McDavid missed his third straight game nursing a lower-body injury. He’s expected to be good to go when the playoffs begin next weekend and could return for a game before the end of the regular season.
Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi scored twice and collected two assists to lead his club over the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-4. Tommy Novak scored two goals and picked up an assist for the 47-29-5 Predators, who improved to 99 points and hold a five-point lead over the Vegas Golden Knights for the first Western wildcard.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators and Golden Knights clinched playoff berths last week. It’s now a question of where they finish in those wildcard spots.
The Los Angeles Kings downed the Anaheim Ducks 3-1. David Rittich turned aside 28 shots and Matt Roy scored what proved to be the game-winner for the Kings (43-26-11) as they sit third in the Pacific Division with 97 points.
A shootout goal by Drake Batherson gave the Ottawa Senators a 5-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scored twice to reach a career-best 37 goals while Canadiens winger Cole Caufield tallied two goals to reach 27 on the season. It’s the ninth straight win for the Senators over the Canadiens.
Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov scored twice and set up another in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Wild rookie Liam Ohgren picked up his first NHL points with a goal and an assist. The loss ensures the Sharks finished 32nd overall, giving them the best odds of winning the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.