NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 9, 2026
Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier sets a hat-trick record, Devils goalie Connor Hellebuyck won’t start Tuesday’s game against the Jets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier became the first player in league history to record three hat tricks within the first 10 days of a calendar month in a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Gauthier also picked up an assist while extending his goal streak to six games.
Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images)
Mikael Granlund had a goal and three assists while Jackson LaCombe collected three assists for the Ducks (10-7-1) as they picked up their fifth straight win. Kris Letang and Rickard Rakell replied for the Penguins as they dropped to 6-10-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier also tied the NHL benchmark for hat tricks in a single month (3) and is the seventh player in league history to notch three hat tricks within a five-game span. The last one to do it was Alexander Mogilny in 1992-93.
Penguins forward Ville Koivunen missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.
New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck extended his season-opening win streak to five games with a 23-save shutout to blank the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0. Devils captain Nico Hischier had a goal and an assist to reach 500 career regular-season points, and Timo Meier scored two goals. Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz stopped 25 of 28 shots. The Devils (13-5-0) have won five straight games while the Leafs (8-9-2) have dropped five of their last six contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After this game, Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said Hellebuyck won’t start when he returns to Winnipeg on Tuesday to face the Jets for the first time since he was traded to New Jersey last month.
Hellebuyck said he’s disappointed because he wanted to play in that game. However, Mehta and head coach Sheldon Keefe claimed it was an “organization decision” based on a potential reduction in their expected win probability, with Keefe noting that Hellebuyck had played three games in six nights.
This is a BS move by the Devils. Hellebuyck was looking forward to facing the Jets. Mehta and Keefe knew this date was coming, and knew how much it meant to Hellebuyck. If they were concerned about his workload, they could’ve managed it better to ensure he’d be well-prepared for Winnipeg. They’re trying to justify this move by hiding behind analytics.
My theory is Mehta saw how the Ottawa Senators used the return of their former captain Brady Tkachuk as motivation to beat the Florida Panthers and the raucous reaction of Senators fans during that game, and decided he doesn’t want his team to face a similar reception in Winnipeg.
Whatever the reason, it’s not a good look for the Devils, and it doesn’t give Hellebuyck the closure he needs with his former club. It’s also made the situation worse by prompting baseless speculation that Hellebuyck is afraid to face the Jets and Mehta is protecting him.
Meanwhile, Devils forward Anthony Mantha will “miss some time” after suffering a throat injury during Saturday’s 5-4 win over the New York Islanders. Maple Leafs forward Jack Roslovic was a late scratch with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day, while forward Colton Sissons also suffered a lower-body injury.
Speaking of the Jets, they blew a 3-0 lead before defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on a last-second goal by Mark Scheifele during a five-on-three power play. Scheifele and Cole Perfetti each finished with a goal and an assist, and rookie Brayden Yager scored his first NHL goal for the 7-8-3 Jets, who collected their third straight win. Pontus Holmberg tallied twice for the 11-4-2 Lightning.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point left this game with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Jon Cooper hopes it’s not too serious, but expects Point could miss “a bit of time.”
Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman kicked out 40 shots to beat the Florida Panthers 4-1. David Pastrnak set up two goals, and Morgan Geekie extended his goal streak to four games for the Bruins (13-4-1), who collected their fourth straight win and hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 27 points. Carter Verhaeghe scored for the 9-7-2 Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a chippy game with several players receiving misconduct penalties, including Panthers forwards Brady and Matthew Tkachuk.
Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl scored two goals in a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Mitch Marner had a shorthanded goal and picked up an assist for the Golden Knights (12-5-2), who picked up their third straight win. Beck Malenstyn scored for the 8-6-3 Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin left this game in the third period following a hit into the boards by Sabres center Tyson Kozak.
An overtime goal by Matt Coronato lifted the Calgary Flames to a 4-3 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. Devin Cooley stopped 32 shots for the 8-9-1 Flames, and Sean Couturier collected two assists for the 4-10-5 Flyers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Flames announced that defenseman Kevin Bahl is out for the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during warmups for Friday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
HEADLINES
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico interviewed Patrice Bergeron and Carey Price as they reflected on their NHL careers on the eve of their induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.
Bergeron talked about the culture he and former teammates Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara, and David Krejci built with the Boston Bruins. Price spoke about his career with the Montreal Canadiens, praised their current roster and thanked Montreal fans who still make him feel at home.
THE ATHLETIC: On the eve of his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Keith Tkachuk felt it was time for Ottawa Senators fans to move on after his son Brady’s trade to Florida.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: So what say you, Senators fans? Have you moved on? Let us know in the comments section.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar left practice on Sunday for precautionary reasons.
SPORTSNET: Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson won’t face supplemental discipline for boarding Panthers winger Sandis Vilmanis on Saturday.
SPORTSNET: Ottawa Senators activated goaltender Linus Ullmark from injured reserve.
THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers reports the struggling Chicago Blackhawks will not replace head coach Jeff Blashill.
NHL.COM: New York Islanders defenseman Logan Stanley was fined $3,865.98 by the department of player safety for slashing New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier on Saturday.
One thing stood out from the bruins panthers game yesterday to me. Brady will instigate and engage with whomever wants to go. His bro Matthew will instigate but will only go with a player smaller/ younger than him To me that is coward Good player but if you want to play on edge just drop with all comers like your little bro does. Good win by bruins
Feel the exact same way MB4. I can’t stand Matthew and how he plays the game, always respected Brady because of how he plays it.
There is a song about Matthew that got made by a couple radio guys in Edmonton called he’s a turtle, sung to the tune of He’s an As**ole. They did after he cheap shotted Kassian a couple times then turtled when Kassian went after him.
Took some stones for Brady to go with Zadorov. If there’s a stronger guy in the NHL, not sure who it is. The Kastelic scrap was a clean win against Hathaway.
The B’s are a team that can deal with the Panthers when things get nasty. Lessons learned by Sweeney from losing to them in the spring.
Here is the link to it!
https://x.com/nielsontsn1260/status/1220084480372699136?a=d0-DbDV5B1NX-Wg9QrA&s=46
It’s a good one!😂
Why is this a BS move by the Devils. What was Helly supposed to say,I need the rest. Probably saves him and his team the potential circus they might face. I m sure the Jets fans were not going to welcome him home with open arms.
To me, the move screams that Mehta and Keefe think that the Jets are nearly as good as NJ and they don’t want to provide extra incentive. They’re wrong, but that’s what it feels like to me.
Sr, as I post below, there will be that element among a fan base that will never forget a highly-publicized and perceived “rejection” of their team/city, and local social media and talk radio shows will make sure they don’t.
I agree with Lyle’s take that this is a BS move by the Devils. Unless they call up a goalie from the minors to be the back-up that night, they have to know that that element will be vocally targeting Hellebuyck as he sits on the bench.
And the best way to shut them up would be to have him start in goal … and stymie them. He’s certainly confident enough and more than capable of doing just that … and you know his Devils teammates would be extra attentive to the D side of the game.
I see this as a slap in the face to the Jets fans. There is no way I hell that Hellybuck wasn’t part of this decision. The fans are the ones who wan the closure and the opportunity to boo him and chant silly stuff about him….all they will be able to do is boo him in the warm-ups and during his tribute (if they even play one, since he won’t be playing). Psychologically, I think it’s brilliant. They shouldn’t even dress him for that game. Just piss off the media and the fans even more….LOVE IT!
I don’t think its a slap in the face or anything. Psychologically, I think it shows weakness, which is the opposite of how most good teams think.
The reason guys stand up and take on a tough guy on the ice, is to show you won’t back down and us vs them mentality. Even if you lose the fight, at least you’re in it.
Hiding him on the bench seems a bit cowardly IMO. And judging from Helley’s answers to questions from reporters, he feels the exact same way. Sure didn’t seem happy about it, and liked talking about it even less.
Interesting opinions so far
As a Jets fan I’m disappointed Helly will just sit and face our fans unrest.
He just played 3 games in 6 days with 3 in 5 days now this week, Win and 2 with the Caps. We are a weak team and Caps are not. NJ needs to win games so they probably play the backup and then Helly for both Caps in 3 days
We overplayed Helly in the past and was played out for the playoffs, maybe NJ learned from that
I agree sr. If they legit thought that the emotional factor gave the jets a big advantage then don’t play the guy. They don’t owe nothing to peg nor jelly. It’s not like he’ll never get the chance again.
I’m just one among a large Ottawa fan base who has ling since “moved on” from the Tkachuk affair, but like it or not Keith, you know there will always be that loud element that won’t … or can’t.
And, of course, their “animosity” will be happily fueled ad nauseam by local talk radio and blogs which literally thrive on its continuance – the classic “click bait.” And unfortunately there are plenty out there who tend to hold a grudge and who are easily led by the nose.
Agree George, some folks take NHL fandom way too seriously. But, I think for many Ottawa fans it’s just fun when you go to a game and let er rip. So we shouldn’t paint them all with the same brush.
Have to admit the “Brady can’t read” chant was well played. Stick tap to those guys and that had to be fun in the stands doing that one.
And as I said above, you’re denying the fan base, that satisfaction. Brilliant move!
Wayne Gretzky is right about the NJD. They are a Micky Mouse organization.
Tell Gretz to say that to Scott Stevens!
Scott Stevens started his career in the early 80s. It’s funny he only became a head hunter later in his career when Bettman got the enforcers out of the NHL.
a chicken s**t move by jersey.
having him sit on the bench all game listening to a fan base that can be pretty brutal on players they dont like, isnt the best way to handle the situation.
win or lose its only 1 game
face it straight on and then move on.
dont come out with bulls**t excuse. it makes you look weak & like a complete fool.
what Gretzky said about jersey a few years back applies here!!
Judging by the reactions of fans it looks like Jersey made a wise decision.
chr
why run away?
he created the situation. the only thing the Jets & the fans did was pay his salary and cheer him on.
if you think running away and blaming the fans is ‘a wise decision’, that says alot about your thought process & I’m happy youre not running any team I like.
but i guess in this new coward NHL no ones responsible for their actions or should be held accountable.
You are reading way too much much into it.
Look I get it. My favorite player growing up as a kid was jaromir jagr. He bailed on Pittsburgh for a variety of reasons… some valid. It hurt and I booed. But then I grew up and enjoyed his slow reintegration to the franchise. Helly left for a mix of valid and selfish reasons. Hopefully after the sting lets up yins find a nice middle point like most of Pittsburgh did.
chr
for me when a player leaves a team I follow, like them i just move on.
kane quit on the team & left, i couldnt careless about the guy.
trouba left, fine.
hellebuyck quit on the team & left, i dont care about him as a player anymore.
but when he has the team make up some incredible stupid reason cause he didnt want to face the music, I can see why fans are really angry. not just Jets fans, all across the NHL people are saying what a cowardly move it is.
he played here for 11 years, he knows how brutal Jets fans can be with players they dont like & he was scared of the reaction.
say what ever you want about kane, he atleast showed up and let the fans have their say.
but hellebuyck decided to run from the fans he supposedly ‘loves’.
I believe him that it wasn’t his choice. There is no reason not to believe it. He’s still gonna be on the bench subject to boos. Honestly that’s probably worse for him. But it sounds like he’ll take it for his new team.
But don’t spout vitriol then pretend you don’t care. You very obviously do. You have not moved on at all. That will take time. You’ll get there.
What a ridiculous stat to track. It’s too bad that Cutter Gauthier didn’t get his hat tricks on the first three Tuesdays in December so he could hold that record too. Or when there was an easterly wind above 9 miles per hour.
Classy commentary by all the HOF people….except one who can’t let something go and wants to generate clicks for a family run blog. Goof.
Smelly stuff NewJersey. Especially considering prices for tickets to that return game by their ex-goalie sky rocketed. Imagine spending 200$ for a 50$ ticket to boo some guy on a bench.
As a Sens fan, I’ve totally moved on from Brady. The teams seems to be moving back towards that lock down, hard forchecking, high intensity battling that made them successful and ears before. Several players have risen there game this year including Zetterland, Amadio and Pinto. Looking forward to Staois extending Amadio.
Keith and Mathew just trying to help make Brady relevant. Probably irks them that the Sens are actually better without him despite all their injuries.
I agree with Lyle, that the NJ is scared of exactly what transpired in Ottawa when Brady returned. It was a hell of a game and I wholly support fans who want to vocalize themselves. This move robs the jets fans and nil fans of a potentially great emotional game. Cowards for sure.
I don’t see any drop off on Sens game after the trade.
They are doing pretty well even with their injuries and goaltending, aren’t they, MrBruin4.
And it is a Halley’s Comet moment when I am hoping for the Bruins to win, but last night was one of them. Your boys did a good thing.
who cares what a degenerate like tkachuk thinks.
his after game history in Winnipeg is well known and his legacy here next to nothing.
if sens fans want to continue their detest of all things tkachuk, have at it. it makes for a better atmosphere at the games.
What did Keith Tkachuck do that warrants a HHOF induction?
No individual awards and zero Stanley Cups. He wasn’t even a point per game player.
Was thinking same thing
Ticks me off. Tkachuk gets a Hall of Fame berth while Claude “Joe” Provost, the quintessential “shadow” and defensive forward (the Bob Gainey of his era) whose job was to shut down superstars like Bobby Hull and Gordie Howe – which he did to perfection – winning NINE Stanley Cups along the way, is snubbed.
And Paul Henderson. The guy who probably has scored Canada’s most popular international goal.
Player safety board is a big disappointment…..after crapitals wilson throws hit on defenceless player to intensionally injure him…..It’s the same way he always plays and the league does nothing……one day some big young player will destroy the Jackass…..I will Love It
Seek out Ryan Reeves vs Wilson, Paul.
Why didn t Fla be proactive and get Wilson first. I think the whole Fla. bench was relieved when ho got kicked out!
As good as Zadorov fight with Brady was,it was good to see Garnet Hathaway after taking cheap shots at Pasternak get confronted and beat up by Kastellac!
Interesting opinions so far
As a Jets fan I’m disappointed Helly will just sit and face our fans unrest.
He just played 3 games in 6 days with 3 in 5 days now this week, Win and 2 with the Caps. We are a weak team and Caps are not. NJ needs to win games so they probably play the backup and then Helly for both Caps in 3 days
We overplayed Helly in the past and was played out for the playoffs, maybe NJ learned from that
For all the flowers Sunny Mehta has been getting, I believe he got this one wrong.
Whether Hellebuyck plays or not, the crowd is going to roast him with chants.
And this just gave ’em more ammo.
It’s gonna be funny.