The Lightning and Islanders are on the brink of elimination, broadcasting legend Bob Cole has passed away, and further playoff updates in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers have pushed the Tampa Bay Lightning to the brink of elimination with a 5-3 victory in Game 3 of their best-of-seven opening-round series. Matthew Tkachuk scored twice and Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves for the Panthers as they’ve taken a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Steven Stamkos, Tyler Motte and Nick Paul replied for the Lightning. The Panthers can wrap things up in Game 4 on Saturday, Apr. 27 starting at 5 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a deeper, more experienced Florida team than the one the Lightning faced in the last two series between these clubs. That was evident when they reclaimed control of this game after the Lightning went up 2-1 in the second period.

The Panthers successfully hemmed the Bolts in their own zone before scoring the tying and go-ahead goals. They also killed all four Lightning power-play opportunities and forced 14 giveaways.

Kyle Okposo made his postseason debut for the Panthers. He collected an assist in his first playoff game since 2016 with the New York Islanders.

Speaking of the Islanders, they’re also on the verge of elimination after dropping a 3-2 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of their first-round series. Frederik Andersen stopped 29 shots and Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov and Sebastian Aho scored for the Hurricanes. Pierre Engvall and Brock Nelson replied for the Islanders. Game 4 is Saturday at 2 pm EDT with the Hurricanes holding a 3-0 series lead.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders rebounded after goaltender Semyon Varlamov replaced Ilya Sorokin in the second period after he gave up three goals on 14 shots. However, the Hurricanes wore them down and won most of the puck battles in the third period. Andersen also made several big saves to preserve this win for the Canes.

Before this game, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour announced that winger Jesper Fast is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the playoffs with an upper-body injury.

BOB COLE 1933-2024

NHL.COM: Legendary hockey play-by-play man Bob Cole died Wednesday night in his hometown of St. John’s, NL at age 90.

Former Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play man Bob Cole (NHL.com).

Cole spent five decades calling games on CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada”. He started on radio in 1969, moved to television in 1973, and became their lead play-by-play man from 1980 to 2008. He called his final NHL game in 2019.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cole was the last of the great national NHL broadcasters in Canada that spawned icons such as Foster Hewitt (Cole’s idol and mentor) and Danny Gallivan. He rose to prominence in an era before cable television when the CBC was the only source in Canada for hockey coverage. Cole was an instantly recognizable symbol of the game, beloved by players as much as fans.

Like Hewitt and Gallivan, he had a distinctive delivery instantly recognizable to hockey fans. In his prime, he called many great games, capturing spectacular moments that have become cherished memories among Canadian hockey fans, sometimes punctuated with his memorable catchphrase, “Ooooh, baby!”

Few of today’s play-by-play broadcasters can match Cole’s delivery. He brought out the excitement and drama of a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Cole’s coverage began to falter during his final years behind the mike. His delivery slowed and at times he would forget players’ names. However, Cole truly was the voice of Saturday Night for Canadian hockey fans during his prime from 1980 to 2009.

Everyone has their favorite Bob Cole game. Mine is his coverage of Game 5 of the 1984 Patrick Division semifinal between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. The Isles were four-time defending champions that year but the Rangers proved a worthy foe in this series. Cole’s call of that game was the perfect complement to the on-ice action in one of the greatest playoff games I’ve ever seen.

My condolences to Cole’s family, friends and broadcasting colleagues. Hockey has lost one of its greatest voices but his memory will live on.

NHL PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko isn’t expected to return from a suspected knee injury until the Western Conference Final if the Canucks make it that far. Backup Casey DeSmith takes over as their starter in Demko’s absence.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander is suffering from a migraine issue so severe that team doctors tested him for a suspected concussion. He first experienced the symptoms the day after his club’s final regular-season game. It’s hope he’ll return to action for Game 4 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: There’s concern among Oilers followers over the goaltending of Stuart Skinner. He’s given up nine goals in the club’s first two games of their opening-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars rookie Logan Stankoven was named the AHL’s Rookie of the Year for 2023-24. The 21-year-old forward led the league with 57 points before his call-up to the Stars on Feb. 24.

CBS SPORTS: Washington Capitals forward Sonny Milano could miss Game 4 of his club’s first-round series against the New York Rangers on Friday. He’s nursing an undisclosed injury.

IN OTHER NEWS…

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed Alex Vlasic to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.6 million. The 22-year-old defenseman exceeded expectations this season, establishing himself as one of the club’s core players.

THE SCORE: National NHL broadcasts on Monday nights will be seen exclusively on Amazon in Canada starting next season and for 2025-26 in partnership with Rogers Communications. Rogers remains the NHL’s primary rights shareholder for national broadcasts in Canada.