NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 7, 2024

by | Dec 7, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 7, 2024

The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov regains the scoring lead, the Capitals reach a franchise record for road wins, reaction to the Rangers re-signing Igor Shesterkin and trading Jacob Trouba, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S NHL GAMES

NHL.COM: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists to lead his club over the Anaheim Ducks 5-1, extending his points streak to five games and regaining the NHL scoring lead with 42 points. Matt Boldy also had a goal and two assists and Marco Rossi tallied twice and collected an assist as the Wild become the first team to reach 40 points this season. Brock McGinn replied for the Ducks.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks played without Jacob Trouba, who was acquired from the New York Rangers on Friday. He’s expected to be in the lineup for the Ducks’ game against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 9.

The Washington Capitals extended their road winning streak to a franchise-record eight games with a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Connor McMichael snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period and Nic Dowd had a goal and an assist as the Capitals (18-6-2, 38 points) move into first place in the Metropolitan Division. John Tavares scored for the Leafs (16-8-2) as they remain in first place in the Atlantic Division with 34 points.

New York Rangers forwards Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck each had three points to double up the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2, snapping the latter’s four-game win streak. Panarin scored two goals, Trocheck had two assists and Igor Shesterkin stopped 20 shots for the win. Penguins forward Philip Tomasino scored to extend his points streak to four games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The win came after a hectic day for the Rangers as they traded Trouba to the Ducks and re-signed Shesterkin. More about those moves following the game recaps.

The Vancouver Canucks overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2. Pius Suter tallied twice in the third period and Brock Boeser had a goal and an assist for the Canucks, extending their points streak to four games (3-0-1). Mathieu Olivier and Damon Severson scored for the Blue Jackets, who dropped their third straight game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a milestone game for Boeser as he collected his 400th career regular-season point. Goaltender Thatcher Demko returned to the lineup in a backup role after missing the start of the season with a knee injury.

The Blue Jackets also lost defenseman Ivan Provorov to a broken thumb during this game.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone had an assist in his return to the lineup during a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars. Stone has missed 14 games with a lower-body injury. Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel and Nicolas Roy scored for the Golden Knights. They’ve won seven of their last nine games and sit atop the Pacific Division with 39 points. Mavrik Bourque and Mason Marchment scored for the Stars.

The New Jersey Devils nipped the Seattle Kraken 3-2. Jesper Bratt had a goal and an assist and Luke Hughes netted his first of the season as the Devils have won six of their last eight games. Andre Burakovsky and Shane Wright replied for the Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils had the same number of points as the Capitals (38) but the latter holds the lead in the Metro Division with three games in hand and a .731 win percentage.

HEADLINES

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed goaltender Igor Shesterkin to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension beginning in 2025-26. Shesterkin, 28, becomes the NHL’s highest-paid goalie with an average annual value of $11.5 million. The deal is expected to be officially announced on Saturday.

Shesterkin is in the final year of a four-year contract with an AAV of $5.666 million. He was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No one is surprised Shesterkin became the league’s highest-paid goalie. It was reported in June that was what he sought. There was an assumption he would hold out for over $12 million. However, this deal comes in closer to the eight-year, $88-million offer by the Rangers as reported by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes earlier this season.

Shesterkin wanted to remain with the Rangers and they were determined to keep him. They still see themselves as Stanley Cup contenders with Shesterkin playing a crucial role. Losing the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner to free agency would’ve been a significant setback to those plans.

Trading away Trouba and his $8 million cap hit for 2025-26 makes it easier for the Rangers to absorb Shesterkin’s hefty raise. If the cap rises as projected to $92.5 million, they’ll have over $21 million in cap space next season, enough to re-sign some key players and replace others.

NEW YORK POST/SPORTSNET: Speaking of Jacob Trouba, he was “not overly thrilled” with how things went down which led to his trade on Friday to the Ducks. “It’s a rite of passage to get fired at MSG,” he said, adding that he’s quite happy to be heading to Anaheim.

Trouba indicated management pressured him to accept a trade or be scratched. He also said he was told he would be placed on waivers, removing his ability to decide where he landed next.

The 31-year-old defenseman defended his rejection of an offseason trade for family reasons but he wasn’t happy that it became public knowledge. He admitted it affected his play this season.

Trouba reflected on his five seasons with the Rangers, saying he loved his time in New York. He pointed to the club’s two trips to the Eastern Conference Final and winning the Presidents’ Trophy during his tenure.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can read my reaction to the Trouba trade by following this link.

Rangers winger Chris Kreider declined to comment about the trade. “Yeah, but not today,” he said when asked if he had any thoughts about the move. Kreider and Trouba were the prominent names mentioned in recent trade rumors regarding the Rangers.

Mika Zibanejad won’t be following Kreider out the door this season. The Post’s Mollie Walker reports he has not waived his no-move clause, meaning he won’t be going anywhere for the time being.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade chatter about Kreider and Zibanejad will continue to swirl if the Rangers don’t improve following the Trouba move.

Like Trouba, Kreider has a 15-team no-trade list this season. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.5 million.

Zibanejad would be more difficult to move given his NMC and his $8.5 million AAV through 2029-30. Nevertheless, Drury could find a creative way around that but it might have to be an offseason move when teams have more cap space to work with.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said the Trouba trade went down quickly. He indicated he was seeking a right-side defenseman with a right-hand shot. Verbeek believes this move also brings a more physical edge and leadership to his blueline, adding that they’re excited about Trouba joining them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if Trouba regains the intensity he lost during his final weeks with the Rangers.

TSN: Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams explained his team is not a destination for unrestricted free agents. He cited the higher taxes in Buffalo and the lack of a warm-weather climate. Adams believes there are better ways of building a sustainable winner than adding UFAs who are key players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams’ remarks didn’t sit well with some members of the Buffalo media.

The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington agrees with Adams about signing UFAs but believes the Sabres GM should do more in the trade market to help his struggling team. He points out that Adams’ core of young players is failing and he overpaid Mattias Samuelsson, Dylan Cozens and Owen Power.

Harrington points out Adams is now in his fifth season as Sabres GM but the club remains far from ending its long playoff drought. “His clock is ticking and everyone’s patience here is just about gone.”

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Carolina Hurricanes put forward Brendan Lemieux on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination. GM Eric Tulsky said the move was made at Lemieux’s request.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 12, 2024

by | Mar 12, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 12, 2024

Recaps of Monday’s games, the three stars of the week are revealed, and injury updates on Thatcher Demko, Gabriel Landeskog, Aaron Ekblad and Josh Norris. Get the details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for his fourth shutout of the season to blank the Washington Capitals 3-0. Neal Pionk, Alex Iafallo and Kyle Connor were the goalscorers for the 41-18-5 Jets, as they sit in second place in the Central Division with 87 points. Charlie Lindgren made 26 stops for the 30-24-9 Capitals as they remain three points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 69 points.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck also reached the 30-win plateau for the fifth time in his NHL career. Capitals forward T.J. Oshie returned to action after missing seven games with an upper-body injury. However, teammate Tom Wilson missed this game with an upper-body injury.

Speaking of that final Eastern wild-card spot, the New York Islanders slipped out of it after a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Adrian Kempe, Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore scored for the Kings (33-20-11) as they sit third in the Pacific Division with 77 points. Ilya Sorokin turned aside 22 shots for the 29-21-14 Islanders, who sit behind the Detroit Red Wings with 72 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE The Islanders and Red Wings have the same number of points, but the Wings hold the wild-card berth with more wins (33).

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad scored his first even-strength goal in 30 games as his club downed the New Jersey Devils 3-1. Jonathan Quick made 19 saves for the 42-18-4 Rangers (88 points) as they hold first place in the Metropolitan Division and sit fifth in the overall standings. Simon Nemec scored for the Devils (31-30-4), who remain six points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot with 66 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zibanejad became the fifth player in Rangers history to score at least 20 goals in seven straight seasons, joining Jean Ratelle, Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield and Andy Bathgate. Meanwhile, Rangers forward Matt Rempe could face supplemental discipline after being ejected during the second period for elbowing Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in the head.

The St. Louis Blues upset the Boston Bruins 5-1 with Kasperi Kapanen scoring a goal and collecting two assists. Joel Hofer kicked out 36 shots for the 33-29-3 Blues (69 points) as they moved to within six points of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. David Pastrnak tallied his 41st goal of the season for the Bruins (38-14-15) as they remain one point behind the first-overall Florida Panthers with 91 points.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha, and Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending March 10, 2024.

THE PROVINCE: Speaking of Demko, he’ll be sidelined for two to three weeks after suffering a knee injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how well the Canucks handle the loss of their starting goaltender over that period. A healthy Demko is a crucial part of their Stanley Cup aspirations.

TSN: Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said team captain Gabriel Landeskog could return to action with what he called the “playoff timeframe.” The 31-year-old winger has been sidelined by a knee injury since the end of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. Bednar stressed that Landeskog won’t be rushing his timetable to return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That timeframe could be the start of the playoffs next month or the Stanley Cup Final in June if the Avalanche get that far.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators center Josh Norris will miss the rest of the regular season after undergoing a third surgery on his left shoulder following an injury on Feb. 27. He’s expected to be recovered in time for training camp in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a significant setback for Norris. Whether the 24-year-old center will be able to continue his playing career or be as effective as he once was remains to be seen.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee injury. Head coach Paul Maurice said the blueliner didn’t suffer any long-term damage.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers center Ryan Johansen is believed to be battling an injury or ailment that has prevented him from playing for their AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. Johansen also hopes to reconcile with Flyers coach John Tortorella as the two clashed when they were with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

ESPN.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Brendan Lemieux to a one-year, $775K contract extension.

SPORTSNET: The Arizona Land Department’s Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday to discuss a Phoenix site where the Coyotes hope to build a new arena.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 12, 2023

by | Jul 12, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 12, 2023

Pierre-Luc Dubois believes he’s been misunderstood, Ed Belfour and Ken Hitchcock named to the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame, the Rangers re-sign K’Andre Miller, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

NHL.COM: Pierre-Luc Dubois said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to fully be himself with the Los Angeles Kings. He was traded to the Kings on June 27 and signed an eight-year, $68 million contract with the club.

Dubois felt he’s been misunderstood at times stemming from his trade requests from the Jets and the Columbus Blue Jackets. He said he had “three unbelievable years in Columbus” and “three great years in Winnipeg,” the 25-year-old forward felt he was ready to move on and do what was right for him and his career. He believes he’ll get that opportunity with the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubois’ departure from Columbus and Winnipeg stoked the opinion among fans and pundits that he puts himself above his team. Nevertheless, he has the right to do what he believes is best for himself over the remainder of his playing career.

This move to the Kings could work out quite well for Dubois and his new teammates, so his tenures in his last two NHL cities will become footnotes to his career. On the other hand, if things go sideways and he requests a trade it will only feed the perception of Dubois as a selfish player.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Ed Belfour and Ken Hitchcock will be enshrined this season into the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame. Belfour backstopped the Stars to the 1999 Stanley Cup with Hitchcock as their head coach. Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 while Hitchcock will be inducted as a builder among the Class of 2023 in November.

New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s fair to say that the Stars wouldn’t have won the Stanley Cup without Belfour in goal and Hitchcock behind the bench.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed defenseman K’Andre Miller to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.872 million. Miller, 23, is completing his entry-level contract and coming off a career-best 43-point season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers’ limited cap space for 2023-24 combined with Miller’s lack of arbitration rights made this bridge deal possible. It’s an affordable contract for Miller, who is quickly becoming a key part of the Blueshirts’ defense corps.

Miller will be in line for a more substantial raise on his next contract when the salary cap will be significantly higher. By that point, the Rangers should be able to pay him a more lucrative salary.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens signed forward Alex Newhook to a four-contract contract with an AAV of $2.9 million. Newhook, 22, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche where he tallied 33 points in his rookie season (2021-22) and 30 points last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A speedy forward who can play center or wing, Newhook saw checking-line minutes on a deep Avalanche roster. He could be skating on the second line with the rebuilding Canadiens. It’s an equitable contract that could become a real bargain if Newhook exceeds expectations.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes signed Brendan Lemieux to a one-year, $800K contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are adding more grit to their lineup after getting swept from the Eastern Conference Finals by the Florida Panthers. They signed winger Michael Bunting on July 1 to a three-year deal.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: The Predators signed winger Denis Gurianov to a one-year, $850K contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Arizona Coyotes signed defenseman Travis Dermott to a one-year, two-way contract worth $800K at the NHL level.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks hired Brent Thompson and David Rook as assistant coaches to head coach Greg Cronin. Thompson is the former head coach of the New York Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Rook spent five years as the goaltending development coach with the Nashville Predators.

TSN: The Ottawa Senators have parted ways with assistant general manager Trent Mann. The move comes a day after Anthony LeBlanc resigned as president of business operations. These changes come as the club completes an ownership change led by billionaire Michael Andlauer.

NEW YORK POST: The Philadelphia Flyers have issued an apology after members of their social media team were heard making disparaging remarks about a reporter’s question to new Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway during a live stream on Twitter.










NHL Trade Deadline Tracker – March 3, 2023

by | Mar 3, 2023

NHL Trade Deadline Tracker – March 3, 2023

We’ll keep a running tally of today’s notable trades. It will be updated throughout the day.

Anaheim Ducks traded John Klingberg to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Andrej Sustr, a fourth-round pick in 2025 and prospect Nikita Nesterenko. The Ducks are retaining 50 percent of Klingberg’s $7 million salary. 

Anaheim Ducks trade John Klingberg to the Minnesota Wild (NHL Images)

Calgary Flames ship Brett Ritchie and Connor Mackey to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Troy Stecher and Nick Ritchie. 

Nashville Predators acquire Rasmus Aspland from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2025 seventh-round pick. 

Los Angeles Kings trade Austin Wagner to the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations.

Philadelphia Flyers trade Patrick Brown to the Ottawa Senators for a 2023 sixth-round pick.

Minnesota Wild acquire forward Oskar Sundqvist from the Detroit Red Wings in return for a fourth-round pick in 2023.

Calgary Flames acquire winger Dryden Hunt from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for winger Radim Zahorna.

The Minnesota Wild traded winger Jordan Greenway to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second-round pick in 2023 (originally from the Vegas Golden Knights) and a 2024 fifth-rounder.

Anaheim Ducks trade Dmitry Kulikov to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Brock McGinn and a third-round draft pick.

Winnipeg Jets acquire Vladislav Namestnikov from the San Jose Sharks for a 2025 fourth-rounder. 

Los Angeles Kings trade Brendan Lemieux and a fifth-round pick in 2024 to the Philadelphia Flyers for Zack MacEwen

The New Jersey Devils acquire Curtis Lazar from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-acquire center Nick Bonino from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team deal involving the Montreal Canadiens. The Sharks received a fifth-rounder in 2024 and a seventh-rounder in 2023 from the Penguins plus a minor-league defenseman Arvid Henrikson from the Canadiens. The Sharks flipped the fifth-rounder to the Canadiens for retaining 50 percent of Bonino’s $2.050 million cap hit. The Habs also received defenseman Tony Sund from the Penguins. 

The Detroit Red Wings ship winger Jakub Vrana to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for minor-league center Dylan McLaughlin and a 2025 seven-round pick.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 14, 2022

by | Nov 14, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 14, 2022

Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev ties a league record, the Bruins set a franchise record, an update on Senators blueliner Thomas Chabot and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev tied a league record in his club’s 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals. Sergachev scored twice and collected two assists in the first period, tying Bobby Orr as the only blueliners to collect multiple goals and multiple assists in the opening period of a game. The Lightning’s record improved to 8-6-1 while the Capitals fall to 7-8-2.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (NHL Images).

The Boston Bruins set a franchise record by winning their ninth straight home game to open a season by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. Hampus Lindholm collected three assists, Linus Ullmark made 29 saves and Pavel Zacha scored what proved to be the winning goal as the Bruins (14-2-0) regained sole possession of first place in the overall standings with 28 points. J.T. Miller and Sheldon Dries replied for the 4-9-3 Canucks, who’ve now lost three straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin left the game with an apparent head injury following a fight with the Bruins’ A.J. Greer.

An overtime goal by Mark Scheifele lifted the Winnipeg Jets (9-4-1) over the Seattle Kraken by a score of 3-2. Scheifele tallied twice while Blake Wheeler picked up his 300th career goal when he tied the game in the dying seconds of regulation. Jordan Eberle and Brandon Tanev replied for the 8-5-3 Kraken.

The Dallas Stars bolstered their record to 9-5-1 by dropping the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1. Joe Pavelski and Esa Lindell each had a goal and two assists while Jake Oettinger kicked out 37 shots for the win. Travis Konecny scored for the Flyers, who fall to 7-6-2 as they’ve lost three straight games.

Shootout goals by Nick Bonino and Alexander Barabanov gave the San Jose Sharks a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Sharks overcame a 2-0 deficit on third-period goals by Steven Lorentz and Nico Sturm as they improve to 5-9-3. Frederick Gaudreau and Connor Dewar tallied for the Wild (7-6-2).

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin stopped 31 shots while Adam Fox had a goal and an assist to beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-1. The Rangers’ record is now 8-6-3 while the Coyotes fall to 6-8-1. Clayton Keller scored the Coyotes’ only goal.

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot will be sidelined for at least a week with a concussion suffered during Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chabot’s absence significantly weakens an already thin Senators’ defense corps. They’ll be fortunate if their blueline workhorse is out for just a week. He will miss three upcoming games at a time when the 5-8-1 Sens are trying to climb out of the basement in the Atlantic Division.

Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman was fined $5,000.00 for slew-footing Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois on Saturday.

NHL.COM: The Los Angeles Kings placed winger Brendan Lemieux has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins have sent defenseman Mark Friedman to their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 1, 2021

by | Dec 1, 2021

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 1, 2021

​Filip Forsberg enjoys a four-goal performance, the Panthers and Blues turn deficits into victories, the Devils re-sign Jack Hughes, Rod Brind’Amour and Brendan Lemieux fined, and much more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Filip Forsberg scored four goals as the Nashville Predators thumped the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-0. Forsberg also reached his 400th career point in this contest. Juuse Saros made 27 saves for the shutout while Mikael Granlund collected four assists.

Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forsberg now has 10 goals and 15 points in just 13 games. Granlund, meanwhile, has 25 points in just 22 games. He had a combined 57 points over the last two seasons but should exceed that total this season at his current rate of production.

Four unanswered third-period goals lifted the Florida Panthers to a 5-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. Sam Reinhart buried the winner with just 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad each collected three assists for the Panthers.

Ryan O’Reilly scored the only goal in a shootout as the St. Louis Blues overcame a 3-0 deficit to drop the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3. O’Reilly also scored in regulation while Jordan Binnington settled down from a shaky first period to make 30 saves for the win. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos missed the game to attend the birth of his second child while Erik Cernak returned to the Bolts lineup after missing eight games with an upper-body injury.

Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz tallied a hat trick as his club downed the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Joe Pavelski also scored for the Stars and collected two assists while Braden Holtby picked up the win with a 39-save performance. Earlier in the day, the NHL fined Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour $25,000.00 for inappropriate conduct during Sunday’s game against the Capitals. Brind’Amour yelled at the referees late in the game over a slashing call against Sebastian Aho that gave the Capitals a 5-on-3 power play.

Shootout goals by Trevor Zegras and Kevin Shattenkirk lifted the Anaheim Ducks over the Los Angeles Kings 5-4. The Kings rallied back from a 4-1 deficit in the third to tie the game. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty returned to the lineup for the first time since suffering a knee injury on Oct. 22. The Kings also played without winger Brendan Lemieux, who was suspended five games for biting Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk on Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In the “Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree Department”, Brendan and his father Claude Lemieux hold the dubious honor of being the first father/son duo in NHL history to be suspended for biting opponents during their respective careers.

The Detroit Red Wings got a 41-save performance from Alex Nedeljkovic as they nipped the Boston Bruins 2-1. Marc Staal broke a 1-1 tie in the third period. The Bruins were playing without Brad Marchand (three-game suspension) and head coach Bruce Cassidy after he was placed in COVID protocol yesterday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of COVID protocols, the NHL sent a memo to its 32 teams yesterday outlining a series of new measures designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Those steps include canceling team Christmas parties, charity events and autograph sessions.

A 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes moved the Minnesota Wild into a tie with the Calgary Flames for first place in the Western Conference standings. Jordan Greenway had a goal and two assists while Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and an assist. Clayton Keller scored and set up another for the Coyotes.

Timo Meier scored twice and James Reimer kicked out 32 shots as the San Jose Sharks beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2. Devils center Jack Hughes returned to the lineup after missing 17 games with a dislocated shoulder. Earlier in the day, the Devils announced Hughes signed an eight-year, $64-million contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils are making a major investment in the 20-year-old Hughes after just 120 games and 55 points since 2019-20. He’s shown considerable potential since last season but will face a lot of pressure to meet the expectations that come with this contract. If he does, this could turn into a worthwhile deal for one of their core players.

HEADLINES

THE SCORE: Evander Kane downplayed reports from earlier this summer claiming his San Jose Sharks teammates were frustrated by his behavior and didn’t want him back on the team this season. He said his end-of-season interview with management was positive, singling out how well he worked with the younger players and praising his performance. Kane cleared waivers Monday and reported to the AHL’s San Jose Barracudas, where he took part in his first practice with the team on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Meanwhile, there were reports during the offseason claiming the Sharks attempted to trade Kane earlier in the summer. They’re reportedly trying to do so again. Draw your own conclusions, folks.

CBC SPORTS: Quebec Remparts general manager and coach Patrick Roy has expressed interest in the Montreal Canadiens’ vacant general manager position. “Since 1993, this club has been running in circles,” said the Canadiens Hall-of-Famer. “What do they have to lose by giving me a chance, and seeing what I can do with this club?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The issue would be whether the temperamental Roy could work well with Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens’ new executive VP of hockey operations. That might not be possible given his departure from the Colorado Avalanche in 2016 over a disagreement regarding the direction of that club. The last thing the Habs will want is their next GM butting heads with Gorton and turning their disagreements into a media circus.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers placed defenseman Cody Ceci in COVID protocol yesterday. The club also canceled Tuesday’s practice and order two rounds of tests.

TSN: Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. They also traded minor leaguer Kole Sherwood to the Nashville Predators for future considerations.