NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 30, 2019
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 30, 2019
Jonathan Huberdeau enjoys a four-point performance, John Tortorella loses it with the officials, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: Florida Panthers winger Jonathan Huberdeau scored twice and set up two others as his club held on for a 6-5 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov also scored two goals. Canadiens rookie Nick Suzuki collected three assists.

Jonathan Huberdeau’s four-point performance gave the Florida Panthers a 6-5 win over the Montreal Canadiens (Photo via NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With 53 points in 38 games, Huberdeau’s on a 115-point pace. He’s the Panthers’ leading scorer and sits sixth among NHL scorers.
Patrick Kane’s shootout goal lifted the Chicago Blackhawks over the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2. Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was sidelined during the shootout with an injury. During a post-game press conference, Columbus head coach John Tortorella ripped the officials for an apparent clock error that cost his club the winning goal in the dying seconds of overtime. That drew the ire of NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell, who spoke with Tortorella. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen said the league is dealing with it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tortorella’s outburst could cost him a fine or a suspension. He’ll likely learn his fate later today.
Jaden Schwartz scored twice as the St. Louis Blues downed the Winnipeg Jets 4-1. The Blues (58 points) have won eight straight and hold an eight-point lead over the Colorado Avalanche for first place in the Western Conference.
Tanner Pearson and Tyler Myers each scored twice as the Vancouver Canucks snuffed out the Calgary Flames 5-2. Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk had two assists. The Canucks have won five straight and sit in second place in the Pacific Division.
Jake DeBrusk scored two straight power-play goals as the Boston Bruins held off the sagging Buffalo Sabres 3-2. Bruins winger David Pastrnak netted his league-leading 29th goal of the season. Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton left the game in the first period with an upper-body injury.
The Philadelphia Flyers nipped the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on an overtime goal by Kevin Hayes. Jakub Voracek collected two assists. The Flyers have won five of their last six contests.
Third-period goals by Ryan Pulock, Matt Martin, and Tom Kuhnhackl lifted the New York Islanders to a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. It was the Isles’ first regulation win in eight games.
The Tampa Bay Lightning edged the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 on a third-period goal by Brayden Point. The Wings have dropped all but two of their last 20 games (2-16-2).
A four-goal third period carried the Dallas Stars over the Arizona Coyotes 4-2. Coyotes center Derek Stepan is in concussion protocol following a high hit from Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak.
Jack Hughes netted his first career NHL overtime goal in a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Devils defenseman Sami Vatanen collected three assists.