NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 25, 2024

by | Jan 25, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 25, 2024

Nathan MacKinnon regains the scoring lead with a four-goal performance, five members of Canada’s 2018 WJC team face sexual assault charges, Salt Lake City expresses interest in an expansion franchise, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon regained the lead in the NHL scoring race with a four-goal performance in a 6-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. MacKinnon also collected an assist for 82 points, two ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. Mikko Rantanen had a goal and four assists while Cale Makar had a goal and two assists for the 31-14-3 Avalanche, who sit fourth in the overall standings with 65 points. Dylan Strome scored both goals for the 22-18-6 Capitals (50 points), who sit three points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche extended their home point streak to a franchise-record 24 games. Makar netted his 76th career goal to become the franchise’s all-time leading goalscorer among defensemen. Meanwhile, Avs blueliner Jack Johnson missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice took over sole possession of second place for most games by an NHL coach with 1,813 as his club beat the Arizona Coyotes 6-2. Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 11 games while Matthew Tkachuk had two goals and an assist for the Panthers (29-14-4), who sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 62 points. Dylan Guenther had a goal and an assist for the 23-20-3 Coyotes (49 points) as they sit two points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov collected an assist as he returned to action after being sidelined for three games by a lower-body injury.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov made 32 saves for his second shutout of the season in a 1-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Auston Matthews scored in overtime to collect his league-leading 39th goal of the season as his Maple Leafs (24-14-8) regained third place in the Atlantic Division with 56 points. Laurent Brossoit stopped 29 shots for the 30-11-6 Jets as they sit third in the overall standings with 65 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a big win for Samsonov, whose struggles in December saw him briefly demoted to the Leafs’ AHL affiliate. He was touched by Leafs fans chanting his name, admitting he was nearly brought to tears. Meanwhile, Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey left this game with a leg injury after blocking a shot by Leafs forward Matthew Knies.

The St. Louis Blues picked up their third straight win with a 4-3 overtime upset of the Vancouver Canucks. Brayden Schenn tallied the winning goal after his club blew a 3-1 while Jake Neighbours had a goal and an assist for the 24-20-8 Blues (50 points), who sit one point out of the final Western wild-card berth. Pius Suter had a hat trick for the Canucks (32-11-5) as they remain in first place in the overall standings with 69 points.

A late goal by Jordan Martinook lifted the Carolina Hurricanes over the Boston Bruins by a score of 3-2. Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen each had two points for the Hurricanes (26-15-5), who moved into second place in the Metropolitan Division with 56 points. Brad Marchand scored both goals for the 29-9-9 Bruins as they remain in second place in the overall standings with 67 points.

The Buffalo Sabres overcame a 3-1 deficit for a 5-3 upset victory over the Los Angeles Kings. JJ Peterka scored twice and collected an assist while Jack Quinn had a goal and two assists for the 21-23-4 Sabres. Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist for the Kings (22-14-9) as they hold the first Western wild-card berth with 53 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have won just twice in their last 10 games. Head coach Todd McLellan blasted his players following this match. “The stupidity that went into that loss is beyond explanation,” he said. Asked about his job security, McLellan replied that it was “a very fair question.” Kings general manager Rob Blake recently gave him a vote of confidence but that could change if this club fails to snap out of its funk.

Seattle Kraken winger Tomas Tatar scored two goals as his club beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2. Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann each collected two points as the Kraken (20-18-9) sit two points out of the final Western wild-card spot with 49 points. Seth Jones had two assists for the 14-32-2 Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Blackhawks announced they’d reached an agreement with goaltender Petr Mrazek on a two-year contract extension. He’ll earn an average annual value of $4.25 million.

HEADLINES

TSN: Five members of Canada’s 2018 World Juniors team have been ordered to report to London, Ontario police to face charges of sexual assault. London police announced they would hold a press conference on Feb. 5 to share further details.

The charges are related to an alleged sexual assault in June 2018 involving the players, who have a set time to report to the police.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote have taken indefinite leaves of absence from the team. The club indicated it has no further comment at this time.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators’ unsigned winger Alex Formenton has taken an indefinite leave of absence from his Swiss team where he’s played since last season. The club declined to comment on the matter.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers GM Daniel Briere made a statement yesterday regarding the indefinite leave of absence by goaltender Carter Hart. He acknowledged the reports regarding the five unnamed players of Canada’s 2018 WJC team but said neither he nor the Flyers would make any comment until the results of the investigation are released.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calgary Flames winger Dillon Dube is also on an indefinite leave of absence for what the club deemed mental health reasons. Nevertheless, it’s assumed by hockey fans on social media that Dube, Hart, Formenton, McLeod and Foote are the five players sought by London police. We’ll know for certain by Feb. 5.

DAILY FACEOFF: In a release shared with NHL media yesterday, the Smith Entertainment Group formally requested that the league begin the process of bringing an expansion team to Salt Lake City. The ownership group owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz and has talked with the NHL about an expansion club since 2022. The club would play in the Jazz’s current arena until a new venue is constructed at a later date.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salt Lake City has a long hockey history with minor league teams playing there over the years. They also hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.

SPORTSNET: In an interview with The Athletic, NHL Players Association executive director Marty Walsh said the clock is ticking on the ownership of the Arizona Coyotes as they continue efforts to find a location to build a new arena. At the most recent NHL Board of Governors’ meetings, Commissioner Gary Bettman said the Coyotes ownership had until the end of January to finalize a new plan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Walsh’s comments combined with the news of the Utah Jazz ownership’s interest in an expansion franchise looks like a warning shot to Coyotes ownership. If they don’t soon get their plans for a new arena project sorted out, the league’s patience could finally run out. If so, this franchise could end up sold and moved to Salt Lake City.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames placed center Adam Ruzicka and defenseman Nick DeSimone on waivers.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators re-signed forward Cole Smith to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $775K.

KLTV: Former NHL player Mike Ribeiro is on trial in Franklin County, Texas. He allegedly sexually assaulted two women on June 23, 2021, and attempted to assault another.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 22, 2024

by | Jan 22, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 22, 2024

Patrick Roy gets his first win as Islanders coach, Auston Matthews increases his lead in the goal-scoring race, the Oilers reportedly sign Corey Perry, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Patrick Roy picked up a win in his debut as head coach of the New York Islanders as they nipped the Dallas Stars 3-2 on an overtime goal by Bo Horvat, snapping a four-game losing skid. Mathew Barzal and Noah Dobson each collected two assists for the 20-15-11 Islanders (51 points), who sit two points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Joe Pavelski had two assists for the Stars (27-13-6) as they sit third in the Central Division with 60 points.

New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unlike his predecessor, Roy is using analytics as one means of improving the Islanders. Before yesterday’s game, he pointed out that the club was at the bottom of the league in breakouts and puck possession in their zone and the offensive zone. Expect Roy to work on improving those aspects of the Isles’ game going forward.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored his fifth goal in his last four games in a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. With a league-leading 38 goals, Matthews has a five-goal lead over Florida’s Sam Reinhart. Ilya Samsonov made 16 saves for his first win since Dec. 9 as the Leafs (23-14-8) regained third place in the Atlantic Division with 54 points. Jordan Eberle scored for the 19-18-9 Kraken (47 points), who’ve lost four straight games and sit four points out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth.

A hat trick by Kirill Kaprizov powered the Minnesota Wild over the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-2. Filip Gustavsson kicked out 40 shots while Joel Eriksson Ek had a goal and two assists for the 20-21-5 Wild. Martin Necas and Michael Bunting replied for the Hurricanes (25-15-5) as they sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 55 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov missed this game with an upper-body injury.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon made 27 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, snapping the latter’s five-game win streak. Daniel Sprong’s tie-breaker in the second period held up as the winning goal for the 24-17-5 Red Wings, who hold the first Eastern wild-card spot with 53 points. Victor Hedman scored for the Lightning (24-18-5) as they sit in the final Eastern wild-card berth with 53 points.

The New York Rangers scored four unanswered goals to beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2. Chris Kreider had a goal and two assists for the Rangers (29-15-2) as they sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 60 points. Adam Henrique scored both goals for the 15-30-1 Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin missed this game with an upper-body injury.

Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle scored two goals in a 5-3 upset of the Philadelphia Flyers. Shane Pinto collected an assist in his season debut with the Senators (17-24-1) following a 41-game suspension for violating the league’s sports-wagering rules. Egor Zamula scored twice for the 25-16-6 Flyers, who remain in second place in the Metro Division with 56 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury. Flyers winger Owen Tippett missed this game as he’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

HEADLINES

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers have reportedly reached an agreement with Corey Perry on a one-year, prorated contract that is expected to be officially announced on Monday. The contract also contains performance bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perry’s contract with the Chicago Blackhawks was terminated on Nov. 30 for engaging in what was deemed unacceptable behavior that violated his standard player’s contract and the club’s code of conduct.

Perry recently received permission from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to speak with other clubs following treatment for alcohol abuse. He remains a highly-regarded forward who elevates his game in the postseason. His signing should provide an extra measure of leadership and playoff experience to the surging Oilers.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Flames winger Dillon Dube has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Flames to attend to his mental health. He’s struggled to score this season with his last point coming against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 24.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of the Flames, defenseman Oliver Kylington is expected to practice with the club on Monday as he progresses toward returning to action for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Kylington has also been dealing with mental health issues.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 2, 2023

by | Nov 2, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – November 2, 2023

The struggling Flames remain a hot topic for trade speculation. Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted the Calgary Flames were far along on an extension for Noah Hanifin before the club paused contract talks with their pending free agents. The number was believed to be higher than the $50.75 million contract signed by Devon Toews with the Colorado Avalanche.

Hanifin decided to call timeout on his negotiations. Friedman isn’t sure if the 26-year-old defenseman wants to commit to the Flames if they decide to take what Eric Francis called a potentially “radical new approach.”

Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Darren Dreger also reported that Hanifin decided to put his contract talks on hold for now.

If the Flames can right the ship and rise in the standings perhaps those discussions will resume. Should they continue to flounder, Hanifin and his fellow pending UFAs could end up becoming trade bait later in the season.

Friedman also noted that the Flames exchanged an offer with Chris Tanev “but things weren’t close.” Center Elias Lindholm’s asking price remains higher than where the Flames want to go.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy noted the Bruins had expressed interest in Hanifin in the trade market. However, he doesn’t expect Boston GM Don Sweeney to target expensive talent such as Hanifin or Lindholm, citing the club’s lack of cap space this season. The Bruins also lack the first-round picks and prospects needed to pull off a trade without sacrificing a key roster player in the deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, the Bruins are not parting with promising center Matthew Poitras or defenseman Mason Lohrei. If they’re interested in Hanifin and Lindholm, they will probably wait and see if they become unrestricted free agents next July and attempt to sign them then.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Jared Serre recently pondered the Capitals’ chances of landing a Flames forward such as Lindholm, Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau or Dillon Dube.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Serre wrote this piece before Nicklas Backstrom announced he was stepping away from the club for health reasons.

Acquiring Lindholm would be a challenge as the Capitals lack any enticing roster players that would result in a strong offer. They do have eight picks in the first three rounds of the next two drafts and a deep prospect pool.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There would also be the issue of re-signing Lindholm as I doubt the Capitals would want to part with assets solely for a rental. With Backstrom’s playing days likely over, they’ll want a long-term replacement. If he goes on permanent long-term injury reserve it would free up $9.2 million annually for the Capitals through 2024-25. That could be used to keep Lindholm in the fold.

However, the Flames reportedly intend to retool rather than rebuild. That would mean they’ll want one or two good young NHL players in return for Lindholm. It might be best for the Capitals to wait until next summer to bid on him if he tests the open market.

Serre speculated that acquiring Kadri (who has a full no-movement clause) would mean a swap for Evgeny Kuznetsov as a starting point. The Flames might be drawn to that with Kuznetsov’s contract expiring at the end of next season but adding an aging Kadri to the Capitals’ lineup could hurt their long-term expectations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri might be willing to accept a trade to Washington if the Flames opt to retool their roster. However, I don’t see Kuznetsov agreeing to a trade to Calgary nor do I think the Flames would want him even as a short-term addition.

Huberdeau is likely out of the Capital’s price range in terms of return. His $10.5 million cap hit would be difficult to fit within their current cap payroll.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Backstrom going on LTIR could address the salary-cap issue for this season and next. However, the Capitals would probably focus on boosting their depth at center now.

Dube might be the most enticing option for the Capitals. However, he’s a restricted free agent this summer and the Flames might want him to be part of a retooled roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dube will also turn 26 next July and will be a year away from UFA eligibility. If he’s unwilling to sign a lengthy extension the Flames could shop him next summer. Whether the Capitals would be interested at that point is another matter.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2021

by | Nov 3, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2021

The Jack Eichel rumor mill churns on with the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights as the remaining bidders. Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

ESPN: Emily Kaplan reports sources claim the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights are the sole finalists in the bidding for Jack Eichel. Both clubs are okay with the 25-year-old Buffalo Sabres center undergoing disc replacement surgery to repair the herniated disc in his neck.

Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

Kaplan said she was told a trade could be close (“on the one-yard line”) but details are still being worked out. Sabres general manager Kevin Adams has been working hard to get this done but he’s standing firm on his asking price. The Flames and Golden Knights have yet to meet his full demands.

The timetable for Eichel’s return would see him return to the ice within six weeks of surgery but it could be up to three months before he’s ready for game play. That would take him out of joining Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Still, the recovery period is two months shorter than it would be if he underwent neck fusion.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Steve Macfarland noted the Sabres asking price was set months ago consisting of at least four assets not including those that would have to go the other way for salary-cap purposes. He believes the Flames would have to part with a first-round pick, a top prospect and two young roster players, preferably a forward and defenseman under 25.

Macfarland doesn’t see the Sabres being interested in Juuso Valimaki given his struggles this season. The Flames are short on wingers so they’re unlikely to part with Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Blake Coleman or Andrew Mangiapane.

Center Sean Monahan and his $6.375 million annual cap hit would have to go the other way to help offset the addition of Eichel’s $10 million cap hit. McFarland doubts the Flames will acquire Eichel unless general manager Brad Treliving feels he won’t be able to re-sign Gaudreau or if Tkachuk is biding his time as a restricted free agent.

CALGARY SUN: Kristen Anderson also weighed in on the cost for the Flames to acquire Eichel. She pointed out the Flames have just over $1 million in cap space, meaning they must shed salary in addition to perhaps parting with younger players like Valimaki, speedy winger Dillon Dube and promising prospect Jakob Pelletier as part of the deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I noted yesterday, the salary cap is an issue for the cap-strapped Flames and Golden Knights. The Sabres have made it clear they’re not retaining any portion of Eichel’s cap hit.

Vegas has Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch on long-term injury reserve and can use that flexibility in the short term to add Eichel. However, they must shed salary later in the season when those players return to the lineup.

The Flames, meanwhile, would have to ship out salary immediately to make the dollars fit. That will involve either a direct deal with the Sabres, a separate cost-cutting trade with another club, or a trade involving a third team acting as a third-party broker.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy reports the Boston Bruins likely won’t be involved in any Eichel trade. He cites a well-placed source saying the Bruins are trying to improve their roster but haven’t been involved in the Eichel trade sweepstakes for a while.

Murphy believes the Bruins lack depth in tradeable assets to tempt the Sabres. His source said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has been looking for a defenseman, specifically a top-four rearguard who can produce offense from the blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise the Bruins are out of the bidding for Eichel given the Sabres’ expensive asking price. Most observers have said for months the Bruins lack the assets to make a competitive pitch for Eichel.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 27, 2021

by | Aug 27, 2021

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 27, 2021

The Philadelphia Flyers sign Sean Couturier to an eight-year extension, the Carolina Hurricanes ink Andrei Svechnikov to an eight-year deal, Canadiens expect Carey Price and Jonathan Drouin to attend training camp, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Sean Couturier yesterday to an eight-year, $62 million contract extension.

Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Couturier will earn an annual average value of $7.75 million starting in 2022-23 through 2029-30. He’ll be 29 when that contract begins.

Winner of the Selke Trophy in 2019-20 as the NHL’s top defensive forward, Couturier is considered among the best two-way players in the league. He’s also the Flyers’ best player and one of their team leaders.

This deal could work out well for the Flyers as long as he maintains that Selke form. That shouldn’t be a concern through the first half of this new deal but could become burdensome if his performance declines over the second half.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes signed winger Andrei Svechnikov to an eight-year, $62 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Svechnikov is getting a big pay raise coming off his entry-level contract. Unlike Couturier who is an established star at the peak of his playing career, the 21-year-old Hurricanes winger is a rising star who has displayed considerable potential as a first-line winger.

The Canes are banking on Svechnikov reaching or exceeding expectations. If he does, they’ll have a high-scoring top-line forward under contract during most of his best seasons at a price well below those of his peers.

SPORTSNET: Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme said Carey Price is expected to be ready for the start of training camp next month. The 34-year-old goaltender is currently recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Jonathan Drouin is also expected to be at camp. The 26-year-old winger took a leave of absence in April for personal reasons and missed the remainder of the regular season and the Canadiens march to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite last season’s surprising playoff success, the Canadiens could be in a tough fight to clinch a playoff berth in 2021-22 in the competitive Atlantic Division. A healthy Price and Drouin could be crucial to their postseason hopes this season.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty reports Bruins center Charlie Coyle is recovering well from offseason surgery to repair a fracture in his left kneecap and a small tear in his patellar tendon. He’s expected to be ready for the start of training camp in mid-September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Haggerty indicates those injuries accounted for Coyle’s struggles last season as he managed only 16 points in 51 games. He’s expected to take over the second-line center position left vacant by David Krejci’s decision to return to the Czech Republic.

TSN: The Calgary Flames signed winger Dillon Dube to a three-year, $6.9 million deal.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators are expected to name a team captain before the end of training camp. Thomas Chabot and Brady Tkachuk could be the leading candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators haven’t had a captain since trading Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks three years ago.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 20, 2021

by | May 20, 2021

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 20, 2021

Avalanche and Hurricanes take 2-0 series leads, Bruins up 2-1 over the Capitals, Jets take Game 1 from the Oilers, the order for the 2021 Draft Lottery is revealed, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Nathan MacKinnon’s hat trick powered the Colorado Avalanche past the St. Louis Blues 6-3 in Game 2 of their first-round series. Joonas Donskoi also scored twice for Colorado as they took a 2-0 lead in the series. Avalanche center Nazem Kadri received a match penalty for an illegal hit to the head of Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during the third period. Faulk left the game and didn’t return. Game 3 shifts to St. Louis on Friday.

Colorado Avalanche captain Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was closer than the final score indicates as the Blues overcame a 3-0 deficit with two goals and scored again when MacKinnons made it 4-2. Kadri could face supplemental discipline given his playoff suspension history.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 32 saves for his first career postseason shutout to blank the Nashville Predators 3-0 in Game 2 of their opening-round series. Sebastian Aho scored twice and Warren Foegele also tallied for the Hurricanes, who have a 2-0 series lead to Nashville for Game 3 on Friday. Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin missed the game with a lower-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators’ goaltender Juuse Saros did his best to keep his club in the game with 28 saves, several of them on high-quality scoring chances. Once again, the Predators’ anemic offense was their undoing, especially on a power play that went 0-7.

The Boston Bruins took a 2-1 lead in their series by downing the Washington Capitals 3-2 in double overtime. Craig Smith netted the winner following a turnover behind the Washington net. Brad Marchand and Taylor Hall also scored for Boston while Alex Ovechkin and Nic Dowd replied for the Capitals. Game 4 goes Friday night.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s taken overtime to decide every game in this series thus far. Ovechkin wasn’t pleased with the miscommunication between goalie Ilya Samsonov and defenseman Justin Schultz that led to Smith’s goal.

Connor Hellebuyck kicked out 32 shots to backstop the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-1 series-opening win over the Edmonton Oilers. Dominic Toninato broke a 1-1 tie with his first-ever NHL playoff goal while Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler each had a goal and an assist. Jesse Puljujarvi replied for the Oilers. Jets forwards Nikolaj Ehlers (shoulder injury) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (undisclosed) remain sidelined.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A solid defensive effort by the Jets as they held Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl pointless in this contest. Game 2 goes tomorrow night.

The Calgary Flames beat the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 in their final game of the season. Calgary winger Matthew Tkachuk scored two goals. Flames forward Dillon Dube left the game with an upper-body injury.

HEADLINES

The full order for the 2021 NHL Draft Lottery was revealed yesterday. The Buffalo Sabres have the best odds (16.6) of winning the lottery. The Anaheim Ducks (12.1) have the second-best while the expansion Seattle Kraken (10.3) has the third-best.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can see the complete list by following the link above. The Arizona Coyotes are included in this list at 11th with 3.1 percent odds but they forfeited their 2021 first-round pick for violating the 2020 NHL Draft combine rules.

STLTODAY.COM: An NHL investigation showed several COVID tests initially showing several members of the Blues tested positive were in error. Several players, including goalie Jordan Binnington and winger Vladimir Tarasenko, were forced to miss the morning skate while awaiting clarification. David Perron, Jake Walman and Nathan Walker remain on the COVID protocol list from their positive tests several days ago.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Evgeni Malkin traveled with the Pittsburgh Penguins to Long Island yesterday. He missed the first two games of his club’s series against the New York Islanders with a suspected knee injury. Sidelined backup goalie Casey DeSmith remained in Pittsburgh.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens captain Shea Weber will be in the lineup when his club faces off tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Weber missed the final eight games of the regular season with an upper-body injury.

NEW YORK POST: John Davidson is returning to his former job as president of the Columbus Blue Jackets less than two weeks after being fired as president of the Rangers.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Rangers, they hired Mike Grier as their new hockey operations advisor.

CBS SPORTS: Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday. He also dealt with a rib injury toward the end of the season.

MLIVE.COM: Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said he suffered a neck injury on April 20. He won’t have to face surgery and expects to be fully recovered for next season.

ESPN.COM: Former U.S. Women’s National Team captain Meghan Duggan is joining the New Jersey Devils as their manager of player development.

TSN/WGR 550: Former NHL forward Jussi Jokinen is hanging up his skates after 21 pro seasons. He collected 563 point in 951 NHL games with the Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks from 2005-06 to 2017-18.

Former NHL forward Derek Roy is retiring after 18 pro seasons. He netted 524 points in 738 games with the Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers from 2003-04 to 2014-15. He spent the past five seasons playing in Europe.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wishing the best of luck to both players in their future endeavors.