NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 5, 2025
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 5, 2025
The Jets eliminate the Blues, the second-round playoff schedule is released, the draft lottery will be held on Monday evening, and the latest on Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry scored the winning goal in double overtime of Game 7 to defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-3, eliminating the latter in seven games.

Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry (NHL Images).
The Blues went into the third period holding a 3-1 lead on goals by Jordan Kyrou, Mathieu Joseph, and Radek Faksa. However, the Jets stormed back late in the period. With goaltender Connor Hellebuyck pulled for an extra attacker, Vladislav Namestnikov scored with 1:56 remaining and Cole Perfetti netted his second of the game with 2.2 seconds left.
Hellebuyck shook off a shaky start to finish with 26 saves, while Blues netminder Jordan Binnington kicked out 43 shots.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That was one of the most exciting playoff games I’ve ever seen.
The Blues were on the verge of victory until the Jets’ stunning comeback. What’s more, the Jets were playing with first-line center Mark Scheifele out of the lineup with an undisclosed injury, and top-pairing defenseman Josh Morrissey left the game in the first period with an injury. Neal Pionk logged 46:15 minutes of ice time, collecting three assists.
Winnipeg overcame a poor start, outshooting St. Louis 44-22. Binnington was solid between the pipes for the Blues, but the Jets beat him with three of their four goals coming on deflected or tipped-in shots.
The Jets advance to meet the Dallas Stars in the second round, with Game 1 in Winnipeg on Wednesday, May 7, at 9:30 pm ET. The Stars could have sidelined top-pairing defenseman Miro Heiskanen and first-line winger Jason Robertson back in their lineup at some point in this series. Both players are recovering from knee injuries.
The second round begins on Monday with Game 1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the Florida Panthers in Toronto at 8 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the full schedule of all four second-round series.
The 2025 NHL Draft Lottery will be held live at NHL Network studios at 7 pm ET.
Matthew Schaefer is considered the favorite to become the first-overall pick. The 18-year-old Erie Otters defenseman said he’s “pumped up” for the lottery. “I would be lucky to be selected by any of the teams,” said Schaefer. “I’m sure everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other notable prospects who could go first overall include center Michael Misa of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, center Anton Frondell of the Swedish Hockey League’s Djurgardens IF, and Boston College center James Hagens.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Hockey Canada announced Sunday that Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been added to their roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark from May 9 – 25.
SPORTSNET: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon will reportedly join his long-time friend Crosby on Canada’s roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canada’s roster will receive a considerable lift with the additions of Crosby and MacKinnon. It also allows those two to reacquaint themselves with the larger ice surface in European rinks ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
NHL.COM: Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk skipped practice on Sunday, but he is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of their second-round series with the Maple Leafs.
THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov believes everything regarding contract extension negotiations with management will work out. The 28-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract, and the Wild can re-sign him to a league-maximum eight-year deal as early as July 1.
“We’ll see,” said a smiling Kaprizov. “I love everything here. It should be all good.” The superstar has frequently said he loves Minnesota and playing for the Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov is poised to become one of the highest-paid players in the league. Wild owner Craig Leipold has said his club is prepared to pay top dollar to keep him in Minnesota.
TSN: Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek played through a core muscle injury and will undergo surgery next week. He anticipates he’ll be recovered in plenty of time for the start of next season.