NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 20, 2018
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 20, 2018
Game recaps plus updates on Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nino Niederreiter and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.

Aaron Ekblad’s overtime goal lifted the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights (Photo via NHL Images).
NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers spoiled the return of former coach Gerard Gallant by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3. It was Gallant’s first game at the BB&T Center since the Panthers fired him in November 2016. Aaron Ekblad scored the winner in overtime while teammate Aleksander Barkov collected three points. Before the game, the Panthers honored former owner H. Wayne Huizenga.
Ryan Kesler’s third-period goal lifted the Anaheim Ducks to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, handing the latter their sixth consecutive defeat. Kings winger Dustin Brown received a $10,000.00 fine for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz during Thursday’s game between the two clubs. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin also received a $5000.00 fine for spearing Brown.
Two goals by Max Pacioretty gave the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals, snapping the Habs three-game losing skid.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is sidelined indefinitely as he’ll undergo surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He had been playing with the injury since the start of the regular season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would explain why Shattenkirk hasn’t played as well as expected in his first season with the Rangers.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Turns out Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is more seriously hurt than originally believed. He’ll be sidelined five-to-six weeks with cracked ribs suffered against the Golden Knights on Jan. 13.
WINNIPEG SUN: Jets goaltender Steve Mason suffered his second concussion of the season after being struck with a high shot during a morning skate on Jan. 12.
TWINCITIES.COM: Minnesota Wild winger Nino Niederreiter (lower-body injury) will be sidelined until after the All-Star break.
TSN: The Seattle Group pursuing an NHL franchise has registered 13 potential team names. They are the “Cougars, Eagles, Emeralds, Evergreens, Firebirds, Kraken, Rainiers, Renegades, Sea Lions, Seals, Sockeyes, Totems and Whales.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’d go with Rainiers or Totems as I think they best evoke the Pacific Northwest.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: “Red Fisher, the chronicler and the conscience of Montreal hockey whose career touched seven decades, died on Friday at age 91.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Fisher’s family, friends and former coworkers. He was my favorite hockey pundit and an inspiration. Fisher was unquestionably one of the finest reporters ever to cover the game of hockey. You can read examples of his work here.