NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2020

by | Feb 4, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2020

Game recaps, three stars of the week, plus updates on Frederik Andersen, Carey Price and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: An upper-body injury to Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen overshadowed their 5-3 defeat to the Florida Panthers. Andersen suffered the injury following a first-period collision with Panthers winger Frank Vatrano. Before that, the Leafs goalie was a bit slow getting re-set after being bumped twice. No word yet regarding his status for Wednesday’s game against the New York Rangers. Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk tallied his first career NHL hat trick. The Panthers (63 points) moved into third place in the Atlantic Division, pushing the Leafs out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen suffered an upper-body injury during Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs were down 1-0 before Andersen’s injury. They took as 3-1 lead after backup Michael Hutchinson came in, but gave up four straight third-period goals. If Andersen’s sidelined long-term it’ll be a serious blow to the Leafs playoff hopes. It could also push general manager Kyle Dubas into the trade market for help. I’ll have more in the Rumors section.

Stephen Johns scored his first goal in nearly two years as the Dallas Stars downed the New York Rangers 5-3. Johns recently returned to action after being sidelined since 2018 by a head injury. Stars center Joe Pavelski scored twice within 16 seconds in the first period.

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Elliott made 16 saves in a 3-0 blanking of the Detroit Red Wings. Scott Laughton, Kevin Hayes, and Matt Niskanen were the goal scorers. The Flyers (65 points) have won six of their last eight games and hold the first wild-card in the Eastern Conference.

HEADLINES

Edmonton Oilers winger Leon Draisaitl, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, and Vancouver Canucks winger J.T. Miller are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Feb. 2.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen revealed his recent one-game benching was due to missing practice on Friday because he overslept.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The flu has sidelined Canadiens netminder Carey Price from tonight’s game with the New Jersey Devils.

CBS SPORTS: Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (upper body) was placed on injury reserve. He’s expected to miss three-to-four weeks.

TSN: The Chicago Blackhawks claimed defenseman Nick Seeler off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Local police have cleared Flyers mascot Gritty in the alleged assault of a 13-year-old fan in November.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 23, 2020

by | Jan 23, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 23, 2020

Game recaps, Auston Matthews to miss the All-Star Game, a good deed by Matt Dumba goes viral, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines. 

NHL.COM: The Columbus Blue Jackets picked up their sixth straight win by edging the slumping Winnipeg Jets 4-3. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice and has four goals (including two game-winners) in his last two games. Teammate Pierre-Luc Dubois picked up three assists. 

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand has scored four goals in his last two games (Photo via NHL Images).

Mats Zuccarello and Eric Staal each had a goal and an assist as the Minnesota Wild doubled up the Detroit Red Wings 4-2. Filip Zadina scored both Red Wings goals. 

TORONTO SUN: A nagging wrist injury will sidelined Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews from the upcoming NHL All-Star Game. 

OTTAWA SUN: Senators winger Brady Tkachuk is Matthews’ replacement. 

TWINCITIES.COM: Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba is downplaying his good deed that went viral on social media. Dumba provided roadside assistance to a family stranded on a highway following Monday’s game against the Florida Panthers. 

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Local police are investigating an alleged physical assault allegation against Gritty after the Flyers mascot allegedly punched a 13-year-old boy in the back during a game at Wells Fargo Arena in November.