NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2025

by | Jan 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2025

Notable milestones for Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard and Flames rookie Rory Kerins, the Flyers reveal their Quarter-Century team, the three stars of the week are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid celebrated his 28th birthday by scoring the game’s only goal in a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Stuart Skinner turned in a 30-save shutout as the Oilers collected their sixth win in their last seven games, sitting in second place in the Pacific Division with 57 points. Darcy Kuemper stopped 29 shots for the Kings, who remain four points behind the Oilers in third place in the division.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid tied Glenn Anderson for the most game-winning goals (72) in franchise history.

Chicago Blackhawks sophomore center Connor Bedard scored to reach his 100th NHL point but his club fell 5-2 to the Calgary Flames. Calgary rookie Rory Kerins collected two assists in the first period, becoming the fifth rookie in Flames history with multiple assists in his NHL debut. Jakob Pelletier scored twice and set up another as the Flames won three straight, vaulting over the Vancouver Canucks into the final Western Conference wild-card spot with 49 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks remain mired at the bottom of the NHL standings. Bedard expressed his frustration again as the losses kept mounting.

“It’s been hard. It’s been a lot of games to lose. It weighs on you,” Bedard said following the game. “Yeah, I mean, just keep trying to find a way, trying to get better every day. But it’s hard.”

Bedard wants to win and help the Blackhawks return to their glory days. The Blackhawks brought in veteran players to take pressure off him and his young teammates as they develop their game. However, management must do more to alleviate that burden. Being in contention to win the draft lottery every year is not the best path forward.

Flames forward Martin Pospisil received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for boarding Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall midway through the second period.

The Philadelphia Flyers got two goals from Noah Cates to upset the Florida Panthers 4-2. Cates snapped a 3-3 tie midway through the third period as the Flyers overcame a 3-1 deficit. Sam Reinhart scored twice for the Panthers to move into second place in the league goalscoring race with 27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers unveiled their Quarter-Century Team on Monday.

The First Team comprises forwards Claude Giroux, Simon Gagne, and Mike Richards, defensemen Eric Desjardins and Kimmo Timonen, and goaltender Roman Cechmanek. The Second Team comprises forwards Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek and Daniel Briere, defensemen Chris Pronger and Ivan Provorov, and goalie Brian Boucher.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes, and right wing Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings are the league’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 12, 2025.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar denied recent reports claiming team captain Gabriel Landeskog’s comeback attempt was hampered by swelling in his surgically repaired knee. The Avs also reactivated goaltender Scott Wedgewood off injured reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Landeskog’s last NHL game was Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. He’s undergone two knee surgeries since then and is working on resuming his NHL career.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators owner Michael Andlauer completed the sale of the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs to Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman and his family. Andlauer is focusing solely on the Senators. It’s believed he received $20 million for the Bulldogs.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek has returned from his AHL conditioning stint. He’s a game-day decision for tonight’s contest against the Winnipeg Jets. The Canucks placed defenseman Erik Brannstrom on waivers.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year extension worth $775K.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 12, 2025

by | Jan 12, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 12, 2025

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck reach new milestones. Get the details plus recaps from a busy Saturday in the NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored an empty-netter for his 873rd NHL regular-season goal in a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Ovechkin added an assist to finish with two points while Logan Thompson got the win with a 32-save performance as the Capitals regained first place in the overall standings with 61 points. Filip Forsberg scored for the Predators, who’ve dropped five of their last seven games.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin needs 22 goals to break Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. He also joined Gordie Howe and Ron Francis as the only players in NHL history to record 20 20-goal seasons. Howe is the all-time leader with 22 seasons. Before this game, the Capitals placed goalie Charlie Lindgren (upper body) on injured reserve and recalled netminder Hunter Shepard.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves for his league-leading sixth shutout of the season to blank the Colorado Avalanche 3-0. Nikolaj Ehlers scored two goals and Mark Scheifele collected his team-leading 25th goal. Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves for the Avalanche as they dropped into the first wild-card berth in the Western Conference with 53 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck tied his franchise record for most shutouts in a season and tied Craig Anderson for the third-most shutouts by an American goaltender (43) in NHL history. He trailed Jonathan Quick (62) and Ryan Miller (44). The Jets lead the Western Conference with 61 points but sit second in the overall standings as the Capitals have a game in hand.

An overtime goal by David Pastrnak lifted the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers. Pastrnak finished with 2 goals and an assist while Jeremy Swayman kicked out 40 shots for the Bruins as they snapped a six-game winless skid (0-5-1) and cling to the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 47 points. Sam Reinhart tallied twice for the Panthers, who sit second in the Atlantic Division with 53 points.

The Seattle Kraken scored six unanswered goals to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2. Kaapo Kakko led the way with two goals while Joey Daccord turned aside 33 shots as the Kraken ended a four-game winless streak (0-3-1). Sam Lafferty and Jack Quinn scored for the Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kakko had 10 points in 30 games before the New York Rangers traded him last month to Seattle. He has seven points in 10 games with the Kraken.

Ottawa Senators rookie goaltender Leevi Merilainen made 29 saves for his first NHL shutout in a 5-0 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Claude Giroux collected three assists for the Senators as they ended a four-game winless stretch (0-3-1). Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic gave up five goals on 17 shots and was replaced by Tristan Jarry in the second period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With 43 points, the Senators are three points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot, sitting one point back of the Penguins.

The Vancouver Canucks blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0. Kevin Lankinen stopped 20 shots for the shutout while Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood tallied for the Canucks (48 points) as they maintained their grip on the final Western wild-card berth and ended a four-game winless skid (0-2-2). It’s the Leafs second straight defeat following a five-game win streak but they remain first in the Atlantic Division with 56 points.

A shootout goal by Jason Robertson gave the Dallas Stars a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Jamie Benn scored in regulation and Jake Oettinger stopped 30 shots to extend their win streak to seven games. Canadiens winger Patrik Laine scored his ninth power-play goal of the season as he returned to action after missing four games with flu-like symptoms while Samuel Montembault kicked out 34 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens and Penguins each have 44 points, leaving both clubs two points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. Montreal’s win streak ended at three games but they have points in their last four contests.

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves made 31 saves as his club extended their win streak to a season-high four games with a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger scored for the Blue Jackets. Colton Parayko replied for the Blues, who’ve dropped three of their last four contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets hold the final Eastern wild-card spot with 46 points.

The New Jersey Devils got an overtime goal by Stefan Noesen to nip the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2. Ondrej Palat and Jack Hughes scored in regulation for the Devils while Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov replied for the Lightning.

Philadelphia Flyers netminder Samuel Ersson made 22 saves to shut out the Anaheim Ducks 6-0. Travis Konecny had four assists while Jamie Drysdale had a goal and an assist against his former club. Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier was heavily booed and jeered by Flyers fans in his first game in Philadelphia. His refusal to play for the Flyers led to his trade to the Ducks for Drysdale last January.

A third-period goal by Zach Hyman capped a three-goal rally by the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin each collected two points as the Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division with 55 points. Nick Foligno and Teuvo Teravainen each had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers winger Jeff Skinner was a healthy scratch for the second time in seven games. The 32-year-old has seven goals and 15 points in 40 games, putting him on pace for one of his lowest-scoring seasons.

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal scored with 1:25 remaining in the third period to lift his team over the Utah Hockey Club by a score of 2-1. Brock Nelson scored the tying goal earlier in the third period after Nick Schmaltz opened the scoring for Utah in the second period. The Islanders have won three straight while Utah is 1-2-1 in their last four.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders starter Ilya Sorokin missed this game due to illness. Jakub Skarek was called up as an emergency backup for Marcus Hogberg.

The Calgary Flames held off the Los Angeles Kings 2-1, snapping the latter’s five-game win streak. Calgary goalie Dustin Wolf turned aside 31 shots while Matt Coronato and Jonathan Huberdeau were the goal scorers as the Flames (47 points) remain one point behind the Canucks for the final Western wild-card berth. Jacob Moverare scored for the Kings, who remain in third place in the Pacific Division with 53 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames unveiled their Quarter Century Team before this game.

The First Team comprises forwards Jarome Iginla, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, defensemen Mark Giordano and Robyn Regehr, and goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff.

Forwards Sean Monahan, Craig Conroy and Mikael Backlund, blueliners Rasmus Andersson and Dion Phaneuf, and goaltender Jacob Markstrom made up the Second Team.

New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin stopped 29 shots while Vincent Trocheck and Adam Edstrom scored in a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Mark Stone opened the scoring for Vegas, who’ve lost two straight but remain in first place in the Pacific Division with 59 points. The Rangers are 4-1-1 in their last six contests.

The Minnesota Wild got a 36-save performance by Marc-Andre Fleury to beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who’ve won five of their last six games. William Eklund replied for the Sharks, who’ve dropped three straight.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2025

by | Jan 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2025

Check out the latest trade speculation about Canucks center Elias Pettersson plus the latest on the Bruins, Oilers and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE PETTERSSON SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at four clubs that might be best-positioned to acquire Elias Pettersson if the Vancouver Canucks decide to trade the 26-year-old center.

Dixon noted the Carolina Hurricanes were in talks with the Canucks about Pettersson last season before he signed his current contract. He noted the Canucks prefer a center-for-center swap but the Hurricanes aren’t parting with Sebastian Aho. Dixon wondered if the conversation could shift to Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis or promising defense prospect Alexander Nikishin.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That trade won’t happen this season because the Hurricanes lack the cap space to take on Pettersson’s $11.6 million annual cap hit. And no, the Canucks won’t retain half of it. They don’t want $5.8 million in dead cap space on their books for the next seven years. Such a deal would have to wait until this summer when the Hurricanes will have over $27 million in cap space under a projected $92.4 million cap for 2025-26.

Dixon believes the Buffalo Sabres should be a no-brainer. They’re an Eastern Conference club, which works if the Canucks prefer moving Pettersson outside of the Western Conference. The Sabres also have plenty of young pieces at center and on defense to entice the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dylan Cozens to Vancouver, anyone? Elliotte Friedman spitballed a package offer of Cozens and Bowen Byram last month. The Sabres also have the cap space this season to take on Pettersson’s full cap hit. Pettersson might not be keen about going to Buffalo but his lack of no-trade protection this season gives the Canucks the leeway to send him wherever they want.

The Anaheim Ducks might be able to offer up the best deal. Maybe they can put together a blockbuster offer that includes Trevor Zegras. The Ducks can also easily afford Pettersson’s contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks will likely want someone other than Zegras as his stock has declined over the last two years. They could ask for Leo Carlsson or Mason McTavish in a package deal for Pettersson.

Dixon believes the Minnesota Wild have long needed a first-line center to drive their offense. Marco Rossi’s name has come up in the rumor mill. Dixon suggests Rossi could become a trade candidate if he and general manager Bill Guerin fail to agree to a new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guerin recently said he’s not shopping Rossi, a restricted free agent without arbitration rights this summer. However, the Wild lack sufficient cap space to acquire Pettersson this season. They’ll have over $18 million under a projected $92.5 million cap but Pettersson’s contract would eat up a big chunk of it. Guerin could also be reluctant to add an expensive player like Pettersson when franchise player Kirill Kaprizov is due for a hefty raise in 2026.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports industry sources claim the New York Islanders are among the teams calling the Canucks expressing interest in Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only way that works is if the Islanders free up considerable cap space before the trade deadline. That would mean moving a high-salaried player like Mathew Barzal, which isn’t happening, especially if the Canucks are on his 22-team no-trade list. Bo Horvat is a former Canuck but he may have put those years behind him and could be unwilling to waive his no-trade clause.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ken Campbell believes the worst thing the Canucks could do is trade Pettersson or J.T. Miller. He doubts they’d get equal value in return and whatever they do get won’t help them in the short or long term. Campbell believes the best solution is for Pettersson and Miller to work out their differences.

LATEST FROM TSN’S INSIDERS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is open for business. They have some free-agent players (like Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau) who could be in play.

Dreger said they plan to map out a strategy that takes them up to the March 7 trade deadline, unless they receive an offer that makes sense to them beforehand.

Pierre LeBrun reports Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman is making preliminary calls around the league. He intends to add a defenseman before the trade deadline, hoping to ensure the Oilers have sufficient depth should injuries strike their blueline.

It’s assumed they could pursue a right-shot shutdown defenseman like David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens. However, they’re also comfortable dealing for a left-shot blueliner.

Speaking of the Canadiens, LeBrun said GM Kent Hughes isn’t going to get carried away by his club’s recent improvement. He let pending free-agent center Jake Evans know that the club wants to re-sign him. However, Evans’ career year could be the 28-year-old center’s best chance to hit a home run in the free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie said earlier this week that he believes the two sides will get a deal done. However, LeBrun indicated the New Jersey Devils are among the clubs interested in Evans if the Canadiens shop him before the trade deadline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 8, 2025

by | Jan 8, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 8, 2025

Milestone games for Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Leafs captain Auston Matthews, the Wild unveils their Quarter-Century Team and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves for his 300th NHL regular-season win by downing the Nashville Predators 5-2. Kyle Connor’s 23rd goal of the season was the game-winner while Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry collected two assists each as the Jets snapped a three-game losing skid while the Predators’ two-game win streak ended.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck is the third-fastest goaltender to reach the 300-win plateau, accomplishing the feat in 538 games. He trails Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy (490 games) and Hall-of-Famer Jacques Plante (521).

It was a costly game for both clubs. Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey left the game early in the second period with a lower-body injury. They were already missing a blueliner in this contest as Colin Miller is sidelined with a fractured larynx for at least two weeks. Meanwhile, Predators forwards Steven Stamkos (undisclosed) and Luke Evangelista left this game with injuries.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews scored a goal and collected an assist for his 200th career multipoint game in a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Matthew Knies snapped a 2-2 tie in the third period, Mitch Marner and John Tavares each had two points and Joseph Woll stopped 30 shots for their fifth consecutive win. The Flyers got both goals from winger Travis Konecny as they’ve dropped three straight.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews is the fastest US-born player to reach 200 multipoint games, having done so in 589 games. The Leafs are tied with the idle Washington Capitals with 56 points but the latter holds first overall in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand.

The Dallas Stars extended their points streak to seven games (6-0-1) by nipping the New York Rangers 5-4 on an overtime power-play goal by Jamie Benn. Thomas Harley finished the night with three points, including the game-tying goal late in the third period as the Stars overcame 3-0 and 4-3 deficits. Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck each tallied twice and Artemi Panarin had three assists for the Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin left this game in the second period with an upper-body injury following a hard hit from Rangers forward Sam Carrick. Meanwhile, Stars winger Mason Marchment remains sidelined after undergoing surgery for a facial injury suffered on Dec. 27 and remains week-to-week.

Rangers center Filip Chytil left this game in the second period with an upper-body injury. Winger Chris Kreider (upper body) missed this contest as he was placed on injured reserve.

An overtime goal by Patrick Kane lifted the Detroit Red Wings over the Ottawa Senators 3-2, giving the Wings their fifth straight win. Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin scored to extend his goal streak to four games. Thomas Chabot and Brady Tkachuk replied for the Senators, who’ve dropped five of their last six contests (1-4-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The win gives the Senators 41 points, putting them one point out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. The Red Wings are right behind them with 40 points. Wings goaltender Alex Lyon left this contest following the first period with an upper-body injury. Senators defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker missed this game with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss some time.

The Edmonton Oilers blanked the Boston Bruins 4-0. Adam Henrique tallied two goals, Connor McDavid scored to end a two-game point drought, and Stuart Skinner made 26 saves as the Oilers picked up their fourth straight win. Jeremy Swayman turned aside 35 shots for the Bruins as their losing skid reached five games (0-4-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner was not awarded the shutout as he briefly left in the first period for concussion protocol following a collision with Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov. He returned to finish the game.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point scored with 52 seconds remaining in the third period to lift his club to a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping a four-game losing skid. Andrei Vasilevskiy kicked out 30 shots as the Lightning hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 44 points.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (42 points) hold the final Eastern wild-card spot as they nipped the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko scored in the shootout and Dmitry Voronkov tallied twice in regulation for the Blue Jackets, who’ve won three of their last four games. Rickard Rakell scored twice and Sidney Crosby picked up two assists as the Penguins sit just behind the Blue Jackets in the standings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both clubs have 42 points but the Jackets hold a game in hand and have 18 wins while the Penguins have 17. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin missed this game with an upper-body injury. Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan left in the third period with an upper-body injury.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone had a goal and an assist as his club doubled up the San Jose Sharks 4-2 for their ninth win in their last 10 games. Tomas Hertl scored against his former club and Shea Theodore had two assists as the Golden Knights lead the league with 59 points. William Eklund and Timothy Liljegren replied for the Sharks as their two-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks forward Nico Sturm missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

The Minnesota Wild overcame a 4-2 deficit for a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues, extending their win streak to four games. Jake Middleton had a goal and an assist in his first game back from an upper-body injury while Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 15 shots for the win after Filip Gustavsson gave up four goals on 18 shots. Dylan Holloway and Justin Faulk each had two assists for the Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild defenseman Brock Faber left this game with an upper-body injury in the first period. There was no postgame update on his condition.

Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau’s overtime goal gave his club a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Dustin Wolf made 26 saves for the Flames (45 points), who sit right behind the Vancouver Canucks for the final Western wild-card berth. Alex Killorn and Mason McTavish scored for the Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks also have 45 points but hold that wild card with a game in hand. Flames center Conor Zary left the game in the second period following a knee-on-knee hit from Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson, who received a major penalty and a game misconduct.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The Minnesota Wild’s Quarter-Century Team was unveiled on Tuesday.

Forwards Kirill Kaprizov, Marian Gaborik and Mikko Koivu, defensemen Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon, and goaltender Nicklas Backstrom comprised the First Team. Forwards Joel Eriksson Ek, Zach Parise, and Andrew Brunette, blueliners Nick Schultz and Ryan Suter, and goalie Devan Dubnyk formed the Second Team.

DAILY FACEOFF: The New York Islanders placed forward Simon Holmstrom on injured reserve.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Seattle Kraken activated goaltender Joey Daccord off injured reserve.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 5, 2025

by | Jan 5, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 5, 2025

Five-point performances by Leafs forwards Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin continues gaining ground on the goals record, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Matthews Knies and Mitch Marner each had five-point performances in a 6-4 victory over the Boston Bruins. Knies scored his first NHL hat trick and added two assists while Marner had a goal and four assists. Leafs captain Auston Matthews had a three-point night after missing six games with an upper-body injury. David Pastrnak tallied twice for the Bruins as they lost their third straight game.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews and Marner comprise part of the Leafs’ Quarter-Century Team, joining teammate Morgan Rielly, former captain Mats Sundin, defenseman Tomas Kaberle, and goaltender Ed Belfour on the First Team.

Current Leafs William Nylander and John Tavares joined goaltender Curtis Joseph, forward Phil Kessel, and blueliners Bryan McCabe and Dion Phaneuf as part of the Second Team.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 872nd NHL regular-season goal and collected an assist as his club defeated the New York Rangers 7-4. Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists as the Capitals (55 points) held a three-point lead over the Leafs for first place in the Eastern Conference. Rangers winger Chris Kreider scored his 13th goal as his club has lost five of its last six contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin’s been on a tear since returning from a broken left fibula on Dec. 28, collecting four goals and five points in five games. He’s within 23 goals of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894.

The Edmonton Oilers doubled up the Seattle Kraken 4-2. Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl extended his points streak to 14 games with a goal and an assist and Viktor Arvidsson had two helpers as the Oilers have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 contests. Chandler Stephenson and Jaden Schwartz replied for the Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl leads all NHL scorers with 29 goals this season. He’s poised to reach the 30-goal plateau for the seventh straight year. Kraken defenseman (and former Oiler) Adam Larsson left this game following the second period with an undisclosed injury.

Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi collected a career-high four assists in a 4-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Filip Gustavsson had a 21-save shutout while Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello each had three points as the Wild have won five of their last six contests. The Hurricanes have lost four of their last six (2-3-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi’s improved play silenced the trade rumors about the 23-year-old Wild center earlier this season. He’s sitting second among their scorers with 37 points in 40 games.

The Nashville Predators got a hat trick from Ryan O’Reilly to douse the Calgary Flames 4-1. Filip Forsberg and Fedor Svechkov collected two points each and Justus Annunen turned aside 31 shots for the Predators as they picked up their second straight victory. Mikael Backlund replied for the Flames as they dropped three of their last four games.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone scored to collect his 600th regular-season point in a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist against his former team as the Golden Knights overtook the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the overall standings with 57 points. Jason Zucker scored for the Sabres as they go 0-2-1 in their last three contests.

Speaking of the Jets, they were upset by the Detroit Red Wings 4-2. Lucas Raymond had a goal and two assists while Dylan Larkin scored twice for the Wings as they picked up their fourth straight win. Josh Morrissey and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets as they’re winless in their last three (0-2-1).

The San Jose Sharks upset the New Jersey Devils 3-2. Cody Ceci scored the winning goal with 25 seconds remaining in the third period. Nikolai Kovalenko and Macklin Celebrini also scored for the Sharks as they picked up their second straight win. Nico Hischier and Paul Cotter scored for the Devils as their losing skid reached four games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks activated William Eklund off injured reserve for this game and placed defenseman Jake Walman on IR. Meanwhile, the Devils placed defenseman Nick DeSimone on waivers.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe’s third-period goal gave his club a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mikey Anderson also scored and Darcy Kuemper kicked out 34 shots as the Kings extended their winning streak to four games. Victor Hedman had the Lightning’s only goal as they’ve dropped three in a row.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings got a boost for this game as forwards Trevor Moore and Trevor Lewis came off injured reserve.

Shootout goals by Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach lifted the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-1 upset of the Colorado Avalanche. Caufield also scored the tying goal in regulation and rookie goalie Jakub Dobes stopped 23 shots for his second straight win in as many games. Mikko Rantanen scored for the Avalanche as their six-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal forward Patrik Laine (illness) and defenseman David Savard (upper-body injury) missed their second straight game. The Canadiens (39 points) have won seven of their last 10 games and sit one point behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

The Dallas Stars nipped the Utah Hockey Club 3-2 on an overtime goal by Thomas Harley. Joel Oettinger made 33 saves while Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston each picked up two assists for their club’s fourth straight victory. Matias Maccelli tallied both goals for Utah as they’d lost six of their last seven games (1-4-2).

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Dmitri Voronkov tallied two goals while Sean Monahan and Ivan Provorov had three assists each in a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues. With the win, the Blue Jackets are one point out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. Jordan Kyrou scored a goal and two assists for the Blues, who sat two points out of the final Western wild-card position.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 4, 2025

by | Jan 4, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 4, 2025

A big night for Blues winger Brandon Saad, Oilers star Leon Draisaitl extends his points streak, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: St. Louis Blues winger Brandon Saad tallied a natural hat trick as his club blanked the Ottawa Senators 4-0. Goaltender Jordan Binnington turned in a 20-save shutout for the Blues (42 points), who’ve won four of their last five to move within two points of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. The Senators (40 points) have dropped four of their last five but still cling to the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

St. Louis Blues winger Brandon Saad (NHL Images).

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl extended his point streak to 13 games by scoring the winning goal with 1:35 remaining in the third period in a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse had a goal and an assist. Brett Leason and Jackson LaCombe replied for the Ducks as their three-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl leads the league with 28 goals. Oilers captain Connor McDavid saw his 12-game points streak end.

The Nashville Predators got a 27-save shutout by Juuse Saros to end a three-game losing skid by downing the Vancouver Canucks 3-0. Steven Stamkos, Gustav Nyquist and Colton Sissons were the goal scorers, with the last two being empty-net goals. Canucks netminder Kevin Lankinen stopped 16 of 17 shots as his club has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vancouver starter Thatcher Demko missed this game due to back spasms, forcing them to recall goalie Arturs Silovs on an emergency basis. The Canucks (44 points) hold a one-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the final Western wild-card spot.

Shootout goals by Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell lifted the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Gustav Forsling and Matthew Tkachuk scored in regulation while Spencer Knight made 29 saves for the Panthers. Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell replied for the Penguins, who are tied with the Senators with 40 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators hold the final Eastern wild-card berth with two games in hand and two more victories (19 to 17) than Pittsburgh. Penguins forward Philip Tomasino left the game in the third period with an undisclosed injury.

The Chicago Blackhawks snapped a five-game losing skid by doubling up the Montreal Canadiens 4-2, ending the latter’s three-game win streak. Arvid Soderblom kicked out 38 shots and Nick Foligno tallied two goals for the Blackhawks. Canadiens winger Cole Caufield netted his 20th of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens were the dominant team for most of this contest but Soderblom was outstanding and Foligno was clutch for the Blackhawks. Pat Maroon lost a scrap with Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj in the first period but got the last laugh in the third with the game-winning goal.

The Blackhawks called up Colton Dach for this game. It was the first time he and his brother (Canadiens forward Kirby Dach) faced each other in NHL action.

HEADLINES

RG.ORG: Philadelphia Flyers rookie winger Matvei Michkov admits he’s still learning to adapt mentally and physically to the grind of his first NHL season. He said his English is improving and he is learning a lot from head coach John Tortorella despite the language barrier.

Michkov indicated he has a good relationship with his rival, Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard. “He’s a good player and a good guy,” said the Flyers winger. “It’s exciting to watch players like him.”

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton was fined $2,000.00 for embellishment by the department of player safety. The incident occurred during a game against the New York Rangers on Dec. 23.

THE SCORE: The Colorado Avalanche hope goaltender Scott Wedgewood will only be sidelined for a couple of weeks. He suffered a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Wedgewood is still being evaluated.

SPORTSNET: Winnipeg Jets center Mason Appleton (lower body) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 28.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: The Bruins signed forward Mark Kastelic to a three-year contract extension. The average annual salary is $1.567 million.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs signed defenseman Phillipe Myers to a two-year deal worth $850K per season.

SPORTS MEDIA WATCH: Tuesday’s NHL Winter Classic between the Blackhawks and Blues at Chicago’s Wrigley Field averaged 920,000 viewers, the smallest TV audience in the annual outdoor game’s history.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The game involved two opponents not considered among this season’s elite teams. The Blackhawks are rebuilding while the Blues are battling for a wild-card spot. It was a lopsided affair with the Blues winning 6-2.

The league also staged this game on New Year’s Eve rather than New Year’s Day as it used to and did a poor job publicizing the event.

NHL.COM: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Hall-of-Fame goaltender Roberto Luongo highlighted the Florida Panthers’ Quarter-Century Team.

Joining Barkov, Tkachuk and Luongo on the First Team are winger Jonathan Huberdeau and defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling.

Hall-of-Fame winger Pavel Bure joined forwards Sam Reinhart and Olli Jokinen, defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Robert Svehla and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky on the Second Team.