NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 22, 2024

by | May 22, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 22, 2024

Conference Finals storylines and Conn Smythe Trophy favorites, the Lightning reacquire Ryan McDonagh from the Predators, the Leafs introduce Craig Berube as their new coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

NHL.COM: Tom Gulitti looks at the top 10 storylines to follow in the 2024 Conference Finals.

They include New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin and Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky facing each other in postseason competition for the first time since their departures from the Columbus Blue Jackets as free agents in 2019.

Gulitti also wondered if Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could take the next step and carry the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

The NHL.com staff listed their favorites thus far for the Conn Smythe Trophy. They include Draisaitl and teammate Evan Bouchard, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin and teammate Vincent Trocheck, and Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen and forward Wyatt Johnston.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You could include Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk, though he isn’t the same presence as in last year’s postseason. Stars goaltender Joel Oettinger deserves a nod but Heiskanen and Johnston have stood out thus far. Rangers winger Chris Kreider’s hat trick in the series-clinching game against the Carolina Hurricanes earns him some recognition heading into the Conference Final with the Panthers.

HEADLINES

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning reacquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh from the Nashville Predators in exchange for two draft picks. The Predators get a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft and the Lightning’s second-rounder in 2025. They also sent the Lightning a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft that originally belonged to the Edmonton Oilers.

McDonagh, 34, spent nearly five seasons with the Lightning, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021. The Lightning traded him to Nashville in a cost-cutting move in 2022.

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said he received a call last week from Predators GM Barry Trotz asking if he’d be interested in reacquiring McDonagh, who requested a trade during his exit interview. BriseBois leaped at the chance to reacquire the veteran blueliner, citing his importance to the Lightning’s defense corps.

McDonagh is signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $6.75 million. The Predators did not retain any part of his cap hit.

The move leaves the Lightning with over $5 million in cap space for 2024-25 with 18 active roster players under contract. BriseBois insists he can still work out a new contract for Lightning captain and pending free agent Steven Stamkos. “We still have some cap space to get done what I think we need to get done this off-season,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: BriseBois must trade to free up sufficient salary-cap space or acquire a player on permanent long-term injury reserve to give him some cap flexibility.

A cost-cutting trade means moving out someone like winger Brandon Hagel ($6.5 million AAV through 2031-32), center Anthony Cirelli ($6.25 million AAV through 2030-31), defenseman Mikhail Sergachev ($8.5 million per season through 2030-31) or blueliner Erik Cernak ($5.2 million annually through 2030-31) for draft picks and/or prospects.

Moving any of those players could create a weakness on their Lightning roster that proves difficult to address.

BriseBois acquired permanently sidelined defenseman Brent Seabrook from the Chicago Blackhawks in July 2021. With Seabrook’s $6.875 million coming off the Lightning’s books, BriseBois could consider making a similar move again. It would keep his current roster of active players intact while providing the necessary wiggle room to re-sign Stamkos, leaving enough to make some affordable additions.

THE TENNESSEAN: Trading McDonagh frees up nearly $7 million from the Predators’ books. They now have over $26 million in cap space. Trotz said he was more concerned with doing right by McDonagh but admitted his club now has salary-cap flexibility to make some moves this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s raised questions over what Trotz will do with his windfall and which players he’ll target. I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumors update.

SPORTSNET: The Toronto Maple Leafs officially introduced Craig Berube as their new head coach on Tuesday. “I’m going to bring my own style here in how we played the game,” said Berube. “Competitive. We don’t want to get outworked ever.”

Berube expects the Leafs to be a hard-working club that plays a heavy game, wins puck battles, earns their ice time, and moves their feet. “It’s all about the team for me,” he said. “Everyone is used. Everyone has a role. Playing predictable and north and playing as fast as we can.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Berube is expected to make the Leafs players more accountable. He’ll do his best to fulfill his part of the bargain but management must address the ongoing roster issues (a reliable starting goaltender, improved defensive depth) that have plagued this club during the “Shanaplan.”

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins captain Brad Marchand hopes to sign a contract extension “at some point.” The 36-year-old winger has a year remaining on his deal with an AAV of $6.175 million. He had 29 goals and 38 assists in 82 games this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand could get a two or three-year contract. It’s unlikely he’ll get a raise over his current AAV but it could be between $5 million and $6 million given his performance this season.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators hired Rob DiMaio as their director of player personnel and head of pro scouting. DiMaio spent the past two seasons as assistant general manager with the Anaheim Ducks and GM of their AHL affiliate in San Diego. Before that, he spent 13 seasons with the St. Louis Blues as director of player personnel from 2015 to 2022 and was named their director of scouting in 2012. His work contributed to the Blues’ Stanley Cup championship in 2019.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a smart hire by GM Steve Staios. DiMaio’s hiring should improve the Senators’ drafting and development of young players.

CALGARY SUN: Flames winger Martin Pospisil suffered a shoulder injury on Tuesday while playing for Slovakia in the ongoing IIHF World Championships. An X-ray revealed no fracture or dislocation. A further update is expected following an MRI.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 21, 2024

by | May 21, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 21, 2024

The Oilers defeat the Canucks to advance to the Western Conference Final, updates on the Eastern Conference finalists, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final by holding off the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in Game 7 of their second-round series. Second-period goals by Cody Ceci, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gave the Oilers a 3-0 lead. Conor Garland and Filip Hronek replied for the Canucks in the third. The Oilers will face the Dallas Stars with Game 1 in Dallas on Thursday, May 23 at 8:30 pm EDT.

Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vancouver made this game interesting in the final minutes of the third period but it wasn’t as close as the score implied. Edmonton outshot the Canucks 13-2 in the first period and 27-12 after the second. The Oilers would’ve run away with this one if not for the heroics of Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs.

NHL PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars and Oilers will face off for the first time since 2003. They met six times between 1997 and 2003 with the Stars winning five of those series. They also went 2-0-1 in their three meetings this season. Oilers captain Connor McDavid is the best player in the world but the Stars have the goaltending edge thanks to Jake Oettinger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As a Canadian, I’d like to see Edmonton defeat Dallas and go on to end my country’s long playoff drought. However, the Stars are the better-balanced team and expect they’ll take this series in six games.

TVA SPORTS: The Oilers eliminating the Canucks also affected the order of the 2024 NHL Draft. The Montreal Canadiens hold the Winnipeg Jets’ first-rounder that is now 26th overall. The 29th and 30th overall picks will belong to the losing clubs in the Conference Finals, with the 32nd overall pick belonging to the Stanley Cup champion.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers center Filip Chytil is making strides as he hopes to rejoin the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers. Chytil returned to action in Game 3 of the Rangers’ second-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes after being sidelined since November by a suspected concussion. However, an unspecified illness and “soreness” have since kept him out of the lineup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Florida Panthers are working on their special teams play as they prepare for the Eastern Conference Final. All their players were on the ice for Monday’s practice, indicating they’re fully healthy for their upcoming series with the Rangers. Game 1 is in New York on Wednesday, May 22 at 8 pm EDT.

IN OTHER NEWS…

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: The Blackhawks expect their attendance will remain high for 2024-25 after a big increase this season. They ranked fourth overall in attendance, averaging 18, 836 fans with a season-ticket renewal of 96 percent. The popularity of rookie star Connor Bedard and the club’s marketing strategies are responsible for the improvement despite their losing season.

SPORT-EXPRESS: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nikita Zaitsev is expected to sign a multi-year contract with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg. The 32-year-old Zaitsev spent the past eight seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and the Blackhawks, tallying 118 points in 482 games.

EISHOCKEY NEWS: Michael Bauer reports Marco Sturm confirmed his interest in coaching the San Jose Sharks. He is currently the head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Sturm said his agent will reach out to the Sharks to determine if there’s mutual interest. Due to league rules, no interviews have yet taken place.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sturm indicated his goal and dream is becoming an NHL head coach. He has a deep connection to San Jose, beginning his NHL playing career there. He spent nearly eight seasons with the Sharks before being shipped to Boston in November 2005 in the Joe Thornton trade.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 19, 2024

by | May 19, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 19, 2024

The Oilers force Game 7 with the Canucks, Aleksander Barkov wins the Selke Trophy, and the Hurricanes re-sign coach Rod Brind’Amour. Get the details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: There will be a seventh and deciding game in the second-round series between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks as the Oilers rolled to a 5-1 victory in Game 6.

Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had a goal and two assists, Connor McDavid had three assists and Leon Draisaitl had two assists for Edmonton. Dylan Holloway opened the scoring for the Oilers with a brilliant individual rush. Nils Hoglander replied for the Canucks.

Game 7 will be in Vancouver on Monday, May 20, at 9 pm EDT.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a dominating performance by the Oilers, who entered this game facing elimination. McDavid silenced his critics after being held to just one assist in the previous three games. So did Zach Hyman, scoring his first goal since Game 1 of this series.

The last game saw Vancouver shut down Edmonton’s scorers. This time, the Canucks struggled to generate offense, finishing with 15 shots on goal. The pressure has shifted to them as the Oilers will enter Game 7 riding the high of their convincing win in the previous game.

Stuart Skinner returned in goal for the Oilers and played well, helped by his teammates’ solid defensive play. Speaking of goaltenders, the Canucks confirmed that sidelined starter Thatcher Demko won’t be playing in Game 7. They’ll stick with Arturs Silovs, who has carried them since Game 4 of their first-round series with the Nashville Predators.

Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl became the third-fastest player in NHL history to reach 100 career playoff points, accomplishing the feat in 60 games. Wayne Gretzky was the fastest (46 games) followed by Mario Lemieux (50).

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as this season’s top defensive forward. Barkov previously won this award in 2020-21.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The voting wasn’t even close. Barkov got 165 of the 194 first-place votes.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes’ report that the Carolina Hurricanes signed head coach Rod Brind’Amour and his staff to multi-year contract extensions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored earlier this month that the Hurricanes had pulled their offer, leading to Brind’Amour questioning his future in Carolina. All sides quickly denied it, insisting they were closing in on a deal.

The Hurricanes’ second-round elimination by the Rangers did nothing to affect those negotiations. If there are to be any changes during the offseason it will be to their roster.

NHL.COM: The Western Conference Final schedule was announced on Saturday. Game 1 will begin on Thursday, May 23, at 8:30 pm EDT.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Bowen Byram had early exits during preliminary round action on Saturday at the 2024 IIHF World Championships.

Playing for Sweden, Dahlin was ejected for a dangerous hit against Latvian defenseman Harald Egle. Byram, skating for Canada, was booted from his team’s game against Finland for slashing winger Jesse Puljujarvi.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was named the head coach for Team USA at the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 18, 2024

by | May 18, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 18, 2024

The Panthers and Stars advance to the Conference Finals, the Maple Leafs hire Craig Berube as head coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers are heading to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year after defeating the Boston Bruins 2-1 in Game 6 of their second-round series, taking the series four games to two. Gustav Forsling broke a 1-1 tie with 1:33 remaining in the third period. Anton Lundell also scored for the Panthers and assisted on Forsling’s goal while Sergei Bobrovsky made 22 saves for the win. Pavel Zacha scored and Jeremy Swayman stopped 26 shots for the Bruins. It’s the second consecutive year they’ve been eliminated by the Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Florida did a superb job smothering Boston’s offense in this series. After a series-opening 5-1 victory, the Bruins scored two goals or less in each of the next five games. The Panthers’ penalty-killers limited their opponent to one power-play goal in the series.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov briefly left the game in the third period after blocking a David Pastrnak shot with his left hand. He returned and completed the game, telling reporters afterward that he “felt great”.

Brad Marchand’s return to the lineup for Game 6 couldn’t prevent the Bruins’ elimination. If not for Swayman’s outstanding goaltending, this series wouldn’t have gone as long as it did. Bruins fans chanted his name in gratitude, moving the 25-year-old to tears. He wasn’t helped by his penalty killers, who gave up six goals in this series.

The Panthers will face the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals with Game 1 in New York on Wednesday, May 22, at 8 pm EDT.

Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene (NHL Images).

Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene scored in double overtime to lift his club to a 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 of their second-round series, eliminating the Avs in six games. Stars captain Jamie Benn tied the game in the third period after the Avalanche took a 1-0 lead on Mikko Rantanen’s second-period goal. Jake Oettinger finished with 29 saves for the Stars while Avs goaltender Alexandar Georgiev turned aside 36. The Stars advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year and await the winner of the Edmonton Oilers-Vancouver Canucks series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dallas appeared to score in the first overtime but Mason Marchment’s goal was overturned following a league-initiated review after it was initially waved off. The claim was Duchene interfered with Avalance goalie Alexandar Georgiev but the Stars forward was outside the crease and was bumped by Avs defenseman Cale Makar. Despite winning the game and series, the Stars remained puzzled by the call.

The Stars got the win without center Roope Hintz. He missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury.

Roster depth made the difference in this series. Colorado Hockey Now’s Evan Rawal indicated four Avalanche forwards had more ice time in Game 6 than the Stars’ forward leader in ice time. The Avs couldn’t match the Stars’ overall depth in this series.

HEADLINES

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs announced Friday that Craig Berube is their new head coach. Berube spent five seasons with the St. Louis Blues, coaching them to the Stanley Cup in 2019. Fired by the Blues in December, Berube becomes the 40th head coach in Leafs history.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Berube has a reputation as a straightforward, no-nonsense bench boss with little patience for players who don’t adhere to his game plan or put in a full effort. It will be interesting to see how well the Leafs players react under his guidance.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers need more production from captain Connor McDavid and winger Zach Hyman to stave off elimination tonight in Game 6 of their second-round series with the Vancouver Canucks. McDavid has one assist in his last three games while Hyman has been held off the score sheet over the same period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Give credit where it’s due, the Canucks have done a good job shutting down McDavid and Hyman. It’s not because of a lack of effort by those two.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet said it would be a stretch to expect Thatcher Demko to return to action in Game 6. Demko’s been sidelined by a lower-body injury following Game 1 of their first-round series with the Nashville Predators. Arturs Silovs is expected to get his ninth straight start for the Canucks.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers hope their layoff until Wednesday’s start of the Eastern Conference Finals will benefit sidelined forwards Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler. Chytil played in Game 3 but missed the remainder of their series with the Carolina Hurricanes. Wheeler was taken off long-term injury reserve after participating in full practices with his teammates this week.

CAP FRIENDLY: The 2024 second-round pick the Carolina Hurricanes sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Jake Guentzel trade does not become a first-rounder because Carolina failed to reach this year’s Stanley Cup Final. The Hurricanes also retain their 2025 fifth-round pick.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils signed enforcer Kurtis MacDermid to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.15 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is in response to the Rangers, a close division rival, having Matthew Rempe on their roster. He’s also well-liked by his teammates.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 17, 2024

by | May 17, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 17, 2024

The Rangers eliminate the Hurricanes, the Canucks push the Oilers to the brink, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The New York Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of their second-round series. Chris Kreider tallied a natural hat trick in the third period to rally the Rangers from a 3-1 deficit while Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves for the win. Having won this series 4 games to 2, the Rangers await the winner of the Boston Bruins-Florida Panthers series.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was one of the greatest playoff comeback games in Rangers history and the biggest collapse in Hurricanes history. Kreider’s performance was one of the best single-period efforts by one player I’ve ever seen and will long remembered by Blueshirts fans.

The Hurricanes were in complete control of this game entering the third period. Five minutes into that period, it seemed they would win their third straight to tie this series and send it back to New York for a seventh and deciding game on Saturday.

Kreider changed all that. You could see the Hurricanes’ confidence wane after he cut the lead to 3-2. When he cashed in on the power play with the tying goal, you knew the Rangers would win this contest.

The ice seemed tilted in the Carolina zone as the Rangers poured it on. The Canes defense, which had played so well through the first two periods, fell apart in the face of the onslaught. It was only a matter of time that the Rangers scored the game-winner. That it was Kreider who sank the dagger was appropriate.

Offseason changes are expected for this Hurricanes roster after another disappointing postseason. I’ll have the latest in today’s Rumors update.

A late goal in the third period by J.T. Miller lifted the Vancouver Canucks over the Edmonton Oilers 3-2. They also hold a 3-2 lead in this second-round series, putting them on the verge of advancing to the Western Conference Final. Carson Soucy and Phillip Di Giuseppe also scored and Arturs Silovs stopped 21 shots for the Canucks. Evander Kane and Mattias Janmark replied for the Oilers. The Canucks can wrap up this series as it returns to Edmonton for Game 6 on Saturday, May 18 at 8 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks deserved this victory. They did a great job shutting down Edmonton superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and killing off all five of the Oilers’ power-play opportunities. They also played without winger Ilya Mikheyev as he’s listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

The Oilers need their best players to step up for Game 6 or face another disheartening postseason exit. Goaltender Calvin Pickard earned his second straight start for the Oilers and played well, turning aside 32 shots. He should get the nod for Game 6.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins captain Brad Marchand took part in practice on Thursday and could play in Game 6 of their second-round series with the Florida Panthers. Marchand missed the last two games with an upper-body injury following a questionable hit by Panthers forward Sam Bennett in Game 3.

Speaking of that hit, Marchand felt that Bennett “got away with one” but called the Panthers forward “an extremely physical player; great player for the group.” He added that he wasn’t complaining about the hit, calling it a part of playoff hockey. Marchand also acknowledged he’s been guilty of similar plays and hits in the past. “S**t happens, and that’s part of it,” he said.

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar’s efforts in Game 5 of his club’s series with the Dallas Stars should remind everyone why he’s a great playoff performer. The 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy winner scored twice in that game as the Avs forced Game 6 in Denver on Friday.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: NHL analyst Ed Olczyk noted Joe Pavelski’s declining production in this postseason. It raises questions about whether the 39-year-old winger is helping or hindering linemates Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It hasn’t been hurting Johnston. He leads the Stars with seven goals, two of them game-winners.

IN OTHER NEWS…

DAILY FACEOFF: The Los Angeles Kings and Trent Yawney mutually agreed to part ways. Yawney had been an assistant coach with the Kings since 2019-20.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning signed forward Mitchell Chaffee to a two-year, one-way contract with an average annual value of $800K.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders signed Russian forward Maxim Tsyplatov to a one-year entry-level contract. The 25-year-old winger scored 31 goals and 47 points in 65 games with KHL club Moscow Spartak.

TSN: Long-time Sportscentre host and TSN personality Darren Dutchyshen passed away on Thursday following a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 57. Dutchyshen had been a beloved mainstay on TSN’s flagship news program since 1997.

“He passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones,” the Dutchyshen family said in a statement. “His sharp wit remained until his final moments, classically delivering plenty of jokes – most of them pretty good and all of them inappropriate.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My sincere condolences to Dutchyshen’s family, friends and TSN staff. Most Canadian sports fans knew him as “Dutch” and he was a familiar face on the Sportscentre desk for decades. He will be missed.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 16, 2024

by | May 16, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 16, 2024

The Avalanche force Game 6 with the Stars, updates on the other second-round series, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars 5-3 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Cale Makar scored twice (including the game-winning goal) and Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche. Joe Pavelski scored his first of this postseason and added an assist for the Stars, who hold a 3-2 lead in the series. Game 6 is in Denver on Friday, May 17 at 10 pm EDT.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A strong bounce-back effort by the Avalanche following their disastrous performance in Game 4. Makar and MacKinnon rose to the occasion, providing the leadership and clutch play expected of them. The Avs got a boost on the blueline with defenseman Devon Toews returning to action after an illness sidelined him in Game 4.

The Stars have the best road record (4-1) in this postseason but they’ve struggled at home, winning three of seven contests in Dallas. They also missed center Roope Hintz, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury suffered in Game 4.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson seems to have few answers to address his lack of production in this postseason. Head coach Rick Tocchet admits his wingers haven’t helped but felt Pettersson can drive the play more. Pettersson insists it’s not for lack of effort but acknowledges only he can control what he does on the ice.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson can play harder but he’s not being helped with low-scoring forwards like Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Lafferty as his wingers.

SPORTSNET: Tocchet had some good news about Thatcher Demko. The Canucks starting goalie has been sidelined by a lower-body injury since suiting up in Game 1 of their first-round series with the Nashville Predators. Tocchet said Demko has “improved immensely the last 72 hours”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have relied on third-stringer Arturs Silovs, who backstopped the Canucks over the Predators in the first round and has been solid in their current series with the Edmonton Oilers. No word if Demko will return to action in this series but there’s speculation he might get the nod for Game 6.

Speaking of goaltenders, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is keeping mum as to whether Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard gets the start for Game 5 tonight. Pickard replaced the struggling Skinner in Game 3 and got the start (and the win) in Game 4.

NHL.COM: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce has returned to practice with his teammates. He’s been sidelined with a lower-body injury since Game 2 of their first-round series with the New York Islanders. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour didn’t rule out Pesce’s return if the blueliner felt he was good to go. The Hurricanes are down 3-2 in their series with the New York Rangers with the two clubs facing off tonight in Game 6.

NEW YORK POST: After losing their last two games to the Hurricanes, the Rangers could shake up their defense corps for Game 6. During practice on Wednesday, K’Andre Miller was reunited with Jacob Trouba while Braden Schneider was back with Erik Gustafsson.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Utah goaltender Connor Ingram is this season’s winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He nearly retired due to obsessive-compulsive disorder and lingering depression before seeking help through the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in 2021. Ingram had a career-best performance this season, sporting a 23-21-6 record with a 2.91 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and six shutouts.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Three Penguins recently underwent surgery. Kris Letang had an operation on May 10 to repair a fractured left finger and will require eight weeks of recovery. Blueliner John Ludvig is sidelined for four to six months following surgery in April on a damaged extensor tendon in his left wrist. Winger Matt Nieto will be out for six-to-seven months following surgery on the MCL in his left knee.

THE TENNESSEAN: Former Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame on July 20. He spent the entirety of his 15-season NHL career with the Predators, winning 30-plus games eight times. Rinne was a four-time finalist for the Vezina Trophy, winning it in 2018.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks are reportedly considering Jeff Blashill as their next head coach. He coached the Detroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022 and spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Los Angeles Kings signed backup goaltender David Rittich to a one-year, $1 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings are expected to go shopping for a starting goaltender in this summer’s trade market. They reportedly attempted to acquire Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark before the March trade deadline but it’s believed he used his no-trade clause to spike the deal.

CBS NEWS: A Native American woman who worked for the Chicago Blackhawks is suing the club and its charity for breach of oral contract, fraud and sexual harassment. Nina Sanders said she was brought in to build relationships between the team and the Native American community but was later pushed out.