The Sharks signed first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini while the Blackhawks inked second-overall pick Artyom Levshunov. Check out the latest today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks signed Macklin Celebrini to a three-year entry-level contract.
San Jose Sharks prospect Macklin Celebrini (NHL.com).
The 18-year-old Boston University center was selected first overall by the Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft. He decided to forego the rest of his college career and jump to the NHL shortly after participating in last week’s Sharks’ development camp.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks general manager Mike Grier was impressed by Celebrini’s on-ice play. However, his interview and dinner with the young center at the Draft Combine convinced him to select the young center first overall. Grier praised Celebrini’s maturity, drive, and passion to become a great player.
THE MERCURY NEWS: Ticket sales for the Sharks’ Oct. 31 game against the Chicago Blackhawks and sale of No. 71 jerseys are soaring following Celebrini’s signing. That game features Celebrini facing off against Connor Bedard, the 2023 first-overall pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini will need all of his maturity, strength, and passion for the game heading into his first NHL campaign. Like Bedard with the Blackhawks, he must deal with the pressure of being the foundation piece for a rebuilding club. How well he copes with that pressure and adapts to the NHL game will play a significant role in their rebuilding process.
CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Blackhawks, they signed Arytom Levshunov to an entry-level contract. The 18-year-old Michigan State defenseman was chosen second overall in this year’s draft.
NHL.COM: Celebrini and Levshunov are the latest 2024 NHL Draft class to sign entry-level contracts. Jett Luchanko (13th overall, Philadelphia Flyers) signed his ELC on July 6.
Adam Jiricek (16th overall, St. Louis Blues) was the first, signing his deal on July 2. Beckett Sennecke (third overall, Anaheim Ducks), Berkly Catton (eighth overall, Seattle Kraken), Zayne Parekh (ninth overall, Calgary Flames), Terik Parascak (17th overall, Washington Capitals), Stian Solberg (23rd overall, Anaheim Ducks), and Matvei Gridin (28th overall, Flames) signed theirs on July 5.
TSN: The Winnipeg Jets acquired defenseman Dylan Coghlan from the Carolina Hurricanes for future considerations. They also signed restricted free agents David Gustafsson and Logan Stanley to two-year contract extensions.
Gustafsson, 24, will earn an average annual value of $835K while Stanlhttps://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-remaining-free-agents-the-best-2024-ufas-still-on-the-boardey’s AAV is $1.25 million.
DAILY FACEOFF: No change on the top remaining unrestricted free agents listing.
Winger James van Riemsdyk, defenseman Ryan Suter, blueliner Tyson Barrie, and wingers Tyler Johnson and Max Pacioretty are the most notable still available. Others include winger Daniel Sprong and defenseman Oliver Kylington.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The market slowed following its initial frenzy of signings from July 1 and 2 heading into the July 4th American holiday weekend. There could be an uptick this week.
Many of these players could be waiting weeks for new contracts. Some will sign professional tryout offers hoping to secure jobs in training camp and preseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of these players are past their prime. Some of them might land with new clubs on inexpensive one-year contracts.
THE LATEST ON JACOB TROUBA
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh reports the New York Rangers’ biggest move yesterday was the one they didn’t make: trading Jacob Trouba and his $8 million cap hit.
New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).
The Rangers explored trading the 30-year-old defenseman, whose no-movement clause shifted to a 15-team no-trade list on Monday. They requested his list early to trade and expedite the situation.
Arthur Staple reports Trouba refused to submit his list until it was due on early Monday, which may have scuttled some of general manager Chris Drury’s plans for the day. A rumored deal with the Detroit Red Wings might not be on the front burner following the Wings’ re-signing of Patrick Kane and other free-agent additions yesterday.
Staple also believes there’s a chance Trouba, knowing the Rangers are trying to send him to Detroit, could include the Wings on his no-trade list.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports Trouba’s wife’s hospital residency is among the factors keeping him with the Rangers.
Dr. Kelly Tyson-Trouba’s three-year residency at a New York hospital was to be completed this year when her husband’s no-movement clause expired. However, her residency was deferred by a year so the program she is required to complete will instead end on July 1, 2025.
Brooks reports sources claim the discussions between the Trouba camp and Rangers management have been professional without animosity. He also said the rumor that Trouba rejected a trade to Detroit was untrue.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As this story unfolds, it seems increasingly unlikely that Trouba will be traded this summer. The Ranger’s inability to clear his $8 million from their payroll will complicate efforts to improve their roster depth and to re-sign RFA defensemen Braden Schneider and Ryan Lindgren.
UPDATE ON THE MAPLE LEAFS
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving wants to make it work with Nick Robertson. He wouldn’t confirm if the 22-year-old winger made a trade request but admitted there was some frustration from Robertson last season.
Treliving had no update on whether contract extension talks have started with Mitch Marner. The 27-year-old winger is a year away from UFA eligibility. He said he wouldn’t address it, adding that Marner is training and preparing for the season.
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran reported Treliving also had no update on a contract extension for captain John Tavares. “I’m not going to get into any contract discussions that we may or may not be having,” said Treliving. “We do our business behind closed doors.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Here’s how I see the Leafs’ summer unfolding. Robertson will be traded only if the Leafs can get a comparable player in return. Marner won’t be traded. He and Tavares won’t get contract extensions this summer. Both players and management will adopt a wait-and-see approach to the 2024-25 season.
NO TRUTH TO SHANE PINTO TRADE REQUEST
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Steve Staios denied Shane Pinto had requested a trade.
League sources claim contract talks between Staios and the Pinto camp are at an impasse. However, Staios said the 23-year-old center didn’t ask to be traded. He added that negotiations take time and they’re still pressing on.
Garrioch also mentioned hearing Pinto’s agent is calling around seeking an offer sheet. The Senators only have $4.4 million in cap space but would match an offer for the young center. It would also be a long shot as the compensation for an offer between $4.57 million and $6.7 million is a first and third-round draft pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pinto will probably end up with a two-year deal worth around $3 million annually. He lacks arbitration rights because he didn’t accrue sufficient years to qualify.
The Canucks advance to the second round, the Golden Knights force Game 7 with the Stars, the Jack Adams Award finalists are revealed, the Penguins make a change to their coaching staff, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs by eliminating the Nashville Predators with a 1-0 victory in Game 6 of their first-round series. Pius Suter scored the only goal with 1:39 remaining in the game and Arturs Silovs made 28 saves as the Canucks will face the Edmonton Oilers in the next round. Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots for the Predators.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs. (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the fourth straight game in this series that was decided by one goal with the Canucks winning three of those contests. They also got those victories with three different goaltenders. Thatcher Demko won Game 1, Casey DeSmith took Game 3 filling in for the injured Demko, and Silovs got their other two wins from Game 4 onward after DeSmith was sidelined.
The Predators’ popgun powerplay was their biggest weakness, scoring just twice with 22 man-advantage opportunities. They also blew the lead in Games 1 and 4 which proved costly in this series.
There will be a seventh and deciding game in the first-round series between the Dallas Stars and the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights. Noah Hanifin and Mark Stone scored in the third period and Adin Hill made 23 saves as the Golden Knights shut out the Stars 2-0. Jake Oettinger turned aside 28 shots for the Stars. Game 7 goes on Sunday, May 5 in Dallas at 7:30 pm EDT.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A solid defensive effort by Vegas made the difference in a goaltender’s duel between Hill and Oettinger. This was also a better-disciplined effort by the Golden Knights, avoiding the costly penalties that led to the Stars’ victories in Games 4 and 5.
HEADLINES
NHL.COM: Rick Bowness of the Winnipeg Jets, Andrew Brunette of the Nashville Predators, and Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks are the finalists for the Jack Adams Award as the league’s Coach of the Year for 2023-24.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Bowness, Brunette and Tocchet. This is the first time Bowness and Tocchet have been named as finalists for this award. It’s the second time for Brunette as he was runner-up in 2021-22 with the Florida Panthers.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins fired associate coach Todd Reirden on Friday. He’d been with the club since 2020-21 and oversaw the club’s power play, which fell to 30th overall this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: General manager Kyle Dubas and head coach Mike Sullivan were rumored to be in a “power struggle” over the coaching staff. However, it was clear a change had to be made given the club’s woeful performance on the power play this season.
This could further stoke rumors that Sullivan might quit or get fired but I don’t see either scenario happening. If he were getting fired it would’ve happened by now, especially with notable former NHL coaches like Craig Berube, Todd McLellan, Dean Evason and Gerard Gallant available. Reirden’s firing shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for Sullivan.
TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews is progressing in his recovery from an undisclosed illness. However, there’s been no determination regarding his availability for Saturday’s Game 7 against the Boston Bruins. The Leafs scoring star was sidelined for Games 5 and 6.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will likely be a game-time decision by Matthews and the Leafs depending on how he feels following practice on Saturday.
NEW YORK POST: The Islanders confirmed general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Patrick Roy will return next season. Lamoriello sounded open to the possibility of roster changes during the offseason. Eight players are slated to become free agents, five of them unrestricted.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bolstering the offense should be Lamoriello’s priority. The Isles’ limited scoring punch nearly derailed their playoff hopes and proved costly in their elimination from the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals winger Max Pacioretty isn’t sure what the future holds after this season. The 34-year-old staged a comeback from double Achilles surgery in 2022-23 and played in 47 games this season but admitted being “a shell of my former self” with four goals and 23 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty is on a one-year, $2 million contract. With the Capitals transitioning toward younger players, it seems unlikely he’ll be brought back.
The Ottawa Senators trade Vladimir Tarasenko to the Florida Panthers for a 2025 third-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder that becomes a third-round pick if the Panthers win the 2024 Stanley Cup. The Senators also retain 50 percent of Tarasenko’s $5 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators reportedly sought a first or second-round pick plus another asset. It appears Tarasenko’s trade value wasn’t as high as rumored.
COULD THE PENGUINS MOVE GUENTZEL IN A THREE-TEAM DEAL WITH THE CANUCKS & BRUINS?
TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Pittsburgh Penguins hope to move Jake Guentzel as early as today. He reports the Vancouver Canucks are interested in the 29-year-old winger. To free up cap room for Guentzel, they’ve had discussions with the Boston Bruins to flip Elias Lindholm to the Bruins. The Canucks acquired the 29-year-old center from the Calgary Flames on Jan. 31.
Due to the Penguins’ high asking price, Johnston doesn’t put the Canucks at the front of the line for Guentzel. Darren Dreger reports the Penguins are seeking a first-round pick, a young NHL player and a prospect or prospects.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Vegas Golden Knights had talks with the Penguins about Guentzel but don’t appear in the mix as much anymore in part because they acquired Anthony Mantha from the Capitals on Tuesday. The Edmonton Oilers have also kept tabs on Guentzel.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cited an NHL source claiming the Penguins like Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk and rookie center John Beecher. He wondered if they could end up in Pittsburgh if this rumored three-way trade goes down.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That proposed three-way deal would become the biggest deal leading up to or including the trade deadline in the salary-cap era. As Johnston noted, however, nothing’s confirmed as there are plenty of moving parts here, not the least of which is making the dollars fit.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun wonders if the Lightning and Bruins can find suitable assets to acquire Hanifin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding a suitable trade package is the biggest issue for the Lightning and Bruins. The Panthers and Red Wings appear better situated with their depth in young players and prospects to make a competitive bid.
WILL THE BRUINS MOVE LINUS ULLMARK AT THE DEADLINE?
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa wondered if Tuesday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers might be the last start for Linus Ullmark as a Boston Bruins goaltender. There’s speculation the 30-year-old Ullmark could be moved in a cost-cutting deal to enable the Bruins to address their roster needs. Moving him, however, would weaken their goaltending depth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark carries a $5 million cap hit through next season and has a 16-team no-trade clause for 2023-24. It’ll be interesting to see if those constraints can be overcome. The Bruins could listen to offers but they could stick with their current goalie tandem if they don’t get anything suitable.
WHERE WILL VLADIMIR TARASENKO LAND?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are trying to send Vladimir Tarasenko to a contender. The 32-year-old winger has a $5 million cap hit and a full no-trade clause. He believes the Sens might have to wait to find out what happens to Jake Guentzel before they can move Tarasenko
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Senators seek a first-round pick and another asset for Tarasenko. However, that price could drop as it seems to be a buyer’s market for forwards.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whatever happens to Guentzel will determine the fate of most notable wingers in the trade market. Teams that lose out on the Penguins winger could shift their attention to Tarasenko.
COULD THE DEVILS TRADE TYLER TOFFOLI?
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun cited New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald saying he’s still discussing a potential contract extension with Tyler Toffoli’s camp. Contract term was an issue in those talks.
LeBrun thinks this could go to the trade deadline on March 8. He indicated that Fitzgerald doesn’t want to move Toffoli but he might have to given the high number of teams calling about the 31-year-old winger. LeBrun suggested Toffoli would be a good fit on the Edmonton Oilers second line.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fitzgerald told reporters that he’s not shopping Toffoli but admitted he’s listening to offers. If he does move the winger he’s not going to just give him away. Teams that lose out on Jake Guentzel could look into his availability.
UPDATES ON SEAN WALKER AND NICK SEELER
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports teams are circling back and getting more serious about Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Sean Walker. It’s believed the Flyers seek a first-round pick but LeBrun hasn’t ruled out the possibility of them trying to re-sign him before the trade deadline. He believes it’s more likely than not that Walker gets moved.
LeBrun’s colleague Kevin Kurz reports the Flyers remain engaged in contract talks with Walker and defense partner Nick Seeler. He thinks there’s a chance the two could stay with the Flyers on multi-year deals but this could go down to the wire.
Kurz also noted a report that the Flyers “checked in” on young Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. However, he doesn’t anticipate they’ll make any blockbuster deadline moves for Zegras or other high-end players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli also thinks one of those two Flyers defensemen will be traded and considers Walker the most likely candidate.
TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Edmonton Oilers’ priority is to acquire versatile forward Adam Henrique from the Anaheim Ducks. Arizona Coyotes winger Jason Zucker appears to be the kind of forward they might like but Johnston said they’re not in on him.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun also reports the Oilers are in on Henrique. Finding a way to sort out the 33-year-old forward’s $5.825 million cap hit is a sticking point but the Ducks could retain part of it. He also thinks they’ve kept tabs on Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Sean Walker.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple noted the Seattle Kraken have sat center Alex Wennberg for the past two games for trade-related reasons. He wonders if the New York Rangers could be a fit. The Kraken will have to retain half of Wennberg’s $4.5 million cap hit but that could cost them a first-round pick.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reported the Rangers are engaged in trade negotiations with the Kraken. He thinks popular Rangers rookie Matt Rempe could be squeezed from the lineup if they acquire Wennberg. It’s also believed the Rangers are in talks with the Anaheim Ducks for winger Frank Vatrano.
The Sabres are rumored to be shopping Casey Mittelstadt, speculation over Max Pacioretty’s future, two Canadian clubs could have an interest in Alexandre Carrier, plus the latest on the Flyers and Sharks in the NHL Rumor Mill.
REPORT: SABRES ACTIVELY SHOPPING MITTELSTADT
AFTER THE WHISTLE: Andrew Peters said Friday that he’d heard “from a very reliable source” that Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is “shopping Casey Mittelstadt hard” because he doesn’t want to pay the 25-year-old forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittelstadt is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. He’s in the final season of a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2.5 million. The versatile forward enjoyed a 59-point breakout performance last season and currently leads the Sabres in scoring with 42 points in 50 games.
Peters’ source didn’t know what Adams’ asking price would be for Mittelstadt but indicated that he’s looking for a goaltender. “They don’t trust the three that they have,” said Peters.
SPORTSNET: On Friday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman talked about Mittelstadt’s contract situation. He believes Mittelstadt would not be happy not to get a lucrative new contract when several other teammates did. “If you’re not going to pay him, you almost have to move him.”
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited Peters’ claiming the Sabres are shopping Mittelstadt. He believes the Flyers should pursue him and suggested offering up right-shot defenseman Sean Walker as part of the return.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal also noted Peters’ report about Mittelstadt. He believes the Sabres forward would be a good candidate for the Avalanche’s second-line center position. However, a young forward under team control for a few more years would be expensive to acquire.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: ESPN’s Kevin Weekes last month suggested Mittelstadt could be available if Adams didn’t want to sign him to a long-term extension. He shrugged off the speculation while Adams has not spoken about it.
Mittelstadt will draw plenty of interest in the trade market if Adams is indeed peddling him. Finding a reliable, established starting goaltender, however, won’t be easy as the pickings are slim right now.
Maybe Adams could offer up Mittelstadt to the Calgary Flames for Jacob Markstrom provided the latter would waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo. Perhaps a deal could be made with the Nashville Predators for Juuse Saros provided he’s willing to sign a contract extension on July 1. Anaheim Ducks starter John Gibson’s been a fixture in the rumor mill stretching back to last season but the Sabres could be on his 10-team no-trade list.
Pacioretty carries a full no-movement clause giving him and his agent complete control over his situation. However, LeBrun believes he could waive it for the right fit and a chance to win the Stanley Cup.
LeBrun thinks Mantha could be difficult to move even with retaining some salary. Edmundson’s playoff pedigree, meanwhile, could make him enticing to a contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty is on a one-year deal with a base salary of $2 million plus another $2 million in performance bonuses. The six-time 30-goal scorer has seven points in 14 games thus far in his comeback with the Capitals.
LATEST FLYERS SPECULATION
SPORTSNET: In Friday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek talked about possible trade-deadline moves for the Philadelphia Flyers.
They believe they are contemplating retaining Sean Walker and moving Rasmus Ristolainen. The latter would be easier to trade in the offseason for financial as well as hockey reasons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen, 29, lacks no-trade protection but carries a $5.1 million AAV through 2026-27. He would be easier to move this summer when teams have more money to absorb that type of cap hit. However, he could still be a difficult sell unless the Flyers are willing to retain some salary.
They also believe Scott Laughton’s time with the Flyers could be drawing to a close. It could happen at the trade deadline or in the offseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton, 29, is a versatile two-way forward who can play center or wing. He carries an affordable $3 million AAV through 2025-26 and lacks a no-trade clause. He could attract a fair bit of interest in the trade market.
Peng noted that the 29-year-old two-way center has bounced back this season with 29 points in 38 games. He carries a $5 million AAV through next season and lacks no-trade protection.
The 28-year-old Sharks winger has just 17 points in 46 games this season with San Jose but was a productive middle-six forward for the Florida Panthers during their run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. He’s in the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $3 million.
Gaudio’s colleague Max Miller cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting there are teams with an interest in Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen. The pending UFA has put up good underlying numbers this season but doesn’t have a resume in high-pressure games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of the three, Duclair seems the more likely to move given his cap hit and his performance in last year’s playoffs.
Granlund’s cap hit remains difficult to move unless the Sharks retain part of it. Having used up two of their three salary-retention slots on Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson, I doubt they’ll keep any part of Granlund’s cap hit to facilitate a trade.
Kahkonen’s inexperience in playoff action will be an issue for contenders shopping for goaltending depth.
OILERS & CANUCKS COULD BE INTERESTED IN ALEXANDRE CARRIER
NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher recently cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wondering if the Edmonton Oilers might be looking at Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier as a trade option. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Thomas Drance recently mentioned Carrier as a trade target for the Vancouver Canucks.
Gallagher noted that Predators GM Barry Trotz isn’t necessarily shopping Carrier but is willing to listen to trade offers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carrier could be an attractive option for contenders with limited cap space looking for an affordable defenseman. He carries a $2.5 million cap hit, lacks a no-trade clause and is slated to become a UFA this summer.
Gallagher also noted the Predators are trying to move blueliner Tyson Barrie following his trade request back in December.
The Oilers’ win streak reaches 16, Auston Matthews reaches 40 goals and Nikita Kucherov regains the lead in the scoring race. Get the details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers extended their win streak to 16 games with a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Connor McDavid had a goal and three assists while Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists for the 29-15-1 Oilers, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 59 points. Colton Sissons replied for the Predators (26-22-1) as they cling to the final Western Conference wild-card spot with 53 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are now one win away from tying the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins for the longest win streak (17 games) in league history. Corey Perry made his debut with the Oilers, logging 12:44 in ice time with two hits and two shots.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews netted his league-leading 40th goal as his club doubled up the Winnipeg Jets 4-2. Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly each collected two assists while Ilya Samsonov made 24 saves for the Leafs (25-14-8) as they hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 58 points. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 26 shots for the 30-12-5 Jets as they slipped to third place in the Central Division with 65 points.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews set a franchise record as the fastest player to reach 40 goals (46 games) and extended his team record for most 40-goal seasons with five. He also became the eighth player in Leafs history to reach 600 points and the fastest to reach that plateau. Meanwhile, the club announced that Calle Jarnkrok is sidelined week-to-week with a broken knuckle.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov collected two assists to regain the lead in the NHL scoring race with 85 points in a 6-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel each scored twice as the 27-18-5 Lightning sit one point ahead of the Leafs in third place in the Atlantic Division. Ondrej Palat and Nico Hischier each had two points for the 24-20-3 Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hischier wasn’t pleased with his club’s performance. “I’m embarrassed, to be honest,” he said in a postgame interview. With the Devils sitting six points out of a wild-card berth, he called on his teammates to play “pissed off.” They’ve won just three of their last 10 games.
The Vancouver Canucks overcame a three-goal deficit to nip the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 on an overtime goal by Elias Pettersson, who finished the game with two goals and an assist. Brock Boeser tallied a hat trick while Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller each collected three assists for the Canucks (33-11-5) as they hold first place in the overall standings with 71 points. Alexandre Texier had a goal and an assist for the 15-23-10 Blue Jackets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Blue Jackets announced winger Patrik Laine returned to Columbus after suffering a setback in his recovery from a fractured clavicle. They also placed defenseman Adam Boqvist (upper body) on injured reserve and recalled blueliner Nick Blankenburg from their AHL affiliate in Cleveland.
A four-goal first period powered the Boston Bruins over the Philadelphia Flyers 6-2. David Pastrnak tallied twice and collected an assist while James van Riemsdyk had a goal and two assists for the 31-9-9 Bruins, who sit second in the overall standings with 71 points. Tyson Foerster scored both goals for the slumping Flyers (25-19-6), who’ve lost five straight games but remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 56 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Flyers honored Mark Recchi with induction into their Hall of Fame. Recchi spent 10 seasons with the Flyers, tallying 627 points in 602 games. He also played three seasons with the Bruins, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2011 during his final season.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart scored to extend his points streak to 13 games as his club nipped the New York Islanders 3-2 on an overtime goal by Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist for the 31-14-4 Panthers as they sit in fourth place in the overall standings with 66 points. Semyon Varlamov turned aside 24 shots for the Islanders (20-17-12), who sit five points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 52 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After beating the Dallas Stars 3-2 in Patrick Roy’s first game as their head coach, the Isles are winless in their last three contests (0-2-1). Before this game, Roy indicated that defenseman Adam Pelech is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He was sidelined by an illegal hit to the head on Thursday by Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher, who received a five-game suspension as a result.
The Dallas Stars moved ahead of the Winnipeg Jets into second place in the Central Division with 66 points by dropping the Washington Capitals 5-4. Thomas Harley scored in overtime after his club blew a 4-2 lead and finished the game with two goals for the 30-13-6 Stars. Alex Ovechkin and Anthony Mantha each had a goal and an assist for the 22-18-7 Capitals.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals winger Max Pacioretty left this game in the third period with a lower-body injury unrelated to his surgically repaired Achilles tendon. No word following the game regarding his condition.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin sniped two goals in a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider each had two assists while Alex Lyon stopped 28 shots for the Red Wings (26-18-5) as they hold the final Eastern wild-card berth with 57 points. Alec Martinez had two assists for the 29-15-6 Golden Knights (64 points) as they remain in second place in the Pacific Division.
A five-goal second period rallied the New York Rangers over the Ottawa Senators 7-2. Artemi Panarin had a goal and two assists while Jonathan Quick made 29 saves for the Rangers (30-16-3) as they remain in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 63 points. Brady Tkachuk and Jakob Chychrun scored for the 18-25-2 Senators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers captain Jacob Trouba missed this game as he’s serving a two-game suspension for elbowing Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev on Friday.
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 as Dmitry Orlov broke a 1-1 tie with 36 seconds remaining in regulation time. Seth Jarvis collected two assists for the 28-15-5 Hurricanes, who sit two points back of the Rangers in second place in the Metro Division. Logan Cooley tallied for the slumping Coyotes (23-22-3) as they dropped their third straight game and sit four points out of the final Western wild-card spot with 49 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott missed this game with a lower-body injury.
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom kicked out 32 shots for a 1-0 shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks. Elias Lindholm scored the only goal as the 22-22-5 Flames (49 points) snapped a four-game losing skid and sit four points out of the final Western wild-card berth. Petr Mrazek made 30 saves for the 14-34-2 Blackhawks, who remain at the bottom of the overall standings with 30 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Flames announced that forward A.J. Greer is out for eight weeks with a fractured foot.
An overtime goal by Marcus Pettersson gave the Pittsburgh Penguins a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Penguins forward Lars Eller scored in his 1,000th career game as his club improved to 22-17-7 (51 points). Jake Allen made 30 saves for the 20-21-8 Canadiens.
Anaheim Ducks winger Troy Terry scored two goals as his club tamed the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Lukas Dostal stopped 35 shots for the 17-30-2 Ducks. Mats Zuccarello collected two assists for the 21-23-5 Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild forward Marcus Foligno missed this game due to illness.
The Buffalo Sabres tallied five unanswered goals in a 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. JJ Peterka scored twice while Dylan Cozens had a goal and two assists for the Sabres (22-23-4). William Eklund picked up two assists for the 13-32-4 Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly win for the Sabres as forward Jack Quinn left the game with an injured left leg following a hit by Sharks forward Tomas Hertl. Head coach Don Granato indicated Quinn’s injury should be considered more than day-to-day for recovery.
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