NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 27, 2025

by | May 27, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 27, 2025

The Hurricanes avoid elimination in the Eastern Conference Final, updates on the Oilers and Stars ahead of Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

HURRICANES STAVE OFF ELIMINATION FROM THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes avoided being swept from the Eastern Conference Final by blanking the Florida Panthers 3-0 in Game 4.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (NHL Images).

Frederik Andersen returned in the net for the Hurricanes and turned in a 20-save shutout while Logan Stankoven, Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov were the goal scorers. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 shots.

Panthers forwards Sam Reinhart and A.J. Greer and defenseman Niko Mikkola missed Game 4 with undisclosed injuries. They’re considered day-to-day.

The series returns to Carolina for Game 5 on Wednesday, May 28, at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the first win in a Conference Final game for the Hurricanes since 2006. Unlike the previous three games in this series, they played a better, disciplined defensive game and received solid goaltending from Andersen, who had been benched for Game 3 after two shaky outings earlier in this series.

The Hurricanes still face elimination heading into Game 5, but this win should boost their confidence and determination to atone for their two previous disappointing efforts on home ice.

LATEST ON THE OILERS AND STARS

TSN: Sidelined Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard and defenseman Mattias Ekholm could suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday. Pickard’s been out with an undisclosed injury since May 10, while Ekholm’s been on the shelf since Apr. 11 with what’s believed to be a lower-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pickard took over for starter Stuart Skinner in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings and won six straight before he got hurt in the next round against the Vegas Golden Knights. He’ll be backing up Skinner, who has regained his form by winning four of his last five, including three shutouts.

Ekholm’s return will likely send Troy Stecher to the press box, but he understands the situation. Stecher’s played well, filling in for the sidelined Ekholm, but admits the latter is a better player than he is.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars are hoping that Roope Hintz will return to action in Game 4. The first-line center suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2 that kept him out of the following game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars also hope that leading scorer Mikko Rantanen snaps out of his slump. He has nine goals and 21 points but only two assists in three games against the Oilers, who lead the series 2-1.

IN OTHER NEWS…

RG.ORG: NHL Players’ Association Executive Director Marty Walsh said there is a shared desire with the league to get things done right as negotiations on a new CBA continue between the two sides.

Walsh shared the view of league commissioner Gary Bettman that an agreement could be reached well before the September 2026 expiration of the current CBA. He indicated there is no timetable for negotiations to be completed.

Regarding possible changes to LTIR, Walsh said the two sides have been exchanging ideas, and the discussion remains open. He believes that topic “will find its way and progress in accordance with the whole conversation on a new CBA.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation suggests an agreement could be reached by the end of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, perhaps by the 2025 NHL Draft (June 27-28). It could take longer than that to hammer out a new CBA, with talks stretching throughout the offseason.

Considering the fractious labor relations history between the two sides, the fact that they believe a deal could be reached well before next September is good news. Nobody wants another work stoppage threatening to shorten or derail another season.

IIHF.COM: Former NHL players Henrik Lundqvist, Zdeno Chara, Frans Nielsen and David Vyborny were formally inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Class of 2025 was announced back in January. Congratulations once again to Lundqvist, Chara, Nielsen and Vyborny, and the other inductees.

EVZ.CH: New Jersey Devils winger Tomas Tatar will be playing overseas next season. The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract with EV Zug in Switzerland’s National League. He is expected to play center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stick tap to Alexander Wirdzek. Tatar spent 14 seasons in the NHL from 2010-11 to 2024-25 with the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Seattle Kraken and the Devils. He scored 227 goals and 269 assists for 496 points in 927 regular-season games, and had 13 points in 56 playoff contests.

SPORTSNET: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Erik Brannstrom is also heading to Switzerland, signing a three-year contract with Lausanne Hockey Club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brannstrom, 25, was a highly-touted defense prospect when the Vegas Golden Knights selected him 15th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Traded to Ottawa, he spent six of his seven NHL seasons with the Senators.

Brannstrom bounced around the league this season. He signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent last summer but was traded to the Canucks before the start of the regular season. He played 28 games with the Canucks before being shipped to the New York Rangers in the J.T. Miller trade in January, and to the Sabres at the trade deadline. Brannstrom had 77 points in 294 NHL games.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Frost are the PWHL champions for the second straight season. Liz Schepers scored in overtime to defeat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 in Game 4 of the Final to win the Walter Cup.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2025

by | May 12, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2025

Mikko Rantanen leads the Stars over the Jets, Sergei Bobrovsky backstops the Panthers over the Leafs, the goaltenders for the Quarter-Century Team are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists to lead his club to a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

Alexander Petrovic broke a 2-2 tie in the third period when he attempted to kick the puck up to his stick, but it fluttered toward the Jets’ net and deflected in off goaltender Connor Hellebucyk. After a lengthy review, it was declared a good goal, which seemed to unsettle the Jets, as Rantanen quickly made it 4-2. Wyatt Johnston put the game out of reach later in the period.

Roope Hintz and Thomas Harley each had a goal and an assist for the Stars. Kyle Connor and Nino Niederreiter replied for the Jets.

The Stars lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 in Dallas at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rantanen remains on a torrid scoring pace, leading this postseason with 18 points in 10 games. He’s the first player in league history to have five three-point games through his first 10 contests in a postseason. The Stars winger has to be considered the favorite thus far for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Following the game, Jets coach Scott Arniel expressed his displeasure with the ruling on Petrovic’s goal. “The rule states that if the puck gets kicked, if it hits a body or a stick of anybody else other than the goaltender, it counts as a goal,” said Arniel. “It hit our goaltender’s stick and went in the net. That is no goal. So they said that (Hellebuyck) propelled the puck in. I haven’t seen the word propelled in the rule book.”

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots to shut out the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 in Game 4 of their second-round series.

Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett scored for the Panthers, who tied the series at two games apiece. Joseph Woll made 35 saves for the Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers dominated Toronto’s scorers. Their victory might’ve been more lopsided if not for Woll’s goaltending. What few quality scoring chances the Leafs had were turned aside by Bobrovsky, who is dialled in after his shaky performances in the first two games of this series.

The Leafs’ frustration boiled over in the dying seconds when forward Max Domi hit Florida captain Aleksander Barkov from behind, sparking a melee at the buzzer. Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk appeared to threaten William Nylander that he’d come after the Leafs winger in the next game.

Game 5 of this series is in Toronto on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 PM ET.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The final six players named to the league’s Quarter-Century Team were revealed on Sunday, all goaltenders.

The list includes Hall-of-Famers Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Henrik Lundqvist and Roberto Luongo. Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price rounded out the list, with both goalies likely to become Hall-of-Famers.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone is listed as day-to-day after suffering an undisclosed injury during Game 3 of their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s listed as questionable for Game 4 on Monday in Edmonton. The Oilers hold a 2-1 lead in that series.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and won’t play in Game 4 against the Golden Knights.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson hopes for a quick turnaround from a poor performance in Game 3 of his club’s second-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes. Carlson was on the ice for all the Hurricanes’ goals in a 4-0 loss.

Speaking of the Hurricanes, forward Jordan Martinook and defenseman Jalen Chatfield left Game 3 with injuries, but they’re expected to be ready for Game 4 on Monday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Catherine Dubois of the Montreal Victoire scored in quadruple overtime to give her club a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Charge in Game 2 of their PWHL semifinal series, tying it at a game apiece.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t an NHL story, but a quadruple overtime in a postseason is worth mentioning. It was the longest game in PWHL history, and the second-longest professional hockey game ever played in Montreal.

The teams combined for 121 shots, with the Charge outshooting the Victoire 65-56, with Montreal goalie Ann-Renee Desbien making a record 63 saves.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 17, 2025

by | Mar 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 17, 2025

The Avalanche spoil Mikko Rantanen’s homecoming, Oilers star Leon Draisaitl extends his points streak, plus the latest on Auston Matthews, Travis Konecny and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche spoiled Mikko Rantanen’s return with a 4-3 victory over the Dallas Stars. Cale Makar scored in overtime and collected two assists while teammates Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin each had a goal and an assist. Rantanen collected an assist on Jason Robertson’s game-opening goal while teammates Mavrik Bourque and Matt Duchene scored in the third period to force the extra frame.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rantanen received a standing ovation from the Colorado fans during his video tribute. He spent nearly 10 seasons with the Avalanche.

The Avalanche are 8-0-1 in their last nine games, gaining ground on Dallas in the Central Division standings. They sit two points behind the Stars in third place with 85 points. Dallas has dropped three of their last four contests.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl had an assist to extend his points streak to 18 games as his club downed the New York Rangers 3-1. Connor McDavid scored and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins collected three assists as the Oilers (82 points) moved one point ahead of the Los Angeles Kings into second place in the Pacific Division. Will Cuylle replied for the Rangers as they cling to the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 72 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers winger Zach Hyman missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek made 18 saves to shut out the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0. Albert Johansson, Lucas Raymond and Marco Kasper scored for the Wings as they picked up their second win in their last nine games. The victory moves within two points of the Rangers in the wild-card race. The Golden Knights sit first in the Pacific Division with 86 points but have dropped four of their last five games.

The St. Louis Blues cruised to a 7-2 drubbing of the Anaheim Ducks. Jordan Kyrou collected three assists while Dylan Holloway and Jake Neighbours each had a goal and an assist for the Blues, who are tied with the Vancouver Canucks with 73 points. Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish each had two points for the Ducks.

Speaking of the Canucks, they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Utah Hockey Club. Logan Cooley snapped a 1-1 tie and Clayton Keller put the game away with an empty-net goal as Utah sits two points behind the Blues and Canucks. Quinn Hughes scored for Vancouver, who hold the final Western wild-card spot with a game in hand.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The race for the final Western wild card is heating up. For a while, it was just the Canucks and the Calgary Flames jockeying for that spot, but the Blues and Utah have surged over the past couple of weeks to make this interesting.

Canucks center Filip Chytil missed this game as he’s in concussion protocol following an unpenalized blindside hit by Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club announced that a lower-body injury has sidelined forward Liam O’Brien for the next four weeks.

The New York Islanders kept their playoff hopes alive by doubling up the Florida Panthers 4-2. Marc Gatcomb, Maxim Tsyplakov, Noah Dobson and Simon Holmstrom scored four unanswered third-period goals for the Isles (68 points), putting them four points behind the Rangers. Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov scored for the Panthers, who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 85 points but have dropped three of their last four games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly returned to action after undergoing surgery in November for an abnormality in his heart, skating over 14 minutes and collecting an assist. Teammate Adam Pelech missed this game with a lower-body injury. Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov left this game in the second period with an upper-body injury.

HEADLINES

TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews continues to be hampered by an undisclosed injury that has affected his scoring. Nevertheless, he’s determined to remain in the lineup as the Leafs jockey for playoff positioning with 16 games left in the regular season.

THE ATHLETIC: Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny is mired in a goal-scoring slump with one goal in his last 21 games. He’s also dealing with the departures of friends and former teammates Scott Laughton, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee this season.

ROTOBALLER: Buffalo Sabres forward Jiri Kulich is in concussion protocol following a hit by Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden on Saturday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Sunday’s PWHL game between the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens drew 14, 288 to Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena, setting the US attendance record for women’s hockey. The Sirens defeated the Frost 4-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The PWHL has drawn 1 million fans in just two seasons.

RG.ORG: Former NHL star Ilya Kovalchuk officially announced his retirement last week. The first-overall pick by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2001 NHL Draft, Kovalchuk spent 13 seasons in the league with the Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals. Winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2003-04, he finished with 443 goals and 433 assists for 876 points, and 11 goals and 28 points in 40 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kovalchuk was among the league’s most dazzling goal-scorers in his prime, He exceeded the 40-goal plateau six times between 2003-04 and 2009-10, including two 52-goal seasons.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2024

by | Jun 11, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2024

The Panthers take a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final, the Stars’ Jim Nill is GM of the Year, the Hurricanes are poised to name their new general manager, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2. Evan Rodrigues scored twice as the Panthers tallied three unanswered third-period goals and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 18 shots for the win.

Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm opened the scoring in the first period with his club’s first goal of the series. Connor McDavid collected an assist for his first Stanley Cup Final point. However, the Panthers tied it in the second on a goal by Niko Mikkola, setting the stage for Rodrigues’ third-period output. Aaron Ekblad tallied into an empty net late in the third to put it out of reach.

Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues (NHL Images).

The series shifts to Edmonton for the next two games with Game 3 on Thursday, June 13, at 8 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton outplayed Florida in Game 1 and deserved to win but were shut out by Bobrovsky. They deserved to lose Game 2 as the Panthers’ stingy defense and physical play limited the Oilers to seven shots on goal through the first two periods and no high-danger scoring chances throughout the game. Florida’s penalty-killing snuffed out Edmonton’s vaunted power play in both contests.

The Oilers’ top scorers have yet to find the back of the net in this series. Their frustration was evident in the third period when Leon Draisaitl left his feet to nail Aleksander Barkov with a high hit that forced the Panthers captain from the game and into concussion protocol. Draisaitl received a minor penalty on the play. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had no update on Barkov’s condition following the game.

Edmonton winger Warren Foegele received a major penalty and a game misconduct midway through the first period for kneeing Eetu Luostarinen. The Panthers forward was helped from the ice but later returned to the game. Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse suffered an undisclosed injury and was limited to three shifts over the final two periods. The Oilers also scratched defenseman Cody Ceci, replacing him with Vincent Desharnais.

Some Edmonton observers took issue with some questionable officiating in this game. Nevertheless, the Panthers were the better team in Game 2. Their victory was well-deserved, leaving the Oilers looking for answers as they wing their way home to Edmonton.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. It’s the second straight year that Nill has won this award. Under his management, the Stars finished first in the Western Conference with 113 points, one point behind the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nill and New York Islanders’ Lou Lamoriello are the only two-time winners of this award. Lamoriello also won it in consecutive years (2020 and 2021).

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes will name Eric Tulsky as their new general manager. Tulsky was made interim GM after Don Waddell stepped down on May 24. He’d served as assistant GM since 2020.

TSN: Matt Duchene remains keen to return to Dallas next season. The 33-year-old forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing a one-year, $3-million contract. As the free-agent market approaches, Duchene said money was not a motivating factor for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duchene will continue to receive $1.55 million annually through 2028-29 from the Nashville Predators after buying out his contract last summer. Nevertheless, he genuinely enjoyed his time in Dallas. The Stars have just over $16 million in cap space for next season but Duchene could accept another cost-effective contract to return next season.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks have added Jason Krog as a skills and skating coach. He’ll work with the big club and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

CBC.CA: Team Canada star and Olympic gold medalist Sarah Fillier was chosen first overall by New York in the 2024 PWHL Draft. Edmonton’s Danielle Serdachny was taken second overall by Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the complete list of picks in the 2024 PWHL Draft.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 30, 2024

by | May 30, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 30, 2024

The Oilers rally back to defeat the Stars and tie the Western Conference Final at two games apiece, the latest on the Rangers and Panthers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers overcame an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Dallas Stars 5-2, squaring the Western Conference Final at two games apiece. Oilers captain Connor McDavid had three assists, Leon Draisaitl netted his 10th goal of this postseason, and Mattias Janmark scored the game-winner. Wyatt Johnston and Esa Lindell gave the Stars the early lead before the Oilers rallied. The series returns to Dallas for Game 5 on Friday, May 31 at 8:30 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appeared the Stars were going to crush the Oilers until the latter got goals by Ryan McLeod and Evan Bouchard before the end of the first period. Janmark and Draisaitl blew the game open late in the second period with goals less than a minute apart and never looked back. Janmark’s goal was the Oilers’ first shorthanded tally of the postseason.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (NHL Images).

The Oilers were the most physical of the two clubs, outhitting the Stars 47-23. They also held the edge in shots 29-22.

Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse’s struggles in this postseason made him the target of criticism from the Edmonton media. He had a shaky start to Game 4 but finished strong with one assist, 12 hits, and three blocked shots.

Sportsnet’s Kevin Bieksa defended Nurse and slammed the Edmonton media, calling them “meat” because, in his opinion, they’re “raw, dead and dumb.” I can appreciate Bieksa sticking up for Nurse but his remarks seemed designed to pick a fight with the Edmonton press. As a former Canucks defenseman, he knows what it’s like to play under a sometimes harsh media spotlight in a Canadian city.

Dallas defenseman Chris Tanev left the game in the second period after blocking a shot with his right foot. There was no postgame update on his condition but Stars coach Pete DeBoer hopes Tanev will be ready for Game 5.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

Dallas Stars arena DJ Jonathan “Slippy” Shipman drew criticism from Edmonton fans for playing “La Bamba” following the Oilers’ loss in Game 2 of this series. Shipman was unaware of the song’s importance to the Oilers and their fans. He publicly apologized and donated to the Ben Stelter Foundation, joining Stars fans who contributed $20,000.00 to the fund.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stelter was a six-year-old Oilers fan who coined the phrase, “Play La Bamba, baby,” during the club’s run to the 2022 Western Conference final. He died of cancer later that year.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers need their top three forwards – Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad – to regain their scoring touch heading into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final with the Florida Panthers. They combined for just three assists in the previous four games. The series is tied at two games apiece.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Matthew Tkachuk was unfazed over Kreider grabbing the Florida Panthers winger’s mouthguard and attempting to toss it into the crowd following a heat third-period scrum in Game 4. “I told him it was the best play he made the whole game,” laughed Tkachuk on Wednesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk has a knack for getting under the skin of his opponents. That was a world-class chirp at Kreider, who’s been held scoreless in this series after netting seven goals and 10 points in his first 10 games of this postseason.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier was named USA Hockey’s College Player of the Year.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: The Predators brought back Mitch Korn to oversee their goaltending department. Korn spent 16 seasons with the Predators from 1998 to 2014.

DAILY FACEOFF: Minnesota defeated Boston 3-0 in the fifth and deciding game of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Finals, becoming the first team in league history to win the Walter Cup. Minnesota forward Tayler Heise was the first winner of the Ilona Kloss Playoff MVP Award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Minnesota, who barely squeaked into the playoffs but would upset heavily favored Toronto in the semifinal to reach the Walter Cup Final.

The PWHL had a record-setting inaugural campaign that bodes well for its future. Everyone who played in this league is a winner, laying the foundation for what could become a vibrant and successful women’s professional hockey league.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2024

by | Feb 17, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2024

The Hurricanes defeated the Coyotes, Blake Wheeler is sidelined for the season, Zach Parise confirms this season will be his last, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Arizona Coyotes 5-1 in the only game on Friday night. Pyotr Kochetkov made 30 saves while Martin Necas and Seth Jarvis each collected two assists for the Hurricanes (31-17-5), who sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 67 points. Dylan Guenther replied for the 23-26-4 Coyotes, who are winless in their last eight games (0-7-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes were without goaltender Connor Ingram as he’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Blake Wheeler is out for the remainder of the regular season after being placed on long-term injury reserve with a lower-body injury. A return in the playoffs isn’t ruled out depending on his recovery and how far the Rangers advance in the 2024 postseason. Wheeler injured his right leg during Thursday’s 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

New York Rangers winger Blake Wheeler (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on the severity of Wheeler’s injury, I guess he might be able to return by the Eastern Conference Final.

NHL.COM: Zach Parise confirms that this season will be his last as an NHL player. The 39-year-old winger recently signed a one-year, prorated contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is Parise’s last chance to win that elusive Stanley Cup. During his playing prime, he reached the Cup Final once, in 2012 with the New Jersey Devils. After 19 seasons, his career is drawing to a close, but he hopes to end it with a championship.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The domestic abuse case against Bruins winger Milan Lucic was dismissed in Boston Municipal Court on Friday after his wife Brittany invoked her marital privilege and declined to testify. However, the Bruins announced that Lucic would remain on his indefinite leave of absence for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, Lucic’s season is over and probably his NHL playing career as well.

TORONTO SUN: Paul Giordano, father of Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano, passed away suddenly on Thursday night.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Giordano and his family.

NHL.COM: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander was fined $2, 864.58 by the department of player safety for high-sticking Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: cited The Fourth Period revealing the New Jersey Devils will face off against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia, to kick off the 2024-25 season in the NHL Global Series.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defensemen Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub are expected to return from injury for Saturday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

CBS SPORTS: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov will return to action in Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. He missed Tuesday’s game against Ottawa with an upper-body injury.

TSN: The Nashville Predators signed forward Michael McCarron to a two-year, $1.8 million contract extension.

STARTRIBUNE.COM: Mason Shaw signed a two-way contract for the remainder of this season with the Minnesota Wild after returning from his fourth knee injury with the Wild’s minor-league team.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins claimed forward Matthew Phillips off waivers from the Washington Capitals.

DAILY FACEOFF: The inaugural “Battle of Bay Street” between PWHL clubs Toronto and Montreal at Scotiabank Arena set a new record for the largest attendance for a professional women’s hockey game with 19, 285 fans turning out for the game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t NHL news but I felt it was worth noting. The first season of the PWHL continues to set new attendance records for women’s pro hockey and bodes well for its future.