NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 27, 2023

by | Oct 27, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 27, 2023

The Bruins and Avalanche suffer their first losses and Senators’ center Shane Pinto is suspended for a gambling violation. Details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Anaheim Ducks overcame a 3-1 deficit to upset the Boston Bruins 4-3, snapping the latter’s season-opening win streak at six games (6-0-1). Mason McTavish scored in overtime while Troy Terry and rookie Leo Carlsson each had a goal and an assist for the 3-4-0 Ducks. Charlie McAvoy collected three assists while David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist for the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery indicated winger Jakub Lauko (facial injury) will be sidelined for at least a week while winger Milan Lucic (lower body) will be out for at least two weeks.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry turned in a 31-save shutout in a 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche, ending the Avs’ 15-game road win streak and their season-opening six-game win streak. Reilly Smith scored two goals for the Penguins (3-4-0). The Avs (6-1-0) remain in first place in the Central Division with 12 points.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).

An overtime goal by Martin Necas lifted the Carolina Hurricanes over the Seattle Kraken 3-2. Necas finished the game with two goals and an assist as the Hurricanes overcame a 2-0 deficit to lift their record to 4-4-0. Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and an assist and Joey Daccord stopped 42 shots as the Kraken blew a 2-0 lead and dropped to 2-4-2.

The Montreal Canadiens got an overtime goal from Cole Caufield in a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, who led 3-1 at one point before the Habs staged their comeback. Caufield and linemate Nick Suzuki each had a goal and two assists while Sam Montembeault turned aside 33 shots for the 4-2-1 Canadiens. Emil Bemstrom tallied twice while Jack Roslovic had a goal and two assists for the 3-2-2 Blue Jackets.

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 35 shots to backstop his club over the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 4-1. Nino Niederreiter and Mason Appleton each had a goal and an assist for the Jets (4-3-0) as they extended their win streak to three games. Lucas Raymond replied for the 5-2-1 Red Wings.

Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Jonas Johansson turned aside 23 shots for his second straight shutout in a 6-0 defeat of the San Jose Sharks. Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev and Nick Perbix each collected two points for the 4-2-2 Lightning. The Sharks are still seeking their first win of the season as they sank to 0-6-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lack of scoring punch has hampered the rebuilding Sharks. They’ve managed just eight goals thus far.

The Toronto Maple Leafs got a goal and an assist from Morgan Rielly to defeat the Dallas Stars 4-1. Joseph Woll made 31 saves as the Leafs improved to 5-2-0. Mason Marchment replied for the 4-1-1 Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury. He will be re-evaluated on Friday.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson snapped a 2-2 tie with a third-period goal as his club nipped the Ottawa Senators 3-2. Bo Horvat and Cal Clutterbuck gave the Islanders (3-2-1) a 2-0 first-period lead but the Senators (3-4-0) rallied to tie it on goals by Claude Giroux and Jakob Chychrun.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom was stretchered from the game in the second period when he struck his head on the ice following a hit by Clutterbuck. Following the game, the Senators released a statement indicating the blueliner was alert, had full use of his extremities, and was transported to a hospital for further observation and testing.

The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Minnesota Wild 6-2. Flyers rookie Bobby Brink scored the first two goals of his NHL career while Cam Atkinson had three assists and Travis Sanheim had a goal and two assists for the 4-2-1 Flyers. Dakota Mermis and Marcus Foligno replied for the Wild as they slipped to 3-3-1.

New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick made 29 saves to blank the Edmonton Oilers 3-0. Adam Fox, Braden Schneider and Artemi Panarin each collected two points as they improved to 5-2-0. The Oilers sank to 1-5-1 on the season.

St. Louis Blues netminder Joel Hofer stopped 27 shots for his first NHL shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames. Oskar Sundqvist had a goal and an assist for the Blues as they improved their record to 3-2-1. The Flames, meanwhile, dropped to 2-5-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the game, Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov offered a blunt apology for his club’s poor performance this season. “We’re playing like shit now,” he said.

It’s a grim time for Alberta’s NHL franchises. The Oilers entered this season considered among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup while the Flames were hoping to rebound from last season’s disappointing result.

HEADLINES

OTTAWA SUN: The NHL yesterday announced a 41-game suspension of Senators center Shane Pinto for activities that violated the league’s gambling rules.

In a statement, the league indicated that Pinto didn’t wager on NHL games but offered no insight into the reasons behind the lengthy suspension. However, league sources stated that Pinto’s online gambling account in the United States was flagged by a company that is a partner with the NHL because of unusual activity. They contacted the league, which launched an investigation into the matter. It’s believed they found evidence connecting Pinto to a third-party bettor.

The 22-year-old Senators center issued an apology in which he took full responsibility for his actions. Meanwhile, the NHL Players Association was aware of the investigation and will not be appealing the suspension.

Pinto remains a restricted free agent as he was in the midst of contract talks with the Senators before the suspension, which is retroactive to the start of the club’s season. The earliest he can return to action is Jan. 21 against the Philadelphia Flyers. However, it’s not expected he’ll be back that soon as he’ll need time with the Senators’ AHL affiliate to get back into game shape.

The Senators said they would welcome Pinto’s return following his suspension. They called him a “valued member of our hockey club” and will provide support for him to “address his issues.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL is criticized for not revealing the details that prompted Pinto’s lengthy suspension. There is also concern that he’s being punished by a league that has almost gone overboard with its recent embrace of legalized gambling. In addition, it raises questions about the NHL’s gambling policy regarding its players.

There are also questions over how Pinto’s suspension will affect his contract talks with the Senators and their efforts to free up cap space to sign him. I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumors update.

MLIVE.COM: Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron is mourning the shooting tragedy in Lewiston, Maine that left 18 people dead and many others wounded. Perron played his final year of junior hockey with the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2006-07 and still has friends in the area. 

THE SCORE: Zach Kassian announced his retirement after 12 NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Coyotes. In 661 regular-season games, Kassian had 92 goals and 111 assists for 203 points along with 913 PIMs. He also had nine points in 45 playoff games.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2023

by | Oct 25, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2023

Is it time for the Islanders to part ways with Anders Lee? Will the Senators sign or trade Shane Pinto? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE ISLANDERS TRADE OR BUY OUT ANDERS LEE?

THE ATHLETIC: In his recent mailbag segment, Arthur Staple was asked if it was time for the New York Islanders to start shopping team captain Anders Lee. Another asked if the 33-year-old winger might become a contract buyout candidate next summer.

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee (NHL Images).

Staple shot down the notion of trading Lee. He pointed out that his $7 million annual salary cap hit through 2025-26 means there won’t be any takers. Lee is also adjusting to a new spot in the lineup and isn’t seeing much power-play time.

As for a contract buyout next summer, it wouldn’t be the worst move cap-wise. The Isles would get a savings of $4.125 million for 2024-25 and $2.775 million for 2025-26, with dead cap space of $1.725 million for each of the final two years of the buyout. Nevertheless, Staple preached patience given Lee’s new role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I realize this isn’t a rumor but those questions could turn into genuine speculation regarding Lee depending on his performance over the course of this season. He has just one goal and two points in the Isles’ first five games of this season but he’s also coming off back-to-back 28-goal performances.

Lee’s been a consistent producer for the Isles since 2014-15, tallying 20-plus goals in seven of the past nine seasons. It’s far too early to start calling on management to trade him or buy him out.

If the Isles were to shop Lee this season they’ll have to retain a healthy chunk of his cap hit to facilitate a deal. That’s assuming he’s willing to waive his full no-trade clause for this season. They might have better luck next summer when the salary cap is expected to jump by $4 million plus Lee’s full no-trade becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1.

LATEST ON SHANE PINTO

TSN 1200 OTTAWA: On Monday, Dave Poulin dismissed the possibility of the Senators trading Shane Pinto rather than moving out someone else to clear cap space to sign the restricted free agent.

If the Senators were to trade Pinto they’re not going to want futures in return. They’ll want an established player and that means taking on salary. Poulin believes they’ll instead make a cost-cutting trade to free up sufficient cap space to sign the 22-year-old center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rumors persist that Senators general manager Pierre Dorion is trying to trade winger Mathieu Joseph or defenseman Erik Brannstrom. That move would shed sufficient cap dollars to sign Pinto to a one or two-year contract with an AAV between $2 million and $2.5 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 19, 2023

by | Oct 19, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 19, 2023

Josh Norris makes an impressive season debut with the Senators, the Red Wings down the Penguins and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar recently set a league record. Details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris scored twice in his season debut as his club trounced the Washington Capitals 6-1. Tim Stutzle had three assists and Drake Batherson had two helpers. John Carlsson scored Washington’s only goal while Alex Ovechkin has just one assist in his first three games and was held without a shot in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Norris had been sidelined since Jan. 21 by a shoulder injury. His return provides a big boost to their offense as well as bolster their depth at center. Meanwhile, Senators defenseman Artem Zub left the game in the third period after taking a puck to the side of his face. No word yet as to his condition but for now he could be considered day-to-day. Capitals forward Nic Dowd missed this game with an upper-body injury.

The Detroit Red Wings got two goals each from Alex DeBrincat and Andrew Copp in a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dylan Larkin had three assists and a fighting major as the Wings have won three straight games. Erik Karlsson had a goal and two assists for the Penguins.

IN OTHER NEWS…

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar set an NHL record for defensemen during their 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. With an assist on Logan O’Connor’s goal, he became the fastest blueliner to reach 250 career points. He did so in 241 games, beating out Hall-of-Famer Bobby Orr by six games.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets saw a significant drop in attendance in their first two home games of this season. There were roughly 2,000 empty seats for their season opener and over 4,000 for Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Average attendance at the 15,325-seat Canada Life Centre dropped to 14,025 last season. Their season-ticket base of 13,000 has dropped to less than 10,000.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if that trend continues over the course of this season.

The growing cost of attending NHL games in the league’s smallest market at a time when inflation has driven up the cost of living is one factor. The novelty of the NHL’s return could be finally wearing off for some of their fans. The Jets decline since reaching the 2018 Western Conference Finals could also be turning off some of their followers.

TSN: Speaking of the Jets, winger Gabriel Vilardi will miss the next four to six weeks with a sprained MCL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was speculation that the Jets might pursue a winger such as Vancouver’s Conor Garland if Vilardi’s injury was as serious as that of Montreal’s Kirby Dach, who’s out of the season with a knee injury.

The Jets currently have around $2.4 million in cap space. They have no reason to place Vilardi on long-term injury reserve until they’re acquiring someone with a higher cap hit than his $3.43 million. They could instead opt to make do with a call-up from their farm team until he returns.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators defenseman Luke Schenn will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a lower-body injury.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Minnesota Wild recalled forward Sammy Walker and placed defenseman Alex Goligoski (lower body) on long-term injury reserve.

CAROLINA HOCKEY NOW: The Hurricanes called up goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. The move comes after Frederik Andersen left Tuesday’s game against San Jose after taking a puck to the mask.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2023

by | Oct 18, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2023

What’s the latest Patrick Kane speculation? Could the Jets attempt to acquire Canucks winger Conor Garland? Which member of the Ducks could attract the most interest by the March trade deadline? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON PATRICK KANE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Pat Brisson, the agent for free-agent winger Patrick Kane, said his client is progressing well in his recovery from offseason hip surgery. He could be medically cleared to resume playing in early-to-mid November.

Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Brisson indicated that he doesn’t want to start speaking with teams until Kane is cleared to return or close to being cleared. About a dozen teams reached out on July 1 asking to be kept in the loop and several clubs have kept in touch.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports that it’s still open speculation as to where Kane might end up once he’s ready to return. The Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings could be among the suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’re now getting a clearer picture of when Kane will be ready to return to action. Until then, it’s anyone’s guess where he’ll end up.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the Sabres, Rangers and Red Wings mentioned as possible suitors or destinations for the future Hall-of-Famer. The Florida Panthers reportedly expressed an interest in him back in July while the New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights have also come up as possible landing spots. I’ve previously gone over my pros and cons of each club.

I daresay we’ll probably start hearing more about where Kane might land once the calendar flips to November.

COULD VILARDI INJURY PROMPT THE JETS TO PURSUE GARLAND?

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck noted that Jets winger Gabriel Vilardi suffered an apparent leg injury in Tuesday’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets. If the 23-year-old Vilardi is out for an extended period of time, Billeck believes it’ll be interesting to see how general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff addresses the issue.

The Jets were mentioned last week as a possible trade destination for Conor Garland. Billeck observed that the chatter linking them to the Vancouver Canucks winger had died down in recent days but a long-term injury to Vilardi could change that.

If Vilardi ends up on long-term injury reserve, it would free up some cap space to fit the 27-year-old Garland into the Jets’ lineup. The Canucks are believed willing to retain up to 30 percent of his $4.95 million average annual value. He’s signed through 2025-26.

Billeck also speculated that Cheveldayoff could look east toward the Ottawa Senators. They’re trying to free up cap room to re-sign restricted free agent Shane Pinto. It’s rumored winger Mathieu Joseph ($2.95 million annually through 2024-25) could be available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Joseph would be more affordable in terms of salary and return for the Jets if Vilardi ends up sidelined for a long period of time. We should learn more about his status in the next couple of days.

WHICH DUCKS COULD BE MOVED BY THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: In his 10 questions for the Anaheim Ducks in 2023-24, Eric Stephens wondered which players could be shopped by the March 8 trade deadline.

Stephens believes Adam Henrique would be their most attractive trade chip. He’s on an expiring contract and scored 20 goals in 62 games last season.

Winger Jakob Silfverberg is also a pending UFA but it wouldn’t be shocking if he finishes the season in Anaheim and returns to his native Sweden. Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin is another UFA after this season.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 15, 2023

by | Oct 15, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 15, 2023

Three teams are reportedly interested in Canucks winger Conor Garland, the Flyers are willing to take on big contracts from cap-strapped clubs plus the latest on Steven Stamkos, Noah Hanifin and Shane Pinto in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THREE CLUBS LINKED TO GARLAND

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators are among the teams believed to be interested in Conor Garland. The Vancouver Canucks recently gave permission to the 27-year-old winger’s agent to speak with other clubs about a trade.

Friedman claims the Canucks want to open up between $1 million and $2 million in cap space. They would prefer to get a defenseman in return for Garland, who carries an average annual value of $4.95 million through 2025-26 and lacks a no-trade clause in his contract.

Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have a logjam on defense and are reportedly speaking with teams about moving a blueliner. I suggested that Garland might be a fit if the Jackets are willing to move a right-shot rearguard like Adam Boqvist or Andrew Peeke.

The Jets have $2.3 million in cap space but I don’t think they have any right-shot rearguards they can spare. With $7.9 million in cap room, the Predators can easily absorb Garland’s cap hit. Dante Fabbro has come up in trade rumors over the past year or so but they could be reluctant to move him since he’s currently skating on their top defense pair.

FLYERS WILLING TO TAKE ON CONTRACTS FOR A PRICE

TSN: During an appearance on Friday with TSN 1200 in Ottawa, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere indicated his club might be willing to help cap-strapped teams looking to shed salary.

“I’ve talked to many teams, and I’ve let them know there’s a possibility for us to help them (clear up cap space) if they’re able to help us on the back end with some younger guys,” said Briere.

The Flyers have less than $1 million in cap space but could open up more room by placing players on long-term injury reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers currently have Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve.

A back injury has sidelined Ellis since November 2021 and he’s not expected to return to action. The Flyers haven’t had any need yet to place him on long-term injury reserve but could do so at any point this season if pressed for cap space. He carries an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Ristolainen was placed on IR with an undisclosed injury before the start of the season. He carries an AAV of $5.1 million. There’s no indication yet that his condition would warrant placing him on LTIR. If it does, that would create over $11 million in LTIR-generated cap room for the Flyers.

THE LATEST BLURBS ON STAMKOS AND HANIFIN

NEW YORK POST: With Mark Scheifele off next summer’s free-agent market, Larry Brooks wonders if the Boston Bruins might target Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos as a playoff rental target to address their first-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks was referring to Lightning management appearing to play hardball with Stamkos over a contract extension.

The Lightning could put Stamkos on the block near the March 8 trade deadline if they fall out of playoff contention and he agrees to waive his full no-movement clause. That’s unlikely but I don’t rule it out.

Stamkos, however, might not address the Bruins’ need at center. He’s played more as a left wing in recent years. He seems more comfortable in that position as it gives him better scoring opportunities with his one-timer.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Julian McKenzie was asked if Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy would “have the guts” to move Noah Hanifin at the trade deadline if the club was in a playoff spot at that time.

McKenzie doubted that Conroy would do it. He pointed out that the Flames core needs to be successful over the next few seasons. To do that, they need to add rather than subtract. He expects Conroy will be patient with Hanifin depending on how things work out with Elias Lindholm.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanifin has indicated that he remains open to a contract extension. In other words, he’s also going to be patient in gauging the Flames’ performance this season.

NO CHANGE IN PINTO’S STATUS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports there’s no change in Shane Pinto’s contract talks with the Ottawa Senators. It’s believed that the 22-year-old center has not asked for a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Senators fans seem to be growing impatient over management’s inability to get Pinto under contract. They chanted, “We want Pinto!” at one point during yesterday’s 5-2 home-opening win over the Philadelphia Flyers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 15, 2023

by | Oct 15, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 15, 2023

The Leafs’ Auston Matthews starts the season with consecutive hat tricks, Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner tallies a hat trick in his club’s home-opener, Mackenzie Blackwood turns in a 51-save debut with the Sharks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews collected his second straight hat trick in as many games to lead his club over the Minnesota Wild 7-4. William Nylander scored twice and collected an assist while Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly each had two helpers. Wild rookie Marco Rossi scored his first-ever NHL goal.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matt Boldy also scored for the Wild but he left the game in the third period with an upper-body injury following a hit by Rielly. He will be reevaluated on Sunday.

A natural hat trick by team captain Boone Jenner powered the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Johnny Gaudreau picked up two assists and rookie David Jiricek scored to collect his first-ever NHL point as Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent picked up his first win as an NHL bench boss. Adam Fox and Erik Gustafsson each had two points for the Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins left the game in the second period due to illness after making 24 saves. He was replaced by Spencer Martin for the remainder of the game. Earlier in the day, the Jackets placed winger Eric Robinson on waivers.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made 51 saves to steal a point as his club dropped a 2-1 shootout decision to the Colorado Avalanche. Cale Makar scored the tying goal in the third period, setting the stage for Mikko Rantanen’s shootout winner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackwood’s 51 saves were the most by a goaltender in their debut with a team since 1955-56.

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers for the second straight game with a 4-3 win as Sam Lafferty snapped a 3-3 tie in the third period. Casey DeSmith made 37 saves while Nils Hoglander had a goal and an assist for the Canucks. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a goal and two assists while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A better effort by the Oilers in this one compared to the 8-1 shellacking they received from the Canucks in their season opener. They outshot the Canucks 40-17 but costly defensive breakdowns and shaky goaltending from Stuart Skinner proved to be their undoing.

The Ottawa Senators got two goals and an assist from Jakob Chychrun to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. Brady Tkachuk also scored twice for the Senators and Claude Giroux picked up two assists. Travis Konecny had a goal and an assist for the Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In a pregame ceremony, the Senators honored Giroux for reaching his 1,000th career point on Oct. 10 against the Carolina Hurricanes. He netted most of those points during his tenure with the Flyers and was touched that the Senators chose this game against his former club to honor his achievement.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor scored twice and picked up an assist as his club held off the Florida Panthers 6-4. Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey each picked up two points for the Jets while Evan Rodrigues had two goals and two assists for the Panthers.

A two-goal performance by James van Riemsdyk carried the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist while Jeremy Swayman stopped 33 shots for the Bruins. Colton Sissons scored both times for the Predators.

The Detroit Red Wings upset the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-4. Alex DeBrincat scored two goals and added an assist while Moritz Seider and J.T. Compher each collected two points for the Wings. Steven Stamkos netted two goals and collected a helper for the Lightning.

Montreal Canadiens forward Sean Monahan scored what proved to be the game-winner as his club held on for a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Monahan finished with a goal and an assist, Tanner Pearson netted his first goal with the Canadiens and Samuel Montembeault turned aside 28 shots for the win. Tyler Johnson tallied both goals for the Blackhawks with rookie Connor Bedard picking up an assist, giving him points in his first three NHL games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens center Kirby Dach left the game in the first period after suffering a lower-body injury following a hit by Blackhawks defenseman Jarred Tinordi. He will be reevaluated on Sunday.

A five-goal third period carried the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. Jake Guentzel had a goal and two assists, Bryan Rust tallied twice and Alex Nedeljkovic kicked out 34 shots for the Penguins. Matt Coronato and Jonathan Huberdeau replied for the Flames.

The New York Islanders nipped the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 3-2. Brock Nelson had a goal and an assist while Ilya Sorokin got the win with a 26-save performance. Casey Mittelstadt and Zach Benson each had two points for the Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres felt that Casey Cizikas’ game-winner in the third period was knocked in by a high stick. When the video review confirmed the goal they launched a coach’s challenge claiming the Isles were offside but the officials disagreed after reviewing the play.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 30 shots and Robert Thomas scored in the shootout in a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Jordan Kyrou scored in regulation for the Blues as did Jaden Schwartz for the Kraken, who got a 24-save effort from goalie Joey Daccord.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly win for the Blues as winger Pavel Buchnevich left the game late in the first period with an upper-body injury. Blues coach Craig Berube said he didn’t know the extent of Buchnevich’s injury but he didn’t rule out a concussion. He will be reevaluated on Sunday.

Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson had a goal and two assists as his club rolled to a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore each had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights. Mason McTavish replied for the Ducks while John Gibson stopped 34 shots.

A goal by Jordan Martinook in the ninth round of the shootout lifted the Carolina Hurricanes over the Los Angeles Kings 6-5. Sebastian Aho scored shorthanded and picked up an assist for the Hurricanes while Anze Kopitar had two goals and Kevin Fiala picked up three assists for the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, Kings general manager Rob Blake told Bally Sports West that Viktor Arvidsson could require back surgery. The 30-year-old winger suffered the injury during practice on Monday and was placed on long-term injury reserve on Thursday.