NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 28, 2025
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 28, 2025
The Oilers take a commanding lead in the Western Conference Final, the latest coaching hires, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
OILERS DEFEAT STARS, TAKE 3-1 SERIES LEAD IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers took a stranglehold on the Western Conference Final with a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 4 on Tuesday, taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry each had a goal and an assist, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid each collected two assists, and Stuart Skinner stopped 28 shots for the Oilers. Jason Robertson replied for the Stars.

Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (NHL Images).
Edmonton winger Zach Hyman left the game in the first period, favoring his right shoulder and arm following a hit from Stars winger Mason Marchment. He will be reevaluated on Wednesday.
Oilers winger Viktor Arvidsson returned to the lineup, replacing the sidelined Connor Brown. Backup goalie Calvin Pickard also returned after being sidelined since Game 2 of the Oilers’ second-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm remained out with an undisclosed injury suffered on Apr. 11, but is getting closer to returning.
Stars center Roope Hintz returned to action after being sidelined with a lower-body injury in Game 2.
The Oilers can wrap things up on Thursday as the series returns to Dallas for Game 5.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nugent-Hopkins became the seventh player in NHL playoff history to record multiple points in each of the first four games of the round before the Stanley Cup Final, and the first to do so in 37 years. Meanwhile, Perry tied four Hall-of-Famers (Teemu Selanne, Mark Recchi, Ron Francis and Jean Beliveau) for the most goals in a single postseason (six) by a player aged 39 or older.
Two of Edmonton’s goals in this game came on the power play. They’ve netted at least one goal with the man advantage in every game in this series. The Oilers have also done a good job shutting down Dallas’ offense since Game 1. They continue to get solid goaltending from Stuart Skinner while their defense leads the Stars in blocked shots since the opening game.
LATEST ON THE HURRICANES AND PANTHERS
YAHOO! SPORTS: The Carolina Hurricanes picked up their first Eastern Conference Final win since 2006 with their 3-0 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 4. They’ll try to stave off elimination again in Game 5 on home ice in Raleigh on Wednesday at 8 pm ET.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Sidelined Panthers Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola and A.J. Greer took part in an informal skate on Tuesday. It remains to be seen if any of them suit up for Game 5.
LATEST COACHING HIRES AND RUMORS
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa reports a league source claims that Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love and Ontario Reign head coach Marco Sturm are among the finalists for the Boston Bostons’ head-coaching position.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Ian Laperriere will no longer be the head coach of the Flyers’ AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley. He’ll now serve as an advisor to the Flyers’ hockey operations department.
TSN: Former New York Rangers assistant coach Michael Peca has joined the Chicago Blackhawks as an assistant coach. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen will return as an assistant coach.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils hired Brad Shaw as an assistant coach. He served last season with the Flyers as an assistant coach and interim bench boss.