NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 25, 2024
The Kings tie their series with the Oilers, the Bruins regain the lead over the Leafs, and the Golden Knights widen their lead over the Stars. Get the details plus the latest news from around the league in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar scored his first playoff overtime goal since 2012 in a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, tying their opening-round best-of-seven series at a game apiece. Kopitar also collected two assists and Adrian Kempe tallied twice for the Kings. Oilers forward Dylan Holloway scored his first two NHL playoff goals. The series moves to Los Angeles for the next two games with Game 3 slated for Friday, Apr. 26 at 10:30 pm EDT.
Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings recovered well from their 7-4 blowout loss in Game 1, reminding everyone that this series could be another slog like the last two between these clubs. The 36-year-old Kopitar set franchise records with his third playoff overtime goal and was the club’s oldest player to score an overtime postseason goal.
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand scored the winning and insurance goals to lead his club over the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2, taking a 2-1 lead in their first-round series. Trent Frederic and Jake DeBrusk also scored and Jeremy Swayman stopped 28 shots for the Bruins. Matthew Knies and Tyler Bertuzzi replied for the Leafs. Game 4 is in Toronto on Saturday, Apr. 27 at 8 pm EDT.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the game, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe claimed Marchand was getting favorable calls from the referees. This is the same Brad Marchand who is the most suspended player in NHL history, whose reputation rarely sees him get the benefit of the doubt from on-ice officials.
Keefe is justified to be upset over Marchand getting away with a blatant trip on Tyler Bertuzzi leading to Frederic’s game-tying goal. The officiating was lousy in this game. However, the Leafs have themselves to blame for this loss. They failed to score with five power-play opportunities while the Bruins went two for three with the man advantage. Toronto goaltender Ilya Samsonov was shaky in this game after a solid effort in Game 2.
The Vegas Golden Knights expanded their series lead to 2-0 over the Dallas Stars with a 3-1 victory in Game 2 of their first-round series. Jonathan Marchessault, Noah Hanifin and Jack Eichel were the goal scorers and Logan Thompson stopped 20 shots for the Golden Knights. Jason Robertson scored for the Stars. The series moves to Las Vegas for the next two games with Game 3 on Saturday at 10:30 pm EDT.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The good news for the Stars was they scored the opening goal, something that’s been an issue for them throughout this season. The bad news is the Golden Knights rallied back while neutralizing the Stars’ offense.
Stars forwards Mason Marchment and Radek Faksa left the game with injuries in the third period. Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.
PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce is expected to miss the remainder of his club’s first-round series with the New York Islanders. He suffered a non-contact lower-body injury in Game 2 on Monday. The Hurricanes hold a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series.
NEW YORK POST: Speaking of the Islanders, Ilya Sorokin will replace Semyon Varlamov in goal for Game 3 on Thursday.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers center Sam Bennett (hand injury) will miss Games 3 and 4 of his club’s series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s expected to be sidelined for a week.
IN OTHER NEWS…
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks fired head coach David Quinn on Wednesday. He had a record of 41-98-25 in two seasons with the rebuilding Sharks after 96-87-25 with the New York Rangers from 2018 to 2021.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks went 19-54-9 this season but that’s not on Quinn. The roster was gutted during the offseason and further depleted by injuries to core players Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl, with the latter traded to the Golden Knights at the trade deadline.
Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News included former NHL bench bosses Craig Berube, Dean Evason, Gerard Gallant and Jay Woodcroft among his possible candidates to replace Quinn.
NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek indicated his club could name a new captain for next season. The position has been vacant since Ryan Getzlaf’s retirement in 2022.
THE SALT LAKE CITY TRIBUNE: A capacity crowd at the Delta Center welcomed former Arizona Coyotes players, coaches and management as they were welcomed to Salt Lake City for the first time. The Coyotes are moving to Utah and will play in the Delta Center starting next season.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators still hope to make a deal with Ottawa’s National Capital Commission to build a new downtown arena at LeBreton Flats. However, hurdles remain for both sides to get a deal done.
Negotiations are ongoing between the two sides. The Senators are concerned about room for public parking on the site. They also hope to have space for an arena district with bars and restaurants.
STARTRIBUNE.COM: Al Shaver, the play-by-play voice of the Minnesota North Stars from the club’s inception in 1967-68 until their relocation to Dallas in 1993, died on Monday at age 96.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Shaver’s family, friends, colleagues, and North Stars fans who enjoyed his coverage of their team.
No, both Bert and Brad should have sat in the box for their scuffle. It started in the Trono zone with both going to the ice, and Marchand just got the better of Bertuzzi at the end on the other side of the blue line. Yeah, I don’t like it when the officials put their whistles in their pocket, but that seems the way they do playoff hockey. They either ignored or simply missed a lot of calls both ways, but if the Fredrick goal did not happen, the Bert and brad incident would mostly have been ignored.
The Leafs-Boston game last night featured something that happens frequently in games – certainly frequent enough that someone in the broadcast booth or between periods will mention it … and it makes you wonder what the sequence of events are that triggers it. And that began at 11.25 of the 3rd when Bertuzzi scored the tying goal …only to see the crowd euphoria – inside and out – wilt when Marchand replied 28 seconds later.
Does this happen because the scored-upon team doubles their efforts while the team that just scored “relaxes” their attention to checking? Combination of both?
Maybe we need the input of team psychologists – lol. But talk about playing the pent-up emotions of the crowd!
If I were coaching and my team scored a crucial goal like Bertuzzi’s late in the game, I’d call a time-out and make it clear that I want my players on the ice to double-down on their checking efforts.
Meanwhile, another Canada-based team blows home-ice advantage in Edmonton, while my early pick to go all the way now heads to Vegas down 2-0 in their series.
George what this series is really showing other than what you’ve said has happened a lot so far, is the special teams play…Toronto is 1 for 11 or something amazing like that whereas Boston is sporting a stunning 5 for 10 with the man advantage. I’m sure when there is that much of a gap in special teams, someone is gonna lose big time every time. In a goal scoring contest like hockey is, if you can’t score with a man advantage situation you’re not gonna win no matter what. Too bad tho, the games are getting to be a bit more fun to watch the tighter they get.
That deflating Marchand goal aside, that was a damned good game beginning to end with both goalies at top form and keeping their teams in the game throughout.
But yeah – those special team stats are eye-opening. Does this make Nylander’s value rise a notch or two?
Your balanced commentary is praiseworthy, Ron. Yep, special team play often determines the outcome.
But injuries are also VIP. Marner has come back from a high ankle sprain, which are notoriously difficult. And then there is Nylander. Two significant factors in the series so far.
Re the blurb above that the Senators and the NCC are still talking about a downtown arena where Lyle observes “hurdles remain for both sides to get a deal done.” Hurdles? When you’re dealing with the federal bureaucracy those hurdles make the Great Wall Of China look like a picket fence. This back and forth crap began TEN years ago with previous team owner Eugene Melnyk, and he’s been dead for two years:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/eugene-melnyk-senators-owner-calls-new-arena-idea-game-changer-1.2874033
Yes, but Melnyk also messed things up with his aggressive stance during negotiations before his death. His passing put things on hold while the Senators sorted out their ownership situation.
I realize that aspect, Lyle. In fact I think I commented on it years ago in this site.
But TEN years without anything being resolved? Many of the more senior bureaucrats at the NCC who had this “file” at the beginning are probably retired – or dead.
My caustic opinion of the bureaucracy was not developed from afar – I spent 35 years with the federal Immigration program (towards the latter part of my career on the Enforcement aspect), and the main irritant – for me anyway – was dealing with fellow bureaucrats at Health & Welfare, Revenue Canada (Customs), National Archives, and those at various provincial programs – and believe me, there were times when it was agonizingly frustrating.
I’m not doubting your experience with the bureaucracy, George. Nevertheless, Melnyk’s hardline stance during those negotiations was the biggest factor that slowed any progress toward getting a deal. His death stalled the process. The good news is it seems things are moving along with Andlauer, including talk of alternative locations within or around the city for an arena if LeBreton Flats fails to work out.
I truly hope he does look elsewhere … and soon. As Dark G note, the area near the Vanier Parkway looks ideal, as does the train yards, not that far from LeBreton.
What he does not want to do is settle for an area where parking space is non-existent (as is LeBreton, un;ess some other adjacent land-clearing project is approved) and have to rely on fans being happy with riding a light rail system that, year after year after year, can’t operate in the winter months without some major problem, including having the trains stay on the bloody tracks!
The Bruins scored so quickly because Keefe rolled the dice (with last change) and left the scoring line out there following an intense 40 second shift. It almost paid off as the Leafs charged into the Bruins zone and got a give away…but then….down the ice they went. I liked the phantom call on Tavares in the final minute. LOL couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
I watch a lot of Bruins hockey. My kid is a fan. The refs hate the Bruins. They can’t stand Marchand. He makes their life hard every game. I don’t think they’re letting him get away with any more than their letting both teams play. Which goes back to one team just wanting it more than the other.
“public parking” LOL…good one. There isn’t any. There won’t be any. Everyone will ride the train to go to the games. Except they wont. Terrible location for the new rink. Easily one of the most corrupt government agencies. They’re currently using our tax dollars to buy up any and all land in Chelsea including an old golf course. Curiously to turn it back into “greenspace”. I don’t think so. Nobody will be around to see the geo survey team roll in and see what’s under the ground in prime Canadian Shield rock.
For me. The Sens should deal with public works and look at the site of the old (near abandoned) RCMP HQ at Vanier. It’s right on a major artery. Plenty of room for parking. Hotel and conference center agacent. Nearly direct center between Orleans, Kanata, Barhaven and Gatineau. Build a sky walkway across Vanier Pkwy to the conference center. Get some kind of a tie in buy in by either Hampton or Marriot to upgrade those to five stars. You’ll have all the NHL business right there. Baseball diamond parking gets new life. And so on…don’t get in bed with the NCC.
The Leafs lost this game themselves. The whole referee thing goes back to the last two playoff series between both teams. Culminating with Chara absolutely suckering Tavares right in front of the ref.
Time to let it go. I’m a life long Leafs fan. Forget this game and move on. Just be happy Wes McCauley isn’t doing this series.
In terms of a “let down” by a team who just battled back to even a game, only to allow the other team to restore their lead; yes, I have seen the Avalanche do that numerous times. It is devastating. You battle so hard to get back in the game only to give it all back. It is definitely something you have to be on guard about and if it requires psychological help, I am all for discussing it within the room. Maybe if you stress these things in between games during practice you wouldn’t have to squander your time out. But yes, it can be a real problem IMO.
It definitely is a real problem tommy boy, and it’s been around for as long as I’ve been watching hockey – which goes back to the early 1950s.
As I say above, I can’t understand why more coaches don’t call an immediate time-out when they score a late, crucial goal to either tie it or go ahead, and make sure everyone understands the absolute need to double-down. I don’t care it some see it as a waste of a time-out. Nothing takes your home crowd out of a game faster than a less than 40 seconds response goal.
You are right George O, I can recall some devastating examples for the Avalanche! They lost a game 7 to Minnesota, I think in either 2012 or 13? Scored go ahead goal late in 3rd with all the momentum only to give it right back approx 1 minute later because they thought they had it in the bag. In the “bubble” same thing against Dallas. Big time goal in Game 7 late only to give it right back, then lose in OT. And, I have seen them do it several times in regular season games over the years. It is a big problem and it is psychological. Yeah, if you have to use the time out, do it. Also, I think it could be addressed in between as a lack of discipline issue overall by coach/ players beforehand somehow?
Pretty sure the Leafs lead the league in the “beat themselves” category.
Not even close imo.
the leafs & Bruins Early game last night was an other tight game,
both goaltender played Great,
The leafs stoped picking up there man in the final period, Brad got the better of Bert last night he is a master at that…. leafs need to hit more, Final penaty call on Tavares was not good with under 2 minutes to go the Ref missed so many calls for both team then to call that on with under 2 minutes to go was Brutal……⁉️
Oilers & kings late game
was close both Goaltenders did not play well
young Skinner let in a few soft ones….
Oilers d/man Nurse was invisible yet again last night…❗️ he is playing with the Glass half full 2nd game in a row…..( BRUTAL)
young Hollwood scored 2 very nice goals the kid is starting to play very well,
Evander Kane was also invisible last night maybe time to sit him down❓
My $1 bet on the Leafs worked
Side show … watching Marchand & Bert go at it every time both are on the ice together is a game in itself, Bert 4” taller and probably at least 15 lbs heavier, but BM has the quickness this will continue though out the series …..
Lyle not quite sure what you’re watching? “blatant trip” or was it a “blatant dive” Just like the high stick McAvoy took to the face with the ref standing their. Blatant i would say but not called.
This is the second time now that Keefe has mention Marchand during interviews, keep trying i guess.
The scrum between Marchand and Bertuzzi was fun and entertaining, it was away from the play the ref decided to call nothing, seem similar plays a lot that the ref just let them go because it just two guys battling and trading shots.
In the end the power plays were 5 to 3 for Toronto
Bertuzzi is just what the doctor order, man he got Marchand involved i haven’t seen that much emotion out of Marchand in a long time, was great to watch.
Max Domi, thank you, your bump into Swayman during the commercial time out, had the reverse effect then what you were hoping for; it brought the Bruins energy and forecheck to a higher level and it certainly made the game much more exciting after that point.
Two of Boston Dman Lohrei and Wotherspoon playing in their first playoff game. Both were solid; unfortunately for Lohrei took a penalty on Matthews grabbing his stick and falling down on his own. Good veteran play by Matthews.
I think Boston goes back to Swayman for game 4 and starts Ullmark in Game 5
Agreed re Domi, Caper. The game before he took a needless stick penalty on Marchant.
Domi is on his 7th team now, and one has to wonder if his temper and dubious judgement are the reasons no team wants him for long.
At times he makes Nazem Kadri’s notorious gaffes while with the Leafs look minor.
I mean, this guy has been in the league for 9 seasons and on 7 different teams.
With a career 82-game average of 16g 35a 51 pts and just coming off a cap-friendly $3 mil, you’d think he’d have settled nicely somewhere along the way.
His stats are quite decent, but not to the extent where he can be allowed to do things HE thinks will get into an opponent’s head sufficiently to put them off their game. Not when he’s targeting top-echelon types lie Swayman and Marchand, for Pete’s sake.
Ya boys, the Little Ball of Hate is in the Leafs kitchen bangin’ the pots and pans again. Domi and Bertuzzi, being mentored to this game inside the game, being the marks. They asked for it too, Domi on the opening faceoff of the series, Bert with the cheap shot slash after the whistle on the back of Marchand’s leg. Getting schooled by the master invisible man.
As discussed prior Caper, B’s need to defend, have the better tender, win the special teams to win any playoff series. They’ve done that in 2 out of 3. Last night was the best they played at 5 on 5 this series IMO. They won more puck battles and limited the Leafs home plate chances to a small #. Low scoring event, high emotion, smart, physical hockey.
Ref missed as many calls against the B’s as they did against the Leafs, maybe more. The Tavares penalty wasn’t a phantom call, he held him, what the ref missed was Lindholm squeezing Tavares stick between his legs. Took one for the team there!
Stick tap to the top 3 D for the B’s. Outstanding last night. Carlo and Lindholm playing big shut down minutes together, and Charlie carrying shifts with 2 others. Wotherspoon did well on his own, that guy can do the hard, sometimes painful stuff. The Leafs 2nd goal was a lucky bounce (2 actually) and not Lindholms fault.
Hope Lohrei bought McAvoy dinner last night. That giveaway easily could have lead to a Leafs lead/win if Charlie doesn’t read and make that play to prevent the goal. Down the other way it goes, go ahead goal by Marchand. That could have been crushing for the kid. Instead it’s a lesson learned with a sigh of relief. Crazy 2 shifts of hockey.
Stick tap McAvoy, great game by the top 3 D. Keep poking the Leafs Brad, start giving it to Marner and Matthews while your at it.
Or is Marner even out there?
Sorry Leaf Fans, had to get one shot in while I can. This series can still go the other way very easily.
Ray, to this observer anyway, Marner is trying to function on one good leg – those high-ankle sprains are TOUGH to come back from aside from a full summer to recuperate. Add that to the continued absence of one of the Leafs best clutch scorers – Nylander – who remains out with the ubiquitous “undisclosed injury” and the pp is non-existent.
Which 1 for 11 says in spades
Ya George, I know the story with Marner, said it anyway to poke some fun at the Leaf fans.
They really miss Nylander, especially on the PP. Take away the lane from Marner to Matthews and let the other guys beat you. Willie can make you pay for that and force them not to cheat. He can create with the puck on his stick to create passing lanes and he can shoot it.
Having it linger for a few more days would be ideal. Whatever the heck it is. It must be fairly serious as the guy doesn’t miss games, like hardly ever. Durable dude.
My thoughts exactly on the Nylander situation. Three games in and no sign of him even skating suggests he’s out long term.
Yeah, Sheldon Keefe trying to game officials is a joke. The leafs definitely got the benefit of some questionable calls, and at least a couple of times similar infractions by leafs players were missed or not called. At this point, the refs may as well put the whistles away, because they clearly can’t set a standard and stick to it. And the borderline calls just incentivize the players to try to sell every potential call. It was ugly. I’m not a fan of either team here, but Keefe’s whining alone is enough to make me pull for the bruins.
Keefe has to STFU and lead the team properly, which he just can’t do.
Boston isn’t the big bad bruins of yesteryear and the little ball of hate is skilled and should be dealt with skill.
TML are faster, more skilled, better scorers weaker only in net.
Aside from goaltending the Bruins are better in one category coaching. Montgomery sets the system, keeps his cool, has the players confidence and breeds success.
In fact he makes them overachieve as pound for want they aren’t very good.
Keefe on the other hand, can’t settle on a system ,loses his head, keeps players on tenterhooks and breeds failure/
The TML are pound for pound far superior to the Bruins, and far superior to their recent playoff record.
It’s easy to hop on Domi, Reaves but it’s up to Keefe to define their roles and these guys know how to follow orders.
HB30 i agree with most of what you’re saying except for Toronto having the better D.
Toronto doesn’t have a comparable top 3 on defense.
McAvoy, Lindholm and Carlo compared to Reilly, McCabe and Edmundson/Liljegren
Fair point HF30, Keefe does seem to be wound pretty tight. Plenty of red face when the camera pans to him.
If they go coach hunting this off season, Berube seems like the type of guy that could have success there.
One of the smartest play of the Boston-Toronto game last night came late in the second period.
Charlie McAvoy in the penalty box 18:38 and then there was delayed call coming on Tyler Bertuzzi; Boston had the puck and kept passing it in their d zone as Toronto wasn’t putting in pressure on them, it allowed the bruins to maintain the puck and essentially killing off an additional 30 to 40 seconds of Toronto Power Play. That allowed Boston to have that extra time on their own power play, which Debrusk scored on in the 1:07 into the third period. That extra time may have given the bruins a comfort of not rushing the play.
It was a small play but a very important one.
Every time I hear about another team firing a coach, I think to myself… Staios is waiting too long… the competition for coaches is growing!
I really hope they go with a truly experienced coach this time… I am sick of the Cory Cloustons and Hartsburg types…
Correction theSaint … ” Cory Cloustons, Hartsburg and D. J. Smith types… “
I don’t think the experienced types, who have had success and accumulated some bank want to be the guys at the beginning of the rebuild.
I would think they turn down some offers, especially if they are still getting paid. Pretty sure Berube isn’t taking the SJ gig unless he gets an 8 yr, big $$ deal like Babcock did.
But OTT is, or should be, nearing the end of the rebuild. They seem like a team ready for the next step, so methinks plenty of good coaches would like to take a stab at getting them over the hump. I think they get there with the right guy.
I was thinking Woodcroft, but Staios worked with him in Edmonton and hasn’t done it yet, so makes you wonder why. His record is fantastic.
Maybe he simply has a process, wanted to see what he has and let a guy he trusts – Martin – assist in that process. The offseason is usually when there are the most available.
Keefe just stirring the pot
Bruins in no way had the overall benefit of the doubt
Many calls missed on both sides. Leafs got away with 2 separate blatant high sticks (let’s not forget that Linesmen can call high sticking infractions, so 4 men missed high sticking…. Twice!)
Bruins got away with a a blatant hook and a blatant trip
Both teams got burned, both teams also benefited from the inconsistency in reffing
To me the infractions were even; yet Bruins assessed 5 Penalties to Leafs 3
Marchand/Bertuzzi…. Both should have gotten a penalty. Note: Bertuzzi started it
Favourable calls (plural) to Marchand ? Tavares got but one penalty , could easily have had 3
Bruins overall the better team, deserved the win
Transparency , although I am not a Bruins fan; I certainly like them better than Leafs
Sending us their failed GM was a kick in the gnads