Recapping Tuesday’s action, Flyers GM Daniel Briere addresses the “noise” about Matvei Michkov and head coach Rick Tocchet, Sam Bennett is named to Team Canada, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning (36-14-4) remained atop the Eastern Conference with 76 points following a 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. Jake Guentzel tallied the game-winner while Nikita Kucherov extended his points streak to nine games with a goal and three assists. Mattias Samuelsson tallied twice for the 32-18-6 Sabres.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have been red hot since Dec. 20, going 18-1-1 in their last 20 games.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s lower-body injury will force him to miss the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. Team Finland named Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo as Luukkonen’s replacement.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis scored two goals, and team captain Jordan Staal snapped a 3-3 tie to nip the Ottawa Senators 4-3. Sebastian Aho netted his 20th goal of the season and collected two assists for the Hurricanes (35-15-6) as they kept pace with the Lightning with 76 points. Jake Sanderson had a goal and an assist for the 27-22-7 Senators as their four-game win streak ended.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes lead the Metropolitan Division. They are second in the Eastern Conference because the Lightning holds two games in hand.
The New York Islanders got two goals and an assist from Bo Horvat, including the winner in overtime, in a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mathew Barzal had a goal and two assists, and rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer had a goal and an assist for the 31-21-5 Islanders. Justin Brazeau had a goal and an assist, and Anthony Mantha tallied his 20th goal of the season for the Penguins (28-15-12).
Elvis Merzlikins made 24 saves to backstop the Columbus Blue Jackets to their sixth straight win by shutting out the New Jersey Devils 3-0. Mathieu Olivier tallied twice for the Blue Jackets (28-20-6), who are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games. Jacob Markstrom stopped 23 of 25 shots as the 28-26-2 Devils have dropped four of their last five contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Blue Jackets announced the promotions of Rick Nash to director of player personnel and development and Chris Clark to assistant general manager. Clark retains his position as GM of their AHL affiliate in Cleveland.
The Toronto Maple Leafs got two goals from Matias Maccelli in a 5-2 upset of the Edmonton Oilers. John Tavares tallied the winning goal as the Leafs (27-21-9) picked up their third straight win. Jake Walman and Kasperi Kapanen replied for the 28-21-8 Oilers.
A power-play goal by Jamie Drysdale snapped a 2-2 tie as the Philadelphia Flyers doubled up the Washington Capitals 4-2. Rasmus Ristolainen had a goal and an assist for the Flyers (25-20-10) as they ended a four-game winless skid (0-3-1). Anthony Beauvillier had a goal and an assist for the 28-23-7 Capitals as their three-game win streak ended.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere addressed the “noise” regarding recent critical comments by head coach Rick Tocchet regarding winger Matvei Michkov’s conditioning at the start of the season and his ice time.
Briere stated that Michkov isn’t going anywhere, explaining that the sophomore winger is going through the usual ups and downs that young players encounter early in their careers. He said Michkov and Tocchet have a good relationship, and that the club is doing everything it can to help the youngster succeed.
The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-2, snapping the latter’s four-game win streak. Lukas Dostal made 26 saves while Jansen Harkins and Jackson LaCombe each collected two assists for the 30-23-3 Ducks. Jordan Eberle and Tye Kartye replied for the Kraken (26-20-9).
HEADLINES
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers center Sam Bennett has been named to Team Canada as a replacement for sidelined Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli.
THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil is sidelined indefinitely amid concerns he’s suffered another concussion after leaving Monday’s game against the Utah Mammoth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chytil has suffered several concussions during his NHL career. It’s reached the point where he must seriously consider ending his playing career for the sake of his long-term health.
DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks placed forward Ryan Reaves (upper body) on injured reserve.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens placed winger Sammy Blais on waivers. If he clears, he’ll report to their AHL affiliate in Laval.
THE ATHLETIC: In the latest player poll by The Athletic, Quebec City came second as the city that those polled believed should be the next to get an NHL franchise.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quebec City is a great hockey town with an NHL-ready arena, but it’s also too small for the league’s taste. The only way they’ll get a franchise is if there becomes an urgent need to relocate one, and that’s a long shot at best.
TORONTO SUN: Former NHL defenseman Jim Morrison passed away at the age of 94. He spent nearly seven of his 12-season NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Morrison’s first tenure in the league was from 1951-52 to 1960-61 with the Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. After several seasons in the AHL with the Quebec Aces and Baltimore Clippers, he spent two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1969-70 to 1970-71.
In 704 NHL regular-season games, Morrison had 40 goals and 160 assists for 200 points, and 12 points in 36 playoff games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Morrison’s friends, family, and former teammates.