The Canadiens take a 2-1 series lead over the Sabres, the Ducks tie their series with the Golden Knights, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines
RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION
NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens took a 2-1 lead over the Buffalo Sabres in their second-round series with a convincing 6-2 victory in Game 3. Alex Newhook tallied two goals for the second straight game, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky ended their goal-scoring droughts with assists from Lane Hutson, and Jakub Dobes stopped 26 shots for the Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook (NHL Images)
Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin replied for the Sabres. Game 4 is Tuesday in Montreal at 7 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since the third period of Game 1, Montreal has dominated Buffalo. While they’ve outscored the Sabres 11-3 during that stretch, it’s been their defensive game that has made the difference.
The Canadiens have taken to heart the lessons they learned against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. They aren’t giving the Sabres time and space to operate, they’re forcing turnovers, and they’re moving the puck well in all three zones. They’re also getting superb goaltending from Dobes, who has been their MVP of this postseason thus far.
The Sabres are a very good team, and they have the skill to reverse their fortunes. A win in Game 4 on Tuesday could change the complexion of this series heading back to Buffalo for Game 5. However, a loss in their next game, especially one as lopsided as the last two games, would be demoralizing.
The Anaheim Ducks nipped the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 to square their second-round series at two games apiece. Cutter Gauthier collected three assists, Beckett Sennecke and Alex Killorn tallied power-play goals, and Ian Moore’s first NHL playoff goal was the game-winner for the Ducks.
Mitch Marner also had three assists, Jack Eichel had two, and Brett Howden scored his seventh goal of the postseason for the Golden Knights.
Game 5 will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday at 9:30 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks finally broke through on the power play after being stymied through the first three games. They also outshot and outhit the Golden Knights in this contest. Those three assists by Gauthier were his first points of this series and couldn’t have come at a better time for his club.
The Golden Knights played this game without team captain Mark Stone. The two-way winger was sidelined by an undisclosed injury suffered during Game 3 on Friday. There was no word as to whether he’ll return to action for Game 5.
IN OTHER NEWS…
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Lineup changes could be coming for the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of their second-round series with the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.
The Avalanche hold a 2-1 lead in the series, but they haven’t received much production from second-line forwards Valeri Nichushkin and Brock Nelson. They each have one empty-net goal in the past seven games.
Sidelined defenseman Josh Manson and forward Joel Kiviranta might be ready to return to the lineup.
NHL.COM’s Bill Meltzer reports hearing that Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett was dealing with a sports hernia during their series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Defenseman Cam York played through a rib fracture, and center Christian Dvorak had a separated shoulder.
SPORTSNET: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini was named captain of Team Canada in the upcoming IIHF World Championship. Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares and Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly will serve as alternate captains.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s quite an honor for the 20-year-old Celebrini. He established himself as an elite player in just two NHL seasons.
DAILY FACEOFF: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Faulk was named captain of Team USA in the IIHF World Championship. Seattle Kraken blueliner Ryan Lindgren and Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets are the alternates.