The Golden Knights advance to the Western Conference Finals, an update on the Blue Jackets’ search for a new head coach, and more headlines today’s NHL Morning Coffee.
NHL.COM: The Vegas Golden Knights march on to the Western Conference Finals after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in Game 6 of a best-of-seven second-round series. Jonathan Marchesault hit a natural triple to erase the Oilers’ lead at 2-1 while Aden Hill hit 38 shots to seal the win. The Golden Knights face off against the winner of Game 7 of the night between the Dallas Stars and Seattle Kraken in Dallas.
Spectator’s note: The Golden Knights have reached the Western Conference Finals four times in their six-year history. They outgained the Oilers (18-9) at Even strengthHowever, he conceded a powerful goal from Adin Hill after Laurent Brossoit was sidelined with an injury in Game 4, and Oilers star Leon Draisaitl fell to just one point in four games after scoring six times in the first two contests.
Draisaitl wasn’t the only one struggling to score in the series. Evander Kane and Zack Hyman were apparently hampered by injuries as they only had one goal between them against Vegas. Ryan Nugent Hopkins also limited himself to one goal.
The oilers got shaky target Off Calder Cup finalist Stuart Skinner, who got the hook in Game 7 for the third time in the series. That raised questions about why coach Jay Woodcroft didn’t give Jack Campbell a start against Vegas at least. Campbell relieved Skinner four times in this postseason, as he finished with a 1.01 goals against average and 961 goals scored.
the athlete: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen hopes to hire a new coach before he departs on May 21 for the IIHF World Championships in Europe.
The Jackets did not ask permission from the New York Rangers to speak with Gerard Gallant after these two parted ways on May 6. Gallant still has a year left on his Rangers contract. He previously coached the Blue Team from 2003-04 to 2006-2007.
Hockey NewsSpeaking of the World Series, Washington Capitals defender Rasmus Sundin has made his presence felt playing for Sweden. He equalized with Austrian David Renbacher with a big check in the hip during yesterday’s match between the two countries.
Reinbacher is a prospect in this year’s class. He was Marginalized for the remainder of the game and will be subject to further evaluation.
Spectator’s note: Reinbacher is considered by some scouts to be a top ten prospect in this year’s class. It will be interesting to see if this injury affects his value in the draft should he be sidelined for the rest of the tournament.
SPORTSNET: Los Angeles-based producer Nico Sparks is said to have partnered with First Nations groups in Canada in his bid for the Ottawa Senator. A source said it was not a symbolic intervention but would give First Nations people a seat at the table. Rapper Snoop Dog is also among Sparks’ accomplices in his bid to buy the Senators. The deadline for submitting final bids is May 15th.
revision:
The 2023 third round pick that Carolina receives in this trade is actually the best of the three.
Carolina receives #FueledByPhilly 2023 third round trade pick Anthony DeAngelo. https://t.co/AmDLqy4CIB– CapFriendly (CapFriendly) May 13, 2023