Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Points Piling Up For The Nashville Predators

03/22/2024 at 10:28am EDT

from Zach Gilcriest of the Predators website,

History has been made.

Kevin Lankinen earned his first shutout in Gold and Filip Forsberg scored twice as the Nashville Predators defeated the Florida Panthers, 3-0, to establish a franchise record 16-game point streak (14-0-2) on Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena.

“It was a great effort from the whole team,” Lankinen said. “[Florida] is one of the best teams in the League right now and we went head-to-head and out-battled and out-played them. That shows a lot of character, shows what kind of team we are. It's just so much fun to be a part of this and I’m really proud of the guys.”

“I think for our group, for [Lankinen] to come in and play as he did, and everybody, it's next man up and we're happy for the group,” Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette said. “We played probably the best team in the League tonight and I thought we played our game, we stayed true to us, and again, we're building for this kind of success as we go forward.”

The result bolstered Nashville’s first Wild Card position and moved the team to 41-25-4 on the season and 22-10-3 on the road.

With a 5-10-0 record to begin their season, few could have predicted the heater the Predators would ultimately be on at this time of year. Even fewer could have predicted a franchise record-breaking 16-game point streak.

And yet, the Predators have done it.

“We’ve kind of found our identity and we’re enjoying what we bring every night,” Brunette said. “And when you have joy in what you're doing, if you enjoy the work, enjoy the grind, that usually puts you in a pretty good spot. So, it's been a heck of a run. We’ll enjoy this, and then we’ve got to go back to work on Saturday.”

continued

Let's Regroup

03/22/2024 at 7:43am EDT

from Shayna Goldman of The Athletic,

Is three-on-three overtime broken?

That’s what NHL general managers were tasked with deciding when they met this week in Florida.

No proposals for rule changes were ultimately made, but it was on the docket for a reason. The conversation was sparked in November, when all 32 general managers and league representatives met in Toronto.

Much of the discussion on overtime revolved around the idea of regroups, and whether they were starting to bring down the excitement level that three-on-three play can bring at its best. Early ideas for change included limiting regroups to the red line, adding a shot clock or penalizing teams with a loss in possession for intentionally leaving the offensive zone with the puck.

While there may be room for improvement with overtime, the NHL rightfully avoided a step in the wrong direction here.

The big question the NHL has to figure out is what about the current overtime system is holding the game back.

If the answer is players regrouping often, then the evidence would have to be that offensive creation and goal scoring are down.

In three-on-three action — excluding special-teams time in overtime — teams are generating offense at a rate of 9.7 expected goals for per 60. That is the second-lowest rate since 2020-21. The difference from years past is that scoring chances aren’t as concentrated in the slot area, but expand more throughout the entire home plate.

continued ($)

NHL Short Notes

03/22/2024 at 3:36am EDT

* The Art Ross Trophy race heated up as Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid notched their fourth and fifth four-assist outings of the season, respectively. The 2023-24 campaign became the first season to feature multiple players with at least four such performances since 1990-91.

* Artemi Panarin reached the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career with his third hat trick of the season and helped the Rangers move within one point of the Bruins for first place in the League standings. His three-goal showing brought AstraZeneca’s contribution to the Hockey Fights Cancer Fund of the V Foundation up to $495,000 – one hat trick shy of their donation goal this season.

* Alex Ovechkin will look to record multiple goals for a third straight game when the Capitals clash with the Hurricanes on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and NHL Network in the first of four contests scheduled for Friday.

Toronto Maple Leafs Lost To Carolina Hurricanes In Explosive Saturday Showdown While A Familiar Face Watched On

03/21/2024 at 5:30pm EDT

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost a hotly-contested game to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Newly acquired Jake Guentzel scored the only goal of the ensuing shootout to help his team win 5-4 after Carolina stormed back from a deficit.

Tom Wilson Has Been Offered An In-Person Hearing

03/21/2024 at 1:01pm EDT

How to Read and Understand Hockey Stats

03/21/2024 at 12:00pm EDT

Modern sports are very different to how they were played decades ago. Even if the rules of hockey haven’t changed much, the way athletes and coaches prepare for games and the way we as fans watch the sports are completely different. One of the biggest things that’s changed is the growing importance of statistics. Over the years, coaches, athletes and broadcasters have paid greater attention to stats and what they mean for the game.

NHL Short Notes

03/21/2024 at 1:38am EDT

* The NHL entered the final 30 days of its regular season with Jason Robertson, Auston Matthews and Anze Kopitar leading their team to wins.

* Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured more notes from the three-game slate, including Alex Ovechkin now needing fewer than 50 goals to tie Wayne Gretzky for the most in League history.

* Closely-contested races for the Art Ross Trophy, Presidents’ Trophy and Wild Card spots will be front-and-center during Thursday’s 11-game slate, which is highlighted by Seattle visiting Vegas on ESPN and Florida hosting Nashville on ESPN+ and Hulu.

Closing Out The GM Meetings

03/20/2024 at 2:41pm EDT

from Dan Rosen of the NHL's website,

NHL general managers completed three days of meetings Wednesday, and Commissioner Gary Bettman said the group is leaving with a sense of the game being in a good place with strong revenues and exciting races for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"We talked about a lot of little tweaks that we can focus on to maybe make things a little bit smoother, but nothing that I would categorize as problems," Bettman said. "I think we're in a good place and we're looking forward to the stretch drive and beginning the playoffs."

On Tuesday, the GMs voted to propose several minor adjustments to rules, including allowing penalties subject to coach's challenges to include delay of game penalties for pucks shot over the glass and certain high-sticking minors.

The proposals next go to the NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee for approval before the NHL Board of Governors for ratification.

Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly touched on a number of other topics in their post-meeting press conference.

Long-term injured reserve

This topic was not on the agenda at the meetings because it is a collectively bargained issue that involves the NHL Players' Association, but the usage of LTIR for injured players as it relates to the salary cap was discussed Sunday when the six members of the GMs' executive committee met with Bettman and Daly.

continued

Chris Simon - A Sad Canadian Story

03/20/2024 at 9:45am EDT

from Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star,

On the surface, Chris Simon was a classic Canadian story.

He was born to an Ojibwa father and an Anglo-Saxon mother in the tiny town of Wawa, Ont. He moved to the bigger town of Sault Ste. Marie as a teen, seeking better opportunities in hockey. He wound up playing 782 NHL games with seven franchises, was on a Stanley Cup-winning team in Colorado, and his teammates adored him. A lot of people would sign up for that ride.

The actual story was so much more complicated, of course, darker and sadder and harder. Simon died in Wawa on Monday night; a cause of death was not provided. He had four children, and two ex-wives. He was only 52.

People used to say there were at least two Chris Simons. There was the giant who loved hunting and fishing and was a gentle, caring teammate. Then there was the six-foot-three, 235-pound hulk on the ice, the one who didn’t just fight but sometimes snapped.

continued

NHL Short Notes

03/20/2024 at 2:25am EDT

* David Pastrnak, Mark Scheifele and Mikko Rantanen each propelled their teams to victory with a hat trick and boosted the NHL’s total in 2023-24 to 98. Pastrnak joined elite company among active players by notching a three-goal performance against a 12th different franchise.

* The Red Wings captured a crucial come-from-behind win to shuffle back into the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and did so thanks to a franchise-first.

* Auston Matthews and Alex Ovechkin, who own a combined 11 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy wins since the award was introduced 25 years ago, will go head-to-head to open an NHL on TNT doubleheader Wednesday as Washington looks to reclaim the Eastern Conference’s final Wild Card spot.

Chris Simon Has Passed At Age 52

03/19/2024 at 4:55pm EDT

via NHL.com,

Chris Simon, who played 15 seasons in the NHL, died Monday. He was 52.

Selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (No. 25) of the 1990 NHL Draft, the forward played 782 regular-season games for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild, and had 305 points (144 goals, 161 assists).

Simon had 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 75 Stanley Cup Playoff games and helped the Avalanche win the Cup in 1996. He also reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Capitals in 1998 and Flames in 2004.

"Chris was a great guy, a beloved teammate and an important part of our first championship season," Avalanche president and former teammate Joe Sakic said in a statement. "He was a really good hockey player who could score goals, was a big presence in the dressing room and was the first person to stand up and defend his teammates. Off the ice he was an unbelievable guy and a caring father, son, brother and friend. He will be sorely missed."

Video- The Latest From The GM Meetings

03/19/2024 at 3:56pm EDT

via the YouTube page of TSN,

In what are the most proposed rule changes in the NHL since the reset in the league 20 years ago, coach's challenges are front and centre. TSN Hockey Insiders Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger have more from the GM meetings in Florida, including 3-on-3 overtime, the potential of changes to the league's LTIR position and more.

Watch below.

Video- Sean Couturier On Being A Healthy Scratch Tonight

03/19/2024 at 1:51pm EDT

Video- GM Meetings Agenda For Today

03/19/2024 at 12:59pm EDT

via TSN's YouTube page,

Gino Reda is joined by TSN Hockey Insiders Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun to look ahead to Tuesday's discussions at the NHL GM meetings and weigh in on the likelihood that any recommendations actually lead to taking anything to the next level as topics get presented to a bigger group.

Watch below.

NHL Short Notes

03/19/2024 at 1:33am EDT

* Alex Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history to record at least 19 straight 20-goal seasons and helped the Capitals move into a playoff spot for the first time in 77 days.

* Jeff Skinner scored his seventh career hat trick to help the Sabres inch closer to the final Wild Card seed in the Eastern Conference. With every hat trick this season, AstraZeneca will donate $5,000 to the Hockey Fights Cancer Fund of the V Foundation up to $500,000. Click here for more information.

* The Wild Card races will once again take center stage Tuesday as in the East six of seven teams in contention for a Wild Card position take to the ice, while both the Blues and Wild will look to continue to charge up the Western Conference standings.

NHL GMs Agree To Keep Regular Season OT Format

03/18/2024 at 5:47pm EDT

from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of the NHL's website,

Each time NHL general managers gather for their annual three-day meeting in March, they receive a report on statistical trends.

The most interesting nugget Monday?

The NHL is on track to have 70 percent of extra-time games end in overtime this season, which would be a record.

That's important, because some GMs have expressed concern about 3-on-3 OT -- too much regrouping, not enough attacking.

A small group of GMs discussed it at a breakout session Monday and will report to the full group of GMs on Tuesday.

In the end, the feeling is that the League should leave it alone. Changes could lead to unintended consequences and be self-defeating, and the format is doing what it was designed to do: reduce shootouts.

"I think it's working," said New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello, whose team has played 18 OT games, tied with the Boston Bruins for the most in the NHL. "I don't think there's any need to make changes. I think if the regroups were causing it to go into a shootout, then you'd have to."

continued

Video- Dmitry Kulikov Suspended Two Games

03/18/2024 at 5:40pm EDT

NEW YORK (March 18, 2024) – Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Sheary during NHL Game No. 1063 in Sunrise, Fla., on Saturday, March 16, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 3:36 of the second period. Kulikov was assessed a match penalty.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Kulikov will forfeit $10,416.66. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

For a full explanation of the decision, complete with video, please click on the following link: https://www.nhl.com/video/topic/player-safety/kulikov-suspended-two-games-6349201622112

Watch the hit below.

Update On Day 1 Of The GM Meetings

03/18/2024 at 2:48pm EDT
Discussions surrounding tweaking rules, specifically offsides and coaches challenges, were a big talking point on the first day of the NHL GM meetings. The TSN Hockey Insiders share the details from Monday's discussions, which also included the future of the emergency backup goalie and details on a new behind-the-scenes documentary series following NHL players.

Watch at TSN

Stars Of The Week

03/18/2024 at 1:01pm EDT

NEW YORK (March 18, 2024) – Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard and Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 17.

Nashville's Top Line

03/18/2024 at 8:25am EDT

from
Ronnie Rönnkvist of The Daily Faceoff,

This story appeared on hockeysverige.sethis week and has been translated from Swedish to English.

The Nashville Predators have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NHL this season.

The team is currently holding on to a wild-card spot in the Western Conference, a scenario few experts had anticipated at the start of the season. After getting rid of veterans like Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene in the off-season, as well as bringing in Barry Trotz as the team’s second GM ever, many thought this would be a year where the Preds took a step back to get younger and reload.

But the acquisition of two key veterans last summer have given the team a jolt. Ryan O’Reilly’s ability to help the team with his leadership skills and two-way acumen was evident from the get-go.

But it might be more surprising that 34-year-old Gustav Nyquist has been an integral part of the team’s success.

Currently in his 12th NHL season, the Swedish winger is just three points shy of beating his record for points in the NHL. In 2018-19, he amassed 60 points over 81 games with the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks. Now, he has 58 in 67 games.

Nyquist, who went the college route before signing with the Red Wings in 2011, has been a perfect fit on the Predators’ top line alongside O’Reilly and countryman Filip Forsberg.

Forsberg and Nyquist got to know each other a bit at the World Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2018. Sweden won gold after beating Switzerland in the final.

continued

NHL Short Notes

03/18/2024 at 12:07am EDT

* The Hurricanes, Jets and Rangers each picked up wins Sunday as the NHL’s top eight teams are now separated by five points or fewer in a jam-packed Presidents’ Trophy race.

* Sidney Crosby continued his march to a 19th career point-per-game season and helped the Penguins stay in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.

* Monday’s two-game slate will kick off with Alex Ovechkin one away from his 19th consecutive 20-goal season when the Capitals partake in a national broadcast against the Flames on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and NHL Network.

Video- Dmitry Kulikov Has A Hearing Scheduled For Monday

03/17/2024 at 5:22pm EDT


Watch it below. He received a match penalty for the hit.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 6 hours ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 6 hours ago
Comment by Steeb in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 7 hours ago
Comment by calquake in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 7 hours ago
Comment by StargateSG1 in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 7 hours ago