NHL News and Notes from Monday, December 6th, 2021
News
- The Vancouver Canucks have fired GM Jim Benning, AGM John Weisbrod, Head Coach Travis Green, and Assistant Coach Nolan Baumgartner.
- Bruce Boudreau and Scott Walker were hired as Head Coach and Assistant Coach respectively.
- Stan Smyl has been named interim GM with Ryan Johnson named interim AGM.
- A search for new Hockey Operations leadership has begun.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have relieved Alain Vigneault as Head Coach.
- Michel Therrien was also relieved of his duties as Assistant Coach.
- Mike Yeo will take over as interim Head Coach for the Flyers.
- The NHL Department of Player Safety would fine Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds.
- Simmonds would be fined $2,250 for cross checking forward Jansen Harkins on Sunday night.
- The fine is the maximum allowed under the CBA.
- The NHL would name Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau First Star of the Week.
- Victor Hedman (TB) and Jake Guentzel (PIT) would round out the rest of the Three Stars.
- NHL Stars of the Week – Huberdeau Leaps to Top Honors
- DoPS would suspend Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk.
- Pionk would be suspended two games for kneeing Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin on Sunday night.
- Per the CBA and based on his average annual salary, Pionk will forfeit $58,740.00.
Game Recaps
- Ottawa Senators v. New Jersey Devils – 7p ET
- In New Jersey the Devils would play host to the Ottawa Senators, and in the first period Damon Severson would score 35 seconds into the game to give the Devils the 1-0 lead. In the second period Nick Bastian would score for the Devils, but goals from Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk would tie the game at two for the Sens. Then after a scoreless third and overtime period it would be Josh Norris in the shootout to give the Senators the 3-2 victory over the Devils.
- Scott’s TXHT Recap – Devils Fall to Sens in Shootout
- Colorado Avalanche v. Philadelphia Flyers – 7p ET
- In Philadelphia Mike Yeo would make his debut as the interim head coach for the Flyers, and in the first period Claude Giroux would score to get the Flyers on the board first, but goals from Erik Johnson, Gabriel Landeskog, Alex Newhook, and Cale Makar would give the Colorado Avalanche the 4-1 lead. However, before the first period would end Oskar Lindblom and Giroux would score to bring the Flyers back within one. In the second period Valeri Nichuschkin would score to grow the Avs lead to two. Then in the third period Cam Atkinson and Scott Laughton would score for the Flyers, but goals from Nazem Kadri and Tyson Jost would give the Avalanche the 7-5 victory.
- Anaheim Ducks v. Washington Capitals – 7p ET
- In Washington the Capitals would take on the Anaheim Ducks for their second and final game of the season, and in the first period Tom Wilson would record his 100th career NHL goal to give the Caps the 1-0 lead. In the second period Josh Manson would strike 9 seconds into the period to tie the game for the Ducks, but Carl Hagelin would strike for his first of the season to give the Caps the one goal lead back. However, Sonny Milano would score to tie the game back up at two for the Ducks, and then Vinni Lettieri would score to give the Ducks their first lead of the game, but with 21 seconds left in the period John Carlson would score to tie the game at three. After a scoreless third period, and a very lackluster overtime period it would be John Carlson with the shootout winner to give the Capitals the 4-3 victory over the Ducks.
- Arizona Coyotes v. Dallas Stars – 830p ET
- In Dallas the Stars would host the Arizona Coyotes, and in the first period Roope Hintz would score to give Dallas the 1-0 lead. In the second period Shayne Gostisbehere would score to tie the game at one for the Coyotes. Then in the third period Jacob Peterson would score, and Jamie Benn would net a pair to give the Stars the 4-1 victory.
- Los Angeles Kings v. Vancouver Canucks – 10p ET
- In Vancouver, the Canucks look to get the win after the sweeping changes that were made late Sunday. After a scoreless first period, Brock Boeser scores his fifth of the year to give the Canucks the 1-0 lead. Then, Conor Garland strikes for his eighth of the year to make it a 2-0 Vancouver lead. As the contest moves to the third, Juho Lammikko scores his first of the year to give the Canucks the 3-0 lead and the win is sealed with J.T. Miller’s ninth of the year as the Canucks get the 4-0 shutout win over the Kings.
- Pittsburgh Penguins v. Seattle Kraken – 10p ET
- In Seattle the Pittsburgh Penguins would come to town for the first time as they take on the Kraken, and in the first period Jeff Carter, Sidney Crosby, and Danton Heinen would score to give the Pens the 3-0 lead. In the second, Jordan Eberle scores his 12th of the year to get the Kraken on the board. Jake Guentzel strikes with his 14th of the year to give the Pens the three goal lead once more. Jeff Carter then scores his second of the night at the Pens take the 5-1 lead. As the contest moves to the third, Jake Guentzel scores his second of the night as Pittsburgh breezes by Seattle for the 6-1 win.
- CLB v. TOR – 7p ET
- TB v. MON – 7p ET
- NYI v. OTT – 7p ET
- NAS v. DET – 7p ET
- ANA v. BUF – 730p ET
- FLA v. STL – 8p ET
- CAR v. WIN – 8p ET
- NYR v. CHI – 830p ET
- MIN v. EDM – 9p ET
- CAL v. SJ – 1030p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- Things are getting shaken up in Vancouver as the Pacific Division last place Canucks would make changes both in the front office and behind the bench. (TXHT)
- Canucks clean house after fans send loud and clear message (SportsNet)
- 32 Thoughts Podcast: Time Has Come For The Canucks (SportsNet)
- Flyers fire head coach Alain Vigneault amid eight-game losing streak; Mike Yeo named as interim coach (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Alain Vigneault’s quote sums up everything wrong with spiraling Flyers (Broad Street Hockey)
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