A Maple Leafs-heavy crowd in Hamilton, Ontario saw more of the team’s goaltending problems, as the Sabres won the 2022 Heritage Classic by a score of 5-2.
Auston Matthews lost his cool at the end of the game, and it remains to be seen if he might cost himself a suspension. Matthews delivered a dangerous cross-check on Rasmus Dahlin late in the loss.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reports that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety will review Matthews’ cross-check on Dahlin. Here’s footage of that exchange:
Not sure who decided to make outdoor games pseudo-Halloween, but they should be applauded.
Heading into the 2022 Heritage Classic, both the Sabres and Maple Leafs went with themed costumes. The Sabres went the extra mile evoking the 2008 Will Ferrell comedy “Semi-Pro.” Apparently it was Cody Eakin’s idea.
"I'm so happy, I can't even feel my arms!"#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/DycmKToHXR
Gotta admit, didn’t think “Semi-Pro” was popular enough to receive such an homage. Guess it makes more sense than drawing on wounds, “Step Brothers”-style, though.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs arrived dressed up like construction workers.
Honouring our history on the ice and the city of Hamilton off the ice ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/2sd3GPHQ2k
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 13, 2022
Considering the weather, the vintage basketball short shorts were a bold choice by Buffalo. Temperatures in Hamilton, Ontario were at about -3 Celsius, or 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions seemed reasonably decent for a hockey game, albeit with light snow. Wind was also, at times, a factor.
Of all the clothing talk, it was hard not to linger on Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan looking dismayed in “Peaky Blinders” hats.
Wonder what Dubas and Shanahan must be thinking #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/DXcPYvUe3b
— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) March 13, 2022
Following a dull first period, the Sabres and Maple Leafs began the middle frame on fire.
Ondrej Kase scored from in close on a rebound to make it 1-0 for the Maple Leafs, but Peyton Krebs tied it for the Sabres 41 seconds later.
Not long after Craig Anderson robbed him with a nice glove save, Auston Matthews restored Toronto’s lead with his 45th goal of the season. The Maple Leafs and Sabres combined for those three goals less than three minutes into the second period.
Later on in the second, Vinnie Hinostroza scored an odd goal that resulted from a heady play, and some bad luck for T.J. Brodie.
During the third period, Vinnie Hinostroza made it 3-2, collecting his third point of the Heritage Classic. Could a performance like this drive up 2022 NHL Trade Deadline interest in Hinostroza?
Vinnie Hinostroza has a goal and assist so far today, giving him nine goals and 20 points in 40 games.
What might that be worth at the trade deadline in eight days? Here you go … https://t.co/6ax8W9Fe36
Ultimately, the Sabres exploited the Maple Leafs’ goaltending crisis to pull away in the third period. More on that soon, but first, some praise for Auston Matthews. Even if he likely won’t want to hear about it.
And even if Matthews’ cross-check on Dahlin could “end” his goal streak with a suspension.
In or outdoors, Auston Matthews is playing at a historic level. It’s tricky, though, to make any bold arguments about Matthews being a slam-dunk Hart Trophy choice. That’s not a slight on Matthews; instead, it highlights just how special an era we’re experiencing.
To be honest, we wouldn't want to be insiders and vote for the Hart Memorial Trophy this year, haha. Seriously, both Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid have been playing great season, they're best skaters in the NHL in our eyes. It's pleasure to living in their era. pic.twitter.com/ME3GPF8gYI
— Andy & Rono (@HockeyStatsCZ) March 13, 2022
(Frankly, the Matthews vs. Igor Shesterkin debate may be even tougher.)
Beyond already-impressive full-season numbers, you can zoom in on even hotter pockets of play for Matthews. Over the last 39 games, Matthews has scored an outstanding 38 goals. Matthews also extended his goal streak to five games (8G, 1A) at the 2022 Heritage Classic.
Zooming out provides additional perspective, too. After starting the season without a goal through three games, Auston Matthews hasn’t experienced a goal drought longer than two games during any other stretch of the season.
There’s an uncomfortable thought lingering around the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. While plenty of teams could use a goaltending upgrade, is there really one available? Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs might just have to hope for the best at the trade deadline, whether that means gambling on an improvement or counting on rebounds from Petr Mrazek and/or Jack Campbell. (Once Campbell’s healthy?)
Facing a shaky Sabres opponent at the 2022 Heritage Classic did not erase that thought for Maple Leafs fans. Goals like the one Mrazek allowed against Hinostroza only make it tougher to bank on a turnaround.
Hinostroza scores from a tight angle. 3-2 Sabres #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/ovXvCNrVZB
— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) March 13, 2022
Since a wild 10-7 win against the Red Wings, the Maple Leafs’ wins or losses have boiled down to their ability to overcome leaky goaltending. During the past eight games, the Maple Leafs have allowed at least four goals on seven occasions. In that one exception, they gave up three while beating Washington.
Credit Matthews, Mitch Marner, and other Maple Leafs skaters for grinding out wins despite goaltending failures — on occasions. All things considered, salvaging five wins out of their last nine games (5-3-1) is something of a backwards accomplishment.
You know that thought about Matthews being elite in and outdoors? It looks like the Maple Leafs’ goaltending problems may follow them wherever they go.
James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins .
HENDERSON, Nev. — Nathan MacKinnon expects to sign a contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche soon, and it could make him the highest-paid player in the NHL.
MacKinnon wants to get something done before the season starts next month, adding he’ll shelve talks if an agreement isn’t reached by Oct. 12 when the reigning champions raise their Stanley Cup banner and begin their title defense.
“We’re pretty close,” MacKinnon said Thursday at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour outside Las Vegas. “I’d prefer it to be done. … It gets emotional. You feel like it’s personal sometimes. I’d like to get it done just so it’s not a distraction at all.”
Agent Pat Brisson said the sides are trying to get a deal done relatively soon. MacKinnon’s current contract expires after this season.
When it’s finalized, the deal could surpass Connor McDavid‘s $100 million over eight years as the richest signed since the salary cap era began in 2005. McDavid, Edmonton’s captain whose $12.5 million cap hit is the highest in the league, said he hasn’t thought much about others passing him.
“It’d be good for hockey, I guess, to keep raising the bar,” McDavid said. “But ultimately the salary cap system’s a weird system where the more money you make, the less money someone else can make. It’s kind of a weird system that way.”
MacKinnon has said he’d be willing to take less money to keep Colorado competitive. It helps that the Avalanche have already signed Norris Trophy-winning and playoff MVP defenseman Cale Makar, captain Gabriel Landeskog and valuable forwards Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen long term.
“I think the deal I sign will be fair,” MacKinnon said. “It’s not going to be a single digit (salary cap hit) or anything, but it’ll be good, I think, for both sides. Denver’s the only place I want to be.”
MacKinnon has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy as league MVP three times in the past five seasons and was one of Colorado’s best players during their Cup run with 24 points in 20 games.
At $6.3 million against the cap, MacKinnon has for quite some time been one of the most underpaid players in hockey.
“It’s not what you want, that’s for sure,” he said. “It’s not the title you’re looking for. I’m glad we won a Cup though.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Predators announced Ronda Engelhardt will become a North American amateur scout based out of Minnesota, the first female scout hired by the team.
The hiring of Engelhardt on Wednesday comes a day after the Calgary Flames added Rebecca Johnston for a player development role and the Seattle Kraken promoted Alexandra Mandrycky to assistant general manager after three years as director of hockey strategy and research.
Engelhardt has been head coach of the Premier Hockey Federation’s Minnesota Whitecaps the past four seasons and won the Isobel Cup in 2019. The native of Roseville, Minnesota, was a U.S. women’s national team player and captain at the University of Minnesota in 2002-03.
She previously was an assistant hockey coach at Division III St. Thomas and the girls high school head coach at the Breck School in Minnesota.
General manager David Poile also announced Sebastian Bordeleau has joined coach John Hynes’ staff as a skills coach. Nathan Gerbe was hired to replace Bordeleau as the Predators’ forward development coach, working with assistant general manager Scott Nichol evaluating Nashville’s prospects.
Former NHL player Brett Carson has joined assistant general manager Jeff Kealty’s staff as a North American Amateur Scout for the western part of the United States and Canada. Jason Nordby is the Predators’ new assistant strength and conditioning coach after 17 seasons as strength coach with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.
Michael Bingham joins the Predators’ equipment staff as a coordinator, and Jon Sherman was hired as hockey operations coordinator and analyst.
SEATTLE — The Seattle Kraken have promoted Alexandra Mandrycky to assistant general manager after three years as director of hockey strategy and research.
Mandrycky was one of the first front-office hires by the Kraken after the expansion franchise was awarded by the NHL. She becomes the sixth female assistant general manager currently in the NHL.
“I am extremely honored to step into this role with the Kraken,” Mandrycky said in a statement. “I’d like to thank my team, who have been an essential part of the day-to-day success of our department and organization. I appreciate the trust Ron and Tod Leiweke have shown in not only me, but our whole department, and I’m excited to continue to grow with this team.”
Mandrycky will join Ricky Olczyk and Jason Botterill as assistant general managers working alongside GM Ron Francis. Mandrycky will continue to lead Seattle’s research and development team but also oversee amateur scouting as part of her promotion.
Mandrycky spent four seasons as an analyst for the Minnesota Wild before joining the Kraken.
CHICAGO — Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe will miss the start of the season after he had cervical spine surgery.
Team physician Michael Terry said that McCabe is expected to return in 10 to 12 weeks. There was no word on when exactly McCabe had the surgery.
McCabe, who turns 29 on Oct. 12, had four goals and a career-best 18 assists in 75 games last season. He signed a $16 million, four-year contract with Chicago in July 2021.
Forward prospect Jalen Luypen also will miss the start of the season because of a left rotator cuff injury. The team said he is expected to return in 14 to 18 weeks.
The 20-year-old Luypen was selected by Chicago in the seventh round of the 2021 draft. He signed an entry level contract in August that runs through the 2024-25 season with a salary-cap hit of $859,166.67.