The Washington Capitals' search for a new head coach seems to be picking up speed, with a number of seasoned veterans vying for the role.
After reportedly interviewing Peter Laviolette in August, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan has also interviewed both Gerard Gallant and Mike Babcock, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Wednesday's edition of "Insider Trading."
"Sources confirm (MacLellan) has interviewed Gerard Gallant, he has interviewed Peter Laviolette, and yes - he has interviewed Mike Babcock," LeBrun said. "And I think he wants to hire one of those three experienced coaches, I think within the next couple weeks."
The Capitals parted ways with Todd Reirden shortly after they were eliminated from the postseason. Reirden served as Washington's head coach for two seasons after the departure of Barry Trotz and has since been hired as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Babcock had been a head coach in the NHL since the 2002-03 season before the Toronto Maple Leafs fired him early in the 2019-20 campaign. He made the playoffs 14 times in that span, winning the Stanley Cup once with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
Gallant is the least experienced of the three reported candidates, having only been an NHL head coach for nine seasons. He won the Jack Adams Award in 2018 after helping lead the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.
Laviolette has coached over 1,200 games in the NHL, most recently with the Nashville Predators. He led the Predators to the playoffs in all five of his full seasons with the team, including a trip to the finals in 2017. Nashville fired him in January.
NHL general managers and a panel of league executives and media voted for the award upon the conclusion of the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The winner will be announced on Saturday.
The Lightning reached the Eastern Conference Final this campaign after recording a historic 62-win regular season last year. BriseBois brought in the likes of Patrick Maroon, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Luke Schenn and signed cornerstone players Brayden Point and Andrei Vasilevskiy to long-term deals during the offseason. He also acquired depth forwards Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow prior to the 2020 trade deadline.
New York has had tremendous success in Lamoriello's first two seasons with the team. The Islanders reached the conference finals this season after advancing to the second round last year. Lamoriello hired head coach Barry Trotz - who had just won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals - shortly after his own hiring.
Nill's Stars reached the Western Conference Final this season for the first time since 2008 and have steadily increased their points percentage over the last few years. He signed veteran forwards Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski last summer, as well as defenseman Andrej Sekera. This is his second nomination for the award.
The New Jersey Devils hired Hall of Famer Mark Recchi to serve as an assistant coach under new bench boss Lindy Ruff, the team announced Tuesday.
For the past three seasons, Recchi was an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he was largely responsible for working with their power play. Over the past three seasons, the Penguins rank third in the league with a 23.8% success rate with the man advantage.
"We are extremely excited to add Mark to our coaching staff, where his experience as a player, coach, and in development will be invaluable," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "His work with the power play and managing personnel in Pittsburgh are skills that will benefit our group moving forward. Mark's leadership, communication abilities, patience, and presence will be integral for the growth of our young core."
Prior to Recchi's role as assistant coach in Pittsburgh, he served as the team's development coach for three seasons. He worked with Penguins prospects in the minors, juniors, and college.
Fleury has started just three games so far this postseason, while teammate Robin Lehner has appeared in 12, including the club's Game 7 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Since Sep. 1, Lehner has started three games and stopped 48 of the 53 shots he faced, including a shutout in Game 7 to help send Vegas to the Western Conference Final.
Fleury has won all three of the contests he's appeared in so far this postseason. He played once during the round-robin, once against the Chicago Blackhawks, and once against the Canucks. His last start was on Aug. 30.
The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars both left it late in Round 2 but moved on to the Western Conference Final by edging out their respective opponents in pivotal Game 7s.
Vegas finished 2019-20 regular season with the third-best record in the West, while Dallas finished with the fourth. With two dynamic teams set to butt heads for a chance to play for the Stanley Cup, let's take a look at the upcoming series.
Schedule
Game 1 is set for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. Times for the rest of the series have yet to be announced.
Tale of the tape
Stars
Stat
Golden Knights
3.31
Goals per game
3.27
3.50
Goals against
2.33
28.3
Power play %
20.5
82.3
Penalty kill %
87.8
49.34
5-on-5 xGF %
64.11
9.04
5-on-5 SH %
7.76
.906
5-on-5 SV %
.914
How they got here
Stars: Dallas didn't look very threatening in the round robin, finishing 1-2 and scoring just five goals. It seemed like the Stars were headed toward an early exit after dropping two of the first three games of their opening-round series against the Calgary Flames. Then they flipped the switch.
Since Game 4 of that series, the Stars have scored an impressive 42 goals in 10 games.
After going up 3-1 against the Colorado Avalanche, the Stars hit a speed bump and ultimately needed seven games and overtime in the deciding match to advance.
Golden Knights: Vegas was one of the league's hottest teams toward the end of the regular season, finishing the year with 11 wins in 13 games. They nabbed the top seed in the round robin with a perfect 3-0 record and took care of the Chicago Blackhawks in five games in Round 1.
Vegas looked like it was in for another quick series after going up 3-1 against the Vancouver Canucks in Round 2, but Thatcher Demko stepped into the crease and nearly stole the series.
The Golden Knights managed 273 shots on goal in the second-round series but only potted 19 goals. They dominated the Canucks in nearly every facet of the game but ultimately needed an exhausting extra few games to progress.
Key players to watch
Miro Heiskanen
Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / Getty
Many people were already aware of his special talent, but this postseason has really felt like Heiskanen's true coming-out party. The 21-year-old Finnish phenomenon has been electric since the beginning of the postseason and is one of the main reasons the Stars find themselves a step away from the Stanley Cup Final.
He leads all active players in these playoffs with 21 points and has been Dallas' best player by far, getting things done on both ends of the ice.
Mark Stone
Dave Sandford / National Hockey League / Getty
Stone has continued to show through this postseason that he's one of the league's best all-around players. He's contributed six goals and nine assists in 15 games for Vegas thus far, but his contributions go much deeper than his point totals.
At even strength, Stone owns a 60.93 Corsi For rating and a 69.69 expected goals for percentage. His team has generated 72 high-danger scoring chances with him on the ice and conceded just 43 against. His 13 takeaways rank fourth among all forwards. Opponents need to keep an eye on him at all times when he's on the ice, as he simply does it all.
Dallas can win if ...
As obvious as it sounds, the Stars simply need to continue scoring. With goaltender Anton Khudobin expected to carry the load in net, Dallas will need to continue to support him as much as possible - they surrendered 29 goals - 4.14 per game - to the Avalanche last round.
Between the regular season and postseason, Khudobin has already played in 44 games - exceeding his career high of 41 last season. Fatigue is likely to set in while Ben Bishop remains unfit to play, so Dallas will need to step up in front of him.
The Stars ranked 28th in the league in goals per game (2.58) during the regular season, so they'll need to build on their newfound scoring touch if they want a shot at toppling Vegas.
Vegas can win if ...
The Golden Knights have been doing almost everything right so far this postseason. At five-on-five, Vegas leads all postseason teams with a 60.62 Corsi For rating and 64.11 expected goals for percentage. The Golden Knights control play at both ends and don't give teams much room to breathe.
If there's one thing to point out, it's that Vegas needs to continue to ride Robin Lehner in net. He's a key reason why the team has allowed so few goals this postseason, and he certainly can't be blamed for Vegas' losses against Vancouver. He gives the Golden Knights the best chance to win, and it seems he has their full trust. Marc-Andre Fleury has been the No. 1 starter since the team's inception in 2017, but Lehner's been spectacular since arriving at the trade deadline. He's started 12 of his team's 15 games this postseason, and that shouldn't change moving forward.
X-factors
Tyler Seguin
Dave Sandford / National Hockey League / Getty
After one of the quietest regular seasons of his career, Seguin hasn't been his usual dynamic self this postseason, either. He's totaled just two goals and five assists through 15 games, so the Stars would greatly benefit if the 28-year-old can break through this series.
Joe Pavelski, Alexander Radulov, Denis Gurianov, and Jamie Benn have combined for 28 of Dallas' 53 goals this postseason. If Seguin can regain his scoring touch, Vegas could struggle to contain the Stars' offense.
Shea Theodore
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Theodore is quietly leading the Golden Knights in points with 16. He was the only player able to score a goal - he did so twice - on Demko last series. He sits third on the team with 22:20 minutes of ice time per game. It may not be obvious, but Theodore has been vital to the Golden Knights' success.
His 69.70 expected goals for percentage at five-on-five ranks first among all defensemen this postseason. He's helped generate 86 high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five, which ranks first among all skaters. He's been nothing short of incredible this postseason, and if he can maintain his momentum, Vegas will find itself in a good position to advance.
Motte exited the game briefly but eventually returned. Reaves received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit.
Reaves has played a vital role on the Golden Knights' fourth-line this postseason, collecting four assists and adding a league-leading 74 hits. He was also suspended once before in 2016 for boarding.
Vegas will take on the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET.
After spending over a month in the NHL's bubble, some players and staff will get the chance to reunite with family members ahead of the conference finals.
NHL commissioner Bill Daly announced the league is allowing Canadian family members to join the Edmonton bubble but is waiting on the Canadian government regarding the possibility of also allowing those who aren't citizens, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.
Family members will be free to join as long as they adhere to quarantine regulations. The two remaining Eastern Conference teams will travel from Toronto to Edmonton to play out the remainder of the playoffs.
The plan from the outset was to grant family members access ahead of the conference finals. Discussions have been ongoing for weeks, but the league has yet to hear back from the government about the additional exemptions.
After turning aside 41 of 42 shots in Game 5, Vancouver netminder Thatcher Demko blanked the Golden Knights by denying all 48 of their shots. He became the first rookie goalie to win each of his first two career NHL playoff starts when his team was facing elimination since Jacques Plante in 1953, according to Sportsnet Stats.
He also set the record for the most saves from a rookie in a playoff shutout.
"That’s hockey. It’s the best sport in the world for that reason, there’s a lot of ups and downs," Demko said of his team's gutsy win. "Backs against the wall, our guys are stepping up, but the job isn’t done yet.”
There was a much better pace to the Canucks' game immediately in Game 6 compared to Game 5. Jake Virtanen opened up the scoring for Vancouver minutes into the first period. Then after a bit of a sloppy start, Vegas picked up its play and started to increase the pressure.
Vegas continued to control much of the play during a scoreless second period. The Golden Knights outshot Vancouver 17-7 in the frame while holding a 68 Corsi For percentage. Counting back to the end of the first period, Vancouver nearly went 20 minutes straight without a shot on goal. But Demko stood tall, even with Vegas controlling the puck often.
Following an impressive solo effort from rookie defenseman Quinn Hughes to open up the third period, J.T. Miller was able to score and put the Canucks ahead by two. Minutes later, Hughes wired home a slap shot, adding to the lead. Bo Horvat ended up scoring an empty-netter to cement the victory.
After dropping two straight games, Vegas netminder Robin Lehner isn't downplaying his performance. With Marc-Andre Fleury rested and ready, it's unclear which goalie will start the pivotal Game 7.
"Whoever plays, plays. If I get to play, I'll do my best," Lehner said, according to NHL.com's Danny Webster. "I feel good out there. It's just the bounces aren't going our way right now."
Demko, who looked visibly exhausted toward the end of Game 6, isn't worried about possibly playing Game 7 on such short rest.
"The only difference will be I might not skate tomorrow. That's how college was for me," Demko said, according to Webster. "It's nothing new for anyone in pro hockey. We've just got to prepare the same way."
The Florida Panthers have hired Bill Zito to serve as the team's 11th general manager in franchise history, the team announced Wednesday.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bill Zito as general manager of the Florida Panthers," Panthers owner Vincent Viola said. "Bill is an excellent mind in our game today who proved during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets that he possesses great prowess for evaluating talent and building success. He brings great experience to our club and possesses a strong business acumen."
Zito is a former player agent who served as the senior vice president of hockey operations and as an associate general manager with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He also previously served as general manager of the team's AHL affiliate.
The Panthers parted ways with previous general manager Dale Tallon shortly after being eliminated from the 2019-20 postseason. Tallon was with the team for the last decade.
Zito previously served as general manager of the U.S. team at the 2018 World Championship, where the squad finished in third place. He also helped guide the AHL's now-named Cleveland Monsters to a Calder Cup victory in 2016.
Despite being outshot 43-17, the Canucks held on for the win on the back of Thatcher Demko's incredible playoff debut. He's the first rookie goaltender since Jose Theodore in 1997 to win his NHL playoff debut when facing elimination, according to Sportsnet Stats.
"You never know what’s going to happen, so I’ve just been working in practice and been staying mentally sharp in case I was called upon," Demko said. "This is what I’ve wanted to be a part of since I was a kid. This is super special and I want to help the team any way I can."
Vancouver didn't do Demko many favors early, taking over 10 minutes in the opening frame to record its first shot on goal. Vegas outshot Vancouver 10-6 while registering four high-danger scoring chances to the Canucks' one, but the game remained without a goal after the first period.
Vegas held the puck and maintained the pressure for much of the second stanza, too. Demko made several key saves, helping to keep Vegas off the board for as long as he could while Vancouver failed to record a shot on goal for the first 12:28 of the period.
The Golden Knights finally scored with under five minutes remaining in the second when Shea Theodore weaved his way through the offensive zone. However, seconds later Brock Boeser tipped one past Robin Lehner to tie the game.
"They didn't have many shots but they had some chances," Lehner said, according to NHL.com's Danny Webster. "It would've been nice to come up with the save (on Boeser) and go into the third up 1-0. We've just got to look at the next one."
Despite the equal score through two, Vegas dominated in every facet of the game. At all strengths, the Golden Knights held a 66.67 Corsi For percentage while outshooting Vancouver 28-10.
Elias Pettersson tipped another shot past Lehner just minutes into the third, and Vancouver held on for the rest of the game. Demko finished with 42 saves, while Lehner stopped 15 of the 17 he faced.
