Game 2 happened in Denver last night, and as the days change, the countdown now shows a warm 116 days until Boston Bruins training camp.
There’s an update to the report about the Bruins’ assistant coach that was let go, though in the end, it’s not much different. For short, it’s not official yet, but still very likely. And if he does go, it’s also very likely he will land on two feet. The B’s also have a prospect in Russia who is one game away from winning the championship.
Four Bruins represented their home countries yesterday, and five will today.
Elsewhere in the league, the Golden Knights had a three-goal third period and took both road games to start the series, a Devils defenseman took to a show to share some frustrations, a Sabres goalie is a trade candidate in Philadelphia, and a pending Sharks free agent is a target in NY.
Also, the Vancouver Canucks may have a family matter on their hands.
Happy Saturday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:
Boston Bruins
JAY LEACH: On Thursday, David Pagnotta reported that the Bruins are not renewing the contract of assistant coach Jay Leach.
On Friday’s episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman spoke about the Bruins and Leach.
“I had heard that he’d been given permission to talk to other teams,” Friedman said. “And David Pagnotta reported he’d been let go by the Bruins, and I heard that’s disputed.”
“I think Dave will be right, in the sense that whenever you’re given permission to talk to somebody else, then it’s just a matter of time, right? I don’t think, technically, he’s been let go. But I do think he’s got enough of a name and a reputation out there that there are going to be other opportunities for him. So, it was just kind of a weird one, but from what I understand right now is he has permission to talk to other teams, and we’ll see. But I think in the long run, Pagnotta will be right in the sense that I don’t think he’ll be back in Boston next year.”
There has been no word from the team regarding Leach.
IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Check out who is playing, how to watch, and the eight Bruins’ schedules for the IIHF World Championships.
Four Bruins played yesterday:
Steven Ellis (video via 𝕏): Here is Reichel’s goal.
IIHF (video via 𝕏): And here is Jokiharju’s goal.
Prospects Update
YEMELYANOV: Loko won 3-2 in overtime yesterday, and now they have a 3-2 series lead on JHC Spartak in the Kharlamov Cup final. Kirill Yemelyanov had an assist on Loko’s first goal, and he played in 18:23.
Game 6 is early! Wake up to it at 6:00 AM on Sunday.
(This will be updated with the livestream link once it is available.)
NHL News & National Hockey Now
Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights took both games in Denver. They scored three times in the third period on their way to a 3-1 win. North Chelmsford’s own Jack Eichel started the scoring for Vegas, followed by Ivan Barbashev twice, with the second being an empty netter.
Vegas is two wins away from the Stanley Cup Final.
Colorado Hockey Now: Ross Colton scored with 3:01 to go in the first period, but that was all the Avalanche had to show. Nathan MacKinnon? One shot on goal. The Avalanche are going to need more out of their guy. Aarif Deen has more takeaways from last night’s game.
For the second straight game, the Avalanche played without Cale Makar.
PLAYOFFS
M1 – Hurricanes (0) vs. A3 – Canadiens (1)
C1 – Avalanche (0) vs. P1 – Golden Knights (2)
New Jersey Hockey Now: A New Jersey Devils defenseman took to the Donnie and Dhali Show to call the team out. Without spoiling, Brendan Dillon talked about the disappointing season, Simon Nemec trade rumors, and outside distractions. James Nichols has more from Jersey.
Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers found a No. 1 goalie in Dan Vladar. Can they pull off a trade for a new backup? Devon Levi and the Sabres are over, according to Jeff Marek, so Will James looks at whether the Flyers should bring him in to bolster their goaltending room.
Forever Blueshirts: Elliotte Friedman reported that Mario Ferraro is “likely going to market.” Jim Cerny looks at whether or not he will be a fit on the Rangers’ blue line. The 27-year-old left-shot has spent his entire career with the Sharks.
NHLtraderumors.me: The Vancouver Canucks are likely to hire Abbotsford Canucks coach Manny Malhotra to be their next head coach. They also pick third this summer, and mock drafts have them taking Caleb Malhotra with that pick. That may be an issue, according to John Buccigross, who has a source saying Manny does not want to put his son in that situation.
Today’s NHL Schedule
Canadiens at Hurricanes, Game 2 – 8:00 PM (US: TNT, HBO; CA: CBC, SN, TVA)
Today’s IIHF World Championship Schedule
Latvia vs. United States (3) – 6:20 AM (US: NHLN; CA: TSN3)
Denmark vs. Slovenia – 6:20 AM (CA: TSN1)
Switzerland vs. Hungary – 10:20 AM (CA: TSN+)
Slovakia vs. Czechia (1) – 10:20 AM (US: NHLN; CA: TSN1)
Austria vs. Germany (1) – 2:20 PM (CA: TSN+)
Norway vs. Sweden – 2:20 PM (US: NHLN; CA: TSN1)
(all times ET)