GMs ponder video review, concussions
Penguins rally for win over Buffalo
When a collision knocked off Mike Smith’s mask, the Arizona Coyotes goaltender was less than pleased upon being told a few minutes later he had to leave the game.
One of the NHL’s central spotters in New York made that call to trainer Jason Serbus, and in accordance with the league’s concussion protocol, Smith’s departure was mandatory.
“Mike didn’t want to come out, but that’s what was going to be done,” coach Dave Tippett said. “I’m interested to see how that one goes in an overtime in playoffs or something like that. We’ll see how teams react to that one.”
The playoffs are still a month away, and teams already are not reacting well to concussion protocol for goalies, which is why it’s one of the topics that general managers are expected to discuss at their annual March meeting beginning Monday in Boca Raton, Fla. Smith and New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist are among those who have been critical of the rule.
Other issues as GMs try to refine rules they’ve put in place in recent years include the offside rule, coaches’ challenges, goalie equipment and goalie emergencies.
Video review is among the hottest topics, especially the time it takes. Major League Baseball recently instituted timing guidelines for umpires, and that could soon happen for hockey officials.
“That’s probably maybe the No. 1 discussion,” Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill said via phone Sunday. “Other than getting the call right, it is the time frame. It’s something we can’t go seven, 10, 12 minutes to get it right. … It is something where I think the call has to be done within a certain time frame to keep the game going.”
Updates to the league’s concussion protocol will be under the microscope after Smith and Lundqvist blasted the system as flawed. Connor McDavid and other skaters have expressed concerns that the rules could have a major impact come playoff time — and goalies are at the center of the debate.
“If there is an instance that takes place where you think there is a possible concussion, I think we need to look after that,” Nill said. “When you do that, there’s a risk of a player coming in cold. I guess the answer to that for me sometimes, it’s no different than if a goalie hurts his knee, he’s coming out and the other guy’s coming in cold.”
PENGUINS 4, SABRES 3: In Pittsburgh, Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary scored 50 seconds apart late in the third period to cap a furious rally by the Penguins in a victory over Buffalo.
FLAMES 5, ISLANDERS 2: In
Calgary, Alberta, Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist and Calgary beat the Islanders for their seventh straight victory.
Brian Elliott made 33 saves for his sixth straight win. Elliott is 7-0-1 since his last regulation loss on Feb. 5, when he made 28 saves during a 4-3 loss in New York to the Rangers.
BLUE JACKETS 3, DEVILS 0 : In Newark, N.J., Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves in posting his second straight shutout and franchise-record 34th win of the season, and Columbus sent the Devils to their seventh straight loss.
WILD 3, SHARKS 1: In St. Paul, Minn., Zach Parise scored in his return to Minnesota’s lineup and Devan Dubnyk made 20 saves as the Wild held on.
CANUCKS 2, DUCKS 1: In Anaheim, Calif., Richard Bachman made 43 saves, Bo Horvat and Markus Granlund each scored and Vancouver beat Anaheim. Bachman got his first win since Oct. 30, 2015 and is unbeaten in two career starts for Vancouver.
BLUES 3, AVALANCHE 0: In Denver, Paul Stastny scored his first goal against his former team, Jake Allen stopped 27 shots and St. Louis ended a fivegame skid. HURRICANES 2, COYOTES 1: In Glendale, Ariz., Eddie Lack stopped 24 shots two days after being called out by his coach, and Derek Ryan scored on a strange bounce in the third period to lift Carolina.