Deen’s Daily: Panthers Are Road Warriors; Another Early Exit For MacKinnon; Coaching Carousel Continues

The Florida Panthers are seemingly getting better each game. The Dallas Stars are thriving on third-period comebacks. Also, Nathan MacKinnon suffered another third-period collapse and early exit just weeks after falling to the Stars in Game 7. Around the NHL, the changes to different coaching staffs continues.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — May 23.

Colorado Hockey Now

If you’re one of those people who believe MacKinnon is the type of guy who thrives and bounces back from disappointment, then this is the offseason for you. MacKinnon and Team Canada lost 2-1 to Denmark in one of the biggest upsets in the IIHF World Championships’ history. They led 1-0 but gave up two goals in the final 2:17 to lose in regulation. Sound familiar?

This is the second disappointing loss and late collapse for a team MacKinnon has played on in three weeks. He’s not going to forget either of the two anytime soon. And I think that’s going to give him an added boost in October.

Read More: Denmark Upsets Canada: Another Disappointing Exit for Nathan MacKinnon

Stanley Cup Playoff Recap

• Game 1 — Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars: The Stars are really making the most of their late comeback victories. Trailing 3-1 in the third, Dallas scored five times. Five times! They won 6-3 to steal Game 1 from the Oilers on home ice. They’ve been unbelievable at American Airlines Center this postseason. They haven’t lost a game there since Game 1 against the Avs. Game 2 is set for tonight. You have to imagine the Oilers are hoping to bounce back.
• Game 2 — Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes: Remember when the Panthers beat Toronto 6-1 in Game 5 on the road? And then they did the same thing in Game 7 in Toronto? And then in Game 1 against the Hurricanes, they came away with a 5-2 victory? Well, their road dominance continued on Thursday in a one-sided 5-0 shutout win over Carolina. The series will now shift to South Florida for two games with the Panthers in control and potentially on their way to a third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance. Game 3 is coming up on Saturday.

Tonight’s Schedule

• Game 2: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars (6 pm MT on ESPN & ESPN+)

Around The NHL

The “Shanaplan” is no more: The Toronto Maple Leafs moved on from Brendan Shanahan after 11 years as the President of Hockey Operations. The team announced that they won’t replace his role and will look to give Brad Treliving and Craig Berube more of an input moving forward. The Leafs have made the playoffs nine straight years but have only won two series.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Rumors of Bowen Byram asking for a trade out of Buffalo were denied by his agent. But that doesn’t mean he won’t get dealt. Is Pittsburgh a good landing spot for the former Av?

Montreal Hockey Now: The Isles have a former Montreal Canadien as head coach in Patrick Roy, and a former Hab as general manager in their latest hire, Mathieu Darche.

Philly Hockey Now: The coaching carousel continues around the league. Former Flyers interim coach Brad Shaw is reportedly joining the Devils staff. And Ian Laperriere, who has been part of the coaching staff for more than a decade, will not be retained by Rick Tocchet.

NYI Hockey Now: Rumors of Shanahan landing a president role with the Isles may have been premature. It sounds like they’re giving Darch full control.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins are one of the teams that have not yet made a new coaching hire. Their decision is coming soon.

Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks have a new coach. They hired Jeff Blashill this week. Blashill spent seven years at the helm in Detroit before serving as an assistant in Tampa Bay for Jon Cooper for the last three seasons.