Category: NHL

Sharks Beat Golden Knights 4-2, Askarov Shines

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San Jose Sharks Will Smith (2) had an assist and a point agianst the Vegas Golden Knights the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Sat Sep 26, 2026 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in their final pre-season game. Dmitry Orlov, Macklin Celebrini, Mason Marchment and Michael Misa scored for the Sharks. Yaroslav Askarov made 27 saves for the win. Tomas Hertl and Nic Dowd scored for the Golden Knoghts. Carter Hart made 12 saves in the loss.

The first period looked like it would end scoreless until the Sharks went on the power play at 18:20. Even then, with the shots 13-1 for Vegas, it didn’t look good for the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini carried the puck in, then passed it back up to Dmitry Orlov on the blue line. Orlov moved below the blue line and shot the puck in, bar down. Alexander Wennberg got the secondary assist.

The period ended with the shots 13-2. The Sharks killed two penalties (to Tyler Toffoli and Zack Ostapchuk) and converted on their one power play.

Celebrini made it 2-0 at 6:45 of the second period. Will Smith and Celebrini interrupted a Vegas rush in the Sharks zone and turned play the other way. Celebrini took his shot from above the left faceoff circle. Smith and Mason Marchment got the assists.

Vegas got one back at 17:24, on the power play. Tomas Hertl carried it in, the passed it back up to Shea Theodore. When Askarov stopped Theodore’s shot, Hertl backhanded the rebound in. An assist also went to Carter Hart.

The shots for the second were 12-3 Vegas. The Knights took one penalty and killed it. The Sharks took two penalties (to Dmitry Orlov and Mason Marchment) and killed one.

Nic Dowd tied the game for Vegas at 3:18 of the third period. Skaters entered the zone with speed and a lot of puck movement. Ivan Barbashev passed to his right, Brett Howden passed it to his left and Dowd took the shot.

Mason Marchment broke that tie at 9:47. Darnell Nurse sent a pass to Will Smith but the Golden Knights blocked it. They did not get control of the the puck and it bounced to Marchment on his way into the zone. He had time and he took his shot. Nurse got the only assist.

Michael Misa scored an insurance goal at 14:54. Misa got control of the puck at the blue line, carried the puck in and shot from the right faceoff circle. Assists went to Igor Chernyshov and Tyler Toffoli.

The Sharks did turn the shot clock around in the third, 11-4.

The Sharks next play on Thursday at 7:00 PM PT in San Jose against the visiting Florida Panthers.

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Celebrini gets a C for this season’s sweater; Sharks close out pre season with Knights

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San Jose Sharks newest minted team captain Macklin Celebrini meets with the media on Fri Sep 25, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose (San Jose Sharks X photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 Mary Lisa, just to get your thoughts on Macklin Celebrini being team captain and getting the sweater with the C on handed to him by former Shark Joe Thornton?

#2 Can Michael Misa build on his goal against Vegas on September 22 and continue to make an impression in the Sharks’ preseason lineup?

#3 Will Yaroslav Askarov get another opportunity to demonstrate that he can be a major factor in the Sharks’ goaltending competition?

#4 Can Filip Bystedt and Collin Graf provide enough offensive production to give San Jose an advantage against Vegas?

#5 What kind of impact will Dmitry Orlov and Nolan Allan have defensively as the Sharks work to limit the Golden Knights’ scoring chances?

#6 Can Ivar Stenberg follow up his assist in the September 22 meeting with another strong performance against Vegas?

Join Mary Lisa for the San Jose Sharks podcast each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast Len Shapiro: Oiler head coach Babcock was verbally abusive ESPN analyst Messier; ex-Habs owner Gillet dead at 87; plus more news

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Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock gives instructions during the morning skate during training camp at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Thu Sep 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

NHL podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 Len, talk about Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock who was just hired but had been accused of verbal attacks on some of his former players. ESPN studio analyst Mark Messier said that he heard from reputable people on the inside of the NHL that Babcock was abusive and Messier said some of the stories horrifying.

#2 Len, You might remember him George Gillet Jr the former majority owner of the Montreal Canadiens and part owner of Liverpool FC died at 87 years old. No cause of death was given. Gillett on Jan 31, 2001 bought a majority of the Habs and also bought the Belle Centre worth $275 million at the time. June 20, 2009 Gillet sold the team to the Molson family.

#3 ASU head coach Greg Powers answered questions for the first time since St Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich collapsed last month on Aug 20th during an off season workout. Powers said he’s the right guy for the job and on Sep 20th never addressed Mayich with the press. Mayich was reported to suffer from heat stroke that cut off oxygen to the brain and unlikely will not recover.

#4 The NHL board of governors said they will wait and see regarding finding two expansion teams.The NHL is considering adding a second NHL team in Dallas. Other options expanding to Houston and Austin.

#5 Lastly Len who do you like as the Stanley Cup contenders, the top challengers who you favor for a shot at going all the way and winning the Stanley Cup. Just an early preview for the 26-27 season.

Join Len Shapiro for the 2026-27 NHL podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks drown the Ducks, 10-0; Stenberg gets hat trick in offensive blow out

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San Jose Shark Ivar Stenberg tosses a puck into the stands at SAP Center in San Jose, Sept. 24, 2026. The Sharks completed their third preseason game against the Anaheim Ducks. (San Jose Sharks/X)

By Ryan Hannagan

SAN JOSE, Calif – The Sharks third game of the preseason on Thursday night was one for the record books. A 10-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

This is the first time they recorded ten goals in any game since March of 2002. Their first time in franchise history recording ten goals in a preseason game.

Prior to Thursday’s bout, the Sharks’ preseason record stood at 0-1-1. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky brought out a lineup of sure-thing roster players for the second-to-last game of the preseason, with a handful of guys still battling for a spot. The Sharks battling for a spot in the opening night roster consisted of Jimmy Huntington, Filip Bystedt, Nolan Allan and Eric Pohlkamp.

On the opposing end, Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville went for a roster consisting of a majority of rookies and players who spent last season in the AHL. 

Optimism reeled through the grounds of SAP Center as the opening face-off had dropped – sitting a week from Opening Night, the promise of a new season lurked. The Sharks wasted no time getting their offense rolling, offseason addition Mason Marchment scored on a second-effort breakaway goal just under four minutes into the opening frame. Two minutes later, rookie Ivar Stenberg scored his first goal at SAP Center to quickly increase the lead to 2-0. The Sharks offense didn’t back away following a quick first two, forward Igor Chernysov scored the third tally of the period.

The ice was tilted, a less experienced Ducks squad tried everything they could to stop the bleeding. The men in teal weren’t content with three, as sophomore forward Michael Misa tallied the fourth, followed by Chernysov’s second of the period to give the Sharks a 5-0 cushion as the horn sounded to conclude the opening 20.

Come period two, the Sharks didn’t skip a beat. Two more goals made their lead even more mountable. 40 minutes had gone by, though the game was all but over. 

As the third period rolled along a question loomed as to whether or not the Sharks were going to let up or not. Considering it was a preseason game, that was a valid thought. That didn’t end up being the case. Three more tallies in the third had the final score looking like a low-scoring football game, rather than an NHL game. 

Ivar Stenberg only had suited up in one prior preseason game for the Sharks, though he made himself right at home with his first professional hat trick. In an unseen moment, a shoe rained from the crowd. Though there are no prior statistics for shoes being thrown on the ice during a hat trick, it is fair to believe that could be an SAP Center first. Some Sharks fans may remember the “Umbrella Trick” from years ago.

 All but two skaters registered at least a point for the Sharks. Notables being Stenberg with three goals and an assist, Misa with a goal and three assists, and Chernysov with two goals and an assist. The wealth was shared tonight.

Only one game remains in the preseason for the Sharks, a road matchup in Vegas the coming Saturday. Puck drop, 7:00 p.m. PST.

Second Preseason Loss For Sharks Against the Golden Knights 2-1 Tuesday

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San Jose Sharks Ivar Stenberg (41) had an assist and four shot on goals against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Sep 22, 2026 (San Jose Sharks media photo)

By: Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sharks hockey is getting closer to the regular season, and the San Jose Sharks continued their preseason slate Tuesday night with a 2-1 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center.

San Jose entered the matchup looking to rebound after a 6-2 preseason loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. Vegas, meanwhile, arrived in San Jose after opening its preseason with a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

For the first 40 minutes, the two teams played a tightly contested game, with neither side able to break through offensively.

San Jose showed improvement in several areas, particularly defensively. The Sharks did a solid job protecting the middle of the ice, limiting Vegas’ opportunities and disrupting plays through the neutral zone. Their defensive coverage also helped prevent the Golden Knights from generating sustained offensive pressure.

The game finally opened up in the third period.

The Sharks struck first at 4:18 of the final frame. Dmitry Orlov helped create the play from the blue line, and Ivar Stenberg also contributed to the sequence before Michael Misa redirected the puck past Vegas goaltender Carl Lindbom to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.

Vegas responded just 4:04 later.

Alexander Holtz tied the game at 8:22 of the third period with a wrist shot, assisted by Tanner Laczynski and Adam Ginning. The goal came shortly after San Jose had taken the lead and shifted the momentum back toward the Golden Knights.

Neither team was able to score again in regulation, sending the game to overtime. With no goal in the extra period, the matchup was ultimately decided in a shootout, where Vegas came away with the victory.

Despite the result, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and emphasized the importance of execution and continuing to build an understanding of the style of play he wants the team to establish heading into the regular season.

For San Jose, the preseason continues Thursday at SAP Center when the Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks Thu Sep 24. The matchup will give the team another opportunity to build chemistry, sharpen its defensive structure and continue evaluating players before the regular-season opener.

The Sharks will open their regular season Oct. 1 against the Florida Panthers.

Sharks Fall 6-2 to Ducks to Start Preseason

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Anaheim Ducks Beckett Sennecke (45) and the San Jose Sharks Nolan Allan (5) stay alert for the puck during exhibition NHL action at the Arrowhead Duck Pond in Anaheim on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost 6-2 to the Anaheim Ducks Sunday afternoon. It was the Sharks’ first game of the 2026 preseason. Ducks goals came from Jackson LaCombe, Leo Carlsson, and Tristan Luneau, with a hat trick from Beckett Sennecke. Laurent Brossoit was in net for Anaheim. Eric Pohlkamp, and Jimmy Huntington scored for the Sharks. Goaltender Eric Comrie played the first half of the game and Matthew Davis was in net for the second half. Despite the score, the young Sharks squad acquitted themselves well against a more veteran Ducks lineup.

The Sharks took an early lead with a goal from Eric Pohlkamp at 1:37. Ethan Cardwell got the assist.

Anaheim tied the game at 2:57 with a snap shot from Jackson LaCombe. Assists went to Cutter Gauthier and Tristan Luneau.

The Ducks took the lead at 6:07 when Leo Carlsson scored with a snap shot, assisted by Drew Helleson and Nikita Klepov.

At the end of the first period, the Ducks lead on the scoreboard 2-1 and the shot clock 9-3. The Sharks had the only power play in the period when Roger McQueen was called for hooking Zack Ostapchuk at 16:06.

The Sharks had a another power play at 8:41 of the second period when Beckett Sennecke also hooked Ostapchuk.

The Sharks changed goaltenders at the halfway mark, putting Matthew Davis in the net.

Seconds after play resumed, Jimmy Huntington tied the game for San Jose on a breakaway at 11:05. Brett Leason got the assist.

The first Sharks penalty was called against Libor Hajek, for interference on Nikita Nesterenko. This allowed the Ducks take the lead back with a power play goal at 12:15. Sennecke scored with a wrist shot, assisted by Carlsson and LaCombe.

Sennecke padded that lead with his second of the game at 16:07. His slap shot was set up by Luneau and Nico Myatovic.

The shots were much closer in the second period, 14-11 Ducks. The third period opened with an early fight between Travis Mitchell and Andre Gasseau.

The Sharks killed their second penalty of the game early in the third. Anthony Vincent was called for interference on Leo Carlsson at 3:04.

Sennecke completed a natural hat trick at 8:10 of the third period with a backhander assisted by Granlund and Myatovic.

Luneau made it 6-2 for Anaheim at 13:44 with a slap shot from just below the blue line. Alex Killorn got the assist.

The Sharks killed a third penalty after Ethan Cardwell was called for high-sticking Stian Solberg at 14:40.

The Sharks play their next preseason game on Tuesday in San Jose at 7:00 PM PT against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Mary Lisa Walsh covers the San Jose Sharks road games for the 2026-27 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks open pre season 26 in Anaheim Sunday

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FILE – San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) drives the puck as Vancouver Canucks left wing Liam Ohgren (92) defends during the third period of their NHL ice hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 Macklin Celebrini: Can Celebrini build on his franchise-record 115-point sophomore season and lead the Sharks into playoff contention in 2026–27?

#2 Michael Misa: How will Misa’s role develop after his 45-game NHL debut season, and can he establish himself as a major part of the Sharks’ forward group?

#3 Will Smith: With Smith still unsigned to a long-term extension, how important will his upcoming season be to his future with San Jose?

#4 Yaroslav Askarov: After adding 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason, can Askarov challenge Alex Nedeljkovic for a larger share of the Sharks’ goaltending duties?

#5 Ivar Stenberg: After scoring twice in 25 seconds during his first game with San Jose, can Stenberg continue making a strong impression as he competes for a place in the Sharks’ lineup?

Mary Lisa covers the San Jose Sharks road games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast Len Shapiro: Hellebuyck is a no show suspended insists on trade from Jets; How Doughty’s captaincy impacts Kings; plus more news

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Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been suspended by the Jets for failing to report to the Jets pre season camp. Hellebuyck has asked for a trade he’s still under contract with the Jets and wants out. (AP file photo)

NHL podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 How will the Winnipeg Jets handle Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension after he failed to report to training camp, and what could it mean for his trade situation?

#2 What impact could Drew Doughty have as the Los Angeles Kings’ new captain following Anže Kopitar’s retirement?

#3 How significant is Chris Tanev’s return to training camp for the Toronto Maple Leafs after his core-muscle surgery?

#4 Which players and roster battles should NHL fans watch as teams begin training camp, including Detroit’s 49-player camp?

#5 How will Carolina navigate Alexander Nikishin’s absence from training camp and Seth Jarvis’ expected early-season absence as the defending Stanley Cup champions prepare for the new season?

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast Len Shapiro: Barry Melrose dead at 70 one of the best NHL analysts; Red Wings DeBrincat hopes Larkin can work things out with contract;

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Former NHL Fox analyst and head coach of the Los Angeles Kings Barry Melrose passed away at the age of 70 his family announced Thu Sep 10, 2026 (AP News photo)

NHL podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 Former NHL Fox analyst and head coach of the Los Angeles Kings Barry Melrose passed away at 70 years old on Thursday. Melrose was suffering from Parkinson’s which he was diognoised with in 2023 which forced him to retire from broadcasting.

#2 Detroit Red Wings star Alex DeBrincat said that Dylan Larkin makes the Red Wings a better team in spite of Larkin’s reqest to be traded. Larkin has a full no trade clause running through the 27-28 season according to his contract. Patrick Kane who left the Wings for the Blackhawks partly because of the Larkin debacle.

#3 The Anaheim Ducks have placed veteran forward Chris Kreider on waivers so that the Ducks can terminate his contract. Kreider 35, in his seventh year of his contract earning him $6.5 million an average against the salary cap. Kreider wanted to play for a team closer to the east coast but no team as been determined as yet.

#4 Alex Formenton was third player aquitted for sexual assault a case that ended in July 2025 and will now join the Edmonton Oilers. Formenton last played in the NHL in 2022 with the Ottawa Senators. Formenton played the last four years in Switzerland. An Ontario judge found the four players not guilty of sexual assault during an event there in 2018 celebrating Canada’s gold medal winning world junior team.

 #5 The Boston Bruins announced they have signed forward Fraser Minten to a seven year $50.4 million extension. Minten scored 17 goals and had 18 assists in his first year, Minten also was fifth with 142 hits. Bruins general manager Dan Sweeny said that Fraser has earned the “accerlerated trust of his teammates.”

#6 Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyuk’s shopping spree to get free from Winnipeg had Jet’s captain Adam Lowry saying that the trade rumors “are not worth our time” Lowry said,  “(If) you spend so much time speculating on it you’re going to drive yourself crazy. The situation is going to resolve itself one way or the other…”

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast Len Shapiro: Stars Seguin trying to make a comeback from knee surgery; Will Blues Thomas face pressure as captain? Plus more news

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Dallas Stars Tyler Seguin (91) can he make a full come back after having off season knee surgery as training camp is underway (AP file photo)

NHL podcast Len Shapiro:

#1Can Tyler Seguin make a full comeback for the Dallas Stars after returning to the ice from knee surgery, and will he be ready for training camp?

#2 How much pressure will St. Louis Blues captain Robert Thomas face as he takes over the captaincy from Brayden Schenn?

#3 Could Kirill Marchenko be traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Montreal Canadiens, and would the move significantly strengthen Montreal’s second line?

#4 What’s the latest on Connor Hellebuyck trade the Winnipeg Jets want to trade one report says he might go to the Edmonton Oilers and the Wild signing Quinn Hughes on the dotted line.

#5 How significant is Amazon Prime Video’s new local streaming deal for the Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues—and what will it mean for fans?

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com