San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks Veterans and younger players meshing just fine in camp

San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg (3) takes part in a practice session on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 With new veterans like John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy, and Jeff Skinner added this offseason, how are they meshing with the younger players in camp? Are they assuming leadership or mentorship roles early on?

#2 Which prospects or camp invites are making the strongest push to break into the NHL roster, and in what roles (bottom 6 forward, power play, penalty kill, third pairing defense, etc.)?

#3 As the team trims its roster (seven players were cut already), what’s the strategy or criteria being used to decide who stays and who is sent down or released?

#4 How is the goaltending competition evolving in camp? Who is standing out between the goalies Alex Nedelikovic and Yaroslav Askarov in terms of consistency, reaction, rebound control, and poise under pressure?

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

Sharks Tough 2-1 Loss in Preseason Against Golden Knights


Sharks and Golden Knights at puck drop during the preseason game at SAP Center in San Jose, CA AP Photo

By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, CA— The team was not feeling it tonight in a tough 2-1 loss against Vegas.

This was not a typical Friday night for the Sharks; the team released a couple of big pieces of news for the upcoming season. The team revealed a new center ice logo and a brand new jersey celebrating the 35th anniversary, incorporating a taste of the past and present.

However, the San Jose Sharks had their second warm-up game against the Golden Knights, in a game where the Sharks took the lead but were unable to maintain the momentum and pace of the game.

The Golden Knights played a team where their star players didn’t have any kind of presence; they were mostly future prospects for next season.

For the Sharks, there are lots of positives to take. Dimitry Orlov opened up the scoring with a power-play goal, and first wearing a Sharks uniform. Yaroslav Askarov made a total of 27 saves, highlighting a great performance. Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson saw some ice time, but tonight was not a good night to shine as the team was very much outplayed.

Cole Schwindt and Lukas Cormier scored the two goals for the visitors, and one of them was a power-play goal.

Coach Ryan Warsofsky spoke to the media after the game. “We have to go back to basics. We have to demonstrate the importance of the NHL’s competitive level, and that’s something the players have to understand. There are only 20 spots available,” Warsofky said

Clearly, the statement the coach wants to convey is that the preseason is not to be taken lightly, every game matters, and every step will dictate what comes next in the regular season.

The team will fly to SoCal to play against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday Night for their third game of preseason.

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro: Misa at 18 years old can he hang with the more experienced players?

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 Len talk about the Sharks center Michael Misa at 18 years old can he play with the big men in the NHL.

#2 Can Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith make the big jump in the NHL this season.

#3 Len talk about Dimitry Orolov and Nick Leddy what he brings for the defense and how much time to do you see him getting.

#4 Len, talk about the Sharks goaltenders Alex Nedelijkovic and Yaroslav Askarov and what do you expect from them in front of the net.

#5 Talk about the Sharks on and off defense coming into pre season?

Len Shapiro does the San Jose Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks open ’25/’26 Pre-season with a bang, 3-0, drowning the Golden Knights, Sunday Evening in the Tank.

San Jose Sharks left wing Jeff Skinner (53) congratulates goaltender Alex Nedelijkovic (33) after the Sharks win over the Vegas Golden Knights in NHL pre season action at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Sep 21, 2025 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Michael Roberson and Vince Cestone

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks (1-0) began the 2025-26 NHL Pre-Season on a good note, with a 3-0 victory over recent rival Vegas Golden Knights (0-1), inside the SAP Center.

Despite not showcasing the high profile Macklin Celebrini, who was absent due to illness, the Silicon Valley fish still prevailed against their Sin City guests. Both teams were stingy on defense in the first period. Both goalies survived a power play, and multiple shots on goal.

San Jose had four legitimate shots at the net, to no avail, while Vegas more than doubled (9)the Sharks’ scoring opportunities, with same no net result, 0-0 after 20 minutes of action. The only real action in the initial period was a hooking penalty by Vegas’ forward Cole Schmidt, and San Jose’s forward Egor Afanasyev was punished or tripping.

The second period had some scoring action during its 20-minute stretch. The Sharks had 12 shots on goal, with two hitting the back of the net, while the Golden Knights reduced their attempts by four (5), with none lighting the lamp.

San Jose defenseman John Klingberg converted a power play “wrister” (7:18) early in the period, to break the ice in the scoreless battle. With less than a minute left in the second, forward Jeff Skinner tipped in a shot to putting the home team up 2-0 (19:14). That remained the score at the second intermission and 40 minutes of regulation play had elapsed.

The final period also seemed to be heading towards another scoreless 20 minutes; however, forward Tyler Toffoli had other plans for the third stanza. He maneuvered himself around the defenders and capitalized on the pulled goalie.

At the 19:17 mark of the game and period, Toffoli put the biscuit in the open basket, and put the Sharks up 3-0 over VGK. As the seconds ticked off, the Sharks accomplished an impressive shutout win inside the Tank.

“The real experienced teams jump on teams in the second period with the changes, the long change. So we really wanted to make that a focus…that translated to some goals.” Stated Sharks’ head coach Ryan Warsofsky

San Jose’s next preseason game will be a rematch versus the very same Vegas Golden Knights at the Tank, Friday, September 26 at 7 PM PT. Vegas will next be in action Tuesday, September 23, as they host the Los Angeles Kings in the Silver State.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Len Shapiro: Panthers repeat win it all bounce Oilers in six games with 5-1 win

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) can’t look anymore after the Florida Panthers scored their third goal in the second period in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise FL (AP News photo)

NHL Finals podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers had too many slow starts and not enough goaltending support from Stuart Skinner allowing three goals in the 5-1 loss.

#2 Tough way to go down losing their second consecutive NHL Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers repeat and were tough customers in game 3 winning 6-1, game 5 winning 5-2, and the Panthers winning it all in game 6.

#3 The Oilers got the heartbreaker losing in Game seven 2-1 last season after coming back from winning three straight games after being down 3-0. This season’s final the Panthers took the last three out of four games to repeat as champions.

#4 The star for game 6 was the Panthers Sam Reinhart who completed a hat trick with two empty net goals. Reinhart finished with four goals to pretty much cinch it for the Panthers.

#5 Talk about the Oilers offense or lack of they didn’t get any scoring support. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid were empty handed with no goals. The only goal the Oilers got was from Vasily Podkolzin in the third period avoiding a shutout.

Len Shapiro is an NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Mary Lisa: Oilers with home ice can capitalize on Panthers in game 5 Saturday

Edmonton Oilers Corey Perry (90) gets his shot stopped by the Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in third period action of game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise FL on Thu Jun 12, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 In the first 20 minutes the Edmonton Oilers were behind the Florida Panthers by three goals in the next 20 minutes the Oilers made up for lost time and tied up the game 3-3. Talk about the shots.

#2 The Oilers would take the lead but gave up the tying goal to the Panthers in the last few seconds of regulation that forced overtime with the score at 4-4. You saw four consecutive goals.

#3 Leon Drasaitl once again was the hero of the contest in game 4 scoring the game winning goal in overtime 5-4 on Thursday night. It was Draisaitl’s fourth overtime finals goal a NHL record.

#4 Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said that games like this were exhausting, “Two good teams playing as hard as they are, playing the right way. Obviously with what’s on the line, it’s stressful. There’s a lot on the line, but it is fun and I think our guys are having fun, enjoying this moment.”

#5 Game 5 will be back in Edmonton at Rogers Arena Saturday night at 5:00pm PDT. The Oilers will have home ice and could go up 3-2 on the other hand the Panthers could go up 3-2. It’s an evenly matched final.

Mary Lisa does the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Len Shapiro: Oilers tie up series 2-2; Draisaitl goal breaks deadlock in OT for 5-4 win

Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates the game winning goal for the Edmonton Oilers in the first overtime of game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise FL (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 In the first 20 minutes the Edmonton Oilers were behind the Florida Panthers by three goals in the next 20 minutes the Oilers made up for lost time and tied up the game 3-3. Talk about the shots.

#2 The Oilers would take the lead but gave up the tying goal to the Panthers in the last few seconds of regulation that forced overtime with the score at 4-4. You saw four consecutive goals.

#3 Leon Drasaitl once again was the hero of the contest in game 4 scoring the game winning goal in overtime 5-4 on Thursday night. It was Draisaitl’s fourth overtime goal a NHL record.

#4 Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said that games like this were exhausting, “Two good teams playing as hard as they are, playing the right way. Obviously with what’s on the line, it’s stressful. There’s a lot on the line, but it is fun and I think our guys are having fun, enjoying this moment.”

#5 Game 5 will be back in Edmonton at Rogers Arena Saturday night at 5:00pm PDT. The Oilers will have home ice and could go up 3-2 on the other hand the Panthers could go up 3-2. It’s an evenly matched final.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Mary Lisa: Panthers Marchand send series back to Florida tied 1-1 after scoring 2 goals in double OT

Florida Panthers Brand Marchand (63) is excited about scoring his second period goal against the Edmonton Oilers in game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final at Edmonton on Fri Jun 6, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP)

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 Brad Marchand scored in the second overtime on a breakaway goal that led to the Florida Panthers winning 5-4 in game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final on Friday night in Edmonton.

#2 The series goes back to Florida on Monday for game 3 tied at 1-1. The Panthers have home ice for games 3 and 4.

#3 The Panthers battled all game long down 4-3 saw Corey Perry tie the game at 17.8 second left in the third period. Perry’s goal was key if not for that the Oilers would be up 2-0.

#4 Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who were key scorers in game 1 both battled with they had in game 2 on Friday but the Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was able to keep them out of the net. The Oilers ended up pulling goaltender Stuart Skinner for an extra attacker in the second overtime and Marchand took advantage of the open net and got the game winner.

#5 Game 3 moves to Florida on Monday night the Panthers have home ice for games 3 and 4 and it could give Florida a shot at taking a 3-1 series lead. The Oilers will have to regroup to avoid that from happening.

Mary Lisa is a NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Len Shapiro: Draisaitl delivers for Oilers with 2 goals; neither team caved in game 1

Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl (not shown) scored on Florida Panther goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as the Oilers Connor McDavid looks on while the Panthers Seth Jones (3) tried defending during the first overtime period in game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Rogers Centre in Edmonton (Canadian Press via AP)

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers in game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals saw Leon Draisaitl score a goal with a minute into the the game. The Oilers got a tying goal when Connor McDavid executed a perfect pass Draisaitl.

#2 Len, this game almost went into a second overtime but McDavid’s pass to Draisaitl got the winning goal. This combination has been key to the Oilers getting this far.

#3 Draisaitl was not able to score a goal in the finals last season but wants to make up for lost scoring. The Oilers also lost the first three games of the series to the Panthers and won the next three to tie up the series but couldn’t close out the 7th game for a loss.

#4 The two potential Hall of Famers McDavid and Draisaitl what this finals means to them if they can win this series. What they haven’t done is win the Stanley Cup and McDavid and . It would be the first franchise title in 35 years.

#5 Game 2 slated for Friday night in Edmonton. If the Oilers can come away with the win they will have 2-0 momentum going into game 3 in Florida. If the Panthers were to win game 2 it’s 1-1 going to Florida and that could shift momentum in Florida’s way.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Michael Roberson: Panthers-Oilers rematch it all starts tonight in Edmonton; Oilers Kane key unsung hero

Edmonton Oilers Evander Kane (91) prepares to face off against the Dallas Stars in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thu May 24, 2025. The Oilers face off against the Florida Panthers Wed Jun 4, 2025 in Edmonton for game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Michael Roberson:

#1 How much of a key factor has Evander Kane been in the Oilers success in getting to the NHL Finals last year and this year?

#2 Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid on media day was asked if the you had to lose a Stanley Cup Final before you win one. McDavid said last year he would have said no but since they lost the final McDavid said you have to lose before you win one.

#3 McDavid and the Oilers who won the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars will rematch against the Florida Panthers in this final.

#4 The Oilers in that last round won the series 4-1 do you see that momentum carrying over into the finals for the Oilers?

#5 Is there any concern the Oilers may have after coming back three games down to tie the series and then to lose it in game 7.

#6 The puck drops tonight in Edmonton for game 1 of the best of seven series how do you see this one the Florida Panthers have been getting great goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky.

Michael Roberson is a NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com