Category: NHL

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Len Shapiro: After winning two straight and then losing to the CBJs, Sharks regroup for the Blues this Thursday

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Photo credit: @NBCSSharks

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

1 The Sharks, after dominating in their last two wins against Edmonton and Chicago last Tuesday and Thursday nights at SAP Center in San Jose, couldn’t get past the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets in a 4-2 loss on Sunday night.

2 The Jackets started things off with goals from Artemi Pantarin, who had two goals; Nick Foligno and Sonny Milano later scored one each.

3 The Sharks got scoring help from Joonas Donskoi and Evander Kane.

4 The Sharks goalie Marty Jones saved 10-13 shots and was later relieved by Aaron Dell who came in and stopped all 14-14 shots.

5 The Sharks host the St. Louis Blues and Len will have analysis of the upcoming Thursday contest at SAP Center.

Len Shapiro does the SJ Sharks podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsadioservice.com

Blue Jackets move into second wild card as they snap Sharks’ winning streak with 4-2 win

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE — The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 at SAP Center on Sunday night.

So far, the Blue Jackets were having a disappointing California road trip, losing in Anaheim and Los Angeles. Two of the Blue Jackets’ goals came from Artemi Panarin, with one from Nick Foligno and one from Sonny Milano. Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had an outstanding game, making 33 saves for the win. For the Sharks, Martin Jones made 10 saves on 13 shots before Aaron Dell came in and made 14 saves on 14 shots. Sharks’ goals came from Joonas Donskoi and Evander Kane.

The first period was an odd one. The Sharks had three chances on the power play, outshot the Blue Jackets for most of the period, yet gave up two goals. Both goals came right at the end of power plays.

Sharks forward Logan Couture described the trouble the Sharks had in the first period: “They broke out too easy and we didn’t. They forechecked harder than us and we were a little slow getting to pucks. Just didn’t look like our quick selves. We’ve been playing fast the last few games, we were a little slow tonight.”

Ten seconds after the first power play expired, David Savard got by Kevin Labanc, causing something of a distraction in the middle of the Sharks’ zone. As the Blue Jackets closed on the net, they seemed to outnumber the Sharks. Nick Foligno’s shot touched Jone’s sleeve on its way by. Assists went to Matt Calvert and Jack Johnson.

The Blue Jackets’ second goal came after another breakdown just under a minute after the Sharks’ third power play. Near the Sharks’ blue line, a puck came away from the boards, just out of reach of Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s stick.

Right as the puck floated free, Boone Jenner skated in and carried it over the line. Dylan DeMelo tried to come across to help Vlasic out, but Sonny Milano was coming around behind him to catch Jenner’s pass across the slot. Jones could not get across in time. Assists went to Jenner and Oliver Bjorkstrand.

The third Columbus goal came 5:32 into the second, this time nowhere near a power play. Artemi Panarin tipped an Ian Cole shot from the blue line. No one was directly screening Jones, but the change of direction tricked him. Assists went to Cole and Cam Atkinson.

Sharks coach Pete DeBoer made the decision to switch goaltenders at that point and brought in Aaron Dell. The change gave the Sharks time to reset and their play improved significantly. After the game, Forward Evander Kane shared some thoughts about how the Sharks’ game improved later in the game: “We put pucks in the right place, we broke down their defense by getting pucks towards the net, and you know you saw the result. So I think if we come out and do more of that early on we’ll have more success.”

The Blue Jackets had their first power play at 7:26 of the second. The Sharks did not allow any good shots on goal during that penalty, though one shot did hit a post.

The Sharks finally got on the board in the final two minutes of the second period. Dylan DeMelo took a shot from the blue line that looked like it would have gone well wide it Joonas Donskoi had not tipped it in. It was a tricky shot to make, evidently the sort of shot the Sharks needed to beat Bobrovsky. A second assist went to Evander Kane.

After another power play and another penalty kill, the Sharks squeezed a second goal out of the third period. 10:04 in, Joe Pavelski picked up the puck after it bounced off an official’s torso in front of the benches. He carried the puck over the blue line and found Evander Kane in the middle of the ice. It was Kane’s first goal as a Shark since being acquired on February 26.

The Sharks made a final push at the end of the third, pulling their goalie for the extra man. But the Blue Jackets–who appeared more energized throughout the game–escaped their zone and Artemi Panarin scored an empty-netter to make it 4-2 with 53 seconds left in regulation.

Sharks forward Tomas Hertl talked about how disappointed he was with his own performance. While coming back from an injury poses some challenges, he said he feels fine, but he is still trying to get his game back after missing several. Of being moved down the lineup mid-game Sunday, he said: “It’s tough because I wasn’t there for the guys today, you know I [lost] a couple easy pucks. After [the] change they looked a little bit better.” Hertl even said that he felt he deserved to be benched in the third for his poor play, before explaining that he now has three days to refresh and find his game again.

Presumably, he is not the only Sharks player thinking that.

Up Next: The Sharks next play on Thursday at 7:30 pm PT as they host the St. Louis Blues.

NHL Podcast with Daniel Dullum: Is the outdoor game getting to be too much; Sharks Kane is an immediate impact; Seattle NHL team sells out season tix in minutes

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NBC Sports Photo: NBC’s coverage of the 2017-18 season continues on Saturday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals face off in a 2018 Stadium Series game at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland at 8 p.m. ET.

NHL Podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1 Has the Outdoor Game become too much of a good thing?

2 Kane paying immediate dividends for Sharks

3 Seattle NHL fans snagging season tickets, waitlist starts

4 Momentum growing in effort to get Willie O’Ree into Hockey Hall of Fame

Daniel Dullum does the NHL Podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Categories NHL

NHL Podcast with Joe Lami: Kane the spark that lights the offense for Sharks; Carolina’s Williams two goals leads to win; Iafallo’s two goals help Kings comeback in win

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photo from the torontosun.com: The San Jose Sharks Evander Kane (9) embraces teammate Joe Pavelski (8) after Pavelski’s second period goal in the Sharks win past the Chicago Blackhawks at SAP Center on Thursday night

On the NHL Podcast with Joe:

1 The San Jose Sharks lit up the lamp against the Chicago Blackhawks in a 7-2 win on Thursday night at SAP Center scoring four goals in the second period

2 What’s the difference of the improved Sharks offense? Joe says and most will agree Evander Kane. Kane’s presence even though he hasn’t scored a goal yet has made all the difference with ability to stay around the net and help detract the goalie’s attention on him while the rest of the offense finds a way to score.

3 The Hurricanes up ended the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1. The Canes Justin Williams scored twice and the Canes Jordan Staal is back in the line up.

4 Alex Iafallo got two goals to help with the Kings comeback from two goals down in a 5-2 win past the Columbus Blue Jackets

5 Tampa Bay continues to roll with a 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars. Corey Conacher scored at 4:19 of the overtime on Thursday night and the Bolts have won five out of their last six games

Joe Lami does the NHL podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sharks Score a Touchdown, Shellac Hawks 7-2

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE — For San Jose Sharks fans, Thursday night felt great, better than the average win. The Sharks destroyed the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, longtime playoff foes and once-perennial Cup contenders by a score of 7-2. Joe Pavelski scored twice. Five other Sharks scored and Dylan Demelo and Joonas Donskoi each had multi-assist games with three and two, respectively. Logan Couture tied Owen Nolan for fourth on the franchise all-time goals scored with 206.

Martin Jones made 32 saves in net, including surviving a penalty shot from Anthony Duclair in the third period. The Sharks goalie has now allowed two goals or fewer in 11 of his last 13 starts. The win for Jones and co. kept the Sharks two points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific Division.

For a moment, the Blackhawks looked like they we’re going to do something they haven’t done often enough all season; be competitive. Looking up at Anaheim 12 points back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, Chicago took much-needed momentum by scoring first. Artem Anisimov scored his 18th goal of the season 2:12 into the game.

From there, it was an all-out assault on J.F. Berube and the Blackhawks. Pavelski finished off a perfect cross-ice pass from Brent Burns with 9:38 left in the period, beating Berube on the post-to-post desperation slide to tie the game. In a theme for the night, Donskoi also picked up an assist on a crisp pass up to Burns, one of many perfect feeds of the night.

Couture picked up his team-leading 27th goal with 5:46 left in the first after Tomas Hertl’s dogged effort in the high slot. Hertl shook a Hawks defender, spinning on his backhand to dish to Mikkel Boedker on the right post. Boedker swung the puck to Couture, waiting on the opposite post for the easy redirect past Berube and a 2-1 lead.

2:13 into the second, another thread of a cross-crease pass by Chris Tierney gave Kevin Lebanc an gaping open net to bury his eighth goal of the season. Timo Meier broke up the string of finishes off passes, instead tipping a Brendan Dillon point shot between the pads of Berube for his 17th goal of the year and a 4-1 Sharks lead just over five minutes into the second.

The Captain picked up his second goal of the night with 7:46 left in the middle frame when, you guessed it, he received a textbook dish from Donskoi. Pavelski now had 18 goals on the season, collecting 16 points over his last 12 games. Evander Kane assisted for his third point–all assists–in his second game since join the Sharks at Monday’s trade deadline.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic sent Berube to the showers early, continuing his career year by potting his 10th goal of the year with just under 2 seconds left in the 2nd. Berube caught a Shark shot without needing to drop into the butterfly then flung it to his left to keep the play alive. His defenseman wasn’t ready, kicking the puck to Vlasic waiting at the opposite post with an open net. Sharks had a 6-1 advantage.

With Berube chased, the Sharks greeted his replacement Anton Forsberg to more of the same. Barclay Goodrow kicked the extra point for San Jose 2:32 into the third, scoring his sixth goal of the year while sliding to center for the injured Eric Fehr on the fourth line. Nick Schmaltz scored in garbage time for Chicago’s second goal.

San Jose continues its six-game homestand with a chance at revenge. The Columbus Blue Jackets head to the Tank Sunday after blowing a 2-0 firsst period lead against the Kings Thursday night. San Jose is currently 2-0 on the homestand after beating Edmonton Tuesday night at home,

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks’ Kane makes all the difference in Oilers win; Next test as Blackhawks come to town on Thursday

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@SanJoseSharks photo: from left to right San Jose Sharks injured reserve player Joel Ward, center Willie O’Ree and right Evander Kane all pose in the front offices of the San Jose Sharks on Willie O’Ree Night at SAP Center in San Jose

On the San Jose Podcast with Mary Lisa:

The visiting Edmonton Oilers were unlucky last Tuesday night because the Sharks were coming off some disappointing loses from their most recent road trip losing three out of four. The Sharks picked up Evander Kane from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, a talented new player to the roster whose been waiting to play for a good team all his career. Kane started out his career way back with the Atlanta Thrashers and he had some much promise there and that he could really do something, but he bounced around to different struggling teams and had some challenges and it never got off the ground for Kane.

This is Kane’s fourth NHL team he previously played for Winnipeg Jets after starting out in Atlanta and then onto Buffalo and now with San Jose. He’s now with a team that might see the results of his hard work. The first period against the Oilers were kind of flat for the team, but in the second period, the Sharks came right out and Kane got had two points with his linemates with a brand new team and really made an impression and played very well in front of the net which sparked the offense in their 5-2 win.

Mary Lisa has the Sharks podcast and every Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Evander Kane was front and center in Sharks’ 5-2 win over Oilers; Logan Couture expressed happiness with new pieces

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

By Jerry Feitelberg

When it comes to making a good first impression, the San Jose Sharks’ newest acquisition gets passing marks. Evander Kane, acquired Monday at the trade deadline from the Buffalo Sabres for a pair of conditional draft picks, and Danny O’Regan, was front and center during the Sharks’ 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center on Tuesday night. The forward, playing on the wing on San Jose’s top line, picked up two assists while proving instrumental in the top line’s success, flanking Joe Pavelski along with Joonas Donskoi.

San Jose rode an explosive second period to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Joe Pavelski picked up a goal and three assists for a four-point night while Justin Braun, Chris Tierney, Timo Meier and Logan Couture all scored for San Jose. Eric Fehr, another trade acquisition making his home debut, notched his 100th career assist and Martin Jones stopped 22 of 24 Oilers’ shots. Connor McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi scored for Edmonton.

McDavid, reigning Hart Trophy winner as Most Valuable Player, opened the scoring 4:33 into the first period after displaying all the tools that make him a superstar. McDavid showed his trademark burst of speed to burn past Kevin Labanc then unleashed his all-world shot to beat Jones cleanly for his 28th goal of the year.

The Sharks would answer back in a big way in the second period though, and right in the middle of things was San Jose’s new top line. 1:20 into the middle stanza Joe Pavelski made the kind of play you’ve seen his teammates start many times. There was Pavelski in the goal crease, waiting for one of his trademark tips. This time though, it was Evander Kane initiating the play. Kane’s shot-pass went perfectly to Pavelski to tie the game, one of many dynamic moments for the newly established line.

The goal wasn’t without the kind of controversy that will follow a player as physical as Kane can be while toeing an edge between legal and illegal contact. Kane took out defenseman Matt Benning in the corner on a borderline hit, allowing for the breakout to be sprung. Kane, however, is not shy to drop the mitts as is evidenced by his extensive youtube highlights, giving the Sharks some much needed sandpaper.

Kane picked up his second assist as a Shark just over five minutes later after Justin Braun’s point shot deflected ever so much off an Oilers stick past goalie Cam Talbot. Pavelski picked up an assist on the goal for his second point of the night.

Timo Meier picked up his 16th goal of the year after an impressive display of his power forward prowess. Meier drove from the corner to the front of the net, flipping a backhander that found its way through a leaky Talbot for a 3-0 lead. Pavelski picked up his second assist on the goal with 3:45 left in the second.

Logan Couture stuck with a chance curling off the boards a little over a minute later. Couture was trying to feed a cross-crease pass to Tomas Hertl at the far post, but Adam Larsson was able to block off the pass. The puck bounced off Larsson’s skate and Couture worked to the loose puck, flipping it over Talbot for a 4-1 lead with 2:22 left in the middle frame.

Puljujarvi found some chemistry with the Oilers deadline acquisition Pontus Aberg early in the third period. Aberg fed Puljujarvi for his 10th goal of the season 6:06 into the final period. The Oilers would remain silent over the remainder of the contest and Chris Tierney would pot an empty-netter with 55 seconds left for his 16th goal of the season to cap the 5-2 win in Kane’s debut.

The Sharks continue the homestand with contests against the Blackhawks Thursday and Columbus Sunday. They continue to hold on to the second spot in the Pacific Division after leaders Vegas fell to the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Los Angeles is just two points behind San Jose for second with 75 points with fourth place Anaheim three back at 74.

 

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Len Shapiro: Kane comes to SJ for O’Regan and draft picks in exchange with Buffalo

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Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

On the SJ Sharks with Len:

The San Jose Sharks dealt one of their young and upcoming stars Danny O’Regan to the Buffalo Sabers for forward Evander Kane. The Sabers would get from the Sharks a 2019 conditional draft selection, a 2020 conditional draft selection. This is a rare move Sharks general manager Doug Wilson almost never deals younger players especially someone of the caliber of O’Regan. Wilson did realize the Sharks needed more punch in there line especially after the team had had some rough road trips which included losing three out five at the beginning of January and then the most recent trip this week losing three out four.

Wilson said Kane’s physical presence and his ability to put the puck on net was one of the key reasons why he figures into the Sharks offense, “Evander is one of the top young power forwards in the NHL. He is a dynamic player who has a unique combination of size, grit, speed and goal-scoring ability,” said Wilson. “We wanted to add a player that could help this team but also was just hitting his prime. We feel that Evander fits both of those needs and we see this as a great opportunity for him to get to know our group and the city of San Jose.”  

Len Shapiro does the SJ Sharks Podcast each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose to Wild 3-2 in OT Again

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nhl/wild.com photo: The Minnesota Wild’s Jared Spurgeon (46) nets the overtime game winner past San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) at Excel Energy Center in Minnesota

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks finished a four-game road trip Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. The last time these teams played, in San Jose, the Sharks came back to tie the game and lost 4-3 in overtime. This time, the Wild made the comeback but the general result was the same. The Sharks initially took a 2-0 lead with goals from Joakim Ryan and Chris Tierney. The Wild answered with goals from Matt Cullen, Eric Staal and Jared Spurgeon. Wild goaltender Devin Dubnyk made 26 saves for the win, while Sharks goaltender Martin Jones made 38 saves in a losing effort.

“Their game got better as the night went on, ours kind of went the other way a little bit,” said Sharks captain Joe Pavelski. Sharks goaltender Martin Jones made a number of critical saves during the game, keeping it closer than it looked like it should be. After the game, the Jones said: “They forechecked us hard, we had a tough time getting out of our zone with any kind of possession. So you just end up kind of dumping it out and defending a lot.”

“We took some penalties, I didn’t think we broke out well. I thought lines got caught on long shifts. Had opportunities to change, and guys stayed out there longer than they should have. That usually leads to tired legs,” said Sharks forward Logan Couture.

Joakim Ryan scored at 14:00 of the first period. Barclay Goodrow carried the puck into the zone and quickly made a drop pass to Jannik Hansen. Hansen found Ryan through the skates of a Minnesota defender and Ryan didn’t waste time getting the shot away. It was Ryan’s third of the season.

Chris Tierney’s goal came from a two on one 2:28 into the second period. Kevin Labanc carried the puck in along the boards and found Tierney in the slot for a perfect shot to Dubnyk’s right. It was Tierney’s 15th goal of the season and his 10th on the road.

The Sharks held that two-goal lead until the final minute of the second period, when Jared Spurgeon carried the puck in from the red line and got a shot off just above the faceoff dot. Matt Cullen was coming in fast and was able to tip it perfectly over Jones’ shoulder. Assists went to Spurgeon and Marcus Foligno.

The Sharks maintained the one goal lead for most of the third period, but they were on their heels. They took two penalties to the Wild’s one and they were outshot 10-6. With just over five minutes left in regulation, Eric Staal scored with a quick wraparound shot. Assists went to Ryan Suter and Jason Zucker.

Jared Spurgeon’s overtime winner came after Brent Burns had trouble clearing the puck out of the zone. Spurgeon was right there to pick up the puck and pass it across the slot to Zucker. Martin Jones had to move across to cover Zucker but could not get back when Zucker passed the puck back to Spurgeon.

With about five minutes left in the third period, Chris Tierney left the game briefly, but he returned for overtime. Justin Braun was out with the flu and Tim Heed played with Brenden Dillon while Dylan DeMelo slotted in next to Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

The Sharks next play in San Jose against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday at 7:30 pm PT.

NHL Podcast with Daniel Dullum: Olympic mens hockey not a draw; Trade deadline Monday; Sharks look to deal; Leafs Matthews day to day

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si.com photo: German and Russian players exchange handshakes following Russia’s gold medal win at the 2018 Winter Olympics. The NHL players not being allowed by the league to play was said to be the main reason for low TV rating for Men’s Olympic hockey.

On the NHL Podcast with Daniel:

1 Olympic hockey struggles to draw crowds without NHL players

2 NHL trade deadline on Monday, teams already making moves

3 What will the Sharks do at the deadline?

4 Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews day-to-day with shoulder injury

Daniel Dullum does the NHL Podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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