Celtics Come to Town and Dethrone the Kings 144-119

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) goes for the the thrown down against the Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

By Tony Renteria 12/20/2023 

SACRAMENTO–The hometown Sacramento Kings (16-9) hosted the Visiting first place Boston Celtics (20-6) on a cold December night in Capital City. The Kings started out strong with a high scoring first quarter but that seemed to be the only high scoring quarter for the Kings as the Celtics left Sacramento with a decisive victory with a score of  144-119.

The First Quarter started out with a three pointer by Keegan Murray and the Kings seemed to all follow suit as the Team was 11/21 from beyond the arch. The Celtics kept up with the Kings as they also hit three points shots going eight for 12 to pace as they were only down by three points as the Kings led 41 to 38. De’Aaron Fox was a superlative five for six from three-point land as he led the Kings with 17 first quarter points. 

The Second Quarter seemed to be all the Celtics as they roared back behind the shooting and play of guard Derrick White. White led all Celtics with 19 first half points. Fox seemed to cool off and in doing so let the Celtics go into the half with 74-to-66-point lead. Fox did score nine points in the quarter to add to his total of 26 points. 

The Third Quarter seemed to a continuation of the second as the Celtics came out firing and shooting lights out. At a little more than the seven-minute mark the Celtics had increased their lead to a near commanding 96-72 margin. 

As the Celtics continued to expand their lead in the quarter the sound of cowbells seemed to be drowned out by the cheers of Celtics who seem occupy almost half of the northern lower deck. The Celtics outscored the Kings 39 -24 in the quarter to take a 113- 90 lead into the final period. 

The Fourth Quarter just seemed to get worse for the Kings as the Celtics had a 25-point lead with nine minutes to go. The Celtics keep pace with scoring from Forward Jaylen Brown and Center Kristaps Porzingas. Around the six-minute mark it appeared as Head Coach Mike Brown had thrown in the towel for the games not a single starter was in the game. 

Celtics all-star Jayson Tatum (26.8 points and 8.7 Rebounds) was inactive due to a left ankle sprain. Starting Center Al Horford, the 17-year veteran and his (7.7 points and 7.1 rebounds) were inactive as well due to load management.  

Kings have been led by De’Aaron Fox (30.1 points and 6.4 assists) 

Roadrunners win wild high scoring affair 8-6 over Barracuda

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Tucson Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta (#31) helps keep the puck from crossing the goal line against the San Jose Barracuda at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday DEC 20, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Defense and discipline got an early start on the holidays.

The Tucson Roadrunners kept coming back and kept pouring it on as they defeated the San Jose Barracuda 8-6 in a game that resembled a shooting gallery on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose had its season best three-game winning streak snapped. Tucson has won three of its last four games.

San Jose (8-12-4-0) drew first blood with an even strength goal early in the first period. Bradley Marek whipped around a shot from the left point that pinballed off bodies in front past Roadrunners goalie Matthew Villalta for his second goal of the season at the 3:03 mark. Leon Gawanke and Scott Sabourin were credited with assists.

Marek snapped a 10-game goal-less draught.

Tucson (15-8-1-1) answered back two minutes later. A shot from the point by Patrik Koch was redirected past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi by Aku Raty for his fourth goal of the season at the 5:11 mark.

The ‘Cuda regained the lead with the man advantage at the 7:09 mark. Danil Gushchin fed a pass up to Shakir Mukhamadullin at the point and the Russian defenseman lasered in a wrist shot to the far side for his fourth goal of the season. Cole Cassels received the secondary assist on the play.

Tucson scored the equalizer after a faceoff win inside the ‘Cuda zone. Justin Kirkland fed a pass back up to the point to Lleyton Moore. The rookie defenseman who made his AHL debut for the Roadrunners beat Makiniemi with a wrist for his first career AHL goal at the 10:16 mark.

San Jose gained its third lead of the game near the halfway mark of the second period. Brett Kemp centered a backhand pass from behind the net out to Marek who beat Villalta with one-timer for his second goal of the game and third of the season at the 8:36 mark.

The Roadrunners needed just 18 seconds to score its third equalizer of the contest. Curtis Douglas sent Ben McCartney on a breakaway with an outlet pass out of the ‘Cuda zone. McCartney beat Makiniemi with a low wrist shot for his first goal of the season.

Tucson hit their fifth gear as they gained its first lead on a power play. With Artem Guryev in the sinbin for boarding, Kirkland centered a pass from the slot and Raty tipped the puck past Makiniemi for his second goal of the game and fifth goal of the season at the 9:53 mark.

Raty completed the hat trick as the Roadrunners took advantage of a tired ‘Cuda line. Ryan McGregor sent a rink wide pass over to a wide-open Raty and he buried a wrist shot to the short side for his sixth goal of the season at the 15:32 mark.

“This team (Tuscon) lives off of turnovers. Almost all of their offense comes off transition, off of turnovers. We were just too careless with the puck and it burned us,” ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy said.

Thomas Bordeleau made it a one-goal game early in the third period when he received the puck at his own blueline, skated into the Roadrunners zone and used a Tucson defender as a screen before depositing a wrist shot past Villalta for his co-leading eighth goal of the season at the 1:51 mark.

Tucson continued its theme of the night of scoring a goal right after a San Jose goal. Austin Poganski cleaned up a rebound into an open net for his third goal of the season at the 3:18 mark as the Roadrunners regained its two-goal lead.

The Barracuda scored its second power play goal of the game to make it 6-5 at the halfway through the final frame. Mukhamadullin’s shot from the point was cleaned up by Sabourin, who was parked in front of the crease, for his fourth goal of the season at the 9:53 mark.

The Roadrunners took advantage of a bad turnover by the Barracuda inside their own zone. Nikolai Knyzhov gave the puck to Raty and he fed it over to Milos Kelemen who beat Makiniemi with a wrist shot for his third goal of the season at the 13:04 mark.

The ‘Cuda weren’t dead yet as they scored their sixth goal of the season on an odd-man rush. Sabourin sent a rink wide pass down to Gawanke who beat Villalta with a shot through the five-hole for his fifth goal of the season at the 16:34 mark.

“We want him (Gawanke) to activate up the ice when the time is right and that was the perfect time to do it. I think that was a good play by him,” McCarthy said.

Victor Soderstrom completed the scoring with a power play goal with 16 second remaining in the game with his fifth goal of the season.

Villalta (13-7-1-1) finished the game making 29 saves on 35 shots to earn his 13th victory of the season. Makiniemi (3-3-0-1) made 30 saves on 38 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Tucson went 2-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Raty 2) Mukhamadullin 3) Marek.

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a three-game road trip when the take on the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday 12/22 at 7:00pm at Dollar Loan Center.

San Jose State Ends 2023 With A 81-78 Victory Against Santa Clara; Face Wyoming Jan 2nd

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Alvaro Cardenas (13) San Jose Spartans guard finished second in scoring with 14 against the Wyoming Cowboys at Provident Credit Union Event Arena in San Jose Wed Dec 20, 2023 (San Jose Spartans photo)

Wednesday, December 20th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – The San Jose State Spartans host the Santa Clara Broncos in a matchup between Silicon Valley schools. The Spartans are coming off their first home loss of the season, an 86-75 defeat to Montana Sunday afternoon. 

The first half for San Jose State was them clicking on all cylinders, 55% from the field. Tibet Gorener and Latrell Davis led the Sparatans with 10 points each with MJ Amey Jr. with nine. Meanwhile Santa Clara was led by Carlos Marshall Jr. who had 23 points, but that wasn’t enough to put them up at the half as the Brocos were trailing by three as the half ended with 42-39 SJSU. 

The second half started and the Spartans went right on the offensive. Santa Clara was on their heels all first half, so San Jose State needed to separate themselves from this hungry Broncos team if the Spartans were gonna walk out of the event center with a W.

The whole game it felt like Santa Clara was right there with SJSU, but that’s because they were. Four different players in double digits (Amey Jr, Davis, Gorener, and Cardenas) contributed to SJSU maintaining a lead, but the Broncos were always within a fighting distance.

The last minute they were tied at 76 a piece and after a Santa Clara three. Amey Jr. hit two free throws to take the lead and after a missed three from the Broncos, the Spartans had Adrame Diongue at the free throw line, not being that great from the line, he missed one and made one, putting SJSU up three with  12 seconds left.

Adama Bal scored a layup to put the Broncos within one and had to foul the Spartans again to regain possession, this time Alvaro Cardenas who hit both free throws to make their lead a three point lead. The final chance buzzer beater three for Santa Clara hit rim, but no success and the Spartans won 81-78.

Amey Jr. with 19 points and Cardenas with a double double are just one of the many reasons the Spartans left with the win, but they won this by playing their game both halves. 

Spartans got a feel-good win before the holiday break and got a well deserved break. Their next game will be in 2024, specifically January 2nd 2024 in Wyoming against Wyoming. The San Jose State Spartans look to start their next year with more success than they did, ending 2023 7-6.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Cal eeks it out against the Trying Tritons 71-67 at Haas Pavilion

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Cal Bears guard Devin Askew (55) gets the offense plan going against the UC San Diego Tritons guard Tyler McGhie (13) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Tue Dec 20, 2023 (Cal Bears photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 First half Cal at one point had a 34-8 lead and you had to wonder how much will Cal crush the UCSD Tritons but it all started to collapse in the second half.

#2 In the second half the Tritons gained confidence and had a 14-0 run on the Bears and the Tritons looked as if they had broken through.

#3 The Tritons took advantage of Cal’s turnovers and couldn’t string any scoring when UCSD took a brief lead.

#4 In the last ten minutes of the game a nail biter Cal was hoping to slow down the UCSD. Cal was looking to try and slow the Tritons offense down and get back in the ball game. It was a game that went down to the last 20 seconds. Cal just got by the Tritons 71-67.

#5 Cal has the tough task to face #4 Arizona in they’re next game on Fri Dec 29th at Haas Pavilion. The Wildcats have won eight of their last nine games. Cal could have they’re hands full.

Stephen Ruderman is a Cal Bears basketball beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bears dodge massive bullet after blowing 26-point lead Tryin’ Tritons and barely hold on 71-67

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Cal Bears guard Keonte Kennedy (3) runs down the court against the UCSD Tritons at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Wed Dec 20, 2023 (Cal Bears basketball podcast)

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

UC San Diego Tritons 67 (6-6)

California Golden Bears 71 (4-7)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–The California Golden Bears returned home, and nearly had their worst loss of the season, as they blew a 34-8 lead, but they barely held on after a long and laborious second period to bead the UC San Diego Tritons, 71-67.

The Bears won the opening tip, and they just dominated. Fardaws Aimaq dunked one in to get the scoring started for Cal. Jalen Cone made back-to-back threes, and Jalen Celestine laid one in to make it 10-0 Bears just a minute and 43 seconds into the game.

Cone, Keonte Kennedy and Celestine all hit threes to make it 19-2 just four minutes and 35 seconds in. Aimaq laid one in to make it 21-2. With 8:25 remaining in the first period, Cal led it 34-8.

Cal’s lead remained steady, as they led it 42-19 with 2:30 left, but the Tritons then began to chip away at Cal’s lead, and they closed out the first period with an 8-2 run to go into the half down 44-27.

Come the second period, everything changed. The Tritons scored four unanswered points to start the second period, and make it 44-31. Cal then responded, and made it 50-34, but the Tritons then went on a 14-0 run to cut the Bears’ lead to just two at 50-48.

Just as Cal was making every shot in the first half of the first period, the momentum and tone of the game had completely changed. Now it was the Tritons making every shot, and Cal missing every shot.

The Bears had a brief reprieve, as Rodney Brown Jr. laid one in, and Cone hit a three to open Cal’s lead back to 55-48. However, the Tritons just as quickly bounced right back, as Bryce Pope hit a jumper, and Tyler Mcghie hit a three to make it 55-53.

Pope then hit a three ball, and the Tritons had come all the way back from down 34-8 to take a 56-55 lead with 8:55 remaining. Pope then made a pair of free throws to extend the Tritons’ lead to 58-55.

Aimaq laid one in for Cal to cut it to 58-57, and then after several missed shots by both teams, Keonte Kennedy hit a pair of free throws to put the Bears back ahead at 59-58. Jaylon Tyson then laid one in, was fouled and then made a free throw to make it 62-58. Tyson then made another free throw roughly a minute later to make it 63-58.

The Bears were on an 8-0 run, and appeared to have the momentum back, as the game entered its final minutes. However, Mcghie hit a free throw for the Tritons, and then Francis Nwaokorie hit two more to make it 63-61 with 2:11 remaining.

Aimaq made a jumper to make it 65-61, and Emmanuel Tshimanga made a pair of free throws for San Diego to make it 65-63. Jalen Celestine then hit a three with 1:05 remaining to make it 68-63, followed by a pair of free throws by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones to make it 68-65.

The Bears had the ball, and then Tshimanga stole the ball from Aimaq, and passed it to Tait-Jones, who laid one in to make it a one-point game at 68-67 with just 22.9 seconds remaining. Hayden Gray fouled Kennedy with 20.9 seconds left, and Kennedy hit both free throws to make it 70-67.

After Mcghie missed a three for the Tritons, Celestine was fouled, and made the final of his two free throws, and the Bears were able to barely hold on to win it, 71-67.

With this win, the Bears have officially surpassed last season’s win total just 11 games into this season, as they improve to 4-7. They will have another eight days off, and then they will welcome the Arizona Wildcats to Haas Pavilion to begin Pac-12 play on Friday, Dec. 29 at 7:30.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Battle of first place teams Raven and 49ers on Christmas night

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Baltimore Ravens quarterback LaMar Jackson (8) tries to throw a pass under pressure against the Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (51) at So Fi Stadium in Inglewood on Sun Nov 26, 2023 (AP file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens is a late season late game on Christmas night. It’s the first time since the 1993 season that two first place teams will face off against each other in 16 weeks or later. The Cowboys and Giants met that year and were 11-4.

#2 What are some of the few things your looking forward to in this match up on Christmas night and at Levi Stadium the excitement has to be building up for this thriller.

#3 Talk about the Ravens quarterback LaMar Jackson he has 3,105 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions how important how key has he been for the Ravens?

#4 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has led the 49ers to six consecutive wins, would you say of those six wins his most impressive win came against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial on Dec 3rd.

#5 Joe, it’s time to get your prediction for this Monday’s game at Levi Stadium between the Ravens and 49ers in what could be a preview of the Super Bowl.

Joe Hawkes does the San Francisco 49ers podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford battles San Diego State Tonight ; Cardinal set sights for third win in a row

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) won the Freshman of the week Award. Stojakovic led the Cardinal in scoring with 17 points against the Idaho Vandals Sun Dec 17, 2023 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael R:

#1 Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic led the Cardinal with 17 points Sunday at Stanford and won the Freshman of the week Award quite an achievement for Stojakovic.

#2 Four other Cardinal ended up in double figures. Michael Jones had 14 points with seven rebounds and Maxime Raynaud got his second double double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

#3 Kanaan Carlyle had 11 points in his first game with the Cardinal and off the bench.

#4 The Cardinal shot 56.4 their highest percentage of the season and 43.5 for three pointers. It was the third time the Cardinal past the 40 percent mark this season.

#5 It’s off to San Diego State and the Aztecs Thu Dec 21st. The Aztecs won their last game edging UC Irvine 63-62 at San Diego State. Aztecs are good and ready with a 9-2 record. Stanford is 6-4 and are looking for a road win.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Defeat Celtics In Overtime Shoot-Out 132-126

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) lets the Boston Celtics know it’s bedtime as Curry led Golden State with 33 points at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Dec 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

This game was a good old-fashion shoot-out with the Golden State Warriors (13-14) prevailing in overtime. Warriors guard Stephen Curry hit a clutch three with 11.1 seconds left on the clock giving the Warriors a 130-126 lead. Curry closed out this game with a couple of shots from the line giving Golden State a 132-126 win over Boston Celtics (20-6). Curry led in scoring with 33 points.

Game recap: The Celtics jumped out to the lead in the first quarter winning the first 12 minutes of play 40-30 in a high-scoring quarter. Boston cooled off in the second quarter and Golden State really got going. With 4:14 left in the first half, the Warriors had tied up this game at 54.

 Klay Thompson was 3 of 5 from beyond the arc and bench player Dario Saric was 3 of 3 from downtown. At 3:36 the Warriors had taken the lead 56-54. Curry wanted in on the action and he finally hit a three. 

There was a real ebb and flow in this game with the two teams trading shots, trading the lead and both teams fighting to take control of the game. At the half this game could not have been closer with Boston leading 65-62.

With the absence of Draymond Green and his energy, the team needed someone to step onto that role. They are getting a lot of help from Jonathan Kuminga and Dario Saric. Kuminga finished the half with 13 points and five rebounds and Saric had 11 points.

Thompson continued to hit critical shots and also had 13 points at halftime. Golden State had some turnover problems with eight committed in the opening half but they were shooting their three’s at 43% to the Celtic’s 30%. 

These two teams were almost dead-even shooting from the field. This had been a most entertaining first half with both teams playing very well. The Warriors had been down by as much as 12 points in the first half but they came roaring back cutting the Boston lead to three.

The first two minutes of the third quarter consisted of missed shots by both teams. Jaylen Brown finally broke through as the Celtics began to build on their halftime lead. Curry got hot but he also already had four personal fouls. 

The Celtics Jrue Holiday also had four personal fouls. At 5:31 in the quarter the Celtics took their largest lead of the game 85-70. As the clock began to wind down on the third quarter, the Warriors were matching the Celtics shot for shot. Boston continued to lead 97-86 going into the fourth quarter. 

The final three minutes of the game was off the charts as the Warriors had fought back from a 15 point deficit to within one point 116-115. Both Thompson and Curry hit three’s to forget the comeback. At 2:14 it was a tie game at 118. Curry hits a three and the games continues tied at 121 with 29 ticks left on the clock and the Celtics with possession. Boston was unable to score and this game went into overtime.

It was a dry minute and a half of play until Kuminga stole the ball on a bad pass from Al Horford taking it to the basket. Golden State took a 125-121 lead. It was crunch time and with 52 seconds left in overtime it was Curry time driving for a layup giving the Warriors a 127-126 lead. 

He followed that shot up with a 26-foot jumper and a 130-126 Warrior lead and it was good night for the Celtics. Curry added a couple of free throws for good measure and that was the ball game 132-126. Golden State had beaten one of the best teams in the NBA .

Curry had the high in this game with 33 points and Thompson continued the great play he has been having with 24 points. Kuminga had 17 points and seven rebounds and off the bench Trayce Jackson-Davis had yet another impressive game with ten points and 13 rebounds. 

The Warriors held onto the ball tonight with only ten turnovers really improving on ball protection. This was a most dramatic game with the Warriors prevailing.  

Post game notes: Tuesday evening the Warriors took on the Celtics at Chase Center. The Celtics are sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference. This was a huge challenge but the Warriors prevailed. Golden State had been playing well with their new starting lineup and were definitely up for the challenge. 

The Celtics have one of the best offenses in the NBA and will no doubt gave the Warrior’s defense a real run for their money. The Warriors were able to contend with and contained Brown, Jayson Tatum, Horford, Holiday and Derrick White. 

Thompson has been playing very well as has Kuminga giving Curry a lot of help. The entire starting lineup for the Warriors has been playing well as has their bench. This game was a real shoot-out.

The Warriors will be off until Friday night when they take on the Washington Wizards at Chase Center in another home game. The Wizards right now have a 4-22 record having struggled all season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

  

Sharks Lose To Their Rivals From So-Cal Kings 4-1; LA goalie Rittich holds SJ to just one goal

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Los Angeles Kings defenseman Andreas Englund (5) congratulates goaltender David Rittich (31) after defeating the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Dec 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Sharks have played in six consecutive one-goal games over the club’s last seven contests, earning points in four of the last five (3-1-1) as part of the team’s hot December run. Following San Jose’s 1-0 loss Friday at Arizona (Dec. 15), the Sharks got trounced by the Avalanche 6-2 and hope to turn it around before the holidays as they face the Los Angeles Kings in the SAP Center. 

The Sharks and Kings went almost the whole period scoreless, but even in almost every category. That stalemate between these two rivals finally came to an end when the Kings were able to generate a smooth line of offense that resulted in Arthur Kaliyev getting the puck behind the net and he found Anza Kopitar in the slot area with a wide open wrist shot past Kaapo Kahkonen. 1-0 Kings.

The period was majority even until the goal 18 minutes in, but after that it the Kings held the lead on the scoreboard and in the shots on goal stat line with 12 compared to the Sharks’ five. 

Sharks couldn’t generate anyhing going in the second period, especially compared to the Kings. Four minutes into the period, Trevor Moore assisted by Kevin Fiala, who now has 23 assists and Phillip Danault who now has 12. 2-0 Kings.

A minute later the Kings continued their assault as a shot from Kopitar was deflected by Alex Laferriere in the net and it was 3-0. The Sharks looked out of it in the second period, but the crowd was still in it and rooting for their boys in teal no matter how ugly it looked. 

The air was sucked out of the room during the period. The only time the crowd came alive was when the puck looked like it was going in the net, but Kings goalie David Rittich gloved it right before it crossed the line. Another time the crowd came alive was when Fabian Zetterlund looked like he was about to get the Sharks first goal of the night, but the puck hit the post and it went right back to a silent night ironically.

The time kept ticking, but the score stayed the same for the majority of the period. An empty net goal from Trevor Lewis made it 4-0 and immediately after that the Sharks finally got one on the board with a slap shot by Jacob MacDonald, his fifth of the season. 4-1 and that was the final score as the final buzzer sounded.

The Sharks take another crushing loss this season and their next game will be on December 21st, back in the SAP Center and the Sharks have a lot to evaluate before they go into the holiday break.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks host Kings tonight; San Jose looking to rebound from loss in Colorado

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (right) battles for the hockey puck as the San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (left) tries to get a stick on the puck on defense at Ball Arena in Denver on Sun Dec 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Regardless of winning or losing the San Jose Sharks played six straight one goal games they did win three of six on their last east coast six game road swing. They lost a close one to the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night in Tempe. Then the Sharks were crushed by the Colorado Avalanche on 6-2 on Sunday.

#2 In the loss to the Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and had two assists which help lead the Avalanche to their out scoring bid on the Sharks.

#3 The Avalanche had plenty of help with Mikko Rantanen, Ryan Johansen, Valeri Nichushkin and Miles Wood each with a goal. It gives you an idea how potent the Avalanche offense is.

#4 The Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood was blitzed by the Avalanche facing 33 shots and allowing five. For Blackwood was this a matter of not getting the protection up front or was this an off game for Blackwood.

#5 Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings (17-6-4). The Kings have won six of their last ten games although they’ve lost three of their last four games. The did win their last game against a very sound Seattle Kraken team with a one goal win 3-2 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Troy, how do you see this contest between the Kings and Sharks tonight.

Troy Ewers is a San Jose Sharks beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com