NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: NHL Trade deadline some big names up for grabs; plus NHL action from Friday

Brandon Hagel was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh from the Chicago Blackhawks on Fri Mar 18, 2022 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt how important is it that the Tampa Bay Lightning picked up Brandon Hagel in exchange for forwards Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh from the Chicago Blackhawks?

#2 Matt, talk about the key winning goal by the Buffalo Sabers Tage Thompson that helped get the win over the Calgary Flames in overtime at 3:07 for a narrow 1-0 win. Also big hand for the Sabers goaltender Dustin Tokarski who stopped 24 shots for the shutout.

#3 The Ottawa Senators Josh Norris help end the Senators three game losing streak with a go ahead goal in the third period that handed the Senators a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night. The Sens Aaron Forsberg stopped 28 out 29 shots.

#4 The injuries are piling up for the Vegas Golden Knights the latest have center Jack Eichel doubtful for against the Los Angeles Kings for Saturday. Eichel blocked a shot with his hand and could sit out. His teammates goaltender Robin Lehner, two defencemen Brayden McNabb and Alec Martinez and three forwards Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Reilly Smith are all on the injured list. Inspite of that the Knights snapped a five game losing streak with a win over the Florida Panthers 5-3 on Thursday night.

#5 Matt, just to name a few of the players who are trade deadline as of this morning maybe you could update us, the Vancouver Canucks Brock Boeser, New York Islanders Cal Clutterbuck, Andrew Copp Winnipeg Jets, Jake DeBrusk Boston Bruins, and Marc Andre Fleury Chicago Blackhawks. I’ll let you also add more to whose on the trade block for tonight.

Matt does the NHL podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Stars pull off win after going 0-0 in regulation; Bettman upholds Marchand suspension; plus more

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, left, can’t stop the Dallas Stars center Jacob Peterson who scores the game winning shootout goal at the United Center in Chicago on Fri Feb 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt, as you know there are no ties in hockey and the Dallas Stars (27-19-2) and Chicago Blackhawks (18-25-8) played to a 0-0 in regulation and then a shootout which the Stars pulled it off with the score tied 1-1 and the Stars Jacob Peterson scoring the game winner.

#2 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the six game suspension of the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand in which he hit Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry in the jaw while Jarry was down on his knees freezing a puck and later after an official was escorting Marchand off the ice Marchand took his stick and hit Jarry in the chin with it in the Feb 8th game.

#3 Matt, talk about the Edmonton Oilers Jesse Puljujarvi who is out with an lower body injury. Puljujarvi was injured Thursday in Anaheim at Rogers Place. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said Puljujarvi got tangled up and it wasn’t a dirty play and not an impact injury.

#4 Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery says there is a lot of time between now and the March 21st trade deadline. Fluery wants to play one more year and hopes to finish up in Chicago. Matt do you see Fluery able to get his wish and finish up with the Blackhawks.

#5 The Philadelphia Flyers Claude Giroux is considering a trade and is discussing it with team general manager Chuck Fletcher. Giroux has a no trade clause in his contract. Fletcher said it’s Giroux’s decision and with the trade deadline coming Fletcher will waiting to hear from Giroux.

Join Matt Harrington for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks make first visit to Seattle to face off with Kraken on Thursday night

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, right, makes a save as Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde (37) and Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe, second from left, battle at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Mon Jan 17, 2022. The San Jose Sharks battle the Kraken on Thu Jan 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (21-17-2) Timo Meier has had a great season with 25 goals and 24 assists but he had the game of his career on Monday afternoon against the Los Angeles Kings (20-14-5) at SAP Center in San Jose scoring five goals in one game he was just simply unstoppable.

#2 Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick who played for the whole game allowed six goals and faced 17 shots just didn’t either have the defense in front, had himself a poorly defensive game or Meier played like Bobby Orr and Alex Ovechkin rolled into one.

#3 On the defensive end the Sharks just allowed two goals for the Kings one scored in the first period and another in the third period and the Kings had won four straight games previous to Monday’s game with the Sharks.

#4 Sharks goaltender James Reimer was on top of things between the pipes Monday against the Kings with 39 saves against two goals allowed. Talk how big Reimer has been for the Sharks this season.

#5 The Sharks continue the fight as they drop he puck Thursday night against the Seattle Kraken (11-23-4) at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle it will be the Sharks first visit to Seattle since the Kraken opened up this season’s inaugural year. The Kraken recently snapped a ten game losing streak with a 3-2 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks (15-18-6) on Monday night in Seattle. Puck drops at 7:00 pm Thursday night between the Sharks and Kraken how do you see these two clubs facing off?

Join Mary Lisa for complete Sharks coverage on the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Ovechkin close to winning Hart Trophy; Wild’s Kaprizov out for tonight vs. Washington; plus more

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin a three time MVP winner is up for the Hart Trophy Award (NHL.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin who has won the MVP three times is up for the Hart Trophy so far with 24 goals, 50 points, and has helped the Capitals to get to first place in the Metropolitan Division.

#2 The Boston Bruins Trent Fredric hit the Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov hitting him into the boards and Kaprizov’s skates got caught up with his teammate Matt Grzelcyk receiving an upper body injury at 10:09 of the second period in the 3-2 Wild win on Thursday night. Kaprizov will not play against the Washington Capitals tonight.

#3 The St Louis Blues dropped their odds a bit losing right winger Vladimir Tarasenko, defensemen Scott Perunovich, and Jake Walman to Coronavirus protocols. Each will miss two games after testing positive for Coronavirus.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights know how to spoil a reunion as they defeated the New York Rangers 5-1 in the return of former Knights head coach Gerrard Gallant. Gallant was the Knights first coach in their franchise history before being replace by Peter DeBoer on Jan 15, 2020.

#5 Three games were canceled in Canadian cities due to attendance restrictions New Jersey had two games postponed @ Montreal Jan 15 and at Toronto Jan 17th. The Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers were postponed for Jan 18. The Ottawa Senators had three games postponed.

#6 The San Jose Sharks gave Evander Kane his unconditional release today because of a fake Covid 19 card and he will no longer be skating for the Sharks minor league team the San Jose Barracuda. Kane has ability but because of off ice issues is no longer with San Jose.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: It seems like Timo Time all the time lately

The San Jose Sharks Noah Gregor gets congratulations from teammates after scoring at 4:26 in the first period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark on Tue Nov 30, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (12-9-1) Timo Meier continues to find the back end of the net. Meier on Sunday did all the scoring for the Sharks against the Chicago Blackhawks in their 2-0 win and on Tuesday night Meier lit the lamp twice with two goals of his own against the New Jersey Devils (9-7-4) in a three goal 5-2 win.

#2 The Sharks had a big rally in the second period scoring three goals that pretty broke it wide open for them against New Jersey.

#3 In goal goaltender James Reimer stopped 29 shots and allowed two goals and the Sharks have been getting plenty of defense from Reimer during this current road trip.

#4 Noah Gregor, Jacob Middleton and Erik Karlsson all three have been opening the doors up on offense for San Jose as well and scored a goal each on Tuesday night.

#5 There is a possibility that Thursday night’s game against the New York Islanders (5-10-2) could be postponed due to eight players that have Covid. The Islanders will make the announcement sometime today.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Shutout Blackhawks 2-0; Reimer makes 29 stops for SJ

San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) makes one of his 29 saves this one against Chicago Blackhawks center Kirby Dach (72) during the first period at the United Center in Chicago on Sun Nov 28, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Blackhawks 2-0 Sunday in Chicago. Timo Meier scored both Sharks goals and James Reimer made 29 saves for his 25th career shut out. Chicago’s Marc-Andre Fleury made 20 saves in the loss.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach reflected on James Reimer’s shut out performance: “The double rebound in front, I mean that’s when you know you’re in the zone. When you make the save and it’s basically an open net and you find a way to stab your glove out and save another one.”

The Sharks needed that performance, especially in the first period, when the Blackhawks outshot the Sharks 11-4. Boughner said:

“I wasn’t happy about the way we were playing in our defensive zone. I thought that we weren’t collapsing, I thought we weren’t protecting the house, we weren’t stopping our feet, we were losing all kinds of battles. So we talked about that in between the first and second.”

Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro also talked about how well Reimer has been playing for the Sharks:

“His shut out should have came a lot earlier. So he’s been playing great for us, he’s the reason we why we have a lot of the wins that we do. Him and [Hill], they’ve stepped up big. So, super proud of him, we’re super happy for him, he was especially big in the first period when we weren’t playing very strong.”

The first period saw just one power play, for the Sharks. The Sharks had one shot in that power play. In the face-off circle, the Sharks won 62%.

Timo Meier scored his first at 13:39 of the second period. Logan Couture’s pass got to Rudolfs Balcers deep in the slot. Balcers took a shot and it went off of Meier’s stick before going in. Assists went to Balcers and Couture.

The Sharks outshot the Blackhawks 15-9 in the second, and won 65% of the face-offs. The Sharks took the only penalty of the period, for too many men on the ice. Their penalty kill allowed two shots.

Meier scored his second from the middle of the neutral zone, into an empty net, at 18:29 of the third. Logan Couture got the assist.

The Blackhawks outshot the Sharks 9-3 in the third period. The Sharks took the only penalty in third period. Their penalty kill did not allow any shots. The face-off circle saw a big drop off for the Sharks in the third. They won just 35% of the draws.

The Sharks are scheduled to play on Tuesday against the Devils in New Jersey at 4:00 PM PT.

Sunday, the Sharks placed Evander Kane on waivers for the purpose of assigning him to the AHL Barracuda. .

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks open five game road trip Sunday in Chicago

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) takes control of the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitchell Marner (16) at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Nov 27, 2021 (AP News photo)

SJ Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len, the San Jose Sharks (10-9-1) embark on a five game road trip back east they open up against the Chicago Blackhawks (7-11-2). Tell us how you see this five game trip and the Sharks chances of success on this trip.

#2 The Sharks have lost five of their last eight games including a tough loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-6-1) 4-1 on Friday night.

#3 James Reimer San Jose goaltender allowed four Toronto goals and saved 13 and was later relieved by Adin Hill who didn’t allow any goals and had 16 saves.

#4 Toronto goaltender Joseph Woll was like Wall he stopped 33 shots and allowed just one goal and the Maple Leafs defense kept the Sharks pretty much at bay much of the night.

#5 The Sharks play the Blackhawks Sunday afternoon at the United Center the Blackhawks have had their share of issues they started the season losing nine in a row, they had the David Aldrich sex scandal which played a role in disrupting the team, they fired their head coach Jeremy Colliton and assistant coaches Sheldon Brookbank and Tomas Mitell leaving with a 1-9-2 record on Nov 6th. Since new coach Derek King has taken over the Blackhawks are 6-2 and won their last game against the St Louis Blues (10-7-3) on Friday night in overtime 3-2. How do you see the Sharks matching up against the Hawks Sunday?

Join Len Shapiro for the Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Eichel expected back from surgery by Feb; Blackhawks win 3 in a row under new coach

Vegas Golden Knight Jack Eichel underwent successful disk surgery the Knights announced everything went as planned and expect Eichel to make his Knights debut by Feb 2022 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Vegas Golden Knights announced that Jack Eichel to make his Vegas debut by mid Feb 2022 Eichel wanted to have disk surgery when played for the Buffalo Sabers but the Sabers wanted Eichel have a fusion procedure. Eichel elected to come to Vegas and get the surgery he was requesting the disk surgery that turned out to be a success.

#2 The Chicago Blackhawks (4-9-2) who had their share of problems with the David Aldrich sex scandal and the team had previously lost 11 out of 12 games now have won three straight games under new head coach Derek King. The Blackhawks since King has taken over are feeling good and much better about themselves and hoping their situation since the scandal can improve.

#3 Washington Capitals (8-2-4) star Alexander Ovechkin continues to set records scoring his 742nd goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets (8-4-0) on Friday night in the first period at 10:19 passing Brett Hull on the all time goals list moving into third place.

#4 Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames had doubts that he would be a stand out All Star hockey player when he first join the NHL back in 1999-98 but Iginla who won two Olympic medals will be inducted with five other NHL players into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Monday. Iginla scored 625 goals and has 675 assists during his career.

#5 Matt, Brandon Coburn has announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons. Coburn last played for the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders this season. Coburn played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and was the third person to lift the Stanley Cup after the Bolts won the Finals. Coburn started with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2003 and finishes with 49 goals and 185 assists.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Lightning’s Sergachev suspended two games for illegal check; Eichel to rehab from disk; plus more

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (left) goes airborne after getting checked in the head by the Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Mikhail Sergachev (right) on Thu Nov 4, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Tampa Bay Lightning’s defenceman Mikhail Sergachev who illegally checked the Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner in the head in the first period at 17:47 on Thu Nov 4 in Toronto. Sergachev was suspended for two games. Sergachev was also fined $48,000 which go to the NHL players fund.

#2 Matt, talk about the value of the Vegas Golden Knights acquiring center Jack Eichel who has to have a artificial disk replacement that will take three months for Eichel to come back and play again.

#3 The Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price will return between the pipes after entering a players’ assistance program back on Oct 7th. Carey is expected to be back with the team on Monday but will not play right away and the team plans to have Price see a therapist and to later draw up plans.

#4 Former 2010 Chicago Blackhawks video goal coach and sexual abuser Brad Aldrich had his name scratched off the Stanley Cup Trophy with X’s this week for abusing former Blackhawk Kyle Beach back in 2010.

#5 The San Jose Sharks ended up reassigning rookie forward William Eklund to his former team in Sweden. Eklund is expected to be the future center piece for the Sharks.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Kraken Fluery gets first two goal game; Canes Andersen gets first shutout; Panthers Quenneville may never coach again; plue more

The Seattle Karken’s defenseman Haydn Fluery (4) takes the puck down ice against the Minnesota Wild on Thu Oct 28, 2021 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Seattle Kraken’s Haydn Fleury picked up his first two goal game of his career as Seattle won it’s third game of the season against the Minnesota Wild 4-1.

#2 Carolina Hurricanes get a 3-0 shutout and win their first six games the best start in their team history at 6-0-0. The Canes goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped 33 shots by the Boston Bruins. The Hurricanes are doing so well that Andersen became the seventh goaltender in NHL history to win each of the Hurricanes first six games to start the year.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche edged the St Louis Blues 4-3 at the Enterprise Center in St Louis. The Aves got help from J.T. Compher who scored two goals. It was the first time the Blues have lost a game this season.

#4 The Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom saved 45 shots against the Pittsburgh Penguins for a shutout at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh for the Flames fifth win of the season. The Flames are in first place in the Pacific division getting a 4-0 win.

#5 The resignation of former Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville sent shockwaves throughout the NHL. Quenneville was head coach in 2010 of the Chicago Blackhawks when Kyle Beach made claims of being sexually assaulted by assistant coach Brad Aldrich. Aldrich threatened Beach that if he reported the assault his NHL career would be over. Beach went ahead and made the complaints and nothing really was done about it as the Blackhawks were focusing on winning the Stanley Cup at the time.

Matt Harrington does the NHL podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com