NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Marko Ukalovic: NJ gets big win over Carolina; Panthers could finish off Leafs Wed; plus more

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) fights with Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Newark, N.J (AP News photo)

On NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast:

#1 The New Jersey Devils avoided going down 0-3 with a four goal win over the Carolina Hurricanes 8-4 to cut the Hurricanes lead to 1-2. New Jersey’s Jack Hughes scored twice and scored three goals in the first period in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup.

#2 The Florida Panthers Sam Reinhart scored at 3:02 in overtime to give the Panthers a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs to put the Leafs on the brink of elimination 3-0. The Panthers can advance to the third round for the first time since 1996 for the Eastern Conference Finals.

#3 Seattle Kraken scored five goals in the second period of game 3 to go up 2-1. The Kraken blew away the Dallas Stars 7-2. Game 4 is scheduled to face off Tuesday. The Kraken’s Matty Beniers, Eeli Tolvanen, Alex Wennberg, and Justin Schultz all scored and had assist in the second period.

#4 The Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisatl has scored 13 goals the most goals through eight games, the second place holder with the most goals goes back to 1985 who was an Oiler Jan Kurri who had 13 as well. The record holder is Newsy Lalonde of the 1919 Montreal Canadiens with 15.

#5 Marko, the series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Oilers is tied 1-1. The Oilers got a four goal win over the Knights 5-1. The Oilers opened up with four goals in the first period. The Oilers top scorers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl scored two goals each in the win.

Join Marko for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts on Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Pavelski is a game time decision for Stars; Markar suspended 1 game for interference hit; plus more

Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski will be a game time decision for game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Fri Apr 28 in Minnesota according the Stars head coach Peter DeBoer. (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 There will be a game six in Tampa Bay against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Lightning came away with a 4-2 win tonight the Leafs lead the series 3-2. Game six Saturday.

#2 After suffering a game 1 concussion against the Minnesota Wild Joe Pavelski has not played since April 17th and the Stars head coach Peter DeBoer says that Pavelski would be a game time decision for Friday night for game 6. Pavelski was checked by Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, Pavelski also was hit in the face with a stick by Wild forward Ryan Hartman and got caught between Dumba and Hartman.

#3 Len, talk about the check by the Colorado Avalanche Cale Makar for an interference on the Seattle Kraken’s forward Jared McCann. McCann was skating into the corner when the puck was hit into the netting behind the goal and Makar had lightly push McCann then when they got near the boards Makar shoved McCann into the boards which caused an injury to McCann.

#4 Len, talk about New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid who held the New York Rangers to just one goal on Monday night at Madison Square Garden in the Devils 3-1 win. New Jersey the win tied the series 2-2. Schmid stopped 22 of 23 shots which was key as the defense and Schmid’s performance was stellar.

#5 Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele will sit out against the Vegas Golden Knights for game 5. Scheifele was injured at during game 4 Monday night when got a upper body injury. Jets head coach Rick Bowness said that Scheifele will be out for game 5 who has one goal in four playoff games. Scheifele lead the Jets with 42 goals during the regular season.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt Harrington: New Jersey to start Schmid in game 3; Kings play catch up on Oilers; plus more

New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid is most likely to get the call for game 3 against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sat 22, 2023 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The New Jersey Devils are contemplating starting Akira Schmid in goal for game 3 against the New York Rangers. An indication that Scmid might get the call first string goaltender Vitek Vanecek and second stringer MacKenzie Blackwood were on the other end of the ice during Saturday’s morning skate with Schmid defending by himself on the opposite end. Another indication Schmid led the players out on the ice for practice.

#2 The Los Angeles Kings certainly have not given in one bit they went up two games to one against the powerful Edmonton Oilers. The Kings broke a 1-1 deadlock after the Oilers were hit with a penalty which were defined as undisciplined penalties. The Kings capitalized scoring two goals on power plays at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Kings overtake the Oilers for a 2-1 series lead.

#3 The Minnesota Wild came right back after getting beat by the Dallas Stars 7-3 in game 2 on Wednesday. On Friday in game 3 the series tied at 1-1 the Wild came back with a convincing 5-1 win to take a 2-1 series lead. The Wild scored twice in each of the second and third periods and got good goaltending from Filip Gustavsson who stopped 23 out of 24 shots.

#4 The Carolina Hurricanes Teuvo Teravainen will be out for the rest of the playoffs due to a broken left hand during the Hurricanes 4-3 win against the New York Islanders. Teravainen’s hand hit the stick of Isle forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau at 4:24 in the third period. Carolina head coach Ron Brind’Amour said that Pageau tomahawked Teravainen’s hand and broke his hand.

#5 Matt, taking a look at game to be played later tonight the Seattle Kraken and the Colorado Avalanche with the series tied 1-1 this one is at Climate Pledge Arena. The Avalanche just got by the Kraken in game 2, 3-2 to even the series. Aves goaltender Alexander Georgiev allowed only two Kraken goals in the first period and shut them out the rest of the way for the one goal win.

Join Matt for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Flames get winning OT goal from Toffoli; Sabres 21 yr goalie stops Rangers; plus more news

Calgary Flames’ Tyler Toffoli scores against Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko in overtime of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 31, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Lots happening between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night. The game went into overtime that saw the Flames Jonathan Huberdeau score the tying goal in the third period. The the Flames Tyler Toffoli scored the winning goal at 3:27 in overtime. The Canucks Aidan McDonough scored his first NHL goal but the Canucks fell short in OT 5-4 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

#2 The Buffalo Sabres came back to defeat the New York Rangers in overtime 3-2. Mostly thanks to the strong defensive goaltending of Devon Levi who stopped 31 Rangers shots on Friday night. This was the 21 year old’s first NHL game and Levi help keep the Rangers out of the Nets for the most part in the a close game.

#3 The Winnipeg Jets made it clear they were the dominant team against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night with a four goal 6-2 win at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The Jets Mark Scheifele scored his 39th goal of the season giving him his most goals in a season and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 shots ending a brief two game losing streak.

#4 The Dallas Stars Jason Robertson scored four points with three assists and one goal in the Stars 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. For Robertson this was a season scoring record with 95 points, 42 goals and 53 assists. This was the first time the Stars have won consecutive games since Mar 11-13.

#5 Matt, two more games for the Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang to reach 1000 games he did not play on Saturday, Letang is just two games short and Letang after some very difficult injuries and two strokes in 17 years of NHL play has arrived at the 1000 game plateau that’s saying a lot for the fight that Letang has been through.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Bruins coach Montgomery leads by being positive; Heads or tails on Canucks new coach Tocchet for now; plus more NHL News

Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery talks with his players during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Boston. The Bruins hired Montgomery at the start of the 2022 season as their new coach. (AP News file)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, talk about Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery this is his second team in the NHL he first coached the Dallas Stars before being fired by them in 2019 and has done a bang up job as head coach leading the club to a 26-6-4. Talk about the job Montgomery has done building up the Bruins?

#2 Under Vancouver Canucks (19-26-3) new head coach Rick Tocchet he’s 2-1 so far and in the first win he handled the Chicago Blackhawks rather handily 5-2 and in the second game in Seattle the Canucks got crushed 6-1, and on Friday the Canucks picked up a three goal win over the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2. It’s early to tell but the Canucks critics say should have held onto Bruce Boudreau and let him finish out the season.

#3 Matt, are the Toronto Maple Leafs going to miss Austin Matthews something awful, Matthews is out with a knee sprain for three weeks, Matthews is second in goals, and is third in points. Matthews injured himself on Wednesday against the New York Rangers during a 3-2 overtime win.

#4 The Florida Panthers Aleksander Barkov will replace Matthews at center at the NHL All Star game in Florida on Sat Feb 4th. Barkov is second on the Panthers with 43 points with 13 goals and 30 assists. He should get a good ovation when he is introduced in Sunrise next Saturday.

#5 Despite winning seven of their last ten games the Chicago Blackhawks (15-28-4) and defeating one of the tougher teams in the NHL the Calgary Flames (23-17-9) 5-1 on Thursday night in Calgary the Blackhawks are looking to deal stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews each player is in the final year of their eight year contract.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks remarkable comeback to defeat Stars; Sharks open 8 game road trip Saturday

A look at the San Jose Sharks bench during their game against the Dallas Stars at SAP Arena in San Jose on Wed Jan 18, 2023 (NHL/TNT photo grab)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 No one would have thought it after the San Jose Sharks (14-23-9) who were struggling to pick up a win could come back to win on their home ice and for that matter to come back on the Dallas Stars (26-13-7) for a two goal 5-3 win at SAP Center on Wednesday night.

#2 The Sharks who really needed some offense got some from their defenceman Erik Karlsson who scored a goal and had three assists in the two goal win for San Jose.

#3 Len talk about the second period where the Sharks got three goals from Steven Lorentz, Nick Bonino, and Timo Meier it was a crucial period for the Sharks if they were to prove something to themselves and their confidence.

#4 James Reimer the Sharks goaltender who stopped 32 shots and picked up his 200th career win said he had forgotten all about that and really wanted to get a win after the team had been struggling.

#5 The Columbus Blue Jackets (13-29-2) who are struggling have lost five of their last eight games will host the Sharks who open the first of eight road games on Saturday. How do you see the Sharks faring in Columbus and talk about the length of this long road trip.

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

Sharks come back from three goal deficit to beat Dallas 5-3

Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks Twitter. Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson celebrate a goal on January 18th against the Dallas Stars.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE – Off of a incredible second period come back the Sharks rode that into a victory over the Dallas Stars by a final of 5-3.

Heading into this game the season series between these two teams was at a draw as both teams had beaten each other once.

This game also involved two of the best penalty killing teams in the league with Dallas ranked fifth and San Jose ranked third in the league.

The Sharks got off to a slow start in this one as they only had one shot in the first six minutes of the period.

On the other hand Dallas moved the puck efficiently and had the Sharks chasing the play.

With the momentum on their side Dallas pushed for a goal and Ty Dellandrea delivered at the 13:17 mark of the period.

Streaking down the right wing boards Dellandrea fired a shot towards the net that beat Reimer on the glove side scoring his fifth goal on the year.

Mario Ferraro took a penalty a little bit later for holding but the PK unit for the Sharks killed it off.

After the kill San Jose gained some momentum and Mikey Eyssimont came close to tying the game as he rang one off the crossbar.

The end of the first definitely ended a lot better for the Sharks than the beginning but they were unable to tie the game heading into the intermission down one.

The shots at the end of the period favored Dallas 10-6.

San Jose did have to start off the second on the PK but Jason Robertson towards the end of the power play took a penalty making it a four-on-four.

Once San Jose did get on the power play they weren’t able to muster any good looks as the Dallas’s PK unit killed off the opportunity.

With the Sharks hemmed in their own end Colin Miller circled the net and fed a pass out front to Jason Robertson who fired it past Reimer to score his 30th goal of the season.

Dallas did not stop the onslaught at the beginning of the second and less than five minutes after Robertson’s goal Radek Faska cashed in as well.

It was a sort of broken play on the Faska’s fourth goal of the season as he tried to feed his teammate but, the the shot instead went in off of a Shark.

The energy was definitely sucked out of the building after the Star’s quick start to the period.

San Jose did not give up though as Noah Gregor after keeping the puck in the Stars end got the puck to Steven Lorentz in the slot who scored.

With the score now 3-1 the Sharks smelt blood in the water and pushed for more.

As the Dallas defense backed up Alexander Barabonov rushed into the zone and wrapped a pass around the net to a waiting Nick Bonino who scored his seventh goal of the campaign.

The crowd was now into it and San Jose drew a penalty putting themselves in the perfect spot to tie the game.

Timo Meier did just that on the opportunity as similar to Faska’s goal he tried to feed it to a teammate but instead got a lucky bounce.

The goal sent the now already fired up crowd into a frenzy and the Sharks responded in kind by keeping the chances up.

That did end up being all the scoring in the period though with the shots still favoring Dallas at 20-18.

The third did get off to a tough start for San Jose as they had to kill off a tripping penalty taken late in the second by them.

The Shark’s PK once again showed why their a top five unit in the league though as they killed off another PP.

After the PK both teams exchanged chances back and forth as both goalies made big saves.

At the 9:19 mark of the third Nick Bonino found Erik Karlsson creeping in backdoor and fead the defenseman. Karlsson then proceeded to make a difficult shot look effortless as he scored his 15th goal of the season.

The lead now 4-3 the Sharks looked to hold on to their lead as they trapped it up.

Dallas pulled their goalie to try to tie it but Logan Couture got the puck and fired it into the empty cage to end the game at 5-3.

The shots at the end of the game favored the Stars at 36-28.

The three stars of the game were: 1st: Erik Karlsson 2nd: Nick Bonino 3rd: Miro Heiskanen

With the victory over Dallas Reimer got the 200th win of his NHL career.

“I think we can be really proud of this win tonight and it was a solid effort,” Meier said after the game.

The Sharks next game will on Saturday and also kicks off a long road stand for the team were they will do battle with Columbus.

Sharks Lose Last Game of 2022 5-2 in Dallas

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) celebrates after his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Sat Dec 31, 2022 (AP New photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks are ready to put 2022 behind them, finishing the calendar year with one last loss to the Dallas Stars 5-2 from the Big D Saturday night. Alexander Barabanov and Oskar Lindblom scored for the Sharks while Dallas had five different goal scorers. Radim Simek was injured in the game and did not return. 

Barabanov opened the scoring 5:13 into play om a wrist shot, with Matt Benning and Erik Karlsson assisting on the goal. For Karlsson, the helper is his 38th of the year.

Former Shark Joe Pavelski scored on his patented tip on a power play chance for Dallas to tie the game 1-1, his 12th goal of the year at the 10:22 mark. Dallas poured another power play goal on at the 12:34 mark when superstar Jason Robertson beat James Reimer after s from many men penalty.

Lindblom tied the game at the 9:03 mark of the second, his third goal of the year with assists by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Nico Sturm.

Fredrik Olofsson scored his first career goal for a 3-2 lead just 1:42 later with Pavelski picking up an assist for a multipoint night. Roope Hintz scored a shorthanded goal with 4:42 left in regulation, his 19th, to give the Stars a comfortable lead late. Esa Lindell scored the empty netter to seal the win 5-2.

The Sharks look to bounce back Sunday when they face the Blackhawks in Chicago.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks open three game road trip in Dallas Saturday

San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) looks toward the puck in front of Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) during the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 29, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the San Jose Sharks held a 3-1 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers until collapsing in the third period this loss being the Sharks fifth out of their last six games.

#2 Despite the loss the Sharks Erik Karlsson picked up his 11th straight point and Thomas Hertl scored two goals.

#3 One of the big concerns for Sharks head coach David Quinn is closing games he said during practice this week that the Sharks simply need to put the pucks in the net as they came up a goal short on Thursday night 4-3 in overtime.

#4 Talk about Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen who allowed four goals and saved 22 in the loss. Was this a matter of Kahkonen was having an off night or he just didn’t get enough defense up front from the skaters?

#5 Sharks embark on a three game road trip starting in Dallas Saturday at 5:00 PM. The Stars (22-9-6) beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 in their last game on Thursday night. Stars are in first in the Western Conference and are 7-2-1 in their last ten games.

Join Len Shapiro for the Sharks podcast heard Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Buffalo suffering from key injuries; NHL teams inquiring about a Karlsson trade with San Jose; plus more news

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) checks Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) as they skate after the puck through the crease of Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie (31) during the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Fri Nov 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Buffalo Sabers are suffering from key injuries the Sabers report that goaltender Eric Comrie has suffered a lower body injury and is expected to be out for multiple weeks. Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin rammed Ottawa right winger Mathieu Joseph into Comrie at 9:43 in the second period. Comrie stayed 14 seconds longer and allowed a goal and was pulled after the goal.

#2 San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier said that he is entertaining offers from other NHL clubs who would be interested in defenseman Erik Karlsson’s services. Karlsson right now leads all NHL defenseman in goals scored with 11 goals. Grier says that Karlsson and his family is happy in San Jose and Grier would speak with Karlsson before anything is decided.

#3 For the Dallas Stars goaltender Scott Wedgewood a scary moment when he was carted off the ice with an upperbody injury during Thursday night’s game against the Florida Panthers at FLA Arena in Sunrise. Wedgewood ended up holding the Panthers center Anton Lundell on a breakaway Wedgewood’s back locked up and he was laid out only to get stretched off. Stars head coach Peter DeBoer said that Wedgewood later was walking around in the dressing room after the game and that he should be fine.

#4 The Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is out with a upper body injury. Fleury has an upper body injury the report says that Fluery had contact in net likewise his counter Nashville goaltender was bumped around quite a bit. Fleury is listed day to day. Fluery is getting treatment from the doctors.

#5 Matt it’s been a very special week as the NHL and NHLPA are in joint initiative to raise cancer awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer. This is the 24th season the NHL and NHLPA are doing Hockey Fights Cancer. It’s been a humbling but yet special week for the players all that have been involved.

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