NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt Harrington: Rangers stay alive with 5-3 win over Penguins; Panthers eliminate Capitals; plus more

New York Rangers center Mike Zibanejad congratulates left winger Chris Kreider after a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Fri May 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The New York Rangers avoided getting eliminated as Chris Krieder scored a third period goal at 1:28 that broke a 3-3 deadlock with a shot from the left point that deflected off the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Louis Domigue for the score. The Rangers would win it 5-3 tying the series at 3-3.

# 2 The Florida Panthers advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals at the Capital Center. The Panthers Carter Verhaeghe scored at 2:46 in overtime for the game winning shot.

#3 The Dallas Stars defeated the Calgary Flames on Friday to tie up the series 3-3 with a 4-2 win. The Stars Joe Pavelski said that they are a confident group that can play through tight games and the Stars have been competitive in the playoffs.

#4 The Boston Bruins avoided elimination on Thursday with a win to tied up the series with the Carolina Hurricanes 3-3. Both teams meet again today for a 1:30 pm PDT puck drop.

#5 The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs face off at 4:00 pm PDT as the series is tied at 3-3.

#6 Kings-Oilers battle in Edmonton tonight at 7:00 pm PDT as this series is tied 3-3 everything on the line tonight.

Join Matt throughout the NHL Stanley Cup postseason for analysis on the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Stars go up 2-1 on Flames; Caps Ovechkin scores in 6-1 win over Florida; plus more

The Dallas Stars Joe Pavelski (16) and Vladislav Namestinkov (92) celebrate Pavelski’s goal as the Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) is on his back looking up in Dallas on Sat May 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 The Dallas Stars Joe Pavelski scored twice to break ties in two consecutive playoff games against the Calgary Flames. Pavelski has been very instrumental in helping the Stars and in particular on Saturday in game 3 as the Stars go up 2-1.

#2 The Edmonton Oilers lead the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 and their two wins came after two defining victories 6-0 in game two on Wednesday and game three 8-2 on Friday. Both teams meet up again for game three on Monday night.

#3 One of the big games Saturday the Washington Capitals in game 3 gained on the Florida Panthers going up 2-1 in the series with a 6-1 win on Saturday. The Caps goal scoring help from Alex Ovechkin who scored his first goal of the playoffs.

#4 The Colorado Avalanche went up on the Nashville Predators 3-0 with a convincing 7-3 win in game 3. The Aves have a shot at sweeping this series on Monday night. The Aves Gabriel Landeskog scored twice with two assists.

#5 The Pittsburgh Penguins took a 2-1 lead on the New York Rangers as the Pens Damon Heimen got the go ahead goal at 11:02 in the third period. The Pens got the three goal win 7-4 win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

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

Sharks Fall 5-4 in OT to Oilers, Gregor Scores 2 Goals 26 Seconds Apart

San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer (47) makes a save against Edmonton Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi (13) at Rogers Centre in Edmonton Thu Apr 28, 2022 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost 5-4 in overtime to the Oilers in Edmonton. Ryan McLeod, Kailer Yamamoto, Derek Ryan, Philip Broberg and Zach Hyman scored for the Oilers. Mikko Koskinen made 40 saves for the win. Noah Gregor, Scott Reedy and Nick Bonino scored for the Sharks, with Gregor scoring twice. James Reimer made 26 saves in the loss.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said: “We ran into some penalty trouble, killed some penalties at the end of the game. It seemed like every time we got a lead, we squandered it. You know, and three on three is a dangerous game to play with that team.” On the other hand, he also mentioned some positives: “One of our better games offensively, you know, on the cycle, generating chances.”

Sharks Captain Logan Couture said: “Played in their end for the majority of the game, would have liked to score on a few more of the chances that we got but, yeah, tough one to lose.”

Noah Gregor scored his first of the game at 2:42 of the first period with a wrist shot from the circle. An assist went to Sasha Chmelevski.

Gregor scored again at 3:08. Gregor was trying to center the puck for Rudolfs Balcers, who was in front of the net. Instead, the puck went off of a defender’s skate and into the net. An assist went to Thomas Bordeleau.

Ryan McLeod got the Oilers on the board at 9:17 of the second period with a power play goal. Kailer Yamamoto redirected a shot from Evan Bouchard that did not hit the mark. McLeod was on hand to collect the rebound and put it away.

Yamamoto tied the game 2-2 at 12:52. Leon Draisaitl carried the puck in and then dropped it to Yamamoto for the shot. The puck squeezed through between Reimer and the post. Assists went to Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman.

Scott Reedy gave the Sharks their second lead of the game at 15:35, redirecting a shot from Brent Burns on the power play. Assists went to Burns and Logan Couture.

Derek Ryan tied the game 3-3 at 9:37 of the third period. Tyson Barrie sent the puck to the net and it was redirected by Ryan high in the slot. The puck then hit Jayson Megna’s skate and went pin-balling into the blue paint before slipping over the line.

Nick Bonino gave the Sharks their third lead of the game at 10:40 with a neat shot from low in the slot. He caught Couture’s pass from below the goal line. Assists went to Couture and Matt Nieto.

Philip Broberg tied the game 4-4 at 11:45 with a wrist shot from the circle. It was his first NHL goal. Connor McDavid set him up with a pass from all the way down by the post. Assists went to McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi.

Zach Hyman scored the game winner 1:37 into overtime. He trailed Ryan-Nugent Hopkins into the zone. Nugent-Hopkins passed the puck to Hyman behind the Sharks defenders. Reimer could not get across in time to stop the shot om his stick side. Assists went to Nugent-Hopkins and Brett Kulak.

The Sharks out-shot the Oilers in every period except overtime. In the first, the count was 8-1 by the midpoint. In the face-off circle, the Sharks won 58% of the draws, with rookie Thomas Bordeleau winning 60% of his draws. The Sharks had one power play and scored with one shot. They had three penalties to kill, one a double-minor. They penalty kill gave up one goal and eight shots.

The Sharks will play their final game of the season on Friday in Seattle against the Kraken at 7:00 PM PT.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks embark on final road trip of season; Face Kane and Oilers Thursday night

San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) is checked into the boards by Anaheim Ducks center Zach Aston-Reese (16) at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Apr 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1The San Jose Sharks fell 5-2 to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. The Ducks got goals from Trevor Zegras, Max Comtois, Josh Mahura, and Zach Aston-Reese. Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves for the win.

#2 Scott Reedy has now played 33 games with the Sharks and has six goals. He scored four of those since April 14, showing major improvement at the NHL level. 

#3 Trevor Zegras gave the Ducks an early lead with a power play goal at 4:05. His shot went over Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen’s shoulder on the short side and lodged between the net and the camera, so hardly anyone realized he had scored until they could not find the puck out on the ice. 

#4 Brent Burns got the Sharks on the board at 15:32 with a power play goal. It was his second shot from the middle of the blue line in just a few seconds. You know things were tough for the Sharks offense when Burns a defenseman had to provide part of the offense.

#5 The Sharks will play next on Thursday in Edmonton against the Oilers at 6:00 PM PT. Oilers are rolling they have won five of their last six games and won their last game convincingly against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night at the Igloo 5-1. How do you see the match up Thursday night in Edmonton.

Join Mary Lisa did the Sharks podcasts throughout the 2021-22 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: McDavid scores game winner Oilers edge Sharks in OT 3-2

Evander Kane of the Edmonton Oilers (91) tries to get the puck past the San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) second period at the SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Apr 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (29-31-9) fell 2-1 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers (41-25-5) Tuesday at SAP Center. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid scored for the Oilers and Mike Smith made 31 saves for the win and also talk about the three injured players and two that had to leave the game for the Sharks.

#2 Tomas Hertl scored the first goal of the game on the power play at 15:32. Hertl caught a pass from Brent Burns on the blue line and scored with a one-timer through the short side. 

#3 The Sharks held that lead until mid-way through the third period, when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tied the game with a short-handed goal.

#4 McDavid scored the game winner 31 seconds into overtime. Smith caught Brent Burns’ shot and made a pass to McDavid who was on his way up the ice. McDavid scored with a back hand past Reimer’s glove.

#5 Next up for the Sharks the Calgary Flames (41-19-9) just got by the Los Angeles Kings (38-24-10) on Monday night. The Flames snapped a three game losing streak with the win. Flames coming in on Thursday night how do you see these two teams?

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

Sharks Fall 2-1 in OT to Oilers, Three Injured Blocking Shots


Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks left wing Alexander Barabanov (94) as Tyson Barrie (22) at the SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Apr 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks fell 2-1 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday at SAP Center. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid scored for the Oilers and Mike Smith made 31 saves for the win. Tomas Hertl scored for the Sharks and James Reimer made 22 saves in the loss.

Tomas Hertl scored the first goal of the game on the power play at 15:32. Hertl caught a pass from Brent Burns on the blue line and scored with a one-timer through the short side. Assists went to Burns and Timo Meier.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said:

“We did everything we needed to do five-on-five. It’s one of our best, most solid games in a long time and, you know, a little bit the story of our year. You know, out-chanced the team, we had so many chances, Smith plays great and you can’t get that second goal you need.”

Sharks goaltender James Reimer said: “Good game. I think both teams played hard, played well. Unfortunately someone has got to lose.”

The Sharks held that lead until mid-way through the third period, when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tied the game with a short-handed goal. The Sharks had spent over a minute trying to set up their power play when the Oilers attacked in numbers. They moved the puck across the ice three times before Nugent-Hopkins took the shot from in close. Assists went to Zach Hyman and Darnell Nurse.

Connor McDavid scored the game winner 31 seconds into overtime. Mike Smith caught Brent Burns’ shot and made a pass to McDavid who was on his way up the ice. McDavid scored with a back hand past Reimer’s glove.

John Leonard was injured blocking a shot on his first shift of the second period. The shot appeared to hit him in the ankle and he left the game. Jonah Gadjovich and Jaycob Megna both sustained injuries blocking shots late in the third period, within seconds of each other. Both stayed on the ice until the whistle blew, at which time Gadjovich went to the dressing room and Megna went to the bench.

The Sharks power play got three shots and a goal and gave up one goal. Their penalty kill gave up no shots and got one short handed shot. In the face-off circle, the Sharks won 54% of the draws. Timo Meier had nine shots on goal, nearly twice as many as the second most shots in the game, five from Logan Couture.

The Sharks next play on Thursday at home against the Calgary Flames at 7:30 PM PT.

Sharks Fall to Oilers 5-2, Kahkonen Makes 36 Saves in SJ Debut

San Jose Sharks’ Noah Gregor (73) chases Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl (29) during first-period at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Thu Mar 24, 2022 (Canadian Press photo via AP)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost to Oilers in Edmonton by a score of 5-2 Thursday. Kailer Yamamoto, Leon Draisaitl, Derick Brassard, and Evander Kane scored for the Oilers. Mike Smith made 28 saves for the win. Erik Karlsson and Tomas Hertl scored for the Sharks. Kaapo Kahkonen made 36 saves in the loss, his first appearance as a Shark.

Logan Couture left the game midway through the second period after being injured by a Brent Burns shot. The puck seemed to hit him in the side and the injury was described as upper-body. There were no specific updates after the game. Timo Meier, who left Tuesday’s game with a lower body injury, was on the ice Thursday.

The Sharks penalty kill was conspicuously less good on Thursday than it has been this season. They failed to kill either of the penalties they took. That is in part due to the absence of regular penalty killers, Jake Middleton and Andrew Cogliano who were traded Monday and Matt Nieto who is still injured.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said: “We’re using a lot of different faces in our penalty kill and you could see that tonight.” Some of those new faces included Rudolfs Balcers, Sasha Chmelevski and Noah Gregor.

Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson did not think the penalty kill was terrible: “They’re one of the best power plays in the league, I think they showed that today. The goals that they scored are high-skilled goals. There’s nothing you can do about it sometimes.”

Karlsson scored the first goal of the game at 1:08 of the second period. After cleaning up an odd-man rush the other way that started with a broken stick in the Oilers’ zone, Karlsson got the puck to Timo Meier by the blue line, then skated in. Meier passed the puck across the ice to Tomas Hertl, who sent it back across the ice to Karlsson by the net for the shot.

Kailer Yamamoto tied it up at 4:34 with a power play goal. The Oilers got past the Sharks at the blue line and Yamamoto was in a shooting position before the Sharks could get back. Assists went to Ryan McLeod and Duncan Keith.

Leon Draisaitl scored at 7:39. Zack Kassian got the puck off of Erik Karlsson’s stick by giving him a shove in the hip and throwing him off balance. That went uncalled as Draisaitl skated by and took the puck to the net to score. After the game, Karlsson said, of the incident: “That’s hockey, it’s going to happen.”

Derick Brassard made it 3-1 at 6:49 of the third period. Brassard thew the puck at the net from the blue line. At first it seemed to go off of Ryan-Nugent Hopkins as he dove for the net. It did not hit him as it bounced over the line. Assists went to Jesse Puljujarvi and Evan Bouchard.

Tomas Hertl cut the Oilers lead down to one with a goal at 7:18. Timo Meier Had the puck on his was to the goal line and he found Hertl in the slot with a pass. Hertl shot it past three Oilers and past Smith of the stick side. Assists went to Meier and Karlsson.

Leon Darisaitl scored his second of the night at 13:55, on the power play. Zach Hyman caught a cross- ice pass from Connor McDavid and sent the puck to the net for Draisaitl to tuck into the net.

Evander Kane scored into an empty net at 17:18, with assists to McDavid and Yamamoto.

The Sharks were outshot 41-30 and won 49% of the face-offs. Their power play had four shots in two opportunities.

The Sharks next play on Saturday at home against the Anaheim Ducks at 7:30 PM PT.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Canadiens hosting game with no crowd limit; Leafs won’t deal goalies; plus more

Montreal Canadien fans can fill up the Rogers Centre in Montreal tonight as they Habs host the Edmonton Oilers for the first allowed capacity game after many years of Covid 19 protocol restrictions (file photo Fox News)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens face off tonight with no crowd limits, mask mandate still in effect. They expect 18,000 fans at Rogers Centre in Montreal. Fans are happy they get to fill the arena how safe will this decision be?

#2 Matt, the Toronto Maple Leafs say they have no plans to deal goaltender Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek. Both goaltenders combined have allowed 31 goals in the last seven games there have been calls in Toronto by fans and the media to trade one of the goalies. Kyle Dubas the Leafs general manager said he doesn’t need to deal either goalie but would like to obtain more defense.

#3 Matt how important is it that the Philadelphia Flyers Kevin Hayes has returned to the line up after missing 15 games and is expected to return this Saturday. Hayes said he had a bad groin infection that spread to his left side. Hayes says he feels pretty good now.

#4 The San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer is week to week with a lower body injury he sustained in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights on Tuesday who played in his 12th straight game. Matt, was it a matter of the Sharks just over played Reimer or some way some how Reimer was going to run out of gas and something was going to happen. Also talk who the Sharks most likely will go with in goal Adin Hill, Zachary Sawchenko, or Alex Stalock?

#5 Matt, the Carolina Hurricanes will get a shot at hosting the Stadium Series on Feb 18, 2023 when they host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at Carter-Finley Stadium at North Carolina State University in Raleigh NC.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday 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: After 3-0 shutout Sharks looking to rebound against Canucks Thursday night

San Jose Sharks center Noah Gregor (73) takes the puck down ice against the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Mon Feb 14, 2022 at the SAP Center in San Jose. The Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks Thu Feb 16, 2022 at SAP (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The 3-0 shutout loss to the Edmonton Oilers (25-18-3) by the San Jose Sharks (22-21-4) had to be one of the more frustrating loses this season.

#2 The Sharks spent more time in their own end of the ice trying to rebound the puck and trying to protect goaltender James Reimer who faced 39 shots and allowed three.

#3 Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner faced 20 shots and stopped all of them for the shutout it was Stuarts first shutout of the season.

#4 Was this a game that it was all Oilers all the time dominating or was it a game where the Sharks offense just simply failed to execute putting the puck on net all night and keeping Skinner under pressure?

#5 The Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks (22-21-6) Thursday night at SAP Center. The Canucks have won four of their last five games. They won their last game defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs (30-12-3) in a close game 3-2 on Saturday. Mary Lisa tell us how you see Thursday night’s game between the Canucks and Sharks?

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