Islanders Sink Utah HC 2-1 On Late Third Period Goal

New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) and goalie Marcus Hoberg (50) blocks the goal against the Utah Hockey Club’s center Klayton Keller (9) in the second period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Sat Jan 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah was unable to hold on to their 1-0 lead in the third period, losing 5 out of their past 6 home games.

The Utah Hockey Club welcomed the New York Islanders to Delta Center on Saturday night for the third game of a 7-game homestand. The last time the two squads faced off in New York, Utah bested the Islanders 5-4 in overtime. Utah split the previous two home matchups this week with a loss to the Florida Panthers and a victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Connor Ingram returned to the Utah net for the first time since November 18. The 2024 Masterton Trophy winner had been sidelined with an upper-body injury followed by a leave of absence while caring for his mother who passed away from cancer in December. Ingram stood tall in the opening frame, turning away 14 Islanders shots, while his counterpart Markus Hogberg stopped five.

Utah forward Nick Schmaltz put Utah on the board at 1:13 of the second period with his 8th goal of the season, assisted by Michael Kesselring and Logan Cooley, just 34 seconds after killing off the remainder of a first period penalty to Barrett Hayton for tripping. Ingram turned away New York’s five shots during the period which ended with a 1-0 home team lead.

At 3:36 of the third period, Islanders center Brock Nelson tied things up with his 12th goal of the season, assisted by linemates Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal. With time running out in the period, the Islanders swarmed the Utah net and Barzal put the puck past Ingram for his 4th of the season, assisted by Lee and Nelson, to give New York a 2-1 lead and the eventual victory.

After the game, Connor Ingram was asked how it felt to be back out on the ice. “It felt good. It was a long couple months off there. It felt good to be back out there. Lucky for me, I got a chance in Tucson during the week. So I got a little bit in game shape. It felt good.” Asked about the support of his team upon his return, Ingram said, “It’s been good. I can’t ask for anything else. The guys have been great, the team has been great, management has been great. I have no complaints.”

Head coach André Tourigny addressed Ingram’s performance in his first game back. “He was really, really, good. All game long, he was solid (and) made key saves. He was, for sure, one of the bright sides of the game. (Jack McBain) had big blocked shots a few times in the game; paid a price a few times on the PK. Those are the highlights for me.” Describing the goal which cost Utah the game, Tourigny said, “Turnover in the neutral zone to get into our zone. We’re gapped out because of our puck decision in the neutral zone. Then from there, it’s a broken play; dirty puck. That’s the way you score in a tight game. It was tough for us to create clean chances, it was tough for them to create clean chances. I think they scored on one clean chance and the other they went for the broken play. I think we had a few clean chances as well; we hit the post twice. We could not bury our chances.”

Next up for Utah is a Tuesday tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Slavin gets game winning goal for Hurricane; Rangers Quick stops 32 shots to edge Bruins 2-1; plus more news

The Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) and Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) scuffle as linesman Tommy Hughes tries to break it up in the second period at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Jaccob Slavin got the game winning goal for the Carolina Hurricane in the third period at 7:30 to break a 1-1 tie which the Hurricane won by a final score of 3-1.Slavin’s wasn’t without a battle as there was a pile up in front of the net as the Hurricane’s Jesperi Kotaniemi slid into Florida Panther goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky who was down at the crease in front of the net when Slavin made a rebound shot from the left circle for the goal.

#2 The New York Rangers edged the Boston Bruins 2-1 at Madison Square Garden. The Ranger goaltender Jonathan Quick was able to stop 32 shots and the Rangers snapped a four game losing streak. It was career win 399 for Quick and it was Quick’s first win since Nov 30th. If Quick wins his next game he will pick up his 400th win and become the first US born goalie to win 400 games.

#3 The Washington Capital Alexander Ovechkin scored his career 871st goal. Ovechkin needs just 24 more goals to catch Wayne Gretzky to become the number one goal scorer of all time. In spite of Ovechkin’s goal the Capitals lost in a shootout to the Minnesota Wild when Matt Boldy scored the game winner as the Wild took a 4-3 win.

#4 The Detroit Red Wings Jonatan Berggren scored a game winning goal with 36 seconds left in the third period to edge the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday night. The win improves the Wings win streak to three games. Alex DeBrincat scored and had two goals to contribute to the Red Wings cause.

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs Bobby McMann scored twice as the Leafs defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 in New York. The Leafs Joseph Woll stopped 32 shots. The win marks the second time in a week the Leafs have defeated the Isles and the Leafs have now won three times in four games against the Islanders.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bruins Korpisalo saves 21 to shutout Utah 1-0; Knights clip Senators 3-2; plus more NHL news

Utah Hockey Club center Alexander Kerfoot (15) tumbles in front of Boston Bruins defender Brandon Carlo (25) and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) in the second period at TD Garden in Boston on Thu Nov 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Boston Bruins Joonas Korpisalo stopped 21 shots to shutout the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday night in Boston. It was the first game under interim head coach Joe Sacco who replaced former head coach Jim Montgomery who was fired after accumulating a 120-41-23 record after two seasons. Sacco said that the win felt pretty good and for the guys it was even more important.

#2 The Vegas Golden Knights wound up handing the Ottawa Senators a 3-2 loss, their fourth straight loss on Thursday at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa. Knights Ilya Samsonov stopped 39 shots. Samsonov made 16 saves in the third period including an amazing slide across the crease for a pad save on the Senators David Perron’s wrist shot.

#3 With just 52 seconds left in the game the Detroit Red Wings Lucas Raymond scored a go ahead goal as the Wings came back from behind to beat the New York Islanders at Little Caesar’s Pizza Arena in Detroit 2-1. It’s was a rough road trip for the Islanders who drop to 1-2-2. Raymond said that everyone wants to score goals but as long as were winning games everybody is happy.

#4 The New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricane 4-2 in New Jersey on Thursday. Jesper Bratt scored two goals and an assist. Jack Hughes got three assists and Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 20 shots in his 500th career game.

#5 The Colorado Avalanche’s Miles Wood scored the go ahead goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals for a 2-1 win at the Capital Center on Thursday. The Aves Mikko Rantanen scored and goaltender Alexander Geogiev stopped 28 shots for the win.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bruins Marchand scores gamer in OT to beat Flames; Panthers win 6th straight game with 6-2 win over Preds; plus more NHL news

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand right celebrates his goal with teammate defensemen Charlie McAvoy (left) in overtime at the Boston Garden on Thu Nov 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Boston Bruins Brad Marchand with 20 seconds left in the overtime stanza to help the Bruins with a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Arena in Calgary. The Flames battled earlier scoring two goals in the third period forcing a tie.

# 2 The Florida Panthers are hot they have now won six in a row defeating the Nashville Predators on Thursday night 6-2. The Predators have won five of their last six games. The Panthers Carter Verhaeghe had three points scoring a goal and with two assists.

#3 The New York Islanders Bo Horvat scored a goal and had two assists and stopped the Ottawa Senators from coming back in the Isles 4- 2 win at Canadian Centre in Ottawa. The Isles Anders Lee scored a goal and an assist, Jean-Gabriel Pageu and Oliver Wahlstrom added goals.

#4 The Utah Hockey Club’s Dylan Guenther scored what later be the game winning goal with 3:21 left in the game as Utah defeated the St Louis Blues 4-2 at Enterprise Center in St Louis on Thursday. Guenther had an assist at 16:39 intercepting a pass by the Blues Jordan Kyrou when his centering pass deflected off of the Blues defensemen Colton Parayko.

#5 Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 35 of the Colorado Avalanche’s shots for a 1-0 shutout at the Canada Life Centre. The Jets set a record with the win becoming the second NHL team to win 13 of their first 14 games ironically joining the 2007-08 Senators. The win was the Jets fifth straight.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Len Shapiro: Maple Leafs live another day with win over Bruins; Hurricanes move to next round with win over Islanders; plus more news

The Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Matthew Knies (23) celebrates scoring an overtime goal on Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) in game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs survived being eliminated defeating the Boston Bruins 2-1 in overtime. The Leafs trail the Bruins in this first playoff round 3-2. The Leafs Matthew Knies scored at 2:26 in the overtime stanza for the game winning goal.

#2 No time like the present with the New York Islanders playing for their lives down 3-1 they were in a 3-3 tie until the third period and couldn’t hold on as the Carolina Hurricanes rallied with three goals in the third period with goals from Jack Drury, Stefan Noesen, and Evgeny Kuznetsov for the come back 6-3 as the Hurricanes advance to the next round.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche had a 3-2 lead going into the third period in game five and the series lead as well at 3-1 against the Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche added three more goals in the third period to put away the Jets and came away with a three goal 6-3 win in Winnipeg.

#4 The Nashville Predators came into game 5 down 1-3 against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and were facing elimination and defeated the Vancouver Canucks in razor close game 2-1. All the scoring took place in the third period with the Canucks Nikita Zadorov scoring to start the period at 3:11 on a wrist shot, then the Predators came back with two unanswered goals by Roman Josi at 7:15 to tie it 1-1 and Alexander Carrier at 12:46 for the winning goal for a 2-1 final.

#5 Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said on Tuesday that signing Steven Stamkos is a priority. BriseBois told the media two days after the Florida Panthers eliminated the Lightning at locker cleanout day in Tampa Bay that Stamkos “needs a contract and we want him part of that group.”Stamkos signed an eight year $68 million contract back in 2016 with the Lightning

Len does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts each Wednesday or Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Mary Lisa: Panthers and Hurricanes on verge of moving to next round now just one win away

The Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour (62) celebrates his goal with teammate defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (91) scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period of game 3 of the firs round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena in Tampa FL on Thu Apr 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Game three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs puts the Tampa Bay Lightning on the brink as they are down 0-3 against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers took game three 5-3 on Thursday night in Tampa Bay. The Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk scored twice and the goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots and allowed three goals in the win.

#2 Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said that he doesn’t feel the 3-0 lead and that he feels all these games are tight. Game 2 was an overtime that the Panthers on in Miami 3-2 on Tuesday just for an example. Maurice said it’s tight and that’s what he’s expecting for the next game on Saturday afternoon for game four.

#3 The Carolina Hurricanes against the New York Islanders got scoring help from Brent Burns in the first period who scored his first goal of the playoffs at 4:46 and the Hurricanes edged out the Isles 3-2 at UBS Arena in Elmont. We mentioned Burns as you saw him for years when he was in San Jose and now he’s on this successful Hurricanes team who leads New York 3-0 in this first round.

#4 Mary Lisa, the Hurricanes also got some good goaltending from Frederik Andersen who stopped 29 out of 31 shots in this close game.

#5 Islanders on are on the brink in game four against the Hurricanes need to win big or go home. The Islanders have lost each of he first three games 3-1, 5-3 and 3-2. The Islanders once again have home ice today and if they ever had to use it to their advantage this game would be it.

Join Mary Lisa for the Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Taking a look at the playoff match ups for this weekend

The New York Islanders Matt Barzal (13) led with 80 points during the regular season for the Isles as New York faces the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs this Sat Apr 20, 2024 in game 1 (AP file photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len lets take each of the NHL Playoffs games that are coming up this Saturday and Sunday. The first game New York Islanders (39-27-16) and the Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7). The Islanders Matt Barzal led with 80 points, Brock Nelson 34 goals, Noah Dobson 60 assists. The Hurricanes Sebastian Aho leads in 89 points, 36 goals, and 53 assists.

#2 Next match up are the Boston Bruins with David Pastrnak leading in all three categories with 110 points, 47 goals, and 63 assists. The Toronto Maple Leafs have Auston Matthews leading in points at 107, 69 goals, and Mitch Marner with 59 assists.

#3 The next pairing are the Tampa Bay Lightning with Nikita Kucherov leading with 144 points and 100 assists and Brayden Point leading in goals with 46. The Florida Panthers Sam Rienhart leads in points with 94 and 57 goals and Matthew Tkachuk has 62 assists.

#4 The Washington Capitals Dylan Stronme leads with 67 points, Alex Ovechkin 31 goals, and 42 assists for John Carlson. For the New York Rangers Artemi Panarin leads in all three categories in points 120, goals 49 and assists 71.

#5 The most active players without a Stanley Cups.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks try to snap nine game skid tonight against Ottawa at SAP Center

The New York Islanders center Matthew Barzal (13) skates away from the net after scoring on the San Jose Sharks goalie Magnus Chrona (30) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Mar 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Troy, the New York Islanders just really took it to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday at SAP Center here in San Jose. Scoring four goals in the second period to bury the Sharks 7-2.

#2 In the Sharks last four out of six games they have given up six or more goals and had given up seven goals in three of those.

#3 The Sharks got scoring help from Thomas Bordeleau and Mike Hoffman in their ninth consecutive loss. The Sharks just couldn’t get any offense going in the five goal loss.

#4 The Sharks started Magnus Chrona who save 26 shots but allowed the whopping seven goals another tough outing for Chrona.

#5 The Sharks are trying to rebuild again with their recent trades getting draft picks for Anthony Duclair who was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tomas Hertl who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2025 number one draft pick and forward David Edstrom.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson: Duclair dealt to Tampa Bay for Jack Thompson and 2024 3rd round selection

Former San Jose Shark forward Anthony Duclair was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning as announced by the Sharks before Thu Mar 7, 2024’s game between the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose (photo from the Tampa Bay Lighting)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (15-39-7) traded away forward Anthony Duclair who had been on the trade block for awhile to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Sharks also sent a seventh round draft pick in the 2025 NHL draft for defenseman Jack Thompson and the Lightning’s third round selection in the 2024 NHL draft. What mostly led to Duclair’s being traded?

#2 Duclair 28, played in 56 games for the Sharks this campaign scoring 16 goals, five power play goals, totaling 27 points. Duclair who was an asset for the Sharks scored his 15th plus goals per season for the fifth time in his career.

#3 Rough going in the Sharks last game against the Dallas Stars Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks unfolded San Jose with three unanswered goals in the third period erasing San Jose’s lead and defeating San Jose 7-6 at SAP Arena in San Jose.

#4 The Star Wyatt Johnston scored his first career hat trick which was one of the factors for the Stars win and the Sharks just had a hard time shutting the Stars down.

#5The Stars Roope Hintz scored the overtime goal to put the final touches on the contest. Hintz had been playing mostly in the offensive zone through out the game and ended up taking a pass from Logan Stankoven in the slot and got the shot past Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen for the game winner.

#6 The Sharks battle the New York Islanders (27-20-14) tonight here at SAP Center. The Islanders are fourth the Metropolitan Division having a 5-3-2 record in their last ten games and they have won four game in a row coming into tonight.

Titus Wilkinson is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Stadium Series gets TV ratings boost from outdoor games; Canes Andersen is on the way back from blood clotting; plus more news

TV ratings were up 21% at the Met Life East Rutherford in the NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series on Sat Feb 17 with the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the New Jersey Devils and on Sun Feb 18 New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the NHL Stadium Series with the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils on Sat 17th and the New York Rangers and New York Islanders Sun 18th were big hits at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford. Both games combined for 150,000 fans and the TV rating were up 21% from last season’s Stadium Series. ABC TV had 1.37 million viewers and 449,000 in the 18-49 demographic.

#2 Len talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews he’s been unstoppable on Wednesday night he scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in 54 games. Matthews also has 24 assists and a total of 75 points. San Ramon’s very own Matthews was born in your neck of the woods Contra Costa County.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard is a big fan of the Detroit Red Wings Patrick Kane for the first time this season. Bedard who will face Kane who has won the Stanley Cup three times and looks at it as a challenge and an honor to face one of the best former Blackhawks in history. Face off between the two teams at the United Center in Chicago is Sunday at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT.

#4 The Philadelphia Flyers after winning three straight games dropped their next two one to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the second to the New Jersey Devils. Flyers head coach John Tortorella was barking at his players during the Monday morning skate “not enough” and said he wanted “more from everybody” and it looked like it worked as the Flyers who took on the Blackhawks on Wednesday night and played a much tighter game and getting the win 3-1.

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers have expressed interest in a possible trade for the San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin and defenseman Mario Ferraro. Ferraro is in the third year of his four year $13 million contract and Kunin is under team control and would be a restricted free agent after this season. The Sharks would get a first rounder from either club.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com