Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Rangers lose 8 of last 10 drop game to Blackhawks; Blackwood joins Aves for Georgiev to Sharks; plus more news

The Seattle Kraken Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) scored on the New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) in the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York on Mon Dec 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong:

#1 The New York Rangers are trying to figure out what has gone wrong with their hockey club. The Rangers had best record last season but now have lost eight of their last ten games. After two games after trading defenseman Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks the Rangers lost both of those games which included a home loss to one of the worst teams in the NHL the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1.

#2 The Colorado Avalanche acquired goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks on Monday. The Aves also picked up Giovani Smith from the Sharks in exchange for goaltender Alexander Georgiev and rookie forward Nikolai Kovalenko.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks have put goaltender Petr Mrazek on injured reserve with left groin injury on Sunday. Mrazek was replaced by goaltender Arvid Soderblom in the first period in Saturday’s game. The Blackhawks lost to the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 loss. Hawks continue to struggle just to get a win and losing Mrazek in the first period

#4 Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella had some criticism after their game after the Flyers loss to the Boston Bruins in overtime 4-3 at TD Waterhouse in Boston on Saturday. The Flyers were hit for two tripping penalties in the third period and one of the tripping penalties led to a goal against. That led Tortorella to said in the post game conference that he doesn’t teach his team to dive but maybe he should team them to dive.

#5 Washington Capitals Tom Wilson who scored two goals Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens got hit with a puck in the left cheek and came back later in the first period. The Caps rallied to beat the Canadiens for a 4-2 win on Wilson’s two goals. Wilson said it felt like his face was falling off but got looked at by the trainer and got back in the game to pick up two goals.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com every other Wednesday night

Rangers 3 goals was all they needed to edge Sharks 3-2 at Madison Square Garden

The New York Rangers Vincent Trocheck (right) battles with the San Jose Sharks William Eklund (left) for the hockey puck in the first period at Madison Square Garden on Thu Nov 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The San Jose Sharks played one of their best first periods of the season, but could not keep it up in the second and fell to the New York Rangers 3-2 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

New York scored three unanswered goals in the second period, and the Sharks failed to make a comeback in the third.

“I think our first period was obviously our identity and the way that we need to play. We’ve got to do that more often,” said Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky. “Hope this is a learning moment.”

Timothy Liljegren made the first goal of the game at 17:09, when the puck went off a few players and he got it past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin to put the Sharks up 1-0. Liljegren was assisted by Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm.

“Just a lot of people in front, in front of the net, so just tried to get it there and had the lucky bounce so good to see it go in,” said Liljegren.

The Sharks played fast and got pucks deep and got them back, but got away from that in the second and third periods.

In the second, Mika Zibanejad scored a goal at 8:19 assisted by Adam Fox and Reilly Smith to tie the game at 1-1. Then at 6:45, Jimmy Vesey made a goal assisted by Sam Carrick to put the Rangers up 2-1. A few minutes later, Vincent Trocheck scored assisted by Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafrenière to boost New York up 3-1.

“I think our first period overall was really good and then obviously it was tough to follow it up in the second,” said Sharks right wing Barclay Goodrow. “We were just playing simple. Playing the game we have to play to be successful.”

In the third period, the Sharks did too little too late. Fabian Zetterlund scored on a power-play with 27 seconds remaining, assisted by William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli, to cut the Rangers’ lead to 3-2.

“If you give these guys too many chances they’re going to score and that’s what they did,” Liljegren said. “So, got to learn from it and play more of a 60-minute game like we played in the first.”

Shesterkin had 25 saves, helping the Rangers notch their fourth win in six games and improve to 10-4-1.

During a stop in the first period when Goodrow was shown on the jumbotron, the crowd gave him an ovation. Goodrow spent three seasons with the Rangers and had six goals during the playoffs last spring.

“It was good,” he said. “Obviously, would’ve been nice to get the win, but yeah it was good to be back.”

The Sharks (5-10-3) finish off their four-game road trip facing the Pittsburgh Penguins (6-9-3) on Saturday. The puck drops at 4 p.m. PT.

Sharks Fall 4-3 to Flyers in Shootout

San Jose Sharks Tim Liljegren (left), clears the puck away from the Philadelphia Flyers Ryan Poehling (right) in the second period at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Mon Nov 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in a shootout Monday. Eric Johnson, Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov scored for the Flyers. Samuel Ersson made 27 saves for the win. Jack Thompson, Mikael Granlund and Barclay Goodrow scored for the Sharks. Vitek Vanacek made 39 saves for the Sharks.

The game was fairly one-sided, but changed sides midway through. The Flyers scored three, then the Sharks scored three. What accounted for this shift, at least on the part of the Sharks? Barclay Goodrow said:

“We had to tighten things up. I think by this point in the year we know how we need to play in order to be successful and when we stray away from that you get the results that you saw early in the game. So I think we dialed it back in and we’ve just got to find a way to play like that from the start.”

Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky also talked about reasons for the slow start: “Back to back probably would be the first part. We just couldn’t get into the game, we had some pushes at times, we did some good things at times. But just couldn’t play with that same energy and competitiveness I would say as last night.”

Eric Johnson opened the scoring 1:40 into the game. Anthony Richard got control of the puck coming out of the Flyers’ zone and skated into the Sharks’ zone with Johnson. A cross-ice pass got around Jack Thompson to Johnson for a wrist shot that beat Vanacek. That was the first shot of the game.

Travis Konecny made it 2-0 with a power play goal at 15:56. In a very pretty play, The puck went from Emil Andrea on the blue line to Matvei Michkov near the goal line and back up to Konecny in the slot for a snap shot.

Michkov scored his own goal at 5:09 of the second period, breaking away in the neutral zone. Two Sharks chased him into the zone after he caught a pass right on the Sharks blue line. His shot went under Vanacek and in. Ryan Poehling and Egor Zamula got the assists.

Barclay Goodrow fought Nicck Seeler at 12:09 of the period, possibly motivating the Sharks for the comeback that started a few minutes later. The fight was the only penalty called in the period. Givani Smith also fought Eric Johnson right after the first goal of the game, but that fight did not lead to a scoring spree.

Jack Thompson got the Sharks on the board at 15:29 of the second. William Eklund carried the puck in and sent it across the goal mouth at the last moment. It went off of Thompson’s skate and in. Mikael Granlund also got an assist.

Granlund made it 3-2 at 18:33 of the second. Eklund controlled the puck off an offensive zone draw and skated behind the net. Instead of continuing around, he doubled back with a pass to Granlund for a shot on the short side. Granlund’s wrist shot squeaked in under the bar. Assists went to Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund.

Early in the third period. Givani Smith made an impressive save as Sharks and Flyers scrambled in front of the net. The puck was on its way to the line but Vanecek couldn’t see it. Smith swept it back and under his goaltender.

Barclay Goodrow tied the game at 17:36 of the thirds period. Henry Thrun sent the puck to the net from the point. Goodrow snapped it in from a bad angle. Assists went to Thrun and Cody Ceci.

At the end of the third period, Michkov took a penalty for punching Macklin Celebrini in the face a couple of times, putting the Sharks on the power play to start overtime. The Sharks had four shots in overtime and the Flyers had two.

Owen Tippett, Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny shot for the Flyers. Michkov and Konecny scored.

Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith shot for the Sharks but Ersson stopped both of them.

The Sharks next play on Thursday at 4:00 PM PT, in New York against the Rangers.

NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Reinhart’s power play OT goal evens series for Panthers in 3-2 win in Florida

The Florida Panthers Eetu Luostarinen (27) attempts to take a shot against the New York Rangers goaltender Matt Rempe (73) in the third period of game 4 of the third round of the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals at Amerant Arena in Sunrise FL (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Florida Panthers got a power play goal from Sam Reinhart to even up the series 2-2 in a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers in Florida in the Eastern Conference Finals.

#2 Len, the Reinhart was a tic tac toe set up from passes Brandon Montour and Aleksander Barkov. Reinhart hit the puck from the right hash marks.

#3 The Panthers also got goals from Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe. Barkov got two key assists for the Panthers.

#4 For New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette he’s concerned about the Panthers who are worthy opponents who defended well and closed the game out with an overtime goal.

#5 The Panthers are headed to New York and Madison Square Garden in New York for game 5 on Thursday night at 5:00pm PT. Len how do you see this game 5 coming up.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Mary Lisa: Brink of elimination Rangers can put Hurricanes away tonight in Carolina

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dimitri Orlov (7) wrestles with New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) on the ice surface both players were hit with penalties at PNC Arena in Raleigh NC during game 3 in the first period of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Fri May 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 After winning games 2 and 3 in overtime and taking a series 3-0 lead the New York Rangers are certainly proving their where with all against the Carolina Hurricanes.

#2 The Rangers won their first two games at Madison Square Garden and took the hard task of winning game three in Carolina where the Hurricanes have been tough this season.

#3 We’ve talked about the job that Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin in game 3 saved 45 of 47 shots. The Rangers are seeded number 1 in the post season at 7-0 and are living up to it. The Rangers in the regular season were 4-0 against the Hurricane.

#4 Mary, what can you say about the Rangers Artemi Panarin whose had an incredible series against the Hurricanes. Panarin scored the game winner at 1:43 in the overtime to help the Rangers put the Hurricane on the brink of elimination.

#5 Each game has been close the Rangers have won each of them by one goal. The Hurricanes have their backs to the wall game 4 is once again the life of death for Carolina’s season. Face off tonight 4:00pm PDT.

Join Mary Lisa for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs right though the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Rangers win in double overtime edge Hurricanes 4-3

The New York Rangers left wings Chris Kreider (20), Jimmy Vesey (26) center, Jack Roslovic (96) celebrate with Vincent Trocheck (16) somewhere in the mob against the glass after double overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes after game 2 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York (AP News photo)

On NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Vincent Trocheck just couldn’t believe it when he scored the winning goal for the New York Rangers in the second overtime stanza at Madison Square Garden to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in game 2 to go up 2-0.

#2 Peter Laviolette head coach the New York Rangers said that the power play has been good and the penalty kill was great and there are times when your down an attacker for a team like the Hurricanes that’s top heavy it puts you under duress things got better and it was factor in the game.

#3 Earlier the Rangers Alexis Lafreniere scored twice, Chris Kreider scored a power play goal and Artemi Panarin had three assists to round out the scoring.

#4 Rangers Igor Shesterkin had to put out his best effort as the Hurricanes were knocking on the door all night. Shesterkin stopped 57 shots talk about Shesterkin standing on his head.

#5 You can’t underestimate the Hurricanes they come back to Carolina at PNC and host the Rangers for games 3 and 4 and they noted for turning thing around on home ice. How do you see this match up on Thursday night for game 3?

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Capitals in trouble down 0-2 against Rangers; Panthers go up 2-0 after OT win over Bolts; plus more news

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) and Martin Fehervary (42) protect the net from New York Rangers’ Artemi Panarin (10) during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in New York. (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len:

#1 In game two the New York Rangers (2-0) edged the Washington Capitals (0-2) 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, Jack Roslovic, and K’Andre Miller each scored goals. Trocheck and Zibanejad each had an assist. The series goes back to Washington on Friday night at the Capital One Center at 4:00pm PDT.

#2 The Florida Panthers (2-0) Carter Verhaeghe scored at 2:59 into the overtime stanza to get the Panthers by the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Tuesday in game 2 of the playoffs. The Panthers and Lightning play game 3 Thursday in Tampa Bay giving the Lightning hope they can pick up a win on home ice.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche (1-1) defeated the Winnipeg Jets (1-1) convincingly 5-2 at Canada Life Center in Winnipeg. The Aves scored four times in the second period. Artturi Lehkonen scored a goal and got an assist. The Aves goaltender Alex Georgiev saved 28 out of 30 shots.

#4 The Nashville Predators (1-1) evened the series against the Vancouver Canucks (1-1) at Rogers Arena in Vancouver in game 2 with a three goal 4-1 win. Nashville scored three of the game’s first unanswered goals and Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros held off the Canucks to just 18 shots allowing just one goal.

#5 The San Jose Sharks announced today the firing of head coach David Quinn who in his second year as head coach lost the first 11 games of this season. The Sharks finished the season with a (19-54-9). They also failed to qualify for the post season for the fifth consecutive year. Sharks general manager Mike Grier said that Quinn was a good coach but even a better person. That Quinn and his staff worked hard over the last two seasons under difficult circumstances. The Sharks have not named a new head coach.

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

#1

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Preds GM Trotz says they want to hang onto Carrier; Rangers end 10 game win streak; plus more news

The Nashville Predators defenseman Alexander Carrier (45) will most likely stay with the Predators. The Predators are trying to get him to sign a new contract before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz said that defenseman Alexander Carrier will stay and defenseman Tyson Barrie might be on the trade bubble. Goaltender Jusse Saros has a deal with the Predators through next season. Teams are seeking Carrier’s services but the Predators are trying to sign him as his contract runs out after this season. Trotz said Barrie is a player any team in the NHL would interested in.

#2 The Columbus Blue Jackets ended the New York Rangers hot ten game win streak Sunday at Nationwide Arena 4-2. The loss stops the Rangers from tying their all time win streak record at 11.

#3 Len, even though the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid has not scored a goal in his last ten games he has scored at least a point in his last eight games. So there’s really no way to keep McDavid down.

#4 Len, have to ask you about the Winnipeg Jets their attendance is down a quarter and their not getting the expected 90% line expectation for NHL crowds. The Jets are one of the winningest teams in the NHL, they have a shot at the Stanley Cup, they have speed which buries their opponents, they have the league’s best goalie and they can score yet no one is coming

#5 Len the San Jose Sharks absolutely got clobbered on Wednesday night at SAP Center in San Jose 7-2 by the New Jersey Devils. The Sharks lost their goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood after playing some good hockey in the first 17 minutes to an injury. Backup Kappo Kahkonen came in late in the first period for Blackwood, he surrendered three in the second period and four in the third period.

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

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