NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Covid outbreaks effects numerous NHL teams; Jets Lowry takes over as interim coach; plus more

Nashville Predators left wing Tanner Jeannot (84) watches as teammate left wing Filip Forsberg scores on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz (39) Thu Dec 16, 2021 in Nashville (AP News photo)

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Not since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic in March 2020 has the NHL seen so many games postponed. The NHL has postponed two more teams all games for the Colorado Avalanche (17-8-2) and Florida Panthers (18-7-4).

#2 The Calgary Flames (15-7-6) have shutdown their operations extending it from Dec 24-26. The Flames announced that they have had no further positive tests today. The Flames next scheduled game is against the Edmonton Oilers (17-11-0) on Dec 27th.

#3 Winnipeg Jets (13-11-5) head coach Paul Maurice resigned on Friday saying the team needs a new voice. That new voice was found when Jet’s general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff called new interim head coach Dave Lowry to take over on Thursday. Lowry is the father of Jets forward Adam Lowry.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights (19-11-0) Jonathan Marchessault got the game winner in round three of a shootout against the New York Rangers (19-7-4) at Madison Square Garden for a 3-2 win. The win was the Knights third straight win.

#5 The St Louis Blues (17-8-5) picked up a home and home sweep against the Dallas Stars (13-12-2) 4-1 on Friday night in St Louis. The Blues Vladimir Tarasenko scored two goals and goaltender Charlie Lindgren stopped 26 shots.

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

Audio clears up at 0:22

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: NHL players get blessing from Bettman to compete in Beijing Olympics; Avalanche of goals Aves score 7 in three straight games; plus more

NHL players are welcome to participate in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics the league and the Olympic Committee are working out details of an agreement and Covid 19 protocols (file photo from Desert News)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says that NHL players are welcome to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Bettman says the league is waiting for an agreement from the Beijing Olympic Committee and also waiting to receive Covid 19 protocols.

#2 The Colorado Avalanche (15-7-2) can’t be stopped as they have scored three consecutive seven goal games. Most recently Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings (13-12-3). The Aves Andre Burakovsky scored twice and has eight goals for the season among some of the hottest scorers on the team.

#3 The Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby picked up two assists on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Crosby has scored points in seven consecutive games and is looking like his old self again.

#4 The Vancouver Canucks (11-15-2) won their third straight game on Friday night defeating the Winnipeg Jets (13-9-5) in a 4-3 shootout in Vancouver. The Canucks Nils Hoglander scored two goals and two points to contribute towards the Canucks win. The Canucks have won four of their last five games.

#5 Alexander Georgiev the New York Rangers (8-15-3) goaltender stopped 36 shots and stood on his head stopping 17 shots in the third period as the Rangers just edged the Buffalo Sabers (8-15-3) 2-1 in Buffalo. The Rangers have won eight of their last nine games.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Jets score lots beat Devils 8-4; Ranger goalies combine for shutout over Sharks; plus more

Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele (55) and Kyle Connor (81) celebrate Scheifele’s first period goal at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Fri Dec 3, 2021 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Huge night for the Winnipeg Jets (11-8-4) Mark Schiefele who scored a hat trick against the visiting New Jersey Devils (9-9-4) on Friday night at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg in a 8-4 win. The Jets never let up on the Devils scoring three goals in the first and second periods and two in the thrid.

#2 The New York Rangers (15-4-3) goaltenders Igor Shesterkin and Alexander Georgiev combined for 28 saved goals. Shesterkin had to leave after injuring his right leg in the third period and was replace by Georgiev as the Rangers ended up getting a 1-0 shutout against the San Jose Sharks (13-10-1) .

#3 Max Pacioretty of the Vegas Golden Knights (13-10-0) scored two goals in the second period and the Knights scored four goals in the second stanza which led to a crushing 7-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes (5-17-2).

#4 The Calgary Flames (15-4-5) just got by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (13-8-4) in a 4-3 shootout. The Flames scored two unanswered shootout goals scored by Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk for the win.

#5 The Seattle Kraken’s (9-13-2) early goals two in each of the first and second periods were just enough to get by the Edmonton Oilers (16-6-0) 4-3. Kraken goals by Alex Wennberg, Yanni Gourde, Colin Blackwell, and Adam Larsson.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Canes get convincing win against Flyers 6-3; Rangers score 3 third period goals in win; plus more

Carolina Hurricanes’ Ian Cole, left, and Philadelphia Flyers’ Nate Thompson (right) rumble in the second period of Fri Nov 26, 2021 in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 After the Carolina Hurricanes (15-3-1) lost a rare game on Wednesday to the San Jose Sharks (10-8-1) 2-1 but quickly as they lost that game came back and won convincingly against the Philadelphia Flyers (8-7-4) 6-3 on Friday. The Hurricanes did a bulk of their scoring in the second period with four goals.

#2 Artemi Panarin scored a crucial tiebreaking goal for the New York Rangers (13-4-3) in the third period one of three goals as the Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins (10-7-0) in a three goal win. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin saved 34 shots in the Friday contest.

#3 The Minnesota Wild (13-6-1) just tore it up on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets (9-7-4) with a six goal win 7-1. Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and three assists and Wild goaltender Cam Talbot allowed a goal saved 31 shots.

#4. One of the original San Jose Sharks Doug Wilson who is team general manager is taking time off from his duties for medical leave to convalesce from a constant cough which is believed not to be Covid related. Wilson will be recovering in Arizona until further notice. Assistant general manager Joe Will will be acting general manager. Wilson 64 has been the team general manager since 2003-04 season.

#5 The Ottawa Senators (4-13-1) continued their losing ways bowing to the Anaheim Ducks (11-7-3) at the Honda Center in Anaheim in a 4-0 shutout. The loss was the Senators fourth straight loss. The last time the Sens won a game was back on Nov 13th against the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3. For the Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz stopped 34 shots for the shutout.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Senators return to action from Covid 19 protocols Nov 22; Kings Doughty on the mend; plus more

The Ottawa Senators Drake Batherson (19) goes for the congratulations skate in front of the Ottawa bench after scoring on the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Sat Nov 13, 2021. The Senators last played on Sun Nov 14 against Calgary Flames before having three straight games postponed due to Covid 19 protocols (Canadian Press file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, the Ottawa Senators returned to practice on Friday after having ten players on the Covid 19 protocol list. The Senators had three games postponed because of the positive tests and have not played since Sun Nov 14 and are expected to return to action Mon Nov 22 in Colorado.

#2 The Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty who got a knee to knee injury with Dallas Star defenseman Jani Hakanpaa on Oct 22 in a 3-2 overtime loss. Doughty was given eight weeks to recover and in his fourth week is just now skating with the club. Doughty is second in points with seven and six assists.

#3 The Anaheim Ducks left winger Max Comtois will be out at least six weeks due to hand surgery. Comtois had a small bone removed and missed the last three games and is on the Ducks injured reserve list. Comtois has just one assist in 13 games.

#4 The San Jose Sharks forward Kevin Lebanc has been suspended for one game for slew footing the St Louis Blues forward Tyler Bozak on Thu Nov 18th’s game in St Louis at 8:57 of the first period. When will Labanc start the suspension and could you talk about the play?

#5 Matt, talk about the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid’s response regarding ESPN’s John Tortorella’s saying that McDavid needs to shut up about not getting penalties called, for McDavid not to talk about it and that he needs to change his game a bit. McDavid said he guessed he’d better shut up.

Join Matt Harrington for the NHL podcasts each Saturday 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

NHL Podcast with Matt Harrington: Pens Crosby trying to make comeback after wrist surgery; Knights Martinez out with undisclosed injury; plus more news

The Pittsburgh Penguins Sid Crosby is trying to make a come back after having wrist surgery on Sep 8, 2021. He’s trying to return to morning skates and practices. (NHL.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt talk about how hampered the Pittsburgh Penguins are without someone like Sid Crosby in the line up. Crosby said he’s trying to come back from wrist surgery and has missed two morning skates and practices. Crosby had the surgery on Sep 8th from an injury that he got back on Mar 23, 2014.

#2 Matt talk about the Vegas Golden Knights Alec Martinez who is out with undisclosed injury. Martinez did not play on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers and got the injury during the third period against the St Louis Blues on Wednesday. The Knights did not disclose how long Martinez will be out. Also the Knights forward Mattias Janmark played his first game after coming off Covid 19 protocols.

#3 The Anaheim Ducks Max Jones is out from four to six months with a pectoral muscle injury. Jones who played in two games this season has no points in two games this season and Ducks general manager Bob Murray says it’s a tough blow for the team.

#4 The arena formerly known as the Key Arena now Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle will be open for business on Saturday night for the inaugural season for the Seattle Kraken as they host what could be their rivals the Vancouver Canucks. Matt, amongst the amenities a spacious dressing room, hanging scoreboards, and luxury suites. Should be a great venue for the new NHL team.

#5 The Edmonton Oilers have got off to a great start winning their first four games of the season and having the top three players in categories to lead the league, Conner McDavid with six goals and 11 points and Leon Draisaitl with six assists which explains why their off to such a great start.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Predators pay banner tribute in loss to Kraken; CBJ’s remember their late goalie Matiss Kivlenieks; plus more

Virtual banner by the Nashville Predators congratulating the Seattle Kraken on their very first franchise win against the Predators in Nashville on Thu Oct 14, 2021 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Nashville Predators paid tribute to the Seattle Kraken with a virtual banner saying “Gave Seattle First Franchise Win” after Seattle got win on Thursday in Nashville. The Kraken said it was a bit of southern hospitality.

#2 The Columbus Blue Jackets paid tribute to late goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks on Thursday. Kivlenieks died in a fireworks accident in July. The CBJs had #80 also embossed under the ice surface in memory of Kivlenieks.

#3 Matt talk about the New York Islanders long road trip which has them embarking on a 13 game road trip to open their season because they are waiting for UBS Arena in Elmont to be finished the Isles new home.

#4 Matt talk about Charlie McAvoy signing with the Boston Bruins for $76 million which translates into $9 million annually. McAvoy scored 30 points and was tops in ice time last season.

#5 The Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin was suspended for roughing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph in last Thursday Oct 14th’s game. Larkin will loose $30,500 for the one game loss and the money will go to the players emergency fund.

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