Tag: NHL

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Panthers Montour scores game winner in OT; Engvail scores go ahead goal for Isles; plus more news

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Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour celebrates his overtime game winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Florida Panthers came back in the third period to tie it up 2-2 and won it in overtime with a goal by the Panthers Brandon Montour at 1:41 as Florida gets by in a one goal win 3-2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

#2 The New York Islanders improved their chances in the Eastern Conference in the wild card race with a 2-1 over the Washington Capitals in Washington at the Capital One Center on Wednesday night. The Islanders Pierre Engvail scored for the second straight game. Islanders goaltender IIya Sorokin stopped stopped 25 shots and was key in the Isles win.

#3 The New York Rangers Filip Chytil signed a four year deal with the Rangers worth $17.75 million. The contract at a yearly salary is $4.4375. Chytil scored 22 goals, 20 assists, for 42 points in 66 games. The Rangers like his game and what he has done and wanted to get Chytil signed as he could have been a free agent at the end of the season.

#4 The Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews might not be with the Blackhawks in the closing days of the regular season. Toews is a three time Stanley Cup champion and has been ill with long Covid 19 and has been out of action since Jan 28th and said he will be taking time off on Feb 21. Toews had missed the entire 2021-22 season.

#5 Thomas Chabot of the Ottawa Senators will be out for the rest of the regular season due to an upper body injury Chabot who plays defenseman had to leave on Monday after getting hit the by the Florida Panthers Givani Smith in the third period in a 5-2 win. Chabot did return to the game but after the game head coach DJ Smith said Chabot would not be available Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

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

San Jose Sharks game wrap: Reimer and Gregor Show Their Worth in 3-0 shutout

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San Jose Sharks right winger Kevin Lebanc (62), center Noah Gregor (73), and defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrate defeating the Winnipeg Jets at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Mar 28, 2023 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Troy Ewers

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Sharks (20-39-15) hosted the Winnipeg Jets (41-31-3) as we close this final stretch of the regular season. Going into the game all eyes were on Erik Karlsson, who was ten points away from 100 points on the season, but they were facing off against a Jets team who was hungry for their playoff spot. The Sharks upset the wild card contender Jets shutting them out behind a great goaltending performance by James Reimer in the 3-0 win at SAP Center.

In the first period, Sharks attacked that tough Jets defense by dominating possession in the first five minutes and even drawing a penalty by minute eight. The San Jose offensive attack had a big burst of energy when Noah Gregor scored on a five hole goal making the game 1-0 early in the first.

Gregor left this game with two points (one goal and one assist) and said tonight was a “solid win” and considering the night he had and his pending free agency, he also looked at this game as a “ chance to prove to the organization he should stay around”, but Gregor wasn’t the only one who had something to prove this game.

Reimer, who a week ago was under public scrutiny over the pride night situation, not only wanted to silence the critics, but also show the front office that he “still has a fire in him” as he also could be a free agent at the end of this season. Reimer had a phenomenal game and on three occasions made saves that led to big ovations from the arena and on top of that he had a shutout in net. Reimer and Gregor showed off in front of this crowd and sparked the team’s energy.

Second period was a defensive battle with no scoring, but the third period is where Gregor got his second point of the night with an assist to Labanc and Karlsson would get point #91 with an assist to Kaut which would also be the last goal of the game.

Coach David Quinn called this game San Jose’s “most solid win in a while” and he grinned at the idea that his squad might be playing spoiler to opponents who have their sights on the postseason, especially since Vegas is coming into town on Thursday.

This game was a morale boost and the first time in a while in the Sharks locker room they had music playing to celebrate a win. Next game will be the debut of the Sharks’ latest signing from Harvard, Henry Thurn and this final stretch of games may not seem important, but ending this season on a high note is a huge reward.

With a new coach, new GM, and roster changes all season, ending this season with moments like Tuesday night make a fanbase breathe easier, but the Sharks are getting closer to the end of the trial run, because next season is the real test.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks attempt to get win tonight against Jets after tough loss Saturday in Calgary

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San Jose Sharks’ Logan Couture (39) scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender David Rittich (33) during overtime of an NHL hockey game, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Monday March 6, 2023. (Canadian Press photo via AP)

On the Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 The San Jose Sharks lost their ninth consecutive contest Saturday Afternoon, falling to the Calgary Flames 5-3 from Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

#2 Erik Karlsson picked up a pair of assists notch a single-season high in assists and Nico Sturm, Logan Couture and Martin Kaut scored, but the lone good news from the Sharks (19-39-15) this weekend was via the signing of college prospect Henry Thrun out of Harvard.

#3  Logan Couture’s netfront drive put the Sharks on the board at the 14:25 mark of the first period. Karlsson took a pass from Andrew Agozzino and drove down the right wing, pulling Jacob Markstrom to the post before feathering a pass to a crashing Couture for a deflection goal, his 25th score of the year. Karlsson picked up his 67th assist, a single-season career high on the play.

#4 Nico Sturm tied the game 4:52 into the second period, backhanding a Noah Gregor shot pass by Markstrom for his 14th goal of the year. Karlsson assisted on the goal as well, his 90th point of the year with nine games left to play. 

#5 The Winnipeg Jets (40-25-8) come to the SAP Center tonight to face off with the Sharks. The Jets place second in the NHL Western Conference Wild Card standings winning five of their last ten games. The Jets lost their last game to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday 4-1 how do you see the Jets and Sharks matching up tonight here in San Jose?

Troy Ewers podcasts San Jose Sharks hockey at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Karlsson Sets Career High in Assists, Sharks Lose 5-3 to Flames; Ninth straight loss for San Jose

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Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) is all smiles as the Flames had a break out game against the San Jose Sharks at the Saddledome in Calgary on Sat Mar 25, 2023. Sharks goaltender Kappo Kahkonen (36) can only skate away (photo by NHLFlames)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks lost their ninth consecutive contest Saturday Afternoon, falling to the Calgary Flames 5-3 from Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Erik Karlsson picked up a pair of assists notch a single-season high in assists and Nico Sturm, Logan Couture and Martin Kaut scored, but the lone good news from the Sharks (19-39-15) this weekend was via the signing of college prospect Henry Thrun out of Harvard.

Tyler Toffoli scored twice for the Flames to surpass the 30 goal mark and tie a career high for the Flames (33-26-15) who now sit four points pack of the Winnipeg Jets for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Nazem Kadri scored 5:45 into the third period, netting his 23rd of the year, to put Calgary ahead 4-3. Tyler Toffoli added the empty netter with 1:10 left in play for the final score. The Sharks had led 3-2 late in the second period after trailing 2-1 after the first period.

MacKenzie Weegar and Toffoli scored in the first 10 minutes of the first period but Logan Couture’s netfront drive put the Sharks on the board at the 14:25 mark of the period. Karlsson took a pass from Andrew Agozzino and drove down the right wing, pulling Jacob Markstrom to the post before feathering a pass to a crashing Couture for a deflection goal, his 25th score of the year. Karlsson picked up his 67th assist, a single-season career high on the play.

Nico Sturm tied the game 4:52 into the second period, backhanding a Noah Gregor shot pass by Markstrom for his 14th goal of the year. Karlsson assisted on the goal as well, his 90th point of the year with nine games left to play. Martin Kaut added his third goal of the year and second with the Sharks since coming over at the trade deadline just 22 seconds later.

The Flames responded at the 5:39 mark of the period, tying the game just 25 seconds after the Kaut goal. Trevor Lewis intercepted a failed Sharks clear and passed it to Walker Deuhr, open to Kaapo Kahkonen’s right on the far post. Deuhr ripped it home for his fifth goal of the season. Kahkonen made 25 saves on 29 shots in the Sharks net.

The Sharks return home Tuesday night looking to snap their losing skid. They’ll face the Winnipeg Jets, the team directly above the Calgary Flames in the standings. After that, the Vegas Golden Knights await a Thursday night tilt at home for the Sharks. The possibility that the loss streak will be at 11 by the time the Sharks face the Coyotes in Glendale on Saturday remains real given the quality of opponents ahead.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: CBJ’s Laine out for 2-4 weeks with triceps strain; Coyote’s co-owner suspended for domestic violence; plus more news

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The Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine will sit out two to four weeks due to a triceps strain he sustained in practice on Thu Mar 23, 2023 during practice. (nhl.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, the second leading scorer on the Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine will miss two to four weeks of action due to triceps strain which he injured while taking a shot during practice on Thursday. Laine is having a great season with 52 points, 22 goals, and 30 assists in 55 games this year.

#2 The Arizona Coyotes minority owner Andrew Barroway has been suspended by the NHL for domestic violence abuse. Barroway 57, is accused of strangling his wife according to Aspen Police and the Aspen Daily News. The league said that Barroway has been suspended indefinitely. Barroway got into an argument with his wife which turned into him strangling his wife. He has been ordered by the courts to stay away from his wife except if it involves visiting their children and is under court order not to consume alcohol.

#3 The Boston Bruins AJ Greer was suspended one game for cross checking the Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman on Thu Mar 23. Greer cross checked Hoffman at 17:08 of the first period and was hit with a major penalty and a game misconduct. Greer will also be fined $4121.62 money that will go the NHL Players Emergency Fund.

#4 Logan Thompson who made 37 saves for the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday against the Calgary Flames in a 3-2 win suffered an lower body injury. It was tough luck for Thompson who was playing in his first game since Feb 9th. Thompson coming back from another lower body injury and missed 18 games. Thompson left the game at 6:07 of the third period. Jonathan Quick was called to replace Thompson.

#5 Matt, much is the talk of the San Jose Sharks (19-38-15) possibly ending up the team that could get number one NHL draft pick Connor Bedard as the loses continue for San Jose. The Sharks were shellacked in a five goal loss to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thursday night 7-2. The loss was San Jose’s eighth straight. Will getting somebody like Bedard give the Sharks someone to build around.

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

Canucks 3 goal scoring in first and third periods do in Sharks 7-2 at Rogers Arena

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San Jose Sharks netminder James Reimer (47) was kept busy facing 21 shots and allowing seven goals against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thu Mar 23, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Torben Rolfsen

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA –The Shark tank continued at Rogers Arena in Vancouver as San Jose (19-38-15) lost 7-2 to the host Canucks (32-34-5) to inch ever closer to the best lottery odds in what promises to be one of the most talent-filled drafts in NHL history. The Sharks are now winless in their last eight games and have just one victory since February 20th.

The Canucks opened the scoring at 6:15 of the first on a horrible giveaway by Tomas Hertl as he passed it directly to J.T. Miller in his own zone, who buried it past Sharks goaltender James Reimer for his 29th of the season and fourth in three games. Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the Canucks two minutes later before Hertl replied with his 20th of the season shortly after.

The assists went to Erik Karlsson and Jacob Peterson, with his first point as a Shark. After an impressive long stretch of 5-on-5 pressure by San Jose in the Canucks zone late in the period, they reverted to being the Sharks before the buzzer as Dakota Joshua scored for Vancouver with just 4/10ths of a second left after some pretty passing on the fly by the Canucks got them through the Sharks D.

San Jose didn’t fare much better in the second, showing little power play life against Vancouver’s dead-last-in-the-NHL penalty kill. Reimer gave up a big rebound – one of many – a little past the halfway mark of the game, which a left-alone-on-the-doorstep Conor Garland easily tapped in to make it 4-1.

The teams woke up the crowd with a quick flurry of goals in the middle of the third frame: The Sharks Andrew Agozzino scored shorthanded (with his first of the year in just his second game) on a nice snapshot before the Canucks quickly answered back with goals by Vasily Podkolzin and Phillip Di Giuseppe.

Vancouver’s Sheldon Dries scored a late shorthanded goal with under ten seconds left. The low-shots game wound up 21-19 in Vancouver’s favor. The Sharks conclude their 3-game western Canadian road swing in Calgary Saturday night before returning home to face the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday and the Vegas Golden Knights next Thursday.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Ovechkin reaches NHL record 13th season scoring 40 goals; Brian Boyle joins NHL Network; plus more

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The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin scored his 40th goal for the 13th time in his career setting an NHL record surpassing previous record holder Wayne Gretzky. The Capitals lost to the Blue Jackets in overtime 7-6 on Tue Mar 21, 2023. (photo by the Athletic)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin set an all time NHL record surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most 40 goal NHL seasons doing it for the 13th time. The Caps were playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets when Ovechkin’s shot defected off the stick of the CBJ’s Nick Blankenburg at 5:12 in the first period on Tuesday night.

#2 Brian Boyle former NHL player will join NHL Network as a studio analyst, Boyle joins fellow studio analysts Jamison Coyle and Mike Rupp on NHL tonight seen Thursday and Friday. Boyle will work the intermission reports this Saturday with Tony Luftman. Boyle said while he didn’t want stop playing the game he will look forward to talking about the game.

#3 Jared Bednar signed a three year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday the contract goes into effect next season through 2023-24. Bednar took over for former Avalanche coach Patrick Roy on Aug 25, 2016 and is 281-190-52 in 523 regular-season games.

#4 In an NHL Players Association Poll the Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby was voted the most complete player for the forth year in a row picking up 30.1 percent of the vote. Other NHL players Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Andrei Vasilevekskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews were also winners in the poll.

#5 The San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has announced that forward Jacob Peterson has been recalled from their AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda. Peterson came to the Sharks from the Dallas Stars on Mar 3. Peterson has a career 66 games, 12 goals and five assists.

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

Sharks Fall to Oilers 5-4 in OT, Four Goals Overturned

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San Jose Sharks’ Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44), Erik Karlsson (65), Fabian Zetterlund (20) and Logan Couture (39) celebrate after a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during second-period at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks lost to the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in overtime Monday night in a contest that saw an unofficial record four goals overturned. Erik Karlsson scored a pair of goals to set a career high and Alexander Barabanov and Steven Lorentz scored as well for San Jose (19-37-15). Darnell Nurse scored the OT winner for the hosting Oilers (40-23-8) and and Mattias Ekholm netted a pair. Connor McDavid was “limited” to just two points on assists.

Tomas Hertl had a goal wiped off early in the first when Barabanov was ruled offside, but the Russian winger would atone for rushing in too early at the 5:48 mark of the first period. Barabanov took a Hertl pass and clapped a slapshot past Jack Campbell for the 1-0 lead. Nick Bjugstad answered back with his 16th of the year 1:20 later. The Oilers would have goal number two erased later in the period on a goaltender interference call off a Zach Hyman chance.

Kailer Yamamoto scored just 30 seconds into the second period for a 2-1 lead, but the Sharks had an answer on a presumed Andreas Johnsson goal. It’d be erased on another goaltender interference call with Logan Couture grazing Campbell. Steven Lorentz would tie the game at the 8:32 mark when he batted the puck past Campbell. Andrew Agozzino, called up after serving as Barracuda captain all season, had the primary assist on a tap pass for the goal.

Erik Karlsson gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead at the 10:23 mark, beating Campbell on a set of back-hand fore-hand dekes that left jaws dropped. Fabian Zetterlund and Couture assisted on Karlsson’s 21st of the year. Ekholm answered back at the 11:48 mark on a back-hander, but Karlsson stepped up again with 5:37 left in the period.

Karlsson beat Campbell on a wrist shot, his 22nd goal of the year. Karlsson now has a career year in goals after topping his 2014-15 season total of 21 and a career past in points with 87. He sits just one assist shy of matching his career-best set in 2015-16.

Noah Gregor had a goal called off for offside as well, and Ekholm then made the Sharks pay for it by tying the game with just 3:47 left in regulation. Darnell Nurse scored just 15 seconds away from a shootout to finish off the comeback.

Edmonton outshot the Sharks 51-32 including a decisive 8-3 margin in OT. James Reimer still managed a .902 save percentage, saving 46 of 51 Oilers shots in his first game since Saturday night’s refusal to wear a themed warm up jersey in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Sharks continue the Western Canada swing, facing the Canucks Thursday before returning to Alberta to face the Flames Saturday.

Islanders hand Sharks sixth straight loss 4-1 on Pride Night

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The New York Islanders center Kyle Palmieri (21) celebrates a goal with center Brock Nelson (29) as the San Jose Sharks goaltender Kappo Kahkonen (36) and defenseman Derrick Pouliot (55) look on at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (INDTVUSA photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, March 18, 2023

While the San Jose Sharks celebrated Pride Night by wearing special warmup jerseys prior to their game on Saturday against the New York Islanders supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, Sharks goaltender James Reimer chose not to participate.

In a statement, Reimer cited religious beliefs, saying, in part, “I have no hate in my heart for anyone, and I always strived to treat everyone that I encounter with respect and kindness. … I strongly believe that every person has value and worth, and the LGBYQIA+ community, like all others, should be welcomed in all aspects of the game of hockey.”

Sharks captain Logan Couture said Reimer had the right to make his own decision, saying, “Every individual has a choice and he made his.”

On the ice, the Sharks scored first, but the Islanders eventually won 4-1 at SAP Center. New York improved to 36-27-8 (80 points), while San Jose lost its sixth straight game and fell to 19-37-14 (52 points).

After Kevin Labanc scored his 12th goal of the season at 7:31 of the first period, it was all Islanders. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the equalizer at 16:08 on a shorthanded goal, and Kyle Palmieri’s 12th goal of the season at 2:18 of the second period put New York ahead to stay.

Ryan Pulock scored the third Islanders goal at 5:24 of the second, and Zach Parise netted his 18th goal at 5:19 of the third period to complete the scoring.

Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen made 29 saves on 33 Islanders shots. New York goaltender Ilya Sorokin stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced.

The Sharks hit the road north of the border next week, with stops in Edmonton on Monday, Vancouver on Thursday, and Calgary next Saturday.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Flyers Tippet scores 1st NHL hat trick; Leafs Reese scores two goals to beat Canes; plus more NHL news

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Philadelphia Flyers’ Owen Tippett reacts after scoring his third goal in an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Friday, March 17, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Philadelphia Flyers Owen Tippett picked up his first hat trick on Friday night for a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Wells Fargo Center. Tippett has been on a roll scoring a goal in his last six games and has 31 shots on goal during those six games.

#2 Zach Aston Reese scored two goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Arena Friday night. Reese in his 293 game career scored his fourth two goal game but never scored a hat trick.

#3 The St Louis Blues Sammy Blais scored twice against the Washington Capitals at Capital Center Friday. Blais was picked up in a deal from the New York Rangers on Feb 9th and has scored four goals in his last five games.

#4 Max Jones scored the tying goal to make it 4-4 and the Anaheim Ducks picked up a three goal 7-4 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Friday night. Jones stole the puck from CBJs defenseman Andrew Peeke at the Columbus blue line and Peeke broke away to score the go ahead goal to make it 5-4.

#5 The San Jose Sharks are excited and expecting big things from William Eklund. Eklund scored San Jose’s only goal and on a penalty shot. Eklund has two goals in two games. He could be the catalyst the Sharks have been looking for.

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