Tag: NHL

Reimer Sharp but Sharks Lose 3-2 Shootout to Kings

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Los Angeles Kings’ Trevor Moore (12) scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer in a shootout at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Dec 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

James Reimer made 39 saves in his second game back from injury but the San Jose Sharks dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the Los Angeles Kings from the Crypto.com Arena. Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc scored in the loss, while Phillip Danault and Jaret Anderson-Dolan lit the lamp for LA(17-12-5).

Trevor Moore scored the shootout winner and Pheonix Copley stopped Alexander Barabanov to seal the loss for San Jose (10-16-6).

Danault opened the scoring on the power play 5:54 into the game when he managed to enter the zone and get Jaycob Megna turned around, roofing the puck for his 8th goal of the year with Drew Doughty and the goalie Copley picking up assists.

The Sharks evened it up on the power play with 6:37 left in the period when Erik Karlsson’s point shot rattled around before finding its way to Timo Meier on the opposite post. Meier knocked the puck home for his 15th of the year with Logan Couture picking up the primary assist in the aftermath of the Karlsson shot.

Labanc gave the Sharks a short-lived lead, scoring on a wrist shot with 4:34 left in the second. Meier chased down a failed backhand clearance from Sean Durzi then stripped Danault of the puck in the Kings zone. He then fed Labanc unmarked in the slot for the wrister.

The Kings tied it up just 50 seconds later when Mikey Anderson’s shot bounced off Reimer and landed at the feet of Anderson-Dolan for the second chance goal.

Neither team scored in the third period and the Sharks failed to cash in on an overtime power play. Gabe Vilardi and Logan Couture shared misses on the first two shootout attempts, then Reimer and Copley made saves in round two. The Kevin’s, Fiala and Labanc, scored for their respective teams in round three.

Moore scored in round four and wound up with his second shootout game winner courtesy a Copley stop of Barabanov after getting the decision against Boston Thursday as well (and inking a contract extention too).

The Sharks head home for a back-to-backer, facing Calgary Sunday at SAP Center. They won’t have to wait long for their next opponent to come to town as they’ll face the Flames again Tuesday before welcoming the Minnesota Wild Thursday.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Kyrou’s two goals puts Blues past Flames; Zuccarello’s hat trick helps Wild defeat Hawks; plus more NHL news

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St. Louis Blues goalie Thomas Greiss, is congratulated by Pavel Buchnevich after defeating the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome in Calgary on Fri Dec 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Jordan Kyrou scored two goals for the St Louis Blues enough to wind up getting a three goal 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday night at the Saddledome in Calgary.

#2 Matt, Nats Zuccarello scored a hat trick for the Minnesota Wild to help beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Zuccarello also picked up an assist. Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and two assists for three points to hand the Hawks their fourth straight loss in St Paul.

#3 At the Capital One Center in Washington the Capitals Alex Ovechkin will face off against fellow Russian and Toronto Maple Leaf goaltender Ilya Samsonov tonight who said he’s proud that Ovechkin and wishes him well on his way to tying Gordie Howe’s career goal record at 801 goals which would put Ovechkin in second place on the all time list but Samsonov said but not against the Maple Leafs.

#4 Michael, the NHL is considering increasing the amount of the regular season schedule from 82 to 84 games. The reason would be travel demands of the NHL schedule but mainly it’ll bring more revenue for teams and the league.

#5 The Arizona Coyotes (10-14-4) hung on to beat the New York Islanders (17-13-1) in a see saw game 5-4. The Islanders Mathew Barzal provided a key goal that help defeat the Coyotes as the Islanders improve to 17 season wins. The Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka allowed four goals and stopped 30 shots.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks looking for third straight win against Kings tonight in LA

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San Jose Sharks center Nick Bonino (13) falls as he passes the puck while under pressure from Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome (16) during the third period at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Fri Dec 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 For the San Jose Sharks (10-16-5) Nick Bonino he’s finding the back end of the net without any problems scoring in his fourth consecutive game last Tuesday in the Sharks 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes (9-14-4).

#2 Sharks goaltender James Reimer picked up his first win since returning from his injury. Reimer allowed two goals and faced 22 shots in the one goal win for the Sharks.

#3 The Sharks in the first period didn’t waste anytime scoring as Bonino and Thomas Hertl scored in a 1:02 time span which was a crucial period for scoring in a tight game.

#4 Nick Sturm’s second period goal was crucial in the 3-2 win in a rare Sharks home ice win in San Jose their third win in 15 games for the Sharks.

#5 The Sharks prepare for Saturday night at cryptocurrency.com Arena for the Los Angeles Kings at 7:30pm. The Sharks have now won two in a row and are looking to try and extend the streak against the Kings.

#6 Tuesday was throw back California Golden Seals sweater night and that’s been such a popular promotion are fans gobbling up those sweaters and also it was Sharks TV broadcaster Randy Hahn 2,000 game as a Sharks broadcaster.

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks win second straight game, holding off Coyotes 3-2

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San Jose Sharks center Nick Bonino (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Dec 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, December 13, 2022

San Jose used early goals from Tomas Hertl, Nick Bonino and Nico Sturm in addition to a stellar effort in the nets from James Reimer, as the Sharks held off Arizona 3-2 Tuesday in a Western Conference matchup at SAP Center.

The Sharks, mired in sixth place in the NHL Pacific, improved to 10-16-5, 25 points. Arizona, playing its 15th road game in their last 17 contests to accommodate the construction schedule of Arizona State’s Mullet Arena in Tempe, is 9-14-4, 22 points in the Central Division.

Hertl’s 10th goal of the season, assisted by Radim Simek and Scott Harrington, put the Sharks on the board at 3:50 of the first period. Just over one minute later, Bonino scored his fourth goal, from Erik Karlsson and Jonah Gadjovich, putting the Sharks up 2-0.

With San Jose’s Oskar Lindblom (hooking) and Bonino (tripping) both serving minor penalties, the Coyotes took advantage of the 5-on-3 power play with a goal by Lawson Crouse – his team-leading 13th – at 18:05, cutting the Sharks lead to 2-1 at the first intermission.

Sturm’s eighth goal of the season, from Bonino and Harrington, extended the Sharks’ lead to 3-1 at 8:09 of the second period. Arizona closed the gap to 3-2 at 2:56 of the third period on Nick Bjugstad’s sixth goal.

The Coyotes went to a sixth attacker with just over two minutes to play and hit the pipe twice, but was unable to take advantage of San Jose being called for icing three times after the Sharks missed hitting the empty Coyotes net.

Reimer stopped 20 of 22 Arizona shots, while Coyotes netminder Karel Vejmelka made 30 saves.

The Sharks will try to extend their two-game winning streak on Saturday night in Los Angeles against the Kings.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Letang expected to return to Pens in ten days; Leafs Engvall suspended for one game; plus more news

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 Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kris Letang plays during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Boston. It was reported that Letang could return in ten days after suffering a stroke back on Nov 28, 2022 (AP News file)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang was told that he could go back to a normal life Thursday after ten days. LeTang had a stroke back on Nov 28th. Letang 35, was back at practice this week after missing four games and is on a day to day stick tap.

#2 The Toronto Blue Maples Leafs forward Pierre Engvall was suspended for one game for high sticking the Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi at 1:02 in the third period Thursday night it was assessed as a match penalty.

#3 Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored an empty netter against the Seattle Kraken on Friday night it was goal number 796 making Ovechkin four goals shy of 800. Ovechkin is now five goals short of reaching Gordie Howe who is second on the all time list with 801. Wayne Gretzky is number one with 894 goals.

#4 Matt, how bad does it have to get for the Colorado Avalanche as Nathan MacKinnon will miss four weeks of action due to a upper body injury. MacKinnon left in first period against the Philadelphia Flyers. MacKinnon winced and favored his left side before leaving the ice.

#5 The Edmonton Oilers Jesse Puljujarvi has doubts about his ability to play in the NHL so far this season Puljujarvi has one goal, five assists in 26 games this season. Puljujarvi feels he’s gone down hill he had double hip surgery four years ago. Puljujarvi has ability if last season was any indication with 14 goals and 22 assists, and 36 points but this season has fallen off.

Matt Harrington does the NHL podcast Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks back rookie Makiniemi to his first NHL win 6-1

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~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ December 9, 2022

ANAHEIM – After losing two close ones to the Ducks last month in overtime, San Jose broke through with a 6-1 multi-goal win in regulation Friday night.

Goaltender Eetu Makiniemi made his first career start after entering in relief of Kaapo Kahkonen the previous game. This outing included a 2-on-1 shorthanded stop as he veered to his right across the net in the first period. Makiniemi made 23 saves. San Jose head coach David Quinn commented, ¨…this game may take on a whole new complexion on that 2-on-1. They get the shorthand and the first power play if they score…it’s amazing what one play can do early in a game when a goalie makes a big save.¨

It was the Sharks’ first win in their teal and yellow Reverse Retro jerseys, wearing them the second of six times during the season. Coach Quinn referred to the team´s win as ¨thorough,¨ as they broke a four-game losing streak.

Special teams was also up to par as San Jose killed three penalties while scoring once. 

Anaheim began with the first three shots on goal and built up to a 5-1 advantage before the Sharks notched the 1-0 lead. Erik Karlsson connected the diagonal dots to Timo Meier at 10:18 who positioned himself stick side behind goalie John Gibson. It was Meier´s second goal in as many games as Tomas Hertl collected the secondary assist. 

In the second, Scott Harrington earned his first goal with San Jose in the three games he has played as he shot down the slot, breaking the Ducks´ Cam Fowler´s stick in the process. With the primary assist, Kevin Labanc tacked on his 200th NHL point. 

A second Anaheim penalty in the game at 6:55 of the second led to two goals eight seconds apart.

Alexander Barabanov, who was questionable before the game, pushed the puck out to Karlsson from behind the net who reacted right away for the 2-0 lead at 7:53.

Teammate Niko Sturm got in the action as well as he was able to strike before Gibson could get back to the net securely.

At 9:37, Trevor Zegras gave the Ducks some life as he broke Makiniemi´s shutout from the right faceoff circle.  

Anthony Stolarz entered in place of Gibson to start the third period.

The teams combined for another three penalties in the first half but the period looked like it might remain scoreless, until Nick Bonino scored an empty netter at 16:18. 25 seconds later, teammate Steven Lorentz, who missed the last game due to the flu, gave the Sharks a sixth goal. This preceded the game´s first fight 11 seconds later, featuring Anaheim´s Sam Carrick and San Jose´s Jonah Gadjovich and roughing calls to Meier and the Ducks´ Max Jones at 18:47.

Game notes: The California rivalry also featured the Jay- brothers, that is Jaycob (Sharks) and Jayson (Anaheim) Megna, playing each other in the NHL for the first time. Meier (1 G, 1A), Tomas Hertl (2A), Karlsson (1G, 1A), Bonino (1G), Barabanov (2A) and Labanc (1A) all kept point streaks alive. San Jose next heads home for one game to host the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday at 7:30pm. 

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks trying to find a way towards their next win; Battle continues in Anaheim tonight

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San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) celebrates with defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Dec 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast:

#1 Elias Petterson’s goal at 4:25 of the overtime period gave the Vancouver Canucks (12-12-3) a 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks Wednesday at SAP Center.

#2 The Sharks (8-16-5, 20 points) let a 5-4 lead slip away in the third period. An unassisted goal by Jonah Gadjovich at 2:45 tied the game at 4-4. 

#3 Kevin Labanc’s sixth goal of the season – from Tomas Hertl and Erik Karlsson – gave San Jose a 5-4 lead at 11:28.

#4 San Jose was penalized four times, while the Canucks were also whistled four times, including a 5-minute fighting major to Joshua for a scuffle with the Sharks’ Radim Simek in the first period. The Sharks have now lost seven of their last eight games.

#5 The Sharks have now lost seven of their last eight games and will try to string some wins together as they face the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night at 7:00pm at the Honda Center.

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks lose 6-5 in overtime to Canucks

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San Jose Sharks left wing Oskar Lindblom (23) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Ilya Mikheyev (65) compete for possession of the puck during the second period at SAP Center San Jose on Wed Dec 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Elias Petterson’s goal at 4:25 of the overtime period gave the Vancouver Canucks (12-12-3) a 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks Wednesday at SAP Center.

The Sharks (8-16-5, 20 points) let a 5-4 lead slip away in the third period. An unassisted goal by Jonah Gadjovich at 2:45 tied the game at 4-4. And Kevin Labanc’s sixth goal of the season – from Tomas Hertl and Erik Karlsson – gave San Jose a 5-4 lead at 11:28.

Andrei Kuzmemkpo’s 13th goal of the season, a power-play tally assisted by Petterson and Bo Horvat, provided the equalizer for Vancouver (11-12-2, 25) at 16:07.

The Canucks built a 3-1 lead on Nils Hoglander’s goal at 1:34 of the second period. San Jose came back with goals by Timo Meier (power-play )and Logan Couture (shorthanded), the latter tying the game at 3-3 at 10:53.

Rya Mikheyev put the Canucks back in front at 4-3, scoring at 19:28 of the second period.

San Jose’s Nick Bonoino opened the scoring 18 seconds into the first period with his second goal of the season. Vancouver responded nearly four minutes later with a goal by Dakota Joshua, and the Canucks took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission on Joshua’s second goal of the opening period – a power-play tally – at 19:35 while the Sharks’ C.J. Suess served a minor for holding.

Vancouver goalie Spencer Martin turned away 34 of 39 shots. Kaapo Kahkonen started in goal for the Sharks, giving up four goals on 19 shots. Fetu Makiniemi replaced Kahkonen in the third period, stopping 8 of 10 shots.

San Jose was penalized four times, while the Canucks were also whistled four times, including a 5-minute fighting major to Joshua for a scuffle with the Sharks’ Radim Simek in the first period. The Sharks have now lost seven of their last eight games.

The Sharks travel to Anaheim on Friday for a Pacific Division contest against the Ducks.

Bonino, Lindblom score First of Year, Sharks Still Drop 6-3 Decision to Sabres to Wrap Road Trip

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San Jose Sharks center Steven Lorentz (16) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (45) battle for the puck during the second period at Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Sun Dec 4, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington 

Another night, another rough second period that went from a lead to a loss for the San Jose Sharks. The Buffalo Sabres hung three unanswered goals on the Sharks (8-16-4) in the second period Sunday from KeyBank Center in Buffalo to hand the San Jose its third loss, 6-3, in a four-game road trip.

Nick Bonino and Oskar Lindblom scored their first goals of the season, but the good vibes stopped there. Jack Quinn had a pair of goals for Buffalo (11-13-1) who outshot the Sharks 38-29. Buffalo’s power play went 2 for 4.

San Jose held a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes despite Tage Thompson and the Sabres scoring first. Bonino tied the game at the 13:40 mark on a snap shot and Kevin Labanc scored his fifth of the year on the power play with 3:41 left in the period. 

The lead only lasted 16 seconds into the 2nd when JJ Peterka scored his sixth of the year. Jeff Skinner joined the scored at the 4:21 mark for a 3-2 lead, then Quinn scored the eventual game winner on the power play with 6:15 left in the middle frame.

Quinn opened the scoring in the third as well, beating Aaron Dell 11:23 into the period. Dell made 32 saves on 37 shots Linblom scored his first as a Shark just 29 seconds later to make it 5-3 but Alex Tuch’s 12th of the year into an empty net with 3:23 doubled the Sharks up again. 

San Jose gets a little rest and a return trip home after stops in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and now Buffalo. They’ll next face Vancouver at home Wednesday night.

Sharks Rough Roadie Continues with 5- 2 Loss to Sens

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Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) falls onto San Jose Sharks defenseman Jaycob Megna (24) as they skate next to Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (36) during the second period at Canadian Tire Arena in Ottawa on Sat Dec 4, 2022 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks fell victim to a scorching hot opponent, falling to the Ottawa Senators 5-2 on the road Saturday night. Tomas Hertl scored both Sharks goal but a three-point night gave the Senators (10-13-1) their fourth win in five games. Kaapo Kähkönen made 34 saves in the loss while Anton Forsberg earned the win with 35 saves on 37 Sharks shots. The penalty kill for the Sharks (8-15-4) had a tough night, giving up 3 goals on 5 chances.

Hertl scored the first goal of the game on the power play 7:26 into the first period after the Sharks power play turned Forsberg into a target in a shooting gallery. A first shot rebounded out to Alexander Barabanov but Forsberg’s athleticism allowed him to make the save. He wasn’t as fortunate with Hertl on rebound chance number two for a 1-0 lead.

Ottawa answered back with a power play strike of their own when Brady Tkachuk beat Kähkönen just under three minutes later. He missed on a net front redirect but pushed the rebound home for his 12th goal of the year.On the next shift Hertl found redemption for a neutral zone gaffe he made in the 3-1 loss to Toronto earlier in the week.

Just outside Ottawa’s blue line Hertl blocked an Ottawa pass to go the other way. Kevin Labanc carried in the puck, passed it to former Sen Erik Karlsson on the opposite boards. Karlsson fed Hertl in close for the easy goal, his of ninth the year, and a 2-1 lead with 8:57 left in the first period.

Despite a 27-25 shot advantage, the Sharks would be outscored by Ottawa 4-0 over the final two periods. Giroux scored an unassisted goal 5:22 into the second to tie the game and Tim Stützle scored the game-winner at the 16:40 mark on the power play.

Thomas Chabot scored his fourth goal of rhe campaign, with Giroux picking up a secondary assist on the power play strike. He’d added a second goal with 4:15 left for the final 5-2 marker, his 11th of the year.

The Sharks continue their tough road trip with a second back-to-back after playing in Montreal Tuesday and Toronto Wednesday. They face the Buffalo Sabres looking to split the road trip.