Sharks Beat Islanders 4-3 in SO, End Losing Streak

New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) tries to get his stick and arms around San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Feb 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 in a shootout Thursday night. The win ended a seven-game losing streak for the Sharks. James Reimer made 44 saves for the win in his ninth start in a row. Logan Couture, Jasper Weatherby and Alexander Barabanov scored for the Sharks. Brock Nelson, Zach Parise and Adam Pelech scored for New York. Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves in the loss.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner talked about James Reimer’s iron man streak in the Sharks net:

“Yeah, it’s a lot of hockey he’s played. Traditionally, if you look at [Reimer]’s career, he’s been such a good goalie in this league for a long time. But playing, I don’t know how many it is now, let’s call it eight, nine, ten in a row, you know, he’s not necessarily been in that position a lot. And, you know, he’s coming up with timely saves and he’s battling just as hard as everybody else and finding ways.”

Brock Nelson opened the scoring at 14:56 of the first. With almost all of the skaters on the left side of the ice, Scott Mayfield sent the puck all the way around the boards to an undefended Nelson. Nelson’s shot went over Reimer’s shoulder on the far side. Assists went to Mayfield and Kieffer Bellows.

Alexander Barabanov tied it up with a power play goal at 15:55, just six seconds into the man advantage. His shot came from above the face-off circle and went through traffic. Assists went to Brent Burns and Tomas Hertl.

Jasper Weatherby gave the Sharks a lead at 17:32. Holding the puck along the boards as if looking for a pass, he opted to send it to the net where it found its way in. An assist went to Jeffrey Viel.

Zach Parise tied it back up at 12:48 of the second period. Sebastian Aho carried the puck down below the goal line before making the pass to Parise just above the blue paint. Aho and Matthew Barzal got the assists.

Logan Couture made it 3-2 on the power play at 16:31. Couture’s shot went through traffic and past Sorokin on the stick side. Assists went to Ryan Merkley and Tomas Hertl.

Adam Pelech tied it again just 19 seconds later, shooting from the slot through a mass of bodies. Assists went to Barzal and Parise.

Half way through the third period, the shots were 10-0 Islanders. At 13 minutes in, it was 12-0. There were fewer than six minutes left by the time the Sharks got a shot on goal. Overall, the Sharks were outshot after the first period 30-13. The Sharks had one shot in overtime to the Islanders’ four.

James Reimer stopped all three shots in the shootout and Logan Couture scored. Ilya Sorokin stopped a shot from Tomas Hertl.

Thursday, Zdeno Chara surpassed Chris Chelios for the most games played by an NHL defenseman. He marked the occasion by fighting Jeffrey Viel. After the game, Sharks defenseman Jacob Middleton said: “What he’s done for so long in this league is just so impressive. Still, at 44 he’s someone, night in and night out, is a presence and plays the right way and the leader he is. Everything he does is impressive.” Of Viel’s fight, he said: “That’s pretty impressive. Chara asked him too, from the sounds of it. So, for Viel to say yes, and go with a guy who’s that big, it just did give us some life on the bench, that’s for sure.”

Nicolas Meloche was injured late in the first period during a board battle with Zach Parise. He left the ice favoring his right side and did not return to the game.

The Sharks next play on Saturday at 7:00 PM PT at home against the Boston Bruins.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks hope to snap 7 game skid Thursday against Islanders

Anaheim Ducks left wing Rickard Rakell (67) puts the winning goal on net against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) in the overtime shootout at the Honda Center in Anaheim Tue Feb 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks lost to the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in a shoot-out. It was their seventh loss in a row. Derek Grant and Rickard Rakell scored for Anaheim, with two goals from Rakell. Anthony Stolarz made 40 saves for the win.

#2 Brent Burns and Logan Couture scored for San Jose, with two goals from Couture. James Reimer made 26 saves in his seventh start in a row.

#3 The Ducks took the lead at 3:38 of the first period. Derek Grant scored on a two-on-0 after the Ducks picked off a neutral zone pass. Assists went to Sam Carrick and Nicolas Deslauriers.

#4 A scoreless overtime period saw the Sharks get seven shots on goal, three of those on a power play. The Ducks had no shots in overtime. In the shootout, Stolarz stopped Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl missed the net. For the Ducks, Trevor Zegras and Rickard Rakell scored, and Reimer stopped Troy Terry.

#5 The Sharks next play on Thursday night at 7:30 PM in San Jose against the New York Islanders (19-20-7). The Isles are coming off a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Fall 4-3 in SO to Ducks, 7th Loss in a Row

San Jose Sharks left wing Alexander Barabanov (94) loses his balance in front of Anaheim Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) and Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk (22) at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Tue Feb 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

ANAHEIM- The San Jose Sharks lost to the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in a shoot-out. It was their seventh loss in a row. Derek Grant and Rickard Rakell scored for Anaheim, with two goals from Rakell. Anthony Stolarz made 40 saves for the win. Brent Burns and Logan Couture scored for San Jose, with two goals from Couture. James Reimer made 26 saves in his eighth start in a row.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner discussed the Sharks power play in overtime and one of the differences between the two teams:

“We did have a couple good looks. You know, our big guys were tired, at the end of the game, let’s be honest. We took a lot of penalties and they killed a lot of penalties and, you know, Anaheim has got some guys that are fourth line that do some killing for them and I think that makes a big difference for ice time.”

The Ducks took the lead at 3:38 of the first period. Derek Grant scored on a two-on-0 after the Ducks picked off a neutral zone pass. Assists went to Sam Carrick and Nicolas Deslauriers.

Logan Couture tied it up at 7:10. Brent Burns took a shot off of an offensive zone draw. Stolarz stopped it but Couture jumped on the rebound for his 16th of the season.

Matt Nieto found Burns on his way into the zone to give the Sharks a lead at 17:22. Burns dropped to one knee for the one-timer and got the puck past Stolarz for his first goal in 16 games. Assists went to Matt Nieto and Timo Meier.

At 7:00 of the second, Rickard Rakell tied it up when a shot from Trevor Zegras created a rebound. Assists went to Zegras and Cam Fowler.

Logan Couture scored his second of the night on the power play at 13:44. Once again, Brent Burns took the shot and Couture cleaned up the rebound. Assists went to Burns and Meier.

At 16:09, Rickard Rakell tied it up again with a shot from the face-off circle into the short side. An assist went to Adam Henrique.

A scoreless overtime period saw the Sharks get seven shots on goal, three of those on a power play. The Ducks had no shots in overtime. In the shootout, Stolarz stopped Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl missed the net. For the Ducks, Trevor Zegras and Rickard Rakell scored, and Reimer stopped Troy Terry.

The Sharks out-shot the Ducks 43-29, though the teams were very close in the second and third periods (14-14 and 9-8). They had 14 shots on goal in four power plays. Their penalty kill gave up seven shots and had one short-handed shot in three penalties. The Sharks won 61% of the face-offs.

Ryan Dzingel made his debut with the Sharks after being acquired on Monday. He saw time on the power play (2:31) and skated in overtime. He had two shots in the game and drew the overtime penalty on a break away. Jonathan Dahlen was a healthy scratch Tuesday.

Defenseman Erik Karlsson and goaltender Adin Hill have both started skating but there is still no confirmed return date for the injured players.

The Sharks next play on Thursday back in San Jose against the New York Islanders at 7:30 PM PT.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Stars pull off win after going 0-0 in regulation; Bettman upholds Marchand suspension; plus more

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, left, can’t stop the Dallas Stars center Jacob Peterson who scores the game winning shootout goal at the United Center in Chicago on Fri Feb 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt, as you know there are no ties in hockey and the Dallas Stars (27-19-2) and Chicago Blackhawks (18-25-8) played to a 0-0 in regulation and then a shootout which the Stars pulled it off with the score tied 1-1 and the Stars Jacob Peterson scoring the game winner.

#2 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the six game suspension of the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand in which he hit Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry in the jaw while Jarry was down on his knees freezing a puck and later after an official was escorting Marchand off the ice Marchand took his stick and hit Jarry in the chin with it in the Feb 8th game.

#3 Matt, talk about the Edmonton Oilers Jesse Puljujarvi who is out with an lower body injury. Puljujarvi was injured Thursday in Anaheim at Rogers Place. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said Puljujarvi got tangled up and it wasn’t a dirty play and not an impact injury.

#4 Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery says there is a lot of time between now and the March 21st trade deadline. Fluery wants to play one more year and hopes to finish up in Chicago. Matt do you see Fluery able to get his wish and finish up with the Blackhawks.

#5 The Philadelphia Flyers Claude Giroux is considering a trade and is discussing it with team general manager Chuck Fletcher. Giroux has a no trade clause in his contract. Fletcher said it’s Giroux’s decision and with the trade deadline coming Fletcher will waiting to hear from Giroux.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Will Sharks keep or deal Hertl before NHL deadline?

The San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl has been key for their offense this season and is looking for a contract extension. Sharks general manager Joe Will says the Sharks are looking to negotiate a deal with Hertl and they are not considering trading Hertl. (AP file photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, tough going for the San Jose Sharks (22-21-45) of late they have lost five games in row with tough loses against Florida, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Edmonton and their last game against the Vancouver Canucks (23-21-6) last Thursday.

#2 The Canucks caught a break after allowing a tying goal in the third period and the Sharks thought they could get some daylight after tying the game at the last second. The Canucks however pulled off a win when JT Miller scored at 2:21 in overtime for the 5-4 final.

#3 The Canucks head coach Bob Boudreau was pretty upset to give up the tying goal at the last second in regulation and got the win in overtime. Boudreau said he’d take the two points even though he thought they didn’t deserve it.

#4 The Sharks goalie James Reimer faced 27 shots and five of those went for goals do you see some adjustments needing to be made in net for the Reimer and the Sharks.

#5 Will the Sharks sign center Tomas Hertl or will he be in a different uniform by the trade deadline. Hertl has said he wants to remain in San Jose but will the Sharks be looking for some players for their future?

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: After 3-0 shutout Sharks looking to rebound against Canucks Thursday night

San Jose Sharks center Noah Gregor (73) takes the puck down ice against the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Mon Feb 14, 2022 at the SAP Center in San Jose. The Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks Thu Feb 16, 2022 at SAP (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The 3-0 shutout loss to the Edmonton Oilers (25-18-3) by the San Jose Sharks (22-21-4) had to be one of the more frustrating loses this season.

#2 The Sharks spent more time in their own end of the ice trying to rebound the puck and trying to protect goaltender James Reimer who faced 39 shots and allowed three.

#3 Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner faced 20 shots and stopped all of them for the shutout it was Stuarts first shutout of the season.

#4 Was this a game that it was all Oilers all the time dominating or was it a game where the Sharks offense just simply failed to execute putting the puck on net all night and keeping Skinner under pressure?

#5 The Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks (22-21-6) Thursday night at SAP Center. The Canucks have won four of their last five games. They won their last game defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs (30-12-3) in a close game 3-2 on Saturday. Mary Lisa tell us how you see Thursday night’s game between the Canucks and Sharks?

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Shut Out at Home by Oilers 3-0

Edmonton Oilers left winger Evander Kane (91) tries got get the puck past San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) at SAP Center in San Jose on Mon Feb 14, 2022 (AP News photo) 

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE– The Sharks resumed the season after a long break Monday, and lost to the Edmonton Oilers 3-0. Warren Foegele, Darnell Nurse and Connor McDavid scored for the Oilers and Stuart Skinner made 20 saves for the win. James Reimer made 36 saves for the Sharks.

The Sharks had not played a game since February 1. The All-Star break and the fact that the Sharks had so few games rescheduled meant that the Sharks went 12 days between games. After Monday’s game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said:

“I thought our legs were good in the first seven, eight, nine shifts of the period, you know, I thought had a little adrenaline. But as the game went on I think that you could see there wasn’t a lot of sharpness to our game. And that’s the worry after being on a break that long. But you’ve got to find ways at this time of year, and there’s no excuses. Those are big points we let go.”

Discussing the team’s offensive woes, Boughner said: “We just couldn’t generate any offense tonight. We looked like the more we tried the worse we got. You saw me trying to juggle lines, trying to get something going, nothing worked.”

The first period saw two quick goals from Edmonton. The first came at 6:05 from Warren Foegele. Evan Bouchard’s shot from the point went off of Derek Ryan and then Foegele before getting by Reimer.

The second goal came at 7:10 on a point shot through traffic from Darnell Nurse. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got the assist.

The Oilers took two penalties in the period, one before they scored and one after. The Sharks power play had three shots and gave up one short-handed. The overall shot count for the period was very close, 11-10 Oilers.

In the second period, the numbers were much less close. Though the Oilers did not score in the second, they out-shot the Sharks 14-2. On paper, the Sharks took three penalties and the Oilers took two, but most of those overlapped to create abbreviated power plays and a five-on-three for the Oilers. The Oilers power play ended up with seven shots and the Sharks had none.

Connor McDavid scored to make it 3-0 at 1:50 of the third period. The Sharks seemd to have escaped an onslaught from the Oilers offense but just when thought they could get out of the zone, McDavid was on his way back in. He evaded Brent Burns and took a quick shot that went by Reimer on the blocker side. Evan Bouchard got the assist.

The only penalty in the third period went against the Oilers. The Sharks power play managed two shots. The count for the period was 16-8 Oilers. In the face-off circle, the Oilers had a small edge with 52% of the wins.

At the end of the second period, Rudolfs Balcers was injured blocking a puck and did not return to the game. There were no updates on his status immediately after the game.

In his first game against the Sharks as an Oiler, Evander Kane had 4 shots, one hit, no penalties and no points.

The Sharks next play on Thursday at home against the Vancouver Canucks at 7:30 PM PT.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Did Marchand get off lightly on six game suspension; Kakko listed day to day for Rangers; plus more

The Boston Bruins Brad Marchand delivers a gloved right punch into Pittsburgh Penguin goaltender Tristan Jarry’s right jaw during NHL game on Tue Feb 8, 2022 in Pittsburgh (photo from the Boston Globe)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, on Tue 8th the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand who has had previous suspensions and fines for misconduct. On Tuesday Marchand sucker punched Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry in the jaw while the goaltender was on his knees after freezing the puck. After the linesman grabbed hold of Marchand while skating him off the ice they got in front of the net where Marchand raised his stick and caught Jarry in the chin area well after play had ended.

#2 Seeing how the play went is Marchand’s six game suspension a light penalty considering it was a double match penalty or is a roughing, misconduct and double match penalty a six game suspension according to the CBA?

#3 The New York Rangers Kappo Kakko will be out at least one more month with an upper body injury. Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant says that Kakko is day to day. Kakko felt discomfort while skating in warm ups back on Jan 22nd against the Arizona Coyotes. Kakko has 33 goals and is tied with the Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaittl, Edmonton Oilers for the NHL lead.

#4 Evgeni Malkin whose been out for Covid 19 protocols has missed two games on Tuesday and Thursday. Malkin skated with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday and will be a game time decision on Sunday according to head coach Mike Sullivan.

#5 The Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron will is listed day to day due to an upper body injury and won’t be able to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Bergeron had a collision with the Penguins Sid Crosby at 8:44 during the third period Tuesday in a 4-2 loss.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: NHL teams zeroing in on Hertl; GM Will says Sharks looking forward to negotiating with Hertl

The San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl (48) is thrilled after scoring a first period goal against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Thu Jan 20, 2022. Hertl is rumored to potentially to be sought by a number of teams. The NHL trade deadline is Mon Mar 21, 2022 (AP News photo file)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, from all aspects the San Jose Sharks will could get some players for the future or a key player for Tomas Hertl but Sharks interim general manager Joe Will says he doesn’t want to do anything else outside of contract negotiations concerning Hertl.

#2 Hertl has said that he would even take less money to stay in San Jose and go somewhere else and play and play out his full financial potential when he could go all out in San Jose for the rest of his playing days.

#3 The Sharks and other teams pursuing Hertl are aware that Hertl at 6’3 presents a player who executes on the power play and penalty kill. Hertl also can score 30 goals a season, handles the center position as one of the best in the league. However things turn out Hertl is a presence.

#4 Other issues that Will will be dealing with is former Shark Evander Kane’s grievance regarding his termination from the team, general manager Doug Wilson is away for a persistent cough, Kevin Labanc and Nikolai Knyzhov’s are out with injuries, could William Eklund return this season, and head coach Bob Boughner will he be back after this season?

#5 The Sharks take on the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night at SAP Center and the return of former Shark Evander Kane. What kind of reception do you see him getting on Monday and do you see him playing with a little extra against his former teammates?

Join Len for the San Jose Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Super Bowl LVI podcast with Tony Renteria: Rams feeling right at home for Sunday’s big game

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matt Stafford throws a first half pass against the San Francisco 49ers on Sun Jan 30, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles during the NFC Championship (AP News photo)

On the Super Bowl LVI podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony, the Los Angeles Rams will feel right at home for this Super Bowl it’s the first time a team will be playing in their very own stadium for a Super Bowl. The closest that happened was when the San Francisco 49ers played at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto against the Miami Dolphins but it wasn’t their real stadium which was Candlestick Park at the time.

#2 Tony, the Cincinnati Bengals (13-7) coming into Sunday’s Super Bowl have won four out of their last five games wins that got them to the Super Bowl a lot of the credit has been going to quarterback Joe Burrow who has led the club into the red zone and executing the score.

#3 It’s been a long while since the Bengals have got to the Super Bowl the last time they were here was in 1988 and before that in 1982 both times they faced the San Francisco 49ers (12-8) and lost this Sunday they want to be able to hoist that trophy.

#4 Tony, in that last Bengals game for the AFC Championship they just edged one of the league’s best the Kansas City Chiefs (14-6) in a three point 27-24 win. A win that really demonstrates the poise of this team to get this far.

#5 The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a three game winning streak entering Super Bowl LVI this Sunday. They narrowly beat the 49ers 20-17 for the NFC Championship title. The Rams last Super Bowl appearance was in 2019 and are looking to capture a win in this Super Bowl.

#6 Tony, talk about Rams quarterback Matt Stafford who went 31-45 for 337 yards, and two touchdowns in that win against the 49ers. After 16 years with the Detroit Lions and in his second year with the Rams he takes them to the Super Bowl.

Join Tony each week for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com