NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Sens Stutzle opens up on offense against Leafs; Wild get Bogosian from Lightning; plus more news

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek goes after Ottawa Senators left wing Tim Stutzle who puts the puck on net against the Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Tue Feb 28, 2023 (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len talk about the Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle scored a goal and picked up three assists. The Senators scored three unanswered goals in 3:11 defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 at Scotiabank in Toronto.

#2 In a trade on Wednesday the Minnesota Wild got Zach Bogosian from the Tampa Bay Lightning for a seven round draft pick in 2025, and Calen Addison to the San Jose Sharks for Adam Raska and a 2026 fifth round draft pick.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche Ross Colton forward was fined $5000 which is the maximum under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for cross checking New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier on Tuesday night. The penalty came at 10:44 in the second period and Colton was hit with a major penalty and a game misconduct.

#4 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard is finding his way around goal creases, Bedard has three goals and five assists and has been a force with Nick Foligno and Philipp Kurashev on the same line. How crucial is Bedard for the Blackhawks.

#5 The San Jose Sharks picked up their first win of the season after losing 11 straight games. The Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood stopped 39 Flyers shots to save the night. The Sharks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 after getting blasted by the Vancouver Canucks 10-1 and Pittsburgh Penguins 10-2. The Sharks defense looked far more improved against the Flyers can you talk about the improvements?

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

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

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bettman says $1 mil cap increase considered due to league profits; Habs Dvorak out for rest of season; plus much more

NHL top prospect Connor Bedard is top candidate for number one draft pick as the San Jose Sharks and the Columbus Blue Jackets could be the winner of the Bedard draft sweepstakes by season’s end. (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says that the salary cap could increase by one million it may not sound like much but it could make a huge difference for club trying to make a trade, draft a player or just make it budget for that free agent. Bettman says revenues have exceeded expectations and an uptick just might be in the works.

#2 Gary Bettman said he’s not ready to reveal who will be the next owner of the Ottawa Senators. Bettman said there are multiple buyers vying for ownership of the Senators but Bettman did say there are bidders of magnitude of interest. Bettman said the sale is not tied to any future downtown arena as the Senators have played in the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata Ottawa since 1996.

#3 Montreal Canadiens Christian Dvorak will miss the rest of the 2022-23 season. Dvorak had knee surgery Wednesday. When it rains it pours Dvorak has not played since Mar 7th when the Canadiens lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 suffered a lower body injury.

#4 While you don’t see too much NHL coverage on ESPN during daily programming and a lot of the talk shows and sports reports don’t discuss game recaps but one thing ESPN, ABC and TNT are acknowledging that viewership of NHL hockey is is averaging 1.1 million a 19 percent bump up. The networks are in their second year of their seven year deal with the NHL. That’s pretty good considering the league gets very little mention on ESPN’s daily schedule programming.

#5 Len, the race to the bottom might prove to be fruitful for either the San Jose Sharks 51 points and the Columbus Blue Jackets 49 points in their bid for NHL number one draft pick Conner Bedard. The Sharks just lost in overtime in San Jose to the visiting Blue Jackets on Tuesday night 6-5.

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


San Jose Sharks podcast with Charanbir Mahal: Oilers, Pens, and Sens in hot pursuit of Karlsson; Sharks host Penguins tonight

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) reacts after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at the Capital Center in Washington DC on Sun Feb 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Charanbir:

#1 Lastest rumors are that the Edmonton Oilers, the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Ottawa Senators are in pursuit of San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson. We’ll start with the Ottawa Senators (25-24-3) what are the chances that Karlsson could wind up with his old team again?

#2 In 54 games so far this season Karlsson has 18 which leads all other NHL defencemen with 55 assists for 73 points. Sources say that the Edmonton Oilers (33-19-1) who are third in the NHL Western Conference could use a little help from someone like Karlsson how hot and heavy do you see those discussion with the Oilers.

#3 The Sharks are hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-17-9) tonight here at SAP Center in San Jose. The Penguins hold eighth place in the Eastern Conference and would be a force with the addition of someone like Karlsson. How do you see Karlsson complimenting players like Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

#4 If and when the Sharks part with Karlsson the Sharks who have struggled for most parts of this season still have NHL teams pursuing Timo Meier and Logan Couture but Tomas Hertl is off the table.

#5 Charanbir, Sharks and Penguins dueling it out here at SAP Center tonight. The Sharks have won only four of their last ten games and the Penguins have won five of their last ten games. The Sharks have won two of their last three games. Who do you like in this one tonight?

Charanbir Mahal is on air talent for INDTVUSA and does the Sharks podcasts during San Jose home games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Rough Roadie Continues with 5- 2 Loss to Sens

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.

Sharks play well dominate Senators 5-1

Ottawa Senators center Mark Kastelic (47) punches San Jose Sharks defenseman Nick Cicek during the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Mon Nov 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Monday night’s game between the San Jose Sharks (7-11-3) and the Ottawa Senators (6-11-1), was a matchup of two teams struggling to get something going this season. The Senators entered the game with a record of six wins, ten losses, and one tie, good for 12 points. They found themselves in last place in the Atlantic conference. The Sharks’ record before Monday’s game was six wins, 11 losses, and three ties. The Sharks’ 15 points landed them in seventh place in the Pacific conference.

Sharks’ coach Dan Quinn was not happy with his team’s performance last Saturday night when they lost 2-1 to the visiting New York Rangers. Quinn wanted his team to be more physical Monday night. Quinn was hoping the Sharks could find a way to win, as they had won just once at home in 11 games. They didn’t do well in the first period, but they dominated the next two periods to get the win. The Sharks made Quinn’s wish come true as they played one of their best games to beat the Senators 5-1.

The Senators dominated play in the first period. They had 13 shots on goal, and the Sharks had three—however, shots on goal don’t count. The Sharks’ Noah Gregor had a breakaway, but the shot hit the bar on the top of the goal and went into the corner.

The Sharks found a way to get the puck back to Gregor. Gregor’s wrist shot beat Ottawa’s veteran goalie, Cam Talbot, for the tally. Gregor’s shot went over Talbot’s left shoulder. The time of goal happened with 13:38 left in the period. It was Gregor’s first goal of the year. Luke Kunin and Matt Benning assisted. The Senators evened the score with 6:46 left. Tim Stutzle beat Kaapo Kahkonen for the tally. Brady Tkachuk recorded the assist. Stutzle recorded his seventh goal of the season.

The Sharks went on a power play late in the period. The Senators were able to kill the penalty. The referees called Kevin LaBanc for tripping with 1:52 left in the period. The Senators failed to score but have eight seconds left when the second period starts. The score is tied 1-1.

The Sharks thoroughly outskated the Senators in the second period. The Sharks scored three times to end the second stanza leading 4-1. San Jose had 19 shots on goal and held the Senators to eight. Timo Meier tallied with just 1:!8 played. Meier’s scored two seconds after Talbot blocked his last shot. Eric Karlsson found Meier to Talbot’s right. Meier had the smallest of cracks on the left side of the goal. His wrist shot found the opening to put the Sharks ahead 2-1.

San Jose scored their third of the night 3:35 later. Matt Nieto tipped Matt Bennings’ wrister from the point for the score. Nieto’s goal was his fourth of the season. Benning and Alexander Barabanov assisted. The Senators’ coach, D.J. Smith, replaced Cam Talbot in goal with Alex Forsberg.

Talbot allowed three goals on seven shots. With 5:59 left in the period, the Senators’ Travis Hamonic went to the penalty box for two minutes for tripping. The Sharks capitalized with just six seconds left on the power play. Tomas Hertl tipped in his fifth goal of the year to make it 4-1. Logan Couture and Eric Karlsson assisted on the goal. Sharks’ coach Dan Quinn saw his team play one of the best periods of play this season.

Ottawa knew they had to get some goals to get back in the game. The Sharks’ defense, along with Khakonen, had other thoughts. The Sharks held the Senators scoreless over the last 20 minutes of the game. With about three minutes left, the Senators pulled their goalie. They controlled the play, but the defense and the Sharks’ goalie did not fold. With 58 seconds left, Logan Couture sent the puck the length of the ice into the Senators’ goal to make it 5-1. The game was over.

Game Notes: The Sharks had Kaapo Kahkonen make his sixth start of the year. Kahkonen’s record was one win, four losses, and one tie before tonight’s win. Kahkonen was a force in goal as he made 37 saves. Eric Karlsson, the Sharks’ outstanding defenseman, assisted on two goals. Karlsson tallied 19 points this month and has 30 for the season. He trails the NHL scoring leader, Conor McDavid, by five points. 

Gregor, Timo Meier, Matt Nieto, Tomas Hertl, and Logan Couture scored for San Jose. Couture also had an assist.

Tim Stutzle scored Ottawa’s only goal. Brady Tkachuk assisted. Brady Tkachuk’s father is a former NHL great, Keith Tkachuk.

The Sharks scored one for three on the power play. The Sharks killed both of Ottawa’s power plays.

There was a fight in the second period between the Sharks’ Nick Cicek and Ottawa’s Mark Kastellic. Kastellic’s shoulder hit Cicek in the head. Tempers flared, and after a relatively short battle, both players were penalized five minutes for fighting.

The Sharks are on their way to Seattle to face the Kraken Wednesday night. San Jose returns home to play the Los Angeles Kings Friday night at the SAP center.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Hertl pumped scoring in hometown Prague not enough Sharks lose twice to Predators; Flames Weegar signs 8 yr deal for $50 million; plus more

Calgary Flames MacKenzie Weegar signed a new contract with the Flames for eight years for $50 million (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, we’ll lead off with the NHL Global Series where game one was concluded Friday in a 4-1 loss and then the Sharks took another tough loss in a squeaker 3-2 on Saturday. The biggest thrill was when the Sharks Tomas Hertl scored San Jose’s lone goal on Friday in front of Hertl’s hometown fans in Prague.

#2 28 year old defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to a big eight year handshake from the Calgary Flames signing on for $50 million. Weegar is in the final year of his three year deal with the Flames and the Flames wanted to go out and make sure they could secure his services.

#3 Elsipogtog First Nation celebrated the NHL pre season game between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators which drops the puck this Saturday at J.K. Irving Centre in Bouctouche. Matt this will be probably the only time the Elsipogtog First Nation will be an opportunity to see the Stanley Cup up close and in person. The First Nation gets to enjoy Hockeyville and NHL hockey atmosphere.

#4 Matt, Jordan Staal is looking for contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Canes general manager Don Waddell says he’s confident he can get a deal with Staal. Staal is in the final year of his ten year $60 million contract.

#5 The Dallas Stars Jason Robertson signed on for a four year $31 million contract. In 2021-22 Robertson had 41 goals, 38 assists, 79 points, and a plus 16 Rating. Looks like the Stars and Robertson got a good deal on both ends.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Montreal Legend Lafleur passes at 70; Wild’s Kaprizov passes 100 points for the season; plus more

Former Montreal Canadien Guy LaFleur was a staple in Montreal sports, LaFleur was a five time Stanley Cup Champion and scored 50 or more points for six consecutive seasons (file photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 He was called the cornerstone of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty, scoring at least 50 goals for six straight seasons for the Habs superstar Guy Lafleur died at age 70 after a three year battle with cancer. LaFleur played from 1971 to 1985 and returned to playing from 1988-91 and was a five time Stanley Cup Champion.

#2 The Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov scored his 100th point and then eclipsed it on Friday against the Seattle Kraken at the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul in a 6-3 win. Kevin Fiala set a Wild record with five assists for points in nine consecutive games.

#3 The Ottawa Senators goaltender Filip Gustavsson stopped 33 shots enough to hold back the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Friday night in Columbus. The Senators won in a shootout 2-1. The Sens Tim Stutzle scored the only goal in the shootout enough for Ottawa to get by Columbus.

#4 The Toronto Maple Leafs Wayne Simmonds was fined $2250 for charging the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mikhail Sergachev at 15:21 of the third period of Thursday’s game in Tampa Bay. The money goes to the Players Emergency Assistance Fund.

#5 The Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks are at SAP Center in San Jose. The Blackhawks have won two of their last 11 games, more recently winning two of their last five games. The Sharks come into tonight’s game winning one of their last 11 games.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: NHL Trade deadline some big names up for grabs; plus NHL action from Friday

Brandon Hagel was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh from the Chicago Blackhawks on Fri Mar 18, 2022 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt how important is it that the Tampa Bay Lightning picked up Brandon Hagel in exchange for forwards Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh from the Chicago Blackhawks?

#2 Matt, talk about the key winning goal by the Buffalo Sabers Tage Thompson that helped get the win over the Calgary Flames in overtime at 3:07 for a narrow 1-0 win. Also big hand for the Sabers goaltender Dustin Tokarski who stopped 24 shots for the shutout.

#3 The Ottawa Senators Josh Norris help end the Senators three game losing streak with a go ahead goal in the third period that handed the Senators a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night. The Sens Aaron Forsberg stopped 28 out 29 shots.

#4 The injuries are piling up for the Vegas Golden Knights the latest have center Jack Eichel doubtful for against the Los Angeles Kings for Saturday. Eichel blocked a shot with his hand and could sit out. His teammates goaltender Robin Lehner, two defencemen Brayden McNabb and Alec Martinez and three forwards Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Reilly Smith are all on the injured list. Inspite of that the Knights snapped a five game losing streak with a win over the Florida Panthers 5-3 on Thursday night.

#5 Matt, just to name a few of the players who are trade deadline as of this morning maybe you could update us, the Vancouver Canucks Brock Boeser, New York Islanders Cal Clutterbuck, Andrew Copp Winnipeg Jets, Jake DeBrusk Boston Bruins, and Marc Andre Fleury Chicago Blackhawks. I’ll let you also add more to whose on the trade block for tonight.

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

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