Tag: Philadelphia flyers

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Stadium Series gets TV ratings boost from outdoor games; Canes Andersen is on the way back from blood clotting; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

TV ratings were up 21% at the Met Life East Rutherford in the NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series on Sat Feb 17 with the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the New Jersey Devils and on Sun Feb 18 New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the NHL Stadium Series with the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils on Sat 17th and the New York Rangers and New York Islanders Sun 18th were big hits at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford. Both games combined for 150,000 fans and the TV rating were up 21% from last season’s Stadium Series. ABC TV had 1.37 million viewers and 449,000 in the 18-49 demographic.

#2 Len talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews he’s been unstoppable on Wednesday night he scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in 54 games. Matthews also has 24 assists and a total of 75 points. San Ramon’s very own Matthews was born in your neck of the woods Contra Costa County.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard is a big fan of the Detroit Red Wings Patrick Kane for the first time this season. Bedard who will face Kane who has won the Stanley Cup three times and looks at it as a challenge and an honor to face one of the best former Blackhawks in history. Face off between the two teams at the United Center in Chicago is Sunday at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT.

#4 The Philadelphia Flyers after winning three straight games dropped their next two one to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the second to the New Jersey Devils. Flyers head coach John Tortorella was barking at his players during the Monday morning skate “not enough” and said he wanted “more from everybody” and it looked like it worked as the Flyers who took on the Blackhawks on Wednesday night and played a much tighter game and getting the win 3-1.

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers have expressed interest in a possible trade for the San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin and defenseman Mario Ferraro. Ferraro is in the third year of his four year $13 million contract and Kunin is under team control and would be a restricted free agent after this season. The Sharks would get a first rounder from either club.

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

Stadium Series game 1 Flyers vs Devils 2/17/24: Devils Hischier nets two goals in 6-3 win over Flyers at Met Life

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New Jersey right winger Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates putting the puck in the net against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in the Stadium Series at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey on Sat Feb 17, 2024

By Jessica Kwong

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils dominated the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night with a 6-3 victory in game one of the NHL Stadium Series that is making history as the first-ever outdoor professional hockey event with back-to-back contests at the same venue.

The NHL’s 40th outdoor game was filled with spectacle at MetLife Stadium, which serves as the home for the NFL teams the New York Jets and the New York Giants. The Devils hosted their division rivals, the Flyers, and came away with a much-needed win that put them two points behind Detroit Red Wings for the wild card.

“It was a big game, big event but especially a big game against a rival, a four-point game there and it was a huge win for us so that’s a team we’re chasing,” said Devils captain Nico Hischier. “So I think everybody was ready to play and it was all business for us.”

Only 32 seconds into the first period, Hischier made a backhand goal assisted by Ondrej Palat to put New Jersey up 1-0. It was the second fastest goal in an NHL outdoor game after Colby Armstrong’s goal 21 seconds into the Winter Classic back in 2008. At 13:30, Tyler Toffoli made a wrist shot from Brendan Smith and Jack Hughes to boost the Devils up 2-0.

In the second period, Owen Tippett made a wrist shot assisted by Travis Konecny and Egor Zamula to cut the Flyers’ lead to 2-1. There was an outburst of scoring at the end of the second period. At 16:36, Smith made a wrist shot from Palat and Hischier to put the Devils up 3-1. New Jersey kept up their offense and at 17:48, Nathan Bastian made a snap shot from Timo Meier and Curtis Lazar to extend their lead to 4-1.

The Flyers answered back at 18:23 when Tippett made a wrist shot from Konecny and Morgan Frost and Philadelphia trailed 4-2.

Flyers head coach John Tortorella said the most important part of the game was when they got a roll in the second period and starting taking penalties.

“Not so much being man down but we’re man down, four on four,” said Tororella. “We needed another goal in the second and I thought we were right there knocking on the door, but then we took some penalties and it took us out of our flow.”

In the third period, Hischier made a wrist shot at 2:48 from Jesper Bratt and John Marino to bring the Devils up 5-2. The Flyers pushed to remain in the game as Nick Seeler made a wrist shot at 9:07 from Scott Laughton and Sean Walker to make it 5-3. But the Devils were relentless as Bastian made a wrist shot from Erik Haula and Lazar at 18:15 to lead and eventually beat the Flyers 6-3.

Devils head coach Lindy Ruff commended his team for coming through in the third period.

“As we talked this morning, we needed this win. If they beat us it puts them almost out of reach,” said Ruff. “You look at that game and you enjoy it and we move on to the next one now.”

It was 30.6 degrees Fahrenheit when the puck dropped at 5 p.m. PT for the first game of the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. There were 70,328 fans in attendance.

MetLife Stadium was transformed under the theme NHL Stadium Series Park, with the ice rink in the middle of the football stadium surrounded by grass, plants, paths, park benches and a couple of floor hockey courts. The teams’ mascots, the NJ Devil and Gritty, ran around the “park” and special guests watched a special pre-game concert on a grassy area behind one of the goals. The Jonas Brothers played the pre-game concert and during the second intermission.

The Devils travel to face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. The Flyers finish their three-game road trip at the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

On Sunday, the Stadium Series continues at MetLife Stadium with the New York Rangers (5-16-3) versus the New York Islanders (22-18-13), first and fifth in the Metropolitan Division respectively. The puck drops at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET.

NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series podcast with Jessica Kwong: Outdoor Stadium Series continues with Flyers vs. Devils; Rangers vs. Islanders this weekend at Met Life Stadium

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series at Met Life Stadium East Rutherford New Jersey begins Sat Feb 17, 2024 with Philadelphia vs. New Jersey and Sun Feb 18, 2024 NY Rangers vs. NY Islanders (ESPN image)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica lots of anticipated excitement regarding the 2024 NHL Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey.

#2 The first game features the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils on Sat Feb 17th. The outdoor game between these two teams has the Flyers who are in third place in the Metropolitan Division at 29-19-6. The Flyers have won four straight games. New Jersey is just behind the Flyers with a 27-21-4 in fourth place. This could be a pretty evenly match game. A 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET face off.

#3 In the second game Sun Feb 18 at Met Life it’s the battle of the crosstown rivals the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. The Rangers who are first place in the Metropolitan Division they have won five straight games 34-16-3 with a whopping 71 points. The Islanders are in fifth place 22-18-13 they have lost their last two games. No matter where these two teams are in the standings it’s a rivalry and expect neither to give in especially on a big stage like the Stadium Outdoor series. Face off on Sunday 12:00pm PT/ET 3:00pm.

#4 Met Life Stadium capacity is 82,500 and is expected to be a sell out. This attendance for this game could rival one of the NFL games that is played at the stadium on a regular basis that’s how popular these outdoor games are.

#5 One of the featured attractions of the Stadium Series this will be the 40th and 41st outdoor games this will be the first time that four teams will play at the same venue for the New York/New Jersey fans. This will be the fifth outdoor game for the Flyers (1-3-1), the Rangers have a perfect record in the outdoor games (4-0-0), the Devils and Islanders have played in just one outdoor game and share the same outdoor record (0-1-0).

Jessica Kwong hosts Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Devils Bratt hopes for some snow at Winter Classic games; Is there a NY Rangers goalie controversy?; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New Jersey Devils’ Jesper Bratt (63) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 11, 2023. Bratt hopes for some snow during the NHL Stadium Series Winter Classic on Sat Feb 17, 2024 at MetLife Stadium at East Rutherford in New Jersey (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Edmonton Oilers had their 16 game win streak snapped as they were defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 at the T Mobile Center at the Fortress. The Knights were a tough customer.

#2 The New Jersey Devils Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier were hoping for some snow for the Winter Classic games on Feb 17th and 18th as the Devils will be hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Bratt said that he grew up watching the NHL outdoor games and said that snow at the Stadium Series would be cool to have, “I mean, I grew up watching some of the Winter Classic games and obviously when it was snowing out, it made it a little more real.”

#3 New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick got the call for his third straight game and it had the media asking Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette if there is a goalie controversy as Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin will now be the back up, “‘Shesty’ is our guy here,” Laviolette said “We’re going to work in the next few days to get him some practice time, get him some reps.”

#4 Len, refrigeration truck showed up at Met Life Stadium in preparation for the Stadium Series Winter Classic to prepare the ice rink for the two games on Feb 17th and 18th a first in the outdoor series for back to back games. Andrew Higgins, NHL senior manager, facilities operations and hockey operations said, “I think this will be a little extra challenging, just kind of ramping ourselves up a second day and getting ready for that second game before we get ready to tear out.”

#5 Len, I’ll let you tell us how you see tonight’s doubleheader between the Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers underway in the first game and in game two it’s the Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks at 6:30pm PT.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Torben Rolfsen: Sabres Dahlin goal helps edge Blackhawks; Flyers continue their win streak to five games; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Try as hard as he will the Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) and the Blackhawks couldn’t get by the Buffalo Sabres as the Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson (6) defends Bedard’s efforts at the United Center in Chicago on Sun Nov 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Torben Rolfsen:

#1 Torben, the Buffalo Sabres Rusmus Dahlin had three points, a goal and two assists that helped edge the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at the United Center in Chicago. Dahlin was elated after the game saying “we found a way to win. It wasn’t pretty but we found a way to win.”

#2 There seems no stopping the Philadelphia Flyers now they have won five straight games with Sunday’s defeat of the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The current win streak is the longest for the Flyers since they won nine in a row back on Feb 18 to Mar 7, 2020.

#3 The St Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer made 30 stops against the Anaheim Ducks in a 3-1 win on Sunday. The Blues had some of the weight of losing lifted off their shoulder they had been outscored in their previous two games 10-2. In their game Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings they lost 5-1.

#4 Alex Nedelijkovic made his return in goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins after suffering a lower body injury turning away 38 shots by the Vegas Golden Knights in a 3-0 win. This was Nedelijkovic’s first start since October 24th after being on the long term injured reserve list. Quite a game for Nedelijkovic after his injury and rehabbing in the AHL to return to the NHL.

#5 William Nylander returned to his native Stockholm and kept his point streak going at 17 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nylander scored and had an assist in the Leafs win over the Minnesota Wild 4-3. “It was pretty special to get the OT winner there.” said Nylander at the 2023 NHL Global Series.

Torben Rolfsen covers the San Jose Sharks when they play the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver for http://www.sportsradioservice.com. You could join Torben for the Comedy of Sports on Sportsnet Radio Canada

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Angels hire Ron Washington; It’s not A’s Kotsay fault for bad record he gets extension; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington takes over as Los Angeles Angels manager for 2024 (AP file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 The Los Angeles Angels hired former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington to manage the Halos for the 2025 season. Washington a long time third base coach for the Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves finally gets another opportunity to manage again.

#2 Washington is the one of two black managers in MLB the other is the Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Washington becomes the oldest manager in the big leagues.

#3 The Oakland A’s extended Mark Kotsay’s contract through 2025 despite the A’s having the worst record in baseball last season. Kotsay knew he would be fielding a team that would be consisting of rookies, free agents, draft picks and players that no team would promote and with that in mind that did rally around Kotsay and avoided tying or surpassing the 1962 New York Mets who has baseball’s worst record.

#4 After winning their first five games the San Francisco 49ers are on a three game loss streak going to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars who have won their last give games after losing their first three games. This could be seen as a pretty even match this Sunday.

#5 After 11 straight loses the San Jose Sharks turned it around on Tuesday night and defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in San Jose. The Sharks longest streak losing streak in their history. Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood said it was relief to finally have won a game and it’s a weight that has been lifted.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Win, Finally, 2-1 Against Flyers; 11 game skid comes to an end at SAP Center

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Mike Ferraro defenseman (left), Anthony DuClair left wing (center), and Mikael Granlund (64) celebrate Duclair’s third goal of the season in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Nov 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks ended their miserable losing streak Tuesday. The Sharks won 2-1 over the Philadelphia Flyers at SAP Center. Anthony Duclair and William Eklund scored for the Sharks and Mackenzie Blackwood made 38 saves for the win. Joel Farabee scored for the Flyers and Samuel Ersson made 17 saves in the loss.

Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood described the mood post-game: “It’s nice. It’s a lot of relief in here, everyone’s happy, it’s been a long time coming. Now we can take a breath and start to try and put some more together.”

Tomas Hertl described how the team felt during the game: “I know everybody was dialed in, everybody fight, everybody hit, everybody just put everything there.”

“There’s just so many things that went into tonight and at some point you say enough’s enough,” said Sharks Head Coach David Quinn. “I give a ton of credit to our leaders and our older players. I thought they really stepped up tonight.” He continued with a little bit of a reality check:

“And it wasn’t like we played great. I don’t want to think like ‘oh wow, they won a game!’ We played the way we’re capable of playing. We can play much better. But we checked a lot of boxes and showed some characteristics that we’re going to need. I thought there were a lot of good things but I thought we left a lot of offense on the table.”

The first goal of the game came just 1:43 into the game. Mikael Granlund’s pass sent Kevin Labanc into the Flyers’ zone with Anthony Duclair, two-on-one. Labanc made the pass late, drawing the goaltender to him and leaving space for Duclair’s shot from the other side.

The Sharks finished the period with only four shots on goal to the Flyers’13 shots.

William Eklund scored the second goal of the game on a power play late in the second period. After a long time in the zone, Duclair made a quick pass from the blue line to Eklund in the face-off circle. Eklund sent a slap shot into the far side of the net.

The Flyers got on back in the final minute of the second. Joel Farabee caught a cross-ice pass from Travis Sanheim and squeezed the puck past Blackwood. The on-ice official called no goal but a review determined that the puck did cross the line. Assists went to Sanheim and Scott Laughton.

In the final seconds, Duclair and Laughton had a confrontation that resulted in 10 minute misconducts.

Sharks forwards had an excellent night in the face-off circle, winning 69.8% of the draws. The Sharks had seven shots in the second period to the Flyers’ 11. In a scorelss third period, the Sharks had eight shots to the Flyers’ 15. In all, the Sharks had just 19 shots in the game to the Flyers’ 39. The Sharks scored on one of five power plays and killed all four of their penalties.

The Sharks next play on Thursday in San Jose at 7:30 PM PT against the Edmonton Oilers.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Flyers DeAngelo suspended two games for spearing; Oilers Kane back tonight in Boston; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Edmonton Oilers Evander Kane returned to the Oilers line up tonight against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in Boston. Kane is made his first appearance after missing nine games. (file photo from nhl.com

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo was hit with a two game suspension for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning Corey Perry in Tampa Bay on Tue Mar 7. The penalty was assessed at 17:20 of the third period a major penalty and a misconduct for spearing.

#2 Edmonton Oilers star Evander Kane has finally returned to the line up after missing nine games he played in tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Kane had got his wrist cut by a skate on Feb 17th returned on line changes with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.

#3 Len, the Carolina Hurricanes recalled goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov AHL affiliate Chicago on Wednesday. Kochetkov will replace Antti Raanta who suffered a groin injury on Tuesday in a Hurricanes 4-3 overtime shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said that Raanta tweeted his groin and hoped that it’s not too serious.

#4 The Oilers and Bruins game was nationally televised in order to highlight Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and the Boston Bruins David Pastrnak. The Oilers and Bruins are favorites to represent in the NHL Finals for the post season.

#5 San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn has been fined $25,000 for demeaning officials on Sat Mar 4th at SAP Center in San Jose in a game against the Washington Capitals. Quinn blew his top after on ice official Gord Dwyer had called Kevin LaBanc for hooking in the third period. Quinn was seen using colorful language and got the boot for a game misconduct abuse on an official.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks open three game road trip in Dallas Saturday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) looks toward the puck in front of Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) during the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 29, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the San Jose Sharks held a 3-1 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers until collapsing in the third period this loss being the Sharks fifth out of their last six games.

#2 Despite the loss the Sharks Erik Karlsson picked up his 11th straight point and Thomas Hertl scored two goals.

#3 One of the big concerns for Sharks head coach David Quinn is closing games he said during practice this week that the Sharks simply need to put the pucks in the net as they came up a goal short on Thursday night 4-3 in overtime.

#4 Talk about Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen who allowed four goals and saved 22 in the loss. Was this a matter of Kahkonen was having an off night or he just didn’t get enough defense up front from the skaters?

#5 Sharks embark on a three game road trip starting in Dallas Saturday at 5:00 PM. The Stars (22-9-6) beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 in their last game on Thursday night. Stars are in first in the Western Conference and are 7-2-1 in their last ten games.

Join Len Shapiro for the Sharks podcast heard Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Flyers slip past Sharks 4-3 in OT; San Jose drops 5th game in six tries

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) gets congratulated by teammates after picking up his 11th consecutive point in as many games played. This one coming against the Philadelphia Flyers at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 29, 2022 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, December 29, 2021

Tony DeAngelo scored the tie-breaking goal for Philadelphia in overtime Thursday, lifting the Flyers past San Jose 4-3 at SAP Center.

DeAngelo’s seventh goal of the season was assisted by Ivan Provorov and Owen Tippett at 1:10 of the extra period, beating Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen.

It was the first overtime win of the season for Philadelphia (12-17-7, 31 points), San Jose, sporting their California Golden Seals tribute throwback jerseys, slipped to 11-19-7, 29.

The Flyers scored twice in the third period to overcome a two-goal deficit. Kevin Labanc’s tally put San Jose up 3-1 52 seconds into the period, assisted by Tomas Hertl and Erik Karlsson. But Tippett scored for Philadelphia at 5:57, and Travis Konecny’s 17th goal of the season – and second of the game – was the equalizer at 17:55.

Hertl gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead at 8:29 of the second period with his second goal of the game, from Timo Meier and Logan Couture.

Hertl opened the scoring at 9:38 of the first period. Konecny scored for Philadelphia to tie the game at 1-1 at 10:25.

Kahkonen turned away 22 of the Flyers’ 25 shots on goal. Samuel Ersson stopped 25 of 28 San Jose shots.

The Sharks hit the road Saturday for a 5 p.m. PST game in Dallas against the Stars.