Warriors Fall Short to Pelicans 114-109; Turnovers Spell the Difference

The New Orleans Pelicans PJ McCollum (3) drives on the Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson (11) in first half action at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Apr 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The ultimate closer in the NBA did his best to weave his magic yet his team fell to the New Orleans Pelicans (49-32) Friday night in a real barn burner. Stephen Curry finished with 33 points in the loss. Klay Thompson finished with 19. Golden State (45-36) had 16 turnovers which spelled the difference in the 114-109 loss.

Over the past few months the Western Conference showed signs of having a wild finish to the season. The Golden State Warriors now find themselves in a three-way tie for eighth place with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings.

The Lakers have lost their two last games, the last one against the Warriors, and the Kings are just plain self-destructing. They take significant leads in the first half of games only to fall apart in the second half.

The Warriors are playing terrific right now winning their last three games in a row. The Warriors need to win out, the Lakers beat the Grizzlies earlier Friday night with their last game against the Pelicans.

The Kings lost the Suns and have the Trail Blazers up next. All three will be faced with play-in games. The Warriors have had 25 road wins this season and the Pelicans have had 27 road wins and will looking for number 28 tonight.

Friday night the Warriors welcomed the Pelicans to Chase Center. The Pelicans are one game ahead of the Phoenix Suns so both of these teams have a lot at stake. New Orleans wants to avoid the play-in game.

Golden State set the pace in this game from the start leading 26-17 after the first 12 minutes. Seven minutes into the second quarter, however, it all went south and the Warriors 11 point lead had dissolved.

This game was tied at 38 and the tide in this game had done a complete reversal. With three minutes left in the half, the Pelicans really started rolling taking a 53-42 lead. The Warriors had nine turnovers in the second quarter alone.

The Pelicans were 10 of 13 from downtown in the second quarter leading 59-43 and had turned this game completely around in their favor. At the half New Orleans had taken a 62-48 lead. The Pelicans had outscored the Warriors in the second quarter 42-22 and Golden State had a lot of work to do in the second half with New Orleans totally dominating the game.

The Warriors would need some serious adjustments in the second half. A good place to start would be putting the skids on the turnovers. They had 9 turnovers in the second quarter and only 2 in the opening quarter.

The Pelicans had shot beautifully from beyond the arc finishing the half with 11 scored to the Warriors five. Golden State needed to protect the ball in the second half and get their three-ball going.

The Warriors got a better start in the third quarter but the Pelicans continued to hang onto a double digit lead. The third quarter began to feel more like the first when Golden State had the advantage. As this game went deeper into the third quarter, the Warriors had trimmed the Pelicans 14 point lead to five points 71-66.

Golden State was playing some outstanding defense doing their best to contain Zion Williamson and they were doing a great job. They were also guarding the three ball better putting the stops on New Orleans shooting. There would be no room for error heading into the fourth quarter with New Orleans leading 88-75.

The Warriors really needed their three ball, but the Pelicans are one of the top teams in the NBA when it comes to guarding the three so it would not be easy. The Warriors continued to play hard which started to pay off when the Pelicans made some rare mistakes and started missing those three’s while Golden State started to make shots from beyond the arc.

With eight minutes left in the game the Warriors were within three points of a tie 92-89 in a huge turnaround. This game was going down to the wire. With 1:02 left in the game, New Orleans had taken a 112-106 lead. Curry hit a three with 40 seconds left on the clock drawing to within three points 112-109 in this barn burner. Golden State came up just short losing 114-109.

Sunday afternoon the Golden State Warriors wrap up the 2023-24 regular season. They will take on the Utah Jazz at Chase with tipoff scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Giants Lose Defensive Battle to Rays 2-1

San Francisco Giants pitcher Keaton Winn throws against the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the first inning at Tropicana Stadium in Tampa Bay on Fri Apr 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was not a pretty game for the San Francisco Giants (5-9) offensively. They left runners stranded throughout the game dropping game one of a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (8-6) 2-1 on Friday night. Both teams committed several errors. San Francisco was 0-9 with runners in scoring position. The offense just wasn’t very productive and on top of it all, manager Bob Melvin was ejected.

Game recap: It was a scoreless first inning for both teams. In the second inning, Tampa Bay threatened loading the bases with no outs. Winn had his work cut out for him getting out of this mess. When the dust had settled the Rays came away with only one run. A disappointment for Tampa Bay and a relief for the Giants. Winn kept the damage to a minimum when it really could have gone sideways. With the bases loaded, he walked Diaz and Harold Ramirez scored giving the Rays the early one run lead 1-0.

The Giants tied up the game in the third inning 1-1 when Jung Hoo Lee scored after singling, stealing second base and reaching third base on a throwing error by Tampa Bay catcher Ben Rortvedt. LaMonte Wade Jr. grounded out to second bringing Lee home.

The Rays took back the lead in the bottom of the third inning 2-1 off an infield hit that resulted in a Yandy Diaz triple and Harold Ramirez scored his second run of the game. The score remained 2-1 after four innings. Winn recorded his third walk in the bottom of the fourth but kept Tampa Bay from scoring leaving a runner stranded on second base. It was on to the fifth inning.

LaMonte Wade Jr. would advance to third base after he was walked on a throwing error by Ben Rortvedt the second error by the Tampa Bay catcher in the game. The Giants had runners at the corners, but Michael Conforto struck out and this game went into the bottom of the fifth. Through five innings each team had five hits as San Francisco continued to trail 2-1.

San Francisco starting pitcher Keaton Winn finished the game going five innings allowing five hits, had three walks and two runs. He was relieved by Landen Roupp in the sixth inning.

A defensive battle continued into the seventh inning. The Giants put two runners on base in the seventh with two outs and big-hitter Jorge Soler at the plate. He had been on base three times in this game. Soler struck out and the Giants were unable to capitalize leaving runners stranded. San Francisco was 0-7 with runners in scoring position squandering a number of opportunities.

Pete Fairbanks took the mound trying to close out the game for the Rays in the ninth inning. He was having trouble finding the strike zone to start the inning struggling through the first two at bats. He had thrown 12 pitches, most of them balls. San Francisco had Tyler Fitzgerald on third with only one out. Fairbanks came around to finish off the inning despite his struggles and Tampa Bay won this first game of the series 2-1.

Game notes: Friday evening the Giants traveled to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays in the first game of their three game series. The Giants had a travel day on Thursday after dropping their last series to the Nationals. San Francisco won the last game of that series 7-1 but Monday night Washington pummeled the Giants 8-1 also winning game two 5-3. San Francisco avoided the sweep with the win in game three. Friday night, against the Rays, Keaton Winn took the mound for the Giants. Jacob Waguespack got the assignment for Tampa Bay in closely pitched contest the Giants lost by one run.

Saturday the Giants will tackle game two in this series. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 1:10 PM. Logan Webb will take the mound for San Francisco with a 4.86 ERA. Ryan Pepiot will start for Tampa Bay in this game with a 4.63 ERA.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Appeals courts grappling to make decision on Schools over Stadiums petition

Outside view on Fri Apr 5, 2024 of what will be the permanent home of the Las Vegas A’s on opening day April 2028 at the Tropicana Hotel that was closed down on Apr 2, 2024. Schools over Stadiums are attempting to put together a petition that will try and stop SB1 public funding for the A’s Tropicana ballpark (photo by Sports Radio Service Staff)

On the A’s relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, Schools over Stadiums is in the Nevada State of Appeals Court trying to get the language for a petition drive to get an initiative on the state November ballot to stop SB1 public funding for the Tropicana ballpark for the A’s. In appeals court on Wednesday Schools over Stadiums remarks to the court were “John Fisher does not pay his lawyer because he cares about the finer points of constitutional law in Nevada…” and “What this has been about from the beginning is delay, driving up our bills, and keeping this off the ballot.”

#2 NBC reported that Schools over Stadiums also said in court on Wednesday that polling results from Jackson County MO an Emerson Poll show that 52% say no to the public funding and 32% say yes that “a majority of Las Vegas voters oppose public money going towards a baseball stadium for the A’s, taxpayers should have the opportunity to vote on where this public money goes.”

#3 Also reported when the A’s president David Kaval turned down the Oakland Coliseum’s five year $97 million offer Kaval said it was above market rate and Oakland Mayor Chief of Staff Leigh Hanson countered saying while the deal was above market rate the city is not receiving parking revenue from the Coliseum, the city gets no cut from concessions from food or beverages and is only getting a small share of the ticket revenue. Kaval then said “this isn’t going to work for us.” Hanson said this isn’t about getting the cheapest deal for you but what is going to work for the city.

#4 Daniel, the national media has been working on this story about Schools over Stadiums being in the Nevada Court of Appeals and there is an indication that if allowed by the court to put the language on the petition drive it could spell trouble for the A’s financing for the Tropicana ballpark could it force John Fisher and David Kaval to possibly return to the table with the City of Oakland or hatch a deal with Sacramento. There could be a legal fight to try and keep the A’s in Oakland that’s a ways down the road right now.

#5 June 1st is the due date to have 102,000 signatures in from the petition drive. The language on how a ballot initiative will read to stop SB1 the decision will rest in the hands of a seven member Supreme Court. Lawyers from both sides of the argument from the labor union arguing this measure will prevent jobs and have an economic impact on Las Vegas and Nevada. Schools over Stadiums lawyers argued that being the 48th state in education and 49th in class room sizes the $380 million of public money going to a stadium should be going to education and the time is critical to get the petition started.

#6 Daniel, deputy executive director of government relations for the NSEA Chris Daly said that time is running out that once the court is to approve the legal language for the ballot initiative that gives Schools over Stadiums just less than 75 days to get these petitions printed and petition gatherers on the ground and start seeking over 102,000 signatures.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: The JP stands for Just Pitching as Sears takes no hitter into 7th against baseball’s champs

Oakland A’s pitcher JP Sears gets a congratulations for a job well done after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington on Thu Apr 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Oakland A’s pitcher JP Sears put the old baseball saying good pitching beats good hitting to use going into the seventh inning with a no hitter against baseball’s World Champs the Texas Rangers. Sears left after surrendering a hit in the seventh.

#2 Sears had everything working for him he didn’t give up a run walked three batters and struck out five innings.

#3 Despite walking batters in the first three innings Sears was able to get out of each of those innings. Things have dramatically have turned around since the A’s had a rough opening homestand to start the season taking two out of three from the Detroit Tigers and Rangers on the road.

#4 Sears said after the game that the A’s are just trying to win every games and when things are going bad and no expects you to win you just put your head down and go to work.

#5 Amaury the A’s are back home and after having the kind of road trip that they had going 4-2 they open up a series against the Washington Nationals (5-7) who have lost six of their last ten games can the A’s keep it going?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings struggling face Suns tonight in the second of back to back nights

New Orleans guard Herbert Jones (5) goes up against the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Apr 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The New Orleans Pelicans CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson both scored 31 a piece in the Pelicans 135-123 win over the struggling Sacramento Kings.

#2 Williamson went back to the New Orleans locker room to get his wrist worked on in the second quarter but the Kings couldn’t hold him back when he returned as Williamson scored 23 points in the second half.

#3 The Kings defense had a tough time shutting McCollum down who scored a season high of nine three pointers in 12 shots. McCollum also had seven assists and the Pelicans improved their post season chances in avoiding a play in.

#4 The Kings in the meantime are hanging onto eighth place they have now lost two straight and lost six of their last ten games what are the Kings chances in avoiding a play in?

#5 Kings get no rest they host the Phoenix Suns (47-33) tonight at Golden 1. The Suns are seventh place in the Western Conference and have won six out of their last ten games. How do you see this match up tonight?

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors grind out win over Blazers 100-92 at Moda Center

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) goes up against the Portland Trailblazers forward Justin Minaya (left) in the first half at the Moda Center in Portland on Thu Apr 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors defeated Portland Trailblazers on Thursday night at the Moda Center 100-92. Both teams were grappling with significant player absences. Portland’s head coach, Chauncy Billips, a recent inductee into Basketball’s Hall of Fame, had to contend with several key players on the injured list. The Warriors were in a similar predicament, with Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Gary Payton II unable to take the court on Thursday night. 

The Warriors have won 16 of the last 20 games on the road and eight of the last nine. The Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings are in a dogfight for the last three playoff spots. The Lakers did not play on Thursday. The Kings played the New Orleans Pelicans, and a Kings loss and Warriors win meant the three teams would be tied with identical records.

The Pelican beat the Kings, and the teams are tied in the standing with a record of 45-45. The Warriors own the tiebreaker over the Lakers and split the season series with the Kings. The Warriors have two games left to play. They face the Pelicans at the Chase Center on Friday night and end the regular season against the Utah Jazz on Sunday.

The understaffed Blazers gave the Warriors a run for their money for three and a half quarters. The Blazers took an early lead in the first quarter, going up 17-10. The Warriors struggled to find their rhythm, with the offense sputtering for the first six minutes of the game.

However, back-to-back threes by Jonathan Kuminga and Stephen Curry turned the tide, bringing the score to 19-18 in the Warriors’ favor. The quarter ended with the Warriors holding a slim two-point lead, 24-22.

The Warriors and Blazers refused to let their opponent get a big lead. The lead changed hands several times. The Warriors won the quarter by two points to lead 49-46 at the end of the first half. Curry and Kuminga paced the Warriors’ offense with 11.

Andrew Wiggins added ten. The Blazers’ big man, Deandre Ayton, had 15. Rookie guard Scoot Henderson added 12. The Warriors committed ten turnovers in the half. The Blazers scored ten points off the turnovers. The Blazers outshot the Dubs 53-38 in the half. The Warrior defense held the Blazers to 32% from the floor. 

The battle continued in the third period. Neither team would give an inch. The Blazers won the quarter by two points to trail by one, 75-74, heading into the fourth quarter. The first six minutes of the fourth and final period was a dogfight.

The Blazers looked to have the upper hand as they led by six 85-79. The Warriors got their offense working, and their defense was terrific. The Warriors went on a 21-7 run to win the game 100-92. The Warriors were ahead 92-86 after Kevon Looney made a key bucket.

There was 3:23 left to play. Looney then made a steal. He got the ball to Curry, and Curry made a superb pass to Brandin Podziemski. Podziemski made the bucket, and the Warriors went on to win 100-92. 

Game Notes: With the win, The Warriors are 45-35. The Blazers fell to 21-59.

The Warriors had four starters in double figures. Curry led the offense with 22 points, seven boards, and eight assists. Curry made five threes. Kuminga had 19, Andrew Wiggins 15, and Trayce Jackson-Davis had 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four blocked shots.

Podziemski and Kevon Looney each had nine points. Looney pulled down eleven rebounds. Moses Moody finished the night with eight points. The Blazers took 20 more shots than the Warriors. The Warriors scored 36 field goals in 77 tries, which was good for 46.8% from the floor. The Warriors’ defense held the Blazers to 36% from the floor. The defense also made eight steals and blocked 13 shots. 

The Warriors host the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center on Friday night. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Kings can’t stop Pelicans who sweep season series in five games; New Orleans McCollum and Williams make themselves at home at Golden 1

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) goes airborne to pass off the basketball as the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (10) tries to put a stop to the Pelicans offense under the basket in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Apr 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Thursday night in Sacramento. It was the Kings first game back home after a brutal road trip. The Kings lost games in New York, Boston, and Oklahoma City on a 1-3 trip. The Kings returned home a half game up on the Lakers for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.

The Kings were set to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. The Kings had not beaten the Pelicans all season at 0-4 up to that point. The Kings and Pelicans tipped off at 7 PM PST. The Kings lost 135-123 to the Pelicans on Thursday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings played about as bad as they have all season. The Kings couldn’t buy a bucket and had no answer on defense. The lead would balloon to 33-11 with 2:55 in the quarter. It was an embarrassing show from the Kings up to that point in the game. However, the Kings were able to go on a brief run to end the quarter to get the game to 34-23. De’Aaron Fox would need a career-high to have a chance in this game.

In the second quarter, the Kings flipped the script. The Kings outscored the Pelicans in the second quarter 35-30. It wasn’t enough for the Kings to take the lead, but it was a start. The Kings would go into halftime trailing the Pelicans 64-58. The Kings would need to continue to push the pace in the second half to have a chance. De’Aaron Fox had 17 points in the first half. Trey Murphy III had 20 first-half points.

In the third quarter, the Kings would fight. However, they couldn’t make up any ground on the Pelicans. The Kings would go on small runs that were countered by a run by the Pelicans. The Kings were outscored by the Pelicans 34-31 in the third quarter of the game. The Kings would trail 98-89 going into the final quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Pelicans would extend the lead to 20 points. However, the Kings would fight back to make it more of a game. The Kings would cut the lead to 10 points, but it was too little and too late. The Pelicans would defeat the Kings 135-123.

The Kings were outscored by the Pelicans in the fourth quarter 37-34. The Kings were led by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 33 points. The Pelicans were led by Zion Williamson, who scored 31 points. The Kings would try to get back on track in one of their last two games before the postseason.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Friday at 7 PM PST.

Sharks Beat Kraken 3-1, Devin Cooley Makes 49 Saves

San Jose Sharks goaltender Devin Cooley (1) is congratulated by teammate defenseman Kyle Burroughs (right) after the Sharks defeated the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Thu Apr 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Seattle Kraken 3-1 on Thursday at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Luke Kunin, Kyle Burroughs and Fabian Zetterlund scored for the Sharks. Devin Cooley made 49 saves for the win. Brian Dumoulin scored for the Kraken. Joey Daccord made 20 saves in the loss.

This was Devin Cooley’s fourth NHL game, his second win and his first road win. After the game, Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro talked about the goaltender’s performance: “Obviously they got a lot of shots tonight, they got a lot of grade A chances and without him in net who knows what the result of the game would have been.”

Sharks Head Coach David Quinn said:

“Outstanding. I mean he was unbelievable. Especially in the first period. I think we got better as the game went on but they certainly set the pace and the tempo for the most part tonight. We were very opportunistic but our goalie was outstanding. There’s really not much more to talk about really.”

Luke Kunin opened the scoring to give the Sharks a lead at 8:07 of the first period. Kunin redirected Henry Thrun’s shot from the left point. Assists went to Thrun and Klim Kostin.

Brian Dumoulin tied the game at 9:22. Catching a pass as he skated through the faceoff circle, Dumoulin slipped between the Sharks defense and beat Devin Cooley with a quick wrist shot. Assists went to Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz.

Despite having the only power play in the period, the Sharks were outshot by the Kraken 20-11.

The Sharks had just one shot on goal at the midpoint of the second period, while the Kraken had 12. The Sharks had their second shot of the period at 12:51.

With their third shot of the period, the Sharks took a 2-1 lead at 14:46. Kyle Burroughs entered the zone late and caught a pass from William Eklund in the slot. Burroughs sent the puck through traffic into the far top corner.

Fabian Zetterlund made it 3-1 at 15:37. Mikael Granlund centered the puck from the goal line and Zetterlund was on hand to lift it into the net. Assists went to Granlund and Eklund.

The score remained unchanged through the third period. The Sharks were outshot again, 16-7 in the period. The final shot count was 50-23 Kraken.

The Sharks next play on Saturday in San Jose against the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 PM PT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sacramento Baseball A’s and River Cats

Sutter Health Park a panoramic view. The Park will be the interim home of the A’s for the 2025-28 seasons.

Sacramento Baseball: A’s and River Cats

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The most recent statistics from the State of California list the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom Metro Area with 2,397,382 residents. Only the Los Angeles-San Bernardino-Ontario-Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura Metropolitan Area, the nine-country San Francisco-San José-Oakland Metropolitan Area and San Diego and the surrounding area have a higher population concentration than the Sacramento Metro.

The baseball question many have in mind. Are there enough baseball fans to support a Major League team in the Sacramento Area? Since 2016, these are the official attendance records for the Minor League Sacramento Rivercats. 2016: 609,666. 2017: 562,237. 2018: 538,785. 2018: 549,440. 2020: Covid. 2021: 256,714. 2023: 388,246.

Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento’s capacity is 10,624 (fixed seats), 14,014 total. Including Fixed Seats, Lawn, and Standing Room). If you are wondering about minor league baseball parks, Sahlen Field, home of the International League Buffalo Bisons, has the highest seating capacity of all active Triple-A teams in the US, 16,600, while Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium has the lowest capacity, 6,500.

It could be complicated for the A’s and the Rivercats to share Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento starting in 2025; with such a small capacity that it is not close to Major League standards, they need many improvements.

In a recent release from NBA Sacramento Kings, the majority owner of the River Cats said MLB is working with both teams to ensure that their schedule meets MLB and MiLB guidelines and that they have dedicated facility space.

They plan to modify Sutter Health Park, which had just undergone a multi-million dollar renovation, which includes upgrading LED lighting and adding a clubhouse scheduled to be completed before the 2025 season.

By now, it is known that Mr.Vivek Ranadivé, owner of the Kings and the River Cats, is the most powerful man in Sacramento regarding sports. Tony Clark, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, will have to approve all of the above for the 2025 season and for the Oakland A’s to play in Sacramento before the 2025 season.

This is what is happening with Sutter Health Park in Sacramento to date. According to the Las Vegas Business Review, the Nevada Supreme Court did not decide Tuesday after hearing arguments regarding a challenge to the Oakland Athletics public funding bill of $380 million.

Schools Over Stadiums were each given 17 minutes to argue their sides to the seven Supreme Court justices on why a lower court’s 2023 decision regarding a petition opposing Senate Bill 1, the A’s stadium public financing bill signed into law last year, should be upheld or appealed.

That one is now in the hands of the lawyers, and when lawyers get involved, only God knows. Mark Twain (1835-1910) observed correctly about lawyers: “Lawyers are like other people–fools on the average; but it is easier for an ass to succeed in that trade than any other.” And this is how the ball bounces.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and KATD 990 Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Blues turn it up with 2 wins after losing to San Jose; Oilers McDavid scratched against Vegas Wednesday; plus more news

Edmonton Oilers Conner McDavid controls the puck against the St Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center in St Louis on Mon Apr 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Arizona Coyotes might relocate to Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is being very aggressive about getting the Coyotes. The owner of the Utah Jazz Ryan Smith wants an NHL team to join he and the Jazz at the Salt Palace.

#2 The St Louis Blues had to be sore after losing to the San Jose Sharks last Saturday in overtime. The next day the Blues exploded and defeated the Anaheim Ducks six goals and came away with a 6-5 win. On Wednesday the Blues once again got a three goal win to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks by three goals 5-2 all four of the Blues first four shots were all goals to start the game.

#3 The Edmonton Oilers Conner McDavid was scratched out of the line up against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. The Oilers have been rolling and even without McDavid the Oilers came out a big winner 5-1 in Edmonton. McDavid missed practice for the second straight day with a lower body injury

#4 Syd the Kid Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins wins the NHLPA most complete player of the year. Crosby got 38.37 percent of the vote Crosby beat out the Florida Panthers center Alexander Barkov who had 14.6 percent of the vote.

#5 Alexander Ovechkin is becoming like the ageless wonder setting a record scoring 30 or more goals for the 18th season. In the first 43 games this season Ovechkin had eight goals and teammate Dylan Strome said he wouldn’t be surprised if he reached 30 which he has now done for the 18th time.

#6 The New Jersey Devils failed to make post season for tenth time in 12 seasons. New Jersey suffered from injuries, goalie instability, and the Devils have suffered a numerous amount of injuries and missed a lot of key players who were out.

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