Tag: Winnipeg Jets

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Flames-Jets knotted for second place in Wild Card; Kaprizov loss and how it impacts the Wild; plus more news

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It’s tightening up in the NHL Western Conference as the Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) and the Nashville Predators left wing Brian Dumoulin (8) battle. The Jets and Flames are tied in the wild card and the Predators are just a point behind both clubs (nhl.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames are tied for second place in the Wild Card in the Western Conference. The Nashville Predators are just one point behind the Jets and Flames. The Predators have one game in hand on the Flames. The Predators and Flames face off in Calgary on Monday night.

#2 Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov is expected back in the line up tonight at the XCel Energy Center in St Paul after missing 18 games with a lower body injury. Kaprizov was injured on Mar 8 when he was taken down by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley in a 4-2. The Wild missed Kaprizov in the line who lead the Wild 74 points, 39 goals and 35 assists.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and forward Darren Helm are out indefinitely due to lower body injuries both have missed two games in a row. Markar has missed nine games in a ten game stretch between Feb 9 to Mar 1.

#4 Matt talk about tonight’s game that has two winning teams the Vegas Golden Knights (49-22-8) and the Dallas Stars (43-21-14) taking a look at the high scorers for the Knights Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel both lead with 27 goals. For the Stars Jason Robertson 45 goals and Roope Hintz with 35 goals.

#5 Matt, how impressive is it for the Seattle Kraken to clinch for a playoff birth in the second year of their turn around. The Kraken have done something in their short existence that other teams would hope they could do. Also the Kraken have a great minor league team to pool from the very successful Coachella Valley Firebirds.

#6 Saw former Vancouver Canucks head coach Bob Boudreau on the NHL Network since leaving behind the bench for the Canucks in February talk about his coming back to the NHL Network and is this a happier place for him than working at the Canucks?

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Rangers closing in on second place; Flames win ties them with Jets for Wild Card spot; plus more

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Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) stands near the goal as the New York Rangers celebrate a goal by Chris Kreider during the third period at Madison Square Garden in New York on Wed Apr 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 The New York Rangers Chris Kreider and Tyler Motte scored a goal each in the Rangers win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to notch closer to second place in the Metro Division. The Rangers picked up a 6-3 win at Madison Square Garden and are now just three points behind first place New Jersey Devils.

#2 The Calgary Flames are in a tie with the Winnipeg Jets for a second wild card for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference. The Flames defeated the Jets 3-1 at Canada Life Centre Wednesday night. You wanted to say something Jacob Marston.

#3 The Edmonton Oilers are having a great season and their closing in on first place in the NHL Pacific Division picking up their sixth straight win defeating the Anaheim Ducks 3-1. The Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins reached 100 points and goaltender Jack Campbell stopped 27 shots. The Oilers extended their points streak to 12 games.

#4 The Minnesota Wild Kirill Kaprizov got to practice on Wednesday for the first time since Mar 8th due to a lower back injury. Kaprizov wore a non contact sweater during the practice. Kaprizov will sit out Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. However Kaprizov could return on Saturday against the St Louis Blues.

#5 The Washington Capitals will miss their first post season for the first time in eight years It’s the first time the Caps have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2013-14 season. The Capitals played .500 hockey (34-34-9) but was not good enough to make the playoffs. The Caps are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Flames get winning OT goal from Toffoli; Sabres 21 yr goalie stops Rangers; plus more news

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Calgary Flames’ Tyler Toffoli scores against Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko in overtime of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 31, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Lots happening between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night. The game went into overtime that saw the Flames Jonathan Huberdeau score the tying goal in the third period. The the Flames Tyler Toffoli scored the winning goal at 3:27 in overtime. The Canucks Aidan McDonough scored his first NHL goal but the Canucks fell short in OT 5-4 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

#2 The Buffalo Sabres came back to defeat the New York Rangers in overtime 3-2. Mostly thanks to the strong defensive goaltending of Devon Levi who stopped 31 Rangers shots on Friday night. This was the 21 year old’s first NHL game and Levi help keep the Rangers out of the Nets for the most part in the a close game.

#3 The Winnipeg Jets made it clear they were the dominant team against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night with a four goal 6-2 win at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The Jets Mark Scheifele scored his 39th goal of the season giving him his most goals in a season and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 shots ending a brief two game losing streak.

#4 The Dallas Stars Jason Robertson scored four points with three assists and one goal in the Stars 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. For Robertson this was a season scoring record with 95 points, 42 goals and 53 assists. This was the first time the Stars have won consecutive games since Mar 11-13.

#5 Matt, two more games for the Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang to reach 1000 games he did not play on Saturday, Letang is just two games short and Letang after some very difficult injuries and two strokes in 17 years of NHL play has arrived at the 1000 game plateau that’s saying a lot for the fight that Letang has been through.

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

San Jose Sharks game wrap: Reimer and Gregor Show Their Worth in 3-0 shutout

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San Jose Sharks right winger Kevin Lebanc (62), center Noah Gregor (73), and defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrate defeating the Winnipeg Jets at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue Mar 28, 2023 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Troy Ewers

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Sharks (20-39-15) hosted the Winnipeg Jets (41-31-3) as we close this final stretch of the regular season. Going into the game all eyes were on Erik Karlsson, who was ten points away from 100 points on the season, but they were facing off against a Jets team who was hungry for their playoff spot. The Sharks upset the wild card contender Jets shutting them out behind a great goaltending performance by James Reimer in the 3-0 win at SAP Center.

In the first period, Sharks attacked that tough Jets defense by dominating possession in the first five minutes and even drawing a penalty by minute eight. The San Jose offensive attack had a big burst of energy when Noah Gregor scored on a five hole goal making the game 1-0 early in the first.

Gregor left this game with two points (one goal and one assist) and said tonight was a “solid win” and considering the night he had and his pending free agency, he also looked at this game as a “ chance to prove to the organization he should stay around”, but Gregor wasn’t the only one who had something to prove this game.

Reimer, who a week ago was under public scrutiny over the pride night situation, not only wanted to silence the critics, but also show the front office that he “still has a fire in him” as he also could be a free agent at the end of this season. Reimer had a phenomenal game and on three occasions made saves that led to big ovations from the arena and on top of that he had a shutout in net. Reimer and Gregor showed off in front of this crowd and sparked the team’s energy.

Second period was a defensive battle with no scoring, but the third period is where Gregor got his second point of the night with an assist to Labanc and Karlsson would get point #91 with an assist to Kaut which would also be the last goal of the game.

Coach David Quinn called this game San Jose’s “most solid win in a while” and he grinned at the idea that his squad might be playing spoiler to opponents who have their sights on the postseason, especially since Vegas is coming into town on Thursday.

This game was a morale boost and the first time in a while in the Sharks locker room they had music playing to celebrate a win. Next game will be the debut of the Sharks’ latest signing from Harvard, Henry Thurn and this final stretch of games may not seem important, but ending this season on a high note is a huge reward.

With a new coach, new GM, and roster changes all season, ending this season with moments like Tuesday night make a fanbase breathe easier, but the Sharks are getting closer to the end of the trial run, because next season is the real test.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks attempt to get win tonight against Jets after tough loss Saturday in Calgary

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San Jose Sharks’ Logan Couture (39) scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender David Rittich (33) during overtime of an NHL hockey game, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Monday March 6, 2023. (Canadian Press photo via AP)

On the Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 The San Jose Sharks lost their ninth consecutive contest Saturday Afternoon, falling to the Calgary Flames 5-3 from Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

#2 Erik Karlsson picked up a pair of assists notch a single-season high in assists and Nico Sturm, Logan Couture and Martin Kaut scored, but the lone good news from the Sharks (19-39-15) this weekend was via the signing of college prospect Henry Thrun out of Harvard.

#3  Logan Couture’s netfront drive put the Sharks on the board at the 14:25 mark of the first period. Karlsson took a pass from Andrew Agozzino and drove down the right wing, pulling Jacob Markstrom to the post before feathering a pass to a crashing Couture for a deflection goal, his 25th score of the year. Karlsson picked up his 67th assist, a single-season career high on the play.

#4 Nico Sturm tied the game 4:52 into the second period, backhanding a Noah Gregor shot pass by Markstrom for his 14th goal of the year. Karlsson assisted on the goal as well, his 90th point of the year with nine games left to play. 

#5 The Winnipeg Jets (40-25-8) come to the SAP Center tonight to face off with the Sharks. The Jets place second in the NHL Western Conference Wild Card standings winning five of their last ten games. The Jets lost their last game to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday 4-1 how do you see the Jets and Sharks matching up tonight here in San Jose?

Troy Ewers podcasts San Jose Sharks hockey at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Karlsson Sets Career High in Assists, Sharks Lose 5-3 to Flames; Ninth straight loss for San Jose

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Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) is all smiles as the Flames had a break out game against the San Jose Sharks at the Saddledome in Calgary on Sat Mar 25, 2023. Sharks goaltender Kappo Kahkonen (36) can only skate away (photo by NHLFlames)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks lost their ninth consecutive contest Saturday Afternoon, falling to the Calgary Flames 5-3 from Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Erik Karlsson picked up a pair of assists notch a single-season high in assists and Nico Sturm, Logan Couture and Martin Kaut scored, but the lone good news from the Sharks (19-39-15) this weekend was via the signing of college prospect Henry Thrun out of Harvard.

Tyler Toffoli scored twice for the Flames to surpass the 30 goal mark and tie a career high for the Flames (33-26-15) who now sit four points pack of the Winnipeg Jets for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Nazem Kadri scored 5:45 into the third period, netting his 23rd of the year, to put Calgary ahead 4-3. Tyler Toffoli added the empty netter with 1:10 left in play for the final score. The Sharks had led 3-2 late in the second period after trailing 2-1 after the first period.

MacKenzie Weegar and Toffoli scored in the first 10 minutes of the first period but Logan Couture’s netfront drive put the Sharks on the board at the 14:25 mark of the period. Karlsson took a pass from Andrew Agozzino and drove down the right wing, pulling Jacob Markstrom to the post before feathering a pass to a crashing Couture for a deflection goal, his 25th score of the year. Karlsson picked up his 67th assist, a single-season career high on the play.

Nico Sturm tied the game 4:52 into the second period, backhanding a Noah Gregor shot pass by Markstrom for his 14th goal of the year. Karlsson assisted on the goal as well, his 90th point of the year with nine games left to play. Martin Kaut added his third goal of the year and second with the Sharks since coming over at the trade deadline just 22 seconds later.

The Flames responded at the 5:39 mark of the period, tying the game just 25 seconds after the Kaut goal. Trevor Lewis intercepted a failed Sharks clear and passed it to Walker Deuhr, open to Kaapo Kahkonen’s right on the far post. Deuhr ripped it home for his fifth goal of the season. Kahkonen made 25 saves on 29 shots in the Sharks net.

The Sharks return home Tuesday night looking to snap their losing skid. They’ll face the Winnipeg Jets, the team directly above the Calgary Flames in the standings. After that, the Vegas Golden Knights await a Thursday night tilt at home for the Sharks. The possibility that the loss streak will be at 11 by the time the Sharks face the Coyotes in Glendale on Saturday remains real given the quality of opponents ahead.

Reimer, Sharks Ground Jets with 3-2 OT Win

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San Jose Sharks celebrate a victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg on Mon Mar 6, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

James Reimer and the San Jose Sharks stole victory from the jaws of defeat Monday night in Winnipeg, beating the Jets 3-2 in overtime. Reimer made 36 saves, Tomas Hertl scored to tie the game with five seconds left and Logan Couture potted the game winner in OT for the win.

Nino Niederreiter and Nate Schmidt scored for the Jets (36-25-3) who have now lost eight of their last ten. Nikolai Knyzhov made his season debut for the Sharks (19-33-12), making his first regular season appearance since May 12th, 2021. He played 14:19 with one hit, one block and one penalty.

The Sharks held a 1-0 lead despite being outshot 14-7 after the first period thanks to a Steven Lorentz goal with 5:47 left in the period. David Rittich failed to put his glove on a loose puck that Lorentz scooped up for a backhand amongst of sea of bodies. Oskar Lindblom and Levin Labanc picked up the assists.

Niederreiter tied the game 6:05 into the second on a wrist shot, beating Reimer for the first time on the Jets 19th shot of the game for his 200th career goal and 19th of the season. Schmidt scored with 5:07 left in regulation and the Jets seemed on their way to victory.

The Sharks pulled Reimer trailing 2-1 and were rewarded for the risk. Erik Karlsson’s point slapper was blocked by Blake Wheeler but the shot richocheted perfectly to Hertl just wide of the slot. Hertl rifled a shot past Rittich with 11 seconds left in regulation, his 17th goal of the year forcing overtime.

Couture picked up his second point of the night on the game winner, with Karlsson springing him on a breakaway after picking up a rebound in the Sharks end for a second assist of the night. Couture’s 22nd of the year went backhand through Rittich’s five hole 1:21 into overtime.

After beating the Jets, third in the Central Division standings, the Sharks face another tough task Tuesday night. They face the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the Mile High City.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Ovechkin is #2 on all time NHL goals list; Pastrnak scores twice in 4-3 Bruins win; plus much more

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin reacts in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets in Washington DC on Thu Dec 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

On NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin scored career goals 801 and 802 to tie and pass Gordie Howe for second on the all time NHL list. Ovechkin scored at 18:22 in the first period and at 19:22 in third period Ovechkin scored goal number 802. The Caps defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-1.

#2 The Boston Bruins David Pastrnak scored twice for the Bruins 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils for their fourth straight win. Pastrnak extends his point streak to 11 games.

#3 Good things are happening for the Carolina Hurricanes they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday 6-5. The Hurricanes hit a point streak of 14 consecutive games. Hurricanes have now won eight straight games and The Flyers lost goaltender Carter Hart who stopped six out seven shots after suffering an upper body injury.

#4 The Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard scored at 4:17 in the overtime stanza to help defeat the Nashville Predators on Friday at Bridgestone Arena. The Aves Evan Rodrigues said “We’ve been fighting, grinding out wins, low-scoring games,” Rodrigues said. “Even when we’re down, guys believe we can come back.”

#5 The Las Vegas Knights Chandler Stephenson picked up four points and scored in the shootout stanza to defeat the St Louis Blues 5-4. Stephenson scored a goal and had three assists.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Red Wings Soderblom scores in first NHL game; Bolts top CBJs 5-3 plus much more news

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The Detroit Red Wings Eric Soderblom (85) seen here battling with the Montreal Canadiens in Little Casers Palace in Detroit on Fri Oct 14, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt the Detroit Red Wings Eric Soderblom scored in his NHL debut as the Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 in Detroit on Friday night. It was the first win for Red Wing coach Derek LaLonde and goaltender Ville Husso saved 29 shots in the shutout.

#2 Tough loss for the Columbus Blue Jackets Johnny Gaudreau in his home debut as Gaudreau and Gustav Nyquist both scored but the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning were too much with goals scored by Steve Stamkos scoring twice, Corey Perry and Ross Colton scoring a goal each in the Lightning’s 5-3 win.

#3 You know it’s hockey season in Winnipeg when the fans loose their minds on opening night and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Conner Hellebuyck puts a stop on 40 shots at the Jets net to hold off the New York Rangers 4-1 on Friday night. The Jets Mark Scheifele scored twice and Shane Gagner and Kyle Connor each had a goal for the Jets in the win.

#4 Matt, have to ask you what was it like to see the Carolina Hurricanes Brent Burns in different uniform other than the San Jose Sharks Friday night at SAP Center and what kind of an reception did he get before the game and Sharks TV broadcaster was sworn in as a US Citizen after waiting some 40 years?

#5 Some of hockey’s top stars say that the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews can score 60 goals again this season says the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane and the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Caps Ovechkin scores tying and winning goals; Kreider scores twice for Rangers in 5-1 win over Pens; plus more

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, left, gets congratulated by teammates right wing Tom Wilson (43), defenseman Martin Fehervary (42) and left wing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (45) after scoring the game winner in the overtime shootout at Key Bank Arena in Buffalo on Fri Mar 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Washington Capitals (36-20-10) Alex Ovechkin can do it all he scored his 41st goal of the season a real bullet no time for the Buffalo Sabers goalie Dustin Tokarski to get a glove on the top shelf goal and later Ovechkin scored the winning goal in the shootout against the Sabers (23-33-9) for the 4-3 win at Key Bank Arena in Buffalo on Friday night.

#2 The New York Rangers (41-19-5) Chris Kreider took it to the Pittsburgh Penguins (39-17-10) with two goals in a four goal win 5-1 for the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mika Zibanejad picked up his 500th career point and Andrew Copp scored his first goal with the Rangers.

#3 Another disappointing finish for the Montreal Canadiens (17-37-10) who were eliminated on Friday night when the Capitals defeated the Sabers. The Canadiens who sit in 16th and last place in the Eastern Conference will have to go home after the regular season and figure it out for next season.

#4 Patrik Laine made his Winnipeg (31-25-10) return in the Columbus Blue Jackets (32-29-4) uniform for the first time since being traded to the Jackets back on Jan 23, 2021. Laine had four shots on goal and three shots blocked by the Jets on Friday night. The Jets edged the Jackets in overtime 4-3.

#5 The Chicago Blackhawks (24-32-9) Jonathan Toews will play in his 1000th game against the Florida Panthers (43-14-6) next week Thursday and it did not come easy as Toews missed all of last season because of chronic immune response syndrome and this year had to deal with concussion issues missing 11 games. Is Toews facing the end of his career he says he’s not sure what he will do after this season.

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