Sabres skate past Sharks 4-2; San Jose drops four of last five games

Buffalo Sabres teammates gather after defeating the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Feb 18, 2023 (@BuffaloSabres photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The San Jose Sharks returned home to face the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at the Shark Tank. The Sharks were hoping to snap a two-game losing streak. That was not in the cards as the Sabres skated to a 4-2 win over the Sharks.

The Sharks lost a close game to the first-place Las Vegas Golden Knights in Sin City Thursday night. The Sharks were hoping to right the ship against Buffalo based on their strong effort, even though they came up short, 

In fifth place in the Atlantic Division, the Sabers needed a win as they are fighting to make it into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Buffalo got a much-needed win when they beat the hapless Anaheim Ducks 7-3 Wednesday night in Anaheim.

The Sabres started the scoring early in the first period. Dylan Cozen notched his 20th goal of the year as he put the puck past Sharks’ goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. The time of the goal was at 3:01. The Sharks responded with their first goal with 16:49 played. Evgeny Svechnikov put the puck past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for his sixth of the year. Assist went to Jacob MacDonald and Steve Lorentz. The first period ended tied 1-1.

The Sabres grabbed a 2-1 lead when Owen Power lit the lamp with 6:26 played/ Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner assisted on the play. The Sharks tied the game when Alexander Barbanov was in the right place at the right time. One of the Sharks’ players shot past the net and hit the boards, the puck rebounded right to Barbanov’s stick, Luukkonen was out of position, and Barbanov had an easy goal.

It was number 11 for Barbanov. Logan Couture and Erik Karlsson assisted. For Karlsson, it was his 56th assist of the season. The teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the second period.

The Sharks, who are not going to the playoffs for the second year in a row, wanted to upset Buffalo’s apple cart Saturday night. The Sabres needed the win to stay close to a possible playoff spot. The last 20 minutes would determine the winner.

The teams battled it out on both ends of the ice. Buffalo, as they had done in the first and second periods, scored the first goal of the third period. The goal was scored by the Sharks’ killer, Jeff Skinner. Skinner notched his 21st of the year. It was Skinner’s seventh goal in his last seven games against the Sharks.

The Sharks need to come back from a one-goal deficit for the third time in the game. They tried, but they couldn’t get the puck into the net. They pulled their goalie and put pressure on the Sabres. However, Alex Tuch found himself alone in the Sharks’ zone and put the puck into an empty net to ice the win for Buffalo 4-2.

Game Notes: With the loss, the Sharks are now 17-29-11 for the year. They are in seventh place in the Pacific Division with 45 points. The Sharks are 5-14-7 at home. They have 25 games left on the schedule. Buffalo won the season series 2-0. Buffalo is now 28-22-4 good for 60 points.

The Sharks play the third-place Seattle Kraken at the Shark Tank Monday afternoon. The game will start at 1:00 pm. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Bills Hamlin vitals normal on breathing tube; Nevin acquired by Tigers for cash; Plus more news

Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (right) takes a hit from the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (left) in Cincinnati on Monday Night Football Mon Jan 2, 2023 (still photo from ESPN Monday Night Football)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Amaury, We’ll start the podcast with the tragic Monday Night Football story as last night the Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin took a hit that appeared to be in head and upper body area from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins who was charging full speed on a carry. Hamlin got up after the hit and then collapsed, medics applied CPR and he was taken immediately to a local Cincinnati hospital where it was learned that Hamlin listed in critical condition and was out to sleep to have a breathing tube down his throat according to his marketing agent Jordan Rooney.

#2 Staying with football Amaury, this a rough and tumble game if you stand on the sidelines no matter what league it is the CFL, Arena football, high school, college, or the NFL it’s a collision sport and guys know a serious injury can result and medics have to make quick decisions how to treat a player such as the case in Damar Hamlin last night.

#3 We switch to MLB, the Detroit Tigers have acquired infielder Tyler Nevin from the Baltimore Orioles for cash last Saturday. Nevin hit .197 in 58 games for the Orioles hit two home runs and 16 RBIs. Nevin is the son of Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin.

#4 San Francisco Giants team president Farhan Zaidi said that the move to end their agreement with the Carlos Correa was not an 11th hour decision and that the Zaidi said the Giants that as soon as the Giants had the information regarding Correa not passing the physical he shared it with the media.

#5 The Giants are ready for the Taylor and Tyler Rogers bullpen show to begin. Taylor who did a introduction call with the media on zoom said that this was a too good to be true situation and that this just so happens to be with the Giants and he said that if happens great if not great too.

#6 New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge named as the 16th captain in Yankees history has been voted the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for 2022. Judge who set the American League record for the most home runs with 62 edged out other pro athletes Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Angles who finished second and Golden State’s Stephen Curry finished in third.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Eckersley’s grandson found in woods after being abandon by daughter; JJ Watt retires from football; plus more news

Alexandra Eckersley the daughter of former MLB pitcher and broadcaster Dennis Eckersley was booked by Manchester NH Police for endangering the welfare of a child on Tue Dec 27, 2022 (mug shot photo Manchester NH Police)

On Headlines podcast with Jessica:

#1 Former Boston Red Sox TV analyst and baseball Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley’s grandson was found by authorities in the woods after Eckersley’s daughter Alexandra gave birth in the woods and gave authorities a false location after looking for an hour in 18 degree weather Alexandra finally gave the real location and Eckersley’s grandson was found alive with hypothermia but alive his condition is reported to be improving. Alexandra who is reported to have mental issues is being charged for endangering the welfare of a child she will be arraigned Tuesday in Hillsboro Superior Court North in New Hampshire.

#2 The Arizona Cardinals JJ Watt has announced his retirement from football. Watt who played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans and the Cardinals. Watt leaves football as one of the most prolific defensive players in the game. Watt is one of just three players to be named Defensive Player of the Year three times in his career.

#3 The Denver Broncos top brass say that quarterback Russell Wilson is fixable despite his rough 2022 season. Wilson according to team owner Greg Penner and general manager George Paton said that they believe in Wilson’s future with the team. The Broncos who dropped to 4-11 and were bulldozed by Los Angeles Rams on Christmas day 51-14 are looking forward to working with Wilson again in 2023. The Broncos signed Wilson to a five year $245 million contract and pretty much are on the hook for it.

#4 The Buffalo Sabers were supposed to host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday but the game was postponed due to 50 inches of snow in Buffalo and the Buffalo airport is closed until Wednesday. The Sabers and Blue Jackets will reschedule the game for a later date.

#5 On Tuesday night the Sacramento Kings (17-14) who played at home against the Denver Nuggets (21-11) did so without the services of their head coach Mike Brown who was out for Covid 19 protocols and Domantas Sabonis who was out for right thumb fracture.

#6 The Brooklyn Nets continue to surge picking up their ninth straight win 125-117 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. The Nets had top scoring from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant who scored 32 points each.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bonino, Lindblom score First of Year, Sharks Still Drop 6-3 Decision to Sabres to Wrap Road Trip

San Jose Sharks center Steven Lorentz (16) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (45) battle for the puck during the second period at Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Sun Dec 4, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington 

Another night, another rough second period that went from a lead to a loss for the San Jose Sharks. The Buffalo Sabres hung three unanswered goals on the Sharks (8-16-4) in the second period Sunday from KeyBank Center in Buffalo to hand the San Jose its third loss, 6-3, in a four-game road trip.

Nick Bonino and Oskar Lindblom scored their first goals of the season, but the good vibes stopped there. Jack Quinn had a pair of goals for Buffalo (11-13-1) who outshot the Sharks 38-29. Buffalo’s power play went 2 for 4.

San Jose held a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes despite Tage Thompson and the Sabres scoring first. Bonino tied the game at the 13:40 mark on a snap shot and Kevin Labanc scored his fifth of the year on the power play with 3:41 left in the period. 

The lead only lasted 16 seconds into the 2nd when JJ Peterka scored his sixth of the year. Jeff Skinner joined the scored at the 4:21 mark for a 3-2 lead, then Quinn scored the eventual game winner on the power play with 6:15 left in the middle frame.

Quinn opened the scoring in the third as well, beating Aaron Dell 11:23 into the period. Dell made 32 saves on 37 shots Linblom scored his first as a Shark just 29 seconds later to make it 5-3 but Alex Tuch’s 12th of the year into an empty net with 3:23 doubled the Sharks up again. 

San Jose gets a little rest and a return trip home after stops in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and now Buffalo. They’ll next face Vancouver at home Wednesday night.

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.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Colorado’s Manson is week to week with lower body injury; Bertuzzi out six weeks with upper body for Red Wings; plus more

The Colorado Avalanche’s Josh Manson is out week to week due to a lower body injury (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Colorado Avalanche’s Josh Manson is out week to week due to a lower body injury. Manson was injured while playing against the Buffalo Sabers on Thursday. The Aves defeated the Sabers 6-4 and Manson has six points, two goals and four assists.

#2 The Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi is out six weeks with an upper body injury Bertuzzi left Wednesday night’s game with a left hand injury after getting hit with a puck shot.

#3 Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko will miss six weeks of action as he suffered a lower body injury. Demko left in the late first period during a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. Demko couldn’t put any weight on his right leg and had to be assisted off the ice after Ryan Lomberg with 47 seconds left in the first period.

#4 The Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a stroke. Letang was not suffering any post effects but will be test this upcoming week and his stroke is not considered career threatening according to Penguins general manager Ron Hextall.

#5 Matt the NHL did announce make up dates for the postponed game due to a water main break at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on back on Nov 26th when the Columbus Blue Jackets were to face the Nashville Predators which was rescheduled Tue Jan 17th.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Buffalo suffering from key injuries; NHL teams inquiring about a Karlsson trade with San Jose; plus more news

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) checks Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) as they skate after the puck through the crease of Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie (31) during the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Fri Nov 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Buffalo Sabers are suffering from key injuries the Sabers report that goaltender Eric Comrie has suffered a lower body injury and is expected to be out for multiple weeks. Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin rammed Ottawa right winger Mathieu Joseph into Comrie at 9:43 in the second period. Comrie stayed 14 seconds longer and allowed a goal and was pulled after the goal.

#2 San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier said that he is entertaining offers from other NHL clubs who would be interested in defenseman Erik Karlsson’s services. Karlsson right now leads all NHL defenseman in goals scored with 11 goals. Grier says that Karlsson and his family is happy in San Jose and Grier would speak with Karlsson before anything is decided.

#3 For the Dallas Stars goaltender Scott Wedgewood a scary moment when he was carted off the ice with an upperbody injury during Thursday night’s game against the Florida Panthers at FLA Arena in Sunrise. Wedgewood ended up holding the Panthers center Anton Lundell on a breakaway Wedgewood’s back locked up and he was laid out only to get stretched off. Stars head coach Peter DeBoer said that Wedgewood later was walking around in the dressing room after the game and that he should be fine.

#4 The Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is out with a upper body injury. Fleury has an upper body injury the report says that Fluery had contact in net likewise his counter Nashville goaltender was bumped around quite a bit. Fleury is listed day to day. Fluery is getting treatment from the doctors.

#5 Matt it’s been a very special week as the NHL and NHLPA are in joint initiative to raise cancer awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer. This is the 24th season the NHL and NHLPA are doing Hockey Fights Cancer. It’s been a humbling but yet special week for the players all that have been involved.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Matt Harrington: Pens to face Rangers in first round; Sabers overtime win against Blackhawks 3-2; plus more

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evan Rodrigues (9) scores on Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender J-F Berube (30) in first period action at PPG Paints in Pittsburgh on Fri Apr 29, 2022 (AP News photo)

NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Pittsburgh Penguins (46-25-11) advanced to the playoffs with a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets (37-38-7) 5-3 on Friday night at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins will face the Rangers for the Eastern Conference first round in game 1.

#2 Both the Buffalo Sabers (32-39-11) and the Chicago Blackhawks (28-42-12) concluded their regular season with the Sabers getting an overtime win over the Blackhawks 3-2 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo Friday. The Blackhawks started out with a 2-0 lead but the Sabers came back and tied it up in the second period 2-2. The Sabers Casey Mittelstadt got the overtime game winning goal at 2:53.

#3 The Boston Bruins lost their last game of the season to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night 5-2 and will face off with the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Leafs will play the Tampa Bay Lightning.

#4 It was the first win for Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price since game 4 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finals. It was a landslide of goals scored by the Canadiens 10-2 over the Florida Panthers on Friday night at the Belle Centre. Price stopped 37 shots and it was his 700th start and 712th game with the Canadiens for his 361st career win.

#5 In his first game in five seasons for the Detroit Red Wings goaltender Magnus Hellberg it was like riding a bike you just don’t forget. Hellburg stopped 20 shots by the New Jersey Devils to help in a 5-3 win at the Prudential Center on Friday night. Hellberg played five years in the Kontinental Hockey League before signing an Apr 13th free agent contract with the Red Wings.

Join Matt throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for the NHL podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Colton scores twice for Bolts in win over Hawks 5-2; Ducks end 11 game loss streak with a shutout

Tampa Bay Lightning center Ross Colton (79) puts one on net against the Chicago Blackhawks center Tyler Johnson (90), and defenseman Calvin de Haan (44) at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on Fri Apr 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Tampa Bay Lightning’s (43-18-6) Ross Colton found the back of the net twice on Friday night in helping the Bolts defeat the Chicago Blackhawks (24-35-10) 5-2 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay. The Lightning’s Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point both scored a goal each.

#2 The Anaheim Ducks (28-30-12) Trevor Zegras helped end the Ducks 11 game loss streak with a sound 5-0 shutout over the Arizona Coyotes (21-42-5) at Gila River Arena in Glendale on Friday night. Zegras scored his 17th goal of the season at 9:42 in the first period. Ducks goalie Anthony Stolarz a shutout saving 22 shots.

#3 The Vegas Golden Knights (38-28-4) Jack Eichel scored twice to help the Knights pick up a three goal win over the Seattle Kraken (21-41-6) 5-2 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

#4 New York Islander (31-27-9) goaltender Semyon Varlamov stopped 27 shots in a 3-0 shutout over the New York Rangers (44-20-9) at Madison Square Garden in New York. It was Varlamov’s second shutout this season and his fourth straight over the Rangers at MSG.

#5 The Buffalo Sabres (25-33-11) Tage Thompson scored two times and was good enough as the Sabers edged the Nashville Predators (39-25-4) at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The Sabers Peyton Krebs and Victor Olofsson scored a goal each in the Sabers 4-3 win.

Join Matt for the NHL podcast each Saturday 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

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