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

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

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gaudreau scores twice, including overtime game-winner, as Blue Jackets edge Sharks 6-5

With just over two minutes left in the second period, the Blue Jackets stung again. San Jose turned over the puck in their defensive zone, which led to Columbus’ center Boone Jenner (38) getting a shot from the inside of the right circle that ended up in the Sharks net through the Sharks screen. Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (36) can’t make the save with Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) and the Jackets right winger Emil Bemstrom (52) in front of the net (photo by INDUSATV)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner each scored two goals for Columbus Tuesday, leading the Blue Jackets to a 6-5 overtime win over San Jose at SAP Center.

Gaudreau’s second goal of the game, and his 17th of the season, beat Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen at 4:17 of the overtime period. Patrik Laine earned his 25th assist on the game-winner that handed the Sharks their fourth consecutive defeat.

Columbus (22-38-7, 51 points) had a 5-3 lead on Liam Foudy’s goal at 2:20 of the third period. Less than four minutes later, Kevin Labanc scored – from Matt Benning and Fabian Zetterlund – to close the Sharks’ deficit to 5-4.

Nikolai Knyzhov’s first goal of the season – assisted by Logan Couture and Alexander Barabnov – tied the game at 5-5 at 11:20.

San Jose (19-38-7, 51 points) took its only lead of the game at 8:00 of the first period, when Barabanov picked up his 14th goal of the season on a power-play, with assists from Couture and Tomas Hertl. Gaudreau responded with the equalizer for the Blue Jackets at 12:27 of the opening period.

Columbus built a 3-1 lead less than six minutes into the second period on goals by Kent Johnson (at 1:34) and Boone Jenner at 5:28. William Eklund’s first goal of the season pulled the Sharks to within 3-2 at 10:24 before Jenner ‘s 21st goal at 17:17 put the Blue Jackets up 4-2. Gaudreau earned his 44th and 45th assists of the season on Jenner’s goals.

Couture scored one second before the second intermission on assists from Derrick Pouliot and the 65th helper of the year by Erik Karlsson.

Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov made 27 saves on 32 San Jose shots. Kahkonen made 42 saves on 48 shots by the Blue Jackets.

The Sharks host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks just can’t hold a lead; San Jose looking to snap three game skid tonight vs. CBJs

The San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) shows his disappointment after allowing a goal to the Minnesota Wild’s center Fredrick Gaudreau (89) in the second period on Sat Mar 11, 2023 at SAP Center in San Jose (Mercury News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Dead last in the NHL Pacific Division the San Jose Sharks (19-36-12) who have now lost a seven of their last ten games and can’t hold a lead or when their tied.

#2 The Sharks have lost three in a row entering tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center. The Sharks took a tough loss in their last game to the Minnesota Wild (38-21-7) on Saturday 5-2.

#3 In the Saturday night loss Sharks goaltender James Reimer just couldn’t hold back the Wild attack in the third period giving up three goals and pretty much icing it for Minnesota for a three goal win 5-2.

#4 Reimer in net faced 28 shots, saved 24 and gave up five goals. This was a game where the Wild held the lead in all three periods: 1-0 in the first period, 2-1 after the second period, and 5-2 for the final.

#5 The Columbus Blue Jackets (20-38-7) who have lost four straight games and have struggled in their own right losing their last game to the St Louis Blues on Saturday 5-2. Troy how do you see tonight’s match up between the CBJs and the Sharks?

Troy Ewers fills in for the San Jose Sharks podcasts at the SAP Center in San Jose at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Bruins coach Montgomery leads by being positive; Heads or tails on Canucks new coach Tocchet for now; plus more NHL News

Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery talks with his players during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Boston. The Bruins hired Montgomery at the start of the 2022 season as their new coach. (AP News file)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, talk about Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery this is his second team in the NHL he first coached the Dallas Stars before being fired by them in 2019 and has done a bang up job as head coach leading the club to a 26-6-4. Talk about the job Montgomery has done building up the Bruins?

#2 Under Vancouver Canucks (19-26-3) new head coach Rick Tocchet he’s 2-1 so far and in the first win he handled the Chicago Blackhawks rather handily 5-2 and in the second game in Seattle the Canucks got crushed 6-1, and on Friday the Canucks picked up a three goal win over the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2. It’s early to tell but the Canucks critics say should have held onto Bruce Boudreau and let him finish out the season.

#3 Matt, are the Toronto Maple Leafs going to miss Austin Matthews something awful, Matthews is out with a knee sprain for three weeks, Matthews is second in goals, and is third in points. Matthews injured himself on Wednesday against the New York Rangers during a 3-2 overtime win.

#4 The Florida Panthers Aleksander Barkov will replace Matthews at center at the NHL All Star game in Florida on Sat Feb 4th. Barkov is second on the Panthers with 43 points with 13 goals and 30 assists. He should get a good ovation when he is introduced in Sunrise next Saturday.

#5 Despite winning seven of their last ten games the Chicago Blackhawks (15-28-4) and defeating one of the tougher teams in the NHL the Calgary Flames (23-17-9) 5-1 on Thursday night in Calgary the Blackhawks are looking to deal stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews each player is in the final year of their eight year contract.

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

Blue Jackets Rally Late to Topple Sharks 5-3

San Jose Sharks’ Nick Bonino, left, carries the puck behind the net as Columbus Blue Jackets’ Sean Kuraly defends during the first period at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sat Jan 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks took the lead 1:53 into the third period, but the Columbus Blue Jackets scored three unanswered goals at home to beat San Jose 5-3 Saturday night. Nick Bonino and Timo Meier scored the Sharks, while Nico Sturm had a team best two points on a goal and an assist.

Kaapo Kahkonen made 24 saves on 28 shots for San Jose (14-24-9), while Joonas Korpisalo made 22 saves on 25 shots for Columbus. five different Blue Jackets (14-30-2) had two-point nights to snap a three-game losing skid, sitting in last place in the league standings with 30 points.

The 3-2 lead wasn’t the first to slip out of the Sharks’ grasp. Meier scored his 27^th goal 10:49 into the first period and Bonino doubled the lead 2-0 5:39 into the second on a wrap around. Free agent signing Johnny Gaudreau scored a power play goal  11:19 into the second and Boone Jenner beat Kahkonen on a wrist shot at the 12:31 mark of the middle frame to tie the game.

After Sturm gave the Sharks the 3-2 lead on an unassisted strike, Patrick Laine picked up his 13^th goal of the year at the 3:04 mark of the third. Former Shark Gustav Nyquist provided the game-winner at the 12:38 mark with Kent Johnson picking up his second assist of the game on the goal.

Sean Kuraly scored the empty netter with 1:04 left in regulation for the 5-3 final. Gaudreau (1-1-2), Nyquist(1-1-2), Laine (1-1-2) and Nick Blankenburg (0-2-2) were the other multi-pointers for CBJ.

The Sharks go from worst to first in terms of opponents. They head to Boston for a lopsided back-to-back, facing the Bruins at TD Garden Sunday night. James Reimer, fresh off his 200^th career victory, is expected to start for San Jose.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: NJ’s Severson goal come up big against Rangers; Jackets Marchenko’s hat trick does the trick against Canes; plus much more

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson (28) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers at Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey on Sat Jan 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

#1 Damon Severson of the New Jersey Devils scored at 2:17 in overtime to help New Jersey get a 4-3 win in overtime against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center in Newark. Severson stole the puck away from the Rangers Alex Lafreniere and went two on one with it against Nico Heschier to score the gamer.

#2 Columbus Blue Jackets Kirill Marchenko picked up his first NHL hat trick that help defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in a shootout at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Saturday. Kent Johnson contributed with the game winning goal in the fifth round of the shootout stanza for the win.

#3 On Friday night the Nashville Predators Ryan McDonagh got a first goal of the season after playing in 31 games. McDonagh got a pass from Ryan Johansen and avoided the Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lingren’s left pad with a back handed goal to beat the Caps 4-3.

#4 The Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad scored two power play goals as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Detroit Red Wings at Little Casers Pizza Arena on Friday 3-2.

#5 In a game that’s coming up on Saturday night at SAP in San Jose the Boston Bruins who are 30-4-4 face off with the San Jose Sharks 12-20-8. The Bruins always show up but can the Sharks play up to the level tonight?

Join Matt Harrington for the NHL podcasts Saturdays 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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: CBJs-Predators game postponed in Nashville; Leafs extend point streak to seven; plus more

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) and Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) go after the puck during the first period at the Excel Energy Center in St Paul on Fri Nov 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

On NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 A very unusual NHL occurrence as today’s game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators has been postponed due to a water main break at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The report says the break had significantly impacted the building and can’t service fans or even the players at the Nashville rink. The Jackets, Predators, or the NHL have not announced a make up date yet.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs have extended their point streak to seven games with a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild at the Excel Energy Center in St Paul. The Leafs Mitchell Marner extended his point streak to 15 games with a goal. The Leafs have now won two straight games and got 25 saves from goaltender Matt Murray.

#3 The Montreal Canadiens Kirby Dach has an eye for the backend of the net during shootouts. Dach scored his second consecutive game winning shootout goal getting the Habs a 3-2 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago.

#4 Can’t hold a good team down as the Boston Bruins won their 12th consecutive game which is a NHL record for home victories getting the win over the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. The Bruins David Pastrnak scored on a power play goal at 3:19 in the overtime stanza for a one timer after a pass from Brad Marchand.

#5 The Pittsburgh Penguins Ryan Poehling scored scored two goals which help contribute to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Pens Teddy Blueger had three assists, Josh Archibald got a goal and an assist, good enough for their fifth straight win.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Alfredsson, Luongo, Sedin Twins on the way to the Hall of Fame; Milano’s two goals helps Caps defeat Bolts; plus more news

Daniel Alfredsson former Ottawa Senator, Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin and Hendrik Sedin former Vancouver Canucks are all heading for enshrinement into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame (NHL.com file photo with NHL.com writer Nick Cotsonika insert)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Three names came up and are on the way to be in the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto Daniel Alfredsson, Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin and Hendrik Sedin. Alfredsson almost won the Stanley Cup Championship with the 2007 Ottawa Senators, Luongo and the Sedin Twins nearly won a cup when they lost to the Boston Bruins in Vancouver in game 7 in 2011. All are going to the Hall of Fame.

#2 Sonny Milano helped the Washington Capitals get a win on Friday night with two goals over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Capital One Arena in DC. The Caps got great goaltending from Darcey Kuemper who stopped 28 shots in the 5-1 win.

#3 Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets will be out for the rest of the season after attempting to make a check but missed and hit the boards separating his shoulder and tore a labrum at 17:01. Werenski scored a goal and got an assist before leaving the game.

#4 Matt, with the war in Ukraine going and no end in sight the NHL and the NHLPA have canceled the World Cup of Hockey saying it’s not feasible for a return for 2024. It was reported that it is uncertain for Russia to have a team as the NHL has suspended all business with Russia during the war.

#5 Timo Meier scored a goal in five straight games doing it again against the Dallas Stars and helping the San Jose Sharks defeat Dallas 5-4. The Sharks got a goal each from Alex Barabanov, Logan Couture, and Tomas Hertl and goaltender James Reimer stopped 24 shots.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts 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

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