NHL Stanley Cup podcast with Matt Harrington: Oilers on brink of elimination; Panthers do it against all odds; plus more

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) celebrates after scoring against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Friday, May 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup playoff podcast with Matt:

#1 The Vegas Golden Knights (3-2) have now moved ahead of the Edmonton Oilers (2-3) in the Stanley Cup Western Conference second round. Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists for the Knights defeating the Oilers on Friday night 4-3 in game 5.

#2 The Florida Panthers Nick Cousins picked up an overtime goal at 15:32 as the Panthers now advance to the third round of the Stanley Cup taking out the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. This is the first time that the Panthers had advanced to the third round since 1996.

#3 The Carolina Hurricanes will face off to the Panthers. The Panthers are coming off wins against the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs and the Hurricanes taking out the New Jersey Devils to advance to the third round. The Canes and Panthers are two rough and tumble teams how do you see this match up.

#4 The Oilers seem to have trouble generating offense against the Knights which was one of the reasons why they couldn’t get past the Knights. Despite being so talent rich the Oilers are facing one of the best defenses in the NHL.

#5 The Hurricanes can be a huge factor going into what could be one of the best conference finals in recent memory. The Canes are loaded going into their match up against the Panthers with Sebastian Aho who leads with ten points and five goals, and Jordan Martinook with seven assists.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Marko Ukalovic: NJ gets big win over Carolina; Panthers could finish off Leafs Wed; plus more

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) fights with Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Newark, N.J (AP News photo)

On NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast:

#1 The New Jersey Devils avoided going down 0-3 with a four goal win over the Carolina Hurricanes 8-4 to cut the Hurricanes lead to 1-2. New Jersey’s Jack Hughes scored twice and scored three goals in the first period in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup.

#2 The Florida Panthers Sam Reinhart scored at 3:02 in overtime to give the Panthers a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs to put the Leafs on the brink of elimination 3-0. The Panthers can advance to the third round for the first time since 1996 for the Eastern Conference Finals.

#3 Seattle Kraken scored five goals in the second period of game 3 to go up 2-1. The Kraken blew away the Dallas Stars 7-2. Game 4 is scheduled to face off Tuesday. The Kraken’s Matty Beniers, Eeli Tolvanen, Alex Wennberg, and Justin Schultz all scored and had assist in the second period.

#4 The Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisatl has scored 13 goals the most goals through eight games, the second place holder with the most goals goes back to 1985 who was an Oiler Jan Kurri who had 13 as well. The record holder is Newsy Lalonde of the 1919 Montreal Canadiens with 15.

#5 Marko, the series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Oilers is tied 1-1. The Oilers got a four goal win over the Knights 5-1. The Oilers opened up with four goals in the first period. The Oilers top scorers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl scored two goals each in the win.

Join Marko for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts on Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Len Shapiro: Rangers Kane and Tarasenko might go UFA; Calder Cup candidates; plus more

The New York Rangers Patrick Kane (8) and Vladimir Tarasenko (9) are considering unrestricted free agency the Rangers could be a big players in the sweepstakes (nhl.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The NHL named the finalists Norris Awards about an hour ago could you talk about who those finalists are.

#2 New York Ranger superstars Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are considering unrestricted free agency after the post season this would be the first time that both Kane and Tarasenko would be free agents. That said is this like an invitation for the Rangers to name their price or start bidding on keeping Kane and Tarasenko.

#3 Also something to consider Kane might have to have lower body surgery he has been wanting to get this surgery for the last few seasons and wants to focus on the surgery before making a decision on free agency.

#4 Len, talk about the Calder Trophy Award candidates and the kind of season they had. From the Seattle Kraken Matty Beniers, the Buffalo Sabers Owen Power, and from the Edmonton Oilers Stuart Skinner.

#5 The Tampa Bay Lightning’s goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy said that his body just gave out in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs also Vasilevskiy said that he had the lowest save percentage and highest goals against since 2017-18.

#6 Len, talk about the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights who face off for game 2 on Saturday night. Both teams are stacked and have guys who find the back of the net for the Knights, Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marchessault, and Reily Smith. For the Oilers Connor McDavid, Leon Draisatl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt Harrington: New Jersey to start Schmid in game 3; Kings play catch up on Oilers; plus more

New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid is most likely to get the call for game 3 against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sat 22, 2023 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The New Jersey Devils are contemplating starting Akira Schmid in goal for game 3 against the New York Rangers. An indication that Scmid might get the call first string goaltender Vitek Vanecek and second stringer MacKenzie Blackwood were on the other end of the ice during Saturday’s morning skate with Schmid defending by himself on the opposite end. Another indication Schmid led the players out on the ice for practice.

#2 The Los Angeles Kings certainly have not given in one bit they went up two games to one against the powerful Edmonton Oilers. The Kings broke a 1-1 deadlock after the Oilers were hit with a penalty which were defined as undisciplined penalties. The Kings capitalized scoring two goals on power plays at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Kings overtake the Oilers for a 2-1 series lead.

#3 The Minnesota Wild came right back after getting beat by the Dallas Stars 7-3 in game 2 on Wednesday. On Friday in game 3 the series tied at 1-1 the Wild came back with a convincing 5-1 win to take a 2-1 series lead. The Wild scored twice in each of the second and third periods and got good goaltending from Filip Gustavsson who stopped 23 out of 24 shots.

#4 The Carolina Hurricanes Teuvo Teravainen will be out for the rest of the playoffs due to a broken left hand during the Hurricanes 4-3 win against the New York Islanders. Teravainen’s hand hit the stick of Isle forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau at 4:24 in the third period. Carolina head coach Ron Brind’Amour said that Pageau tomahawked Teravainen’s hand and broke his hand.

#5 Matt, taking a look at game to be played later tonight the Seattle Kraken and the Colorado Avalanche with the series tied 1-1 this one is at Climate Pledge Arena. The Avalanche just got by the Kraken in game 2, 3-2 to even the series. Aves goaltender Alexander Georgiev allowed only two Kraken goals in the first period and shut them out the rest of the way for the one goal win.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt Harrington: Rangers-Devils in Hudson Valley Rivalry; Pens fire top brass after missing playoffs; plus more

The New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils faceoff for round 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 11 years in the “Hudson Valley Rivalry” the puck drops at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Tue Apr 18, 2023 (AP News file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The “Hudson Valley Rivalry” the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils meet up for the first time in 11 years and it’s their seventh meeting in playoff history.

#2 The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 years the Penguins missed the Stanley Cup. As a consequence the Pens fired their team president Brian Burke, general manager Ron Hextall, assistant general manager Chris Taylor all dismissed on Friday.

#3 Another team who didn’t reach the post season were the Washington Capitals who parted ways with head coach Peter Laviolette who finished over three season with a 115-78-27 record.

#4 Matthew Barzal is expected back with the New York Islanders after missing the last 23 games of the regular season. Barzal will be in the line up in game 1 this coming Monday in Carolina against the Hurricanes.

#5 Talk about the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid who were the Art Ross and Rocket Richard Trophies. McDavid led the NHL in points (153) and goals (64).

Join Matt for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Matt Harrington at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Wrap Rough Season With One Last Loss to Oilers 5-2

San Jose Sharks’ goalie James Reimer (47) is scored against by the Edmonton Oilers during second-period in Edmonton on Thu Apr 13, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks season mercifully ended Thursday night in Edmonton, with the Sharks dropping a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the finale. San Jose can now finish as low as 29th in the overall standings pending the Columbus Blue Jackets result Friday night.

Erik Karlsson assisted to finish the year with an eye-popping 101 points on 76 assists and 25 goals. It would take some extreme mental gymnastics and talks about +/- and standings for him to not earn the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman. Noah Gregor scored for a second night in a row and Steven Lorentz also lit the lamp for the Sharks (22-44-26).

The Oilers received goals from Evan Bouchard, Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane and Mattias Janmark, last year’s money laundering trade target for the Sharks vis-a-vis a move to Vegas, scored two goals for the Oilers (50-23-9). Draisaitl also had a pair of assists and Connor McDavid was held to as many points (1) as goaltender Stuart Skinner.

Janmark scored his 9th of the year on a deflection 4:16 into the first period after Skinner played the puck from behind his own net to Mattias Ekholm. Ekholm, still in the Oilers end, fed the puck to Janmark going down the middle. While Janmark was originally turned away by a defensive poke check on a gritty net front swoop, he found his own rebound to beat James Reimer.

Leon Draistail scored an Oilers club record 89th power play goal on a backdoor tap-in, his 52nd goal of the year, at the 6:56 mark of the first for a 2-0 Edmonton lead. The goal was a combination from Draisaitl (128 points) and two other Century Club members Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (104 points) and not so much presumptive but guaranteed Hart favorite Connor McDavid (153).

Noah Gregor pulled the Sharks within one at 2-1 by driving the net on a Thomas Bordeleau’s rebound at the 9:44 mark, lighting the lamp for the 10th time this year in his hometown. Lorentz picked up the secondary assist for the first of two points on the night.

Bouchard put the Oilers up 3-1 after taking a Draisaitl no-look backhander in the home plate area for an easy slot chance at the 5:02 mark of the second period. Mattias Janmark scored a shorthanded goal against a tired Sharks power play unit with 4:56 left in the period to put the lead at 4-1.

The Sharks would get a power play goal back with 1:12 left in the period thanks to Lorentz’s 10th of the year assisted by Tomas Hertl and Karlsson, but that would be the last of their scoring for the 2022-23 season. Kane scored the dagger with just under 5 minutes left in regulation for the 5-2 final, adding insult to injury after getting away with a high stick that stunned Henry Thrun long enough for the Oilers forward to get into place for an easy goal.

The Sharks wrap up one of their worst seasons since the expansion days with the opportunity to possibly score a top-three (maybe even first overall) pick in the NHL Entry Draft this summer. First-year general manager Mike Grier will have his hands full this offseason with some decisions on players in long-term but cumbersome deals and limited cap space while hoping to supplement the young talent still learning the game like Thrun, Bordeleau and William Eklund with veterans who can contribute and fill key roles.

Also of question will be the netminding, with Kaapo Kahkonen being the only NHL goaltender under contract next season. Whether Erik Karlsson gets traded and whether the Sharks can land the top overall pick or another generational talent will dictate the competitive level of this team next season and in the years to come.

Final Home Game Shows An Example Of Whole Season As Sharks Lose To Oilers 6-1

The San Jose Sharks right wing Adam Raska (57) poke checking Edmonton Oilers defenceman Phillip Broberg (86) at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Apr 8, 2023 Photo From San Jose Sharks Instagram

By Troy Ewers

It was the final game here at SAP for the 2022-2023 season and it was an example of what the whole year was for the San Jose Sharks (22-41-16). In the beginning of the game it seemed like the Sharks could keep up with their opponent, but by the end, the Edmonton Oilers (48-23-9) the better team would prevail 6-1 and the San Jose supporters would leave not as happy.

This game was just a final example of this pattern and if you don’t believe it was a pattern, the Sharks home record would beg to differ. 8-22-11 at the tank this season, the worst home record in franchise history. The SAP Center used to be a nightmare for opponents, because for years it was a true home ice advantage, between the energy of the fans and the players, teams would say “If you can’t shut them up in San Jose in the first ten minutes they won’t stop.”

The game itself today was exciting in the beginning with a sell out crowd filled with fans of both squads. The first period was back and forth display as the Oilers got on the board first from a goal by Nugent-Hopkins (Assisted by Hyman and McDavid, but two minutes later, the Sharks fired right back off a goal courtesy of Tomas Hertl with an assist from Jacob Petersen, who in pre game was the topic of discussion as one of the rising stars in San Jose.

The first period would end 2-1 when two minutes before the end of the period, Connor McDavid got his 63rd goal of the year and from this point on the game would only spiral out of the teal team’s control goal after goal. McDavid would get a second goal on the night, three points total, which means he leaves San Jose with a wild 151 points, even Coach Quinn says in his post game interview he’s “never seen a season like this.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would leave with 3 points as well (1 goal, 2 assists) and the rest of the points would come from Evan Bouchard (2 assists), Derek Ryan (1 goal,1 assist), Mattias Ekholm(1 assist), Zach Hyman (1 assist, 1 goal), Leon Draisaitl (1 assist), Warren Foegele (1 assist), and Phillip Broberg (1 goal).

The better question would be who didn’t get a point for Edmonton in this game and that’s Evander Kane , who every time when he touched the puck he received boos that could be heard through noise cancellation headphones, but he would walk away with last laugh as the final seconds ticked down and the game was over, Edmonton.

Both Hertl and Couture said in their post game interviews that they wish they could send the fans home happy, but in the end the result is the result. Next season everyone on this team is under evaluation and the future of this roster might have some big changes coming, but one thing remains the same for the San Jose Sharks, this team is even in its rebuilding stage is going to give you great moments and this season was no different.

Erik Karlsson putting on a historic season, Mike Greir’s inaugural season, Doug Wilson night, William Eklund’s first goal, and Patrick Marleau’s number being retired all were silver linings in a stormy San Jose season and as the off season approaches, the front office has a lot of questions to be answered.

The Sharks have three more games left all on the road in Canada in Winnipeg Sunday, in Calgary on Wednesday, and Thursday in Edmonton to conclude the 2022-23 season.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks host Oilers in final home game of 2022-23 today at SAP

San Jose Sharks broadcaster Drew Remenda (right) interviews on NBC Bay Area Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun (left) who had two assists in his first NHL period of his career on Sat Apr 1, 2023. The Sharks are expecting big things from Thrun for next season. (NBC Bay Area Sports file)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 Troy final game of the home schedule for the Sharks they bring a 8-21-11 home record into today’s game at SAP Center. How much improvement will be needed over the off season to improve their home record for next season.

#2 Back on Mar 18th critics were surprised that William Eklund was sent down to the Sharks minor league affiliate the San Jose Barracuda. Later on Mar 31st it was announced Eklund would need shoulder surgery. The timing of his demotion turned out to be something the Sharks didn’t foretell with the shoulder injury.

#3 A week ago all the excitement was Henry Thrun who came on the scene with two assists in his first NHL period. The Sharks are expecting a lot of offensive production from Thrun who comes to the Sharks from the Anaheim Ducks that was quite a way to start out with San Jose.

#4 Sharks center Jacob Peterson hopes to put his stamp on the Sharks offense while he’s not the status of a Logan Couture or a Erik Karlsson so far he has two goals, three assists, in six games and the Sharks to get some good production out of him for next season.

#5 The Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers (47-23-9) today in this last home game of the season. The Oilers are one of the top teams in the Western Conference who could go deep in the post season with such top players with Connor McDavid 62 goals, Leon Drisaitl 51 goals, and Ryan Nugent Hopkins 36 goals.

Troy did the San Jose Sharks podcasts during the season 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

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

Sharks Fall to Oilers 5-4 in OT, Four Goals Overturned

San Jose Sharks’ Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44), Erik Karlsson (65), Fabian Zetterlund (20) and Logan Couture (39) celebrate after a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during second-period at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks lost to the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in overtime Monday night in a contest that saw an unofficial record four goals overturned. Erik Karlsson scored a pair of goals to set a career high and Alexander Barabanov and Steven Lorentz scored as well for San Jose (19-37-15). Darnell Nurse scored the OT winner for the hosting Oilers (40-23-8) and and Mattias Ekholm netted a pair. Connor McDavid was “limited” to just two points on assists.

Tomas Hertl had a goal wiped off early in the first when Barabanov was ruled offside, but the Russian winger would atone for rushing in too early at the 5:48 mark of the first period. Barabanov took a Hertl pass and clapped a slapshot past Jack Campbell for the 1-0 lead. Nick Bjugstad answered back with his 16th of the year 1:20 later. The Oilers would have goal number two erased later in the period on a goaltender interference call off a Zach Hyman chance.

Kailer Yamamoto scored just 30 seconds into the second period for a 2-1 lead, but the Sharks had an answer on a presumed Andreas Johnsson goal. It’d be erased on another goaltender interference call with Logan Couture grazing Campbell. Steven Lorentz would tie the game at the 8:32 mark when he batted the puck past Campbell. Andrew Agozzino, called up after serving as Barracuda captain all season, had the primary assist on a tap pass for the goal.

Erik Karlsson gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead at the 10:23 mark, beating Campbell on a set of back-hand fore-hand dekes that left jaws dropped. Fabian Zetterlund and Couture assisted on Karlsson’s 21st of the year. Ekholm answered back at the 11:48 mark on a back-hander, but Karlsson stepped up again with 5:37 left in the period.

Karlsson beat Campbell on a wrist shot, his 22nd goal of the year. Karlsson now has a career year in goals after topping his 2014-15 season total of 21 and a career past in points with 87. He sits just one assist shy of matching his career-best set in 2015-16.

Noah Gregor had a goal called off for offside as well, and Ekholm then made the Sharks pay for it by tying the game with just 3:47 left in regulation. Darnell Nurse scored just 15 seconds away from a shootout to finish off the comeback.

Edmonton outshot the Sharks 51-32 including a decisive 8-3 margin in OT. James Reimer still managed a .902 save percentage, saving 46 of 51 Oilers shots in his first game since Saturday night’s refusal to wear a themed warm up jersey in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Sharks continue the Western Canada swing, facing the Canucks Thursday before returning to Alberta to face the Flames Saturday.