Reinhart, Staal Score Two to lead Cats Past Sharks 4-1

There were plenty of Florida Panthers group hugs especially down the stretch when the Panthers scored two short handed goals against the San Jose Sharks in final seconds of the third period at Fla Live Arena in Sunrise on Thu Feb 9, 2023 (@FlaPanthers photo)

by Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks saw Sam Reinhart and Eric Staal (two empty-netters) score two goals each to fall to the Florida Panthers 4-1 Thursday night in Florida. Alexander Barabanov scored his eighth goal of the year and Erik Karlsson picked up his astonishing 53rd assist.

The defenseman now has 70 points in just 53 games with an assist-per-game pace for San Jose (16-26-11). For Florida (26-22-6), Sergei Bobrovsky won his 350th game, making 33 saves on 34 Sharks shots.

Sharks coach David Quinn rode the hot hand, giving goalie Kaapo Kähkönen the net after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday. He made 38 saves on 40 shots faced, rewarding his coach’s confidence.

With James Reimer’s name floated by the media as a potential trade target, Kähkönen could be in line to get the bulk of starts. Another possible trade chip Timo Meier was on the ice for all four Cats goals.

Barabanov scored on the rebound to open the game at the 5:09 mark. Erik Karlsson kept a clearing attempt in the offensive zone, walked the blue line and ripped a shot on Bobrovsky that landed on Barabanov’s stick for the second chance that he buried.

The 1-0 lead would hold until the 4:30 mark of the second period then Sam Reinhart took over. Reinhart carried the puck into the offensive zone and ripped a shot under Kähkönen’s glove for his 18th of the year.

Reinhart’s second of the period and game came with 41 seconds left in the period. Eetu Luostarinen took a shoot on net while falling that Reinhart redirected past Kähkönen for a 2-1 lead.

Luostarinen also assisted on Eric Staal’s first empty net goal with 1:39 left in regulation. Staal would add a second 35 seconds later for the 4-1 scoreline. The Panthers win came with Alexander Barkov out with an injury.

The Sharks play one last road game before returning home, going 2-3-2 so far on the trip. They face the Capitals in D.C. Sunday. They’ll only be home for a brief stop against the Penguins on Valentine’s Day before a roadie to Vegas Thursday.

Sharks Stun Lightning, Surge to 4-3 Comeback OT Win

The San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier (28) and defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrate after a goal at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on Tue Feb 7, 2023 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks opened the unofficial second half of the season with a bang, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime Tuesday night. Timo Meier scored a pair of goals and had an assist, Erik Karlsson had a goal and two assists and Kaapo Kähkönen made 34 saves to pick up the road win.

Brayden Point scored a pair and Ross Colton also lit the lamp but the Lightning (32-16-2) saw their home wine streak end at 12 games. San Jose (16-25-11) was outshot 37-22 but walked away with the two points.

Now that Bo Horvat has found a new home on Long Island, Meier has become the center piece for teams looking to add at the trade deadline. Despite a 10 million dollar qualifying offer expected for next year, the Swiss forward showed why he’ll cost suitors a hefty bounty. One of the premier power forwards in the league, both his goals came about five ten feet out from Brian Elliott in the Tampa net.

The game-winner, 2:19 into overtime, came after Meier drove the net and was able to sneak behind two Lightning defenders. He took the feed from Erik Karlsson, no stranger to trade chatter himself, to bury his 30th of the year.

Jonah Gadjovich deflected the tying goal 3:08 into the third, his third of the year, but before that Meier’s talents were on display for the Sharks second goal of the night. Meier, skating on the power play where his nose for the net and propensity to rip his sharp wristers, did just that with 3:37 left in the second buried.

While the penalty kill collapsed to Elliott’s right, Meier skated to the crease on the off-wing. He took the Alexander Barabanov pass off what looked like a set faceoff play and buried it for his first of the night.

The aforementioned Karlsson negated an early Colton goal to tie the game 6:28 into the first, his 17th goal of the year. Karlsson wired a shot through traffic that found its way on net as so many of his shots have this year, beating Elliott.

Brayden Point took over the first period though scoring goals 9:21 into the frame and 16:44 into the first period. The second came on the power play, normally a strength for the Bolts but against the Sharks they went just one for six and went five power plays without a shot on goal.

The Sharks continue their split eight game road trip, facing the Florida Panthers in Sunrise on Thursday. They’re now riding a two-game win streak after beating the Penguins in the last game before the break. They’ll face the Capitals in DC Sunday before finally heading home.

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

Red Wings Take 3-2 OT Win Over Sharks, San Jose Loses Third In A Row

Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp (18) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks during overtime in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Little Caesars Pizza Palace in Detroit (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

San Jose twice found responses to the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night at little Caesars Arena, but Andrew Copp scored 25 seconds into overtime to hand the Sharks (14-25-10) their third loss in a row and sixth loss in seven games.

Erik Karlsson assisted on both Sharks goals, strikes by Logan Couture and Timo Meier and James Reimer made 32 saves in the loss. Ville Husso made 28 saves in net for the Red Wings (20-18-8), Michael Rasmussen had a goal and an assist and Adam Erne also lit the lamp for the Winged Wheel.

Copp’s game winner, his fifth of the year, came on a net front scramble after a Rasmussen shot bounced off Reimer. With Reimer down and all skaters searching for the puck, Copp picked up the loose change to end the game.

Erne opened the scoring on a tip-in 2:17 into the second period, but Timo Meier was able to cash in on a wrap around from behind the net to Husso’s left, scoring his 28th goal of the year 7:58 into the period. Karlsson and Tomas Hertl assisted on the goal.

While Little Caesars may not have the lively boards that Joe Louis Arena was known for, the Wings still can benefit from a Detroit bounce from time to time.

That was the case for Rasmussen’s goal, after a clearing attempt off the glass by a Sharks defender found its way right back into the slot on an unexpected carom. Rasmussen was there to wire it home past Reimer for a 2-1 Detroit lead with 3:31 left in the second.

Couture tied the game in the closing seconds of the middle frame, beating Husso with just seven seconds remaining before the second intermission. Karlsson took a pair of shots that took healthy bounces off a pair of Wings defenders. Couture, waiting to Husso’s left, managed to bat the puck out of mid-air for his 17th goal of the year.

Nico Sturm nearly won the game for San Jose on a breakaway after a dogged back check forced a Wings turn over, but Husso was able to shut the door to set up Copp’s heroics.

The Sharks continue the arduous roadie, heading to Carolina to face Brent Burns Friday night. They’ll then head to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins in a back-to-back before adjourning for the All-star Break. They’ll open post break with contests against the Lightning and Panthers on the road , finishing up with another road game in Washington D.C. Sunday the 12th. In total, that’s four playoff teams of five with the Panthers also waiting in the playoff wings.

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Forsberg and Sissons lead Nashville to 6-1 win in Anaheim; Canes Raanta shutsout Panthers 4-0; plus more NHL news

Nashville Predators center Juuso Parssinen, center, misses the puck on a rebound with Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson, left, and right wing Troy Terry defending during the second period at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Fri Dec 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Nashville Predators Filip Forsberg had a goal and two assists, Colton Sissons scored a goal and an assist as the Predators defeated the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center in Anaheim 6-1.

#2 Matt the Predators also got scoring help from Yokov Trenin, Thomas Novak, Roman Josi, and Nino Niederreiter the win ended Nashville’s two game loss streak.

#3 Jesperi Kokaniemi supplied the offense for the the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-0 defeat over the Florida Panthers. Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta saved 19 shots on goal by the Panthers and picked up his first shoutout for the 2022-23 campaign.

#4 The New Jersey Devils got a two goal win over the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2. The Pens Jack Hughes scored two goals and teammate Nico Hischier scored a shorthanded goal as the Devils (13-2-1) are one of the hottest road teams in the NHL.

#5 Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon skated for the first time since his Dec 5 upper body injury. MacKinnon practiced at the morning skate on Friday and might get into Saturday’s line up against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks can’t finish late in games drop third straight contest to Florida

Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart, right, scores the winning goal against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) in shootout stanza at SAP Center on Thu Nov 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Len, You said it during the game last night the San Jose Sharks continue to have trouble finishing games late they dropped their third straight game, two games in shootouts Tuesday and Thursday nights to the Anaheim Ducks the Florida Panthers.

#2 Panthers center Sam Reinhart scored the winning goal in a shootout to help the Panther pick up a 4-3 win at SAP Center in San Jose on Thursday night.

#3 The Panther had some offense going as Carter Verhaeghes scored a goal and an assist and also goal help from Aleksander Barkov and Radko Gudas. Matthew Tkachuk got three assists and Anton Lundell had two. Lightning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky saved 36 shots.

#4 The Sharks Erik Karlsson continues to find the back of the net scoring a goal and two assists. Karlsson has been doing everything right on offense including getting a hat trick on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks.

#5 The Ducks come back to San Jose on Saturday night as the Sharks try and pick up their second win on the current six game homestand which concludes with Anaheim. As the starting goalies for Saturday are John Gibson for Anaheim and James Reimer for San Jose.

Join Len Shapiro for San Jose Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Panthers score late goal force shootout against Sharks who drop third game in a row in 4-3 final

Erik Karlsson smiles as he gets ready for a game against the Florida Panthers on November 3rd at SAP Center in San Jose (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Sharks played the Florida Panthers at home were they lost in a very similar fashion as last game falling in a shootout by 4-3.

In a game between west and east coast teams you usually expect a little bit of a feeling process but the Sharks and the Panthers wasted no time at all.

The first line for San Jose got the juices flowing putting the Panthers on their toes with a couple of chances form Jacob Megna and Alexander Barabonov.

Alexander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk saw fit to respond though with a couple chances of their own but James Riemer held on strong.

The Sam Bennet line was also giving the Sharks some troubles as the Panthers began to grab onto the momentum and not let go.

10:46 into the first period Luke Kunin hit Patric Hornqvist that made contact with his head and sent him crumpled to the ice.

Ryan Lomberg skated over and responded by pushing Kunin down to the ice.

After the referees took their time and looked at the hit to see if it was a game misconduct they decided it was. Thus giving the Panthers a five minute power play as well as ejecting Kunin from the game.

Going into this game though the Panthers have had one of the worst power plays and it showed early.

Florida could not get much going to start with and the penalty kill unit looked solid.

Late into the power play though Tkachuk fead out in front to Barkov who then did a give and go with Anton Lundell out front. With Reimer scrambling back and forth Barkov tucked it in from Lundell and Tkachuk to make it 1-0 13:43 into the first period.

The rest of the period played out with the Panther keeping up the positive momentum getting some more chances.

It continued to be one goal lead for Florida heading into the intermission with the Panthers also leading in shots at 19-9.

The second period started off similarly for the Sharks as the chances came early. Bobrovsky though held on and stymied the offense for the Sharks.

After that it was a relatively quiet period as both teams kept it at a tight checking affair.

The fireworks began late into the period as Radko Gudas on a one-timer from the point fired one past Reimer to make it 2-0. The assists going to both Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe as Reimer most likely would want that one back.

Tomas Hertl not too long after the goal almost managed to respond as he fired one on net that squeezed through Bobrovsky’s pads. Coming in to save the day Gudas would fly in and sweep the puck away.

Not quite done yet Gudas then proceeded to board Timo Meier causing a scrum though no fight came out of the talking.

It ended up only being a two minute penalty but was late enough that the penalty carried over into the third period.

The shots at the end of the second being 33-22 in favor of Florida.

For the Panthers the third period couldn’t get off too a much worse start as Gustav Forsling took a penalty to make it a five on three for the Sharks.

On the ensuing power play Barabonov found Meier wide open on the right wing who sniped it past a sprawled out Bobrovsky. Erik Karlsson also got an apple on the play continuing his torrid streak.

The Panthers would manage to kill off the rest of the penalty but not too long after Karlsson found the back of the net yet again. This time right off the face-off shooting it through a maze of players and over Bobrovsky’s blocker.

Nick Bonino would end up with the only assist as the Sharks had managed to tie the game at two.

After the quick spree of Sharks goals the play evened out for a little bit. Around five minutes after Karlsson’s goal another Sharks defensman found the board.

This time it was Matt Benning firing one from the point alluding Bobrovsky but most importantly giving the Sharks the lead at 3-2. Karlsson and Logan Couture would end up with the assists on the play.

The Sharks then strapped down and tried to hold on as Florida pulled their goalie.

At first the Sharks appeared to be in good shape with the Panthers not able to find the tying goal.

18:38 into the third period in the dying moments Verhaeghe walked in from the left wing boards and shot it past Reimer to tie it. Helping out with the heart breaking goal would be Tkachuk and Lindell.

Yet again SAP Center got extra hockey with Matt Nieto, Nico Sturm, and Mario Ferraro starting for the Sharks in overtime.

The overtime period was rather even until the Sharks took a too many men penalty and gave Florida the perfect opportunity to win.

Thankfully for San Jose though just 15 seconds into the power play as Brandon Montour took a penalty for holding.

Both teams played out the rest of the period back to three skaters each, forcing another shootout for the Sharks.

It was the second shootout in a row for the Sharks as they dropped their previous shootout against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks have lost three games in a row all on home ice to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ducks and Thursday night to the Panthers.

This one would be no different as Sam Reinhart scored in the fourth round to win it 4-3.

The Sharks next game will be another home game this time against the Anaheim Ducks this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Binnington lost for rest of second round lower body injury; Lightning lights up the lamp leads Panthers; plus more

Colorado Avalanche left winger JT Compher (37) reaches for the puck against the St Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) during game 3 of the Western Conference second round playoffs at the Enterprise Center in St Louis. This would be Binnington’s last game for this round due to an injury on Sat May 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 St Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington will miss the rest of the Western Conference second round with a lower body injury rumored to be left leg against the Colorado Avalanche. Binnington got hurt during game 3 when teammate Calle Rosen and Aves Nazem Kadri knocked Binnington over. How is the loss of Binnington going to impact the Blues the rest of the second round?

#2 Also Colorado’s Samuel Girard is out for the rest of the playoffs with a broken sternum in game 3 in the first period at 1:42 on Saturday he was checked hard by the Blues Ivan Barbashev.

#3  In the battle of Florida The Tampa Bay Lightning are in the driver’s seat with the series lead 3-0 and their getting some great scoring not to mention great goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy in their game 3 win today 5-1.

#4 The Carolina Hurricanes lead the series 2-1 against the New York Rangers and played game 3 today at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won a crucial game 3-1 how did home ice pay off for the Rangers today?

#5 The Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers are battling it out in Edmonton the Flames had Oilers came back on the Flames in game 1 only to lose the lead 9-6. The Oilers bounced back in game 2 with a 5-2 win and goaltender Mike Smith stopped 37 shots.

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