NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Marchand scores goal in his first game of season; Farabee factor in Flyers win against Florida

Goaltender Ville Husso of the Detroit Red Wings (left) is exasperated with disappointment as the jubilant Boston Bruins left winger Brad Marchand (right) scores in the first period at TD Garden in Boston on Thu Oct 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Boston Bruins Brad Marchand scored twice and had one assist. It was Marchand’s first appearance for 2022-23 as the Bruins are now on a four game winning streak.

#2 Joel Farabee scored a goal and got an assist for the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart stopped 47 shots as the Flyers came away with a 4-3 win against the Florida Panthers to improve their season record to 5-2.

#3 The Montreal Canadiens snapped a two game loss streak with a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabers as the Habs Josh Anderson scored with just four minutes remaining to get the Canadiens a one goal win in Buffalo.

#4 The Vancouver Canucks are looking to boost their roster after going winless in their first seven games they beat the Seattle Kraken 5-4 on Thursday night. The Canucks picked up Ethan Bear and Lane Pederson. Canucks GM Patrick Allvin said that Bear provides a good shot, someone who could clear the zone, and his transition game.

#5 The San Jose Sharks Logan Couture who scored his 300th career goal on Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs in San Jose said that he plays the game to win but appreciates the milestone of getting to number 300.

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

Sharks Finish 2021 With a 3-2 OT Win Over Flyers

San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) scores an overtime goal on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Felix Sandstrom (32) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 30, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE– The San Jose Sharks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in overtime on Thursday. Logan Couture, Brent Burns and Tomas Hertl scored for the Sharks and James Reimer made 23 saves for the win. Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee scored for the Flyers and Felix Sandstrom made 43 saves in the loss.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner said:

“I thought we played a complete 60 minutes. You know, no game is without mistakes, both teams made ’em. But I thought we played to our game plan, to our mentality, we grinded it out. Would have been nice if we found a little more puck luck earlier in the game.”

James Reimer took a moment to mention the opposing goaltender, Felix Sandstrom:

“Honestly, we should probably spend 30 seconds to a minute talking about their goalie. Hats off to him. I think that was his first start and a really tough situation for him. I think they got in pretty late last night. And obviously their team didn’t have their legs tonight. So, you know, hats off to him. He played great and he should be proud of his first game.”

(The Flyers did not arrive until 4:30 am)

The Sharks out-shot the Flyers 12-7 in the first period, but failed to score, even with two power plays. Instead, Morgan Frost got the Flyers on the board at 15:23. Travis Konecny raced through the neutral zone with the puck before dropping it to Oskar Lindblom on the outside. Lindblom gave it right back and Konecny centered if for Frost.

Logan Couture tied the game with a short-handed goal at 5:20 of the second period. Couture chased the puck down in the neutral zone after Cogliano got it out. Couture then pushed the puck past Keith Yandle for a self pass and made a dash for the net. It was his 11th of the season. Assists went to Cogliano and Jacob Middleton.

Brent Burns gave the Sharks the lead at 7:20. Tomas Hertl carried the puck into the zone, then spun around and made a pass to Brent Burns, who making a beeline for the net. Assists went to Hertl and Middleton.

The Sharks out-shot the Flyers 16-9 in the second period. Their power play had two chances but no shots. Their penalty kill allowed one shot and took three in two kills.

Midway through the third period, the Sharks had to kill a 5-on-3, with Brent Burns and Timo Meier in the box. Their penalty kill allowed just two shots. San Jose followed that up by stretching out a delayed penalty for 45 seconds with a line change thrown in. In all, the Sharks out-shot the Flyers 16-7 in the third. Still, the Flyers scored.

Joel Farabee took a pass from Oskar Lindblom and took a shot from the top of the face-off circle. His shot got by Middleton’s stick and Reimer’s blocker to tie the game. Assists went to Lindblom and Yandle.

Tomas Hertl ended it in the final 30 seconds of overtime. Erik Karlsson carried the puck in with Hertl 2-on-1 against Travis Sanheim. Karlsson centered the puck at the last second. Hertl’s first shot did not go but he knocked the rebound in.

The Sharks only won 46% of the face-offs but they out-shot the Flyers 46-25.

The Sharks next play on Sunday against the Penguins in Pittsburgh at 10:00 AM PT. The Sharks added defenseman Mario Ferraro to their COVID-19 protocol list Thursday, and removed forward Jonathan Dahlen.