NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Len Shapiro: Maple Leafs live another day with win over Bruins; Hurricanes move to next round with win over Islanders; plus more news

The Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Matthew Knies (23) celebrates scoring an overtime goal on Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) in game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs survived being eliminated defeating the Boston Bruins 2-1 in overtime. The Leafs trail the Bruins in this first playoff round 3-2. The Leafs Matthew Knies scored at 2:26 in the overtime stanza for the game winning goal.

#2 No time like the present with the New York Islanders playing for their lives down 3-1 they were in a 3-3 tie until the third period and couldn’t hold on as the Carolina Hurricanes rallied with three goals in the third period with goals from Jack Drury, Stefan Noesen, and Evgeny Kuznetsov for the come back 6-3 as the Hurricanes advance to the next round.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche had a 3-2 lead going into the third period in game five and the series lead as well at 3-1 against the Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche added three more goals in the third period to put away the Jets and came away with a three goal 6-3 win in Winnipeg.

#4 The Nashville Predators came into game 5 down 1-3 against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and were facing elimination and defeated the Vancouver Canucks in razor close game 2-1. All the scoring took place in the third period with the Canucks Nikita Zadorov scoring to start the period at 3:11 on a wrist shot, then the Predators came back with two unanswered goals by Roman Josi at 7:15 to tie it 1-1 and Alexander Carrier at 12:46 for the winning goal for a 2-1 final.

#5 Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said on Tuesday that signing Steven Stamkos is a priority. BriseBois told the media two days after the Florida Panthers eliminated the Lightning at locker cleanout day in Tampa Bay that Stamkos “needs a contract and we want him part of that group.”Stamkos signed an eight year $68 million contract back in 2016 with the Lightning

Len does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts each Wednesday or Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Mary Lisa: Panthers and Hurricanes on verge of moving to next round now just one win away

The Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour (62) celebrates his goal with teammate defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (91) scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period of game 3 of the firs round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena in Tampa FL on Thu Apr 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Game three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs puts the Tampa Bay Lightning on the brink as they are down 0-3 against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers took game three 5-3 on Thursday night in Tampa Bay. The Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk scored twice and the goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots and allowed three goals in the win.

#2 Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said that he doesn’t feel the 3-0 lead and that he feels all these games are tight. Game 2 was an overtime that the Panthers on in Miami 3-2 on Tuesday just for an example. Maurice said it’s tight and that’s what he’s expecting for the next game on Saturday afternoon for game four.

#3 The Carolina Hurricanes against the New York Islanders got scoring help from Brent Burns in the first period who scored his first goal of the playoffs at 4:46 and the Hurricanes edged out the Isles 3-2 at UBS Arena in Elmont. We mentioned Burns as you saw him for years when he was in San Jose and now he’s on this successful Hurricanes team who leads New York 3-0 in this first round.

#4 Mary Lisa, the Hurricanes also got some good goaltending from Frederik Andersen who stopped 29 out of 31 shots in this close game.

#5 Islanders on are on the brink in game four against the Hurricanes need to win big or go home. The Islanders have lost each of he first three games 3-1, 5-3 and 3-2. The Islanders once again have home ice today and if they ever had to use it to their advantage this game would be it.

Join Mary Lisa for the Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Taking a look at the playoff match ups for this weekend

The New York Islanders Matt Barzal (13) led with 80 points during the regular season for the Isles as New York faces the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs this Sat Apr 20, 2024 in game 1 (AP file photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len lets take each of the NHL Playoffs games that are coming up this Saturday and Sunday. The first game New York Islanders (39-27-16) and the Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7). The Islanders Matt Barzal led with 80 points, Brock Nelson 34 goals, Noah Dobson 60 assists. The Hurricanes Sebastian Aho leads in 89 points, 36 goals, and 53 assists.

#2 Next match up are the Boston Bruins with David Pastrnak leading in all three categories with 110 points, 47 goals, and 63 assists. The Toronto Maple Leafs have Auston Matthews leading in points at 107, 69 goals, and Mitch Marner with 59 assists.

#3 The next pairing are the Tampa Bay Lightning with Nikita Kucherov leading with 144 points and 100 assists and Brayden Point leading in goals with 46. The Florida Panthers Sam Rienhart leads in points with 94 and 57 goals and Matthew Tkachuk has 62 assists.

#4 The Washington Capitals Dylan Stronme leads with 67 points, Alex Ovechkin 31 goals, and 42 assists for John Carlson. For the New York Rangers Artemi Panarin leads in all three categories in points 120, goals 49 and assists 71.

#5 The most active players without a Stanley Cups.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks try to snap nine game skid tonight against Ottawa at SAP Center

The New York Islanders center Matthew Barzal (13) skates away from the net after scoring on the San Jose Sharks goalie Magnus Chrona (30) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Mar 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Troy, the New York Islanders just really took it to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday at SAP Center here in San Jose. Scoring four goals in the second period to bury the Sharks 7-2.

#2 In the Sharks last four out of six games they have given up six or more goals and had given up seven goals in three of those.

#3 The Sharks got scoring help from Thomas Bordeleau and Mike Hoffman in their ninth consecutive loss. The Sharks just couldn’t get any offense going in the five goal loss.

#4 The Sharks started Magnus Chrona who save 26 shots but allowed the whopping seven goals another tough outing for Chrona.

#5 The Sharks are trying to rebuild again with their recent trades getting draft picks for Anthony Duclair who was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tomas Hertl who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2025 number one draft pick and forward David Edstrom.

Troy Ewers is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson: Duclair dealt to Tampa Bay for Jack Thompson and 2024 3rd round selection

Former San Jose Shark forward Anthony Duclair was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning as announced by the Sharks before Thu Mar 7, 2024’s game between the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose (photo from the Tampa Bay Lighting)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Titus Wilkinson:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (15-39-7) traded away forward Anthony Duclair who had been on the trade block for awhile to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Sharks also sent a seventh round draft pick in the 2025 NHL draft for defenseman Jack Thompson and the Lightning’s third round selection in the 2024 NHL draft. What mostly led to Duclair’s being traded?

#2 Duclair 28, played in 56 games for the Sharks this campaign scoring 16 goals, five power play goals, totaling 27 points. Duclair who was an asset for the Sharks scored his 15th plus goals per season for the fifth time in his career.

#3 Rough going in the Sharks last game against the Dallas Stars Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks unfolded San Jose with three unanswered goals in the third period erasing San Jose’s lead and defeating San Jose 7-6 at SAP Arena in San Jose.

#4 The Star Wyatt Johnston scored his first career hat trick which was one of the factors for the Stars win and the Sharks just had a hard time shutting the Stars down.

#5The Stars Roope Hintz scored the overtime goal to put the final touches on the contest. Hintz had been playing mostly in the offensive zone through out the game and ended up taking a pass from Logan Stankoven in the slot and got the shot past Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen for the game winner.

#6 The Sharks battle the New York Islanders (27-20-14) tonight here at SAP Center. The Islanders are fourth the Metropolitan Division having a 5-3-2 record in their last ten games and they have won four game in a row coming into tonight.

Titus Wilkinson is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Stadium Series gets TV ratings boost from outdoor games; Canes Andersen is on the way back from blood clotting; plus more news

TV ratings were up 21% at the Met Life East Rutherford in the NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series on Sat Feb 17 with the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the New Jersey Devils and on Sun Feb 18 New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the NHL Stadium Series with the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils on Sat 17th and the New York Rangers and New York Islanders Sun 18th were big hits at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford. Both games combined for 150,000 fans and the TV rating were up 21% from last season’s Stadium Series. ABC TV had 1.37 million viewers and 449,000 in the 18-49 demographic.

#2 Len talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews he’s been unstoppable on Wednesday night he scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in 54 games. Matthews also has 24 assists and a total of 75 points. San Ramon’s very own Matthews was born in your neck of the woods Contra Costa County.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard is a big fan of the Detroit Red Wings Patrick Kane for the first time this season. Bedard who will face Kane who has won the Stanley Cup three times and looks at it as a challenge and an honor to face one of the best former Blackhawks in history. Face off between the two teams at the United Center in Chicago is Sunday at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT.

#4 The Philadelphia Flyers after winning three straight games dropped their next two one to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the second to the New Jersey Devils. Flyers head coach John Tortorella was barking at his players during the Monday morning skate “not enough” and said he wanted “more from everybody” and it looked like it worked as the Flyers who took on the Blackhawks on Wednesday night and played a much tighter game and getting the win 3-1.

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers have expressed interest in a possible trade for the San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin and defenseman Mario Ferraro. Ferraro is in the third year of his four year $13 million contract and Kunin is under team control and would be a restricted free agent after this season. The Sharks would get a first rounder from either club.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stadium Series game 2 Rangers vs Islanders: Rangers Panarin supplies goal for 6-5win in overtime against Islanders; Game delayed 45 minutes

The New York Islanders Cal Clutterbuck bring the puck from the back of the net (far right) against the New York Rangers in the NHL Stadium Series at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey on Sun Feb 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Rangers beat their biggest rival, the New York Islanders, in an overtime 6-5 win in game two of the NHL Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium that had similarities to the Super Bowl.

The NHL’s 41st outdoor game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon was the second of historic back-to-back games at the same venue.

Artemi Panarin made an unassisted shot 10 seconds into overtime to win it for the Rangers.

“The weather was great. Two teams played hard and you know they had their moments, we had our moments,” said Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette. “It goes to overtime and obviously it was a big goal for us by Panarin but it was unbelievable.”

At 1:28 into the first period, Erik Gustafsson made a slap shot assisted by Kaapo Kakko and Jonny Brodzinski to put the Rangers up 1-0. A fight broke out on the ice shortly after.

After the Rangers’ first goal, it was all Islanders. At 4:20 in, Brock Nelson made a wrist shot goal, his 23rd of the season, assisted by Scott Mayfield and Cal Clutterbuck to even the score at 2-2. Then Bo Hovart made a wrist shot assisted by Noah Dobson and Adam Pelech at 7:18. Sixteen seconds later, Mathew Barzal had a tip-in power play goal assisted by Nelson and Dobson to boost the Islanders up 3-1.

The Islanders got off to a good start in the second period as well, with Andres Lee making a wrist shot power play goal assisted by Peirre Engvall and Mike Reilly at 1:03 in to extend their lead to 4-1.

The Rangers showed they were far from giving up as Vincent Trocheck made a wrist shot power play goal assisted by Panarin and Adam Fox at 5:36 into the period to cut the Rangers’ lead to 4-2. Then at 18:24, Trocheck made a wrist shot assisted by Alexis Lafrèniere and Ryan Lindgren so the Rangers trailed by one point to end the period.

The Islanders started the third period strong too as Alexander Romanov hit a snap shot assisted by Dobson at 1:53 in to put them up 5-3. But Chris Kreider on a 6-on-4 power play made a wrist shot assisted by Panarin and Trocheck at 15:52 into the period to come within one point of the Isles. Then at 18:31 in another 6-on-4 power play, Mika Zibanejad made a slap shot assisted by Fox and Lafrèniere to tie the game at 5-5 and take it into overtime. The rest was history for the Rangers.

“It’s a game we’ve been looking forward to. The atmosphere was incredible and to win in the way we did was incredible,” said Zibanejad of the comeback.

It was a crushing blow for the Isles, who have lost multiple games this season in which they lead. But head coach Patrick Roy

“As a coach, ’cause I’m not a player, I feel good about our game,” he said. “Yes, those penalties at the end hurt us, but we did a lot of good things.”

When the puck dropped around 3:45 p.m. ET, it was 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Attendance was 79,690, exceeding game one of the Stadium Series on Saturday night when the New Jersey Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3. The indie pop band AJR, who are from New York City, performed during the first intermission.

The first-ever back-to-back outdoor games at the same venue was a resounding success for the NHL. From the PreGame fan festival in the middle of tailgating lots to the NHL Stadium Series Park theme that incorporated park elements like grass and paths surrounding the ice rink, it was a larger than life hockey experience that proved that the league is in a spectacular place.

Panarin said he almost cried before the game.

“I had to hold back tears because it was such a spectacle,” he said in Russian. “The support we got from our fans was exactly what we needed to secure the win.”

The Rangers (36-16-3) remain in first place in the Metro division and host the Dallas Stars on Thursday. The Islanders (22-18-14) are fifth in the Metro division and visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.

NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series podcast with Jessica Kwong: Outdoor Stadium Series continues with Flyers vs. Devils; Rangers vs. Islanders this weekend at Met Life Stadium

NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series at Met Life Stadium East Rutherford New Jersey begins Sat Feb 17, 2024 with Philadelphia vs. New Jersey and Sun Feb 18, 2024 NY Rangers vs. NY Islanders (ESPN image)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica lots of anticipated excitement regarding the 2024 NHL Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey.

#2 The first game features the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils on Sat Feb 17th. The outdoor game between these two teams has the Flyers who are in third place in the Metropolitan Division at 29-19-6. The Flyers have won four straight games. New Jersey is just behind the Flyers with a 27-21-4 in fourth place. This could be a pretty evenly match game. A 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET face off.

#3 In the second game Sun Feb 18 at Met Life it’s the battle of the crosstown rivals the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. The Rangers who are first place in the Metropolitan Division they have won five straight games 34-16-3 with a whopping 71 points. The Islanders are in fifth place 22-18-13 they have lost their last two games. No matter where these two teams are in the standings it’s a rivalry and expect neither to give in especially on a big stage like the Stadium Outdoor series. Face off on Sunday 12:00pm PT/ET 3:00pm.

#4 Met Life Stadium capacity is 82,500 and is expected to be a sell out. This attendance for this game could rival one of the NFL games that is played at the stadium on a regular basis that’s how popular these outdoor games are.

#5 One of the featured attractions of the Stadium Series this will be the 40th and 41st outdoor games this will be the first time that four teams will play at the same venue for the New York/New Jersey fans. This will be the fifth outdoor game for the Flyers (1-3-1), the Rangers have a perfect record in the outdoor games (4-0-0), the Devils and Islanders have played in just one outdoor game and share the same outdoor record (0-1-0).

Jessica Kwong hosts Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks coming off 3-3 road trip face Oilers tonight at SAP Center

The Vegas Golden Knights right winger Jonathan Marchessault (81) skates against the San Jose Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun (3) at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Sun Dec 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 The last game on the road trip for the San Jose Sharks (8-17-3) they took an shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights (19-5-5) 6-5 at the T Mobile Center. The Knights Jonathan Marchessault scored twice in regulation and got the winning shoot out goal on Sunday night.

#2 The Sharks are fully aware what a Marchessault can do and he was the difference in this game where the Sharks hung with the Knights in a close game 6-5.

#3 The Sharks were 3-3 on this past road trip and defeated some of the leagues tougher teams on this trip with wins over the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and the Detroit Red Wings.

#4 Troy wanted to ask you about some of the Sharks scorers on Sunday Mike Hoffman with two goals, Calen Addison and Mario Ferraro both with a goal a piece. They made it close against the Knights which is a huge improvement after how they struggled earlier this season.

#5 The Sharks are taking on the Winnipeg Jets tonight, the Jets are on a run they’ve won four straight games and the Jets (16-8-2) in their last game defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 in Anaheim. The Jets are no pushovers but the Sharks have played much improved hockey how do you see this match up tonight at SAP Center.

Troy Ewers is a San Jose Sharks beat writers for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Three brothers play same game; Flames Markstrom is week to week; plus more NHL news

Vancouver Canucks Dakota Joshua (81) gets the knock down by the New Jersey Devils Luke Hughes (43) during the second period at the Rogers Centre in Vancouver on Tue Dec 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 It wasn’t the movie Slap Shot as the combination of three brothers played in the same game on Tuesday night in Vancouver. The New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes had a goal and two assists and Jack’s younger brother Luke Hughes scored a power play goal against the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks Quinn Hughes had two assists in the third period. The Devils wound up edging the Canucks 6-5 at Rogers Centre.

#2 Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom is listed week to week after sustaining a fractured finger during practice on Monday. The Flames called up goaltender Dustin Wolf from their AHL affiliate. Markstrom 33, is 6-8-2 with 2.94 goals against.

#3 Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar did not play against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. Makar is listed out with a lower body injury. Makar skated in practice on Tuesday. Makar did not play against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday in the 4-1 loss.

#4 The Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk and Vladmir Tarasenko each had a goal against the first place New York Rangers (10-2-1) on Tuesday night. Anton Forsberg stopped 33 shots for the Sens and Claude Giroux and Drake Batherson scored for Senators (10-10-0).

#5 Jessica, in a game you covered the San Jose Sharks came back and defeated the New York Islanders on William Eklund’s overtime goal with five seconds left to defeat the Isles 5-4 on Tuesday night.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com