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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Six NHL teams play a role in playoffs; Bedard sweepstakes continues tonight; plus more

Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews will surely get a curtain call tonight as he plays his last NHL game of his career at the United Center in Chicago (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Tonight’s the night Len as six NHL teams play a role how other teams could vie for a shot at clinching the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars.

#2 Len, the Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews will play his final NHL game tonight at the United Center in Chicago against the Philadelphia Flyers. Towes is at the the end of his eight year $84 million contract and will turn 35 later this month.

#3 The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin will be a game time decision tonight due to an upper body injury. Ovechkin missed the last three games and is looking to play in this final regular season of the season. The Capitals host the New Jersey Devils tonight.

#4 Len how unbelievable is it that the Pittsburgh Penguins have made post season for the last 16 consecutive season but this season will be the first time in those 16 years that they failed to make post season.

#5 The Connor Bedard sweepstakes is coming down to the wire. Bedard with the Regina Pats and a projected No.1 draft pick might be decided tonight. The Columbus Blue Jackets with the worse percentage in the NHL at .356 two teams are runners up w the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks both with a .358 percentage.

Join Len through the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for analysis and the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Flames get winning OT goal from Toffoli; Sabres 21 yr goalie stops Rangers; plus more news

Calgary Flames’ Tyler Toffoli scores against Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko in overtime of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 31, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Lots happening between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night. The game went into overtime that saw the Flames Jonathan Huberdeau score the tying goal in the third period. The the Flames Tyler Toffoli scored the winning goal at 3:27 in overtime. The Canucks Aidan McDonough scored his first NHL goal but the Canucks fell short in OT 5-4 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

#2 The Buffalo Sabres came back to defeat the New York Rangers in overtime 3-2. Mostly thanks to the strong defensive goaltending of Devon Levi who stopped 31 Rangers shots on Friday night. This was the 21 year old’s first NHL game and Levi help keep the Rangers out of the Nets for the most part in the a close game.

#3 The Winnipeg Jets made it clear they were the dominant team against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night with a four goal 6-2 win at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The Jets Mark Scheifele scored his 39th goal of the season giving him his most goals in a season and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 shots ending a brief two game losing streak.

#4 The Dallas Stars Jason Robertson scored four points with three assists and one goal in the Stars 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. For Robertson this was a season scoring record with 95 points, 42 goals and 53 assists. This was the first time the Stars have won consecutive games since Mar 11-13.

#5 Matt, two more games for the Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang to reach 1000 games he did not play on Saturday, Letang is just two games short and Letang after some very difficult injuries and two strokes in 17 years of NHL play has arrived at the 1000 game plateau that’s saying a lot for the fight that Letang has been through.

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

Penguins’ top line sparks 3-1 victory over Sharks

The score says it all as the Pittsburgh Penguins get a two goal win over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center led by the Penguins Sid Crosby (87) who got two assists on Tue Feb 14, 2024 (@penguins photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Pittsburgh scored once in each period Tuesday to methodically defeat San Jose 3-1 at SAP Center.

Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith stopped 38 of 39 San Jose shots. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s top line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Rickard Rakell each collected three points. Crosby assisted on each goal, giving him 41 helpers on the season.

Guerntzel had two of the Penguins’ goals, including an empty-nette, while Rakell had the other Pittsburgh tally.

Timo Meier, who is rumored to be on the trading block as the trade deadline is approaching, scored his 31st goal in the third period. Aaron Dell was credited with 24 saves in his third start of the season without a win.

All-Star Erik Karlsson and Alexander Barabanov each saw their four-game point streaks come to an end.

The Penguins used an early goal by Rakell, his 19th of the season, to get a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Crosby found Guentzel with a no-look backhand pass from behind the net, Guentzel had a wide-open net to shoot at for his 22nd goal of the season,

Meier scored on a rink-long rush, beating DeSmith in the five-hole at 4:03 of the third period.

San Jose’s Logan Couture played in his 900th NHL game.

The Sharks visit the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Charanbir Mahal: Oilers, Pens, and Sens in hot pursuit of Karlsson; Sharks host Penguins tonight

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) reacts after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at the Capital Center in Washington DC on Sun Feb 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Charanbir:

#1 Lastest rumors are that the Edmonton Oilers, the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Ottawa Senators are in pursuit of San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson. We’ll start with the Ottawa Senators (25-24-3) what are the chances that Karlsson could wind up with his old team again?

#2 In 54 games so far this season Karlsson has 18 which leads all other NHL defencemen with 55 assists for 73 points. Sources say that the Edmonton Oilers (33-19-1) who are third in the NHL Western Conference could use a little help from someone like Karlsson how hot and heavy do you see those discussion with the Oilers.

#3 The Sharks are hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-17-9) tonight here at SAP Center in San Jose. The Penguins hold eighth place in the Eastern Conference and would be a force with the addition of someone like Karlsson. How do you see Karlsson complimenting players like Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

#4 If and when the Sharks part with Karlsson the Sharks who have struggled for most parts of this season still have NHL teams pursuing Timo Meier and Logan Couture but Tomas Hertl is off the table.

#5 Charanbir, Sharks and Penguins dueling it out here at SAP Center tonight. The Sharks have won only four of their last ten games and the Penguins have won five of their last ten games. The Sharks have won two of their last three games. Who do you like in this one tonight?

Charanbir Mahal is on air talent for INDTVUSA and does the Sharks podcasts during San Jose home games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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.

Couture’s 5 Points Boost Sharks to 6-4 Win Over Pens

The San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) puts the puck in the net on Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith (1) at PPG Paints Arena on Sat Jan 28, 2024 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks snapped a four game losing streak, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-4 Saturday night from PNC Arena. Logan Couture had five points, including two goals and Alex Barabanov and Erik Karlsson had multipoint nights. Evgeni Malkin scored twice for the Pens and Sidney Crosby scored as well.

Malkin scored with 9:54 left in regulation to tie the game, but Couture scored with 4:25 left to play for the lead. He also scored an empty netter for his career high 5th point and 19th goal of the year.

Michael Eyssimont scored 1:25 into the game, but Malkin and Crosby scored power play goals for a 2-1 lead. Erik Karlsson scored his 16th of the year to tie the game 2-2 with seven seconds left in the opening frame.

Noah Gregor lit the lamp 4:54 into the second period for a 3-2 lead, Ryan Poehling responded with a short-handed strike with 5:06 left in the period. Alexander Barabanov handed the Sharks the brief lead, scoring his seventh of the year with 2:53 left in the second.

Kaapo Kähkönen made 37 saves for the Sharks in net for the win while Casey Desmith made 26 in defeat.

The Sharks get a brief rest but hit the road again on the other side of the break. They’ll face Tampa Bay, Florida and Washington to kick off the second half.

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: 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