NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Pavelski is a game time decision for Stars; Markar suspended 1 game for interference hit; plus more

Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski will be a game time decision for game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Fri Apr 28 in Minnesota according the Stars head coach Peter DeBoer. (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 There will be a game six in Tampa Bay against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Lightning came away with a 4-2 win tonight the Leafs lead the series 3-2. Game six Saturday.

#2 After suffering a game 1 concussion against the Minnesota Wild Joe Pavelski has not played since April 17th and the Stars head coach Peter DeBoer says that Pavelski would be a game time decision for Friday night for game 6. Pavelski was checked by Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, Pavelski also was hit in the face with a stick by Wild forward Ryan Hartman and got caught between Dumba and Hartman.

#3 Len, talk about the check by the Colorado Avalanche Cale Makar for an interference on the Seattle Kraken’s forward Jared McCann. McCann was skating into the corner when the puck was hit into the netting behind the goal and Makar had lightly push McCann then when they got near the boards Makar shoved McCann into the boards which caused an injury to McCann.

#4 Len, talk about New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid who held the New York Rangers to just one goal on Monday night at Madison Square Garden in the Devils 3-1 win. New Jersey the win tied the series 2-2. Schmid stopped 22 of 23 shots which was key as the defense and Schmid’s performance was stellar.

#5 Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele will sit out against the Vegas Golden Knights for game 5. Scheifele was injured at during game 4 Monday night when got a upper body injury. Jets head coach Rick Bowness said that Scheifele will be out for game 5 who has one goal in four playoff games. Scheifele lead the Jets with 42 goals during the regular season.

Join Len for the NHL Stanley Cup playoff podcasts each Thursday 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

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: Alfredsson, Luongo, Sedin Twins on the way to the Hall of Fame; Milano’s two goals helps Caps defeat Bolts; plus more news

Daniel Alfredsson former Ottawa Senator, Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin and Hendrik Sedin former Vancouver Canucks are all heading for enshrinement into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame (NHL.com file photo with NHL.com writer Nick Cotsonika insert)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Three names came up and are on the way to be in the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto Daniel Alfredsson, Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin and Hendrik Sedin. Alfredsson almost won the Stanley Cup Championship with the 2007 Ottawa Senators, Luongo and the Sedin Twins nearly won a cup when they lost to the Boston Bruins in Vancouver in game 7 in 2011. All are going to the Hall of Fame.

#2 Sonny Milano helped the Washington Capitals get a win on Friday night with two goals over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Capital One Arena in DC. The Caps got great goaltending from Darcey Kuemper who stopped 28 shots in the 5-1 win.

#3 Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets will be out for the rest of the season after attempting to make a check but missed and hit the boards separating his shoulder and tore a labrum at 17:01. Werenski scored a goal and got an assist before leaving the game.

#4 Matt, with the war in Ukraine going and no end in sight the NHL and the NHLPA have canceled the World Cup of Hockey saying it’s not feasible for a return for 2024. It was reported that it is uncertain for Russia to have a team as the NHL has suspended all business with Russia during the war.

#5 Timo Meier scored a goal in five straight games doing it again against the Dallas Stars and helping the San Jose Sharks defeat Dallas 5-4. The Sharks got a goal each from Alex Barabanov, Logan Couture, and Tomas Hertl and goaltender James Reimer stopped 24 shots.

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

Back and forth affair between Sharks and Lightning ends with Tampa getting victory by score of 4-3

Photo credit to San Jose Sharks twitter. Sharks Logan Couture skates by the bench while the Sharks goal horn goes off at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Oct 29, 2022

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

In what was a very close affair the San Jose Sharks played host to the Tampa Bay Lightning and lost on home ice by a final of 4-3 on Saturday night.

The start of this game was quite the reverse of last game against the Toronto Maple Leafs were they got off to a solid start. Instead in this one the Lightning would strike very early into the game.

The goal was not quite as quick as Couture’s goal last game but instead 31 seconds in Victor Hedman finished on a nice pass across by Brayden Point.

Unlike last game though the Sharks responded extremely fast as Erik Karlsson who has been absolutely on fire potted his 5th goal of the season. It was a nice feed from Tomas Hertl that let Karlsson skate right in and snipe it past Andrei Vasilevskiy.

After the flurry of goals to kick things off the teams found themselves locked in a stalemate exchanging shots and looks. Both teams also got a power play opportunity in the period though both teams struck out on the chance.

Later in the first though right after the one power play opportunity for the Lightning Alex Killorn shot one from the slot and puck ricocheted right out in front. Waiting there was Ross Colton who deposited into the wide open net past James Riemer.

That ended up being the final goal of the period with the shots ending in favor of the Lightning at 11-6.

It took a little longer to find the first goal of the period but finally Nico Sturm broke the silence on a wrister from far out that made Vasilavskiy look very human. It was one that he definitely would want back while Luke Kunin and Marc-Edouard Vlasic got the assists.

The rest of the second period played out tightly similar to the first period. 18:41 into the second though Killorn got himself on the board again.

This time it would be a goal with Nick Paul and Erik Cernak getting the assists tying the game in the dying moments of the second. Making the score 3-2 heading into the third in favor of the Lightning.

Despite the late goal the Sharks started off the third period on a positive note drawing a penalty. With Karlsson getting another opportunity to shine he did just that.

Right off the opening faceoff of the power play the puck was won back to Karlsson who skated right into the slot and ripped another one home. Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl got the assists on the goal while Karlsson’s goal total is now up to 6 on the season.

The third period then played out in a very methodical fashion with both teams making sure not to make a mistake.

For the Sharks though they ended up making a crucial mistake in the dying minutes.

With Brayden Point skating in the Sharks defense backed up and let him feed it across to Brandon Hagel who then fead it right back across to a wide open Nikita Kucherov. He tapped it in and the Lightning took the lead with only 56.2 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Sharks tried to get the late tying goal but the effort would not be enough as they skated off the ice with the loss.

The San Jose Sharks next game is at home against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks finding winning ways host Tampa Bay Saturday

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson finds the back end of the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Oct 27, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 San Jose Sharks Erik Karlsson scored an overtime goal to help the Sharks defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. Karlsson also picked up two assists in the Sharks first home victory of 2022-23.

#2 Karlsson was just hoping that Timo Meier delivered the puck in the right place which he did and Karlsson was able to score the game winner thanks to a great pass from Meier.

#3 The Shark Logan Couture scored his 300th career goal on Thursday night and Couture said that he plays the game to win but when those milestone do come he definitely appreciates it.

#4 After losing a tough game to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night Sharks head coach David Quinn said the team came out Thursday against the Leafs intense from the start and that the club deserved the win and deserved the two points.

#5 The Sharks now face one of the toughest customers in the NHL the Tampa Bay Lightning (4-4-0) on Saturday at 1:30pm at SAP Center. The Lightning have won three of their last four and they won their last game on Wednesday in Anaheim against the Anaheim Ducks 4-3.

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks, Reimer Shut Out Flyers 3-0; Sharks go 2-2 on road trip

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) tries to put the puck on net only to get stopped by San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (right) in the second period at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Sun Oct 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks (2-6-0) wrapped up the East Coast road trip going a respectable 2-2 after beating the Philadelphia Flyers (4-2-0) 3-0 Sunday night from the Wells Fargo Center. The Sharks reversed a recent trend of poor second periods, scoring twice on Erik Karlsson and Steven Lorentz strikes while adding the empty netter. James Reimer made 30 saves for the shutout.

Karlsson opened the scoring 9:34 into the second period after beating goalie Felix Sandstrom with a slap shot for his team-leading third goal of the year. Tomas Hertl assisted on the goal and Alexander Barabanov picked up his first point of the year with a secondary assist.

Steven Lorentz picked up his first goal in Teal after joining the team in the Brent Burns trade with Carolina in the offseason. Jaycob Megna flipped what appeared to be a harmless shot on Sandstrom, but Lorentz buzzed the net to tip the puck in for a 2-0 lead with 1:31 left in the second period. Nico Sturm added an empty netter to match Karlsson for the team lead I’m goals.

The Sharks return home for a tough stretch, facing the rival Golden Knights Tuesday, the Maple Leafs Thursday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Red Wings Soderblom scores in first NHL game; Bolts top CBJs 5-3 plus much more news

The Detroit Red Wings Eric Soderblom (85) seen here battling with the Montreal Canadiens in Little Casers Palace in Detroit on Fri Oct 14, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt the Detroit Red Wings Eric Soderblom scored in his NHL debut as the Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 in Detroit on Friday night. It was the first win for Red Wing coach Derek LaLonde and goaltender Ville Husso saved 29 shots in the shutout.

#2 Tough loss for the Columbus Blue Jackets Johnny Gaudreau in his home debut as Gaudreau and Gustav Nyquist both scored but the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning were too much with goals scored by Steve Stamkos scoring twice, Corey Perry and Ross Colton scoring a goal each in the Lightning’s 5-3 win.

#3 You know it’s hockey season in Winnipeg when the fans loose their minds on opening night and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Conner Hellebuyck puts a stop on 40 shots at the Jets net to hold off the New York Rangers 4-1 on Friday night. The Jets Mark Scheifele scored twice and Shane Gagner and Kyle Connor each had a goal for the Jets in the win.

#4 Matt, have to ask you what was it like to see the Carolina Hurricanes Brent Burns in different uniform other than the San Jose Sharks Friday night at SAP Center and what kind of an reception did he get before the game and Sharks TV broadcaster was sworn in as a US Citizen after waiting some 40 years?

#5 Some of hockey’s top stars say that the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews can score 60 goals again this season says the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane and the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Avalanche hoist Stanley Cup after 21 years of waiting; Aves defeat Lightning in game six 2-1

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals with Len:

#1 Len talk about how important Nathan McKinnon was in this game that was just completed game 6. McKinnon scored a goal and got an assist helping the Colorado Avalanche become the Stanley Cup Champions for the third time in franchise history.

#2 Len it’s been a long time coming the Avalanche haven’t won the Cup since 2002 some 21 years ago when they had a guy named Joe Sakic was on the team.

#3 Close game tonight the Aves held the lead and goaltender Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 out of 23 shots to hold back the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1.

#4 The Lightning will not threepeat something they came within one game of doing losing on their home ice 4-2 in series play.

#5 Len talk about some of the key players on the Aves key players who have been doing it all season and post season long McKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar.

Join Len next season (September) for NHL podcast coverage. Also our thanks for reporters who contributed to our NHL coverage this season Marko Ukalovic, Mary Lisa Walsh, Morris Phillips, Daniel Dullum and Matt Harrington as heard on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Matt Harrington: Avalanche could put it away Sunday; Lightning with a chance to tie series in game six

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) is congratulated in game 5 after scoring a second period goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Friday, June 24, 2022, at the Ball Center in Denver (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Matt:

#1 The Colorado Avalanche came into game 5 Friday night thinking that with a win they would be able to hoist the Stanley Cup on their home ice after taking a 3-1 lead. It was not to be as the Tampa Bay Lighting scored a goal in each of the first, second and third periods to come away with a 3-2 win and to stay alive for another game.

#2 The Lightning’s Ondrej Palat scored the game winner in the third period at 6:22 and Tampa Bay was able to defend keeping the Aves out of their net for the one goal win.

#3 Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 35 shots and looked like he was back in old form again shutting out the Avalanche in the first period while allowing one goal in each of the second and third periods.

#4 The Lightning also got goals from two reliable sources Nikita Kucherov and defenseman Jan Rutta which proved to be a total team effort by the Tampa Bay for the win.

#5 Game 6 is on deck in Tampa Bay this will give the Lightning a chance to tie the series on home ice or the Avalanche a chance to put it away on the road at Amalie Arena.

Join Matt throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Finals for coverage at http://www.sportsradioservice.com