Five reasons why the Sharks advanced to the Stanley Cup Final SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks advanced to their first Stanley Cup Final in team history with a 5-2 Game 6 Western Conference Final win over the St. Louis Blues.  With the exception of Game 4, the Sharks were the better team this series and deserved this victory. Throughout this postseason every element of San Jose’s game … [Read more...]

NHL conference finalists get Jimmy Fallon superlative treatment (Video) As the Stanley Cup Playoffs move from the conference finals to the Stanley Cup Final, The Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon has returned for more NHL superlatives. Members of the Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning get the treatment this time, with Valtteri Filppula and Victor Hedman among the players … [Read more...]

Chris Phillips announces retirement after 17 NHL seasons After 1,179 NHL games, Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips has announced his retirement.  Phillips, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft and longest-serving player in Senators history, has been hounded by back issues since Feb. 2015, when he last played an NHL game. After several attempted comebacks, including one this past … [Read more...]

Thornton, Marleau one step closer to Stanley Cup goal SAN JOSE, Calif. – The hugging and backslapping around the basement of SAP Center was audible long after the San Jose Sharks punched their ticket to the first Stanley Cup Final in team history. The relief in the organization was visible as some crying staff members hugged one another. As reality set in that the Sharks will have their … [Read more...]

Joel Ward comes up clutch for Sharks in Game 6 SAN JOSE, Calif. – Last summer when Joel Ward had his pick of teams as an unrestricted free agent he was easily sold on the San Jose Sharks. Ward didn’t see a team that was on the verge of a drop-off. He saw a group that was proud and wanted to redeem themselves after missing the playoffs the year before. So Ward signed with the Sharks for three … [Read more...]

NHL Three Stars: Joel Ward leads Sharks to Stanley Cup Final No. 1 Star: Joel Ward, San Jose Sharks  The off-season acquisition, an annual playoff performer, scored two goals in the San Jose Sharks’ 5-2 Game 6 win that eliminated the St. Louis Blues. No. 2 Star: Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks Jones made the saves he needed to make, especially down the stretch, to back-stop the Sharks to the … [Read more...]

Sharks advance to first Stanley Cup Final with Game 6 win over Blues SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks are no longer playoff disappointments. They’re no longer a team that needs to be questioned about why they faltered in the biggest games at the most important times of year.  They no longer need to be queried about why the 2015-16 version of the Sharks are different – simply because … [Read more...]

Panthers deal Erik Gudbranson to Vancouver for Jared McCann The Florida Panthers traded defenseman Erik Gudbranson and a 2016 fifth-round draft pick to the Vancouver Canucks for young forward Jared McCann, a 2016 second-round pick and 2016 fourth-round pick.  On May 9, the Panthers re-signed the 24-year-old Gudbranson to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. Gudbranson was considered captain … [Read more...]

Marek Vs. Wyshynski Podcast: Penguins vs. Lightning with Chris Johnston It's a new edition of MAREK VS. WYSHYNSKI, and we're talking about: - Wysh and Chris Johnston from Sportsnet drink beer and talk Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, live from Tampa.  - The redemption of Sidney Crosby. - The pressure on the Bolts. - The terrible offside and delay of game rules. - News and notes from … [Read more...]

Jim Craig on selling "Miracle" gold medal, hockey inspirations (Puck Daddy Q&A) Second thoughts? Jim Craig hasn’t had any. The goaltender for the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey team isn’t getting cold feet about deciding to part with some cherished memorabilia from the Team USA's gold medal winning run in Lake Placid, New York 36 years ago. After trying to sell a 19-piece lot that included his … [Read more...]