Puck Ponderings

NYRangers 9:46pm via Twitter Web Client #NYR have won @ VAN, EDM, CGY, ANA, LAK & SJS for the 1st time in 1 season in NYR history & are the 1st EC team in the NHL to do it since 98

New York Daily News

PLeonardNYDN 10:04pm via iOS Lundqvist, All-Star snub, masterful as Rangers top Sharks nydn.us/1KxBRZ0

New York Post

Rangers accomplish a franchise first with win over Sharks

Newsday

NewsdaySports 10:49pm via TweetDeck Henrik Lundqvist, #Rangers hold down #Sharks: nwsdy.li/1ADgdgi via @stevezipay

SNY

Recap: Alain Vigneault’s comments on MSG (pregame)
AdamRotter 9:40pm via twitterfeed FINAL: Rangers 3 Sharks 1 on.sny.tv/1y5LMhJ
AdamRotter 9:58pm via twitterfeed Read: Dan Boyle’s comments after the game/broke his nose on.sny.tv/1C2sGcZ
AdamRotter 10:12pm via twitterfeed Picture: Henrik Lundqvist with the Broadway Hat on.sny.tv/1B25ygs

Rangers Report

Post game notes
rangersreport Jan 11, 12:18am via dlvr.it Rangers-Sharks in review lohud.us/1IbUD5T

150110 – pregame Rangers @ Sharks 7pm

TV: CSN CA

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

The Sharks return home from midwest road trip.

The Rangers are visiting California. And have won their first two games in California, so the Sharks will have to work hard, in Dan Boyle’s return to the Tank, to prevent a California sweep by the Blueshirts.

On Friday, Thornton skated with the team, but Burns did not. It may be after morning skate before we learn of any roster changes that might mean that Thornton will return to the lineup.

Based on NYR starts (Lindqvist vs Ducks, Talbot vs Kings), it’s probably Lindqvist tonight against the Sharks.

Niemi starting for Sharks.

Mueller put on IR (upper body injury from WJC) and Thornton activated.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

San Jose Mercury News

Neutral Centric News

NHL

Preview

AP preview

Sports Network preview

NBC/PHT

Sharks’ McLellan: ‘We have to get better in a lot of areas’
All of a sudden the Pacific Division isn’t so scary
‘More than just another game’ tonight for Boyle in San Jose
Sharks’ Thornton expected to return vs. Rangers
Goalie Nods: Sharks, Niemi look to bounce back vs. Rangers

The Hockey News

- Red-hot New York Rangers bucking Stanley Cup finalist curse

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

New York Rangers

NYRangers 8:49am via TweetDeck W2W4: #NYR face off with Sharks in San Jose looking to finish sweep of California trip: nyrange.rs/1KvYMDU

New York Daily News

New York Post

Why Sharks game means so much to Rangers’ Dan Boyle

New York Times

Rangers Find Top Form, but a Tough Trip Looms

Newsday

stevezipay 6:51am via Twitter for iPhone It’s personal “@NewsdaySports: #Rangers‘ Dan Boyle wants to show #Sharks he still has game: nwsdy.li/1sfGj8w via @stevezipay”

North Jersey, The Record

AGrossRecord 8:01am via TweetDeck Ranger Rants: More from @KevinPHayes12 and MSL on Hayes’ game plus setting up tonight’s game at SJ and All-Star picks blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerra…

SNY

AdamRotter 6:39am via twitterfeed Read: Pierre McGuire on the Rangers and being “for real” on.sny.tv/1x8aMRw
AdamRotter 8:24am via twitterfeed Read: Dan Boyle on returning to San Jose and how much a win would mean to him on.sny.tv/1y3vIgC

Rangers Report

Rangers at Sharks tonight (10 p.m.) … pre-game notes

SBN: Blueshirt Banter

150108 – postgame Sharks @ Blues

Pregame news/links

Sharks went 2-1 on the three game road trip, but a 7-2 loss is not a warm fuzzy way to end it. (Kinda a repeat of the 7-2 loss before the Sharks hit the road with the loss against the Blues. Bleah.)

Defensive play could not keep the Blues away from the net, and the Sharks were not able to be offensive enough to overcome that.

Is this a case of one team just “having” the Sharks # this season?

Sharks return home, have practice scheduled Friday, and will host the Rangers on Saturday. (Hoping they can play a lot better, with more energy, than the listless 4-0 shutout they suffered in Manhattan in October.)

And rookie Melker Karlsson notched another goal, bringing his goal-scoring streak to four games.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

San Jose Mercury News

CSN Bay Area/California

Neutral Centric News

NHL

Recap

AP Recap

Sports Network Recap

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

St Louis Blues

StLouisBlues 8:50pm via Twitter Web Client POSTGAME: @jschwartz_17, @PaulyWalnuts26 and Ken Hitchcock talk about tonight’s 7-2 win. >>> bit.ly/1AvgstA #stlblues #OurBlues

St Louis Post-Dispatch

Blues blast Sharks again

Belleville News Democrat

SBN: St Louis Game Time

150108 – pregame Sharks @ Blues 5pm

TV: CSN CA

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

Sharks start their second half of the season, and finish up a three-game road trip in St Louis; they have won the last two games, without Thornton in the lineup. (He’s eligible to return to play from the IR in time for this game, but a roster move would be needed.) Sharks took their CBA-mandated day off on Wednesday in St Louis.

The Blues return from the road, including blowing out the Sharks last Saturday, and the Coyotes on Tuesday, for a lengthy home stand (three weeks, including ASG break). Brodeur, Allen and Elliot remain a “three headed” goaltending “monster”; no changes are currently planned. TJ Oshie’s hat trick against the Sharks propelled him to #1 NHL star of the week.

Niemi vs Elliot. Thornton still out.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

Great White Blog
Goldobin & Russia Take Silver at World Juniors
DanRusanowsky 12:58pm via Twitter Web Client TONIGHT: #SJSharks radio @StLouisBlues starts at 4:30 on affiliates, 5:00 on 98.5 @KFOX. Preview: sharks.nhl.com/club/podcastpl… @BretHedican
Thornton
Marleau
Dillon
Pavelski
McLellan
Pregame report

San Jose Mercury News

CSN Bay Area/California

Sharks notes: Wingels ends funk, Hertl can’t smile much, etc.
Pavelski and Co. help Sharks deal with loss of Thornton
Sharks’ Thornton: ‘It just sucks being injured’
In the Crease: Sharks wrap up road trip in St. Louis
Without Thornton, Sharks’ power play a concern

Hockey Buzz: SJ

San Jose Sharks Mid-Season Review

Bleacher Report: 5 Bold Predictions for the San Jose Sharks in the New Year

Neutral Centric News

NHL

Preview

AP preview

Sports Network preview

NBC/PHT

Goalie nods
Carrying three goalies not ‘troublesome’ for Blues

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

St Louis Post-Dispatch

Belleville News Democrat

Blues’ No. 1 line living up to its billing during recent hot stretch

SBN: St Louis Game Time

Power rankings for week of 150104

Buffalo News: 13 (down from 12)

Philly.com: 12 (same as last week)

Sportsnet.ca: 13 (down from 11)

150106 – postgame Sharks @ Wild

Pregame news/links

Late change in Wild lineup with Zach Parise out due to critical illness of father JP Parise.

Best mascot twitter exchange (before and after game):

Nordy Minnesota Wild ‏@NordyWild 3h3 hours ago

Glad your team came prepared tonight @sjsharkie. #bloomers pic.twitter.com/kQ1kHd2zuK
#SJSharkie ‏@sjsharkie 7m7 minutes ago

its clean, feel free to grab some to dry your tears 🙂 “@NordyWild: Glad your team came prepared tonight @sjsharkie pic.twitter.com/0Isr71UlGD”

Sharks/Stalock gave up two in the first (including one on a bad bounce on what should have been an icing), but battled back to take the lead by the middle of the third, only to have the Wild tie it up and send it to OT. Vlasic was the OT hero again, with a late GWG, giving the Sharks two more points (and allowing them to keep climbing the standings).

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

SharksStats 7:50pm via Twitter Web Client Marc-Edouard Vlasic with his first career overtime goal. 2nd straight game with the winner. Career-high 3 GWG this season.
Vlasic NBCSN post game interview
Stalock pgv
Wingels pgv
Vlasic pgv
McLellan pgv

San Jose Mercury News

CSN Bay Area/California

Sharks’ Hertl all smiles after taking puck to face
Sharks’ Hertl expected to play vs. Wild
Sharks’ Thornton skates Tuesday in Minnesota
Instant Replay: Sharks surge late, beat Wild in OT
KKurzCSN 9:14pm via TweetDeck Stalock, #SJSharks settle in after inauspicious start in Minnesota. The Rewind, from chilly St. Paul: csnbayarea.com/sharks/stalock…

San Francisco Chronicle

Five essentials for second-half success

Neutral Centric News

NHL

Recap

Sports Network Recap

NBC/PHT

USA Today

Sharks’ Tomas Hertl gets stitches, still smiles

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

Minnesota Wild

mnwild 8:26pm via Hootsuite Five Takeaways from tonight’s #mnwild game: ow.ly/GUvZj
Parise Out Against San Jose
Postgame Notes vs. San Jose – Jan. 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Twin Cities Pioneer Press

SBN: Hockey Wilderness

150106 – pregame Sharks @ Wild 5pm

TV: NBCSN

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

No morning skate for the Sharks with the game yesterday. With the back-to-back games, and Niemi playing yesterday, Stalock is probably starting.

Wild is coming off Saturday 7-1 loss to the Stars. They are out of the playoffs. Could be a really hard-played game.

Kemper starting in goal for Wild. Prosser out sick.

Stalock is starting. Hertl plans to wear cage. Mueller and Hamilton with team.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

Great White Blog
DanRusanowsky 11:20am via Twitter for Websites RADIO TONIGHT: #SJSharks at @mnwild 4:30 affiliates & sjsharks.com, 5:00 on @KFOX. Preview Podcast here: chirb.it/5F8M9I
SanJoseSharks 2:55pm via Twitter Web Client After winning in dramatic fashion last night, the #SJSharks look to gain two more points tonight against the Wild.
amp.twimg.com/v/5e070905-617…

San Jose Mercury News

PollakOnSharks 2:59pm via Twitter Web Client Hertl should be in #SJSharks lineup tonight after taking 17-18 stitches on upper lip. He’s happy no teeth were lost.
PollakOnSharks 3:01pm via Twitter Web Client Karlsson had about the same number of stitches in left earlobe from that high stick he took in first period of #SJSharks win over WPG.
PollakOnSharks 3:06pm via Twitter Web Client Do look for #SJSharks Hertl to be wearing a face mask. In “just in case” mode.
PollakOnSharks 3:12pm via Twitter Web Client McLellan says too soon to know if Thornton will be in #SJSharks lineup Thursday in STL. He skated today, but not a full practice.

CSN Bay Area/California

In the Crease: Struggling Wild have home winning streak vs. Sharks
KKurzCSN 2:59pm via TweetDeck Doc was busy last night. Karlsson needed 17 stitches to close a cut on his ear, and Hertl needed 16-18 after puck to the face #SJSharks
KKurzCSN 3:04pm via TweetDeck #SJSharks pregame notes from St. Paul csnbayarea.com/sharks/sharks-…

Neutral Centric News

NHL

Preview

AP preview

Sports Network preview

NBC/PHT

Rotoworld

Dose: Sharks without Joe

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

Minnesota Wild

Ballard Discusses Injury And Future
mnwild 11:20am via Hootsuite Kuemper in net; Prosser latest #mnwild player to get sick; Falk recalled and more in the Lighthouse: ow.ly/GTiol
mnwild 11:55am via Hootsuite WildTV caught up with Mike Yeo, @CharlieCoyle_3 and @StuBickel pregame. WATCH: ow.ly/GThTp #mnwild
mnwild 12:15pm via Hootsuite #mnwild Head Coach Yeo previewed tonight’s #mnwild game & spoke about how he wants his team to rebound from Saturday: ow.ly/GTiYN
mnwild 12:45pm via Hootsuite .@StuBickel spoke to WildTV about switching positions throughout the season. WATCH: ow.ly/GTj66 #mnwild
mnwild 1:20pm via Hootsuite .@CharlieCoyle_3 discusses the mental game he prepares for when switching from wing to center. WATCH: ow.ly/GTjdE #mnwild
mnwild 2:19pm via Hootsuite WATCH the video preview for tonight’s #SJSvsMIN game: ow.ly/GTUGk #mnwild

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Keith Ballard talks about injury, future and potential retirement
Russo: Opening homestand, the Wild tries to move on
Wild-San Jose game preview
Wild keeps sense of humor, but for how long?
Opening a three-game homestand, the Wild tries to move on from Saturday’s beatdown
Still recovering, Wild’s Ballard uncertain about his future
Wild Minute: Moving on from Saturday’s beatdown
Russostrib 10:50am via TweetDeck #mnwild recalls Justin Falk tonight presumably to play instead of Stu Bickel with Nate Prosser sick
Russostrib 11:19am via Twitter for Websites BLOG: Prosser latest sick #mnwild player heading into tonight’s #sjsharks game; Yeo on Stoner’s comments strib.mn/1FhN3IR

Twin Cities Pioneer Press

SBN: Hockey Wilderness

Wild Weekly Planner: January 5th-January 11th Edition
hockeywildernes 2:00pm via SB Nation Preview: Sharks @ Wild sbnation.com/e/7268860

150105 – postgame Sharks @ Jets

Pregame news/links

Sharks start a stretch of four games in six nights with a win. But Hertl took a puck to the face in the third and did not return (reported that picture of him has cut on upper lip). Karlsson also had a hit to the head, but returned after his quiet time and concussion protocol checking.

The Sharks’ Vlasic scored with 4.5 seconds left to win the game.

Sharks almost had another goal when a puck trickled down the back of Jets’ Hutchinson’s back to the ice just “outside” the goal. So close.

Quick international flight to (still cold) Minnesota to face the Wild on Tuesday.

Sharks Centric News

Sharks twitter list

Sharks team news

SharksStats 7:45pm via Twitter Web Client Vlasic has 5 goals in 39 games this season. He had 5 in 81 games last season. Career high is 6 in 2008-09.
SanJoseSharks 7:46pm via TweetDeck #SJSharks win it with 4 seconds left in the most dramatic hockey action of the night! Even Twitter couldn’t keep up!
SharksStats 7:48pm via Twitter Web Client His only previous game-winning goal on the road was Dec. 18, 2010 at Blues.
SharksStats 7:50pm via Twitter Web Client Brent Burns scored his 11th goal of the season and now leads all NHL defensemen.
SharksStats 8:04pm via Twitter Web Client Joe Pavelski won 3 of his 13 draws, but none was bigger than the one that led to Vlasic’s goal. Win earned him the secondary assist.
brodiebrazilCSN 8:07pm via Twitter for iPhone 2 of Vlasic’s 5 #SJSharks goals this year have come in the final minute of regulation.
#RespectYourPickle
Vlasic postgame CSN
McLellan pgv
Burns pgv
Vlasic pgv
Marelau pgv
Niemi pgv

San Jose Mercury News

Sharks win on Vlasic’s goal in final seconds

CSN Bay Area/California

Vlasic scores in final seconds to lift Sharks past Jets

San Francisco Chronicle

Sharks react well to adversity in Winnipeg

Neutral Centric News

NHL

Recap

AP Recap

Sports Network Recap

NBC/PHT

Video: Sharks best Jets on Vlasic’s buzzer-beater

Puck Daddy

Recap

Sportsnet.ca: What we learned in NHL Monday
Sharks are great off faceoffs

Opponent Centric News

Twitter list of opponent news

Winnipeg Jets

NHLJets 8:25pm via Twitter Web Client Ladd gives his thoughts on the 3-2 loss to San Jose. >> bit.ly/14rfowc
NHLJets 8:26pm via Twitter Web Client Harrison on the 3-2 loss, and what he saw on the final goal. >> bit.ly/1rZO8PF
NHLJets 8:27pm via Twitter Web Client Hutchinson describes how he saw Vlasic’s game-winning goal late in the 3rd. >> bit.ly/1xMGlaD
NHLJets 8:27pm via Twitter Web Client Coach Maurice breaks down the 3-2 loss, and speaks to how the #NHLJets will move forward. >> bit.ly/1IiRUWq

Winnipeg Sun

Sharks score with 4.5 seconds left to beat Winnipeg Jets 3-2

Winnipeg Free Press

SBN: Arctic Hockey

arcticicehockey 8:00pm via SB Nation #NHLJets vs #SJSharks – The Last Pickle Wins sbnation.com/e/7261788

150105 – WJC Bronze: Sweden vs Slovakia; Gold: Russia vs Canada

Day 11 – Last day. Medal or bust.

Tournament images

Sweden (Bergman, Bergvik) playing Slovakia for Bronze. Russia (Goldobin) playing Canada for Gold.

Bronze: Slovakia vs Sweden: Recap – Roster – Game Summary – Swedish Play Stats

Swedish Sharks prospects – Julius Bergman #7 (Bergvik did not dress)
Commentators said that the Swedes “sleep walked” through warmups. They gave up two quick goals before they started playing and evened up the score by the end of the first period. But they seemed to not have recovered their pride from loss in semi-final and just could not get the killer instinct going. Bergman made a late 2nd period cross check to the head which resulted in a five minute power play and his ejection; Slovakia scored the game winner and a late empty net goal to win bronze 4-2.
CP recap
NHL recap

Gold medal: Russia vs Canada: Recap – Roster – Game Summary – Russian Play Stats

Russian Sharks prospect – Nikolai Goldobin #11
Canada was up 5-1 at the start of the third, but the Russians pushed hard at got the score to 5-4.
CP recap
NHL recap

Congrats to all the participants and their accomplishments.

150105 – pregame Sharks @ Jets 5pm

TV: CSN CA

Satellite radio (click for specific station)

Sharks Radio Network

There is exactly ONE NHL game on the schedule Monday. (Some may be paying attention to the WJC gold medal game — Russian Sharks prospect Nikolai Goldobin playing for Gold– which begins at 5pm as well; Bronze game starts at 1pm with Swedish Sharks draftee Julius Bergman playing.)

Joe Thornton has been put on IR (eligible to return Thursday in St Louis); Freddie Hamilton has been recalled. Micheal Haley has been returned to AHL Worcester (and Mirco Mueller is heading back from WJC).

Hutchinson seems to be the starter for the Jets. Haven’t seen clarification of who’s starting for Sharks, but my guess is Niemi (and Stalock tomorrow).