Half Season Review/ Second Half Preview

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The latest episode of the podcast is our Half Season Review and second half look ahead. With the deep dive into #VGK and what to expect the rest of the way, then the guys go around the league and break down all the divisions

  • The four way race for the two spots left in the Atlantic
  • Who is more surprising the Sabres or the Islanders

  • Can any of the bottom 4 in the Pacific make a run

  • The wide open Central

  • There is much more including the OT segment when Mark and Chris debate deferring penalties in the last two minutes of a period. Check it out!

  • http://www.blogtalkradio.com/vegashockeypodcast/2019/01/05/vegas-hockey-podcast-around-the-league

    Golden Knights Win Wild One

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    Anaheim, CA

    January 4th, 2019

    The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on Friday night in a game that saw both teams score 2 goals in less than forty seconds during the second period.

    The Golden Knights opened the scoring at 6:52 of a dominant first period when defenseman Nate Schmidt took a pass from Brad Hunt and blasted the puck through heavy traffic for his 4th goal of the year to put the Golden Knights up 1-0. The tally created some controversy as there was a delayed penalty being called at the time. The Ducks goalie John Gibson appeared to control the puck just prior to the Schmidt shot by shoveling the puck into the corner to his left but the referee allowed play to continue.

    The Golden Knights finished the period with a 1-0 lead, out shooting the Ducks 17-6. John Gibson, showing why he was selected to the All-Star Game, kept the Ducks in the game with 16 saves, many of them on point-blank scoring chances by the Golden Knights.

    Nick Holden opened what would become a wild second period by taking a penalty at 1:22. The Ducks Daniel Sprong took quick advantage of the power play to tie the game at 1 a side. Just thirty-five seconds into the man advantage he took a pass from Josh Mahura and let go a blast from the top of the right circle. The Ducks Nick Ritchie provided an excellent screen at the top of the crease and Marc Andre Fleury never saw the shot.

    Just eighteen seconds later the Ducks took the lead on a goal by Carter Rowney. The Ducks started out of their end with Brian Gibbons leading the way up the right side. Entering the Golden Knights zone he spotted Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm down low on the left side and hit him on his tape with a perfect pass. Lindholm then tipped the puck across the crease to Rowney who didn’t miss the wide open net.

    Exactly eight minutes later the Golden Knights started their two goal outburst. Tomas Nosek parked at the top of the crease banged home the rebound of a Brayden McNabb slap shot for his fifth of the year to even the score. Nosek, who spotted the puck loose behind Gibson, managed to get his stick on it while fighting for position and shove it across the goal line while falling to the ice.

    Thirty one seconds later, Mac Pacioretty, who earlier in the day was activated from the injured list after missing 7 games, put the Golden Knights ahead for good. Alex Tuch created a turnover at the Golden Knights blue line when the Ducks Adam Henrique tried to enter the zone along the left side boards. Tuch pushed the puck up ice to Paul Stastny, who had Pacioretty breaking up the left-wing to create a 2 on 1 attack. Stastny sailed a beautiful cross ice pass down low to Max who buried the puck behind Gibson for his eleventh goal of the year, the eventual game winner.

    To make room on the roster for Pacioretty the Golden Knights announced earlier in the day that Brandon Pirri would be sent down to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. Pirri, who has quickly become a fan favorite in Las Vegas by scoring six goals and 9 points in just seven games with the big club appears to be a victim of his waiver exempt status. Assistant General Manager Kelly McCrimmon seemed to confirm that the team would like to keep Pirri at the NHL level by saying “he’ll be back.”

    Fleury and the Golden Knights shut down the Ducks the rest of the way, stopping all eleven shots he faced in the third period to seal a dominating performance and earn the two points. The Ducks netminder John Gibson showed why he is an All-Star selection this season, stopping thirty-nine shots by the Golden Knights. Many of them high quality, point-blank chances by the Golden Knights, who carried play most of the night.

    NOTES

    With the win the Golden Knights move into a points tie with the Calgary Flames for first place in the Pacific Division at 54 points, and a tie for second overall in the NHL with the Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs. THe Golden Knights have now won five straight and extended their point streak to eight games, capturing 14 of a possible 16 over that span. THe Golden Knights start a three game home stand against the New Jersey Devils Sunday at 1:00 PM PST.

     

    Golden Knights Win Franchise Opener

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    Marc-André Fleury made 45 saves and James Neal scored twice in the third period as the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Dallas Stars 2-1 in their first game in franchise history.

    In what may be the prototypical Knights game this season, Fleury stood on his head and kept the game close until the offense was able to come up with just enough to get the win.

    Trailing 1-0 midway through the third period, James Neal took a drop pass at the blue line from Defenseman Nate Schmidt, skated into the top of the right circle and snapped a wrist shot past Stars Goalie Kari Lehtonen for the first goal in franchise history. 

    Five minutes later, with time winding down, Neal scored the game winner. Jason Garrison started the play at center ice, pushing the puck up to a streaking Cody Eakin who split the defense, barreling his way right down the slot before sneaking a cross ice pass to an open Neal on the right wing. Neal, who was falling to his knees after receiving the pass, lifted the puck over the sprawling Lehtonen and into the top of the net for the game winning goal. 

    After a moving pregame ceremony honoring the victims of last Sunday’s senseless attack in Las Vegas that saw the entire Stars team skate over and stand with the Golden Knights for the National Anthem, the teams skated to a penalty filled scoreless tie at the end of the first period.

    Tyler Seguin opened the scoring 17 minutes into the second period with his first of the year following a holding penalty on Knights Defenseman Colin Miller. 

     Marc-André Fleury shutout the Stars the rest of the way, stopping all 11 shots he faced in the third period, giving the Knights the opportunity they needed. 

    The Knights are back in action tonight, facing the Arizona Coyotes in Arizona before heading home for their TMobile Arena debut on Tuesday, also against the Coyotes. Puck drop is at 6:00 PM PST.

    Mark Warner

    George McPhee On The Vegas Hockey Podcast

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    In this episode of the podcast, we welcome George McPhee into the box, the first General Manager for the new Las Vegas NHL franchise.
    We talk about:
    * Where he is at building his staff
    * The importance of the expansion draft vs. the amateur draft
    * His time playing for Herb Brooks and working with Pat Quinn
    * His thoughts on the state of the Islanders
    Plus a whole lot more. Don’t miss this episode of the Vegas Hockey Podcast!

    George McPhee Ready To Add First Members To His Staff

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    Mark Warner

    July 24, 2016

     

    Speaking exclusively to the Vegas Hockey Podcast, McPhee said he would start adding to his staff by the end of this coming week.

    “I talked to a lot of people this past week, and I expect some things will come to a head this week.” McPhee told us, “We’ve had a lot of conversations for the first round of what we want to do, and next week we have to start signing a few of them up.”

    One of those conversations may have been between Las Vegas and Washington Capitals Assistant GM  Ross Mahoney. As reported by Elliote Friedman, the new team has asked for permission to speak with him.

    With the upcoming junior tournaments showcasing the top players available in next year’s entry draft, McPhee looks at putting the right people into the scouting department as the biggest challenge he faces. “That process, I’d like it all done now,” McPhee said, “I know what I want, and I know what I’d like to do, but it takes time to go through this process.”

    While the full contingent of Pro and Amateur Scouts for the newly minted NHL franchise won’t be in place for some time, the first round of hirings will begin later this week.

     

    Look for our full conversation with George McPhee on iTunes, Soundcloud and TheHockeyWriters.com

     

    Former NHL and Las Vegas Thunder Goalie Clint Malarchuk 

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    For our 50th episode of The Vegas Hockey Podcast we welcome back Clint Malarchuk to talk about Las Vegas Hockey. We cover all the bases including:

    • Clint’s thoughts on the recent George McPhee hiring.
    • The depth of the talent pool in North America and international
    • His very unorthodox idea to increase scoring in the NHL.. ( we LOVE this idea)
    • The challenge of picking the first coach in franchise history
    • Is there anywhere for players to live there?
    • Best shot he faced in the NHL (it’s not who you think)

    Just like last time we had a great conversation with Clint, so dial it in and listen up, it’s a great show!

    Stanley Cup Final Preview With Zachary DeVine

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    In this episode of the Podcast, Zachary Devine, Hockey Department Lead for  LastWordonSports jumps in the box to break down the Final matchup between the Sharks and Penguins. In this episode we explore

    • How the Sharks beat the Blues and the Penguins moved past the Loghtning
    • The outstanding play of two goalies making their first runs through the playoffs
    • The Sharks unstoppable power play
    • Forward depth of both squads as a key to the series
    •  How Peter DeBoer and Mike Sullivan turned their teams seasons around
    • Zachary’s insight into the one key to the series you overlooked

    A great episode to get you fired up for what is sure to be a classic Stanley Cup Final, don’t miss it!!!

    Follow Zachary on Twitter @zakkthebear

    Follow us on Twitter @VegasHockeyPod

    iTunes and Soundcloud

    Vegas Hockey Talk With Professional Handicapper Dana Lane

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    Once again Handicapper Dana Lane jumps in the box for this all Vegas episode of the Vegas Hockey Podcast! Dana has been a friend of the show since Day 1, and as the middle of the season has come and gone, it’s time to look back to see where we started and where we are, so we can see where we are going!  Dana hits on all the pertinent Las Vegas angles, such as:

    • The All-Star Game and the John Scott effect
    • Opening Lines for some of the pre-season favorites and where they are now
    • Opening lines for some pre-season Underdogs and how high they have risen…looking at you Florida and Dallas…and The Bruins as well
    • One team currently in a playoff spot who still holds 100-1 odds !!!
    • Who are the best live dogs to cash in on at the betting window,(if you aren’t in Las Vegas, this is for informational purposes only) 🙂
    • All the latest expansion news and thoughts from Sin City herself
    • As always, much more than we could list here

    So if you are planning a trip to Las Vegas and want the inside scoop when you head to the window to bet on your Stanley Cup favorites, tune in to this episode of the Podcast for all the current news surrounding Las Vegas and the NHL!

    If you have a team you want covered exclusively for an upcoming episode of the podcast, drop us a line at MarkWarner@VegasHockeyPodcast.com or leave a comment and we will do our best! Thanks for listening!!

    Mark Warner

    Chris Lizza

    THE Vegas Hockey Podcast

    Bruins Talk

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    Cam Hasbrouck of The Hockey Writers jumped in the box to talk about a whole lot of topics with us. Among those are;

    Podcast

    • The surprising season the Boston Bruins are putting together.
    •  The improved offensive numbers, especially the Power Play numbers, and what changed in special teams philosophy
    • Two trades went down last week and we talk about the effects to come on the teams involved
    • Up and coming young talent in the Bruins system and their contributions this year
    • The hit on Adam McQuaid and the repercussions

    Plus we get into a lot of other hockey talk as well!!  Check out the Podcast!

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/vegashockeypodcast/id987189439?mt=2&i=360613885

     

    Oilers Talk

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    Hello hockey fans! Our guest on this episode is The Hockey Writers Edmonton Oilers contributor Rob Soria. Chris and I cover all the basses with Rob, including…

    • How has new Head Coach Todd McLellan worked to change the culture with the Oilers
    • What does new GM Peter Chiarelli  need at the trade deadline?
    • When is Connor McDavid coming back?
    • Are they ready to compete for a playoff spot?
    • The new barn Rogers Place

    Plus much more!! Check it out on iTunes , Soundcloud and HockeyTalkRadio.us  Or right Here!!!

     

    Thanks for stopping by. Leave a comment, give us a rating, and enjoy the show!!

    Chris Lizza can be found at The Hockey Writers

    VegasHockeyPodcast