NHL Day 66 2011-2012

Another day with a lot of games, as Saturday is here. First up, the...

New Jersey Devils host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Martin Brodeur will be playing goal. Montreal got things going in the second period when the eleventh of the campaign by Max Pacioretty found twine, a power play goal powered by Erik Cole and Tomas Kaberle. The Canadiens added on in the third period with Cole recording his tenth of the season, and Mathieu Darche and Kaberle had the assists. Nick Palmieri cut it to 2-1 for New Jersey with his fourth of the year, via Mattias Tedenby and Petr Sykora, but the Devils failed to record an equalizer, and lost. The three stars were Cole, Kaberle, and Price (28 for 29 in saves).

Staying in the Atlantic Division, the Philadelphia Flyers are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Ilya Bryzgalov received the starting nods, but Bryzgalov came out early in the third period, presumably to injury. Tampa Bay opened the scoring as Ryan Shannon potted his second of the season, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Victor Hedman. Philadelphia tied it in the second period when Danny Briere netted his ninth of the year, and Wayne Simmonds had the lone assist. The Flyers grabbed the lead with Jaromir Jagr registering his tenth of the season, thanks to Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. Philadelphia extended the lead with Simmonds scoring a power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. The Lightning replied early in the third period when Vincent Lecavalier netted his eleventh of the campaign, assisted by Marc-Andre Bergeron and Ryan Malone on the power play. The Flyers took it back with Matt Carle sinking his fourth of the season, another power play goal, coming off of Briere and Matt Read. Hartnell iced it at 5-2 with his fourteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Jagr and Timonen. The three stars went out to Jagr, Simmonds, and Briere, while Hartnell, Giroux, and Timonen also had two-point nights.

Into Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Curtis Sanford were the goalies of choice to begin with, but Thomas came out after the second period in favor of Tuukka Rask. Columbus led off when Rick Nash potted his ninth of the season, thanks to Vinny Prospal and James Wisniewski. Jeff Carter extended the Blue Jackets lead when his fifth of the year crossed the goal line, a power play goal made possible by Derick Brassard and Wisniewski. Boston got one back when Joe Corvo scored, assisted by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. The Bruins tied it on Nathan Horton's eighth of the season, courtesy of Lucic and Andrew Ference. Boston took the lead in the second period as the sixth of the year by Zdeno Chara went in, a power play goal, and Lucic recorded his natural sock trick alongside a Krejci assist. Columbus retied it with R.J. Umberger knocking his fifth of the season in, via Samuel Pahlsson and Derek MacKenzie. The Bruins retook the lead in the third period when Corvo struck again, a power play goal coming off of Dennis Seidenberg and Tyler Seguin. Boston made it 5-3, the final, with a power play goal by Chris Kelly, his eleventh of the year, powered by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Corvo, Lucic, and Umberger got the three stars, while Krejci and Wisniewski also played well.

Up to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the "ready" Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jimmy Howard tend the twines, although Pavelec came out early in the third period in favor of Chris Mason. Winnipeg struck first on the tenth of the season by Bryan Little, courtesy of Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane. Detroit struck back on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his third of the year, with Johan Franzen and Nicklas Lidstrom picking up the helpers. The Red Wings tied took the lead when Henrik Zetterberg found a place for his sixth of the season, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit kept going in the second period as Jiri Hudler notched his fifth of the year, assisted by Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings remained relentless when Chris Conner scored, helped along by Danny Cleary and Darren Helm. Detroit struck again with Filppula recording his tenth of the campaign, via Datsyuk and Ian White. The Red Wings added on with Drew Miller putting his third of the season away, coming off of Brad Stuart and Bertuzzi. Hudler iced it at 7-1 in the third period with his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Zetterberg. Filppula, Hudler, and Franzen received the three stars, while Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Bertuzzi also put out worthy efforts.

Back toward the east, where the Buffalo Sabres welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron takes on fellow backup Jhonas Enroth. New York got it going with Carl Hagelin netting a shorthanded goal in the second period, the second of the season for him, assisted by Steve Eminger and Michael Del Zotto. Buffalo answered when Thomas Vanek potted his fourteenth of the year, and Jason Pominville had the lone assist. The Rangers reclaimed the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted goal for Ryan Callahan, his twelfth of the campaign. New York added on again in the third period, as Hagelin sank his third of the season and second of the game, coming off of Del Zotto and the goalie Biron. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 when Marian Gaborik sniped his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Mitchell and Eminger. Hagelin, Biron (32 for 33 in saves), and Callahan were given the three stars, while Del Zotto and Eminger also played very well.

Staying in New York state, the Islanders host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Al Montoya were charged with the duty of stopping the puck. New York struck first with a David Ullstrom goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Dylan Reese and Josh Bailey. The Islanders added on with Milan Jurcina sinking a power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo. Steve Sullivan put Pittsburgh on the board with his fifth of the season, via Joe Vitale and Matt Niskanen. James Neal tied it for the Penguins with his sixteenth of the year, and Evgeni Malkin had the lone assist. Okposo gave New York the lead back on his fourth of the season, thanks to Michael Graber and Travis Hamonic. Pittsburgh tied it again with Neal on the power play, the seventeenth of the year for the great equalizer, guided in by Chris Kunitz and Sullivan. The Penguins went ahead as Pascal Dupuis notched his ninth of the season, with the help of Tyler Kennedy and Alexandre Picard. Pittsbrugh extended the lead on a Matt Cooke goal, his seventh of the year, and the helpers were provided by Kennedy and Niskanen. The Penguins finished the game up 6-3 after a Paul Martin goal, helped along by Malkin and Kunitz. The three stars were awarded to Neal, Malkin, and Okposo, while the honorable mentions include Sullivan, Niskanen, Kennedy, and Kunitz.

To the north, the Ottawa Senators host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Craig Anderson played in the creases. Vancouver led off with an Alexander Edler power play goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks added on with a Kesler goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond. Vancouver rolled on in the second period when Kesler struck again, his second of the game and seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Ottawa got on the board when Colin Greening potted his seventh of the campaign shorthanded, with helpers from Jason Spezza and Brian Lee. The Canucks finished it at 4-1 with Dale Weise netting his second of the year, via Aaron Rome. The three stars were Kesler, Henrik, and Chris Neil, although any other point earners would argue the third star.

Southward, the Nashville Predators host the Anaheim Ducks. Playing goal for this new-found rivalry were Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne. The first goal was Andrew Gordon's second of the season in the second period, giving Anahiem a lead with assists by Brandon McMillan and Niklas Hagman. Nashville replied on a Nick Spaling goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Colin Wilson and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a Roman Josi power play goal, powered by Shea Weber and Martin Erat. Nashville extended the lead with Tootoo's fourth of the season, via Kevin Klein and Jerred Smithson. The Ducks tried to pull closer as Francois Beauchemin notched his fourth of the year, coming off of Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry, but 3-2 was as close as it got, as time later expired. The three stars were awarded to Tootoo, Spaling, and Josi.

In the Southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Mike Smith wore the goalie masks. Minnesota was first to score with a power play goal by Kyle Brodziak, his ninth of the season, with Pierre-Marc Bouchard grabbing the lone assist. The Wild added on in the second period with Mikko Koivu scoring his seventh of the year, courtesy of Jeff Taffe and Mike Lundin. Minnesota extended the lead further with Brodziak scoring another power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, powered by Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild would not stop in the third period as Dany Heatley recorded his ninth of the year, also a power play goal, guided in by Spurgeon and Bouchard. Phoenix got on the board late as Lauri Korpikoski spoiled the shutout with his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Shane Doan and Daymond Langkow. The three stars in the 4-1 game went to Brodziak, Backstrom (35 for 36 in saves), and Koivu, while Spurgeon and Bouchard also played well.

Back eastward a bit, the St. Louis Blues host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Brian Elliott got the green light to play goal. Kevin Shattenkirk put St. Louis up 1-0 in the first period with his fourth of the season, a power play goal coming off of David Perron and Jason Arnott. This goal held up throughout the rest of the game, for a final score. Elliott (24 save shutout), Shattenkirk, and Roman Polak got the three stars, while honorable mentions go to Perron, Arnott, and Niemi (18 for 19 in saves).

Restarting the Battle of Alberta, the Calgary Flames host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Calgary got things going in the second period with the third of the campaign for Tom Kostopoulos, a power play goal made possible by Derek Smith and Matt Stajan. The Flames added on with the tenth of the season by Jarome Iginla, assisted by Brendan Morrison and Jay Bouwmeester. Calgary iced it at 3-0 in the third period when Iginla struck again for his second of the game and eleventh of the year, and the lone assist on the empty net goal belonged to Olli Jokinen. Kiprusoff (21 save shutout), Bouwmeester, and Iginla earned the three stars.

Finally, we end in Los Angeles, where the Kings hosted the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Jonathan Bernier play goal. Dallas opened on the seventh of the season by Jamie Benn, courtesy of Michael Ryder and Trevor Daley on the power play. Los Angeles tied it in the second period as Brad Richardson scored shorthanded, and Anze Kopitar notched the lone assist. The Stars made it 2-1 with Daley's second of the year, thanks to Tomas Vincour and Tom Wandell. This lasted through the third period and was the final, with the three stars being Daley, Richardson, and Bachman (26 for 27 in saves).

NHL Day 65 2011-2012

Tonight we have just four games being played. First up...

The Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Tomas Vokoun will play in the nets. Washington opened with Dennis Wideman scoring his fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Mike Knuble and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on in the second period on another Wideman power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich. Toronto got on the board with the eighteenth of the season by Phil Kessel, with helpers provided by Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul. Washington got it back when Nicklas Backstrom sent his eleventh of the year into the net, with the help of Wideman and Alexander Semin on the power play. The Maple Leafs got even closer with the third of the season for Cody Franson, an unassisted goal. The Capitals iced it 4-2 with Wideman notching his sixth of the year to complete a power play hat trick, and assisting him this time were John Carlson and Backstrom. The three stars were Wideman, Backstrom, and Ovechkin.

Into Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ryan Miller have control of the cages. Buffalo struck first on the seventh of the season by Derek Roy, with assists from Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis. Florida tied it on a power play goal by Jason Garrison, his ninth of the year, powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg. The game went into overtime, where the Sabres took it as Jason Pominville deposited his tenth of the campaign, via Paul Szczechura and Jordan Leopold. Pominville, Roy, and Stafford were the three stars.

Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Chris Mason stand between the pipes. Dustin Byfuglien put Winnipeg on the board first with his sixth of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler. The Jets extended the lead on Evander Kanes's fifteenth of the year, and once again Wheeler had the lone assist. Winnipeg padded the lead farther in the third period as Tim Stapleton made his third of the season, a power play goal coming off of Kyle Wellwood and Byfuglien. The Jets rolled on as Bryan Little scored his ninth of the year on the power play, courtesy of Kane and Wheeler, the latter finishing a sock trick. Mike Murphy came on in relief of Ward at this point. Carolina got on the board when Justin Faulk scored in the third period, assisted by Jaroslav Spacek and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes pulled closer with the sixth of the campaign by Brandon Sutter, a power play goal, powered by Tim Gleason and Spacek. The final was 4-2, and the three stars were Wheeler, Byfuglien, and Mason (23 for 25 in saves), while Spacek and Kane also played well.

Finally, a little farther west, the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamovand Nikolai Khabibulin got the starting nods. Edmonton was first on the board with the second of the season by Sam Gagner, an unassisted power play goal. The Oilers tacked on another as Ben Eager sank his second of the year, thanks to Eric Belanger and Ryan Jones. Colorado got on the board when Jay McClement scored his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Daniel Winnik and Ryan O'Byrne. Edmonton got it back with Jordan Eberle's eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Gagner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers kept going with a late second period goal from Gagner, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle. The third period was silent, giving Edmonton a 4-1 win, and the three stars were handed to Gagner, Nugent-Hopkins, and Khabibulin (28 for 29 in saves), while Eberle also played well.

Thursday Night Game week 14

This week, the AFC North is showcased in prime time as the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland got things going when Phil Dawson kicked a 20 yard field goal. Pittsburgh answered to make it 7-3 when Ben Roehtlisberger passed 11 yards to Jerricho Cotchery, and Shaun Suisham made the extra point. This score was taken through the second and third quarters, and deep into the fourth, as the Steelers then scored on a Roethlisberger touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, and the play ended up as a 79 yard catch and run. Suisham iced the game at 14-3 with the PAT. The Steelers go to 10-3 while the Browns are 4-9.

NHL Day 64 2011-2012

Big slate of games being played, as we see twelve pucks drop to start games. First up...

The New Jersey Devils host the Ottawa Senators. Alex Auld and Martin Brodeur were called to start, but Johan Hedberg took over for Brodeur in the second period and onward. Ottawa struck first with the eighteenth of the season for Milan Michalek, and Jason Spezza had the lone assist. The Senators added on with the tenth of the year by Nick Foligno, assisted by Jared Cowen and Colin Greening. Ottawa added on in the second period with a Daniel Alfredsson power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Spezza. New Jersey got on the board with Zach Parise netting a shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Adam Henrique. The Devils pulled closer in the third period on the eighth of the season by Dainius Zubrus, a shorthanded goal, and the lone helper was by Patrik Elias. New Jersey tied it with a Mattias Tedenby goal, courtesy of David Clarkson and Adam Larsson. The Devils grabbed the lead on the eighth of the campaign for Ilya Kovalchuk, with the help of Parise and Henrique. The Senators retied it on a shorthanded Jesse Winchester goal, coming from Chris Phillips and Alfredsson. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Parise, Elias, and Henrique toppled Spezza and Alfredsson to pace New Jersey on a 5-4 win over Ottawa. The three stars went to Winchester, Parise, and Kovalchuk, while Elias, Henrqiue, Alfredsson, and Spezza all played well.

Staying in the region, the New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Henrik Lundqvist play between the pipes. New York was first to score with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Brad Richards and Derek Stepan. Tampa Bay answered in the second period with Ryan Malone netting his sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Rangers took the lead back on a shorthanded Artem Anisimov goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Michael Del Zotto and Brandon Dubinsky. The Lightning tied it in the third period with a shorthanded Dominic Moore goal, via Victor Hedman and Eric Brewer. The game went to a shootout, where Tampa Bay won 3-2 as Moore scored the only tally. The three stars went to Moore, Lundqvist (29 for 31 in saves), and Malone.

Over in Boston, the Bruins hosted the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Tim Thomas tend the twines. Florida scored first with approximately two and a half minutes remaining in regulation time, as the fourth of the season for Tomas Kopecky crossed the goal line, with the help of Shawn Matthias and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers iced it at 2-0 with Kris Versteeg netting his thirteenth of the year into the empty cage, helped out by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. The three stars were awarded to Theodore (40 save shutout), Thomas (28 for 29 in saves), and Kopecky.

To the Midwest area, as the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Curtis Sanford will be stopping the puck tonight. Columbus got going with the fourth of the season by Jeff Carter, courtesy of Vinny Prospal and Rick Nash. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with the fourth of the year from Antoine Vermette, pushed through by Jared Boll and Nikita Nikitin. Nashville got on the board with the sixth of the season by Mike Fisher, assisted by Sergei Kostitsyn and Francis Bouillon. Columbus took it back in the third period when the sixth of the year for Derek Dorsett, thanks to Marc Methot and James Wisniewski. The Predators replied with the eighth of the campaign by Patric Hornqvist, guided in by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. With just thirteen seconds left in regulation, Kostitsyn struck to tie the game for Nashville, and helping him sink his fourth of the season were Martin Erat and Suter on the man advantage. The tie was broken by the Predators in overtime with a Colin Wilson tally, his seventh of the year, set up by Erat for a 4-3 win. The three stars were handed out to Wilson, Vermette, and Kostitsyn, while Erat and Suter also played decently.

Back to New York, with the Islanders welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Al Montoya get the starting nods. Marian Hossa put Chicago on the board first with a power play goal by Marian Hossa, his twelfth of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead with Sharp notching his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson. New York got on the board when Travis Hamonic scored, via P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Michael Grabner goal, made possible by Steve Staios and Frans Nielsen as his eighth of the season. The tie lasted into overtime, where Sharp netted his second of the game and fifteenth of the year to win it 3-2 for Chicago, and Hossa had the lone helper. The three stars went to Sharp, Hamonic, and Hossa.

Into the Battle of Pennsylvania, where the Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilya Bryzgalov will play in the blue paint. Danny Briere got Philadelphia on the board first with his eighth of the season, made possible by Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on in the second period when Simmonds scored on the power play, his sixth of the year, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia kept rolling on a Scott Hartnell goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle. Pittsburgh got on the board when the fifteenth of the year by James Neal found twine, a power play goal powered by Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins got closer with the tenth of the campaign by Malkin, fueled by Brooks Orpik and Arron Asham, but it did not save them from losing 3-2. The three stars were Hartnell, Malkin, and Meszaros, while Simmonds had a respectable effort.

Up to Montreal, where the Canadiens host cross-country rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. Stud goalies Roberto Luongo and Carey Price will be in charge of guarding the cages. Montreal opened on a Frédéric St-Denis goal, assisted by Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec. Raphael Diaz added on for the Canadiens with his second of the season, fueled by Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole. Montreal added on in the second period as Cole netted his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Vancouver finally answered with a shorthanded Mason Raymond goal, with the help of Jannik Hansen. The Canucks pulled closer with the sixth of the season for Cody Hodgson, an unassisted goal coming in the third period. Vancouver tied it with Sami Salo notching his sixth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Canucks toppled the Canadiens on a Hodgson tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Hodgson, Cole, and St-Denis.

Down south a bit in Detroit, where the Red Wings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jimmy Howard were given the green light, but Smith was quickly pulled in favor of Jason LaBarbera for the following reasons. Detroit opened on a Todd Bertuzzi goal, his second of the season, guided in by Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with Valtteri Filppula recording his ninth of the year, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Jiri Hudler. Detroit kept going with the fifth of the season for Tomas Holmstrom, a power play goal powered by Ian White and Datsyuk. The Red Wings extended the lead chased Smith with fourth of the year for Darren Helm, courtesy of Chris Conner and Jakub Kindl. Hudler kept Detroit even more firmly in control by recording his fourth of the season, with the help of Zetterberg and Filppula. Phoenix got on the board in the second period, as the fourteenth of the year for Radim Vrbata found twine, and it was set up by Keith Yandle and Derek Morris. The Coyotes got as close as 5-2 with the fourth of the campaign for Martin Hanzal in the third period, a power play goal made possible by Shane Doan and Ray Whitney. Filppula, Zetterberg, and Conner earned the three stars, while Hudler and Datsyuk also performed well.

Staying in the Central Division vs Pacific Division theme, the St. Louis Blues host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jaroslav Halak wear the goalie masks. Chris Porter got St. Louis on the board, his second of the season, assisted by Jamie Langenbrunner and Ian Cole. Anaheim replied with the tenth of the year from the tape of Bobby Ryan, previously hitting the sticks of Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. Cole took the lead back for the Blues in the second period, and he was helped out by Matt D'Agostini and Langenbrunner. St. Louis extended the lead with T.J. Oshie potting his eighth of the campaign, courtesy of Carlo Colaiacovo. The Ducks got within one in the third period when the third of the season by Devante Smith-Pelly found twine, with helpers provided by Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan. The Blues put it away 4-2 on Oshie's second of the night and ninth of the year, an empty net goal set up by David Backes. The three stars were awarded to Oshie, Langenbrunner, and Cole, while Ryan played admirably in the losing effort.

Back to the northwest, where the Calgary Flames welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Miikka Kiprusoff are in the creases. Colorado opened the scoring late in the second period on Matt Duchene's tenth of the season, thanks to Jan Hejda. Calgary tied it in the third period when Lee Stempniak netted his eighth of the campaign, a power play goal made possible by Brendan Morrison and Chris Butler. The Flames took the lead on a Curtis Glencross power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Morrison and Stempniak. The Avalanche tied it up with the fourth of the season for T.J. Galiardi, assisted by Milan Hejduk. Calgary would take the game 3-2 when the eighth of the year (crazy eights for those Flames tonight) by Olli Jokinen crossed into the cage, and he received assistance from Jarome Iginla and Glencross. Morrison, Glencross, and Iginla got the three stars, while Stempniak earns honorable mention.

Down to California, as the Los Angeles Kings host the Minnesota Wild. Matt Hackett and Jonathan Quick get to block the puck. Minnesota struck early with the sixth of the season for Mikko Koivu, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon and Jeff Taffe. The Wild added on in the second period when Darroll Powe notched his third of the year, coming off of Nick Johnson and Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota extended the lead again with the third of the season for Marco Scandella, assisted by Dany Heatley and Matt Cullen. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period, as Dustin Penner scored, with the help of Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar for his second of the year. The Wild replied with a Cody Almond goal, made possible by Nick Johnson and Powe. The Kings cut it to 4-2 with a Trent Hunter goal, fueled by Kyle Clifford and Jack Johnson. This was a final, and the three stars went out to Hackett (42 for 44 in saves), Spurgeon, and Powe, while both Johnsons had multi-point efforts.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks welcomed the Dallas Stars. Andrew Raycroft and Antti Niemi got the starts, but Raycroft was replaced by Richard Bachman for the third period. Logan Couture gave San Jose an early lead on his eleventh of the season, and Ryane Clowe had the lone assist. Jamie McGinn added on for the Sharks with his fifth of the year, courtesy of Michal Handzus and Justin Braun. Dallas got on the board when Mike Ribeiro potted his third of the season, with the help of Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott. Morrow tied it in the second period with his fourth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Ribeiro and Stephane Robidas. San Jose grabbed the lead back on a Clowe goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Joe Thornton and Martin Havlat. The Sharks added on as Brad Winchester registered his third of the season, thanks to Thornton and Brent Burns. San Jose made it 5-2 on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his third of the year, guided in by McGinn. The third period was silent in scoring, leaving the above score as a final, and awarding the three stars to Winchester, McGinn, and Mitchell, while Ribeiro, Morrow, Thornton, and Clowe had honorable mentions.

NHL Day 63 2011-2012

Only three games on tonight, a very low amount. We begin with the Ottawa Senators hosting the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Craig Anderson are playing in between the pipes. In the first period, there was a fight between the Senators' Jesse Winchester and the Capitals' Troy Brouwer. Washington got the scoring going in the second period with the second of the season by Jeff Halpern, made possible by Dennis Wideman and Brouwer. Ottawa tied it on an Erik Condra goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Erik Karlsson and Zack Smith. The Senators took the lead with the ninth of the season from Nick Foligno, and Sergei Gonchar had the lone assist. The Capitals tied it in the third period on a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Brooks Laich and John Carlson. Washington stole the lead with Alex Ovechkin potting his ninth of the season, guided in by Backstrom and Dmitry Orlov. Brouwer extended the lead for the Capitals with his eighth of the year, earning him a Gordie Howe hat trick, and the assists came from Marcus Johansson and Carlson, all just fifteen seconds after the previous tally. Ottawa got one back with a Milan Michalek power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Colin Greening. Washington iced it 5-3 with Carlson scoring his fifth of the year into the empty net with no assistance. The three stars were Carlson, Ovechkin, and Foligno, while Backstrom and Brouwer also performed well.

Over to Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Ryan Miller are tending the twines. Ville Leino got Buffalo going with a power play goal, his third of the season, coming off of Zack Kassian and Luke Adam. Kassian added on for the Sabres with his third of the year, and the lone assist was Andrej Sekera. Forty-two seconds later, Buffalo struck again with Thomas Vanek netting his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jason Pominville and Derek Roy. Just twenty-two seconds after that, and with just a tick left on the clock for the first period, Philadelphia got on the board as Max Talbot registered his seventh of the year, assisted by Jakub Voracek. The Flyers pulled closer in the second period on the eleventh of the season for Matt Read, fueled by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia tied it when Scott Hartnell deposited his twelfth of the year, and Giroux recorded the lone helper. The Flyers grabbed the lead with Jaromir Jagr notching his ninth of the season, via Giroux, who gets a sock trick. The Sabres tied it in the third period on a Drew Stafford goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Pominville and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Philadelphia took the game 5-4 in overtime with Giroux putting his sixteenth of the campaign away unassisted. Giroux, Kassian, and Stafford got the three stars. Pominville gets an honorable mention.

Finally, way to the west the Edmonton Oilers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Devan Dubnyk received the green light to start in goal. Edmonton struck first with an Eric Belanger goal, set up by Magnus Paajarvi and Andy Sutton. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his twelfth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with Jamie McBain's third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kaberle and Justin Faulk. Carolina extended the lead with Patrick Dwyer scoring his fourth of the season, thanks to Eric Staal and Kaberle. The Hurricanes rolled on with a shorthanded Chad LaRose goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Bryan Allen. The Oilers finally got one back with a Ben Eager goal, courtesy of Lennart Petrell and Anton Lander. Carolina struck back in the third period when Tuomo Ruutu scored his ninth of the season, with the help of Jussi Jokinen and Tim Gleason. Edmonton cut it down to 5-3 with the thirteenth of the year by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, guided in by Sam Gagner and Jordan Eberle. This was a final, and the three stars were Skinner, LaRose, and Sutton, while Kaberle also performed well.

NHL Day 62 2011-2012

There are ten games to be played tonight. We begin with the New York Islanders hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. In goal are Mathieu Garon and Al Montoya. Martin St. Louis got Tampa Bay going first, with his ninth of the season, assisted by Brett Clark and Steven Stamkos. New York replied on the ninth of the year by John Tavares, courtesy of Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders took the lead with Matt Martin notching his third of the season, coming off of Tim Wallace and Marty Reasoner. New York padded the lead late in the opening period with Milan Jurcina striking on the power play, with the help of Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit. The Islanders added on again in the third period with a David Ullstrom goal, with helpers provided by Josh Bailey and Steve Staios. New York made it 5-1 with Moulson's fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Tavares and P.A. Parenteau. This was a final, with Tavares, Ullstrom, and Montoya (23 for 24 in saves) getting the three stars, while Moulson gets an honorable mention.

Moving on up to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and James Reimer got the starting nods. New Jersey struck first with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Petr Sykora and Adam Henrique. The Devils added on with another power play goal, this one being the eighth of the year for David Clarkson, powered by Zach Parise and Patrik Elias. Toronto got on the board in the second period with Phil Kessel netting his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Joffrey Lupul and Luke Schenn. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period on the third of the year for Matt Frattin, assisted by Mikhail Grabovski and Cody Franson. New Jersey won it 3-2 in overtime with another Clarkson goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, set up by Dainius Zubrus. The three stars went to Clarkson, Schenn, and Frattin.

Into Quebec, where the Montreal Canadiens host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Carey Price took their places in the creases. Columbus got on the board first with the seventh of the season for Vinny Prospal, and Aaron Johnson and R.J. Umberger picked up the assists. Montreal replied late in the period with the eighth of the year by Andrei Kostitsyn, courtesy of Michael Cammalleri. The Blue Jackets took the lead on an Umberger goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Nikita Nikitin and Samuel Pahlsson. The Canadiens tied it late in the third period when Brian Gionta netted his eighth of the year, thanks to Tomas Plekanec and Alexei Emelin. Columbus took the game in the shootout as Risk Nash had the only tally for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Nash, Umberger, and Kostitsyn.

Southwest to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Brian Elliott donned the goalie masks. Detroit got the first goal in the second period on the power play when Johan Franzen deposited his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Jiri Hudler and the goalie Howard. St. Louis tied it with an Alex Steen power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Jason Arnott. David Backes gave the Blues the lead with his tenth of the season, coming off of T.J. Oshie and Arnott. St. Louis extended the lead on the sixth of the year by Patrik Berglund, assisted by Chris Stewart and David Perron. The Red Wings cut it to 3-2 late as Danny Cleary nailed his sixth of the campaign on the power play, helped in by Hudler and Niklas Kronwall. This was a final, giving the three stars to Elliott (27 for 29 in saves), Oshie, and Vladimir Sobotka, although Arnott or Hudler could take a star as well.

Moving a bit east to Nashville, as the Predators host the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Pekka Rinne will play between the pipes. Phoenix led off with a Taylor Pyatt goal just nine seconds into the game, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski and Boyd Gordon as his fourth of the season. Nashville tied it late in the period with a Mike Fisher goal, his sixth of the year, thanks to Jack Hillen and Craig Smith. The Coyotes gained the lead with a third period Ray Whitney goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The Predators tied it with Shea Weber sinking a power play goal, his sixth of the year, with the help of Ryan Suter and Patric Hornqvist. Phoenix took the lead back on Keith Yandle's fourth of the campaign, coming from Shane Doan and Daymond Langkow for a 3-2 lead. This was a final, giving the three stars to Yandle, Whitney, and Weber.

Back to Canada, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ondrej Pavelc are assigned to stop the puck. Winnipeg struck late in the first period as Andrew Ladd drained his ninth of the season, and Johnny Oduya and the goalie Pavelec picked up the assists. Boston tied it in the third period on a Shawn Thornton goal, his second of the year, pushed through by Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell. The Jets took the lead back with the eighth of the season by Bryan Little, with no assists. This made it 2-1, the final, and the three stars went to Pavelec (39 for 40 in saves), Little, and Rask (33 for 35 in saves).

Westward to Calgary, as the Flames host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Miikka Kiprusoff stand 200 feet apart in this game. Calgary opened on the eighth of the season by Jarome Iginla, assisted by Olli Jokinen and Brendan Morrison. The Flames added on with a Lee Stempniak goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Blake Comeau and Jay Bouwmeester. Morrison extended the Calgary lead in the second period with his second of the season, and he was helped along by Jokinen. Carolina got on the board when Jiri Tlusty converted a penalty shot for his sixth of the year. The Hurricanes came closer with Tim Brent tallying his third of the season, thanks to Eric Staal and Tomas Kaberle. The Flames got it back as the ninth of the year by Rene Bourque found the twine, going in unassisted. Calgary extended the lead with Morrison potting his second of the game and third of the season, with helpers by Iginla and T.J. Brodie. Carolina got it back with an unassisted Jamie McBain goal, his third of the year. The Flames replied back with a power play goal off the tape of Mikael Backlund, his second of the season, powered by Stempniak and Alex Tanguay. The Hurricanes answered on another unassisted goal, this time the sixth of the year by Staal. Calgary extended the lead back to three goals on the second of the night and ninth of the campaign for Iginla, guided in by Morrison and Jokinen, the latter finishing his sock trick. Carolina pulled back with Chad LaRose's seventh of the season, with just thirty-two seconds left in regulation, and the assists came from Brent and Alexei Ponikarovsky. Staal made it 7-6 with his second of the game and seventh of the year, just five seconds before time expired, via McBain and Kaberle. Despite the late flurry, the Flames held on for the win, and the three stars in this laugher went to Morrison, Bouwmeester, and Iginla, while Jokinen, Staal, Brent, Stempniak, Kaberle, and McBain all had multiple point efforts as well.

Keeping with the westward transition, the Vancouver Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Roberto Luongo are in charge of the cages tonight. Vancouver struck first with Daniel Sedin notching his tenth of the season, courtesy of Alexandre Burrows and Henrik Sedin. Jannik Hansen added on for the Canucks in the second period with his eighth of the year, made possible by Kevin Bieksa and Cody Hodgson. Vancouver added on with another Daniel goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, coming off of Henrik and Dan Hamhuis. Hansen replied to this goal for the Canucks, his second of the game and ninth of the year, fueled by Alexander and Keith Ballard. Vancouver kept rolling as Daniel took his turn in the two man goal scoring show, notching a hat trick with his twelfth of the season, and Burrows and Henrik picked up the helpers, with Henrik getting a sock trick. The Canucks struck again with Edler on the power play, his fourth of the year, powered by Hodgson and Cory Schneider, who relieved Luongo due to injury in the second period. Jean-Sebastien Giguere came on in relief of Varlamov after this goal. The final was 6-0, and the three stars were Daniel, Hansen, and Luongo (13 for 13 in saves before departing), while Henrik, Edler, Burrows, Hodgson, and Schneider (20 for 20 in saves in relief of the injury) were also very strong performers.

Down south, the battle of California rages on with the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jonas Hiller play in net. Anaheim was first to strike with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, and Teemu Selanne had the lone assist. The Ducks extended the lead late in the period with the twelfth of the year by Corey Perry, courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf and Matt Beleskey. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with the fourth of the season for Slava Voynov, assisted by Dustin Penner and Anze Kopitar. Justin Williams netted his fourth of the year in the third period for the Kings to tie it, and helping him was Jarret Stoll. Anaheim made it 3-2 with a Ryan goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, and Selanne again had the assist. This was a final, and the three stars were awarded to Ryan, Francois Beauchemin, and Drew Doughty, although, as usual in Anaheim, a player such as Selanne fits the bill much stronger.

Finally, in northern California, the San Jose Sharks play host to the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose struck early on Joe Pavelski's twelfth of the season, coming from Dan Boyle. Minnesota tied it with a Mikko Koivu goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Dany Heatley and Casey Wellman. The Wild gained the lead with a Pierre-Marc Bouchard power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Koivu and Jared Spurgeon. The game was scoreless after the opening period, for a 2-1 Minnesota win. The three stars were Matt Hackett (34 for 34 in saves after Harding left early due to injury), Koivu, and Pavelski.

Fantasy Football All-Stars week 13

Playoff time is close, with some leagues starting this week, some starting next week, and others still in two weeks. Here's who gave you a nice little boost this week.

Quarterback: Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers
Running Back: Shonn Greene
Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin and Pierre Garcon
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski
Kicker: Connor Barth
Team Defense: Kansas City
Defensive Player: Mario Haggan

Monday Night Football week 13

This week the Jacksonville Jaguars welcome the San Diego Chargers in prime time. San Diego opened with Mike Tolbert rushing 13 yards for a touchdown, and Nick Novak adding an extra point. Novak also kicked a 29 yard field goal for the Chargers. Jacksonville got going with Blaine Gabbert finding Maurice Jones-Drew on a 9 yard touchdown connection,and Josh Scobee had the extra point. The Jaguars took a lead on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Gabbert to Cecil Shorts, and Scobee again made the extra point. San Diego charged back (pun unintended) with Philip Rivers tossing a 22 yard touchdown for Vincent Brown, and Novak was true with the extra point. The Chargers added on when Rivers found Vincent Jackson on a 35 yard touchdown, and Novak again made the extra point for a 24-14 halftime score. San Diego extended the lead in the third quarter on Rivers' 52 yard touchdown pass to Malcom Floyd, and Novak made the PAT. The Chargers continued the assault in the fourth quarter with a Ryan Mathews touchdown run of 31 yards, and yet another extra point from Novak. The final was 38-14, and the Chargers went to 5-7 while the Jaguars fell to 3-9.

NHL Day 61 2011-2012

Tonight we have five games being played, beginning in...

Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Marc-Andre Fleury will be playing goal. Boston got going with the second of the season by Gregory Campbell in the second period, assisted by Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton. Benoit Pouliot extended the Bruins lead with his fourth of the year, coming off of Rich Peverley. Boston added on again in the third period with the thirteenth of the season by Tyler Seguin, a power play goal powered by Patrice Bergeron and Peverley. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Matt Cooke goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Joe Vitale. This made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars being Thomas (45 for 46 in saves), Peverley, and Vitale.

Moving into New York, where the Rangers go at it with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Henrik Lundqvist will try to stop the puck. Toronto struck first with a Cody Franson goal, his second of the season, thanks to John-Michael Liles and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a Tim Connolly goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Matt Frattin. Toronto kept rolling with Joffrey Lupul recording his thirteenth of the season on the power play from Tyler Bozak and Kessel. New York got on the board with Artem Anisimov notching his fourth of the year, courtesy of Brandon Prust and Michael Del Zotto. The Rangers pulled closer with Marian Gaborik's thirteenth of the season, also a power play goal, powered by Derek Stepan and Brad Richards. The Maple Leafs made it 4-2, the final, with a Dave Steckel empty net goal, his fifth of the year, pushed through by Luke Schenn. The three stars were awarded to Lupul, Anisimov, and Kessel.

Way down the coast, the Florida Panthers host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth takes on fellow backup Scott Clemmensen in the creases. Florida opened with a Stephen Weiss goal, his tenth of the season coming on the power play via Brian Campbell and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers added on with a Mike Santorelli goal, his fourth of the year, just thirteen seconds later, and he was helped out by Kulikov and Mike Weaver. Kulikov kept Florida going with his third of the season, another power play goal, fueled by Campbell and Weiss. Washington struck with a Mike Knuble goal, his third of the year, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Dmitry Orlov. The Panthers got going again in the second period with Sean Bergenheim sinking his fourth of the season, with the help of Shawn Matthias and Jason Garrison. Florida added on again with another Weiss goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, courtesy of Tomas Fleischmann and Campbell, the latter earning a sock trick for his effort. The Capitals got one back late in the period with Cody Eakin registering his third of the season, guided in by Mathieu Perreault and John Carlson. Washington got another one in the third period when Brooks Laich deposited his sixth of the year, thanks to the efforts of Joel Ward and Carlson. The Capitals made it 5-4 with the eleventh of the season by Jason Chimera, assisted by Carlson for the sock trick and Jeff Halpern. This was the final, and the three stars were Weiss, Kulikov, and Campbell, while Carlson earns the honorable mention.

Way to the north, the Ottawa Senators host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Craig Anderson get the starting nods. Tampa Bay struck first in the second period with a Bruno Gervais goal, his second of the season, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Marc-Andre Bergeron. Ottawa answered quickly with the seventh of the year for Zack Smith, courtesy of Jared Cowen and Kaspars Daugavins. The Lightning took the lead in the third period on a Martin St. Louis goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Stamkos. The Senators retied it with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Jason Spezza and the goalie Anderson. Ottawa grabbed the lead with Nick Foligno netting his eighth of the season, via Alfredsson and Jesse Winchester. The Senators made it 4-2 with a Smith goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, and the assists were credited to Sergei Gonchar and Chris Phillips. This was a final, and Anderson (31 for 33 in saves), Smith, and Alfredsson got the three stars.

Finally, we end in Chicago, with the Blackhawks hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Corey Crawford were the starters, but Ray Emery relieved Crawford early in the second period. Phoenix struck first with the fourth of the season by Raffi Torres, assisted by Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes added on when the thirteenth of the year by Radim Vrbata found twine, and Ray Whitney picked up the lone assist. Phoenix chased Crawford on a Keith Yandle goal, his third of the season, and the lone helper came from David Schlemko. Chicago got on the board with Jonathan Toews recording his sixteenth of the year, via Patrick Kane and Dan Carcillo. Toews pulled the Blackhawks closer with his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp. Chicago tied it on a Kane goal, his eighth of the year, and Toews and Viktor Stalberg were credited with the assists. The tie lasted through the third period and overtime, until Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Vrbata struck for the Coyotes in the shootout. In the 4-3 game, Toews, Vrbata, and Yandle got the three stars, while Kane earned an honorable mention.

Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 8

1. Jonathan Quick, 2 W, 0.50 GAA, 74 SV, .987 SV%, 1 SO
2. Matt Moulson, 6 G, 1 A, +2, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 16 SOG
3. Jordan Eberle, 3 G, 2 A, +4, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 19 SOG
4. Ryan O'Reilly, 4 G, 3 A, +6, 2 PIM, 0 PPP, 13 SOG
5. Evander Kane, 4 G, 1 A, +6, 0 PIM, 1 PPP, 16 SOG

Sunday Night game week 13

Tonight, the New Orleans Saints host the Detroit Lions. New Orleans opened with a 39 yard John Kasay field goal. Mark Ingram added on in the second quarter with a 14 yard rushing touchdown for the Saints, and Kasay iced it off with an extra point. New Orleans pushed onward with a 67 yard touchdown connection between Drew Brees and Robert Meachem, with Kasay adding another extra point. Detroit got on the board with a Kevin Smith touchdown run of 2 yards, and Jason Hanson supplied the extra point for a 17-7 score. Brees made it 24-7 at halftime for the Saints with a 20 yard touchdown pass to Lance Moore, and Kasay made the PAT. Hanson pulled the Lions a little closer with a 31 yard field goal. Detroit got even closer with a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass of 9 yards to Maurice Morris, and Hanson put them within 7 after the extra point. New Orleans pulled away again in the fourth quarter as Brees found Darren Sproles for a 6 yard touchdown, and Kasay kicked the extra point. The final was 31-17, and the Saints improved to 9-3 while the Lions fell to 7-5.

NHL Day 60 2011-2012

Only three games on tonight, beginning with an old rivalry match...

As the Colorado Avalanche host the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Semyon Varlamov are in the creases. Detroit led off with a power play goal by Johan Franzen, his twelfth of the season, powered by Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fifth of the year, and Gabriel Landeskog had the lone assist. The Avalanche took the lead with Paul Stastny sinking his eighth of the season, a power play goal courtesy of Matt Duchene. The Red Wings tied it in the third period with Henrik Zetterberg registering his sixth of the year, thanks to Danny Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi. Colorado retook the lead with a shorthanded T.J. Galiardi goal, his third of the season, made possible by Landeskog. The Avalanche iced it with O'Reilly's second of the game and sixth of the year, an empty net goal going in after being passed from Jay McClemenet and Daniel Winnik. The final was 4-2, and the three stars were O'Reilly, Galiardi, and Landeskog.

Farther west, the Anaheim Ducks host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jonas Hiller will take care of the cages. Anaheim struck first when Ryan Getzlaf netted his sixth of the season, a power play goal set up by Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne. The Ducks extended the lead with a Saku Koivu goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Selanne and Matt Beleskey. Minnesota got on the board late in the opening period with Dany Heatley recording his eighth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Matt Cullen and Mikko Koivu. The Wild tied it on the second of the year by Casey Wellman in the second period, assisted by Matt Cullen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Minnesota grabbed the lead when Bouchard tallied his fourth of the season, and Cullen completed a natural sock trick with a helper, alongside Wellman's assist. The Ducks tied it in the third period on a Cam Fowler goal, which was unassisted and his third of the year. The Wild reclaimed the lead with the fourth of the season by Nick Johnson, assisted by Cal Clutterbuck and Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota iced it 5-3 with Clutterbuck depositing his eighth of the year into the empty net unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Cullen, Selanne, and Francois Beauchemin, although Clutterbuck, Wellman, and Bouchard have convincing arguments for the third spot.

Finally, up north to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Calgary Flames. Henrik Karlsson and Roberto Luongo will get the starting nods. Calgary struck first late in the opening period on an Alex Tanguay goal, his fifth of the season, coming from Roman Horak and Rene Bourque. Vancouver tied it on a power play goal by Kevin Bieksa, his second of the year, helped along by Chris Higgins and David Booth. The Canucks took the lead on a Higgins goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Booth and Dan Hamhuis. Vancouver added on in the third period with Booth's fifth of the year, assisted by Ryan Kesler and Higgins. The Canucks kept going with the seventh of the season for Jannik Hansen, and Mason Raymond and Keith Ballard had the helpers here. The floodgates were officially opened with Vancouver's Daniel Sedin netting his ninth of the year on the power play, powered by Kesler and Henrik Sedin. This forced Karlsson's removal and the insertion of Miikka Kiprusoff to the Flames' crease. The final was 5-1, and the three stars were Booth, Higgins, and Kesler.

NFL Late Games week 13

Leading off the second wave, the Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore took the lead in the second quarter with a 6 yard Ray Rice touchdown run, and Billy Cundiff supplied the extra point. Cundiff made it 10-0 at halftime for the Ravens with a 21 yard field goal. Cleveland got on the board in the third quarter with Phil Dawson kicking a 21 yard field goal. Baltimore answered with a Ricky Williams touchdown run of a yard, and Cundiff added on the PAT. The Ravens attacked again in the fourth quarter when Lardarius Webb ran a punt return back 68 yards for a touchdown, and Cundiff once again added the extra point. The Browns chipped away with a 22 yard Colt McCoy touchdown pass to Evan Moore, and Dawson tacked on the extra point. The final was 24-10 Ravens, who improve to 9-3 while Cleveland drops to 4-8.

Over to New York, with the Giants welcoming the Green Bay Packers. New York drew first blood when Eli Manning tossed a 67 yard touchdown to Travis Beckum, and Lawrence Tynes supplied the extra point. Green Bay tied it with a 12 touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Jermichael Finley, and a Mason Crosby extra point. The Giants took the lead back with Tynes kicking a 38 yard field goal. The Packers grabbed the on a 38 yard interception of Manning by Clay Matthews, good for a touchdown and extra point by Crosby. New York answered with a 1 yard Brandon Jacobs touchdown run, and Tynes tacked on the extra point. Green Bay took the lead back when Rodgers passed a 13 yard touchdown to Donald Driver, and Crosby kicked a PAT once again. This made it 21-17 at the half. The Packers extended the lead with Rodgers throwing a 20 yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings, and Crosby once more made the extra point. The Giants answered back with Manning throwing a 4 yard touchdown to Hakeem Nicks, and Tynes supplied another extra point. Tynes got New York even closer with a 50 yard field goal. Green Bay gained separation with Rodgers finding Driver again, a 7 yard touchdown reception, and Crosby made it 35-27 with the extra point. The Giants ended up tying it with a 2 yard touchdown from Manning to Nicks, and a two point conversion evening the game at 35 with D.J. Ware's rush. The Packers came back late in the quarter with a Crosby 31 yard field goal to win 38-35. Green Bay is now 12-0 and New York is 6-6.

To the southwest, where the Arizona Cardinals host the Dallas Cowboys. Arizona struck first with Jay Feely kicking a 48 yard field goal. Dallas tied it in the second quarter with a 50 yard Dan Bailey field goal. The Cowboys got a lead with Tony Romo passing 15 yards to Dez Bryant for a touchdown, and Bailey added on an extra point. This made it 10-3, a score taken into the locker rooms. The Cardinals got a few back when Feely kicked a 23 yard field goal in the third quarter. Dallas got it back with Bailey's 37 yard field goal. Arizona tied it with a 4 yard Beanie Wells rush for a touchdown and Feely's subsequent extra point. The game went to overtime, where the Cardinals won 19-13 on a 52 yard touchdown pass from Kevin Kolb to LaRod Stevens-Howling, and there are no extra points in overtime. Arizona went up to 5-7 while Dallas fell to 7-5.

Finally, the San Francisco 49ers host the St. Louis Rams. San Francisco got on the board with a David Akers field goal of 36 yards. Akers added on for the 49ers in the second quarter with a field goal from 19 yards out. San Francisco went up 9-0 with Akers' field goal from 28 yards. This score lasted through halftime. The 49ers extended the lead in the third quarter with Alex Smith passing 52 yards to Michael Crabtree for a touchdown, and Akers supplied the extra point. Akers also made a 34 yard field goal for San Francisco. The 49ers continued the blowout in the fourth quarter as Smith tossed a 56 yard touchdown to Kyle Williams, and Akers added on another extra point. This made it 26-0, the eventual final, improving the 49ers to 10-2 and the Rams went down to 2-10.

NFL Early Games week 13

Opening up the football today, we have nine games. First off...

The New England Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts. New England opened with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal of 39 yards. Indianapolis tied it in the second quarter with an Adam Vinatieri field goal from 31 yards. The Patriots took the lead back when Tom Brady threw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski handled the PAT. New England made it 17-3 at halftime with BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushing 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski adding another extra point. The Patriots added on in the third quarter as Brady passed again to Gronkowski for a 21 yard touchdown, and Gostkowski again made the extra point. New England rolled on with Gronkowski rushing 2 yards for a touchdown, and Gostkowski handled the extra point easily. The Colts got a few points back as Donald Brown ran 5 yards for the touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Vinatieri supplied the extra point. Indianapolis kept coming on late as Dan Orlovsky connected for 33 and 12 yards to Pierre Garcon on two separate touchdowns, and Vinatieri again made the extra points for a 31-24 game, which would be a final. The Patriots improve to 9-3 while dropping Indianapolis to 0-12.

Westward to Minnesota, where the Vikings welcome the Denver Broncos. Minnesota opened as Willis McGahee was stopped in his own end zone for a safety. Denver got going in the right direction with a Mario Haggan interception return of 16 yards for a touchdown, much to the disappointment of Christian Ponder with his errant pass. Matt Prater supplied the extra point. The Vikings pulled back with Ryan Longwell kicking a 40 yard field goal. Minnesota got to 12 the hard way with Ponder completing a touchdown to Kyle Rudoplh for 19 yards, and Longwell supplied the extra point. Longwell made it 15-7 with a 25 yard field goal. The Broncos got a few back with Tim Tebow throwing 21 yards to Demaryius Thomas for a touchdown, and Prater was there with the extra point. The Vikings replied with Ponder throwing to Percy Harvin for a touchdown, a 52 yard play, capped off by a Longwell extra point. Denver pulled back with Tebow finding Thomas again, this time for a 41 yard touchdown, and Prater had the extra point. Minnesota pulled away when Ponder and Harvin met up on a 48 yard touchdown reception, and Longwell made it 29-21 with his extra point in the fourth quarter. The Broncos tied it on a 24 yard touchdown run by McGahee, and a successful two-point attempt by Tebow on the ground. Minnesota regained the lead with a Longwell field goal of 39 yards. Denver tied it at 32 when Prater kicked a 46 yard field goal. Denver won it 35-32 on a Prater field goal of 23 yards, improving to 7-5 while Minnesota falls to 2-10.

Back to the Northeast, with the Buffalo Bills hosting the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee was first to score when Rob Bironas made a 48 yard field goal. Buffalo replied on a C.J. Spiller touchdown run of 35 yards, and Dave Rayner converted the extra point. The Titans got it back with Chris Johnson busting out a 48 yard touchdown run, allowing an extra point from Bironas. Johnson added on for Tennessee with a 4 yard touchdown run, and Bironas supplied the extra point. The Bills got a few back with a Rayner field goal of 27 yards. This made it 17-10, and the teams took this score into the locker rooms. The Titans made it a 10-point lead with Bironas kicking a 27 yard field goal in the third quarter. Bironas also added on in the fourth quarter for Tennessee with a 44 yard field goal. Buffalo got closer with a 2 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Stevie Johnson, and Rayner was good with the PAT. The Titans held on for a 23-17 win, and improved to 7-5 while taking Buffalo down to 5-7.

Down the Atlantic coast to Miami, with the Dolphins hosting the Oakland Raiders. Miami got going with a pair of Dan Carpenter field goals, good from 48 and 33 yards. The Dolphins added on with a second quarter Matt Moore touchdown pass to Davone Bess for 12 yards, and Carpenter added the extra point. This made it 13-0 at halftime. Miami began a stronger attack in the third quarter with Reggie Bush running 1 yard for a touchdown, and Carpenter made the extra point. Moore kept the Dolphins strong with a 6 yard touchdown rush, and Carpenter again made the PAT. Miami went defensive on the next touchdown, as Kevin Burnett intercepted Carson Palmer and returned it 34 yards to score, allowing one more extra point for Carpenter. Oakland got on the board in the fourth quarter as Palmer threw 40 yards to T.J. Houshmandzadeh for a touchdown, and Sebastian Janikowski supplied the extra point. The Raiders got closer despite being far too late with Palmer finding Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 3 yard touchdown pass, and Janikowski again made the extra point for a 34-14 score, the final. Miami jumps up to 4-8 while the Raiders suffer a hurtful blow down to 7-5.

Retracing our steps up to Washington, D.C., where the Redskins welcome the New York Jets. Washington started with Roy Helu running a 2 yard touchdown in, and Graham Gano succeeded in making the extra point. New York tied it with a 1 yard Shonn Greene touchdown run, and a Nick Folk extra point. The Redskins took the lead in the second quarter on a 33 yard Gano field goal. The Jets retied it on a Folk field goal of 45 yards. Washington took the lead again with Gano kicking a field goal good from 23 yards. This brought the score to 13-10, which would last through halftime. New York tied it on a Folk field goal of 51 yards in the third quarter. Gano gave the Redskins a lead in the fourth quarter on a 46 yard field goal. The Jets took the lead when Mark Sanchez found Santonio Holmes for a 30 yard touchdown, and Folk made the PAT. New quickly added a security touchdown as Greene ran in 9 yards to score, and Folk made the extra point. Washington got a few back with Gano kicking a field goal from 43 yards out for a 27-19 score. The Jets put the nail in the coffin with Greene running 25 yards for a touchdown, and Folk making another extra point, leaving the final at 34-19. New York improves to 7-5 while the Redskins fall to 4-8.

Southwest to Texas, where the Houston Texans welcome the Atlanta Falcons. Houston struck first with a 43 yard Neil Rackers field goal. The Texans extended the lead with a T.J. Yates touchdown of 3 yards to Joel Dreessen, and Rackers was there with the extra point. Atlanta got on the board with Matt Bryant nailing a 19 yard field goal. The score would last through halftime at 10-3. The Falcons tied it in the third quarter when Matt Ryan found Roddy White for a 4 yard touchdown, and Bryant supplied the PAT. Houston took the lead in the fourth quarter with Arian Foster running 1 yard for a touchdown, and Rackers made the extra point. The Texans weathered a late drive to win 17-10, and improved to 9-3 while the Falcons fell to 7-5.

Back to the Midwest, where the Chicago Bears host the Kansas City Chiefs. Chicago opened the scoring in the second quarter with Robbie Gould making a 32 yard field goal. Kansas City took a 7-3 lead at halftime with a 38 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Palko to Dexter McCluster, and Ryan Succop handled the extra point. The Chiefs added on in the third quarter when Succop kicked a 21 yard field goal. The fourth quarter was silent, leaving the score at 10-3 in favor of Kansas City. The Chiefs are now 5-7 while taking the Bears down to 7-5.

Into the rust belt, where the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh got things going in the second quarter with a 3 yard Rashard Mendenhall tocuhdown run, and Shaun Suisham added the extra point. Mendenhall extended the Steelers lead with a 5 yard touchdown run, allowing another extra point by Suisham. Pittsburgh continued the beatdown with Ben Roethlisberger throwing a 12 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, and Suisham again handled the PAT. Cincinnati got on the board with an Andy Dalton touchdown pass of 11 yards to A.J. Green, and Mike Nugent had the extra point. The Steelers got another touchdown on an Antonio Brown punt return of 60 yards, and Suisham stayed true on the extra point. The score was 28-7 at halftime. Pittsburgh answered with Roethlisberger finding Wallace again for a 19 yard touchdown play, and Suisham made yet another extra point. This made it 35-7, the final, pushing the Steelers up to 9-3 and the Bengals down to 7-5.

Wrapping up the morning games by returning to Florida, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina led off with a Cam Newton 1 yard touchdown rush, and Olindo Mare made the extra point. The Panthers added on as Jonathan Stewart mimicked his quarterback with his own 1 yard touchdown rush, and Mare was again true on the extra point. Tampa Bay got going with a Connor Barth field goal of 50 yards. Barth kept pulling the Buccaneers closer in the second quarter with a 47 yard field goal. Carolina quickly answered with a Newton touchdown pass to Legedu Naanee, good for 19 yards and Mare was there to make the extra point. Barth kept kicking for Tampa Bay by adding a 46 yard field goal. Barth and Buccaneers kept kicking with a 44 yard field goal. The Panthers made it 24-12 at halftime with Mare nailing a 43 yard field goal. Carolina extended the lead in the third quarter with Newton rushing 1 yard for a touchdown again, and Mare had the PAT. Newton continued his pattern of a 1 yard touchdown rushes for the Panthers in the fourth quarter, and Mare stayed true with the extra point. Tampa Bay finally got a touchdown as Josh Johnson threw 23 yards to Dezmon Briscoe, and Barth made the extra point to make it 38-19. This would go into the books as the final, knocking the Buccaneers to 4-8 while the Panthers improve to the same mark.