Fourteen games on today before the Christmas break. We begin with...
The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Phoenix got going in the second period as Martin Hanzal scored his tenth of the season, via Connor Murphy and Tim Kennedy. Buffalo tied it in the third period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Zemgus Girgensons. The Sabres won in overtime as Mark Pysyk put the puck in Smith's pants, which then collectively crossed the line for a 2-1 win, and the assists were credited to Matt Moulson and Christian Ehrhoff. The three stars were Pysyk, Miller (36 for 37 in saves), and Ennis.
Down in Washington, the Capitals welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller faces a lesser foe in Philipp Grubauer in goal. Washington was first to score as Mikhail Grabovski potted his eleventh of the season, thanks to Troy Brouwer and Eric Fehr. The Capitals added on with a power play goal by Nicklas Backstrom, his ninth of the year, powered by John Carlson and Brouwer. Anaheim got on the board with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Saku Koivu and Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks tied it in the second period as Koivu scored his fifth of the year, via Ben Lovejoy and Cogliano. Anaheim took the lead in the third period on a Lindholm goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Lindholm, Koivu, and Cogliano, while Brouwer gets an honorable mention.
Further south, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mike McKenna and Justin Peters are the relatively unknown goalies. Columbus began in the first period on an Artem Anisimov goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. Carolina tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Jeff Skinner, a power play goal with a lone assist by Eric Staal. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period as Corey Tropp scored, thanks to Mark Letestu and Boone Jenner. The Hurricanes retied it as Skinner scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexander Semin and Jordan Staal. Carolina took the lead in the third period on a Semin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Jordan Staal and Nathan Gerbe. Columbus retied it on a Ryan Johansen goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Nick Foligno and Letestu. The Blue Jackets pulled ahead as Jack Skille potted his fourth of the year, passed from Anisimov and James Wisniewski. This made it a 4-3 final, with the three stars going to Skinner, Anisimov, and Semin, while Letestu and Jordan Staal get the honorable mentions.
Back north to New York, as the Rangers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Cam Talbot are the masked men. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period on a J.T. Miller goal, his second of the season, assisted by Chris Kreider and Benoit Pouliot. Toronto tied it on a Nazem Kadri goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by David Clarkson and Morgan Rielly. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan's goals overpowered Joffrey Lupul's tally for a 2-1 Rangers victory. The three stars belonged to Bernier (42 for 43 in saves), Talbot (25 for 26 in saves), and Stepan.
Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Craig Anderson are in the creases. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Zack Smith goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Cody Ceci and Colin Greening. The Senators added on as Bobby Ryan scored his seventeenth of the year in the second period, a power play goal powered by Chris Phillips and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa extended the lead in the third period on a Karlsson goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Clarke MacArthur. The Senators padded the lead on a Kyle Turris goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Karlsson and MacArthur. Ottawa wrapped it up at 5-0 with a Cory Conacher goal, his third of the campaign, dished from Jason Spezza and Marc Methot. The three stars went to Karlsson, Anderson (27 save shutout), and MacArthur.
Way to the south, the Florida Panthers bring in their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Scott Clemmensen are set to start. Florida struck first in the first period as Sean Bergenheim scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal helped along by Aleksander Barkov. Tampa Bay tied it as Alex Killorn potted his ninth of the year, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead on a second period Tyler Johnson goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Hedman and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay added on with a Filppula power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Teddy Purcell and St. Louis. The Lightning extended the lead as St. Louis scored his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the third period as J.T. Brown scored his third of the year, with the help of Nikita Kucherov and Jean-Philippe Cote. The Lightning iced it at 6-1 with another Brown goal, his second of the night and fourth of the campaign, pushed through by Kucherov and Matthew Carle. The three stars were St. Louis, Brown, and Filppula, while Hedman and Kucherov get the honorable mentions.
Northward again to Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Steve Mason are called on to start. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Luke Schenn goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on as Simmonds scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Minnesota got on the board with a power play goal by Mikael Granlund, his third of the season, coming off of Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. Philadelphia responded in the second period with Giroux's tenth of the year, via Braydon Coburn and Voracek. The Flyers iced it at 4-1 with a Simmonds empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, set up by Brayden Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann. The three stars were handed to Simmonds, Giroux, and Voracek.
Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Petr Mrazek have the green light to start. New York started in the first period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Thomas Vanek. The Islanders added on with a Michael Grabner goal, his fifth of the year, thanks to Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen. New York extended the lead as Casey Cizikas scored his fourth of the campaign, with the help of Matt Martin and Colin McDonald. This was all they needed for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Nabokov (23 save shutout), Okposo, and Grabner.
Further to the west, the Calgary Flames bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Reto Berra are between the pipes. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fifth of the season, coming on the power play from Brenden Morrow and Chris Stewart. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his eleventh of the year, a power play goal guided in by Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Blues took the lead back as Jaden Schwartz scored his eleventh of the season, fueled by Jay Bouwmeester and Vladimir Tarasenko. St. Louis added on as Magnus Paajarvi scored his third of the year, thanks to Maxim Lapierre and Adam Cracknell. The Flames pulled back in the third period on Michael Cammalleri's twelfth of the season, assisted by Paul Byron and Backlund. Calgary tied it as Giordano scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Hudler and Cammalleri. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Joe Colborne had the only goal to give the Flames a 4-3 win. The three stars were awarded to Giordano, Hudler, and Cammalleri, while Backlund gets an honorable mention.
Backtracking to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Antti Raanta are in the blue paint. Chicago led off in the first period as Patrick Sharp scored his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. New Jersey tied it in the second period as Stephen Gionta scored his second of the year, via Jon Merrill and Jacob Josefson. The Blackhawks retook the lead as Patrick Kane scored his twenty-second of the season, with the help of Nick Leddy and Kris Versteeg. Chicago added on as Bryan Bickell potted his sixth of the year, thanks to Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith. The Devils got one back in the third period when Michael Ryder put away his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blackhawks answered on a Sharp goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, passed from Hossa and Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead with a Leddy power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, powered by Seabrook and Saad. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars being Sharp, Leddy, and Hossa, while Seabrook and Saad get the honorable mentions.
Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Carter Hutton will man the creases. Boston struck first in the first period as Jarome Iginla scored his ninth of the season, courtesy of Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. The Bruins added on with a Matt Fraser goal, fueled by Carl Soderberg and Ryan Spooner. Hutton was pulled in favor of Marek Mazanec. Boston extended the lead with a Reilly smith power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Soderberg and Spooner. Nashville got on the board in the second period when Craig Smith scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Seth Jones and Ryan Ellis. The Predators pulled closer in the third period as Smith scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, with helpers provided by Shea Weber and Nick Spaling. The Bruins replied with Iginla's second of the game and tenth of the season, guided in by David Krejci and Torey Krug on the power play. Boston padded the lead as Soderberg scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal pushed through by Spooner, who got a sock trick, and Smith. The Bruins wrapped it up at 6-2 with a Brad Marchand goal, his eighth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Smith. The three stars were Iginla, Reilly Smith, and Craig Smith, while Soderberg and Spooner get honorable mentions.
Back in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Ilya Bryzgalov are the overrated goalies. Edmonton started in the first period as Jordan Eberle scored his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ales Hemsky and Andrew Ference. Winnipeg tied it with a Mark Stuart goal, his second of the year, coming off of Olli Jokinen and Devin Setoguchi. The Oilers retook the lead as Sam Gagner scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Eberle and Justin Schultz. the Jets retied it in the second period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his ninth of the year, coming on the power play via Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. Edmonton reclaimed the lead as David Perron netted his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on in the third period with a Jeff Petry goal, his third of the year, made possible by Nail Yakupov and Perron. Edmonton extended the lead on a Hall power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers padded the lead on a Yakupov goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone helper from Hall. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being Hall, Perron, and Eberle, while Yakupov and Nugent-Hopkins get the honorable mentions.
Down in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Martin Jones are the masked men. Los Angeles began in the first period with a Justin Williams goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Dallas tied it with a Tyler Seguin goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Jamie Benn and Maxime Fortunus. The Stars took the lead as Benn scored his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Kings retied it on a Jarret Stoll goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Williams and Trevor Lewis. Dallas retook the lead in the second period on a Valeri Nichushkin power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Seguin and Benn. The Stars added on in the third period when Cody Eakin scored his eighth of the year, with a lone helper from Ryan Garbutt. Dallas extended the lead on an empty net goal by Shawn Horcoff, his fourth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Benn, Seguin, and Williams.
Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Colorado opened in the first period as Nathan MacKinnon scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Erik Johnson. San Jose tied it with a power play goal by Jason Demers, his second of the year, coming off of Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Avalanche took the lead back as Gabriel Landeskog scored his tenth of the season, fueled by Paul Stastny and P.A. Parenteau. The Sharks tied it again in the second period as Burns scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Thornton and Matt Irwin. San Jose took the lead on an Irwin power play goal, his second of the season, passed from Dan Boyle and Tommy Wingels. Colorado pulled even in the third period as Johnson potted his sixth of the year, with the help of O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche pulled ahead on a Jamie McGinn goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by John Mitchell and Max Talbot. The Sharks got another equalizer as Joe Pavelski netted his fifteenth of the year, helped along by Thornton, who got a sock trick, and Burns. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau's goals secured a 5-4 San Jose victory. The three stars went to Burns, Thornton, and Irwin, while Johnson and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion and Merry Christmas.
The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Ryan Miller protect the nets. Phoenix got going in the second period as Martin Hanzal scored his tenth of the season, via Connor Murphy and Tim Kennedy. Buffalo tied it in the third period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Zemgus Girgensons. The Sabres won in overtime as Mark Pysyk put the puck in Smith's pants, which then collectively crossed the line for a 2-1 win, and the assists were credited to Matt Moulson and Christian Ehrhoff. The three stars were Pysyk, Miller (36 for 37 in saves), and Ennis.
Down in Washington, the Capitals welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller faces a lesser foe in Philipp Grubauer in goal. Washington was first to score as Mikhail Grabovski potted his eleventh of the season, thanks to Troy Brouwer and Eric Fehr. The Capitals added on with a power play goal by Nicklas Backstrom, his ninth of the year, powered by John Carlson and Brouwer. Anaheim got on the board with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Saku Koivu and Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks tied it in the second period as Koivu scored his fifth of the year, via Ben Lovejoy and Cogliano. Anaheim took the lead in the third period on a Lindholm goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Lindholm, Koivu, and Cogliano, while Brouwer gets an honorable mention.
Further south, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mike McKenna and Justin Peters are the relatively unknown goalies. Columbus began in the first period on an Artem Anisimov goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. Carolina tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Jeff Skinner, a power play goal with a lone assist by Eric Staal. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period as Corey Tropp scored, thanks to Mark Letestu and Boone Jenner. The Hurricanes retied it as Skinner scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexander Semin and Jordan Staal. Carolina took the lead in the third period on a Semin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Jordan Staal and Nathan Gerbe. Columbus retied it on a Ryan Johansen goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Nick Foligno and Letestu. The Blue Jackets pulled ahead as Jack Skille potted his fourth of the year, passed from Anisimov and James Wisniewski. This made it a 4-3 final, with the three stars going to Skinner, Anisimov, and Semin, while Letestu and Jordan Staal get the honorable mentions.
Back north to New York, as the Rangers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Cam Talbot are the masked men. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period on a J.T. Miller goal, his second of the season, assisted by Chris Kreider and Benoit Pouliot. Toronto tied it on a Nazem Kadri goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by David Clarkson and Morgan Rielly. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan's goals overpowered Joffrey Lupul's tally for a 2-1 Rangers victory. The three stars belonged to Bernier (42 for 43 in saves), Talbot (25 for 26 in saves), and Stepan.
Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Craig Anderson are in the creases. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Zack Smith goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Cody Ceci and Colin Greening. The Senators added on as Bobby Ryan scored his seventeenth of the year in the second period, a power play goal powered by Chris Phillips and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa extended the lead in the third period on a Karlsson goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Clarke MacArthur. The Senators padded the lead on a Kyle Turris goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Karlsson and MacArthur. Ottawa wrapped it up at 5-0 with a Cory Conacher goal, his third of the campaign, dished from Jason Spezza and Marc Methot. The three stars went to Karlsson, Anderson (27 save shutout), and MacArthur.
Way to the south, the Florida Panthers bring in their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Scott Clemmensen are set to start. Florida struck first in the first period as Sean Bergenheim scored his fifth of the season, a power play goal helped along by Aleksander Barkov. Tampa Bay tied it as Alex Killorn potted his ninth of the year, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead on a second period Tyler Johnson goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Hedman and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay added on with a Filppula power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Teddy Purcell and St. Louis. The Lightning extended the lead as St. Louis scored his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the third period as J.T. Brown scored his third of the year, with the help of Nikita Kucherov and Jean-Philippe Cote. The Lightning iced it at 6-1 with another Brown goal, his second of the night and fourth of the campaign, pushed through by Kucherov and Matthew Carle. The three stars were St. Louis, Brown, and Filppula, while Hedman and Kucherov get the honorable mentions.
Northward again to Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Steve Mason are called on to start. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Luke Schenn goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on as Simmonds scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Minnesota got on the board with a power play goal by Mikael Granlund, his third of the season, coming off of Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. Philadelphia responded in the second period with Giroux's tenth of the year, via Braydon Coburn and Voracek. The Flyers iced it at 4-1 with a Simmonds empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, set up by Brayden Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann. The three stars were handed to Simmonds, Giroux, and Voracek.
Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Petr Mrazek have the green light to start. New York started in the first period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Thomas Vanek. The Islanders added on with a Michael Grabner goal, his fifth of the year, thanks to Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen. New York extended the lead as Casey Cizikas scored his fourth of the campaign, with the help of Matt Martin and Colin McDonald. This was all they needed for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Nabokov (23 save shutout), Okposo, and Grabner.
Further to the west, the Calgary Flames bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Reto Berra are between the pipes. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fifth of the season, coming on the power play from Brenden Morrow and Chris Stewart. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his eleventh of the year, a power play goal guided in by Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Blues took the lead back as Jaden Schwartz scored his eleventh of the season, fueled by Jay Bouwmeester and Vladimir Tarasenko. St. Louis added on as Magnus Paajarvi scored his third of the year, thanks to Maxim Lapierre and Adam Cracknell. The Flames pulled back in the third period on Michael Cammalleri's twelfth of the season, assisted by Paul Byron and Backlund. Calgary tied it as Giordano scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Hudler and Cammalleri. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Joe Colborne had the only goal to give the Flames a 4-3 win. The three stars were awarded to Giordano, Hudler, and Cammalleri, while Backlund gets an honorable mention.
Backtracking to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Antti Raanta are in the blue paint. Chicago led off in the first period as Patrick Sharp scored his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. New Jersey tied it in the second period as Stephen Gionta scored his second of the year, via Jon Merrill and Jacob Josefson. The Blackhawks retook the lead as Patrick Kane scored his twenty-second of the season, with the help of Nick Leddy and Kris Versteeg. Chicago added on as Bryan Bickell potted his sixth of the year, thanks to Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith. The Devils got one back in the third period when Michael Ryder put away his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blackhawks answered on a Sharp goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, passed from Hossa and Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead with a Leddy power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, powered by Seabrook and Saad. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars being Sharp, Leddy, and Hossa, while Seabrook and Saad get the honorable mentions.
Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Carter Hutton will man the creases. Boston struck first in the first period as Jarome Iginla scored his ninth of the season, courtesy of Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. The Bruins added on with a Matt Fraser goal, fueled by Carl Soderberg and Ryan Spooner. Hutton was pulled in favor of Marek Mazanec. Boston extended the lead with a Reilly smith power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Soderberg and Spooner. Nashville got on the board in the second period when Craig Smith scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Seth Jones and Ryan Ellis. The Predators pulled closer in the third period as Smith scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, with helpers provided by Shea Weber and Nick Spaling. The Bruins replied with Iginla's second of the game and tenth of the season, guided in by David Krejci and Torey Krug on the power play. Boston padded the lead as Soderberg scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal pushed through by Spooner, who got a sock trick, and Smith. The Bruins wrapped it up at 6-2 with a Brad Marchand goal, his eighth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Smith. The three stars were Iginla, Reilly Smith, and Craig Smith, while Soderberg and Spooner get honorable mentions.
Back in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Ilya Bryzgalov are the overrated goalies. Edmonton started in the first period as Jordan Eberle scored his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ales Hemsky and Andrew Ference. Winnipeg tied it with a Mark Stuart goal, his second of the year, coming off of Olli Jokinen and Devin Setoguchi. The Oilers retook the lead as Sam Gagner scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Eberle and Justin Schultz. the Jets retied it in the second period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his ninth of the year, coming on the power play via Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. Edmonton reclaimed the lead as David Perron netted his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on in the third period with a Jeff Petry goal, his third of the year, made possible by Nail Yakupov and Perron. Edmonton extended the lead on a Hall power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers padded the lead on a Yakupov goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone helper from Hall. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being Hall, Perron, and Eberle, while Yakupov and Nugent-Hopkins get the honorable mentions.
Down in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Martin Jones are the masked men. Los Angeles began in the first period with a Justin Williams goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Dallas tied it with a Tyler Seguin goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Jamie Benn and Maxime Fortunus. The Stars took the lead as Benn scored his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Kings retied it on a Jarret Stoll goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Williams and Trevor Lewis. Dallas retook the lead in the second period on a Valeri Nichushkin power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Seguin and Benn. The Stars added on in the third period when Cody Eakin scored his eighth of the year, with a lone helper from Ryan Garbutt. Dallas extended the lead on an empty net goal by Shawn Horcoff, his fourth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Benn, Seguin, and Williams.
Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Colorado opened in the first period as Nathan MacKinnon scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Erik Johnson. San Jose tied it with a power play goal by Jason Demers, his second of the year, coming off of Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Avalanche took the lead back as Gabriel Landeskog scored his tenth of the season, fueled by Paul Stastny and P.A. Parenteau. The Sharks tied it again in the second period as Burns scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Thornton and Matt Irwin. San Jose took the lead on an Irwin power play goal, his second of the season, passed from Dan Boyle and Tommy Wingels. Colorado pulled even in the third period as Johnson potted his sixth of the year, with the help of O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche pulled ahead on a Jamie McGinn goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by John Mitchell and Max Talbot. The Sharks got another equalizer as Joe Pavelski netted his fifteenth of the year, helped along by Thornton, who got a sock trick, and Burns. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau's goals secured a 5-4 San Jose victory. The three stars went to Burns, Thornton, and Irwin, while Johnson and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion and Merry Christmas.
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