NHL Day 82 2013-2014

Twelve games to play today, beginning with three matinees. The first is in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Marc-Andre Fleury are between the pipes. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on as Henry Zolnierczyk scored, with the help of Robert Bortuzzo and James Neal. Calgary got on the board in the second period as Paul Byron scored his second of the year, thanks to Joe Colborne and Chris Butler. Pittsburgh answered as Crosby scored his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Kunitz and Simon Despres. The Penguins extended the lead on a Neal goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Matt Niskanen and Crosby. The Flames got one back as Michael Cammalleri scored his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Mark Giordano. Calgary pulled closer in the third period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Matt Stajan and T.J. Brodie. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Crosby, Neal, and Kunitz.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Ottawa began in the first period on a Marc Methot power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris. The Senators added on in the second period with a Zack Smith goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Eric Gryba. Phoenix got on the board when Antoine Vermette scored his tenth of the season, courtesy of Lauri Korpikoski and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes tied it as Radim Vrbata scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal guided in by Martin Hanzal. Ottawa took the lead back as Methot scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Milan Michalek. Phoenix tied it in the third period as Vermette scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal coming off of David Moss and Boedker. The Coyotes won 4-3 in overtime as Vermette finished his hat trick with his twelfth of the campaign, made possible by Derek Morris. The three stars were Vermette, Methot, and Boedker.

Way southwest to Los Angeles, as the Kings bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Martin Jones protect the nets. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Jeff Carter goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. The Kings added on in the second period as Justin Williams scored his twelfth of the year, fueled by Jarret Stoll and Dustin Brown. Colorado got on the board with an Erik Johnson goal, his fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. The Avalanche tied it in the third period on an O'Reilly goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Duchene and Tyson Barrie. Los Angeles won 3-2 in the shootout as Kopitar scored the only goal. The three stars were Kopitar, O'Reilly, and Duchene.

Back east, the Boston Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Reilly Smith goal, his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Carl Soderberg and Ryan Spooner. Buffalo tied it as Zemgus Girgensons scored his fourth of the year, via Matt Moulson and Henrik Tallinder. The Bruins took the lead back in the second period on a David Krejci goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone helper by Jarome Iginla. Boston added on in the third period with a Milan Lucic goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Krejci and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Smith empty net goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, set up by Johnny Boychuk and Patrice Bergeron. The three stars were Smith, Rask (34 for 35 in saves), and Krejci.

Westward to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Curtis McElhinney make the spot starts. Columbus led off in the first period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Nick Foligno and Marian Gaborik. The Blue Jackets added on with an R.J. Umberger power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, powered by James Wisniewski and Ryan Murray. Philadelphia got on the board as Wayne Simmonds scored his seventh of the season, via Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers tied it on a Sean Couturier goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Matt Read and Vincent Lecavalier. Columbus took the lead in the third period on a David Savard goal, his second of the season, made possible by Nikita Nikitin and Corey Tropp. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Boone Jenner scored his fourth of the year, assisted by Nikitin and Savard. Columbus padded the lead as Johansen scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Tropp and Fedor Tyutin. Philadelphia shot back with a Simmonds goal, his second of the night and eighth of the year, pushed through by Jakub Voracek and Mark Streit. The Blue Jackets iced it at 6-3 with an Unmberger empty net goal, set up by Artem Anisimov and Jack Johnson as his second of the game and tenth of the campaign. Johansen, Simmonds, and Umberger get the three stars, while Savard, Nikitin, and Tropp get the honorable mentions.

South to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Marek Mazanec are sent out to start. Montreal struck first in the first period as P.K. Subban scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Lars Eller. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Brendan Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. Montreal extended the lead on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Brian Gionta. Carter Hutton replaced Mazanec at this time. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Matt Cullen and Viktor Stalberg. The Predators pulled closer as Nick Spaling netted his sixth of the season on the power play, powered by Shea Weber and Craig Smith. Nashville tied it in the third period on a Weber power play goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Mike Fisher and Patric Hornqvist. The Canadiens won 4-3 in overtime as David Desharnais scored his fourth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. Weber, Desharnais, and Spaling get the three stars.

Backtracking to DC, as the Washington Capitals host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Braden Holtby are given the starting nods. New Jersey began in the first period with a power play goal by Marek Zidlicky, his fourth of the season, powered by Andy Greene and Jaromir Jagr. Washington tied it in the second period on a Jason Chimera goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Martin Erat and Joel Ward. The Capitals took the lead as Mikhail Grabovski scored his tenth of the season, passed from Eric Fehr and Troy Brouwer. Washington added on with a Ward goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Mike Green and Erat. The Devils got one back in the third period as Jagr scored a power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Greene and Patrik Elias. The Capitals shot back on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Karl Alzner. New Jersey pulled back with a Zidlicky goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, thanks to Travis Zajac and Dainius Zubrus. The Devils tied it on a Zubrus goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Zajac. New Jersey won 5-4 in overtime as Greene put away his sixth of the campaign, with the help of Jagr and Elias. The three stars were Jagr, Greene, and Zidlicky, while Ward, Zubrus, Zajac, Elias, and Erat all get honorable mentions.

North to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson faces his former team, who plays James Reimer in goal. Toronto was first to score as Cody Franson potted his second of the season, an unassisted goal. Detroit tied it in as Pavel Datsyuk scored his fourteenth of the year, via Riley Sheahan and Danny DeKeyser. The Red Wings took the lead on a Joakim Andersson goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Daniel Alfredsson and Brendan Smith. Detroit added on with a Tomas Jurco goal, his second of the year, fueled by Sheahan and Jordin Tootoo. The Maple Leafs pulled back on a second period Dion Phaneuf goal, his third of the season, assisted by Joffrey Lupul. Toronto tied it with a Lupul power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the third period on a David Clarkson goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jay McClement and Nikolai Kulemin. The Red Wings retied it with a Tomas Tatar goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Jurco and Niklas Kronwall. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Alfredsson and Datsyuk's goals gave the Red Wings a 5-4 win. The three stars were Datsyuk, Alfredsson, and Lupul, while Jurco and Sheahan get the honorable mentions.

Out to Long Island, where the New York Islanders bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Evgeni Nabokov occupy the creases. New York struck first in the first period on a Thomas Vanek goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Kyle Okposo and Andrew MacDonald. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his seventeenth of the year, passed from Corey Perry and Kyle Palmieri. The Islanders retook the lead as Vanek scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. New York added on as Frans Nielsen potted his twelfth of the year, via Josh Bailey and Thomas Hickey. The Ducks answered in the third period as Getzlaf scored his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, with the help of Perry and Bryan Allen. Anaheim tied it on a Mathier Perreault goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Daniel Winnik and Matt Beleskey. The Ducks took the lead with a Palmieri goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Getzlaf. Anaheim wrapped it up at 5-3 with a Getzlaf empty net goal, completing his hat trick with his nineteenth of the year, set up by Perry, who got a sock trick, and Ben Lovejoy. The three stars were Getzlaf, Vanek, and Palmieri, while Perry gets an honorable mention.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Ben Bishop guard the cages. Carolina opened in the first period with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Patrick Dwyer and Riley Nash. Tampa Bay tied it as Victor Hedman scored his seventh of the year, via Valtteri Filppula and Alex Killorn. The Hurricanes retook the lead in the second period as Tlusty scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Eric Staal and Ron Hainsey. The Lightning tied it again in the third period on a Martin St. Louis power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Hedman and Filppula. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime as Radko Gudas scored his second of the campaign, assisted by Nate Thompson. The three stars were Tlusty, Hedman, and Filppula.

Northwest to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ilya Bryzgalov are the masked men. St. Louis started in the first period with a Chris Stewart goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on in the second period as Brenden Morrow scored his sixth of the year, via Stewart and Derek Roy. St. Louis extended the lead as Stewart scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season in the third period, assisted by Patrik Berglund and Barret Jackman. The Blues padded the lead as Schwartz scored his tenth of the year, coming off of T.J. Oshie. St. Louis got another when Stewart finished his hat trick on his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Roy and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues kept going as Berglund scored his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Alex Pietrangelo and Magnus Paajarvi. This held up for a 6-0 shutout, with the three stars being Stewart, Elliott (23 save shutout), and Berglund, while Schwartz and Roy get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Alex Stalock in goal. Dallas led off in the first period with a Ray Whitney goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Shawn Horcoff. The Stars added on in the second period as Antoine Roussel scored his eighth of the year, via Alex Goligoski and Alex Chiasson. San Jose got on the board with a Jason Demers goal, fueled by Tyler Kennedy and Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks tied it in the third period as Joe Pavelski scored his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose won 3-2 win a lone tally by Thornton in the shootout. Thornton, Stalock (44 for 46 in saves), and Pavelski got the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 81 2013-2014

Tonight only has five games, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Cory Schneider are in goal. New Jersey got going in the second period as Michael Ryder scored his tenth of the season, assisted by Adam Henrique. Anaheim tied it with a Cam Fowler goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Ben Lovejoy and Teemu Selanne. The Ducks took the lead in the third period on a Mathieu Perreault goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Palmieri and Selanne. The Devils tied it when Andy Greene scored his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jaromir Jagr and Travis Zajac. Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime on a Palmieri goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Perreault and Fowler. The three stars were Palmieri, Fowler, and Perreault, while Selanne gets an honorable mention.

Into New York City, as the Rangers welcome their cross-town rivals, the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Henrik Lundqvist are the veteran goalies. The Islanders began in the first period with a Cal Clutterbuck penalty shot conversion, his fourth goal of the season, on an attempt he received after being hooked by Ryan McDonagh. The Islanders added on as Michael Grabner scored his third of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. The Rangers got on the board with a power play goal by Benoit Pouliot, his fourth of the season, powered by Chris Kreider and Derick Brassard. The Rangers tied it in the second period as Derek Dorsett scored his third of the year, thanks to Dominic Moore and Anton Stralman. The Rangers took the lead on a Derek Stepan power play goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello. The Islanders retied it on a Brian Strait goal, fueled by Josh Bailey and Ryan Strome. The Islanders pulled ahead in the third period as Thomas Vanek scored his eleventh of the year, passed from Kyle Okposo and Andrew MacDonald on the power play. The Islanders iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Grabner, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, set up by Frans Nielsen and Travis Hamonic. The three stars belonged to Grabner, Vanek, and Strait.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Cam Ward are in the creases. Carolina started in the first period with a Jordan Staal goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Alexander Semin and Justin Faulk. Washington tied it in the second period on a Marcus Johansson goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals took the lead as John Carlson scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Backstrom and Troy Brouwer. The Hurricanes retied it on a Riley Nash power play goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Andrej Sekera and Nathan Gerbe. Washington took the lead back with a power play goal by Brouwer, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Mike Green and Backstrom, the latter getting a sock trick. The Capitals iced it at 4-2 as Ovechkin potted his twenty-ninth of the year into the empty net, set up by Backstrom and Martin Erat. The three stars were handed to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Brouwer.

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Antti Raanta are the young goalies. Chicago led off in the first period on a Kris Versteeg goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane and Michal Handzus. The Blackhawks added on as Kane scored his twenty-first of the year, thanks to Michal Rozsival and Johnny Oduya. Vancouver got on the board as Zack Kassian scored his seventh of the season, via Jason Garrison. The Canucks tied it in the third period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Kevin Bieksa and Henrik Sedin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Vancouver won with goals by Mike Santorelli and Ryan Kesler, topping a lone tally by Patrick Sharp for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Kane, Kesler, and Kassian.

Finally, we end in Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Ondrej Pavelec are set to start. Florida opened in the first period as Shawn Matthias scored his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg tied it with a Jacob Trouba goal, his second of the year, via Mark Scheifele and Evander Kane. The Jets took the lead as Tobias Enstrom scored his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Olli Jokinen and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg added on with a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Zach Bogosian and Trouba. The Jets extended the lead in the second period as Kane scored his ninth of the season, coming off of Michael Frolik and Scheifele. The Panthers got one back as Nick Bjugstad scored his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg shot back as Frolik scored his ninth of the season, assisted by Andrew Ladd and Byfuglien. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Frolik, Trouba, and Kane, while Scheifele and Byfuglien get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 80 2013-2014

Eleven games on tonight, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney faces his former starter, Steve Mason. Columbus opened in the first period with a Cam Atkinson shorthanded goal, his tenth of the season, set up by Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets added on as Jack Skille scored his third of the year in the second period, thanks to Mark Letestu and Nikita Nikitin. Columbus extended the lead as Nick Foligno scored his tenth of the campaign, via Jack Johnson and Brandon Dubinsky. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period as Jakub Voracek scored his ninth of the season, with the help of Claude Giroux and Mark Streit. The Flyers pulled closer on the third of the year from Braydon Coburn, an unassisted goal. The Blue Jackets answered as Blake Comeau scored his third of the campaign, coming off of Artem Anisimov. Philadelphia shot back with an Erik Gustafsson goal, his second of the season, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Giroux. The Flyers tied it as Giroux netted his eighth of the year, passed from Michael Raffl and Voracek. Philadelphia took the lead with another Giroux goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, guided in by Streit and Voracek. This held up for a 5-4 win, with Giroux, Voracek, and Streit receiving the three stars.

Over in Buffalo the Sabres welcome the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson is mismatched with Ryan Miller in goal. Buffalo began as Brian Flynn scored his third of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Alexander Sulzer and Christian Ehrhoff. Boston tied it in the second period as Brad Marchand scored his sixth of the year, a shorthanded goal coming off of Johnny Boychuk. The Bruins took the lead as Marchand scored his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, via Patrice Bergeron. The Sabres retied it on a Marcus Foligno goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Jamie McBain and Matt D'Agostini. Buffalo took the lead in the third period as Drew Stafford scored his third of the year, thanks to Ville Leino and Steve Ott. The Sabres added on with a Tyler Myers goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Flynn and Foligno. This was good for a 4-2 win, with the three stars going to Flynn, Marchand, and Foligno.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and James Reimer are in between the pipes. Toronto was first to score in the first period on a Troy Bodie goal, fueled by Cody Franson and Peter Holland. Phoenix tied it in the third period on a Martin Hanzal goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Rostislav Klesla and Radim Vrbata. The tie lasted to a shootout, where James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul scored to lift the Maple Leafs 2-1 over a lone tally by Mikkel Boedker. The three stars were Reimer (34 for 35 in saves), Smith (26 for 27 in saves), and Lupul.

Back to Pennsylvania, as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jeff Zatkoff are in the creases. Pittsburgh led off in the first period as Chris Kunitz netted his nineteenth of the season, passed from Pascal Dupuis and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on in the second period on a Brandon Sutter goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Olli Maatta and Joe Vitale. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Matt Niskanen scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jussi Jokinen and James Neal. The Penguins padded the lead with another Kunitz goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, assisted by Crosby and Niskanen. Minnesota got on the board with a Jason Pominville goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Nino Neiderreiter and Ryan Suter. The Wild got closer in the third period as Dany Heatley scored his seventh of the year, made possible by Charlie Coyle and Keith Ballard. Pittsburgh responded as Maatta converted a penalty shot he received after being hooked by Jonas Brodin, and this was his third of the campaign. This made the score 5-2, the final, with the three stars belonging to Maatta, Kunitz, and Niskanen, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jonas Gustavsson are the little-known goalies. Detroit struck first in the first period with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall. Calgary tied it as Mikael Backlund scored his fifth of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and T.J. Brodie. The Red Wings took the lead back in the second period on a Joakim Andersson goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Alfredsson and Datsyuk. The Flames tied it again on a power play goal by Mark Giordano, his fourth of the year, powered by Curtis Glencross and Cammalleri. The tie lasted to overtime, where Detroit won 3-2 on an Alfredsson power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, guided in by Datsyuk, who got a sock trick, and Kronwall. The three stars were Alfredsson, Datsyuk, and Kronwall, while Cammalleri gets an honorable mention.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Anders Lindback are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay started in the first period with an Alex Killorn goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Victor Hedman and Jean-Philippe Cote. The Lightning added on when Martin St. Louis scored his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Sami Salo and Killorn on the power play. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Craig Smith goal, his seventh of the campaign, via Matt Cullen and Shea Weber. Tampa Bay answered with a Teddy Purcell goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Valtteri Filppula and Matthew Carle. The Predators pulled back on another Smith goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Cullen and Ryan Ellis. The Lightning shot back on a Richard Panik goal, his second of the campaign, passed from Eric Brewer and Andrej Sustr. Marek Mazanec relieved Hutton at this time. The scoring ended here as well, with the final being 4-2. Smith, Killorn, and Cullen get the three stars.

Back to Canada, as the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Craig Anderson are the unreliable goalies. Florida was first to score in the first period on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Shawn Matthias and Krys Barch. Ottawa tied it as Chris Neil scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Marc Methot. The Senators took the lead with a power play goal by Jason Spezza, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by Erik Karlsson and the goalie Anderson. The Panthers tied it as Aleksander Barkov scored his sixth of the season, with the help of Tom Gilbert and Brian Campbell in the second period. Florida took the lead with a third period power play goal by Gilbert, his second of the year, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Marcel Goc. The Panthers iced it at 4-2 with a Tomas Kopecky goal, his third of the campaign, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The three stars went to Gilbert, Clemmensen (32 for 34 in saves), and Barkov.

Down in St. Louis, the Blues welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. St. Louis struck first in the first period with an Alexander Steen goal, his twenty-third of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by T.J. Oshie. The Blues added on as Steen scored his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Derek Roy and Patrik Berglund. St. Louis extended the lead with the tenth of the campaign by Chris Stewart, guided in by Brenden Morrow and Barret Jackman. Montreal got on the board in the second period as Brendan Gallagher scored his tenth of the season, via David Desharnais. The Blues replied in the third period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis padded the lead as Maxim Lapierre scored his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Adam Cracknell. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Steen, Halak (25 for 26 in saves), and Oshie.

Further south, the Dallas Stars bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Kari Lehtonen protect the nets. Dallas began in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Kevin Connauton. The Stars added on as Colton Sceviour scored his third of the year, thanks to Rich Peverley and Erik Cole. Vancouver got on the board with the eleventh of the season by Chris Higgins, guided in by Mike Santorelli and Kevin Bieksa. Dallas answered in the second period as Cole scored his sixth of the year, with the help of Peverley. The Stars extended the lead in the third period with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Cole and Seguin. Luongo was pulled for Eddie Lack at this time. The scoring stopped here at a 4-1 final, with the three stars being handed to Cole, Lehtonen (27 for 28 in saves), and Peverley, while Seguin gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Semyon Varlamov are given the starting nods. Edmonton led off in the first period as Taylor Hall scored his thirteenth of the season, passed from Jeff Petry and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Colorado tied it in the second period on a Tyson Barrie power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene. The Oilers took the lead back as Nugent-Hopkins potted his ninth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Hall. The Avalanche retied it with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his eleventh of the season, via Nathan MacKinnon and Duchene. Colorado took the lead on a shorthanded Max Talbot goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Marc-Andre Cliche. The Avalanche iced it at 4-2 with a Duchene empty net goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, pushed through by Talbot and Jan Hejda. The three stars were Talbot, Duchene, and Hall, while Nugent-Hopkins gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings welcome the San Jose Sharks for a Battle of California. Antti Niemi and Martin Jones guard the cages. Los Angeles got going in the second period on an Alec Martinez goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tyler Toffoli. The Kings added on as Toffoli scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Slava Voynov and the goalie Jones. Los Angeles extended the lead with a third period Jeff Carter goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Dwight King and Robyn Regehr. The Kings padded the lead as King potted his tenth of the year, with the help of Carter and Regehr. San Jose got on the board with a Patrick Marleau goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Martin Havlat. This only made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Toffoli, Carter, and King, while Jones (31 for 32 in saves) and Regehr get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 79 2013-2014

Two games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Martin Brodeur protect the nets. New Jersey opened in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Stephen Gionta, set up by Adam Henrique and Anton Volchenkov. The Devils added on as Reid Boucher scored, thanks to Eric Gelinas and Michael Ryder. New Jersey extended the lead in the second period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by Travis Zajac and Andy Greene. Ottawa got on the board as Colin Greening scored his third of the year, a power play goal guided in by Mika Zibanejad and Erik Karlsson. The Devils responded as Damien Brunner potted his eighth of the season, with the help of Patrick Elias. The Senators shot back as Milan Michalek scored his sixth of the year, via Patrick Wiercioch on the power play. New Jersey wrapped it up at 5-2 with a Gelinas goal, his fourth of the campaign, passed from Brunner and Elias. The three stars went to Brunner, Gelinas, and Elias.

The other game is in New York, as the Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Pittsburgh started in the second period on a Chris Kunitz power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Sidney Crosby. New York tied it as Carl Hagelin scored his seventh of the year, thanks to John Moore and Brad Richards. The Penguins retook the lead in the third period as Pascal Dupuis scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Crosby and Kunitz. Pittsburgh added on with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Olli Maatta. The Rangers pulled back as Mats Zuccarello scored his seventh of the season, via John Moore and Justin Falk. New York tied it with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Benoit Pouliot and Zuccarello. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Sutter's lone tally gave the Penguins a 4-3 win. The three stars were Sutter, Kunitz, and Zuccarello, while Crosby and John Moore get honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 78 2013-2014

Twelve big games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Evgeni Nabokov draw the starts. New York got going in the second period as Kyle Okposo scored his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by John Tavares and Brock Nelson. The Islanders added on in the third period on a Frans Nielsen goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Michael Grabner and Josh Bailey. Tampa Bay got on the board as Valtteri Filppula scored his eleventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Lightning tied it as Filppula scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, fueled by J.T. Brown and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay completed the comeback in the shootout, as Filppula and Nikita Kucherov scored to top a lone tally by Nielsen for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Filppula, Nielsen, and Okposo.

North to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and James Reimer make the starts. Florida began in the first period with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Aleksander Barkov and Dylan Olsen. The Panthers added on in the second period as Sean Bergenheim scored his fourth of the year, via Barkov and Dmitry Kulikov. Florida extended the lead with a Brad Boyes goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Bergenheim. Toronto got on the board as Mason Raymond potted his eleventh of the year, with the help of Peter Holland. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-1, and the three stars went to Bergenheim, Clemmensen (28 for 29 in saves), and Barkov.

Back stateside, the Boston Bruins bring in the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period with a power play goal by Zdeno Chara, his eighth of the season, courtesy of David Krejci and Jarome Iginla. The Bruins added on as Chara scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, a power play goal powered by Iginla and Krejci. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Chara, Rask (21 save shutout), and Iginla, while Krejci gets an honorable mention.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Ryan Miller are the unreliable goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the second period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Grant Clitsome. The Jets added on as Scheifele scored his second of the game and sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. Buffalo got on the board with a Steve Ott goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Drew Stafford and Mike Weber. The Sabres tied it in the third period as Marcus Foligno scored his fourth of the year, via Cody Hodgson and Tyler Myers. Buffalo gained the lead with the twelfth of the season from Matt Moulson, a power play goal powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Ennis. The Sabres extended the lead with a Matt Ellis goal, made possible by Kevin Porter and Brian Flynn. This was good for a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Moulson, Scheifele, and Ellis.

Down to Philadelphia, where the Flyers welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Steve Mason are set to start. Washington struck first in the second period as Alex Ovechkin scored his twenty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. Philadelphia tied it on a Jakub Voracek goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Braydon Coburn and Kimmo Timonen. The Capitals retook the lead as Eric Fehr notched his fifth of the season, passed from Troy Brouwer and Martin Erat. The Flyers retied it on a Matt Read goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Steve Downie and Nicklas Grossmann. Philadelphia took the lead with a power play goal by Mark Streit, his third of the season, guided in by Read and Chris VandeVelde. The Flyers added on with a Voracek power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, made possible by Timonen and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead in the third period on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his sixth of the season, via Scott Hartnell and Eric Gustafsson. This was it for the scoring, and the final was 5-2. The three stars belonged to Voracek, Read, and Timonen.

Back in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Carey Price are the masked men. Phoenix led off in the first period with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Kyle Chipchura and Connor Murphy. Montreal tied it in the third period with an Andrei Markov power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. The Canadiens took the lead on a power play goal by Pacioretty, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Desharnais and P.K. Subban. Montreal iced it as Pacioretty scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year into an empty net, set up by Brian Gionta, to make it a 3-1 final. The three stars were Pacioretty, Price (26 for 27 in saves), and Desharnais.

To Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller faces a similarly-named Jonas Gustavsson in goal. Detroit opened in the first period with a Tomas Jurco goal, fueled by Drew Miller and Kyle Quincey. Anaheim tied it as Jakob Silfverberg scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Francois Beauchemin and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks took the lead on a Nick Bonino goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Teemu Selanne. Anaheim added on as Corey Perry potted his twenty-second of the season, with a lone assist by Ben Lovejoy. Petr Mrazek relieved Gustavsson at this time. The Ducks extended the lead with a Sami Vatanen goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Cogliano and Saku Koivu. Anaheim padded the lead in the second period as Koivu scored his fourth of the season, with the assists credited to Cogliano, who got a sock trick, and Vatanen. The Red Wings got one back in the third period as Daniel Cleary scored his third of the year, with a lone helper by Luke Glendening. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 5-2, and the three stars were Vatanen, Koivu, and Cogliano.

West to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Josh Harding guard the cages. Vancouver started in the first period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Minnesota tied it as Zach Parise scored his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. The Canucks retook the lead in the second period as David Booth scored his fifth of the season, via Yannick Weber and Mike Santorelli. The Wild tied it in the third period as Charlie Coyle scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Koivu and Jonas Brodin. Minnesota won 3-2 with a lone Jason Pominville tally in the shootout. The three stars were Koivu, Coyle, and Pominville.

South to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. San Jose was first to score in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Martin Havlat and Matt Irwin. The Sharks added on as Irwin scored, thanks to Justin Braun and Patrick Marleau. San Jose extended the lead in the second period with a Brent Burns goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl. St. Louis got on the board with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Ian Cole. The Blues pulled closer with a Jay Bouwmeester goal, his third of the year, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Alexander Steen. The Sharks shot back in the third period with a Havlat goal, his third of the season, made possible by Braun and Marleau. This was good for a 4-2 win, with the three stars going to Havlat, Irwin, and Braun, while Marleau gets the honorable mention.

Back east a bit, the Nashville Predators host the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Carter Hutton play goal for their injured superstar starters. Chicago began in the first period with a Duncan Keith goal, his third of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. Nashville tied it as Shea Weber scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Roman Josi and David Legwand. The Blackhawks took the lead as Patrick Kane scored a power play goal, his twentieth of the season, guided in by Patrick Sharp and Keith. Chicago added on in the second period as Nick Leddy notched his fourth of the year, a power play goal fueled by Brandon Saad and Brent Seabrook. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Keith, Kane, and Leddy.

Southwest to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Dan Ellis are in the blue paint. Colorado led off in the first period as Matt Duchene scored his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie. Dallas tied it with a Ray Whitney goal, his second of the year, fueled by Shawn Horcoff and Alex Chiasson. The Avalanche retook the lead in the second period on a Johnson goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Duchene and Nick Holden. The Stars retied it as Whitney scored again, his second of the game and third of the year, made possible by Chiasson and Sergei Gonchar on the power play. Dallas took the lead in the third period with a Colton Sceviour goal, his second of the season, coming off of Rich Peverley and the goalie Ellis. This made it 3-2, the final, with Whitney, Duchene, and Chiasson getting the three stars.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Martin Jones are between the pipes. Los Angeles struck first in the first period with a Dwight King goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter. The Kings added on in the third period as Jordan Nolan scored his fifth of the year, guided in by Matt Greene. Los Angeles iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Dustin Brown, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Jarret Stoll. The three stars were awarded to Jones (24 save shutout), King, and Nolan.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 77 2013-2014

Four games on tonight, beginning in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. Pittsburgh opened with a Chris Conner goal, his third of the season, coming off of Brian Dumoulin and Joe Vitale. Toronto tied it with a Morgan Rielly power play goal in the second period, powered by Cody Franson and the goalie Bernier. The Penguins took the lead in the third period as Sidney Crosby scored his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Pascal Dupuis and Robert Bortuzzo. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-1 as Brandon Sutter scored his sixth of the campaign, an empty net goal going in unassisted. The three stars were Fleury (25 for 26 in saves), Crosby, and Rielly.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Mike McKenna are the unknown goalies. Winnipeg got going in the second period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Evander Kane and Michael Frolik. The Jets added on in the second period as Bryan Little scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd. Columbus got on the board as R.J. Umberger notched his eighth of the season, via Matt Calvert and Ryan Johansen. Winnipeg answered with a Kane goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Mark Stuart. The Blue Jackets shot back as Fedor Tyutin scored his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Mark Letestu and Nick Foligno. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Kane, Little, and Scheifele.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Robin Lehner are the backups making spot starts. Ottawa started in the first period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his second of the season, made possible by Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson. St. Louis tied it in the second period on a Chris Stewart goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Derek Roy. The Blues took the lead as Stewart scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, assisted by Roy and Brenden Morrow. The Senators tied it in the third period as Ryan scored his sixteenth of the year, via Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad. Ottawa won 3-2 in overtime as Cody Ceci scored an unassisted goal. The three stars were Stewart, Ryan, and Roy.

Finally, in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Semyon Varlamov tend the twines. Colorado began in the first period as Nathan MacKinnon scored his seventh of the season, fueled by Matt Duchene and Cory Sarich. Dallas tied it with a Kevin Connauton goal, passed from Tyler Seguin and Alex Goligoski. The Avalanche retook the lead in the second period with a Paul Stastny goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Max Talbot and Jamie McGinn. Colorado added on with an Andre Benoit goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Ryan O'Reilly and Duchene. The Avalanche padded the lead as Stastny scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, via Gabriel Landeskog and P.A. Parenteau. Colorado extended the lead with the third of the season by Erik Johnson, coming off of Stastny and Parenteau. The Stars got one back in the third period as Seguin scored his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Valeri Nichushkin and Sergei Gonchar. The Avalanche wrapped it up at 6-2 with a Tyson Barrie goal, thanks to Parenteau, who got a sock trick, and Stastny. The three stars were given to Stastny, Parenteau, and Seguin, while Duchene gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday Night Football Week 15 2013

This week's Monday night game is in Detroit, as the Lions host the Baltimore Ravens. Detroit led off in the first quarter as Reggie Bush ran 14 yards for a touchdown, and David Akers made the extra point. Baltimore got on the board in the second quarter with a field goal of 29 yards by Justin Tucker. The Ravens pulled closer as Tucker made a 24 yard field goal. Baltimore took the lead with a 32 yard Tucker field goal. The Ravens added on in the third quarter when Tucker was true with a 49 yard field goal. The Lions shot back as Akers made a 40 yard field goal. Baltimore answered with a fourth quarter field goal of 53 yards by Tucker. Detroit took the lead back on a 14 yard Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Joseph Fauria, but he couldn't connect with Calvin Johnson on the two-point attempt. The Ravens regained the lead late with a 61 yard field goal by Tucker. This held up for an 18-16 win, with the Ravens moving to 8-6 while the Lions drop to 7-7.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NFL Week 15 2013

Fourteen more games on today, beginning in...

Minnesota, as the Vikings host the Philadelphia Eagles. Minnesota was first to score in the first quarter as Matt Cassel threw a 57 yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings, and Blair Walsh was there with the extra point. Philadelphia got on the board as Alex Henery made a 35 yard field goal. The Vikings answered in the second quarter on a 21 yard field goal by Walsh. The Eagles shot back as Henery booted a 51 yard field goal. Minnesota added on as Matt Asiata ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Walsh drilled the extra point. Philadelphia got some back on a 33 yard field goal by Henery. The Vikings extended the lead in the third quarter on a 6 yard touchdown run by Cassel, and Walsh nailed the PAT. Minnesota padded the lead with a Walsh field goal of 38 yards. The Eagles clawed back with a 30 yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles to DeSean Jackson, and Henery supplied the extra point. Philadelphia edged closer with a Foles touchdown pass of 3 yards to Zach Ertz, but the two-point throw toward Riley Cooper from Foles was incomplete. The Vikings shot back in the fourth quarter as Asiata ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Walsh kicked the extra point. Minnesota kept going as Cassel found Cordarrelle Patterson for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Walsh was true with the extra point. The Eagles pulled back on a 16 yard Foles touchdown pass to Jason Avant, and then Foles found Cooper for a successful two-point attempt. The Vikings wrapped it up at 48-30 on a 5 yard touchdown run by Asiata, capped off by a Walsh extra point. The Vikings are now 4-9-1 while the Eagles are 8-6.

Down in Miami, the Dolphins welcome the New England Patriots. New England opened with a first quarter field goal of 22 yards by Stephen Gostkowski. The Patriots added on in the second quarter as Tom Brady tossed a 13 yard touchdown pass to Michael Hoomanawanui, and Gostkowski drilled the extra point. Miami got on the board with a 39 yard Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, and Caleb Sturgis supplied the extra point. The Dolphins tied it in the third quarter on a 32 yard Sturgis field goal. Miami took the lead in the fourth quarter as Tannehill found Daniel Thomas for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Sturgis booted the PAT. New England pulled back on a 23 yard field goal from Gostkowski. The Patriots gained the lead as Brady threw a 24 yard touchdown to Julian Edelman, and Gostkowski knocked in the extra point. The Dolphins retook the lead as Tannehill tossed a 14 yard touchdown pass to Marcus Thigpen, and Sturgis was there with the extra point. This was good for a 24-20 win, with the Dolphins improving to 8-6 while the Patriots fall to 10-4.

Staying in Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars bring in the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo struck first in the first quarter on a 42 yard Dan Carpenter field goal. Jacksonville tied it as Josh Scobee kicked a 32 yard field goal. The Jaguars took the lead in the second quarter on a 12 yard touchdown pass from Chad Henne to Ace Sanders, and Scobee handled the extra point. The Bills retied it as EJ Manuel found Robert Woods for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Carpenter nailed the extra point. Buffalo took the lead on an 8 yard Manuel touchdown run, and Carpenter knocked in another PAT. The Bills added on as Carpenter made a 40 yard field goal. Jacksonville shot back in the third quarter when Scobee made a 55 yard field goal. The Jaguars tied it in the fourth quarter as Henne connected with Marcedes Lewis for 13 yards and a touchdown, and Scobee booted another extra point. Buffalo pulled ahead again with a 1 yard Manuel touchdown pass to Frank Summers, and Carpenter was true with the extra point. This held up for a 27-20 win, with the Bills improving to 5-9 and the Jaguars dropping to 4-10.

North to Indianapolis, as the Colts host the Houston Texans. Indianapolis led off in the first quarter as Andrew Luck found Griff Whalen for 14 yards and a touchdown, and Adam Vinatieri kicked the extra point. Houston got on the board as Randy Bullock made a 49 yard field goal. The Colts answered in the second quarter on a 37 yard Vinatieri field goal. Indianapolis added on as Luck tossed a 9 yard touchdown pass to Trent Richardson, and Vinatieri supplied the extra point. The Colts extended the lead when Vinatieri made a 43 yard field goal. Indianapolis padded the lead in the third quarter as Vinatieri was good with a 40 yard field goal. The Colts struck again as Duane Brown recovered a strip sack of Case Keenum for a safety in the Texans end zone. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 25-3, and the Colts improve to 9-5 while the Texans drop to 2-12.

A bit to the east, the Cleveland Browns welcome the Chicago Bears. Cleveland started in the first quarter on a Billy Cundiff field goal of 35 yards. Chicago tied it in the second quarter as Robbie Gould made a 23 yard field goal. The Browns took the lead back as Tashaun Gipson picked off Jay Cutler and returned the interception 44 yards for a touchdown, allowing Cundiff to kick the extra point. The Bears answered with a Cutler touchdown pass of 5 yards to Brandon Marshall, and Gould was there with the extra point. Chicago took the lead in the third quarter on a 43 yard Zack Bowman interception return off of Jason Campbell, capped off by a Gould extra point. Cleveland replied as Edwin Baker ran in a 2 yard touchdown, and Cundiff knocked in the PAT. The Browns took the lead as T.J. Ward recovered a Martellus Bennett fumble that he returned for 51 yards and a touchdown, and Cundiff drilled the extra point. The Bears responded when Cutler threw a 45 yard touchdown to Alshon Jeffrey, and Gould was there with the extra point. Chicago took the lead as Cutler found Earl Bennett for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Gould supplied the extra point. The Bears extended the lead as Michael Bush rushed 40 yards for a touchdown, and Gould made another extra point. Cleveland pulled back on a 43 yard touchdown pass from Campbell to Josh Gordon, and Cundiff nailed the extra point. It wasn't enough to avoid a 38-31 loss, with the Bears improving to 8-6 while the Browns fall to 4-10.

Further east to New Jersey, as the New York Giants bring in the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle began in the first quarter with a Steven Hauschka 49 yard field goal. The Seahawks added on as Marshawn Lynch ran 2 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, and Hauschka supplied the extra point. Seattle extended the lead on a 44 yard Hauschka field goal. The Seahawks padded the lead in the third quarter as Hauschka was true with a 24 yard field goal. Seattle got some more in the fourth quarter when Russell Wilson threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin, and Hauschka knocked in the PAT. This made it 23-0, the final, with the Seahawks going to 12-2 and the Giants falling to 5-9.

Back to Florida again, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco was first to score in the first quarter with a 4 yard touchdown pass from Colin Kaepernick to Michael Crabtree, and Phil Dawson booted the extra point. The 49ers added on as Dawson made a 47 yard field goal in the second quarter. San Francisco extended the lead with a 52 yard Kaepernick touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Dawson supplied the extra point. Tampa Bay got on the board as Mike Glennon found Vincent Jackson for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Rian Lindell handled the extra point. The 49ers answered in the third quarter as Dawson made a 43 yard field goal. The Buccaneers shot back in the fourth quarter with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Glennon to Tim Wright, and Lindell was true with the PAT. San Francisco responded on a 21 yard field goal by Dawson. The 49ers padded the lead as Kendall Hunter returned a fumble by Eric Page for 2 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson nailed the extra point. San Francisco iced it at 33-14 with a 35 yard field goal by Dawson. The 49ers improved to 10-4 and dropped the Buccaneers to 4-10.

Edging north to Atlanta, as the Falcons welcome the Washington Redskins. Atlanta led off in the first quarter as Steven Jackson ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Matt Bryant made the extra point. The Falcons added on as Matt Ryan tossed a 13 yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez, and Bryant nailed the extra point. Washington got on the board with a 23 yard Kirk Cousins touchdown pass to Fred Davis, and Kai Forbath supplied the extra point. Atlanta answered in the second quarter on a 20 yard field goal by Bryant. The Redskins pulled closer as Cousins tossed a 53 yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon, and Forbath was true with the extra point. Washington tied it as Forbath made a 33 yard field goal. The Redskins took the lead as Forbath kicked a 37 yard field goal. The Falcons retook the lead in the third quarter as Jackson rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant booted the PAT. Atlanta got some more in the fourth quarter on a Bryant field goal of 51 yards. Washington pulled within striking distance on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Cousins to Santana Moss, but elected to go for two points and the lead and failed when Cousins couldn't connect with Garcon. The final was 27-26 Falcons, who improved to 4-10 and dropped the Redskins to 3-11.

Further up the coast, the Carolina Panthers bring in the New York Jets. Carolina struck first in the first quarter with a 35 yard field goal by Graham Gano. New York tied it as Nick Folk made a 54 yard field goal. The Panthers took the lead again in the second quarter on a 22 yard field goal by Gano. The Jets retied it as Folk was good on a 33 yard field goal. Carolina pulled ahead as Cam Newton tossed a 72 yard touchdown pass to DeAngelo Williams, and Gano booted the extra point. The Panthers added on as Gano made a 40 yard field goal. The Jets got some back in the third quarter on a 1 yard Sheldon Richardson touchdown run, and Folk was there with the extra point. Carolina padded the lead in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard Mike Tolbert touchdown run, and Gano drilled the PAT. The Panthers extended the lead as Captain Munnerlyn intercepted Geno Smith and returned the ball 41 yards for a touchdown, allowing Gano to make another extra point. The Jets chipped back as Smith found Jeff Cumberland for 8 yards and a touchdown, and Folk kicked in the extra point. This only made it 30-20, the final, with the Panthers going to 10-4 while the Jets fall to 6-8.

All the way across the country, the Oakland Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City started in the first quarter on a 49 yard touchdown pass from Alex Smtih to Jamaal Charles, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. Oakland got on the board with a Sebastian Janikowski 34 yard field goal. The Chiefs added on as Smith threw a 39 yard touchdown to Charles, and Succop nailed the extra point. Kansas City extended the lead as Eric Berry intercepted Matt McGloin and returned the ball 47 yards for a touchdown. The Raiders pulled back in the second quarter as Rashad Jennings ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Janikowski made the extra point. The Chiefs padded the lead as Charles ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Succop was true with the extra point. Kansas City kept going as Smith found Charles for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Succop booted the PAT. Oakland got some back as Jennings ran in another 1 yard touchdown, and Janikowski supplied the extra point. The Raiders chipped closer as McGloin threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Andre Holmes, and Janikowski nailed the extra point. Oakland edged closer when McGloin found Mychal Rivera for 14 yards and a touchdown, and Janikowski kicked in the extra point. The Chiefs got some more as Smith passed a 71 yard touchdown to Charles, and Succop drilled the extra point. Kansas City struck again on a Smith 7 yard touchdown pass to Sean McGrath, and Succop knocked in the extra point. The Chiefs kept going with a Knile Davis 17 yard touchdown run, and Succop supplied another extra point. This made it a 56-31 final, with the Chiefs improving to 11-3 and the Raiders falling to 4-10.

Back southeast to Dallas, as the Cowboys welcome the Green Bay Packers. Dallas began in the first quarter as Dan Bailey made a 47 yard field goal. Green Bay tied it with a Mason Crosby field goal of 57 yards. The Cowboys retook the lead when Bailey booted a 23 yard field goal. Dallas added on with a 25 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Jason Witten, and Bailey knocked in the extra point. The Cowboys extended the lead in the second quarter on a 43 yard field goal by Bailey. Dallas padded the lead as Bailey made a 50 yard field goal. The Cowboys kept going when DeMarco Murray ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Bailey was there with the extra point. The Packers pulled back as Matt Flynn found Jordy Nelson for 13 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby nailed the extra point. Dallas responded on a 50 yard field goal by Bailey. Green Bay chipped closer as Flynn threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless, and Crosby supplied the PAT. The Packers got some more back as Flynn found James Starks for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Crosby was true with the extra point. The Cowboys answered on a 5 yard Romo touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, and Bailey booted the extra point. Green Bay shot back on a Flynn touchdown pass of 3 yards to James Jones, capped off by a Crosby extra point. The Packers took the lead on a 1 yard Eddie Lacy touchdown run, but Flynn couldn't connect with Quarless on the two-point attempt. This still held up for a 37-36 win, with the Packers going to 7-6-1, and the Cowboys falling to 7-7.

Up in St. Louis, the Rams bring in the New Orleans Saints. St. Louis opened in the first quarter as Kellen Clemens threw a 31 yard touchdown to Cory Harkey, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Rams added on as Clemens found Lance Kendricks for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Zuerlein made another extra point. St. Louis extended the lead in the second quarter with a 31 yard field goal by Zuerlein. New Orleans got on the board as Garrett Hartley made a 45 yard field goal. The Rams answered with a 40 yard Zac Stacy touchdown run, and Zuerlein supplied the PAT. St. Louis padded the lead in the third quarter with a 35 yard field goal by Zuerlein. The Saints shot back in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Drew Brees, but Pierre Thomas couldn't run in the two-point attempt. New Orleans chipped closer with a 5 yard Brees touchdown to Marques Colston, and Hartley knocked in the extra point. This produced the 27-16 final, with the Rams moving to 6-8 and dropping the Saints to 10-4.

Out in Tennessee, the Titans host the Arizona Cardinals. Tennessee struck first in the first quarter with a 45 yard Rob Bironas field goal. Arizona answered as Rashard Mendenhall ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Jay Feely made the extra point. The Titans pulled ahead on a Ryan Fitzpatrick touchdown pass of 25 yards to Chris Johnson, and Bironas nailed the extra point. The Cardinals tied it in the second quarter as Feely made a 25 yard field goal. Arizona took the lead in the third quarter with a 47 yard field goal by Feely. Tennessee pulled ahead as Fitzpatrick threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to Delanie Walker, and Bironas was true with the PAT. The Cardinals gained the lead again on a 6 yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Jake Ballard, and Feely knocked in the extra point. Arizona added on with a Mendenhall 1 yard touchdown rush in the fourth quarter, and Feely booted the extra point. The Cardinals extended the lead when Antoine Cason intercepted Fitzpatrick for a 20 yard return and a touchdown, and Feely tacked on another extra point. The Titans shot back with a 10 yard touchdown connection between Fitzpatrick and Michael Preston, and Bironas was there with the extra point. Tennessee pulled closer on a 24 yard Bironas field goal. The Titans tied it as Fitzpatrick and Preston hooked up again for 8 yards and a touchdown, and Bironas' extra point was the equalizer. Arizona won 37-34 in overtime as Feely made a 41 yard field goal. The Cardinals are now 9-5 and the Titans are 5-9.

Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first quarter on a 1 yard Le'Veon Bell touchdown run, and Shaun Suisham kicked the extra point. The Steelers added on as Ben Roethlisberger tossed a 12 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, and Suisham supplied another extra point. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Brown returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham made the extra point. The Steelers padded the lead in the second quarter with a 25 yard field goal by Suisham. Cincinnati got on the board as Giovani Bernard ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. Pittsburgh responded as Suisham made a 45 yard field goal. The Steelers kept going in the third quarter as Suisham made a 26 yard field goal. The Bengals answered in the fourth quarter with an Andy Dalton touchdown pass of 1 yard to Tyler Eifert, and Nugent drilled the extra point. Cincinnati pulled closer as Dalton found Marvin Jones for 13 yards and a touchdown, but Dalton couldn't find Eifert on the two-point attempt. This resulted in a 30-20 loss, with the Steelers improving to 5-9 and the Bengals falling to 9-5.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 76 2013-2014

Six games on this afternoon, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Philipp Grubauer are in goal. Washington led off in the first period with a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Philadelphia tied it as Claude Giroux scored his seventh of the year, assisted by Michael Raffl and Braydon Coburn. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with Mark Streit's second of the season, thanks to Raffl. Philadelphia added on in the third period as Sean Couturier scored his sixth of the year, with the help of Matt Read and Steve Downie. The Flyers extended the lead as Jakub Voracek notched his sixth of the season, via Raffl, who got a sock trick, and Kimmo Timonen. The Capitals answered as Mike Green scored his second of the year, coming off of Backstrom and Johansson. Washington pulled closer with a Dmitry Orlov goal, fueled by Eric Fehr and Joel Ward. The Capitals tied it when Ovechkin netted his twenty-seventh of the campaign, courtesy of Ward. Washington finished the comeback as Fehr and Backstrom topped Giroux in the shootout for a 5-4 win. The three stars were Backstrom, Johansson, and Fehr, while Ovechkin, Ward, Raffl, and Giroux get the honorable mentions.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Petr Mrazek are in the creases. Tampa Bay got going in the second period as Tyler Johnson scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Martin St. Louis and Ondrej Palat. The Lightning added on as J.T. Brown scored his second of the year, via Nate Thompson. Tampa Bay iced it at 3-0 with an Alex Killorn empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Valtteri Filppula and Eric Brewer. Bishop (28 save shutout), Johnson, and Brown get the three stars.

Crossing into Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Peter Budaj are the masked men. Florida dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jesse Winchester goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Tomas Kopecky and Marcel Goc. The Panthers added on as Nick Bjugstad scored his sixth of the year, via Tomas Fleischmann and Scottie Upshall. Montreal got on the board with an Alex Galchenyuk power play goal, his tenth of the campaign, powered by Brian Gionta and P.K. Subban. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Clemmensen (17 for 18 in saves), Bjugstad, and Winchester.

Back stateside, the New York Rangers host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Calgary opened in the first period on a Mikael Backlund power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Kris Russell and Mark Giordano. The Flames added on as Curtis Glencross scored his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jiri Hudler. New York got on the board with a Derek Stepan goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Rick Nash and Dan Girardi. The Rangers tied it in the second period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Benoit Pouliot and Dominic Moore. Calgary took the lead back in the third period as Sean Monahan scored his tenth of the season, fueled by Glencross and Hudler. New York tied it as Chris Kreider netted his eighth of the year, via Stepan and Brian Boyle. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mats Zuccarello, Brad Richards, and Dominic Moore matched Joe Colborne, Lee Stempniak, and Paul Byron, allowing Pouliot to be the hero in the 4-3 Rangers win. Pouliot, Stepan, and Glencross get the three stars, while Hudler gets an honorable mention.

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens and Antti Raanta fill in for the injured top-tier goalies. Chicago began in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Marian Hossa, his fourteenth of the season, set up by Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on as Kris Versteeg scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead as Patrick Sharp scored a power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Toews and Duncan Keith. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period as Alec Martinez scored his second of the year, assisted by Matt Greene and Jordan Nolan. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Raanta (21 for 22 in saves), Toews, and Hossa.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov faces one of his former teams, who plays Jonas Hiller in goal. Edmonton started in the first period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. Anaheim tied it as Nick Bonino scored his ninth of the year, via Pat Maroon and Kyle Palmieri. The Ducks took the lead in the second period on a Teemu Selanne goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mathieu Perreault and Matt Beleskey. The Oilers retied it on a Sam Gagner goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Nail Yakupov and Andrew Ference. Anaheim took the lead back as Dustin Penner scored his tenth of the season, passed from Ryan Getzlaf and Hampus Lindholm. This made it 3-2, the final, with Penner, Selanne, and Bonino getting the three stars.

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KHL Day 103 2013-2014

Last day before another long break, with only two games on. Neither is in Russia, as the first comes from...

Prague, as Lev hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Petri Vehanen are set to start. Prague opened in the first period with a Jiri Sekac goal, assisted by Martin Thornberg and Ondrej Nemec. Lev added on as Jiri Novotny scored, thanks to Mikko Maenpaa. Prague extended the lead in the second period with a Novotny goal, with a lone assist by Justin Azevedo. Lev padded the lead when Michal Repik scored, with the help of Jakub Nakladal and Jakub Matai. Prague struck again with a shorthanded goal by Petr Vrana, set up by Topi Jaakola. Lev got another in the third period on a power play goal by Nathan Oystrick, powered by Maenpaa and Thornberg. Prague iced it at 7-0 with a Martin Sevc goal, fueled by Lukas Cingel and Repik. The three stars were Novotny, Repik, and Thornberg, while Maenpaa and Vehanen (14 save shutout) get honorable mentions.

The other game is in Ukraine, as Donbass Donetsk hosts Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Michael Leighton are the North American goalies. Minsk started in the first period with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, fueled by Andrei Stas. Donetsk got on the board in the second period as Vaclav Nedorost scored an unassisted goal. Donbass took the lead with a Yury Silnitsky goal, coming off of Lukas Kaspar and Randy Robitaille. Donetsk added on in the third period as Kaspar scored a power play goal, powered by Robitaille. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Kaspar, Leighton (29 for 30 in saves), and Robitaille.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion, and check back in ten days for more KHL action. In the meantime, pay attention to my NHL and NFL posts.

NHL Day 75 2013-2014

Twelve games on throughout today. We begin in...

Buffalo, as the first of three matinees has the Sabres hosting the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jhonas Enroth are in the creases. Buffalo got going in the third period as Matt Moulson scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Zemgus Girgensons and Christian Ehrhoff. Calgary tied it as Paul Byron scored, with the help of Chris Butler and Mikael Backlund. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime as Matt Stajan netted his fourth of the year, with a lone helped by Byron. The three stars were Ramo (26 for 27 in saves), Byron, and Stajan.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and Craig Anderson receive the starting nods. Los Angeles began in the first period with a Dwight King goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Jeff Carter and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on as Carter scored his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Robin Lehner relieved Anderson at this time. Los Angeles extended the lead as
Anze Kopitar scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Slava Voynov and King. Ottawa got on the board in the second period with a Joe Corvo goal, his third of the year, coming off of Cory Conacher and Jason Spezza. The Senators pulled closer in the third period as Erik Karlsson netted his ninth of the season, assisted by Kyle Turris and Patrick Wiercioch. The Kings responded with a Jarret Stoll goal, his fourth of the year, via Drew Doughty and Muzzin. Los Angeles padded the lead on a Kopitar power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by King and Carter. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to King, Carter, and Kopitar, while Muzzin gets an honorable mention.

The last of the matinees was in Winnipeg, where the Jets brought in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Ondrej Pavelec drew the starts. Dallas led off in the first period as Tyler Seguin scored his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Sergei Gonchar. Winnipeg tied it with a Matt Halischuk goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Mark Scheifele and Michael Frolik. The Stars took the lead back as Valeri Nichushkin scored his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Jets retied it in the second period on a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Olli Jokinen and Dustin Byfuglien. Dallas regained the lead as Jamie Benn scored his eighth of the season, via Seguin and Gonchar. Winnipeg pulled even again as Wheeler scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, coming off of Bryan Little. The Stars shot back as Benn scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, made possible by Seguin and Gonchar, the latter getting a sock trick on the power play. Dallas added on with another Seguin goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, a power play goal fueled by Gonchar and Alex Chiasson. Al Montoya relieved Pavelec for the third period. The Stars extended the lead in the third period as Colton Sceviour scored, with assists provided by Antoine Roussel and Brenden Dillon. The Jets got one back as Jokinen scored his eighth of the campaign, helped along by Chris Thorburn and Devin Setoguchi. This was as close as it got, with the final being 6-4, and the three stars were Seguin, Benn, and Gonchar, while Wheeler and Jokinen get honorable mentions.

Back east, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Jonathan Bernier are set to start. Toronto was first to score as Peter Holland potted his fourth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Joffrey Lupul and Mason Raymond. Chicago tied it with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith. The Maple Leafs took the lead as Jerry D'Amigo scored in the second period, thanks to Nikolai Kulemin and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto added on with a Holland goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, fueled by Raymond and Lupul. The Blackhawks got one back as Kane scored his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Maple Leafs shot back as Kulemin potted his fourth of the year, via Jay McClement and D'Amigo. Toronto extended the lead on a Lupul power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, passed from Jake Gardiner and Raymond, the latter getting a sock trick. Kent Simpson relieved Raanta for the third period. The Maple Leafs struck again as Lupul netted his second of the game and tenth of the season, with assists from Holland and Raymond. Chicago answered on a Brandon Saad goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Nick Leddy and Jonathan Toews. Toronto wrapped it up at 7-3 as Phil Kessel recorded his seventeenth of the campaign, pushed through by Nazem Kadri and Gunnarsson. The three stars were handed to Lupul, Holland, and Raymond, while Kane, Kulemin, D'Amigo, and Gunnarsson get the honorable mentions.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback is mismatched with Martin Brodeur in goal. New Jersey dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Damien Brunner goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Eric Gelinas and Mark Fayne. The Devils added on in the third period as Dainius Zubrus scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Jaromir Jagr. New Jersey iced it at 3-0 on another Zubrus goal, his second of the night and seventh of the campaign, fueled by Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. The three stars were given to Brodeur (33 save shutout), Zubrus, and Jagr.

Over to Long Island, where the New York Islanders bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. The game was scoreless until overtime, where Max Pacioretty put away his twelfth of the season, via David Desharnais. This made it 1-0 final, with the three stars going to Price (21 save shutout), Pacioretty, and Nabokov (24 for 25 in saves).

Out west a bit, the Detroit Red Wings host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff and Jonas Gustavsson are in the blue paint. Detroit opened in the first period as Niklas Kronwall scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Daniel Alfredsson. Pittsburgh tied it on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins took the lead on a Malkin power play goal, his ninth of the season, via Jokinen. Pittsburgh added on in the second period as Olli Maatta scored his second of the year, thanks to Chris Kunitz and Malkin. The Penguins extended the lead in the third period as Crosby scored his second of the game and eighteenth of the campaign, fueled by Joe Vitale and Chris Conner. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Malkin, Crosby, and Zatkoff (28 for 29 in saves), while Jokinen gets an honorable mention.

Down in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak faces a lesser foe in Mike McKenna in goal. St. Louis struck first in the first period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his tenth of the season, via Jay Bouwmeester and Derek Roy. Columbus tied it on an Artem Anisimov goal, his ninth of the year, thanks to Blake Comeau. The Blue Jackets took the lead as Fedor Tyutin scored his third of the season, an unassisted goal. Columbus added on with a Ryan Johansen power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Brandon Dubinsky. The Blues answered with a Tarasenko power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Brenden Morrow. St. Louis tied it in the third period on a Chris Stewart goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Morrow and Ian Cole. The Blues won 4-3 as David Backes potted his sixteenth of the campaign in overtime, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Tarasenko, Backes, and Morrow.

Further to the south, the Nashville Predators bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Carter Hutton are between the pipes. Nashville started in the first period as Eric Nystrom netted his sixth of the season, assisted by Victor Bartley and Viktor Stalberg. The Predators added on in the second period with a Roman Josi power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Craig Smith and Nick Spaling. San Jose got on the board in the third period as Dan Boyle scored his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Matt Irwin and Patrick Marleau. Nashville replied as Stalberg scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Shea Weber. The Sharks pulled back on a Marleau goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, fueled by Boyle and Joe Thornton. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Stalberg, Marleau, and Boyle.

Southwest to Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Mike Smith are the masked men. Phoenix led off in the first period as Paul Bissonnette scored, with the help of Connor Murphy and Jeff Halpern. Carolina tied it in the second period as Nathan Gerbe scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Eric Staal and Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes took the lead as Jeff Skinner scored his twelfth of the year, fueled by Eric Staal. Carolina iced it at 3-1 with an Eric Staal empty net goal, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Jordan Staal. The three stars were Eric Staal, Peters (37 for 38 in saves), and Skinner.

North to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Semyon Varlamov tend the twines. Colorado got going in the second period as Max Talbot scored his third of the season, courtesy of Cory Sarich and John Mitchell. Minnesota tied it in the third period as Nino Neiderreiter scored his sixth of the year, via Ryan Suter and Jason Pominville. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Matt Duchene's goal for the Avalanche was matched by Zach Parise and topped by Mikko Koivu for a 2-1 Wild win. The three stars were Harding (26 for 27 in saves), Varlamov (26 for 27 in saves), and Koivu.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Vancouver began in the first period as Jannik Hansen scored his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. Boston tied it in the second period on Reilly Smith's eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The Canucks took the lead back as David Booth scored his fourth of the season, via Brad Richardson. Vancouver added on with a Chris Higgins goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Ryan Kesler and Mike Santorelli. The Canucks extended the lead in the third period when Yannick Weber scored, thanks to Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Chad Johnson replaced Rask at this time. Vancouver padded the lead as Henrik Sedin scored his ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Daniel Sedin and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks got another on a Christopher Tanev shorthanded goal, his third of the year, set up by Santorelli and Richardson. The Bruins got one back as Smith scored his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, via Johnny Boychuk and Dennis Seidenberg. This only made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Smith, Henrik Sedin, and Daniel Sedin, while Santorelli and Richardson get the honorable mentions.

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