NHL December 31st, 2014

Here's the definitive last post of the year. We have eleven games on for New Year's Eve. We begin in the afternoon with...

The Winnipeg Jets hosting the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Ondrej Pavelec are the veteran goalies. New York struck first in the first period on a Ryan Strome goal, his seventh of the season, via Anders Lee and Nick Leddy. The Islanders added on with a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Johnny Boychuk and Strome. Winnipeg got on the board in the second period on an Andrew Ladd goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Blake Wheeler and Paul Postma. New York replied with a Nielsen goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, assisted by Strome. The Jets got one back with a Ladd power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, made possible by Mathieu Perreault and Bryan Little. The Islanders answered on a Lee goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Strome, who got a sock trick, and Nielsen. New York wrapped it up at 5-2 with a Josh Bailey power play goal into an empty net, set up by Travis Hamonic and Calvin de Haan. The three stars went to Strome, Nielsen, and Ladd, while Lee gets an honorable mention.

Back in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jhonas Enroth draw the starts in goal. Tampa Bay started in the first period on a Matthew Carle goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Ondrej Palat. Buffalo tied it on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Nikita Zadorov and Matt Moulson. The Lightning retook the lead with a Palat power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the season, passed from Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. Tampa Bay added on in the third period on a Brett Connolly goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Anton Stralman and Palat. The Lightning extended the lead as Kucherov scored his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Johnson and Stralman. Tampa Bay padded the lead with a Kucherov goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, made possible by Palat and Johnson, both of whom got sock tricks. This produced the 5-1 final, with the three stars being Palat, Kucherov, and Johnson, while Stralman gets an honorable mention.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Al Montoya in goal. New York was first to score in the first period with a Chris Kreider goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Derek Stepan and Kevin Klein. The Rangers added on in the second period on a Derick Brassard goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Ryan McDonagh and Carl Hagelin. New York extended the lead with a McDonagh goal, his third of the season, a power play goal, going in unassisted. Florida got on the board with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone helper by Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers pulled closer on a Jimmy Hayes goal in the third period, his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Aleksander Barkov and Dave Bolland. The Rangers answered with a Martin St. Louis goal, his twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Stepan and Kreider. New York padded the lead with a Dominic Moore goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of St. Louis and Stepan, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars of the 5-2 game were St. Louis, Kreider, and McDonagh, while Stepan gets an honorable mention.

North to Boston, as the Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Tuukka Rask are the masked men. Toronto led off in the first period on a Leo Komarov goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Peter Holland. Boston tied it in the second period with a Carl Soderberg goal, his eighth of the year, coming on the power play from Reilly Smith and Dougie Hamilton. The Maple Leafs took the lead on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Phil Kessel. Toronto added on with a Kessel power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson. The Bruins got one back with a David Krejci goal, his fifth of the season, via Milan Lucic and Seth Griffith. Boston tied it on a Torey Krug goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Loui Eriksson and Soderberg. In the ensuing shootout, the Maple Leafs got goals from Mike Santorelli and Nazem Kadri to top a Krug tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Kessel, Soderberg, and Krug.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Marc-Andre Fleury are in the creases. Carolina opened in the first period with an Eric Staal goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Elias Lindholm and Jiri Tlusty. Pittsburgh tied it on a Chris Kunitz goal, his eleventh of the year, via Beau Bennett and Andrew Ebbett. The Penguins took the lead with a Brandon Sutter goal in the third period, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Bennett and Kunitz. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Kunitz, Fleury (24 for 25 in saves), and Bennett.

Further west to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets bring in the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Sergei Bobrovsky receive the starting nods. Minnesota began in the first period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Thomas Vanek. Columbus tied it on a Kevin Connauton goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period on a David Savard goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Connauton and Brandon Dubinsky on the power play. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Ryan Johansen, his tenth of the year, set up by Dubinsky and Nick Foligno. The three stars were Connauton, Bobrovsky (28 for 29 in saves), and Dubinsky.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. New Jersey got going in the second period on a Joe Whitney goal, via Tim Sestito. Detroit tied it as Darren Helm scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Gustav Nyquist and Johan Franzen. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Niklas Kronwall and Pavel Datsyuk. Detroit added on with another Helm goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, fueled by Franzen and Nyquist. This produced a 3-1 final, with the three stars being Helm, Nyquist, and Franzen.

Way southwest to Anaheim, where the Ducks welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Frederik Andersen are between the pipes. San Jose led off in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his eighteenth of the season, via Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on in the third period with a Pavelski power play goal, his nineteenth of the year and second of the game, powered by Brent Burns and Logan Couture. San Jose iced it at 3-0 with a Couture empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Vlasic. The three stars were awarded to Pavelski, Niemi (28 save shutout), and Couture, while Vlasic gets an honorable mention.

Back east, the Dallas Stars bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Devan Dubnyk and Kari Lehtonen are the goalies. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Brett Ritchie goal, coming off of Travis Moen and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars added on with a Colton Sceviour goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jamie Benn. Dallas extended the lead as Benn scored his eleventh of the year in the third period, a power play goal powered by Cody Eakin and Tyler Seguin. The Stars padded the lead as Eakin potted his seventh of the season, thanks to Antoine Roussel and Alex Goligoski. Dallas struck again with an Ales Hemsky goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Jason Demers and Jason Spezza. The Stars ended it at 6-0 with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Goligoski. The three stars belonged to Benn, Lehtonen (32 save shutout), and Eakin, while Goligoski gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Semyon Varlamov are the overrated goalies. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Jakub Voracek power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. Colorado tied it in the second period on a Nate Guenin goal, coming off of Marc-Andre Cliche and Max Talbot. The Avalanche took the lead on a Borna Rendulic goal, passed from Gabriel Landeskog and Brad Stuart. The Flyers retied it in the third period with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Braydon Coburn and Chris VandeVelde. Philadelphia took the lead with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Mark Streit. Colorado tied it with a Jarome Iginla goal, his ninth of the year, coming on the power play from Nick Holden and Alex Tanguay. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime as Ryan O'Reilly scored his seventh of the campaign, with the help of Tyson Barrie and Stuart. The three stars went to O'Reilly, Stuart, and Iginla.

Finally, the last game of 2014 is a Battle of Alberta, with the Calgary Flames hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Jonas Hiller make the starts in goal. Edmonton struck first in the first period with a Matt Fraser power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by David Perron and Nail Yakupov. The Oilers added on in the second period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall. Calgary got on the board with a Joe Colborne power play goal, his second of the season, via Sean Monahan and Curtis Glencross. The Flames tied it with a Lance Bouma goal in the third period, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Paul Byron and Raphael Diaz. Edmonton pulled ahead with an Andrew Ference goal, his second of the season, made possible by Draisaitl and Perron. Calgary retied it on a Colborne goal, his second of the game and third of the year, passed from Monahan and Glencross. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime on a Josh Jooris goal, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman. The three stars were Colborne, Monahan, and Glencross, while Perron and Draisaitl get honorable mentions.

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NHL December 30th, 2014

Four games for the night, beginning with...

The Florida Panthers hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Roberto Luongo are in the blue paint. Montreal got going in the second period on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Lars Eller and Nathan Beaulieu. Florida tied it on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Aaron Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau. In the shootout, P.A. Parenteau's goal gave the Canadiens a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Tokarski (36 for 37 in saves), Luongo (33 for 34 in saves), and Parenteau.

Up to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Nashville started in the first period on a Shea Weber goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Olli Jokinen and Gabriel Bourque. St. Louis tied it with a Chris Butler goal in the second period, assisted by David Backes. The Blues took the lead as T.J. Oshie scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Backes and Alexander Steen. The Predators retied it on a Bourque goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jokinen and Paul Gaustad. Nashville took the lead in the third period on a Weber shorthanded goal, his eighth of the season, set up by Roman Josi. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Weber, Bourque, and Jokinen, while Backes gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces his former backup, Ben Scrivens, in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Matt Hendricks goal, his third of the season, via Derek Roy and Oscar Klefbom. The Oilers added on in the second period on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Taylor Hall. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period on a Drew Doughty goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Jeff Carter. The Kings tied it with a Jake Muzzin power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar. The Oilers won 3-2 with a shootout goal by David Perron. The three stars went to Nugent-Hopkins, Hendricks, and Scrivens (37 for 39 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller faces a lesser foe in Alex Stalock in goal. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Bo Horvat goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Derek Dorsett and Ryan Stanton. The Canucks added on in the second period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Alexander Edler and Brad Richardson. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Thornton goal, his ninth of the season, coming on a penalty shot. Vancouver replied with a Radim Vrbata goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. This held up for a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Hansen, Miller (31 for 32 in saves), and Vrbata.

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KHL December 30th, 2014

This is it for the Russian league until after New Year's. We begin the six-game slate in...

Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Nikita Bespalov. Novosibirsk started in the first period on a Dmitry Kugryshev power play goal, powered by Jonas Enlund and Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir added on with a David Ullstrom goal, via Enlund and Dmitry Monya. Novosibirsk extended the lead as Kugryshev scored, thanks to Koskiranta and Enlund on the power play, the latter getting a sock trick. Sibir padded the lead with a Maxim Ignatovich goal, courtesy of Sergei Gimayev and Oleg Gubin. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period with a Mikhail Fisenko goal, passed from Vladimir Loginov. Novosibirsk replied on a Kugryshev power play goal to complete his hat trick, made possible by Koskiranta, who got a sock trick, and Enlund. Sibir struck again with another Ignatovich goal, with assists provided by Monya and Ivan Vereshchagin. Amur got one back on an Evgeny Orlov goal, with a lone helper from Grigory Shafigulin. This made it 6-2, the final, with Kugryshev, Enlund, and Ignatovich getting the three stars while Koskiranta and Monya get the honorable mentions.

Over to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Nikita Lozhkin are set to start in goal. Vladivostok began in the first period with a Vladislav Ushenin goal, assisted by Vyacheslav Ushenin. Admiral added on with a Jan Kolar goal, passed from Alexander Kuznetsov and Alexander Goroshansky. Rafael Khakimov relieved Lozhkin at this time. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a Nikita Kamalov goal, guided in by Ansel Galimov. Vladivostok replied in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Shaun Heshka. Admiral extended the lead on a Richard Gynge empty net goal in the third period, set up by Vladislav Ushenin and Niclas Bergfors. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Vladislav Ushenin, Proskuryakov (24 for 25 in saves), and Kolar.

Southwest to Astana, as Barys brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Pavel Poluektov are in the blue paint. Chelyabinsk led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, assisted by Francis Pare. Astana tied it with a Nigel Dawes goal, fueled by Mike Lundin and Dustin Boyd. Traktor took the lead back in the second period on an Andrei Popov power play goal, powered by Vitaly Atyushov and Maxim Kondratyev. Barys tied it again as Roman Starchenko scored, thanks to Nikolai Antropov and Nikita Mikhailis. Astana took the lead in the third period on another Starchenko goal, guided in by Lundin. Barys iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Dawes, set up by Brandon Bochenski and Boyd. The three stars were handed to Starchenko, Dawes, and Lundin, while Boyd gets an honorable mention.

Up in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Emil Garipov are the underrated goalies. Kazan struck first in the first period on an Oscar Moller goal, coming off of Mikhail Varnakov and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars added on with an Azevedo goal, passed from Ilya Nikulin and Varnakov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the second period with an Alexander Korolyuk power play goal, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Ben Maxwell. Kazan shot back in the third period on an Igor Mirnov goal, via Alexander Burmistrov and Evgeny Medvedev. Yugra took one back on a Philip Larsen goal, made possible by Kaspar. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Azevedo, Varnakov, and Kaspar.

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Jakub Stepanek are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period with a Gennady Stolyarov power play goal, powered by Jarkko Immonen and Juuso Hietanen. Torpedo added on in the second period with a Hietanen goal, fueled by Evgeny Mozer and Nikita Filatov. Cherepovets got on the board in the third period as Maxim Trunyov scored an unassisted goal. Severstal tied it with a Pavel Chernov power play goal, assisted by Evgeny Mons and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. In the shootout, Immonen and Wojtek Wolski scored for Torpedo to top Severstal's lone tally by Marek Kvapil for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Hietanen, Immonen, and Stolyarov.

Finally, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Curtis Sanford are the veteran goalies. Sochi was first to score in the second period with a Cory Emmerton goal, with a lone assist by Max Warn. Yaroslavl tied it on an Andrei Loktionov goal, guided in by Staffan Kronwall and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv took the lead with a Sergei Plotnikov goal, going in unassisted. Yaroslavl added on with a power play goal by Kontiola, powered by Martin Thornberg and Loktionov. The Leopards got one back in the third period on an Andre Petersson power play goal, made possible by Andrei Kostitsyn and Igor Ignatushkin. Lokomotiv iced it at 4-2 on a Yegor Averin empty net goal, set up by Plotnikov. The three stars were Kontiola, Loktionov, and Plotnikov.

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NHL December 29th, 2014

Twelve games on tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Tuukka Rask protect the nets. Boston opened in the first period on a Reilly Smith goal, his ninth of the season, via Dougie Hamilton. Detroit tied it on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall. The Bruins took the lead back with a Gregory Campbell goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Torey Krug and Carl Soderberg. Boston added on with a Soderberg goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Loui Eriksson and Kevan Miller. The Red Wings got one back in the second period on a Tomas Tatar power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Danny DeKeyser and Stephen Weiss. The Bruins replied in the third period with a Seth Griffith power play goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by David Krejci. Boston finished it at 5-2 with a Chris Kelly empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Soderberg and Eriksson. The three stars were Soderberg, Eriksson, and Griffith.

Down to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Cam Ward are the experienced goalies. Montreal got going in the second period with a Jiri Sekac goal, his seventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens added on with a Lars Eller goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Dale Weise and Sergei Gonchar. Carolina got on the board in the third period as Eric Staal scored a power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jiri Tlusty and Jordan Staal. Montreal iced it at 3-1 on a Max Pacioretty empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Brandon Prust. The three stars were Price (28 for 29 in saves), Eller, and Sekac.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Pittsburgh began in the first period on a Sidney Crosby goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Chris Kunitz and Derrick Pouliot. New Jersey tied it in the second period on a Travis Zajac power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Dainius Zubrus and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils took the lead with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Jon Merrill. New Jersey wrapped it up at 3-1 with an Adam Henrique goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Zajac. The three stars belonged to Zajac, Schneider (27 for 28 in saves), and Jagr.

Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jaroslav Halak are between the pipes. New York struck first with an Anders Lee goal in the first period, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Thomas Hickey and Ryan Strome. The Islanders added on in the second period as Lubomir Visnovsky scored a power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Frans Nielsen and Mikhail Grabovski. New York extended the lead with a shorthanded goal by Calvin de Haan in the third period, set up by John Tavares and Nikolay Kulemin. Washington got on the board with an Eric Fehr goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Brooks Laich and Jack Hillen. The Capitals pulled closer on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Alex Ovechkin. Washington tied it on Ovechkin's seventeenth of the season, via Backstrom. The Islanders won 4-3 in overtime with an unassisted power play goal by Johnny Boychuk, his third of the year. The three stars belonged to Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Boychuk.

Into Canada, where the Ottawa Senators welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Craig Anderson draw the starts. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Mark Pysyk goal, via Chris Stewart. The Sabres gained the lead as Zemgus Girgensons scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Matt Moulson and Nikita Zadorov. The Senators retied it on a Ryan goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, fueled by Mike Hoffman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Ottawa took the lead in the third period on a Ryan goal, completing his hat trick on his tenth of the year, with the help of Karlsson. The Senators added on with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Chris Phillips and Mark Stone. Ottawa ended it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Colin Greening, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Ryan, Karlsson, and MacArthur.

Back stateside, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. Toronto started in the first period with a Mike Santorelli goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs added on with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period as Ryan Callahan scored a power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning tied it on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his seventh of the year, via Hedman and Callahan. Tampa Bay took the lead in the third period as Stamkos scored his twentieth of the season, thanks to Matthew Carle. This was good for a 3-2 win, and the three stars went to Stamkos, Callahan, and Hedman.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Martin Brodeur are set to start in goal. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his third of the season, via Paul Stastny. The Blues added on with a Chris Butler goal, guided in by T.J. Oshie and Stastny. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Brodeur (16 save shutout), Jaskin, and Stastny.

Into Canada again, where the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Michael Hutchinson are the young goalies. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period on a Michael Frolik power play goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. The Jets added on in the second period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little on the power play. Minnesota got on the board with a Ryan Carter goal, his third of the season, assisted by Brett Sutter and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild tied it with a Justin Fontaine goal, his third of the year, helped along by Sutter and Brodziak. Minnesota gained the lead with a Marco Scandella goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Zach Parise and Jason Pominville. This was all they needed for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Scandella, Sutter, and Brodziak.

South to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford are the reliable goalies. Nashville began in the first period with a Roman Josi goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Paul Gaustad. The Predators added on with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Colin Wilson and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville extended the lead in the second period as James Neal scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Wilson and the goalie Rinne. Chicago got on the board with a Brad Richards goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Kris Versteeg and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks pulled closer with an Andrew Shaw goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell. Chicago tied it on a power play goal by Marian Hossa, his eighth of the year, powered by Patrick Kane and Keith. The Predators retook the lead on a Neal power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Filip Forsberg and Josi. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period on a Bickell goal, his fifth of the year, with a helpers from David Rundblad and Keith, the latter getting a sock trick. In the shootout, Chicago won with a lone tally by Jonathan Toews for a 5-4 final. The three stars went to Bickell, Keith, and Neal, while Wilson and Josi get the honorable mentions.

Into Texas, where the Dallas Stars host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Kari Lehtonen tend the twines. New York led off in the first period with a J.T. Miller power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh. Dallas tied it with a John Klingberg power play goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Erik Cole and Colton Sceviour. The Stars took the lead as Ales Hemsky scored his third of the season, thanks to Jason Demers. The Rangers retied it on a Kevin Hayes goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Marc Staal and Dan Boyle. Dallas regained the lead in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Garbutt and Cody Eakin. This was it for the scoring in the 3-2 game, with the three stars going to Roussel, Hemsky, and Klingberg.

Way north to Alberta, as the Calgary Flames welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jonas Hiller receive the starting nods. Calgary struck first in the first period with a Curtis Glencross goal, his eighth of the season, via Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan. The Flames added on with a Markus Granlund goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Hudler and Johnny Gaudreau. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis. This was it for the scoring, with Calgary claiming a 2-1 win. The three stars were Hiller (26 for 27 in saves), Hudler, and Granlund.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Devan Dubnyk occupy the creases. Arizona was first to score in the first period with an Antoine Vermette goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Vermette scored again, his second of the game and tenth of the year, assisted by Zbynek Michalek and Martin Erat. Arizona extended the lead in the third period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Boedker and Keith Yandle. Philadelphia got on the board with an R.J. Umberger goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Mark Streit and Sean Couturier. The Flyers pulled closer on Umberger's second of the game and fifth of the season, made possible by Couturier and Matt Read. The Coyotes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Vermette, completing his hat trick with his eleventh of the year, set up by Martin Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski. The three stars were Vermette, Umberger, and Boedker, while Couturier gets an honorable mention.

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Premier League Week 19

Ten more games, beginning with...

Tottenham Hotspur hosting Manchester United. David de Gea and Hugo Lloris are given the starting nods. Tottenham Hotspur took two yellow cards in the first half, for Benjamin Stambouli's offense in the twenty-sixth minute and a twenty-seventh minute Andros Townshend foul. Manchester United took four yellow cards in the second half: Ashley Young in the fiftieth minute, Patrick McNair in the seventy-first minute, Falcao in the eighty-fourth minute, and Rafael in the eighty-sixth minute, all for fouls. The final score was 0-0.

Along to Southampton welcoming Chelsea. Thibaut Courtois and Fraser Forster are in the six-yard boxes. Southampton began in the seventeenth minute on a Sadio Mane goal, via Dusan Tadic on a through ball. In the thirty-first minute, Nemanja Matic of Chelsea received a yellow card for a foul. Chelsea tied the game in first half stoppage time with an Eden Hazard goal, assisted by Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas took a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul. In the fifty-seventh minute, Maya Yoshida of Southampton received a yellow card for a foul, followed by Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin taking a yellow card for a seventy-second minute foul. Southampton went down to ten men in the eighty-eighth minute as Schneiderlin took another yellow card on a foul. In stoppage time, Graziano Pelle of Southampton had a yellow card foul. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up, Aston Villa brings in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Brad Guzan protect the nets. Aston Villa took a yellow card for a Ron Vlaar foul in the forty-fourth minute. Aston Villa went down to ten men in the forty-ninth minute as Fabian Delph was given a red card for a bad foul. Sunderland collected the next four yellow cards, for the following: Lee Cattermole's fifty-sixth minute foul, Adam Johnson's seventy-third minute foul, a Wes Brown foul in the eighty-ninth minute, and a stoppage time foul by Emanuele Giaccherini. The final was a 0-0 draw.

Up north, Hull City hosts Leicester City. Ben Hamer is mismatched with Allan McGregor in goal. Leicester City had a yellow card go to Danny Simpson for a thirty-first minute foul. Leciester City led off in the thirty-second minute as Riyad Mahrez scored, with the help of David Nugent. Leicester City had a yellow card given to Paul Konchesky for a foul in the fifty-eighth minute, and then they went to ten men when Konchesky took a second yellow card in the eighty-eighth minute. In stoppage time, Hull City's Stephen Quinn was given a straight red card for a foul, putting the teams level at ten men each. Leicester City held on for a 1-0 win.

Over in Manchester, City welcomes Burnley. Tom Heaton and Joe Hart are the gloved men. Manchester City opened with a twenty-third minute David Silva goal, via Jesus Navas. Manchester City added on with a Fernandinho goal at the thirty-three minute mark, coming off of Samir Nasri. Manchester City took a yellow card for a forty-second minute Fernando foul. In the forty-seventh minute, George Boyd put Burnley on the board with a goal, set up by Danny Ings. Burnley took a yellow card for a Ben Mee foul in the seventy-first minute. Manchester City's Navas was given a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-ninth minute. In the eighty-first minute, Pablo Zabaleta was given a yellow card for a foul, and Burnley tied the game on an Ashley Barnes goal, guided in by Michael Keane after a set piece. In the eighty-eighth minute, Silva of Manchester City took a yellow card.

Back in London, the Queens Park Rangers bring in Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Robert Green are the goalies. QPR took the first yellow card in first half stoppage time on a Clint Hill foul. QPR had another yellow card for a sixty-second minute Joey Barton foul. Crystal Palace was given a yellow card in the seventy-second minute on a Jason Puncheon foul. The final stood at 0-0.

Following that, Stoke City hosts West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Asmir Begovic guard the woodwork. Stoke City got going in the fifty-first minute on a Mame Biram Diouf goal, via Erik Pieters. In the sixty-sixth minute, Stoke City added on with another Diouf goal, passed from Marko Arnautovic. In the sixty-eighth minute, Chris Brunt of West Brom was given a yellow card for a foul. West Brom had a yellow card go to Chris Baird in the seventy-sixth minute. Stoke City cruised to a 2-0 win.

Continuing to West Ham United welcoming Arsenal. Wojciech Szczesny and Adrian are between the posts. West Ham United had a yellow card go to Andy Carroll in the thirty-sixth minute for a foul. Arsenal started in the forty-first minute as Santiago Cazorla scored on a penalty kick. In the forty-fourth minute, Danny Welbeck scored for Arsenal, with the help of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal took a yellow card for a forty-eighth minute Alexis Sanchez foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Cheikhou Kouyate got West Ham United on the board with a goal, passed from James Tomkins on a cross after a corner kick. In the eightieth minute, Mathieu Debuchy of Arsenal received a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United had a pair of yellow cards, for a Tomkins foul in the eighty-fourth minute and Winston Reid's offense in the eighty-eighth minute. Arsenal had a yellow card in stoppage time, going to Francis Coquelin. Arsenal won 2-1.

Closing out Sunday, Newcastle United brings in Everton. Joel Robles and Jak Alnwick are the backups in goal. Everton dented the scoreboard in the fifth minute with an Arouna Kone goal, made possible by a Seamus Coleman cross. In the twenty-seventh minute, Yoan Gouffran of Newcastle United took a yellow card for a foul. Everton saw a yellow card go to James McCarthy in the twenty-eighth minute. Newcastle United tied it in the thirty-fourth minute on a Papiss Demba Cisse goal, guided in by Michael Williamson after a corner kick. In the fifty-first minute Ayoze Perez gave Newcastle United the lead with his goal, set up by Cheick Tiote. Newcastle United added on with a Jack Colback goal in the sixty-eighth minute. In the seventy-first minute, Everton's Antolin Alcaraz was given a yellow card. Everton pulled back on a Kevin Mirallas goal in the eighty-fourth minute, coming off of Leighton Baines with the through ball. Newcastle United saw a yellow card go to Paul Dummett in stoppage time. Newcastle United held on for a 3-2 win.

The lone Monday game had Liverpool host Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Simon Mignolet tend the nets. Liverpool started in the thirty-third minute with an Alberto Moreno goal, guided in by Jordan Henderson. In the forty-ninth minute, Liverpool's Martin Skrtel took a yellow card for a foul. Liverpool added on in the fifty-first minute with an Adam Lallana goal from outside the box. Swansea City got on the board in the fifty-second minute as Gylfi Sigurdsson scored. Liverpool shot back in the sixty-first minute on another Lallana goal, set up by Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool extended the lead in the sixty-ninth minute when Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey was saddled with an own goal. This made it 4-1, the final, favoring Liverpool.

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KHL December 29th, 2014

Two games today, beginning with...

Dinamo Minsk hosting Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Danny Taylor are set to start in goal. Minsk struck first in the first period on a Pavel Razvadovsky goal, via Andrei Stepanov and Nick Bailen. Podolsk tied it on an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, guided in by Denis Grebeshkov. Vityaz took the lead on a Roman Horak goal, made possible by Dmitry Tsyganov. Dinamo tied it in the second period as Paul Szczechura scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Bailen. Minsk gained the lead on an Alexander Materukhin goal, passed from Charles Linglet. Podolsk pulled even on a power play goal in the third period from Mathias Porseland, with a lone assist by Horak. Vityaz took the lead as Vyacheslav Solodukhin scored a power play goal, with the help of Anton Korolyov and Kucheryavenko. Dinamo tied it again with an Ilya Shinkevich goal, assisted by Bailen, who got a sock trick, and Szczechura. Minsk won 5-4 on a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, helped along by Szczechura. The three stars went to Szczechura, Bailen, and Kucheryavenko, while Horak gets an honorable mention.

The other game is Atlant Mytishchi hosting Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Atte Engren protect the nets. Riga was first to score in the first period on a Maris Bicevskis goal, guided in by Gunars Skvorcovs. Dinamo added on in the second period with a power play goal by Miks Indrasis, powered by Kyle Wilson. Riga extended the lead on a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, fueled by Skvorcovs. Mytishchi got on the board in the third period as Matthew Gilroy scored, thanks to Sergei Shmelyov and Dmitry Korobov. Atlant pulled closer on an Andrei Taratukhin power play goal, with a lone assist from Anton Babchuk. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Skvorcovs, Redlihs, and Indrasis.

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NHL December 28th, 2014

Two games tonight, beginning in...

Florida, as the Panthers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Roberto Luongo are in the creases. Toronto got going in the second period on a Richard Panik goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Morgan Rielly and David Clarkson. Florida tied it on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Brian Campbell and Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers took the lead on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Sean Bergenheim. The Maple Leafs tied it again on a Roman Polak goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Joffrey Lupul and Jake Gardiner. Toronto took the lead with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Cody Franson and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on with a Nazem Kadri goal, his eleventh of the year, with assists provided by Lupul and Gardiner. Florida got one back in the third period on a Dmitry Kulikov goal, courtesy of Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers tied it on a Willie Mitchell goal, his second of the season, via Huberdeau. Florida gained the lead on a Brad Boyes power play goal, his sixth of the year, from Kulikov and Jokinen. The Panthers iced it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Scottie Upshall, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Tomas Kopecky and Derek MacKenzie. The three stars went to Huberdeau, Kulikov, and Jokinen, while Lupul and Gardiner are given honorable mentions.

The other game has the Anaheim Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Frederik Andersen protect the nets. Vancouver dented the scoreboard with a second period goal by Yannick Weber, his third of the season, assisted by Jannik Hansen and Alexandre Burrows. Anaheim tied it on a Francois Beauchemin goal in the third period, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks won 2-1 on a Cam Fowler overtime goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Devante Smith-Pelly and Getzlaf. The three stars went to Andersen (13 for 14 in saves), Getzlaf, and Fowler.

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KHL December 28th, 2014

Eight games on for today, beginning with...

Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Rafael Khakimov are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk opened in the first period on a Michel Miklik goal, coming off of Anton Krysanov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a power play goal by Mikhail Plotnikov, powered by Artyom Garifullin. Amur took the lead back in the second period as Sergei Tverdokhlebov scored, thanks to Mikhail Zheleznov. Metallurg retied it in the third period with an unassisted Alexei Kosourov goal. Khabarovsk regained the lead on a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, assisted by Alexander Ryazantsev and Grigory Shafigulin. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Litovchenko, Tverdokhlebov, and Miklik.

Over in Novosibirsk, Sibir welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Alexander Salak are set to start in goal. Novosibirsk began in the first period with a David Ullstrom power play goal, powered by Alexei Kopeikin and Igor Ozhiganov. Sibir added on with an Ullstrom goal, his second of the game, via Sergei Gimayev and Artyom Voroshilo. Novosibirsk extended the lead on a Jarno Koskiranta goal in the third period, coming off of Jonas Enlund and Patrik Hersley on the power play. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars given to Ullstrom, Salak (41 save shutout), and Koskiranta.

West to Omsk, where Avangard hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Konstantin Barulin are the masked men. Astana got going in the second period on a Roman Starchenko power play goal, powered by Mike Lundin and Konstantin Rudenko. Omsk tied it with a Denis Kulyash goal, courtesy of Igor Musatov and Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard took the lead in the third period with a Denis Parshin goal, fueled by Anton Kuryanov and Alexander Popov. Omsk iced it at 3-1 with an Igor Musatov empty net goal, set up by Evgeny Kulik. The three stars belonged to Barulin (33 for 34 in saves), Parshin, and Kulyash.

Continuing to Metallurg Magnitogorsk bringing in Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Vasily Koshechkin protect the nets. Magnitogorsk led off in the first period on a Danis Zaripov power play goal, with a lone assist by Chris Lee. Kazan tied it on a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, guided in by Mikhail Glukhov and Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars took the lead in the second period as Evgeny Medvedev scored a power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo. Metallurg tied it again in the third period on a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, assisted by Lee and Zaripov. Kazan pulled ahead on a Vladimir Denisov goal, fueled by Konstantin Koltsov and Artyom Lukoyanov. They managed a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Denisov, Zaripov, and Lee.

Out in Togliatti, Lada hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Evgeny Ivannikov are the masked men. Togliatti started in the first period with a Vasily Streltsov goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Streltsov. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on an Alexander Korolyuk power play goal, powered by Lukas Kaspar and Philip Larsen. Yugra gained the lead in the second period as Nikita Gusev converted a penalty shot he received for Peter Podhradsky's hook. Lada tied it on a Podhradsky goal, via Alexei Mastryukov and Denis Barantsev in the third period. Togliatti retook the lead as Alexander Chernikov scored, thanks to Mastryukov. Khanty-Mansiysk pulled even with a Gusev goal, passed from Kaspar and Pavel Valentenko. Lada claimed a 4-3 win with a lone tally from Yury Petrov in the shootout. The three stars were given to Gusev, Kaspar, and Mastryukov.

Westward to Moscow, where CSKA welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Kevin Lalande draw the starts. Moscow struck first in the first period with an Andreas Engqvist goal, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Nikita Zaitsev. Sochi tied it in the second period on a Max Warn goal, courtesy of Igor Radulov and Cory Emmerton. CSKA retook the lead with a Zaitsev power play goal, powered by Igor Grigorenko and Alexander Radulov. The Leopards got another equalizer with a Nikita Shchitov goal, made possible by Clay Wilson. Sochi pulled ahead as Evgeny Lapenkov scored on a penalty shot from a Bogdan Kiselevich slashing call. Moscow tied it with an Alexander Radulov goal, fueled by Grigorenko and Engqvist. CSKA took the lead again in the third period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal, with a lone helper by Denis Denisov. Moscow finished it at 5-3 with an Igor Makarov goal, passed from Ondrej Nemec and Sergei Andronov. The three stars went to Alexander Radulov, Engqvist, and Zaitsev, while Grigorenko gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek faces a lesser foe in Vitaly Kolesnik in goal. Yaroslavl was first to score on a Yegor Averin power play goal in the first period, powered by Staffan Kronwall. Cherepovets tied it in the second period on a Sergei Kuptsov goal, coming off of Yegor Antropov and Andreas Thuresson. Lokomotiv took the lead as Andrei Loktionov scored, thanks to Petri Kontiola and Martin Thornberg. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Kolesnik (15 for 16 in saves), Loktionov, and Averin.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Mikko Koskinen are between the pipes. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, powered by Konstantin Volkov and Alexander Osipov. St. Petersburg tied it in the third period on an Andrei Kuteikin goal, via Patrick Thoresen. Dynamo took the lead back on a Maxim Karpov goal, assisted by Alexei Tsvetkov. This gave them a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Sharychenkov (35 for 36 in saves), Karpov, and Pestushko.

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NHL December 27th, 2014

Thirteen games on as the NHL comes out of the Christmas break. The first game is in...

Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Jhonas Enroth are the little-known goalies. New York led off in the first period with a Nick Leddy goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey. The Islanders added on in the second period with a John Tavares goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. New York extended the lead on Tavares' second of the game and fifteenth of the season, passed from Bailey and Okposo. Buffalo got on the board in the third period with a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, his fourth of the year, via Drew Stafford and Josh Gorges. The Sabres pulled back with a shorthanded goal by Zemgus Girgensons, his tenth of the season, set up by Deslauriers and Gorges. Buffalo tied it on a Chris Stewart goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Stafford and Patrick Kaleta. The Sabres won with a lone tally by Tyler Ennis in the shootout, for a 4-3 final. The three stars were Tavares, Deslauriers, and Gorges, while Bailey and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

In New York City, the Rangers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York struck first in the first period on a Derek Stepan shorthanded goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Stepan power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Martin St. Louis and Dan Boyle. New Jersey got on the board with a Steve Bernier goal, his third of the season, via Eric Gelinas and Tuomo Ruutu. New York iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a Stepan empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his sixth of the year, set up by Carl Hagelin and St. Louis. The three stars went to Stepan, Lundqvist (19 for 20 in saves), and St. Louis.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Craig Anderson are in goal. Ottawa opened in the first period on a Mike Hoffman goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Mark Borowiecki and Bobby Ryan. Detroit tied it on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Senators took the lead back in the second period with an unassisted Clarke MacArthur goal, his tenth of the season. The Red Wings tied it again in the third period on a Zetterberg power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Kronwall and Pavel Datsyuk. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Zetterberg, Nyquist, and Kronwall.

Way south to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Ben Bishop receive the starting nods. Tampa Bay began in the first period on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his fifteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Ondrej Palat. The Lightning added on in the third period with an Alex Killorn goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Ryan Callahan and Valtteri Filppula. Carolina got on the board with an Andrej Sekera goal, his second of the campaign, assisted by Eric Staal and Nathan Gerbe. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Bishop (25 for 26 in saves), Killorn, and Ward (36 for 38 in saves).

Backtracking to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Boston Bruins. Niklas Svedberg and Curtis McElhinney are the backups making spot starts. Columbus was first to score in the first period with a Scott Hartnell goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Kevin Connauton. Boston tied it on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Reilly Smith and Zdeno Chara. The Blue Jackets regained the lead in the second period with a Hartnell goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, passed from James Wisniewski and Connauton. Columbus added on with a Connauton goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Matt Calvert and Brandon Dubinsky. Tuukka Rask replaced Svedberg in goal. The Blue Jackets extended the lead on a power play goal by Nick Foligno, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Jack Johnson and Ryan Johansen. The Bruins got one back with a Craig Cunningham goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille. Columbus replied on an unassisted Calvert goal, his fourth of the campaign. The Blue Jackets padded the lead in the third period with a Jeremy Morin goal, helped along by Johnson and Dubinsky. This produced the 6-2 final, with the three stars being Connauton, Hartnell, and Calvert, while Wisniewski, Dubinsky, and johnson get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Minnesota, where the Wild bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and John Curry are the unknown goalies. Minnesota started in the first period on a Mikael Granlund goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Jason Pominville. Winnipeg tied it in the second period as Bryan Little scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Andrew Ladd and Grant Glitsome. The Jets took the lead in the third period on an Adam Lowry goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Evander Kane and Matt Halischuk. The Wild retied it with a Pominville goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Stu Bickel and Granlund. Winnipeg retook the lead with a shorthanded goal by Blake Wheeler, his eleventh of the season, set up by Kane and Dustin Byfuglien. Minnesota tied it again on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Jared Spurgeon and Marco Scandella. The
Jets won 4-3 in overtime with a Ladd goal, his twelfth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Little. The three stars were awarded to Ladd, Little, and Kane, while Pominville and Granlund get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury are the masked men. Washington struck first in the first period on an Eric Fehr goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Jay Beagle and Brooks Laich. The Capitals added on in the third period with a Marcus Johansson goal, his tenth of the year, via Evgeny Kuznetsov and Brooks Orpik. Washington extended the lead on another Fehr goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, fueled by Joel Ward and John Carlson. This was good for a 3-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Fehr, Holtby (31 save shutout), and Johansson.

Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jake Allen are in the blue paint. Dallas was first to score in the first period on a Travis Moen goal, courtesy of Shawn Horcoff and Jordie Benn. St. Louis tied it on an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his fourth of the season, via Paul Stastny and Dmitrij Jaskin. The Stars took the lead back with an unassisted Ryan Garbutt goal, his sixth of the year. The Blues tied it again as Vladimir Tarasenko scored a power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. Dallas took the lead in the second period on a Trevor Daley power play goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Tyler Seguin and the goalie Lehtonen. The Stars added on with a Jason Demers power play goal, his second of the season, helped along by Erik Cole and Colton Sceviour. St. Louis got one back in the third period with a David Backes goal, his ninth of the year, with the help of Jay Bouwmeester and T.J. Oshie. This was as close as it got, with the final at 4-3, and the three stars going to Demers, Daley, and Garbutt.

Continuing to Arizona, where the Coyotes bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen faces a lesser foe in Devan Dubnyk in goal. Anaheim began in the first period on a Rene Bourque goal, his second of the season, fueled by Ryan Getzlaf and Devante Smith-Pelly. Arizona tied it on a Zbynek Michalek goal, passed from Martin Erat and Sam Gagner. In the shootout, Shane Doan scored the only goal for a 2-1 Coyotes win. The three stars were given to Dubnyk (35 for 36 in saves), Andersen (28 for 29 in saves), and Doan.

Heading east to Nashville, where the Predators host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery is mismatched with Pekka Rinne in goal. Nashville led off in the first period with a Filip Forsberg goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Roman Josi and Shea Weber on the power play. Philadelphia tied it on a Claude Giroux goal in the second period, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Braydon Coburn and Nick Schultz. The Predators took the lead back with a power play goal by Mike Fisher, his fourth of the season, powered by Forsberg and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville added on with a Colin Wilson power play goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Seth Jones and Josi. The Predators finished it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Wilson, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, set up by Fisher. The three stars went to Wilson, Forsberg, and Rinne (26 for 27 in saves), while Fisher and Josi get the honorable mentions.

West again to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Calvin Pickard man the creases. Colorado opened in the first period on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Max Talbot. Chicago tied it on a Brandon Saad goal, his eighth of the year, via Jonathan Toews. The Avalanche took the lead back with an Erik Johnson goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Ryan O'Reilly and Daniel Briere. The Blackhawks tied it again with a Patrick Kane goal, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Duncan Keith and Kris Versteeg. Chicago took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Brent Seabrook, his seventh of the season, powered by David Rundblad and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks added on in the third period on a power play goal by Patrick Sharp, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Toews and Kane. Chicago wrapped it up at 5-2 with a Kane empty net goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the campaign, set up by Ben Smith. The three stars were Kane, Toews, and Seabrook.

Up in Calgary, the Flames bring in the Edmonton Oilers for a Battle of Alberta. Viktor Fasth and Jonas Hiller are the former Ducks goalies in goal. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Joe Colborne goal, assisted by Paul Byron and Curtis Glencross. The Flames added on with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. Calgary extended the lead as Gaudreau scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, thanks to Jiri Hudler and T.J. Brodie. Ben Scrivens replaced Fasth. Edmonton got on the board with a third period goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, his tenth of the season, passed from Justin Schultz and Andrew Ference. The Flames shot back with a Glencross goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Matt Stajan and Mark Giordano. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Gaudreau, Glencross, and Hiller (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. San Jose started in the first period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Joe Thornton. Los Angeles tied it on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his eleventh of the year, via Jamie McBain and Trevor Lewis. The Kings took the lead in the second period as Anze Kopitar scored a power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Marian Gaborik and Jeff Carter. Los Angeles added on in the third period with a Jake Muzzin power play goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Drew Doughty and Kopitar. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Kopitar, Quick (21 for 22 in saves), and Toffoli.

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KHL December 27th, 2014

Two games on today, beginning in...

Minsk, where Dinamo hosts the similarly named Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers and Danny Taylor are in goal. Riga began in the first period on a Gints Meija goal, via Milan Jurcina and Andris Dzerins. Minsk tied it in the third period with a Charles Linglet goal, going in unassisted. Minsk won 2-1 in overtime with a Paul Szczechura power play goal, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Nick Bailen. The three stars went to Szczechura, Taylor (25 for 26 in saves), and Deslauriers (36 for 38 in saves).

In Russia, the other game is Vityaz Podolsk hosting Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Ivan Lisutin are the masked men. Mytishchi led off in the first period with an Igor Levitsky goal, assisted by Andrei Taratukhin. Podolsk tied it on a Maxim Mamin goal in the second period, made possible by Nikita Vyglazov. Vityaz took the lead with a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, coming off of Yakov Seleznyov and Alexander Kucheryavenko. Atlant retied it with another Levitsky goal, passed from Matthew Gilroy and Mikhail Tyulyapkin. Mytishchi took the lead with an unassisted goal by Gilroy in the third period. Atlant iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Taratukhin, set up by Gilroy and Levitsky. The three stars were Levitsky, Gilroy, and Taratukhin.

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Premier League Week 18 (Boxing Day)

Ten games on in one day? It must be Boxing Day. We begin with...

Chelsea hosting West Ham United. Adrian and Thibaut Courtois are the goalies. West Ham United's James Collins took a yellow card for his twenty-eighth minute foul. Chelsea began on a thirty-first minute goal by John Terry, passed from Diego Costa after a corner. In the thirty-third minute, Aaron Cresswell of West Ham had a yellow card for a foul. West Ham took another yellow card on a Winston Reid foul in the fifty-eighth minute. Chelsea extended their lead with a sixty-second minute Costa goal, coming off of Eden Hazard. This was good for a 2-0 win.

Next up, Burnley welcomes Liverpool. Bradley Jones and Tom Heaton draw the starts in goal. In the sixty-second minute, Raheem Sterling scored for Liverpool, with an assist from Philippe Coutinho on a through ball. In the eighty-second minute, Lucas Leiva took a yellow card for Liverpool. Liverpool claimed a 1-0 win.

Back to London, where Crystal Palace brings in Southampton. Fraser Forster and Julian Speroni protect the nets. In the seventeenth minute, Sadio Mane scored for Southampton, with the help of James Ward-Prowse. Southampton added on in the forty-eighth minute on a Ryan Bertrand goal, made possible by Mane's cross. Southampton extended the lead in the fifty-third minute on a Toby Alderweireld header goal, set up by a Ward-Prowse cross after a corner kick. Crystal Palace saw a yellow card go to Damien Delaney in the seventy-seventh minute for a foul. Crystal Palace got on the board with a Scott Dann header goal in the eighty-sixth minute, assisted by Mile Jedinak on a cross after a set piece. The final favored Southampton 3-1.

Continuing to Everton hosting Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Tim Howard are guarding the woodwork. In the twenty-eighth minute, Steven Naismith of Everton received a yellow card for his foul Jonathan Walters of Stoke City had a yellow card in the thirty-fifth minute for a foul. In the thirty-eighth minute, Stoke City opened with a Bojan penalty kick goal. In the seventy-eighth minute, Gareth Barry took a yellow card for Everton for his foul. Stoke City saw a pair of yellow cards for Geoff Cameron in the eighty-third minute and Charlie Adam for a ninetieth minute foul. Stoke City held on for a 1-0 win.

Moving along to Leicester City welcoming Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Ben Hamer are in the six-yard boxes. Tottenham Hotspur began in the first minute on a Harry Kane goal, passed from Nacer Chadli on a cross. Tottenham Hotspur had a yellow card go to Kyle Walker in the thirty-fifth minute. Leicester City tied it in the forty-eighth minute with a Leonardo Ulloa goal, via Riyad Mahrez. In the seventy-first minute, Christian Eriksen gave Tottenham Hotspur the lead back with a goal on a free kick. In the eighty-second minute, Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen took a yellow card for a foul. Leicester City's Jamie Vardy received a yellow card in stoppage time for a foul. The final was 2-1 for Tottenham Hotspur.

In Manchester, United brings in Newcastle United. Jak Alnwick is mismatched with David de Gea in goal. In the twenty-third minute, Manchester United opened with a Wayne Rooney goal, via Falcao. Rooney added on for Manchester United in the thirty-sixth minute with his second goal of the game, made possible by Juan Mata's through ball. In the fifty-third minute, Robin van Persie extended the lead for Manchester United with a goal guided in by Rooney with the through ball. In the sixty-first minute, Steven Taylor of Newcastle United received a yellow card for a foul. Manchester United had a yellow card go to van Persie in the sixty-sixth minute for a foul. In the eighty-seventh minute, Papiss Demba Cisse put Newcastle United on the board with a penalty kick goal. Yoan Gouffran of Newcastle United took a yellow card for his eighty-ninth minute foul. Manchester United won 3-1.

Over to Sunderland hosting Hull City. Allan McGregor and Costel Pantilimon are the keepers. Sunderland quickly struck first with a first minute Adam Johnson goal, going in unassisted. Sunderland saw yellow cards go to Sebastian Larsson in the sixteenth minute and Santiago Vergini in the nineteenth minute, both for fouls. Hull City tied it with a Gaston Ramirez goal at the thirty-two minute mark, passed from David Meyler. In first half stoppage time, James Chester of Hull City received a yellow card for a foul. In the fifty-first minute, Chester made up for his transgression with a header goal, made possible by Ramirez with a cross after a corner, putting Hull City ahead. Sunderland's Steven Fletcher took a yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul. In the seventy-third minute, Robbie Brady took a yellow card for a foul for Hull City. Sunderland took another yellow card on a Billy Jones foul in the seventy-fourth minute. Hull City iced it at 3-1 with a Nikica Jelavic goal in second half stoppage time, set up by Ahmed Elmohamady.

Out in Wales, Swansea City welcomes Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Lukasz Fabianski are the gloved men. Swansea City was first to score in the thirteenth minute with a Gylfi Sigurdsson free kick goal. In the twenty-fourth minute, Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey took a yellow card for a foul. Aston Villa had a yellow card in the thirty-sixth minute on a Carlos Sanchez foul. Aston Villa had yellow cards go to Ciaran Clark in the forty-ninth minute, Jores Okore in the seventy-sixth minute for a foul, and Gabriel Agbonlahor in the eighty-ninth minute during the second half. Swansea City held on to win 1-0.

Following that, West Bromwich Albion brings in Manchester City. Joe Hart and Ben Foster play goal. Manchester City got going in the eighth minute on a Fernando goal from close range. In the thirteenth minute, Yaya Toure converted the penalty kick to add on for Manchester City. Manchester City extended the lead in the thirty-fourth minute with a David Silva goal, assisted by Jesus Navas. In the eighty-fourth minute, Fernando received a yellow card for a foul for Manchester City. West Brom got on the board in the eighty-seventh minute with a Brown Ideye header goal, courtesy of James Morrison after a corner kick.

Finally, Arsenal hosts the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Wojciech Szczesny man the nets. In the twenty-seventh minute, QPR took a yellow card for a Rio Ferdinand foul. In the thirty-seventh minute, Arsenal dented the scoreboard with an Alexis Sanchez header goal, via Kieran Gibbs. Arsenal went down to ten men in the fifty-third minute with an Olivier Giroud fight that drew out a straight red card. Jordon Mutch of QPR had a yellow card for a foul in the fifty-fifth minute. Arsenal added on in the sixty-fifth minute on a Tomas Rosicky goal, passed from Sanchez on a fast break. In the seventieth minute, QPR took a yellow card for a Junior Hoilett foul. QPR got on the board in the seventy-ninth minute with a Charlie Austin penalty kick conversion. In stoppage time, QPR's Niko Kranjcar took a yellow card for a foul, as did Arsenal's Francis Coquelin. Arsenal won 2-1 despite a manpower disadvantage.

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KHL December 26th, 2014

Six games on for today, beginning in...

Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Vasily Koshechkin are set to start in goal. Astana led off in the first period with a Kevin Dallman power play goal, powered by Brandon Bochenski and Mike Lundin. Barys added on with a Dustin Boyd goal, fueled by Nigel Dawes and Dallman. Alexei Murygin replaced Koshechkin in goal. Astana extended the lead with a Talgat Zhailauov goal, passed from Roman Savchenko and Nikolai Antropov. Barys padded the lead on a Bochenski goal, with a lone assist by Dawes. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, helped along by Chris Lee. Koshechkin returned to the Metallurg net for the second period. Astana shot back with a Dawes goal, made possible by Bochenski. Metallurg replied on a Jan Kovar goal, with a lone helper from Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk pulled closer with an Alexei Bereglazov goal, coming off of Mozyakin and Vladislav Kaletnik. Metallurg chipped away on a Tim Stapleton power play goal, assisted by Lee and Danis Zaripov. Barys replied on a Bochenski goal, set up by Dawes, who got a sock trick. Magnitogorsk countered on a Mozyakin goal, from Zaripov. Metallurg tied it on a Stapleton goal, courtesy of Tim Brent and Denis Platonov. In the shootout, Konstantin Pushkaryov scored for Barys, but Lee and Stapleton tallied for Metallurg to give them a 7-6 win. Stapleton, Mozyakin, and Lee received the three stars, while Bochenski, Dallman, Boyd, Dawes, and Zaripov received honorable mentions.

Up in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Jakub Kovar are in the blue paint. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period with an unassisted Anton Lazarev goal. Avtomobilist added on with a Sergei Gusev power play goal in the third period, powered by Filipp Metlyuk. Yekaterinburg iced it at 3-0 with a Lazarev empty net goal, set up by Alexander Rybakov and Sami Lepisto. The three stars went to Lazarev, Kovar (35 save shutout), and Gusev.

West to Cherepovets, Severstal brings in the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Jakub Stepanek are the goalies. Cherepovets dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Yury Trubachyov goal, thanks to Zakhar Arzamastsev and Marek Kvapil. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Stepanek (15 save shutout), Trubachyov, and Popperle (24 for 25 in saves).

Into Moscow, where CSKA hosts Avangard Omsk. Eduard Reizvikh and Stanislav Galimov are between the pipes. Omsk began in the first period with an Alexander Popov goal, via Alexander Perezhogin. Moscow tied it with a Nikita Zaitsev power play goal, powered by Alexander Radulov. CSKA took the lead with an Igor Makarov goal, fueled by Alexei Bondarev. Moscow added on in the second period with an Igor Grigorenko goal, going in unassisted. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Zaitsev, Galimov (21 for 22 in saves), and Grigorenko.

Backtracking to Nizhny Novgorod, where Torpedo welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Mikhail Biryukov are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the second period on a Sakari Salminen goal, guided in by Jarkko Immonen and Evgeny Mozer. Moscow tied it in the third period with a Filip Novak goal, fueled by Konstantin Volkov and Nikolai Zherdev. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Immonen and Wojtek Wolski scored for a 2-1 Torpedo win. The three stars went to Biryukov (24 for 25 in saves), Sharychenkov (25 for 26 in saves), and Immonen.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava bring in SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen faces a lesser foe in David LeNeveu in goal. St. Petersburg started in the first period on an Evgeny Ketov goal, guided in by Anton Burdasov and Alexander Kadeikin. SKA added on with an Alexander Barabanov goal, fueled by Burdasov. Jaroslav Janus replaced LeNeveu in goal. St. Petersburg extended the lead on a Tony Martensson goal, coming off of Patrick Thoresen and Jimmie Ericsson. SKA padded the lead in the second period as Burdasov scored, thanks to Ilya Klabukov and Barabanov. St. Petersburg struck again with a shorthanded goal by Burdasov, set up by Kablukov. SKA continued in the third period on a power play goal by Maxim Chudinov, powered by Anton Belov. Bratislava got on the board with a Milan Bartovic goal, made possible by Cam Barker. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars given to Burdasov, Barabanov, and Kablukov.

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KHL December 25th, 2014

Merry Christmas to all celebrating the holiday today. My gift from the KHL was just two games to cover before I get the rest of the day to relax. We begin with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Alexander Pechursky are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk started in the first period with a Dmitry Tarasov goal, fueled by Tuukka Mantyla. Novosibirsk tied it on a Jonas Enlund goal, via Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir took the lead with a Dmitry Kugryshev goal, with a lone assist by Patrik Hersley. Novosibirsk added on with a power play goal by Hersley, powered by Enlund and Koskiranta. Sibir extended the lead on a Sergei Shumakov goal, made possible by Stepan Sannikov. Amur got one back on a Tarasov penalty shot goal after Maxim Ignatovich hooked him on a scoring opportunity. Khabarovsk pulled closer with an Anton Krysanov goal, coming off of Michel Miklik. Novosibirsk iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Dmitry Monya, set up by Alexei Kopeikin and Igor Ozhiganov. The three stars went to Hersley, Tarasov, and Enlund, while Koskiranta gets an honorable mention.

The other games has Lokomotiv Yaroslavl host Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Curtis Sanford draw the starts. Yaroslavl opened in the first period with a Staffan Kronwall goal, assisted by Daniil Apalkov and Sergei Plotnikov. Lokomotiv added on with an unassisted Plotnikov power play goal. Yaroslavl extended the lead on a Vladislav Kartayev goal, courtesy of Kirill Kapustin. Artyom Artemyev replaced Engren in goal. Lokomotiv padded the lead with an Ilya Gorokhov goal, via Emil Galimov and Sergei Konkov. Yaroslavl continued in the second period on a Galimov goal, made possible by Konkov. Mytishchi got on the board with a Vadim Khlopotov goal, passed from Yegor Alyoshin and Artyom Voronin. Atlant pulled closer with an Artyom Chernov goal, guided in by Alexander Yunkov and Albert Yarullin. Lokomotiv replied with a power play goal by Jonas Holos, powered by Yegor Averin and Alexei Vasilyev. Mytishchi countered in the third period with a Nikita Soshnikov goal, helped along by Dmitry Korobov and Sergei Shmelyov. This produced the 6-3 final, with the three stars going to Galimov, Konkov, and Gorokhov.

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KHL December 24th, 2014

Ten games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Sergei Borisov are the goalies. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, fueled by Dmitry Monya and Viktor Bobrov. Sibir added on with a power play goal by Patrik Hersley, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev. Novosibirsk extended the lead with an Oleg Gubin power play goal, coming off of Sergei Shumakov. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period on a Denis Yezhov goal, via Dmitry Lugin and Vyacheslav Litovchenko on the power play. Sibir shot back with a Kugryshev goal, assisted by Jonas Enlund and Jarno Koskiranta. This made it 4-1, with the three stars going to Salak (25 for 26 in saves), Kugryshev, and Hersley.

West for thousands of miles to Bratislava, as Slovan welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Jaroslav Janus are in the blue paint. Nizhnekamsk started in the first period on an Igor Polygalov goal, courtesy of Yegor Milovzorov and Andrei Ivanov. Bratislava tied it on a second period goal by Rok Ticar, via Michal Vondrka and Ziga Jeglic. Neftekhimik regained the lead on a Matt Anderson goal, fueled by Ivanov and Milovzorov. Nizhnekamsk added on in the third period with an unassisted Alexander Nikulin goal. Slovan got one back with a Tomas Netik goal, made possible by Ticar and Jeglic. Bratislava tied it as Ladislav Nagy scored, thanks to Vaclav Nedorost and Cam Barker. Slovan pulled ahead on an unassisted goal by Tomas Surovy. Neftekhimik retied it with a Dan Sexton goal, going in unassisted. Nizhnekamsk took the lead again on a Sexton goal, passed from Georgijs Pujacs. Neftekhimik finished it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Milovzorov, set up by Alexander Yevseyenkov. The three stars belonged to Sexton, Milovzorov, and Ivanov, while Ticar and Jeglic get the honorable mentions.

Over in Riga, Dinamo brings in CSKA Moscow. Stanislav Galimov and Jakub Sedlacek are in the creases. Riga struck first in the first period on a Mikelis Redlihs power play goal, powered by Linus Videll and Oskars Cibulskis. Dinamo added on with another Mikelis Redlihs power play goal, with a lone assist by Roberts Bukarts. Moscow got on the board with an unassisted goal by Evgeny Korotkov. Riga shot back on a Videll power play goal, assisted by Krisjanis Redlihs and Mikelis Redlihs. CSKA pulled back in the second period on a power play goal by Ondrej Nemec, fueled by Simon Hjalmarsson and Stephane Da Costa. Dinamo replied with a Charles Genoway power play goal, helped along by Miks Indrasis. Moscow countered on a power play goal by Igor Makarov, guided in by Denis Denisov. CSKA tied it in the third period with a Nemec power play goal, coming off of Da Costa. Moscow took the lead on a Da Costa goal, pushed through by Hjalmarsson and Georgy Misharin. This held up for a 5-4 win, with the three stars going to Da Costa, Nemec, and Mikelis Redlihs, while Videll and Hjalmarsson get the honorable mentions.

Southeast to Astana, as Barys hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Jan Laco draw the starts in goal. Kazan began in the first period with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, made possible by Justin Azevedo and Sergei Kostitsyn. Ak Bars added on with an Igor Mirnov goal, passed from Evgeny Medvedev and Sheldon Brookbank. Kazan extended the lead in the second period with a Varnakov power play goal, powered by Konstantin Korneyev and Azevedo. Astana got on the board with a Dustin Boyd goal, with a lone assist by Mike Lundin. Ak Bars iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal from Mikhail Glukhov, set up by Petr Vrana and Medvedev. The three stars went to Varnakov, Garipov (32 for 33 in saves), and Azevedo, while Medvedev gets an honorable mention.

Up in Chelyabinsk, Traktor welcomes Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Michael Garnett are the veteran goalies. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period on an Anton Glinkin power play goal, powered by Garnett and Maxim Kondratyev. Traktor added on in the third period with an Artyom Borodkin goal, via Stanislav Chistov and Francis Pare. Togliatti got on the board with a Martin Zatovic goal, courtesy of Vitaly Shulakov and Anton Shenfeld on the power play. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Garnett (32 for 33 in saves), Borodkin, and Glinkin.

East a little to Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on as Zaripov scored a power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead with a third period Mozyakin goal, via Vladimir Malenkikh and Jan Kovar. The final stood at 3-0, with the three stars going to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (41 save shutout), and Zaripov, while Jan Kovar gets the honorable mention.

Continuing to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Vladimir Sokhatsky guard the cages. Ufa was first to score in the first period on an Anton Slepyshev goal, via Alexander Kutuzov and Alexander Stepanov. Omsk tied it in the second period with a Sergei Kalinin goal, guided in by Denis Parshin. Avangard took the lead with a Chad Kolarik goal, assisted by Roman Berdnikov and Felix Schutz. Salavat Yulaev tied it on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, passed from Ilkka Heikkinen. Ufa gained the lead on a Kutuzov goal, coming off of Yegor Dubrovsky and Denis Khlystov. Omsk retied it in the third period with a Kolarik power play goal, powered by Denis Kulyash and Vladimir Sobotka. Avangard won 4-3 in overtime with an Alexander Perezhogin power play goal, with a lone helper from Nikita Pivtsakin. The three stars were given to Kolarik, Kutuzov, and Perezhogin.

West a little to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Mikhail Biryukov are given the starting nods. Sochi led off in the first period with a Pavel Koledov power play goal, powered by Clay Wilson and Cory Emmerton. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a power play goal by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, assisted by Nikita Filatov and Dmitry Kazionov. The Leopards took the lead back with a Max Warn goal, fueled by Wilson and Igor Radulov. Torpedo tied it in the second period on a Filatov goal, passed from Artyom Blazhiyevsky on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod won 3-2 with an overtime goal by Sakari Salminen, with a lone assist by Alexei Pepelyaev. The three stars were Filatov, Wilson, and Salminen.

Over in Cherepovets, Severstal brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Jakub Stepanek have the green light to play goal. Cherepovets opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Andreas Thuresson. Moscow tied it in the second period on a Martins Karsums goal, guided in by Gleb Koryagin and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo gained the lead on a Yegor Dugin goal, helped along by Denis Mosalyov. Severstal retied it on a Thuresson power play goal, powered by Alexander Shinin and Logan Pyett. Cherepovets took the lead back with Thuresson completing his hat trick, thanks to Evgeny Kovyrshin. Severstal added on with a Pavel Chernov goal, made possible by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Cherepovets iced it at 5-2 on Thuresson's fourth of the game, an unassisted empty netter. The three stars were awarded to Thuresson, Chernov, and Stepanek (19 for 21 in saves).

Finally, Dinamo Minsk hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen faces a lesser foe in Danny Taylor in goal. St. Petersburg got going in the second period on a Jimmie Ericsson goal, via Dinar Khafizullin and Patrick Thoresen. Minsk tied it with a Nick Bailen goal, fueled by Alexander Kulakov and Dmitry Meleshko. Dinamo won 2-1 in the shootout with two Ryan Vesce tallies, topping a lone tally from Evgeny Ketov. The three stars went to Vesce, Taylor (25 for 26 in saves), and Koskinen (24 for 25 in saves).

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NHL December 23rd, 2014

This is it for a couple of days. Eleven games on the last day before the Christmas break. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston led off in the first period on a Brad Marchand goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Patrice Bergeron. Nashville tied it on a Colin Wilson goal, his eighth of the year, via James Neal and Mattias Ekholm. The Bruins retook the lead on a David Krejci power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Torey Krug and Milan Lucic. The Predators retied it on a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Ekholm and Taylor Beck. Boston regained the lead on a Loui Eriksson goal in the second period, his eighth of the season, guided in by Matt Bartkowski and Chris Kelly. The Bruins added on with a Marchand goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, with helpers provided by Bergeron and Kevan Miller. Nashville got one back as Beck scored his fourth of the season in the third period, thanks to Jarnkrok and Shea Weber. Boston iced it at 5-3 with Eriksson's second of the game and ninth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Bergeron, who got a sock trick, and Kelly. The three stars went to Marchand, Bergeron, and Eriksson, while Jarnkrok, Beck, Ekholm, and Kelly get the honorable mentions.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Kari Lehtonen are the masked men. Toronto started in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a van Riemsdyk goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Kadri and the goalie Bernier. Toronto extended the lead on a Tyler Bozak goal, his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dion Phaneuf and Kessel. The Maple Leafs padded the lead in the third period on a Mike Santorelli empty net goal, his seventh of the year, set up by van Riemsdyk. The three stars went to Bernier (43 save shutout), van Riemsdyk, and Kadri, while Kessel gets an honorable mention.

Back northeast to New Jersey, as the Devils bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Cory Schneider are given the starting nods. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Stephen Gionta goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Steve Bernier and Tuomo Ruutu. Carolina tied it on a third period goal by Ron Hainsey, via Patrick Dwyer and Andrej Sekera. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Chris Terry lifted the Hurricanes to a 2-1 win with the lone tally. The three stars belonged to Schneider (32 for 33 in saves), Khudobin (18 for 19 in saves), and Hainsey.

Out on Long Island, the New York Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price faces a lesser foe in Chad Johnson in goal. New York was first to score in the first period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by John Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky. Montreal tied it in the second period on an Andrei Markov goal, his fifth of the year, via P.K. Subban. The Canadiens took the lead on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Sergei Gonchar and Alex Galchenyuk. Montreal added on in the third period with a David Desharnais goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Lars Eller and P.A. Parenteau. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Price (37 for 38 in saves), Gallagher, and Markov.

Staying in New York, the Rangers welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Henrik Lundqvist protect the nets. New York struck first in the first period on a Rick Nash goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Martin St. Louis power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Dan Boyle and Brassard. New York extended the lead in the third period as Nash scored his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, with the help of Zuccarello. Washington got on the board with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Troy Brouwer and John Carlson. The Capitals pulled closer with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Carlson and Marcus Johansson. The Rangers replied on a St. Louis power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Nash and Derek Stepan. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Nash, St. Louis, and Zuccarello, while Brassard and Carlson get the honorable mentions.

Out in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Darcy Kuemper are called on to start in goal. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Sean Couturier goal, his ninth of the season, with a lone assist by R.J. Umberger. The Flyers added on as Claude Giroux scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Luke Schenn and Jakub Voracek. Minnesota got on the board with a Marco Scandella goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Jared Spurgeon and Zach Parise. The Wild tied it in the second period with a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. Philadelphia took the lead with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Flyers extended the lead in the third period on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Andrew MacDonald and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. Philadelphia finished it at 5-2 with a Michael Raffl empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Voracek. The three stars were given to Simmonds, Voracek, and Lecavalier.

Backtracking to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Petr Mrazek are the backups in goal. Buffalo started in the first period with a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, his third of the season, guided in by Drew Stafford and Brian Flynn. Detroit tied it on a Stephen Weiss power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jakub Kindl and Gustav Nyquist. The Sabres took the lead as Chris Stewart scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Cody Hodgson and Mikhail Grigorenko. Buffalo added on in the second period on a shorthanded Andre Benoit goal, set up by Flynn. The Red Wings got one back on a Danny DeKeyser goal, his second of the year, coming off of Tomas Jurco and Luke Glendening. Detroit tied it in the third period with a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Pavel Datsyuk and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings gained the lead with a Tomas Tatar power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, with helpers from DeKeyser and Nyquist. Detroit extended the lead on a Johan Franzen power play goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Zetterberg and Kindl. The Red Wings padded the lead with a Tatar power play goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, made possible by Brendan Smith and Nyquist, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars in the 6-3 game were Tatar, Nyquist, and DeKeyser, while Kindl, Flynn, and Zetterberg get the honorable mentions.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Andrei Vasilevskiy receive the starting nods. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his eleventh of the season, via Niktia Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. The Lightning added on with another Johnson goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, passed from Palat and Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period on a Kucherov goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Matthew Carle and Valtteri Filppula. Fleury was relieved by Jeff Zatkoff in goal. The Lightning padded the lead on a Johnson goal, his thirteenth of the year clinching a hat trick, with helpers provided by Kucherov and Palat, the latter getting a sock trick. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Rob Klinkhammer. The Penguins pulled closer in the third period with a Chris Kunitz goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone helper from Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh chipped closer on a Kris Letang goal, his eighth of the campaign, guided in by Hornqvist and Malkin. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Johnson, Kucherov, and Palat, while Hornqvist and Malkin get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Devan Dubnyk faces his former team and Viktor Fasth in goal. Arizona struck first in the first period on a Sam Gagner goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Martin Erat and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes added on with an Erat goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Connor Murphy and Gagner. Edmonton got on the board with a Justin Schultz goal, his third of the season, fueled by Brad Hunt and Mark Arcobello. Arizona shot back in the second period with a Keith Yandle goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Shane Doan and Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes extended the lead in the third period on Brandon Gormley's second of the season, via Hanzal and Gagner. Arizona padded the lead on Gagner's second of the game and fifth of the year, passed from Gormley and Hanzal, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Gagner, Hanzal, and Gormley, while Erat gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Colorado Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Semyon Varlamov occupy the creases. Colorado was first to score in the first period on an Erik Johnson goal, his ninth of the season, via Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche added on with a Zach Redmond power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado extended the lead as Alex Tanguay scored his twelfth of the season in the second period, thanks to Jarome Iginla and Brad Stuart. The Avalanche padded the lead on an O'Reilly goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Landeskog and Stuart on the power play. Colorado kept going on an Iginla goal, his eighth of the campaign, coming off of John Mitchell and Tanguay. Martin Brodeur replaced Allen in goal. This made it a 5-0 final, with the three stars going to Tanguay, Iginla, and Varlamov (26 save shutout), while O'Reilly, Landeskog, and Stuart get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the last game until Friday has the Chicago Blackhawks host the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Michael Frolik and Mark Scheifele. The Jets added on as Bryan Little scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg extended the lead on an Anthony Peluso goal, made possible by Jim Slater and Chris Thorburn. Antti Raanta replaced Crawford in goal. The Jets padded the lead in the second period with a Perreault power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Ladd. Chicago got on the board with a Marian Hossa goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Brandon Saad. Winnipeg iced it at 5-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Wheeler, his tenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Perreault, Hutchinson (38 for 39 in saves), and Ladd, while Wheeler gets an honorable mention.

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KHL December 23rd, 2014

Just one game today, as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Vitaly Kolesnik are the goalies. Podolsk began in the first period on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, courtesy of Anton Korolyov. Yaroslavl tied it on an Emil Galimov goal, coming off of Staffan Kronwall and Kirill Kapustin. Lokomotiv added on with an Andrei Loktionov power play goal, powered by Petri Kontiola and Martin Thornberg. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the second period as Loktionov scored again, with a lone assist by Kronwall. Vityaz got one back with a Nikita Vyglazov goal, passed from Mathias Porseland. Lokomotiv shot back in the third period on a power play goal by Geoff Platt, assisted by Kontiola and Kronwall, the latter getting a sock trick. This made it a 4-2 final, with the three stars going to Loktionov, Kronwall, and Kontiola.

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NHL December 22nd, 2014

Six games today, beginning in...

DC, as the Washington Capitals host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Braden Holtby are the goalies. Washington got going in the second period on a Jay Beagle goal, his fifth of the season, via Evgeny Kuznetsov and Mike Green. Ottawa tied it on an Erik Condra goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The Capitals retook the lead on a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, powered by Green and Marcus Johansson. The final stood at 2-1 from here, with Holtby (38 for 39 in saves), Green, and Backstrom getting the three stars.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Colin Wilson goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Victor Bartley. The Predators added on with a Craig Smith goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Mike Ribeiro and Shea Weber. Nashville extended the lead in the third period on a Seth Jones goal, guided in by Bartley and James Neal. The Predators padded the lead as Smith scored his second of the game and tenth of the season, thanks to Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi. Nashville continued on a Mike Fisher goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Wilson and Ryan Ellis. Columbus got on the board with an Alexander Wennberg power play goal, powered by Ryan Johansen and Jack Johnson. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Smith, Rinne (30 for 31 in saves), and Wilson, while Bartley gets an honorable mention.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twelfth of the season, via Simon Despres and Sidney Crosby. Florida tied it on a Jussi Jokinen goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, assisted by Dave Bolland and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers took the lead on a Jimmy Hayes goal in the third period, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Sean Bergenheim. Florida added on with another Hayes goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, courtesy of Bergenheim and Aleksander Barkov. The Penguins got one back on a Nick Spaling power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Derrick Pouliot and Despres. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his sixteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Panthers won 4-3 with a Barkov shootout tally. The three stars went to Hayes, Bergenheim, and Despres.

Across the continent, the Vancouver Canucks host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Ryan Miller are in goal. Vancouver was first to score with an Alexandre Burrows goal in the first period, his seventh of the season, passed from Bo Horvat and Derek Dorsett. The Canucks added on as Kevin Bieksa scored his third of the year, with the help of Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead with a Daniel Sedin goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Radim Vrbata and Christopher Tanev. The Canucks chased Smith with a second period Brad Richardson goal, his eighth of the year, going in unassisted. Devan Dubnyk came on in relief. Vancouver padded the lead on a Burrows power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, powered by Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler. Arizona got on the board with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by Sam Gagner and Keith Yandle. The Canucks shot back with a third period goal by Chris Higgins, his sixth of the season, coming on the power play from Linden Vey and Nick Bonino. Vancouver struck again on a Shawn Matthias power play goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone helper by Richardson. The final stood at 7-1, with the three stars being Burrows, Richardson, and Daniel Sedin, while Henrik Sedin gets an honorable mention.

Down in Anaheim, the Ducks welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Frederik Andersen are the masked men. Anaheim opened in the second period with a Rickard Rakell goal, coming off of Emerson Etem and Matt Beleskey. San Jose tied it in the third period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. The Sharks took the lead with a Melker Karlsson goal, fueled by Barclay Goodrow and Brenden Dillon. The Ducks retied it on a Cam Fowler goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Ryan Getzlaf and Devante Smith-Pelly. Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime with a Ryan Kesler goal, his twelfth of the campaign, made possible by Patrick Maroon and Getzlaf. The three stars went to Kesler, Getzlaf, and Fowler.

Finally, a little up the freeway, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Trevor Lewis goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Drew Doughty and Brayden McNabb. The Kings added on with a power play goal by Marian Gaborik, his eleventh of the year, with helpers from Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Jamie McBain, his second of the season, powered by Dustin Brown and Williams. Calgary got on the board with a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his eighth of the year, via Dennis Wideman and Kris Russell. The Flames pulled closer in the third period on Gaudreau's second of the game and ninth of the season, assisted by Sean Monahan and Mark Giordano. Calgary tied it on a Gaudreau goal to complete the natural hat trick, his tenth of the year, made possible by Jiri Hudler and Wideman. The Flames won on a Giordano goal, his tenth of the campaign, passed from Lance Bouma and Hudler. The three stars of the 4-3 game went to Gaudreau, Giordano, and Hudler, while Wideman and Williams get the honorable mentions.

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