NHL Day 124 2013-2014

Eleven games on today, with four matinees in the mix. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Chad Johnson are the inexperienced goalies. Boston got going in the second period on a David Krejci power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Jarome Iginla and Milan Lucic. The Bruins added on in the third period on a Dougie Hamilton goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Zdeno Chara and Carl Soderberg. Boston extended the lead on a Soderberg goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Matt Bartkowski. The Bruins padded the lead with a Torey Krug power play goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Chara and Iginla. This was good for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Johnson (22 save shutout), Soderberg, and Chara, while Iginla gets an honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Carey Price tend the twines. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Nate Thompson shorthanded goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Victor Hedman and J.T. Brown. Montreal tied it in the third period with a Daniel Briere goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Brian Gionta. The Lightning won it 2-1 in overtime as Thompson scored his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, thanks to Hedman and Alex Killorn. The three stars were Thompson, Bishop (28 for 29 in saves), and Hedman.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Semyon Varlamov are the Olympian goalies. Colorado opened in the first period on a Tyson Barrie goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche added on with a Jamie McGinn power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Erik Johnson and Ryan O'Reilly. Colorado extended the lead as Gabriel Landeskog scored his fifteenth of the season, passed from MacKinnon and P.A. Parenteau. The Avalanche padded the lead in the second period on a Marc-Andre Cliche goal, via Patrick Bordeleau and McGinn. Buffalo got on the board with a Matt D'Agostini power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Tyler Ennis and Christian Ehrhoff. Colorado replied as MacKinnon scored his twentieth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Johnson and the goalie Varlamov. Jhonas Enroth replaced Miller in goal for the third period. The Avalanche kept going in the third period when Landeskog scored his sixteenth of the year and second of the game, thanks to Johnson, who got a sock trick. Colorado struck again with a McGinn goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the campaign, fueled by O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. This made it 7-1, the final, with McGinn, Landeskog, and MacKinnon earning the three stars, while Johnson and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.

Over in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Philadelphia began in the second period on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Vincent Lecavalier and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on in the third period with a Giroux power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Scott Hartnell and Simmonds. This made it 2-0, the final, with Mason (35 save shutout), Simmonds, and Giroux awarded the three stars.

Back to the Northeast, where the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Ottawa Senators for a battle of Ontario. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts. Ottawa started in the first period on a Chris Neil goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jared Cowen and Eric Gryba. The Senators added on in the second period with a Colin Greening goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Neil. Toronto got on the board when Phil Kessel scored his twenty-eighth of the season, with the help of James van Riemsdyk and Carl Gunnarsson. The Maple Leafs tied it with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Nazem Kadri. Toronto took the lead in the third period with a Kessel power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and Cody Franson. Ottawa retied it on another Neil goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, fueled by Cody Ceci and Greening. The Maple Leafs retook the lead on Kessel's third of the night to complete his hat trick, also his thirtieth of the season, helped along by Tyler Bozak. Toronto extended the lead on a Bozak goal, his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Kessel and van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs wrapped it up at 6-3 with an unassisted empty net goal by Kadri, his fifteenth of the campaign. Kessel, Neil, and Kadri received the three stars, while Bozak and van Riemsdyk were given the honorable mentions.

Down in Columbus, the Blue Jackets bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Sergei Bobrovsky are the Vezina Trophy winners in goal. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Boone Jenner goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Johansen and Nathan Horton. The Blue Jackets added on as Johansen scored his twenty-second of the year, thanks to Jenner and Horton. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Brian Campbell and Scottie Upshall. Columbus replied with a Nick Foligno goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Nikita Nikitin. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Mark Letestu scored his eighth of the season in the third period, with assists provided by Corey Tropp and Derek MacKenzie. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Bobrovsky (35 for 36 in saves), Johansen, and Jenner, while Horton gets an honorable mention.

A bit west to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Brian Elliott are in the blue paint. St. Louis led off in the first period with a power play goal by Jaden Schwartz, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Chris Stewart and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues added on in the second period with a David Backes goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Jay Bouwmeester and Derek Roy. Nashville got on the board with an unassisted goal by Paul Gaustad, his eighth of the season. The Predators tied it in the third period with a Mike Fisher goal, his fifteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Patric Hornqvist. Nashville took the lead on a Roman Josi goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by David Legwand and Craig Smith. St. Louis retied it on a Tarasenko goal, his eighteenth of the year, helped along by Alex Pietrangelo. The tie lasted to a shootout, where T.J. Oshie and Tarasenko overpowered a lone Ryan Ellis tally to give the Blues a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tarasenko, Backes, and Schwartz.

Southwest to Phoenix, as the Coyotes welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Phoenix was first to score in the first period on a Mike Ribeiro goal, his fourteenth of the season, via David Schlemko and Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Zbynek Michalek goal, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Ribeiro. Pittsburgh got on the board with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by James Neal and Jussi Jokinen. Phoenix shot back with a third period Radim Vrbata goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Martin Hanzal. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Michalek, Smith (23 for 24 in saves), and Vrbata.

Up in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Karri Ramo are the young goalies. Calgary opened in the first period with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Kevin Westgarth and Chris Butler. Ramo was hurt late in the first period and replaced by Reto Berra. Minnesota tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Matt Cooke, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flames retook the lead on a Dennis Wideman goal, his third of the season, via Butler and Galiardi. Calgary added on in the third period with a Mikael Backlund shorthanded goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Mark Giordano and Lee Stempniak. The Wild got one back with a Dany Heatley power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise. Minnesota tied it on a Keith Ballard goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Kyle Brodziak and Heatley. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime with a Backlund goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, made possible by Sean Monahan and Giordano. The three stars were handed to Backlund, Giordano, and Galiardi, while Heatley and Butler get the honorable mentions.

Back in California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Dallas Stars. Dan Ellis faces a former mentor in Jonas Hiller in goal. Dallas got going in the second period with a Trevor Daley goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Cody Eakin and Rich Peverley. The Stars iced it at 2-0 with a Jamie Benn empty net goal, his twenty-second of the year, set up by Tyler Seguin. The three stars were Ellis (26 save shutout), Hiller (25 for 26 in saves), and Daley.

Finally, up in San Jose, the Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the third period on a shorthanded Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, set up by Scott Hannan. Chicago tied it on a Brandon Saad power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Kris Versteeg and Marian Hossa. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Thornton topped a lone Jonathan Toews tally for a 2-1 win for the Sharks. The three stars went to Niemi (29 for 30 in saves), Pavelski, and Crawford (38 for 39 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 123 2013-2014

Five games on tonight, beginning in...

New York City, as the Rangers host their cross-town rivals, the Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Henrik Lundqvist are the veteran goalies. The Rangers were first to score in the first period with a Brian Boyle goal, his fourth of the season, via Marc Staal. The Islanders tied it in the second period with a Kyle Okposo goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Calvin de Haan. The Rangers retook the lead in the third period on a Derick Brassard goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Staal and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers added on with a Brad Richards goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Ryan McDonagh, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Dominic Moore. Lundqvist (38 for 39 in saves), Staal, and Brassard got the three stars.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Anton Khudobin are the masked men. Carolina opened in the first period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his twelfth of the season coming on the power play from Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk. St. Louis tied it on a power play goal by David Backes, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Derek Roy and T.J. Oshie. The Hurricanes retook the lead on a second period goal by Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Jordan Staal. Carolina finished it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Alexander Semin, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Khudobin (27 for 28 in saves), Skinner, and Gerbe.

Back north in Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Washington struck first in the first period on a Jason Chimera power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson. Detroit tied it in the second period on a Drew Miller goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Luke Glendening and Patrick Eaves. The Red Wings added on as Danny DeKeyser scored his third of the season, thanks to Riley Sheahan. The Capitals retied it in the third period on a Casey Wellman goal, his second of the year, made possible by Alex Ovechkin. Detroit took the lead on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Washington pulled even with seven seconds left in regulation on an Ovechkin goal, his thirty-ninth of the year, assisted by Carlson and Chimera. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Eaves scored the lone tally for a 4-3 Red Wings win. Eaves, Ovechkin, and Chimera received the three stars, while Carlson gets an honorable mention.

South to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Carter Hutton protect the nets. Nashville started in the first period on a Shea Weber goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Patric Hornqvist. New Jersey tied it in the second period with a Patrik Elias goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Jaromir Jagr and Travis Zajac. The Devils took the lead when Jagr put away his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Elias and Zajac. The Predators tied it with eleven seconds left in regulation on a David Legwand goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Roman Josi and Seth Jones. Nashville completed the comeback in overtime with Weber's second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, assisted by Colin Wilson. The three stars in the 3-2 game were Weber, Elias, and Jagr, while Zajac gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Ondrej Pavelec are set to start. Winnipeg began in the first period on a Zach Bogosian goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tobias Enstrom and Andrew Ladd. The Jets added on with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his ninth of the year, via Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele. Vancouver got on the board with an Alexander Edler power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks tied it in the second period on an unassisted Kesler goal, his nineteenth of the year. Winnipeg retook the lead as Michael Frolik scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Ladd and Bryan Little. Vancouver tied it again in the third period on a Jason Garrison goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Ryan Stanton and Kesler. The Jets pulled ahead on another Setoguchi goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Jacob Trouba. This was good for a 4-3 win, with Setoguchi, Kesler, and Ladd getting the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 122 2013-2014

Ten games on tonight, beginning in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Jonathan Bernier are in the blue paint. Florida led off in the first period on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Scottie Upshall and Drew Shore. The Panthers added on with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Brad Boyes and Scott Gomez. Toronto got on the board with a Cody Franson goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk. the Maple Leafs tied it in the second period on a Mason Raymond goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Troy Bodie and Tim Gleason. Toronto took the lead on a power play goal by van Riemsdyk, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs extended the lead in the third period on a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his eighth of the year assisted by Joffrey Lupul and Kadri. Toronto padded the lead on a Lupul power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Kadri, who got a sock trick, and Morgan Rielly. Florida got one back on a Dmitry Kulikov goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist from Marcel Goc. The Maple Leafs finished it at 6-3 on a Tyler Bozak goal, his tenth of the campaign, helped along by Kessel. The three stars were Kadri, Lupul, and van Riemsdyk, while Kessel gets an honorable mention.

South to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Sergei Bobrovsky draw the starts. Columbus was first to score in the first period with a Derek MacKenzie shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by R.J. Umberger and Fedor Tyutin. The Blue Jackets added on with a Ryan Johansen goal, his twentieth of the year, made possible by Boone Jenner and Cam Atkinson. Columbus extended the lead in the second period on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone assist by Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets padded the lead with another Johansen goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, passed from Johnson and Tyutin. Washington got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Joel Ward, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by John Carlson and the goalie Holtby. The Capitals pulled closer in the third period on an Eric Fehr goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Dmitry Orlov and Tom Wilson. Columbus responded with an Atkinson goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, coming off of Matt Calvert and Dubinsky. This made it 5-2, the final, with Johansen, Dubinsky, and Atkinson, while Tyutin gets an honorable mention.

Over in Boston, the Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Tuukka Rask are between the pipes. Montreal opened in the first period as Alexei Emelin scored, thanks to Andrei Markov and Daniel Briere. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twenty-third of the season, via Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais. Boston got on the board with a David Krejci goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Dougie Hamilton and Loui Eriksson. Montreal shot back in the second period as Brian Gionta scored his ninth of the season, powered by Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. Rask was pulled for Chad Johnson at this time. The Canadiens extended the lead with a Briere goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Gallagher. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 4-1, and the three stars were given to Budaj (34 for 35 in saves), Briere, and Gallagher.

North to Ottawa, where the Senators bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces a lesser foe in Craig Anderson in goal. Ottawa struck first in the first period on a Marc Methot goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza. Anders Lindback came on in relief of an injured Bishop right after this goal. The Senators added on with an Erik Karlsson goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Spezza and Milan Michalek. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with an Alex Killorn goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. Ottawa replied on an unassisted Zack Smith goal, his tenth of the year. The Senators extended the lead with a Kyle Turris goal, his eighteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Bobby Ryan. Ottawa padded the lead on a Ryan goal, his twentieth of the year, helped along by Turris and Clarke MacArthur. The Lightning got one back with a shorthanded Tyler Johnson goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay pulled closer with a Hedman goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Palat. This only made it 5-3, with Turris, Ryan, and Spezza getting the three stars, while Palat gets an honorable mention.

Down in Dallas, the Stars host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Kari Lehtonen are set to start.New Jersey began in the first period on a Dainius Zubrus goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Jaromir Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. The Devils added on in the second period with a Travis Zajac power play goal, his ninth of the year powered by Damien Brunner and Patrik Elias. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Valeri Nichuchkin. The Stars tied it in the third period as Seguin scored his twenty-fourth of the year, thanks to Erik Cole Chiasson. New Jersey won 3-2 in overtime with an Elias power play goal, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Zajac and Jagr. The three stars were Elias, Zajac, and Seguin, while Jagr gets an honorable mention.

Up to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Semyon Varlamov are given the starting nods. Colorado started in the first period on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Matt Duchene and Jamie McGinn. Minnesota tied it on a Zach Parise power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Dany Heatley and Ryan Suter. The Avalanche retook the lead in the second period on a John Mitchell goal, his sixth of the season, via Nate Guenin and Duchene. Colorado added on with a Paul Stastny goal, his sixteenth of the year, helped along by Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche extended the lead with a Max Talbot goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Mitchell and Nathan MacKinnon. Kuemper was replaced by Niklas Backstrom at this time. The Wild pulled back in the third period on a Parise goal, his eighteenth of the year and second of the game, guided in by Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund. Minnesota chipped closer with a Granlund goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Parise and Keith Ballard. Colorado replied on a MacKinnon goal, his nineteenth of the year, fueled by Andre Benoit and Tyson Barrie. The Wild shot back on a Pominville goal, his twenty-second of the season, passed from Granlund and Parise. This only made it 5-4, the final, with Parise, MacKinnon, and Mitchell getting the three stars, while Granlund, Pominville, and Duchene get the honorable mentions.

Further north, in Calgary, the Flames welcome the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Karri Ramo are the little-known goalies. Calgary opened in the first period with a Lee Stempniak goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Mikael Backlund and Dennis Wideman. The Flames added on in the second period with a Mark Giordano goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Backlund and Jiri Hudler. San Jose got on the board with an Eriah Hayes goal, made possible by Patrick Marleau and Tommy Wingels. Calgary responded with a Sean Monahan goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Colborne and Ladislav Smid. The Flames extended the lead on a Hudler goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Wideman. This made it 4-1, with the three stars going to Ramo (27 for 28 in saves), Hudler, and Backlund, while Wideman gets an honorable mention.

Way south to Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Thomas Greiss are in goal. Buffalo led off in the first period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Matt Moulson and Zemgus Girgensons. Phoenix tied it with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes took the lead with a David Moss goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Jeff Halpern and Zbynek Michalek. The Sabres retied it in the second period with a Steve Ott power play goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Ville Leino and Alexander Sulzer. Buffalo took the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted Girgensons goal in the third period, his fifth of the campaign. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Miller (38 for 50 in saves), Girgensons, and Ott.

Out west, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Frederik Andersen draw the starts. Anaheim began in the first period on a Pat Maroon goal, his fifth of the season, via Francois Beauchemin and Mathieu Perreault. Philadelphia tied it on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his twelfth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Erik Gustafsson and Steve Downie. The Ducks took the lead back on a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, passed from Hampus Lindholm and Kyle Palmieri. Anaheim added on in the second period with a Perry goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, assisted by Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Flyers pulled back with a Matt Read goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Mark Streit and Sean Couturier. The Ducks responded with a Daniel Winnik goal, his second of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Saku Koivu. Anaheim extended the lead on a Koivu goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Andrew Cogliano. Philadelphia shot back as Michael Raffl scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Luke Schenn and Read. This made it 5-3, the final, with Koivu, Getzlaf, and Read getting the three stars.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Pittsburgh started on a first period Evgeni Malkin goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Jussi Jokinen and James Neal. Los Angeles tied it with an Anze Kopitar power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov. The Penguins took the lead back on a power play goal by Chris Kunitz, his twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Jokinen and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh added on with a Jokinen goal, his sixteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Malkin and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins extended the lead on a second period goal by Tanner Glass, his fourth of the campaign, with assists provided by Niskanen and Olli Maatta. The scoring ended here at 4-1, with the three stars being Jokinen, Malkin, and Niskanen.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 121 2013-2014

Three games on today, headlined by a venture to...

The Bronx, as the New York Islanders host the New York Rangers in the home of the New York Yankees for the third installment of the Stadium Series. Henrik Lundqvist and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. The Islanders got going in the second period on a Brock Nelson goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Matt Donovan and Cal Clutterbuck. The Rangers tied it with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his ninth of the year, via Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers took the lead in the third period on a Dan Carcillo goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by Dominic Moore and Brian Boyle. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Lundqvist (30 for 31 in saves), Nabokov (32 for 34 in saves), and Carcillo.

Westward to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ben Scrivens draw the starts. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Justin Schultz goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Nick Schultz and Taylor Hall. The Oilers added on with a third period Hall goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton extended the lead on an Eberle power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Nugent-Hopkins and Hall. This made it 3-0, the final, with Scrivens (59 save shutout, a regular season record), Hall, and Eberle getting the three stars, while Nugent-Hopkins gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Vancouver began in the first period on a Chris Higgins goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on in the second period when Tom Sestito scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Ryan Stanton and Zack Kassian. Chicago got on the board with a Marian Hossa power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Kris Versteeg and Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks tied it on a Saad goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Sheldon Brookbank and Michal Handzus. Chicago took the lead with a Jonathan Toews goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead with a Sharp goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, made possible by Toews and Duncan Keith. Chicago iced at 5-2 with a Saad empty net goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Hossa. The three stars were given to Saad, Toews, and Sharp, while Hossa gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 148 2013-2014

Hope you all won't miss this KHL stuff too much, because this is the last day for nearly a month. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Mika Jarvinen are in the blue paint. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with an Oskar Osala goal, passed from Francis Pare and Dmitry Kazionov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead on a Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Evgeny Timkin and Kovar. Metallurg padded the lead with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, via Kovar, who got a sock trick, and Evgeny Biryukov. Khabarovsk took the lead on an Alexander Yunkov goal, coming off of Evgeny Korotkov and Dmitry Lugin. Magnitogorsk replied in the third period with a Zaripov goal, fueled by Mozyakin and the goalie Koshechkin. Metallurg wrapped it up at 6-1 on a Rinat Ibragimov goal, made possible by Tim Brent. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (40 for 41 in saves), and Kovar, while Zaripov gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Evgeny Ivannikov protect the nets. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period with a Sergei Barbashev goal, courtesy of Stanislav Bocharov and Artyom Zemchyonok. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Dmitry Ryabykin goal, coming off of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Stanislav Chistov on the power play. Traktor took the lead on an Igor Valeyev goal, via Andrei Kostitsyn. Admiral retied it in the second period on a Niclas Bergfors goal, with a lone assist by Felix Schutz. Chelyabinsk retook the lead in the third period with a Kostitsyn goal, helped along by Petri Kontiola. Vladivostok tied it again on an Andrei Nikitenko goal, made possible by Alexei Ugarov and Logan Pyett. The tie lasted to the shootout, where Kuznetsov was the only one to score, giving Traktor the 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Kostitsyn, Kuznetsov, and Valeyev.

West a little bit to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk began in the first period with a Jarno Koskiranta power play goal, powered by Josef Hrabal and Alexander Kutuzov. Sibir added on as Dmitry Monya scored, thanks to Konstantin Alexeyev. Novosibirsk extended the lead in the second period on an Igor Ozhiganov goal, with a lone helper from Sergei Shumakov. Sibir padded the lead in the third period when Shumakov scored, with the help of Kutuzov and Oleg Gubin. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Koskinen (23 save shutout), Shumakov, and Kutuzov.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky is mismatched with Nikita Lozhkin in goal. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, courtesy of Kurtis McLean and Tuukka Mantyla on the power play. Metallurg added on in the second period as Lapenkov scored his second of the game, assisted by Mantyla and McLean. Ufa got on the board in the third period as Dmitry Makarov scored, with assists provided by Denis Khlystov and Arturs Kulda. Novokuznetsk replied on a Sergei Yemelin goal, via McLean, who got a sock trick, and Ansel Galimov. This produced the 3-1 final, with Lapenkov, Lozhkin (27 for 28 in saves), and McLean getting the three stars, while Mantyla gets an honorable mentions.

Way west to Moscow, as Spartak brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek faces a lesser foe Igor Shestyorkin in goal. Cherepovets started in the first period with an unassisted and shorthanded goal by Sergei Monakhov. Severstal added on as Evgeny Mons scored, thanks to Linus Videll. Cherepovets extended the lead with a second period Alexander Gogolev goal, helped along by Alexander Kuvayev. Severstal padded the lead when Anatoly Nikontsev scored, courtesy of Alexander Yevseyenkov. Cherepovets struck again on Mons' second of the game, via Pavel Chernov and Nikita Popov. Shestyorkin was pulled in favor of Alexander Trushkov at this time. Severstal got another with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Nikontsev. Cherepovets kept going in the third period on a Videll goal, made possible by Mons and Chernov. This made it 7-0, the final, with Mons, Nikontsev, and Stepanek (20 save shutout) earning the three stars, while Videll and Chernov receive the honorable mentions.

Outside of Russia, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Dmitry Milchakov are the masked men. Minsk got going in the second period on a Tomas Surovy power play goal, powered by Zbynek Irgl and Alexander Kitarov. Dinamo added on with a power play goal by Alexander Materukhin, guided in by Lukas Krajicek and Andrei Stas. Minsk extended the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Alexei Kalyuzhny, with a lone helper by Stas. Yaroslavl got on the board with a Sergei Plotnikov goal, via Daniil Apalkov. This only made it 3-1, with the three stars being Stas, Milchakov (23 for 24 in saves), and Materukhin.

Finally, our last game before the break is Donbass Donetsk hosting Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Michael Leighton guard the cages. Mytishchi dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Igor Radulov goal, via Janne Niskala. Donetsk tied it on a Teemu Laine goal, coming off of Lukas Kaspar. Donbass took the lead with another Laine goal, his second of the game, assisted by Kaspar and Jan Kolar. Atlant tied it in the third period with an unassisted goal by Alexei Mikhnov. Donbass won 3-2 in the shootout with a lone tally from Randy Robitaille. The three stars were handed to Laine, Kaspar, and Galimov (32 for 34 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. KHL action resumes in late February.

NHL Day 120 2013-2014

Eleven games on for a big NHL night. We begin in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Steve Mason are in goal. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on in the second period with another Hartnell goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, via Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead on an Adam Hall goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Michael Raffl and Erik Gustafsson. The Flyers padded the lead in the third period with a Giroux goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Hartnell and Jakub Voracek. Philadelphia finished it at 5-0 with a Sean Couturier goal, his ninth of the campaign, helped along by Mark Streit.

East to Boston, as the Bruins welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas faces former understudy Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston led off with a first period Milan Lucic goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Jarome Iginla and David Krejci. The Bruins added on with a Zdeno Chara goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Torey Krug and Krejci. Boston extended the lead in the second period on another Lucic goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, fueled by Iginla and Matt Bartkowski. The Bruins padded the lead on a Reilly Smith power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson. Florida got on the board with a Brad Boyes goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers chipped closer with a third period Dmitry Kulikov power play goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Sean Bergenheim and Scott Gomez. Boston replied with a Shawn Thornton goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Gregory Campbell. The Bruins wrapped it up at 6-2 on a Krejci goal, his eleventh of the year, an unassisted goal. Krejci, Lucic, and Iginla received the three stars.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Jonathan Bernier are the young goalies. Toronto got going in the second period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maples Leafs added on as Kadri scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, thanks to Joffrey Lupul and Carl Gunnarsson. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Matthew Carle goal, his second of the season, fueled by Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning tied it on a Mark Barberio goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Palat and B.J. Crombeen. Toronto gained a late lead with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, made possible by Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Kadri, van Riemsdyk, and Palat.

Back stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Curtis McElhinney are the unreliable goaltenders. Ottawa was first to score in the first period on a Stephane Da Costa power play goal, powered by Milan Michalek and Erik Karlsson. The Senators added on in the second period as Da Costa scored his second of the game, thanks to Jason Spezza and Cory Conacher. Columbus got on the board with a Cam Atkinson power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Matt Calvert and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets tied it in the third period on a Wisniewski power play goal, his fifth of the year, via Atkinson and Jack Johnson. Ottawa retook the lead on a Spezza power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Colin Greening and Marc Methot. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Spezza, Da Costa, and Atkinson, while Wisniewski gets an honorable mention.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jhonas Enroth receive the starting nods. Washington struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin, his thirty-seventh of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Troy Brouwer. The Capitals added on as Ovechkin scored his second of the game and thirty-eighth of the year, passed from Mike Green and Marcus Johansson. Buffalo got on the board with a Christian Ehrhoff goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis. The Sabres tied it with a second period Cody Hodgson power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Moulson and Ennis. Washington retook the lead as Green scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Dmitry Orlov and Jay Beagle. Buffalo retied it on a Philip Varone goal, with assists provided by Marcus Foligno and Brian Flynn. The Capitals reclaimed the lead with a Brouwer power play goal, his tenth of the year, helped along by Martin Erat and Ovechkin. The Sabres tied it on another Hodgson goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Washington won 5-4 in overtime with another Green goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, coming off of Ovechkin and Erat. The three stars were awarded to Ovechkin, Green, and Hodgson, while Erat, Brouwer, Ennis, and Moulson get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada again, as the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal started in the first period on a Brandon Prust goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Josh Gorges and Rene Bourque. The Canadiens added on with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Montreal extended the lead in the second period on a Pacioretty goal, his twenty-second of the season, guided in by Andrei Markov and Gallagher. They coasted from here to a 3-0 victory, with the three stars going to Pacioretty, Price (36 save shutout), and Gallagher.

Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Jaroslav Halak are the masked men. St. Louis began in the first period with an Alexander Steen goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and David Backes. The Blues added on in the third period as Brenden Morrow put his eighth of the year away on the power play, powered by Jay Bouwmeester and Patrik Berglund. St. Louis extended the lead on a Maxim Lapierre empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Magnus Paajarvi and Berglund. This made it 3-0, the final, with Halak (23 save shutout), Steen, and Berglund getting the three stars.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Ondrej Pavelec occupy the creases. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Seth Jones goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Michael Del Zotto and Craig Smith. Winnipeg tied it on a Chris Thorburn goal, passed from Mark Stuart and Jacob Trouba. The Predators retook the lead in the second period as Roman Josi scored his seventh of the year, via Smith and David Legwand. Nashville added on as Nick Spaling scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Colton Sissons. The Jets pulled back with a Mark Scheifele goal, his eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg tied it on a Blake Wheeler goal, his twenty-second of the season, courtesy of Scheifele and Trouba. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Mike Fisher, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Patric Hornqvist and Shea Weber. They went on to win 4-3, with the three stars being Scheifele, Smith, and Trouba.

Way south to Phoenix, as the Coyotes bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Thomas Greiss in goal. Phoenix led off in the first period with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Antoine Vermette. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a power play goal by Ekman-Larsson, his second of the game and eighth of the year, powered by Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. Phoenix extended the lead in the third period with a Vermette goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Boedker and Lauri Korpikoski. This made it a 3-0 final, with Greiss (30 save shutout), Ekman-Larsson, and Vermette getting the three stars, while Boedker gets an honorable mention.

Northward to Calgary, as the Flames host the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Reto Berra are the little-known goalies. Calgary began in the first period on a Mikael Backlund goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone helper by Lee Stempniak. Chicago tied it on a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, via Kris Versteeg and Nick Leddy. The Flames retook the lead as Lance Bouma scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Matt Stajan. The Blackhawks retied it on a Marian Hossa goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. Calgary pulled ahead in the third period on a Stajan goal, his ninth of the season, helped along by David Jones. The Flames added on as Backlund potted his second of the night and eleventh of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Stempniak and Mark Giordano. Corey Crawford relieved Raanta. Chicago got one back with a Ben Smith goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Brandon Bollig and Johnny Oduya. The Blackhawks got an equalizer as Hossa scored his second of the game and twenty-third of the year shorthanded, with assists provided by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brandon Saad. Karri Ramo relieved Berra for the third period. Calgary won 5-4 with a T.J. Brodie goal, his fourth of the campaign, pushed through by Sean Monahan and Stempniak, the latter getting a sock trick. Backlund, Hossa, and Stempniak got the three stars, while Stajan gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Minnesota started in the first period with a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise. Anaheim tied it on a Dustin Penner goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Wild pulled ahead with a second period Granlund power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Parise and Ryan Suter. Minnesota added on in the third period with a Parise goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Marco Scandella and Nate Prosser. The Wild extended the lead as Erik Haula scored his second of the season, thanks to Pominville and Scandella. The Ducks got one back with a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone assist by Teemu Selanne. They got no closer, losing 4-2, with the three stars being Pominville, Parise, and Granlund, while Scandella gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 147 2013-2014

The second to last day before the KHL Olympic Break. We begin the first of four games in...

Astana, as Barys hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Ari Ahonen protect the nets. Astana opened in the first period with a Roman Starchenko goal, assisted by Nikolai Antropov and Konstantin Rudenko. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on a Nikita Gusev goal, passed from the goalie Kuznetsov and Mikhail Tyulyapkin. Barys took the lead in the second period with a Mikhail Rakhmanov goal, courtesy of Andrei Gavrilin. Astana added on with an Antropov goal, guided in by Starchenko and Rudenko. Yugra got one back with an Artyom Bulyansky goal, with a lone helper by Ivan Yatsenko. Barys replied with a Brandon Bochenski goal, made possible by Rakhmanov. Khanty-Mansiysk shot back in the third period on a shorthanded goal by Bulyansky, set up by Denis Sokolov. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3. The three stars belonged to Starchenko, Bulyansky, and Rakhmanov, while Antropov and Rudenko received the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Podolsk, as Vityaz welcomes Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Johan Backlund are given the starting nods. Prague started in the first period with a Michal Birner goal, with a lone assist by Michal Repik. Podolsk tied it on a Dmitry Shitikov goal, passed from Branislav Mezei. Vityaz took the lead with an Anton Korolyov goal, courtesy of Vyacheslav Solodukhin and Airat Ziazov. Lev tied it again on a power play goal by David Ullstrom, powered by Jiri Novotny. Prague took the lead again with a Novotny goal, via Justin Azevedo and Topi Jaakola. Podolsk evened the score in the third period on a Martin Cibak power play goal, helped along by Alexander Korolyuk. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Azevedo scored to give Lev the 4-3 win. The three stars were Azevedo, Novotny, and Ullstrom.

Back east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Ivan Kasutin are in the creases. The game was scoreless through overtime, so there was a shootout. Aleksandrs Nizivijs was the only player to score in the shootout, giving Dinamo the 1-0 win. Sedlacek (28 save shutout), Kasutin (20 save "shutout"), and Nizivijs are the three stars.

Finally, Dynamo Moscow hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. Moscow began in the first period with a Dmitry Pestunov power play goal, powered by Konstantin Volkov and Marek Kvapil. Bratislava tied it in the second period on an unassisted goal by Michel Miklik, coming on the power play. Slovan took the lead in the third period on a Martin Skoula power play goal, with assists provided by Branko Radivojevic and Libor Hudacek. Bratislava added on as Miroslav Satan scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Vladimir Mihalik. Dynamo shot back with a Yegor Dugin goal, with a lone helper by Maxim Karpov. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Satan, Janus (31 for 33 in saves), and Skoula.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 119 2013-2014

There are six games on tonight, beginning on...

Long Island, as the New York Islanders host the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Kevin Poulin are the backups making spot starts. Boston began in the first period with a Loui Eriksson goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Daniel Paille and Torey Krug. New York tied it on a Frans Nielsen goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Kyle Okposo. The Bruins retook the lead on a second period Brad Marchand goal, his seventeenth of the season, via Patrice Bergeron and Reilly Smith. The Islanders retied it with a Michael Grabner goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Okposo ad Thomas Hickey. Boston regained the lead on a Smith goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Shawn Thornton and Marchand. New York evened it again on an Okposo goal, his twenty-third of the year, passed from Grabner. The Bruins pulled ahead again with a Carl Soderberg goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Milan Lucic. Boston added on in the third period as Bergeron scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Marchand. The Bruins extended the lead on Zdeno Chara goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Marchand, who got a sock trick, and Dougie Hamilton. Evgeni Nabokov relieved Poulin at this time. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 6-3, with the three stars going to Marchand, Bergeron, and Smith, while Okposo and Grabner get the honorable mentions.

Down the coast in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Anton Khudobin are the Russian goalies. Columbus was first to score in the first period on a Derek MacKenzie goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Fedor Tyutin and Corey Tropp. The Blue Jackets added on as R.J. Umberger scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno. Carolina got on the board with a third period goal by Eric Staal, his thirteenth of the season, via Alexander Semin and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes tied it with another Eric Staal goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Jiri Tlusty. Carolina took the lead on a Jordan Staal goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by Elias Lindholm and Jeff Skinner. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, and Khudobin (22 for 24 in saves).

Back north in Pittsburgh, the Penguins bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh got going in the second period on a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Brian Gibbons and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on as Deryk Engelland scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Craig Adams and Tanner Glass. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-0 in the third period on an empty net goal by Glass, his third of the campaign, set up by Adams and Crosby. The three stars were Glass, Fleury (24 save shutout), and Crosby, while Adams gets an honorable mention.

South to Dallas, as the Stars host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Kari Lehtonen protect the nets. Colorado struck first in the first period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Max Talbot and Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche added on with a Jamie McGinn goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. Dallas got on the board as Jamie Benn scored his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by Tyler Seguin. The Stars tied it in the second period on a Seguin power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Benn and Alex Goligoski. Colorado retook the lead as Paul Stastny scored a power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Gabriel Landeskog. Dallas pulled even with another Seguin goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Goligoski and Sergei Gonchar. The Avalanche took the lead again in the third period with an Alex Tanguay goal, his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Landeskog and Talbot. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars belonging to Seguin, Landeskog, and Benn, while Talbot and Goligoski get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period with a David Perron goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Sam Gagner and Nail Yakupov. Vancouver tied it on a Jordan Schroeder goal, courtesy of David Booth. The Oilers retook the lead on another Perron goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, passed from Yakupov. The Canucks retied it in the second period with Schroeder's second of the game, via Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Stanton. Edmonton pulled ahead in the third period with a Jesse Joensuu goal, his third of the season, guided in by Ryan Smyth and Taylor Hall. The Oilers iced it at 4-2 with Perron's twenty-second of the year, an unassisted empty net goal to complete his hat trick. The three stars went to Perron, Schroeder, and Yakupov.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Alex Stalock have the green light to start. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Jeff Carter and Jake Muzzin. This was the only goal in the game, so the Kings won 1-0. Quick (23 save shutout), Kopitar, and Stalock (20 for 21 in saves) were awarded the three stars.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 146 2013-2014

Eight games on the third to last day until the KHL Olympic Break. We begin in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Alexei Murygin receive the starting nods. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on a power play goal by Maxim Kondratyev, powered by Andrei Kostitsyn and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Traktor added on as Artyom Borodkin scored a power play goal, thanks to Dmitry Ryabykin and Anton Glinkin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead in the second period with an unassisted power play goal by Petri Kontiola. Mika Jarvinen relieved Murygin at this time. Khabarovsk got on the board with a Sergei Smurov goal, assisted by Dmitry Lugin and Alexander Yunkov. Traktor shot back with a Glinkin goal, courtesy of Andrei Popov. Amur answered in the third period when Yunkov scored, with the help of Vladimir Loginov and Lugin on the power play. Khabarovsk pulled closer with a power play goal by Yunkov, his second of the game, coming off of Lugin, who got a sock trick, and Smurov. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Glinkin, Yunkov, and Lugin, while Smurov gets an honorable mention.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Vladivostok began in the first period with a Felix Schutz goal, with a lone helper from Niclas Bergfors. Admiral added on in the third period when Justin Hodgman converted a penalty shot he received after being held by Yaroslav Khabarov. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a power play goal by Jan Kovar, powered by Danis Zaripov. This produced a 2-1 final, with the three stars being Ivannikov (21 for 22 in saves), Hodgman, and Schutz.

Westward to Novosibirsk, as Sibir hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Nikita Bespalov draw the starts. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Jonas Enlund power play goal, powered by Jori Lehtera. Ufa tied it with an Alexei Vasilevsky goal, passed from Anton Slepyshev. Salavat Yulaev took the lead in the second period on an Alexei Glukhov goal, courtesy of Arturs Kulda and Yegor Dubrovsky. Ufa added in the third period with an Anton Babchuk power play goal, powered by Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Sibir pulled back on a Yegor Martynov goal, made possible by Enlund and Ivan Lekomtsev. Novosibirsk tied it with a Dmitry Monya goal, with assists provided by Alexander Kutuzov and Josef Hrabal. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Mirnov and Monya matched each other twice before Mirnov scored a third goal to seal a Salavat Yulaev 4-3 victory. The three stars were Mirnov, Monya, and Enlund.

Over in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Ilya Sorokin are in the creases. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period with an Alexei Kosourov goal, assisted by Vadim Mitryakov. Metallurg added on in the second period as Ansel Galimov scored, thanks to Igor Velichkin. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with a Renat Mamashev goal, passed from Maxim Rybin on the power play. Novokuznetsk replied in the third period on a Velichkin goal, guided in by Nikolai Skladnichenko and Denis Kurepanov. Neftekhimik shot back with a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal, via Rybin and Mamashev. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Velichkin, Mamashev, and Rybin.

Way to the west, Spartak Moscow hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Sergei Borisov and Alexei Ivanov are the backups making spot starts. Moscow opened in the first period on an Oleg Kvasha goal, courtesy of Nikolai Lemtyugov. Mytishchi tied it with a power play goal by Sergei Shmelyov, powered by Rafael Batyrshin and Evgeny Artyukhin. Atlant took the lead with an Oleg Yashin goal, coming off of Vitaly Novopashin and Alexei Mikhnov. Spartak tied it in the second period on a Grigory Zheldakov goal, assisted by Alexei Krutov. Moscow gained the lead in the third period with an Igor Volkov goal, made possible by Alexei Grishin and Tom Wandell. Mytishchi retied it on another Yashin goal, his second of the game, guided in by Mikhnov and Konstantin Koltsov. Atlant won 4-3 in the shootout with tallies by Yury Trubachyov and Igor Radulov. The three stars went to Yashin, Mikhnov, and Radulov.

Outside of Russia, Dinamo Minsk welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Dmitry Milchakov are in goal. St. Petersburg dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrick Thoresen goal, with a lone assist by Dinar Khafizullin. Minsk tied it on an Alexander Kitarov goal, fueled by Konstantin Zakharov. Dinamo took the lead with a power play goal by Andrei Stas, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny. SKA retied it in the third period period with an Alexander Barabanov goal, coming off of Ilya Kablukov and Andrei Kuteikin. St. Petersburg took the lead with a power play goal by Roman Cervenka, via Dmitry Kalinin and Thoresen. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Thoresen, Cervenka, and Barabanov.

Moving along to Donetsk, as Donbass hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Jan Laco protect the nets. Donetsk started in the first period with an unassisted goal by Viktor Zakharov. Donbass added on in the second period with a Lukas Kaspar goal, coming off of Ruslan Fedotenko and Randy Robitaille. Donetsk extended the lead on a third period power play goal by Clay Wilson, powered by Peter Podhradsky and Maxim Yakutsenya. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Laco (19 save shutout), Zakharov, and Kaspar.

Finally, in Zagreb, Medvescak brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Mark Dekanich are the solid goalies. Cherepovets got going in the third period on a Sergei Monakhov goal, going in unassisted. Zagreb tied it with a Bill Thomas goal, fueled by Matt Murley and Jonathan Cheechoo. Severstal won 2-1 in the shootout with a lone tally by Linus Videll. The three stars went to Stepanek (29 for 30 in saves), Dekanich (24 for 25 in saves), and Videll.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 118 2013-2014

We only have five games on today, but the first is a big event. From...

The Bronx, we have the New Jersey Devils hosting the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium for the second installment of the Stadium Series. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur tend the twines. New Jersey was first to score in the first period with a Patrik Elias goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Ryane Clowe. New York replied with a Dominic Moore goal, his fourth of the year, via Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle. The Devils retook the lead as Elias scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jaromir Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. New Jersey added on with a Travis Zajac goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Jagr and Mark Fayne. The Rangers got one back as Marc Staal netted his third of the season, thanks to Dominic Moore. New York tied it in the second period as Mats Zuccarello scored his fourteenth of the year, assisted by John Moore and Derick Brassard. The Rangers took the lead on another Zuccarello goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Brassard and Benoit Pouliot. New York extended the lead as Carl Hagelin scored his twelfth of the year, with the help of Ryan Callahan and Stralman. The Rangers padded the lead on a Rick Nash goal, his eighteenth of the season, with assists provided by Derek Stepan and Staal. Cory Schneider relieved Brodeur for the third period. New York struck again in the third period when Stepan scored his tenth of the year on a penalty shot he received after Zajac held him. This made it 7-3, the final, with the three stars going to Zuccarello, Elias, and Stepan, while Staal, Jagr, Dominic Moore, Stralman, and Brassard all get the honorable mentions.

West to Detroit, as the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jonas Gustavsson are the average goalies. Florida led off in the first period with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Dmitry Kulikov and Mike Weaver. Detroit tied it in the second period on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his ninth of the year, via Johan Franzen. The Red Wings took the lead with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Brendan Smith and Brian Lashoff. Detroit added on with a Riley Sheahan power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Tomas Tatar and Patrick Eaves. The Panthers answered with a third period goal by Jesse Winchester, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Tom Gilbert and Marcel Goc. The Red Wings responded with a Tatar goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Sheahan and Tomas Jurco. Florida pulled closer with a Drew Shore goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Tomas Fleischmann and Gilbert. The Panthers evened it on a Brad Boyes shorthanded goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Brian Campbell. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Niklas Bjugstad had the only tally for a 5-4 Florida win. Tatar, Sheahan, and Gilbert received the three stars.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. Chicago began in the first period on a Brandon Bollig goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Ben Smith and Marcus Kruger. Winnipeg tied it on a third period goal by Blake Wheeler, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Evander Kane and Mark Stuart. The Jets took the lead on an Andrew Ladd goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 as Wheeler scored his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, an empty net goal set up by Tobias Enstrom. Montoya (34 for 35 in saves), Wheeler, and Ladd got the three stars.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Ben Scrivens will be in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Justin Schultz goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Jesse Joensuu and Ryan Smyth. Nashville tied it on a David Legwand goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Nick Spaling and Craig Smith. The Oilers replied on a Jordan Eberle goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton added on with a second period Smyth goal, his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Corey Potter and Hall. The Oilers extended the lead with a Nail Yakupov, his tenth of the season, via Sam Gagner. Edmonton wrapped it up at 5-1 in the third period on a power play goal by Nugent-Hopkins, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Eberle and Schultz. The three stars were given to Nugent-Hopkins, Schultz, and Eberle, while Smyth and Hall get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Vancouver started in the first period on a Kevin Bieksa goal, his third of the season, assisted by Chris Higgins and Zac Dalpe. The Canucks added on with a Jannik Hansen goal, his ninth of the year, via Ryan Kesler. Phoenix got on the board with an Antoine Vermette goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, coming off of David Moss and Derek Morris. The Coyotes tied it on another Vermette goal in the second period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Vancouver retook the lead with a Higgins goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks extended the lead on a Dalpe goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Jason Garrison and Zack Kassian. Phoenix chipped back with a Vermette power play goal, completing his hat trick on his eighteenth of the season, powered by Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes tied it again in the third period with a Doan goal, his fifteenth of the year, pushed through by Mike Ribeiro and Moss. Vancouver won 5-4 in overtime on Bieksa's second of the game and fourth of the campaign, with the help of Brad Richardson and Higgins. The three stars went to Vermette, Bieksa, and Higgins, while Dalpe, Doan, and Moss get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Day 145 2013-2014

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Henrik Karlsson receive the starting nods. Astana led off in the first period on a Brandon Bochenski goal, courtesy of Nigel Dawes. Omsk tied it in the second period on a Sergei Shirokov goal, assisted by Denis Kazionov. Barys retook the lead on an unassisted goal by Bochenski, his second of the game. Avangard retied it with a Denis Kulyash goal, coming off of Sergei Kalinin. Omsk took the lead with a power play goal by Alexander Perezhogin, powered by Kulyash and Sergei Kostitsyn. Astana pulled even in the third period on a Konstantin Rudenko goal, via Roman Starchenko. Barys gained the lead again on a Dawes goal, with a lone assist by Dustin Boyd. Avangard got the equalizer with a goal by Kalinin, going in unassisted. Astana won 5-4 in overtime as Rudenko scored his second of the night, with the help of Kristian Kudroc. The three stars went to Rudenko, Bochenski, and Dawes, while Kalinin and Kulyash get the honorable mentions.

Up in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period on an Alexei Simakov goal, coming off of Sergei Demagin and Dmitry Megalinsky. Avtomobilist added on in the second period with a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Tobias Viklund and Artyom Chernov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period on an unassisted goal by Radek Smolenak. Yugra tied it with a shorthanded goal by Ilari Mellart, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where goals by Smolenak and Nikita Gusev sealed the 3-2 comeback win for Yugra. The three stars were Smolenak, Melart, and Kovar (38 for 40 in saves).

West to Moscow, as Dynamo brings in Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Alexander Lazushin are in the blue paint. Prague began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Justin Azevedo. Moscow tied it in the second period on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, assisted by Maxim Pestushko and Konstantin Gorovikov. Dynamo took the lead in the third period with a Leo Komarov power play goal, powered by Pestushko and Gorovikov. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Lazushin (31 for 32 in saves), Pestushko, and Gorovikov.

Down to Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Johan Backlund are between the pipes. Bratislava got going in the second period with a Martin Bakos goal, fueled by Andrej Stastny and Jan Brejcak. Podolsk tied it in the third period with an Ivan Ivanov goal, coming off of Yury Koksharov and Anton Korolyov. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Slovan used goals by Milan Bartovic, Miroslav Satan, and Martin Stajnoch to overwhelm Vityaz's lone tally by Korolyov for a 2-1 Slovan win. The three stars went to Janus (25 for 26 in saves), Backlund (19 for 20 in saves), and Korolyov.

Back east a touch to Kazan, as Ak Bars welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek is mismatched with Konstantin Barulin in goal. Kazan dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jakub Petruzalek goal, via Ilya Nikulin and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on with a Nikulin goal, assisted by Shaun Heshka and Artyom Lukoyanov. Riga got on the board in the third period with a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, coming off of Georgijs Pujacs. Dinamo tied it with a Miks Indrasis goal, coming off of Paul Szczechura and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Riga won 3-2 with tallies from Szczechura and Nizivijs. The three stars were Nizivijs, Szczechura, and Nikulin.

Up in Nizhny Novgorod, we end with Torpedo bringing in CSKA Moscow. Jeff Glass and Ivan Kasutin are the veteran goalies. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period with a power play goal by Pavel Valentenko, powered by Sakari Salminen. Moscow tied it in the second period on an Igor Grigorenko goal, fueled by Igor Fefelov and Sergei Gimayev. Torpedo retook the lead with a Vyacheslav Kulyomin goal, passed from Vladimir Denisov and Sergei Sentyurin. Nizhny Novgorod added on in the third period with a power play goal by Juuso Hietanen, guided in by Salminen. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kasutin (27 for 28 in saves), Kulyomin, and Salminen.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.