Ten games on in the regular season finale today. We begin in...
St. Louis, as the Blues host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek is mismatched with Ryan Miller in goal. Detroit started in the first period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Brian Lashoff and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with a Riley Sheahan goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Tomas Tatar. Detroit iced it at 3-0 as Abdelkader scored his second of the game and tenth of the campaign in the third period, via Datsyuk and Jakub Kindl. The three stars were Abdelkader, Mrazek (23 save shutout), and Datsyuk.
Back east, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Martin Brodeur are the backups making the starts. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Marek Zidlicky goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias. Boston tied it on a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Carl Soderberg and Brad Marchand. The Devils took the lead back in the third period on a Zajac goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Jaromir Jagr and Jon Merrill. New Jersey added on with another Zidlicky goal, his twelfth of the year, via Damien Brunner and Jagr on the power play. The Bruins got one back with a Marchand power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, helped along by Soderberg and Eriksson. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Zidlicky, Zajac, and Jagr, while Marchand, Eriksson, and Soderberg receive the honorable mentions.
Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin faces a much lesser foe in Cal Heeter in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with a Jeff Skinner goal, his thirty-second of the season, passed from Riley Nash and Mike Komisarek. The Hurricanes added on with an Eric Staal goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Jiri Tlusty and Justin Faulk. Philadelphia got on the board with a Matt Read goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Jason Akeson and Mark Streit. Carolina responded with a Manny Malhotra goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Komisarek. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the second period on an Eric Staal goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, assisted by Tlusty and Faulk. The Flyers shot back on a Kimmo Timonen power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Philadelphia pulled closer on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Tye McGinn. The Flyers tied it with an unassisted Sean Couturier goal, his thirteenth of the year. Carolina regained the lead in the third period with another Skinner goal, his second of the game and thirty-third of the season, fueled by Andrei Loktionov and Elias Lindholm. Philadelphia tied it with ten seconds left in regulation as Simmonds potted his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, with assists from Streit and Timonen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Eric Staal's goal was good for a 6-5 Hurricanes win. The three stars were Eric Staal, Skinner, and Simmonds, while Komisarek, Tlusty, Faulk, Streit, and Timonen all pick up honorable mentions.
Down a bit to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. The only goal came in the shootout, where Matthew Carle scored to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 win. The three stars were given to Lindback (32 save shutout), Holtby (32 save "shutout"), and Carle.
Up in Buffalo, the Sabres host the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson and Connor Knapp are the unknown goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Jamie McBain goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by the goalie Knapp. The Sabres added on in the second period as Matt Ellis netted his fourth of the year, thanks to Marcus Foligno and Jake McCabe. New York got on the board with an Anders Lee power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Lee goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, made possible by Bailey and Nielsen. Buffalo took the lead back with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his second of the season, passed from Rasmus Ristolainen and Henrik Tallinder. New York retied it on a Brock Nelson goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Travis Hamonic. The Islanders would win 4-3 with a Nelson shootout tally. The three stars went to Lee, Nelson, and Nielsen, while Bailey was an honorable mention.
West a bit to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jeff Zatkoff are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang. Ottawa tied it with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman. The Penguins took the lead in the second period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Beau Bennett and Brian Gibbons. The Senators retied it on a power play goal by Mark Stone, his fourth of the year, via Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch. Ottawa won 3-2 with goals by Turris and Jason Spezza in the shootout. The three stars were Turris, Stone, and Stempniak.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Ilya Bryzgalov receive the starting nods. Minnesota struck first in the first period on an Erik Haula goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on with a Pominville goal, his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Haula and Matt Moulson. Nashville got on the board with a Richard Clune goal, his third of the season, made possible by Paul Gaustad. Minnesota replied in the second period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, powered by Mikko Koivu and Pominville. The Predators got one back with a Ryan Ellis goal, his sixth of the season, via Mattias Ekholm and Craig Smith. Nashville tied it on a power play goal by Shea Weber, his twenty-third of the year, assisted by Patric Hornqvist. The Predators took the lead on a Roman Josi goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists from Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Spaling. Nashville extended the lead with a Smith goal, his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Josi and Colin Wilson. The Predators padded the lead with a Jarnkrok goal in the third period, his second of the season, pushed through by Smith and Ellis. Nashville iced it at 7-3 with a Smith power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, with the help of Spaling and Jarnkrok. The three stars were Smith, Jarnkrok, and Pominville, while Haula, Ellis, Josi, and Spaling get the honorable mentions.
To California, where the Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere faces his former team, who trots out John Gibson to oppose him in goal. Colorado got going in the first period on a Brad Malone goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nick Holden and Ryan Wilson. The Avalanche added on with a Stefan Elliott goal in the second period, thanks to Max Talbot and Patrick Bordeleau. Anaheim got on the board in the third period with a Pat Maroon goal, his eleventh of the year, via Mathieu Perreault and Ben Lovejoy. The Ducks tied it with a Saku Koivu goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Sami Vatanen and Andrew Cogliano. Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime with a Nick Bonino goal, his twenty-second of the year, set up by Devante Smith-Pelly and Vatanen. Bonino, Vatanen, and Teemu Selanne received the three stars.
North to Vancouver, where the Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jacob Markstrom are between the pipes. Vancouver started in the first period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of David Booth and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on as Daniel Sedin scored his sixteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Alexander Edler and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period on a Frank Corrado goal, going in unassisted. The Canucks padded the lead on a Ryan Kesler goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. Joey MacDonald relieved Ramo at this time. Calgary got on the board with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, coming off of Joe Colborne and Chris Breen. Vancouver shot back with a Weber power play goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Jason Garrison and Mike Zalewski. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Daniel Sedin, Markstrom (21 for 22 in saves), and Henrik Sedin.
Finally, we end the regular season in Glendale, as the Phoenix Coyotes play their last game under such a moniker by hosting the Dallas Stars. Tim Thomas and Thomas Greiss draw the starts. Dallas opened with a first period Colton Sceviour power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Vernon Fiddler and Sergei Gonchar. Phoenix tied it in the second period on a Shane Doan goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Zbynek Michalek and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period on a David Moss goal, his eighth of the campaign, fueled by Martin Erat and Jeff Halpern. The three stars belonged to Greiss (16 for 17 in saves), Moss, and Doan.
It has been 195 days since the NHL season began back in October. Together, we have experienced every goal the league has had to offer us in the regular season. I am proud to have returned for my third complete season of NHL action on this here blog, and I am taking the time now to thank all of you that have checked in at some point this year. Your support and interest is worth very much to me. Starting on Wednesday, the NHL postseason will begin, and I will be here to take you through all of those games as well. I will return to the playoff format used last year, as I did not like how I did the KHL playoffs this year. See you all in three days! Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
St. Louis, as the Blues host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek is mismatched with Ryan Miller in goal. Detroit started in the first period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Brian Lashoff and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with a Riley Sheahan goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Tomas Tatar. Detroit iced it at 3-0 as Abdelkader scored his second of the game and tenth of the campaign in the third period, via Datsyuk and Jakub Kindl. The three stars were Abdelkader, Mrazek (23 save shutout), and Datsyuk.
Back east, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Martin Brodeur are the backups making the starts. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Marek Zidlicky goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias. Boston tied it on a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Carl Soderberg and Brad Marchand. The Devils took the lead back in the third period on a Zajac goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Jaromir Jagr and Jon Merrill. New Jersey added on with another Zidlicky goal, his twelfth of the year, via Damien Brunner and Jagr on the power play. The Bruins got one back with a Marchand power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, helped along by Soderberg and Eriksson. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Zidlicky, Zajac, and Jagr, while Marchand, Eriksson, and Soderberg receive the honorable mentions.
Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin faces a much lesser foe in Cal Heeter in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with a Jeff Skinner goal, his thirty-second of the season, passed from Riley Nash and Mike Komisarek. The Hurricanes added on with an Eric Staal goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Jiri Tlusty and Justin Faulk. Philadelphia got on the board with a Matt Read goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Jason Akeson and Mark Streit. Carolina responded with a Manny Malhotra goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Komisarek. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the second period on an Eric Staal goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, assisted by Tlusty and Faulk. The Flyers shot back on a Kimmo Timonen power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Philadelphia pulled closer on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Tye McGinn. The Flyers tied it with an unassisted Sean Couturier goal, his thirteenth of the year. Carolina regained the lead in the third period with another Skinner goal, his second of the game and thirty-third of the season, fueled by Andrei Loktionov and Elias Lindholm. Philadelphia tied it with ten seconds left in regulation as Simmonds potted his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, with assists from Streit and Timonen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Eric Staal's goal was good for a 6-5 Hurricanes win. The three stars were Eric Staal, Skinner, and Simmonds, while Komisarek, Tlusty, Faulk, Streit, and Timonen all pick up honorable mentions.
Down a bit to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. The only goal came in the shootout, where Matthew Carle scored to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 win. The three stars were given to Lindback (32 save shutout), Holtby (32 save "shutout"), and Carle.
Up in Buffalo, the Sabres host the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson and Connor Knapp are the unknown goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Jamie McBain goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by the goalie Knapp. The Sabres added on in the second period as Matt Ellis netted his fourth of the year, thanks to Marcus Foligno and Jake McCabe. New York got on the board with an Anders Lee power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Lee goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, made possible by Bailey and Nielsen. Buffalo took the lead back with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his second of the season, passed from Rasmus Ristolainen and Henrik Tallinder. New York retied it on a Brock Nelson goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Travis Hamonic. The Islanders would win 4-3 with a Nelson shootout tally. The three stars went to Lee, Nelson, and Nielsen, while Bailey was an honorable mention.
West a bit to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jeff Zatkoff are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang. Ottawa tied it with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman. The Penguins took the lead in the second period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Beau Bennett and Brian Gibbons. The Senators retied it on a power play goal by Mark Stone, his fourth of the year, via Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch. Ottawa won 3-2 with goals by Turris and Jason Spezza in the shootout. The three stars were Turris, Stone, and Stempniak.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Ilya Bryzgalov receive the starting nods. Minnesota struck first in the first period on an Erik Haula goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on with a Pominville goal, his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Haula and Matt Moulson. Nashville got on the board with a Richard Clune goal, his third of the season, made possible by Paul Gaustad. Minnesota replied in the second period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, powered by Mikko Koivu and Pominville. The Predators got one back with a Ryan Ellis goal, his sixth of the season, via Mattias Ekholm and Craig Smith. Nashville tied it on a power play goal by Shea Weber, his twenty-third of the year, assisted by Patric Hornqvist. The Predators took the lead on a Roman Josi goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists from Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Spaling. Nashville extended the lead with a Smith goal, his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Josi and Colin Wilson. The Predators padded the lead with a Jarnkrok goal in the third period, his second of the season, pushed through by Smith and Ellis. Nashville iced it at 7-3 with a Smith power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, with the help of Spaling and Jarnkrok. The three stars were Smith, Jarnkrok, and Pominville, while Haula, Ellis, Josi, and Spaling get the honorable mentions.
To California, where the Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere faces his former team, who trots out John Gibson to oppose him in goal. Colorado got going in the first period on a Brad Malone goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nick Holden and Ryan Wilson. The Avalanche added on with a Stefan Elliott goal in the second period, thanks to Max Talbot and Patrick Bordeleau. Anaheim got on the board in the third period with a Pat Maroon goal, his eleventh of the year, via Mathieu Perreault and Ben Lovejoy. The Ducks tied it with a Saku Koivu goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Sami Vatanen and Andrew Cogliano. Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime with a Nick Bonino goal, his twenty-second of the year, set up by Devante Smith-Pelly and Vatanen. Bonino, Vatanen, and Teemu Selanne received the three stars.
North to Vancouver, where the Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jacob Markstrom are between the pipes. Vancouver started in the first period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of David Booth and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on as Daniel Sedin scored his sixteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Alexander Edler and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period on a Frank Corrado goal, going in unassisted. The Canucks padded the lead on a Ryan Kesler goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. Joey MacDonald relieved Ramo at this time. Calgary got on the board with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, coming off of Joe Colborne and Chris Breen. Vancouver shot back with a Weber power play goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Jason Garrison and Mike Zalewski. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Daniel Sedin, Markstrom (21 for 22 in saves), and Henrik Sedin.
Finally, we end the regular season in Glendale, as the Phoenix Coyotes play their last game under such a moniker by hosting the Dallas Stars. Tim Thomas and Thomas Greiss draw the starts. Dallas opened with a first period Colton Sceviour power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Vernon Fiddler and Sergei Gonchar. Phoenix tied it in the second period on a Shane Doan goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Zbynek Michalek and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period on a David Moss goal, his eighth of the campaign, fueled by Martin Erat and Jeff Halpern. The three stars belonged to Greiss (16 for 17 in saves), Moss, and Doan.
It has been 195 days since the NHL season began back in October. Together, we have experienced every goal the league has had to offer us in the regular season. I am proud to have returned for my third complete season of NHL action on this here blog, and I am taking the time now to thank all of you that have checked in at some point this year. Your support and interest is worth very much to me. Starting on Wednesday, the NHL postseason will begin, and I will be here to take you through all of those games as well. I will return to the playoff format used last year, as I did not like how I did the KHL playoffs this year. See you all in three days! Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
