Hockey February 21st, 2015

Twelve games on today, but with a distinct tilt in favor of the NHL. The only KHL game has...

Amur Khabarovsk host Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Alexander Pechursky are in goal. Vladivostok opened in the first period on a Niclas Bergfors goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Zubov. Khabarovsk tied it in the second period as Ruslan Bashkirov scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Litovchenko. Admiral won 2-1 with a Konstantin Makarov goal, made possible by Tom Wandell. The three stars went to Proskuryakov (22 for 23 in saves), Makarov, and Bergfors.

Over in North America, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. New York struck first in the first period on a Travis Hamonic goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of John Tavares and Josh Bailey. Washington tied it on a Matt Niskanen goal, his third of the year, via Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner. The Capitals took the lead in the third period on an Eric Fehr goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Brooks Laich. The Islanders tied it again on a Ryan Strome goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Anders Lee and Tavares. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Evgeny Kuznetsov scored to give Washington a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Holtby (30 for 32 in saves), Tavares, and Fehr.

Into Philadelphia, where the Flyers bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Rob Zepp in goal. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-third of the season, courtesy of Michael Del Zotto and Braydon Coburn. Nashville tied it as Colin Wilson scored his nineteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flyers took the lead back on a Ryan White goal in the second period, his second of the season, assisted by R.J. Umberger and Brayden Schenn. The Predators retied it in the third period on a Craig Smith goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Mike Fisher and Matt Cullen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jakub Voracek and Simmonds gave the Flyers a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Simmonds, White, and Voracek.

At the normal times, the Edmonton Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Ben Scrivens are in the blue paint. Anaheim started in the first period on a Francois Beauchemin power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Rickard Rakell and Kyle Palmieri. Edmonton tied it in the second period on a Teddy Purcell goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Nail Yakupov and Derek Roy. The Ducks took the lead in the third period as Ryan Getzlaf scored his nineteenth of the season, thanks to Cam Fowler and Palmieri. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Gibson (26 for 27 in saves), Getzlaf, and Palmieri.

East to Montreal, where the Canadiens welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Carey Price receive the starting nods. Montreal led off in the first period on a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, guided in by Andrei Markov and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens added on with a Pacioretty goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, made possible by Nathan Beaulieu and David Desharnais. Columbus got on the board with a Nick Foligno goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Artem Anisimov and Marko Dano. Montreal iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a shorthanded empty net goal by Tomas Plekanec, his eighteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Pacioretty, Price (31 for 32 in saves), and Beaulieu.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Keith Kinkaid are the relatively unknown goalies. New Jersey began in the first period on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Adam Larsson and Scott Gomez. The Devils added on with an Adam Henrique goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. New Jersey extended the lead as Andy Greene scored, thanks to Jordin Tootoo and Michael Cammalleri. Cory Schneider relieved an injured Kinkaid about halfway through the second period. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Alexander Semin and John-Michael Liles. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Henrique, Greene, and Ruutu.

Back in Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Andrew Hammond are between the pipes. Florida struck first in the first period on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Jonathan Huberdeau and Brian Campbell. Ottawa tied it on a Kyle Turris goal, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Mark Stone and Milan Michalek. The Senators took the lead in the second period as Bobby Ryan scored his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Turris and Alex Chiasson. Ottawa added on in the third period with an Erik Karlsson goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Michalek and Turris. The Senators iced it at 4-1 with a Curtis Lazar goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Erik Condra. The three stars went to Turris, Hammond (21 for 22 in saves), and Michalek.

Across Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Toronto opened in the first period on a shorthanded goal by Leo Komarov, his sixth of the season, set up by David Booth. Winnipeg tied it on a Jacob Trouba power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Drew Stafford and Mark Scheifele. The Jets took the lead on a Scheifele power play goal, his ninth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Maple Leafs tied it in the second period on a Daniel Winnik, his seventh of the year, fueled by Korbinian Holzer and Nazem Kadri. Winnipeg took the lead back on a Michael Frolik goal, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Stafford and Tyler Myers. Toronto retied it in the third period on a Kadri goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Morgan Rielly and Winnik. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in overtime on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, assisted by Olli Jokinen and Rielly. The three stars were handed to Kadri, Winnik, and Scheifele, while Rielly and Winnik get honorable mentions.

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas started in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Jordie Benn and Colton Sceviour. Detroit tied it on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twenty-first of the year, passed from Riley Sheahan and Alexey Marchenko. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his eighteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Stars retied it on a Trevor Daley goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Shawn Horcoff and Jamie Benn. Dallas took the lead as Cody Eakin scored his twelfth of the season, with the help of Daley and John Klingberg. The Stars added on with an Erik Cole goal, his seventeenth of the year, with assists provided by Jason Demers and Ryan Garbutt. Detroit got one back in the third period on a Jakub Kindl goal, his third of the season, fueled by Luke Glendening and Tomas Jurco. The Red Wings tied it with a Kindl goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, with helpers from Tomas Tatar and Datsyuk. Dallas regained the lead on a Curtis McKenzie goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jordie Benn and Ales Hemsky. The Stars extended the lead as Horcoff scored his eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Cole and Hemsky. Jonas Gustavsson replaced howard in goal. Detroit pulled back on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming on the power play with a lone assist from Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings tied it on Datsyuk's second of the game and nineteenth of the year, helped along by Abdelkader and Nyquist. Detroit won 7-6 with a Kronwall goal in overtime, his seventh of the campaign, pushed through by Darren Helm and Datsyuk. The three stars were awarded to Datsyuk, Kronwall, and Kindl, while Nyquist, Tatar, Jamie Benn, Jordie Benn, Cole, Daley, Horcoff, and Hemsky get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Brian Elliott are set to start in goal. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Blake Comeau goal, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Penguins added on with a Patric Hornqvist goal in the second period, his sixteenth of the year, coming on the power play from Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh extended the lead on a Comeau goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, made possible by Simon Despres and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins padded the lead in the third period on a Brandon Sutter goal, his twelfth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Comeau and David Perron. St. Louis got on the board with a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues pulled closer on an Ian Cole goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Barret Jackman and Tarasenko. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Comeau, Tarasenko, and Sutter.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Coyotes welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Mike Smith are given the starting nods. Arizona was first to score in the first period with a Michael Stone goal, his third of the season, fueled by Martin Erat and Lauri Korpikoski. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period as Ondrej Palat scored his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Ryan Callahan and Anton Stralman. The Lightning took the lead on a Callahan goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Mark Barberio and Stralman. Tampa Bay added on in the third period on a Palat goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Victor Hedman. The Coyotes got one back with a Mark Arcobello goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 with a power play empty net goal by Steven Stamkos, his thirty-second of the year, set up by Valtteri Filppula and Jason Garrison.

Finally, the day closes with the Stadium Series game in Santa Clara, California, where the San Jose Sharks bring in the Los Angeles Kings to Levi's Stadium. Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi tend the twines. Los Angeles began in the first period on a Kyle Clifford goal, his third of the season, guided in by Jake Muzzin. San Jose tied it on a Brent Burns goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Tommy Wingels. The Kings took the lead in the third period on a Marian Gaborik goal, his seventeenth of the season, with a lone helper by Jeff Carter. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Gaborik, Quick (31 for 32 in saves), and Clifford.

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NHL February 20th, 2015

Seven games tonight, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the New York Rangers. MacKenzie Skapski and Michal Neuvirth are the unknown goalies. Buffalo opened in the first period on a Matt Moulson goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Torrey Mitchell and Brian Gionta. New York tied it on a Carl Hagelin goal, his fourteenth of the year, via J.T. Miller and Dan Boyle. The Rangers took the lead in the second period on a Rick Nash goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, passed from Derick Brassard and Marc Staal. New York added on with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Nash and Brassard. This was all they needed for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Nash, Brassard, and Skapski (24 for 25 in saves).

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Cam Ward are the overrated goalies. Carolina started in the first period on an Eric Staal power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Justin Faulk and Jiri Tlusty. Toronto tied it on a Brandon Kozun goal, made possible by David Booth and Peter Holland. The Hurricanes retook the lead on a Jordan Staal goal, his third of the year, via Tlusty and Eric Staal. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Eric Staal, Ward (23 for 24 in saves), and Tlusty.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack faces former Canuck Cory Schneider in goal. New Jersey struck first in the first period on a Patrik Elias goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Adam Larsson and Adam Henrique. The Devils added on in the second period as Jordin Tootoo scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Larsson and the goalie Schneider. New Jersey extended the lead on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Eric Gelinas and Scott Gomez. Vancouver got on the board with a Zack Kassian goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks pulled closer in the third period on a Kassian goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, via Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The Devils iced at 4-2 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Cammalleri goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, set up Larsson, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Cammalleri, Kassian, and Larsson, while the Sedin twins get the honorable mentions.

West to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Boston Bruins. Malcolm Subban and Jake Allen are the young goalies. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Brad Marchand goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Patrice Bergeron and Reilly Smith. St. Louis tied it in the second period with a Petteri Lindbohm goal, via Carl Gunnarsson and Jaden Schwartz. The Blues took the lead on an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jay Bouwmeester and Alexander Steen. St. Louis added on with a T.J. Oshie goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Steen and Ian Cole. The Blues extended the lead as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his thirtieth of the year, thanks to Steen and Oshie on the power play. St. Louis padded the lead on another Tarasenko goal in the third period, his second of the game and thirty-first of the campaign, made possible by Schwartz and Jori Lehtera. This was all they needed for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Tarasenko, Steen, and Oshie, while Schwartz gets the honorable mention.

Up in Chicago, the Blackhawks bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Corey Crawford protect the nets. Colorado began in the first period on a Tyson Barrie goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. Chicago tied it in the second period on a Kris Versteeg goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Brad Richards and Michal Rozsival. The Avalanche took the lead on a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal in the third period, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Barrie. Colorado added on with a Barrie power play goal, his second of the ninth of the year, courtesy of Jarome Iginla and Landeskog. The Avalanche finished it at 4-1 with a Brad Stuart goal, his second of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Barrie, Landeskog, and Varlamov (27 for 28 in saves).

Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Jonas Hiller are set to start in goal. Calgary led off in the first period on a Matt Stajan goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Joe Colborne. The Flames added on in the second period with a Lance Bouma goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Dennis Wideman. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Corey Perry and Josh Manson. The Ducks tied it in the third period as Francois Beauchemin scored his fifth of the year, assisted by Cogliano and Rickard Rakell. Anaheim took the lead with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Patrick Maroon and Hampus Lindholm. The Ducks extended their lead on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. Anaheim padded the lead as Jakob Silfverberg scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Maroon and Getzlaf. Calgary got one back on a Sean Monahan goal, his twentieth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Curtis Glencross and Johnny Gaudreau. The Ducks finished it at 6-3 on a Lindholm empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Getzlaf, Cogliano, and Lindholm, while Maroon gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk faces his first team and Ben Scrivens in goal. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Justin Fontaine goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Christian Folin and Zach Parise. The Wild added on with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Mikko Koivu and Jonas Brodin. Minnesota extended the lead as Jordan Schroeder scored his third of the season in the second period, thanks to Thomas Vanek and Koivu. The Wild padded the lead in the third period on another Fontaine goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, coming off of Parise and Mikael Granlund. The three stars were given to Fontaine, Dubnyk (15 save shutout), and Koviu, while Parise gets an honorable mention.

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KHL February 20th, 2015

Eleven games on today, beginning with...

Barys Astana hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Jan Laco are in the blue paint. Astana struck first in the first period on a Brandon Bochenski goal, via Mike Lundin. Barys added on with a Nikita Mikhailis goal, coming off of Evgeny Blokhin. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Laco (30 save shutout), Bochenski and Mikhailis.

Up in Omsk, Avangard welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Nikita Bespalov is mismatched with Konstantin Barulin in goal. Omsk was first to score in the first period on a Felix Schutz penalty shot goal, after he was tripped by Jarno Koskiranta. Avangard added on as Alexander Popov scored, with a lone assist by Alexander Perezhogin. Omsk extended the lead in the third period a shorthanded goal by Kirill Lyamin, set up by Maxim Goncharov and Popov. This produced the 3-0 final, with the three stars given to Barulin (40 save shutout), Popov, and Schutz.

Further north, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Barry Brust are the solid goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk began in the first period on a power play goal by Artyom Bulyansky, powered by Igor Magogin and Vitaly Sitnikov. Kazan tied it on an Artyom Lukoyanov goal in the third period, made possible by Igor Mirnov and Alexander Svitov. Ak Bars won 2-1 with a Mirnov tally in the shootout. The three stars went to Garipov (28 for 29 in saves), Mirnov, and Brust (40 for 41 in saves).

Over to Togliatti, where Lada hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Jeff Glass are the veteran goalies. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Vladislav Kamenev goal, passed from Vladimir Malenkikh and Maxim Yakutsenya. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period on a Mozyakin goal, fueled by Kovar and Chris Lee on the power play. Togliatti got on the board with a Martin Zatovic goal, courtesy of the goalie Glass and Semyon Valuisky. Alexei Semyonov replaced Glass in goal for the third period. Metallurg shot back in the third period on a Denis Platnov goal, made possible by Yakutsenya and Mikhail Yunkov. Lada pulled back on a Dmitry Vorobyov power play goal, powered by Karol Sloboda and Fedor Fedorov. Togliatti got closer with an Alexander Streltsov goal, with a lone assist by Vasily Streltsov. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Mozyakin, Kovar, and Yakutsenya.

South to Sochi, as the Leopards welcome Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Andrei Gavrilov are the goalies. Cherepovets started in the first period on an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, coming off of Pavel Buchnevich. Sochi tied it on a Pyotr Schastlivy goal, guided in by Mikhail Anisin and Pavel Koledov. Severstal retook the lead on a Buchnevich goal, with a lone helper from Nikolai Kazakovtsev. Cherepovets added on with an unassisted goal by Marek Kvapil. Severstal extended the lead in the second period as Pavel Chernov scored, thanks to Maxim Trunyov and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. The Leopards answered in the third period on an Anisin goal, via Roman Derlyuk. Sochi edged closer on an Andre Petersson penalty shot goal, which he received after being tripped by Andrei Konev. The Leopards tied it as Max Warn scored, with the help of Anisin. Cherepovets won 5-4 with a lone shootout tally by Kagarlitsky. The three stars went to Buchnevich, Anisin, and Kagarlitsky.

Out west, Dinamo Minsk brings in Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Dmitry Milchakov are between the pipes. Helsinki led off in the first period as Niklas Hagman scored, thanks to Niko Kapanen and Daine Todd. Minsk tied it in the second period on a Jonathan Cheechoo goal, guided in by Nick Bailen and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Dinamo took the lead with a Charles Linglet goal, passed from Alexander Kulakov and Oleg Goroshko. Minsk added on as Linglet scored his second of the game, with a lone assist by Kulakov. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars handed to Linglet, Milchakov (31 for 32 in saves), and Kulakov.

Back east, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Ville Kolppanen are the masked men. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period on an Aaron Palushaj goal, via Anatoly Golyshev. Avtomobilist added on with an Anton Lazarev goal, courtesy of Tobias Viklund and Sergei Yemelin. Nizhnekamsk got on the board with an Igor Polygalov power play goal, powered by Maxim Berezin and Andrei Ivanov. Neftekhimik tied it with a Maxim Rybin penalty shot goal, after he was hooked by Dmitry Megalinsky. Yekaterinburg retook the lead on a power play goal by Alexander Rybakov, made possible by Lazarev and Sami Lepisto. Nizhnekamsk retied it as Evgeny Grigorenko scored, thanks to Stanislav Kalashnikov and Matt Anderson on the power play. Alexander Sudnitsin replaced Kolppanen in the second period. Avtomobilist gained the lead on a second period goal by Golyshev, fueled by Artyom Gareyev. Yekaterinburg extended the lead with an Alexander Nesterov goal, going in unassisted. Neftekhimik got one back on a Pavel Kulikov goal, with a lone helper provided by Yaroslav Alshevsky. This was as close as it got, with the final at 5-4. The three stars went to Golyshev, Lazarev, and Nesterov.

A little west to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Vitaly Kolesnik are occupying the creases. Yaroslavl was first to score in the first period on a Sergei Konkov goal, assisted by Jonas Holos and Andrei Loktionov. Lokomotiv added on with a Holos goal, guided in by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a second period power play goal by Alexei Pepelyaev, powered by Jarkko Immonen. This only made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Holos, Kolesnik (28 for 29 in saves), and Konkov.

Along to the battle of Moscow, where Dynamo brings in CSKA. Ilya Sorokin and Alexander Lazushin are the backups making spot starts. CSKA led off in the first period with a Vladimir Zharkov goal, fueled by Evgeny Korotkov. Dynamo tied it in the third period on an unassisted goal by Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo won 2-1 in overtime on a Janne Jalasvaara goal, courtesy of Denis Kokarev and Dmitry Vishnevsky. The three stars went to Lazushin (29 for 30 in saves), Jalasvaara, and Tsvetkov.

Up in Mytishchi, Atlant hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Atte Engren draw the starts in goal. Mytishchi got going in the third period on an Igor Levitsky goal, coming off of Vitaly Novopashin and Artyom Chernov. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 1-0. The three stars were awarded to Engren (31 save shutout), Levitsky, and Ezhov (35 for 36 in saves).

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslauriers faces a lesser foe in Mate Tomljenovic. Riga began in the first period on a Kaspars Saulietis goal, going in unassisted. Dinamo added on with a Linus Videll goal, courtesy of Brock Trotter and the goalie Deslauriers. Riga extended the lead on a Milan Jurcina goal, passed from Charles Genoway and Miks Indrasis. Calvin Heeter replaced Tomljenovic in the second period. Zagreb got on the board with an Edwin Hedberg goal in the second period, made possible by Bill Thomas and Pascal Pelletier. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars given to Deslauriers (24 for 25 in saves), Videll, and Jurcina.

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NHL February 19th, 2015

Seven games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. New York began in the first period on a Brian Strait goal, his second of the season, made possible by Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner. The Islanders added on with a Johnny Boychuk goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Nick Leddy and Grabner. New York extended the lead as John Tavares scored a power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, powered by Leddy and Boychuk. Nashville got on the board with a Filip Forsberg goal, his twentieth of the year, via Roman Josi and Craig Smith. The Predators pulled closer in the second period on a James Neal goal, his twenty-first of the season, fueled by Mike Ribeiro and Josi. The Islanders shot back in the third period on a Leddy goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Colin McDonald and Matt Martin. New York finished it at 5-2 with a Josh Bailey goal, his twelfth of the campaign, guided in by Tavares and Anders Lee. The three stars were Leddy, Boychuk, and Tavares, while Grabner and Josi get the honorable mentions.

Downtown, the New York Rangers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller faces a lesser foe in Cam Talbot in goal. New York struck first in the first period on a Derek Stepan goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Martin St. Louis and Dan Girardi. Vancouver tied it in the second period as Shawn Matthias scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Jannik Hansen and Ronalds Kenins. The Rangers retook the lead on a Rick Nash goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. The Canucks tied it again with a Bo Horvat goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Kenins and Hansen. Vancouver gained the lead in the third period on a Henrik Sedin power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Adam Clendening and Daniel Sedin. New York tied it on a St. Louis goal, his sixteenth of the year, helped along by Stepan and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers took the lead again on a Hagelin goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Girardi. The Canucks tied it again as Henrik Sedin scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, made possible by Dan Hamhuis and Daniel Sedin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Alexandre Burrows and Radim Vrbata scored to give Vancouver the 5-4 win. The three stars went to Henrik Sedin, St. Louis, and Stepan, while Girardi, Hansen, Kenins, Daniel Sedin, and Hagelin receive the honorable mentions.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Ray Emery are the subpar goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Brian Flynn and Rasmus Ristolainen. Philadelphia tied it on a Ryan White goal, with assists provided by Braydon Coburn and Brayden Schenn. The Sabres regained the lead on a second period goal by Brian Gionta, his sixth of the year, coming off of Torrey Mitchell and Matt Moulson. The Flyers retied it as Jakub Voracek scored his nineteenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Wayne Simmonds and Sean Couturier. The tie went to a shootout, where Voracek and Gionta traded goals before Flynn won it 3-2 for the Sabres. The three stars were Flynn, Gionta and Voracek.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Columbus led off in the first period on a Scott Hartnell goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Alexander Wennberg and Fedor Tyutin. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal in the second period, his twenty-second of the year, with a lone assist by Paul Martin. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period on a Brandon Dubinsky shorthanded goal, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Matt Calvert and Tyutin. The three stars of the 2-1 game were McElhinney (29 for 30 in saves), Tyutin, and Dubinsky.

Back to DC, where the Washington Capitals bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Braden Holtby are the masked men. Washington opened in the first period on a John Carlson power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, via Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen. Winnipeg got on the board with a Michael Frolik goal in the second period, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Toby Enstrom and Andrew Ladd. Washington shot back on a Backstrom power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, with assists provided by Mike Green and Ovechkin. The Capitals extended the lead on another Backstrom power play goal, his second of the game and his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Ovechkin and Johansson. Washington padded the lead in the third period on a Troy Brouwer shorthanded empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, going in unassisted. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars being Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Brouwer, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

North to Montreal, where the Canadiens welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal got going in the second period on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on with another Gallagher goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of P.K. Subban. Florida got on the board with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers tied it in the third period on a Steven Kampfer goal, coming off of Fleischmann and Scottie Upshall. Florida won 3-2 in the shootout, with Nick Bjugstad and Dave Bolland topping Pacioretty. The three stars went to Gallagher, Fleischmann, and Pacioretty.

Finally, we end with the Dallas Stars hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. San Jose started on a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski. The Sharks added on with a second period Andrew Desjardins goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Tomas Hertl and Chris Tierney. The Sharks extended the lead with a Desjardins goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Hertl. Dallas got on the board with a Trevor Daley power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza. The Stars pulled closer in the third period on an Erik Cole goal, his sixteenth of the season, via Benn and Daley. The Sharks shot back with a Patrick Marleau empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by James Sheppard. San Jose won 5-2 with an empty net goal by Tommy Wingels, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Pavelski and Brenden Dillon. The three stars were handed to Desjardins, Daley, and Hertl, while Pavelski and Benn get the honorable mentions.

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NHL February 18th, 2015

Six games in the slowest weeknight this week, beginning in...

Ottawa, where the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Andrew Hammond are the backups making spot starts. Ottawa got going in the second period on a Milan Michalek goal, his eleventh of the season, via Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone. Montreal tied it on a Max Pacioretty goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, assisted by Andrei Markov and David Desharnais. The Senators retook the lead on a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his third of the season, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Erik Condra. Ottawa added on in the third period as Mark Stone scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Karlsson and Michalek. The Canadiens got one back on a Nathan Beaulieu goal, passed from P.K. Subban and Michael Bournival. The Senators iced it at 4-2 on a Kyle Turris empty net goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, set up by Stone. The three stars were Stone, Michalek, and Karlsson.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Detroit dented the scoreboard on a second period goal by Tomas Tatar, his twenty-fourth of the season, via Darren Helm and Riley Sheahan. Chicago tied it on a Brandon Saad goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Marian Hossa. The Red Wings retook the lead in the third period on a Helm goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk. The Blackhawks retied it as Kris Versteeg scored his eleventh of the year, guided in by Duncan Keith. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Gustav Nyquist and Tatar combined to top Jonathan Toews and give the Red Wings the 3-2 win. The three stars were Helm, Tatar, and Howard (32 for 34 in saves).

Back in Canada, the Calgary Flames bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jonas Hiller are the underrated goalies. Minnesota began in the first period on a Justin Fontaine goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Thomas Vanek and Charlie Coyle. The Wild added on with a Matt Dumba goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Jonas Brodin and the goalie Dubnyk. Calgary got on the board with a Jiri Hudler goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Dennis Wideman and Sean Monahan. The Flames tied it on a third period goal by Lance Bouma, his eleventh of the year, via Wideman and Mikael Backlund. Minnesota won 3-2 with an overtime goal from Mikko Koivu, his ninth of the campaign, with helpers from Coyle and Marco Scandella. The three stars went to Koivu, Coyle, and Wideman.

Staying in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Ben Scrivens in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Nail Yakupov goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Derek Roy and Oscar Klefbom. The Oilers added on with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Teddy Purcell and Jordan Eberle. Boston got on the board with a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Dougie Hamilton and Torey Krug. Edmonton shot back in the second period on a Purcell goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Eberle on the power play. The Bruins replied on a Reilly Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Brad Marchand and Dennis Seidenberg. Boston tied it on a David Pastrnak goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Zdeno Chara and Hamilton. The tie lasted to the twelfth round of the shootout, where Martin Marincin scored to give the Oilers a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Purcell, and Eberle, and Hamilton.

Back stateside, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado led off in the first period on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Nathan MacKinnon. Los Angeles tied it in the second period on a Jeff Carter goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Tyler Toffoli and Dwight King. The Kings took the lead with a Toffoli goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Trevor Lewis and Drew Doughty. Los Angeles added on as Dustin Brown scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Doughty and Anze Kopitar. The Kings extended the lead in the third period on a Carter empty net goal on the power play, his second of the game and eighteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 4-1 game belonged to Carter, Quick (42 for 43 in saves), and Toffoli, while Doughty gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and John Gibson are in the creases. Anaheim started in the first period with a Patrick Maroon goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Rickard Rakell and Kyle Palmieri. Tampa Bay tied it on an Anton Stralman goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, via Brian Boyle and Jonathan Drouin. The Lightning took the lead with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-second of the year, assisted by Stralman and Palat. The Lightning extended the lead on a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirty-first of the campaign, with helpers from Alex Killorn and Andrej Sustr. This produced the eventual 4-1 final, with the three stars being Stralman, Bishop (24 for 25 in saves), and Palat.

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KHL February 18th, 2015

Nine games today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Chelyabinsk dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Deron Quint power play goal, powered by Francis Pare. Kazan tied it on an Alexander Svitov goal, made possible by Artyom Lukoyanov. Traktor won 2-1 in the shootout, with two goals by Stanislav Chistov topping a lone tally from Vladimir Tkachyov. The three stars went to Garnett (25 for 26 in saves), Chistov, and Nilsson (17 for 18 in saves).

Over in Togliatti, Lada welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Jeff Glass draw the starts in goal. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period on an Alexander Nesterov goal, fueled by Alexei Mikhnov and Eduard Lewandowski. Avtomobilist added on with a power play goal by Alexander Rybakov, powered by Sami Lepisto. Togliatti got on the board with a Georgy Belousov power play goal in the second period, helped along by Dmitry Ogurtsov. Yekaterinburg shot back on a power play goal by Alexei Simakov, coming off of Lepisto. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars handed to Kovar (27 for 28 in saves), Lepisto, and Rybakov.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Lars Haugen are in the creases. St. Petersburg led off in the first period on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, passed from Roman Rukavishnikov and Jimmie Ericsson. SKA added on with a Vadim Shipachyov goal, courtesy of Evgeny Ketov and Evgeny Dadonov. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period as Ketov scored, thanks to Shipachyov. Minsk got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Alexander Materukhin. SKA answered in the third period with a Shipachyov goal, his second of the game, coming off of Dadonov and Ketov. St. Petersburg padded the lead on an Ilya Kablukov goal, assisted by Kovalchuk and Dmitry Yudin. SKA kept going with an Anton Burdasov goal, with a lone assist by Andrei Kuteikin. St. Petersburg finished it at 7-1 with a Kovalchuk goal, guided in by Dmitry Kalinin and Roman Cervenka. The three stars were Shipachyov, Kovalchuk, and Ketov, while Dadonov gets an honorable mention.

Back east, the Sochi Leopards host Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Andrei Gavrilov are in the blue paint. Sochi was first to score in the first period as Nikita Shchitov scored, thanks to Roman Lyuduchin and Artyom Kryukov. The Leopards added on in the second period with a power play goal by Ilya Krikunov, powered by Ryan Whitney and Andrei Kostitsyn. Sochi extended the lead on a power play goal from Krikunov, his second of the game, via Igor Ignatushkin and Kostitsyn. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, coming off of Nikita Filatov and Vladimir Galuzin. Torpedo pulled closer on a Juuso Hietanen goal, assisted by Gennady Stolyarov and Dmitry Kazionov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Wojtek Wolski goal, fueled by Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead on an unassisted goal by Galuzin. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Galuzin, Krikunov, and Kostitsyn.

Northward to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexander Sudnitsin guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period on a Maxim Rybin power play goal, powered by Maxim Berezin and Yegor Milovzorov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Jan Kovar, guided in by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Neftekhimik took the lead back in the second period on an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, made possible by Matt Anderson and Dan Sexton. Nizhnekamsk added on with a Rybin goal, with helpers provided by Milovzorov and Igor Polygalov on the power play. Metallurg got one back in the third period on a Zaripov goal, coming off of Lee and Sergei Mozyakin. Neftekhimik iced it at 4-2 on a Milovzorov goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Rybin, Milovzorov, and Zaripov, while Lee gets an honorable mention.

West to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv brings in CSKA Moscow. Kevin Lalande and Vitaly Kolesnik are between the pipes. Moscow opened in the first period on an Evgeny Korotkov goal, passed from Mikhail Naumenkov and Maxim Mamin. Yaroslavl tied it on a power play goal by Jiri Novotny, powered by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. CSKA retook the lead in the second period on a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, via Evgeny Artyukhin. Lokomotiv tied it in the third period as Ilya Lyubushkin scored, thanks to Andrei Loktionov. Moscow won 3-2 in the shootout on a lone tally by Prokhorkin. The three stars went to Prokhorkin, Korotkov, and Lalande (20 for 22 in saves).

Down into Moscow, where Dynamo hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexander Yeryomenko are the veteran goalies. Cherepovets started in the first period on a Sergei Monakhov goal, via Vadim Berdnikov and Marek Kvapil. Moscow tied it in the second period on a Yegor Dugin goal, fueled by Dmitry Markovin and Dmitry Boichuk. Severstal retook the lead on a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, assisted by Alexander Urbom and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Cherepovets iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Kvapil, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Stepanek (21 for 22 in saves), Kvapil, and Kazakovtsev.

A little north to Mytishchi, where Atlant welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Atte Engren are occupying the blue paint. Helsinki struck first in the first period on a Steve Moses penalty shot goal, which he received after a hook from Albert Yarullin. Jokerit added on in the second period with a Petteri Wirtanen goal, with a lone assist by Eetu Poysti. Helsinki extended the lead in the third period with a Ryan Gunderson goal, courtesy of Petr Koukal and Linus Omark. Jokerit padded the lead as Tommi Huhtala scored, thanks to Niklas Hagman and Niko Kapanen. Mytishchi got on the board with an Andrei Taratukhin goal, helped along by Artyom Chernov. Atlant pulled closer on another Taratukhin goal, with a lone helper by Chernov again. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Taratukhin, Gunderson, and Chernov.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Johan Backlund are the goalies. Riga was first to score in the first period on a Lauris Darzins penalty shot goal, coming after he was hooked by Ivan Baranka. Bratislava tied it on a Dominik Rehak goal, courtesy of Vladimir Mihalik and Andrej Stastny. Dinamo retook the lead on a Miks Indrasis goal, passed from Darzins and Krisjanis Redlihs. Riga added on with a Ginta Meija goal, made possible by Rodrigo Abols and Charles Genoway. Slovan pulled back in the second period as Libor Hudacek scored, with a lone assist by Matt Murley. Bratislava tied it in the third period with a Stastny goal, with assists provided by Hudacek and Cam Barker. Dinamo won 4-3 with a Genoway goal, set up by Oskars Cibulskis. The three stars were handed to Genoway, Darzins, and Hudacek, while Stastny gets an honorable mention.

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NHL February 17th, 2015

Seven games on tonight, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson and Anton Khudobin are the backups in goal. New York was first to score in the first period on an Anders Lee power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The Islanders added on with a Brock Nelson goal in the second period, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by Matt Martin and Colin McDonald. New York extended the lead in the third period as Michael Grabner scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Thomas Hickey and Nielsen. Carolina got on the board with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Eric Staal and Jordan Staal. The Islanders iced it at 4-1 with a Tavares empty net goal, his twenty-eighth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Johnson (37 for 38 in saves), Nielsen, and Tavares.

North to Philadelphia, where the Flyers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Ray Emery are the career backups in goal. Columbus began in the first period on a James Wisniewski power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Alexander Wennberg and Scott Hartnell. The Blue Jackets added on with a Ryan Johansen goal, his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Corey Tropp and David Savard. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-second of the season, guided in by Michael Del Zotto and Luke Schenn. The Flyers tied it with a Del Zotto goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by R.J. Umberger and Ryan White. Columbus regained the lead in the third period on a Matt Calvert goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets extended the lead on a Dubinsky goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Hartnell. Columbus finished it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Calvert, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, set up by Wennberg and Johansen. The three stars were given to Calvert, Dubinsky, and Johansen, while Hartnell, Wennberg, and Del Zotto receive the honorable mentions.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Washington started in the first period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, assisted by Joel Ward and Mike Green on the power play. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Steve Downie goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Craig Adams and Kris Letang. The Capitals retook the lead in the third period on a Ward power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Ovechkin. Washington wrapped it up at 3-1 on an empty net goal by John Carlson, his eighth of the year, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The three stars belonged to Ward, Holtby (32 for 33 in saves), and Ovechkin.

Back to New Jersey, where the Devils host the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. New Jersey struck first in the first period on a Patrik Elias power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Marek Zidlicky and Adam Henrique. Buffalo tied it in the third period as Tyler Ennis scored his fourteenth of the year, with a lone helper by Zemgus Girgensons. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Scott Gomez and Jacob Josefson lifted the Devils to a 2-1 victory. The three stars were Neuvirth (34 for 35 in saves), Elias, and Schneider (24 for 25 in saves).

Crossing into Canada, where the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Bernier are the reliable goalies. Toronto led off in the first period on a Tyler Bozak power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Nazem Kadri. Florida tied it on a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Brad Boyes and Brian Campbell. The Panthers took the lead in the second period as Nick Bjugstad scored his twenty-first of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Dave Bolland. Florida added on with a Jimmy Hayes goal, his seventeenth of the year, helped along by Campbell and Jokinen. The Maple Leafs got one back in the third period on a Phil Kessel power play goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, guided in by Kadri and Morgan Rielly. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars being Jokinen, Campbell, and Kadri.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Brian Elliott are the average goalies. Dallas opened in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by John Klingberg and Jason Spezza. The Stars added on with another Benn goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, coming off of Spezza and Erik Cole. Dallas extended the lead as Cody Eakin scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Ryan Garbutt and Jyrki Jokipakka. Jake Allen relieved Elliott. The Stars padded the lead in the second period when Benn finished his hat trick on his twenty-second of the year, made possible by Spezza, who got a sock trick, and Jason Demers. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Patrik Berglund goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Paul Stastny. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars given to Benn, Spezza, and Lehtonen (27 for 28 in saves).

Finally, the Nashville Predators host the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Pekka Rinne are in the creases. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Matt Irwin goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Melker Karlsson and Joe Pavelski. Nashville tied it on a Shea Weber goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Mike Fisher. The Predators took the lead on a Craig Smith goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Mattias Ekholm and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville added on with a Smith power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, powered by Colin Wilson and Seth Jones. The Predators extended the lead on a Paul Gaustad goal, his second of the season, passed from Gabriel Bourque and Weber. Nashville padded the lead on a James Neal goal, his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by Ribeiro. This held up for a 5-1 win, with the three stars given to Smith, Rinne (42 for 43 in saves), and Weber.

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KHL February 17th, 2015

Two games on today, beginning with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Leland Irving and Nikita Bespalov are the backups making spot starts. Ufa began in the first period with an Anton Slepyshev power play goal, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Ivan Vishnevsky. Novosibirsk tied it in the second period on an Igor Ozhiganov goal, made possible by Sergei Shumakov. Sibir took the lead on a Dmitry Monya goal, via Patrik Hersley and Konstantin Alexeyev. Salavat Yulaev tied it again as Koltsov scored a power play goal, with the help of Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Novosibirsk regained the lead in the third period with a Monya power play goal, with a lone assist by Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir won 4-2 on an Alexei Kopeikin goal, assisted by Monya and Kosiranta. The three stars went to Monya, Koltsov, and Koskiranta.

Way out west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Owuya and Harri Sateri protect the nets. Podolsk led off in the first period on an Alexander Kucheryavenko power play goal, powered by Georgy Berdyukov and Anton Korolyov. Zagreb tied it in the second period as Bill Thomas scored, thanks to Geoffrey Kinrade and Edwin Hedberg. Vityaz took the lead back on a third period goal by Maxim Mamin, via Berdyukov. Podolsk iced it at 3-1 on a Kucheryavenko empty net goal, set up by Yakov Seleznyov and Berdyukov, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were Kucheryavenko, Berdyukov, and Sateri (19 for 20 in saves).

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NHL February 16th, 2015

Eight games on today, beginning with a...

Battle of New York, as the Islanders host their cross-town rivals, the Rangers. Cam Talbot is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. The Islanders opened in the first period on a John Tavares goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Islanders added on with a Frans Nielsen goal, his eleventh of the year, via Travis Hamonic and Mikhail Grabovski. The Rangers got on the board with a Ryan McDonagh goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Dan Girardi and Lee Stempniak. The Islanders shot back in the second period as Johnny Boychuk scored his fifth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Rangers pulled back on a Chris Kreider goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Derek Stepan and Dan Boyle. The Rangers tied it with a McDonagh goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, assisted by J.T. Miller. The Islanders pulled ahead on a Ryan Strome goal, his eleventh of the season, with assists provided by Brock Nelson and Hamonic. The Islanders extended the lead with a Strome goal in the third period, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, with a lone assist by Nielsen. The Rangers got one back on a Stepan goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Kreider and Kevin Klein. The Rangers tied it again on a Martin St. Louis goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Stepan and Marc Staal. The Rangers took the lead with a Klein goal, his ninth of the campaign, driven in by St. Louis and Derick Brassard. This held up for a 6-5 win, with the three stars given to McDonagh, Strome, and Klein, while St. Louis, Stepan, Nielsen, Hamonic, and Kreider get the honorable mentions.

West to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Dale Weise and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens iced it at 2-0 with a Pacioretty empty net goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, set up by Plekanec and P.K. Subban. The three stars were awarded to Plekanec, Price (25 save shutout), and Pacioretty.

Into Ontario, where the Ottawa Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Robin Lehner are set to start in goal. Carolina started in the first period with an Andrej Nestrasil goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Nathan Gerbe. Ottawa tied it on an Erik Condra goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Erik Karlsson and Shane Prince. The Hurricanes retook the lead in the second period as Jeff Skinner scored his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Riley Nash and Andrej Sekera. The Senators tied it again with a Mike Hoffman goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Mika Zibanejad and Karlsson. Carolina gained the lead on a Gerbe goal, his sixth of the season, via Nestrasil and Michal Jordan. Ottawa got an equalizer on a Cody Ceci goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. The Hurricanes again grabbed the lead with a Jay McClement goal, his third of the season, made possible by Brad Malone and Patrick Dwyer. Andrew Hammond relieved Lehner in goal. Carolina added on in the third period with a Jordan power play goal, guided in by Elias Lindholm and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes wrapped it up at 6-3 on a Chris Terry power play goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Ron Hainsey and Nestrasil. The three stars belonged to Nestrasil, Jordan, and Gerbe, while Karlsson and Zibanejad get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth and Michael Hutchinson receive the starting nods. Winnipeg led off in the first period on a Bryan Little power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Toby Enstrom and Blake Wheeler. Edmonton tied it on a Nail Yakupov goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Derek Roy and Andrew Ference. The Oilers took the lead with an Anton Lander power play goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz. The Jets tied it in the second period on a Little goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, with a lone assist by Ben Chiarot. Edmonton pulled ahead in the third period as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Jeff Petry and Eberle. Winnipeg tied it on a Tyler Myers goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Enstrom and Chris Thorburn. The Oilers regained the lead with Yakupov's second of the game and eighth of the season, a power play goal with helpers provided by Benoit Pouliot and Iiro Pakarinen. The Jets tied it again as Andrew Ladd scored his twentieth of the year, with the help of Wheeler and Little. Winnipeg won 5-4 in the shootout on a lone tally by Wheeler, which injured Fasth and brought Richard Bachman in for the rest of the shootout. The three stars were Little, Wheeler, and Yakupov, while Enstrom and Eberle get the honorable mentions.

Continuing to Alberta, where the Calgary Flames host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Karri Ramo are the Finnish goalies. Boston struck first in the first period on a Brad Marchand shorthanded goal, his sixteenth of the season, set up by Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on with a Zdeno Chara goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Dougie Hamilton and David Pastrnak. Boston extended the lead in the second period as Torey Krug scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Reilly Smith and Kevan Miller. Jonas Hiller relieved Ramo in goal. Calgary got on the board with a David Jones goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Flames pulled closer in the third period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Sean Monahan and Paul Byron. Calgary tied it on another Hudler power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, powered by Giordano and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames won 4-3 with a T.J. Brodie goal in overtime, his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Giordano, who got a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Hudler, Giordano, and Hiller (16 for 16 in saves in relief).

South to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike McKenna and Semyon Varlamov are in the blue paint. Colorado was first to score in the first period on a Cody McLeod goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Paul Carey and Jan Hejda. The Avalanche added on with a Matt Duchene goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Jarome Iginla and Zach Redmond. Arizona got on the board with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Lucas Lessio and Kyle Chipchura. Colorado shot back on a power play goal by Nick Holden, his fifth of the year, powered by Redmond and Duchene. The Avalanche extended the lead as Tyson Barrie scored his seventh of the season in the second period, with the help of Iginla and Max Talbot. Colorado padded the lead on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Ryan O'Reilly and Nathan MacKinnon. Varlamov had a slow night, so Reto Berra took the crease for the Avalanche in the third period. The Coyotes got one back in the third period on a Mark Arcobello goal, his tenth of the season, via Michael Stone and Jordan Martinook. This was as close as it got, with the final being 5-2. The three stars went to Duchene, Iginla, and Redmond.

Back in Canada, the Vancouver Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Eddie Lack are between the pipes. Minnesota began in the first period on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Jordan Schroeder and Jonas Brodin. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Henrik Sedin goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks took the lead in the third period on a Bo Horvat goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Jannik Hansen and Luca Sbisa. Vancouver added on with an Alex Biega goal, via Henrik Sedin and Chris Higgins. The Wild pulled back on a Niederreiter goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, passed from Schroeder. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Niederreiter, Henrik Sedin, and Schroeder. 

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jonathan Quick occupy the creases. Tampa Bay got going in the first period on a Nikita Nesterov goal, passed from Ondrej Palat. Los Angeles tied it in the second period as Anze Kopitar scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Trevor Lewis and Brayden McNabb. The Kings took the lead in the third period on a Jordan Nolan goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Dwight King and Nick Shore. Los Angeles added on with a Jeff Carter goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Drew Doughty and King. The Lightning got one back with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to to Carter, King, and Nesterov.

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KHL February 16th, 2015

Two games on today, both from the Far East. The first sees...

Amur Khabarovsk host Barys Astana. Pavel Poluektov and Alexander Pechursky are in goal. Astana struck first in the first period on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Konstantin Romanov. Barys added on in the second period with an Oleg Kvasha goal, passed from Nikita Mikhailis and Oskars Bartulis. Astana extended the lead on a power play goal by Nikolai Antropov, powered by Roman Starchenko. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period as Vyacheslav Litovchenko scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Amur pulled closer on a Michel Miklik goal, via Denis Yezhov and Grigory Shafigulin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Antropov, Kvasha, and Romanov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral hosts Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Ivan Nalimov are given the starting nods. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period as Enver Lisin scored, thanks to Tom Wandell and Denis Osipov. Admiral added on with a second period goal by Richard Gynge, coming off of Ilya Zubov and Shaun Heshka on the power play. Omsk got on the board with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, made possible by Alexander Popov and Chad Kolarik. Avangard tied it in the third period on a Perezhogin goal, his second of the game, assisted by Denis Kulyash and Popov. Omsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Kulyash goal, with a lone helper by Sergei Shirokov. The three stars belonged to Perezhogin, Kulyash, and Popov.

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NHL February 15th, 2015

Five games on for today, beginning with...

The Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago got going in the second period on a Niklas Hjalmarsson goal, his second of the season, fueled by Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews. Pittsburgh tied it on a Nick Spaling goal, his ninth of the year, coming in the third period via Beau Bennett and Brandon Sutter. The tie lasted to a shootout, where David Perron and Sidney Crosby were topped by Toews, Patrick Kane, and Patrick Sharp for a 2-1 Blackhawks win. The three stars belonged to Crawford (36 for 37 in saves), Toews, and Fleury (31 for 32 in saves).

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko. Florida tied it on a third period goal by Nick Bjugstad, his twentieth of the year, passed from Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Tarasenko was matched by Brad Boyes before a winner from Lehtera to give the Blues the 2-1 win. The three stars went to Elliott (40 for 41 in saves), Luongo (32 for 33 in saves), and Lehtera.

North to Buffalo, where the Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Michal Neuvirth are the mediocre goalies. Philadelphia started in the first period as Matt Read scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Wayne Simmonds and Nick Schultz. Buffalo tied it on a second period power play goal by Nikita Zadorov, his third of the year, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen and Marcus Foligno. The Flyers took the lead back in the third period on a Michael Raffl goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, made possible by Ryan White and Michael Del Zotto. This held up for the 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Emery (21 for 22 in saves), Raffl, and Read.

Westward to San Jose, where the Sharks bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Antti Niemi guard the cages. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirtieth of the season, assisted by Anton Stralman and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning added on with an Alex Killorn goal, his twelfth of the year, coming in the second period from Ryan Callahan and Stamkos. San Jose got on the board with a Logan Couture goal, his twenty-first of the season, passed from Matthew Nieto and Matt Irwin. Tampa Bay shot back in the third period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The Sharks pulled back with a Brent Burns power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. The Lightning answered with a Cedric Paquette goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Filppula and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Callahan, his seventeenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Stamkos, Filppula, and Callahan.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Washington Capitals. Justin Peters and John Gibson are the little-known goalies. Anaheim began in the first period on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his seventh of the season, via Francois Beauchemin and Hampus Lindholm. Washington tied it on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, guided in by Nicklas Backstrom. The Ducks retook the lead on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, made possible by Devante Smith-Pelly and Lindholm. The Capitals retied it on an Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-sixth of the year, powered by Mike Green and Backstrom. Washington took the lead in the second period on a Marcus Johansson goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik. The Capitals added on with an Andre Burakovsky goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Ovechkin and Jack Hillen. Anaheim got one back on a Cogliano goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, with assists provided by Jakob Silfverberg and Ben Lovejoy. Washington answered in the third period on a Burakovsky goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Ovechkin. This stood for a 5-3 win, with the three stars going to Ovechkin, Burakovsky, and Cogliano, while Backstrom and Lindholm get the honorable mentions.

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KHL February 15th, 2015

This is another of those days where for me, it begins yesterday. The first two games out of eleven total are from the far east, starting late at night for me, with the first in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Ilya Proskuryakov are in the creases. Vladivostok opened in the first period on an Artyom Zemchyonok goal, assisted by Ilya Zubov and Richard Gynge. Admiral added on in the second period with a Gynge goal, fueled by Jan Kolar and Shaun Heshka. Omsk got on the board with an Alexander Popov goal, courtesy of Igor Musatov and Denis Kulyash. Vladivostok shot back in the third period with a power play goal by Ivan Glazkov, powered by Konstantin Makarov and Enver Lisin. Admiral took the game 3-1, and the three stars went to Proskuryakov (28 for 29 in saves), Gynge, and Glazkov.

Up the coast, Amur Khabarovsk welcomes Barys Astana. Pavel Poluektov and Alexander Pechursky are the goalies. Khabarovsk started in the first period on a Dmitry Tarasov power play goal, powered by Michel Miklik and Tuukka Mantyla. Astana tied it in the second period as Dustin Boyd scored a power play goal, thanks to Brandon Bochenski. Amur retook the lead on an Alexander Ryazantsev goal, via Rastislav Spirko and Vyacheslav Litovchenko on the power play. Barys retied it with a Bochenski power play goal, made possible by Kevin Dallman and Mike Lundin. Astana pulled ahead on a Talgat Zhailauov goal, assisted by Roman Starchenko and Evgeny Blokhin. Khabarovsk retied it in the third period on an Evgeny Orlov goal, with a lone helper by Kirill Safronov. Barys took the lead back on a Nigel Dawes goal, helped along by Bochenski. Astana added on with a Bochenski power play goal, his second of the game, fueled by Dallman and Lundin. This made it a 5-3 win, with the three stars handed to Bochenski, Dallman, and Lundin.

West to Novokuznetsk, Metallurg brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Nikita Lozhkin are in the blue paint. Novokuznetsk struck first in the first period on a Kirill Kaprizov goal, assisted by Ansel Galimov. Metallurg added on with a Ryan Stoa goal, going in unassisted. Novokuznetsk extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Galimov. Metallurg padded the lead in the second period on an Alexander Komaristy goal, coming off of Cade Fairchild. Ufa got on the board with an Alexei Glukhov goal, passed from Andrei Zubarev. Novokuznetsk shot back in the third period as Komaristy scored on a penalty shot he received for being tripped by Alexander Kutuzov. Salavat Yulaev got one back with a Kirill Koltsov goal, courtesy of Teemu Hartikainen and Denis Bodrov. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Komaristy, Galimov, and Stoa.

Further west to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Barry Brust and Vasily Demchenko are given the starting nods. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the first period on a Philip Larsen goal, guided in by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Igor Bortnikov. Chelyabinsk tied it on a second period goal by Stanislav Chistov power play goal, powered by Deron Quint. Traktor took the lead with an unassisted Martin Ruzicka goal. Chelyabinsk added on in the third period on Ruzicka's second of the game, fueled by Vyacheslav Osnovin and Konstantin Panov. Yugra pulled back on another Larsen goal, with assists provided by Pavel Valentenko and Nikita Gusev. Traktor iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Artyom Penkovsky, set up by Dmitry Pestunov. The three stars were given to Ruzicka, Larsen, and Chistov.

Backtracking to Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg welcomes Lada Togliatti. Evgeny Ivannikov and Vasily Koshechkin are the masked men. Togliatti led off in the first period on a Dmitry Ogurtsov power play goal, powered by Andrei Nikitenko and Peter Podhradsky. Magnitogorsk tied it on a second period goal by Vladislav Kaletnik, coming off of Evgeny Timkin and Rinat Ibragimov. Lada took the lead in the third period on an Alexander Streltsov goal, made possible by Stanislav Bocharov. Metallurg retied it on a Jan Kovar goal, helped along by Viktor Antipin and Danis Zaripov. Togliatti regained the lead on a Denis Barantsev unassisted goal. Magnitogorsk tied it again with another Kovar goal, assisted by Zaripov and Tim Brent. Lada won 4-3 in overtime on a Dmitry Vorobyov goal, with a lone helper by Vasily Streltsov. The three stars were handed to Kovar, Vorobyov, and Zaripov.

Next up, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Calvin Heeter and Ivan Kasutin man the nets. Nizhny Novgorod began in the first period on a Jarkko Immonen goal, passed from Sakari Salminen and Artyom Alyayev. Torpedo added on in the second period on a Valery Vasilyev goal, assisted by Nikita Dvurechensky. Zagreb got on the board with a James Wright goal, coming off of Geoffrey Kinrade and Edwin Hedberg. Nizhny Novgorod shot back in the third period on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev power play goal, powered by Alexei Pepelyaev. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars stars given to Vasilyev, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Kasutin (18 for 19 in saves).

A little west to Cherepovets, where Severstal hosts Slovan Bratislava. Johan Backlund and Jakub Stepanek are the experienced goalies. Cherepovets got going in the second period with an unassisted goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Severstal added on with a Sergei Monakhov goal, made possible by Nikolai Stasenko and Sergei Kuptsov. Bratislava got on the board in the third period with a Ladislav Nagy goal, fueled by Rok Ticar. Cherepovets shot back with a Pavel Chernov goal, guided in by Kagarlitsky and Evgeny Mons. Slovan replied on a Ticar goal, assisted by Michal Sersen and Nagy. Severstal answered on a power play goal by Evgeny Kovyrshin, going in unassisted. This produced the 4-2 final, with the three stars handed to Kagarlitsky, Nagy, and Ticar.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen and Anders Nilsson are between the pipes. Nizhnekamsk opened in the first period on a Pavel Zdunov goal, made possible by Ilshat Bilalov and Maxim Rybin. Neftekhimik added on with another Zdunov goal, coming off of Rybin. Kazan got on the board in the third period as Igor Mirnov scored a power play goal, powered by Yakov Rylov and Petr Vrana. This was as close as it got, with the final standing at 2-1. The three stars went to Zdunov, Kolppanen (40 for 41 in saves), and Rybin.

Back north, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in the Sochi Leopards. Andrei Gavrilov and Vitaly Kolesnik are the backups making the starts. Sochi struck first in the first period on an unassisted goal by Igor Radulov. Yaroslavl tied it as Jonas Holos scored in the second period, thanks to Sergei Konkov and Daniil Apalkov. The Leopards won 2-1 in overtime on an unassisted Igor Ignatushkin power play goal. The three stars were Gavrilov (23 for 24 in saves), Ignatushkin, and Radulov.

Into Moscow, where CSKA hosts crosstown rivals Dynamo. Alexander Yeryomenko and Stanislav Galimov tend the twines, but Galimov was pulled for Ilya Sorokin in the early minutes of the second period. Dynamo dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Martins Karsums goal, via Denis Mosalyov and Alexei Tsvetkov. Dynamo added on in the third period as Kaspars Daugavins scored, thanks to Denis Kokarev and Alexander Osipov. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars handed to Yeryomenko (32 save shutout), Karsums, and Daugavins.

Finally, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on a Roman Rukavishnikov goal, fueled by Vadim Shipachyov. Helsinki tied it in the second period with a Ville Lajunen power play goal, powered by Steve Moses and Linus Omark. SKA won 2-1 in the shootout with goals by Ilya Kovalchuk and Pyotr Khokhryakov. The three stars were Koskinen (21 for 22 in saves), Karlsson (38 for 39 in saves), and Kovalchuk.

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