NHL February 28th, 2015

Ten games on today, beginning with...

The Florida Panthers hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Roberto Luongo are set to start in goal. Buffalo opened in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Zach Bogosian and Nicolas Deslauriers. The Sabres added on with an Andrej Meszaros goal, his third of the year, guided in by Johan Larsson and Hodgson. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Brandon Pirri power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Brian Campbell and Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers tied it on another Pirri power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Campbell and Brad Boyes. Florida took the lead with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Jokinen and Boyes. Buffalo retied it in the third period on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Matt Moulson and Nikita Zadorov. The Panthers retook the lead on a Scottie Upshall goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Derek MacKenzie and Shawn Thornton. Florida finished it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by MacKenzie, his fourth of the year, set up by Boyes and Jokinen, both of whom got sock tricks. The three stars belonged to Pirri, Jokinen, and Boyes, while MacKenzie, Hodgson, and Campbell get the honorable mentions.

Up in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson is mismatched with Pekka Rinne in goal. Detroit started in the first period on a Brendan Smith goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Joakim Andersson and Drew Miller. The Red Wings added on in the second period on a Miller goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Tomas Jurco. Nashville got on the board with a Matt Cullen goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Craig Smith and Roman Josi. The Predators tied it on a Mike Fisher goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Cody Franson and Cullen. Nashville took the lead as Shea Weber scored his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mike Ribeiro and Josi. Detroit retied it on a third period goal by Alexey Marchenko, via Justin Abdelkader and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings took the lead as Tomas Tatar scored his twenty-fifth of the year, a power play goal helped along by Pavel Datsyuk and Kronwall. This gave them a 4-3 win, with the three stars given to Miller, Kronwall, and Cullen, while Josi gets an honorable mention.

Northeast to Long Island, where the New York Islanders bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Chad Johnson occupy the creases. New York struck first in the first period on a Michael Grabner goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Ryan Strome and Johnny Boychuk. Carolina tied it on a Jay McClement goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Chris Terry and Brad Malone. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period on a Justin Faulk power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Eric Staal and Victor Rask. Carolina added on with another McClement goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, passed from Andrej Nestrasil and Nathan Gerbe. The Islanders replied with a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Cal Clutterbuck and Travis Hamonic. The Hurricanes shot back on a Malone goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Nestrasil and John-Michael Liles. Carolina extended the lead on a Michal Jordan power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers provided by Jordan Staal and Jeff Skinner. New York answered with a John Tavares goal in the third period, his thirtieth of the year, via Anders Lee and Nick Leddy. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to McClement, Malone, and Nestrasil.

Back west, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. New Jersey led off in the first period with an Andy Greene goal, his second of the season, made possible by Patrik Elias. The Devils added on in the third period with a Travis Zajac goal, his tenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Stephen Gionta and Michael Cammalleri. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars going to Schneider (33 save shutout), Greene, and Zajac.

East again to Boston, as the Bruins welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Tuukka Rask are between the pipes. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Milan Lucic goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of David Pastrnak and Ryan Spooner. The Bruins added on with a Brad Marchand goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Reilly Smith and Patrice Bergeron. Boston extended the lead in the second period as Bergeron scored his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Marchand and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins padded the lead on a Chara power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Smith and Lucic. Louis Domingue relieved Smith. Arizona got on the board in the third period on a Martin Erat goal, his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Shane Doan and Keith Yandle. The final was 4-1, with the three stars going to Marchand, Bergeron, and Chara, while Lucic and Smith get the honorable mentions.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal began in the first period with a Manny Malhotra goal, via Dale Weise. The Canadiens added on with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. Montreal extended the lead in the third period as David Desharnais scored his tenth of the year, passed from Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens iced it at 4-0 on a Desharnais empty net goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, set up by Pacioretty and Gallagher. The three stars went to Price (30 save shutout), Desharnais, and Gallagher, while Pacioretty gets the honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Steve Mason get the starting nods. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Matt Read goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek. New York tied it on a J.T. Miller goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Carl Hagelin. The Rangers took the lead on a John Moore goal in the second period, with assists provided by Tanner Glass and Dominic Moore. The Flyers tied it as Michael Raffl scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Braydon Coburn and Vincent Lecavalier. Philadelphia took the lead in the third period on a Michael Del Zotto shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Couturier. The Flyers finished it at 4-2 on an empty net goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Raffl. The three stars went to Raffl, Couturier, and Del Zotto.

Way west to Edmonton, where the Oilers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ben Scrivens draw the starts. St. Louis started in the first period on a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his tenth of the season, via Paul Stastny and Patrik Berglund. Edmonton tied it in the second period as Justin Schultz scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Blues retook the lead in the third period on a Stastny goal, his twelfth of the campaign, assisted by Ian Cole. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Stastny, Elliott (21 for 22 in saves), and Jaskin.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Semyon Varlamov are the goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period on an Erik Haula goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Justin Fontaine and Kyle Brodziak. Colorado tied it on a Max Talbot goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Nick Holden in the second period. The Wild retook the lead as Fontaine scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Haula and Jonas Brodin. Minnesota added on in the third period with a Jason Pominville goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Mikael Granlund. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Dubnyk (33 for 34 in saves), Fontaine, and Haula.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Antti Niemi are in the blue paint. San Jose was first to score in the first period on a Tommy Wingels goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Matt Irwin and Matthew Nieto. Ottawa tied it in the second period on an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Kyle Turris and Mike Hoffman. The Sharks retook the lead on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns. The Senators tied it again in the third period as Mark Stone scored his fifteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Turris. Ottawa took the lead on a Hoffman goal, his twenty-second of the season, a power play goal helped along by Mika Zibanejad and Karlsson. The Senators finished it at 4-2 on a Hoffman empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, set up by Stone. The three stars went to Hoffman, Karlsson, and Stone, while Turris gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 27th, 2015

Six games going today, beginning in...

Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin are the young goalies. Carolina led off in the first period on a Brett Bellemore goal, passed from Victor Rask and Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes added on with a Jeff Skinner goal in the second period, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Elias Lindholm and Riley Nash. Carolina extended the lead in the third period on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his seventh of the year, an empty net goal set up by Nestrasil and Justin Faulk. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Khudobin (28 save shutout), Nestrasil, and Bellemore.

North to New Jersey, where the Devils welcome the Boston Bruins. Niklas Svedberg is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. Boston began in the first period on a Daniel Paille goal, his third of the season, fueled by Loui Eriksson. The Bruins added on with a David Pastrnak goal in the third period, his seventh of the year, guided in by Chris Kelly and Reilly Smith. New Jersey got on the board with a Travis Zajac power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Jacob Josefson. The Devils tied it on a Jordin Tootoo goal, his sixth of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and Adam Larsson. Boston won 3-2 in overtime on a Ryan Spooner goal, made possible by Pastrnak and Torey Krug. The three stars went to Pastrnak, Spooner, and Paille.

Out to Long Island, where the New York Islanders bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jaroslav Halak are in the blue paint. New York opened in the first period on a Ryan Strome power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders added on with an empty net goal by Cal Clutterbuck in the third period, his sixth of the year, set up by Nikolay Kulemin and Thomas Hickey. Calgary got on the board with a Josh Jooris goal, his eleventh of the campaign, fueled by Joe Colborne and Kris Russell. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Halak (26 for 27 in saves), Ramo (37 for 38 in saves), and Strome.

Way south to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling opposes Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a Brian Boyle goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Drouin. The Lightning added on with a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirty-third of the year, coming off of Jason Garrison and Nikita Nesterov. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Ryan Callahan, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning finished it at 4-0 on a Stamkos power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-fourth of the year, via Garrison and Victor Hedman. The three stars went to Stamkos, Bishop (28 save shutout), and Garrison.

West to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Kari Lehtonen are the struggling starters. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Cody Eakin goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Garbutt. Colorado tied it on a Tyson Barrie goal, his tenth of the year, via Matt Duchene and Nate Guenin. The Stars retook the lead on a Jason Spezza goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Erik Cole and Trevor Daley. Dallas added on in the third period with Eakin's second of the game and fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche pulled back on a Jarome Iginla goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Guenin and Duchene. Colorado tied it on a Guenin goal, his second of the year, made possible by Gabriel Landeskog and Barrie. The Stars took the lead back as Antoine Roussel scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Eakin and the goalie Lehtonen. The Avalanche tied it again on a Landeskog goal, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Barrie and Ryan O'Reilly. The tie lasted to a shootout, where O'Reilly's goal gave Colorado the 5-4 win. The three stars were Eakin, Guenin, and Barrie, while O'Reilly, Landeskog, and Duchene get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and John Gibson are the backups in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Trevor Lewis goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Robyn Regehr and Matt Greene. The Kings added on in the second period with a Brayden McNabb goal, via Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Anaheim got on the board in the third period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks tied it on an Emerson Etem goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Rickard Rakell and Jiri Sekac. Anaheim took the lead with a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Josh Manson. The Ducks won 4-2 on a Perry empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the campaign, set up by Kesler. The three stars went to Perry, Kesler, and Etem.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 26th, 2015

Nine games on tonight, beginning with...

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Curtis McElhinney draw the starts. Montreal led off in the first period on a P.K. Subban goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Andrei Markov and Manny Malhotra. Columbus tied it on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his eighth of the year, via David Savard and Cam Atkinson. The Canadiens retook the lead as Markov scored his eighth of the season, thanks to David Desharnais. Montreal added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirtieth of the year, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Subban. The Canadiens extended the lead in the third period on a Jacob De La Rose goal, passed from Brandon Prust and Subban. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Marko Dano goal, his third of the campaign, courtesy of Artem Anisimov and Savard. Montreal finished it at 5-2 on a De La Rose empty net goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Subban, Markov, and De La Rose, while Savard gets an honorable mention.

East to Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Michal Neuvirth are in the creases. Buffalo struck first in the first period on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Matt Moulson and Brian Gionta. Vancouver tied it on a Shawn Matthias goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Nick Bonino and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks took the lead in the second period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his twelfth of the campaign, via Hamhuis. The Sabres retied it on an unassisted goal by Chris Stewart, his eleventh of the season. Buffalo took the lead in the third period on an Andrej Meszaros goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Vancouver retied it on a Daniel Sedin goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Henrik Sedin. The Sabres claimed the lead again on a Mitchell goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, fueled by Gionta and Moulson. Buffalo added on with a Brian Flynn goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Stewart and Mark Pysyk. The Sabres iced it at 6-3 with a Gionta empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Mitchell, Gionta, and Stewart, while Moulson and Hamhuis get the honorable mentions.

In New York City, the Rangers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cam Talbot are in the blue paint. Arizona was first to score in the first period on a Mark Arcobello goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by David Moss and Michael Stone. New York tied it on a Chris Kreider power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello. The Coyotes retook the lead with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Arizona added on with Gagner's second of the game and twelfth of the year, another power play goal coming off of Stone and Martin Erat. The Rangers got one back in the second period as Lee Stempniak scored his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by John Moore. New York tied it on an unassisted power play goal by Kreider, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year. The Rangers gained the lead on Stempniak's second of the game and ninth of the campaign in the third period, helped along by Hayes. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Stempniak, Kreider, and Gagner, while Hayes and Stone get the honorable mentions.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob Zepp is mismatched with Jonathan Bernier in goal. Toronto began in the first period with a Phil Kessel goal, his twenty-third of the season, with a lone assist by Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period as Bozak scored his seventeenth of the year, thanks to James van Riemsdyk and Morgan Rielly. Toronto extended the lead with a Dion Phaneuf goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Kessel and Jake Gardiner on the power play. Philadelphia got on the board with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Michael Del Zotto and Mark Streit. The Flyers pulled closer on a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his twelfth of the campaign, via Streit and Giroux. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Bernier (47 for 49 in saves), Bozak, and Kessel, while Giroux and Streit get the honorable mentions.

Way south to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Chicago started in the first period on a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Andrew Shaw and David Rundblad. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Brandon Saad goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa. Chicago extended the lead in the third period with a Jonathan Toews empty net goal, his nineteenth of the season, set up by Hossa and Saad. The final was 3-0, with the three stars being Crawford (20 save shutout), Saad, and Hossa.

Back northwest, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Michael Hutchinson are the masked men. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrik Berglund goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Paul Stastny and Ryan Reaves. Winnipeg tied it in the third period as Mark Scheifele scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Andrew Ladd and Michael Frolik. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen topped Ladd to give the Blues a 2-1 win. The three stars were Elliott (30 for 31 in saves), Hutchinson (28 for 29 in saves), and Ladd.

Stateside again, with the Nashville Predators hosting the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Pekka Rinne are between the pipes. Minnesota opened in the first period with an Erik Haula goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Justin Fontaine and Kyle Brodziak. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Mike Fisher goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Matt Cullen and Mattias Ekholm. The Wild retook the lead on a Brodziak goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Haula. The Predators tied it again with a Craig Smith goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Fisher and Cullen. Minnesota gained the lead as Nino Niederreiter scored his twentieth of the season, with the help of Charlie Coyle and Jordan Schroeder. The Wild iced it at 4-2 on a Niederreiter empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Haula, Brodziak, and Niederreiter, while Cullen and Fisher get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Jonathan Quick are the goalies. Ottawa got going in the third period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win. The three stars were awarded to Hammond (35 save shutout), Hoffman, and Quick (27 for 28 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose struck first in the first period on a Matt Irwin goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Joe Thornton and Scott Hannan. Detroit tied it on a Teemu Pulkkinen power play goal in the second period, his second of the year, powered by Riley Sheahan and Stephen Weiss. The Sharks took the lead back on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture. The Red Wings retied it on a Pavel Datsyuk goal in the third period, his twenty-second of the year, made possible by Tomas Tatar and Danny DeKeyser. Detroit took the lead on a Luke Glendening goal, his eighth of the campaign, helped along by Gustav Nyquist and DeKeyser. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Glendening, Datsyuk, and DeKeyser.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 25th, 2015

Three games tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Cory Schneider are given the starting nods. New Jersey began in the first period with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his twenty-third of the season, guided in by Jordin Tootoo. Calgary tied it in the second period on a Curtis Glencross goal, his ninth of the year, via Joe Colborne and Josh Jooris. The Flames took the lead in the third period as Sean Monahan scored his twenty-first of the season, a power play goal powered by Mark Giordano and Dennis Wideman. Calgary iced it at 3-1 with a T.J. Brodie shorthanded empty net goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Monahan. The three stars went to Monahan, Ramo (26 for 27 in saves), and Glencross.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off in the first period on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Evgeni Malkin and David Perron. The Penguins added on with a shorthanded goal by Brandon Sutter, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Washington got on the board with a John Carlson goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr. Pittsburgh shot back in the second period on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Malkin and Chris Kunitz. The Capitals got one back in the third period as Troy Brouwer scored his eighteenth of the season, via Chimera and Alzner. The Penguins answered on a Kunitz goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Blake Comeau and Malkin, the latter earning a sock trick. Washington chipped back on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-ninth of the campaign, a power play goal made possible by Carlson and Brouwer. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Malkin, Kunitz, and Carlson, while Brouwer and Chimera get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and John Gibson are the young goalies. Ottawa started in the first period on an Erik Condra goal, his seventh of the season, via Eric Gryba and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Senators added on in the second period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Mike Hoffman and Bobby Ryan. Ottawa finished it at 3-0 in the third period on a Kyle Turris empty net goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, set up by Milan Michalek. The three stars belonged to Hammond (25 save shutout), Condra, and Zibanejad.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 24th, 2015

Eleven games on today, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Tuukka Rask are set to start in goal. Boston began with a Daniel Paille goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Loui Eriksson and Carl Soderberg. Vancouver tied it on a Ryan Stanton goal, his third of the year, coming off of Jannik Hansen. The Canucks took the lead in the third period on a Zack Kassian goal, his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. This gave them a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Lack (40 for 41 in saves), Kassian, and Stanton.

Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob Zepp is mismatched with Cam Ward in goal. Carolina struck first in the first period on a Justin Faulk goal, his eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Eric Staal and Elias Lindholm. Philadelphia tied it on a Nicklas Grossmann goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Jakub Voracek and Matt Read. The Hurricanes took the lead on a second period goal by Jeff Skinner, his fifteenth of the season, via Alexander Semin and Brett Bellemore. Carolina added on with a Jordan Staal goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Semin and Faulk. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the third period on a Jay McClement goal, his fourth of the campaign, helped along by Brad Malone. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Faulk, Ward (23 for 24 in saves), and Semin.

Back north, the New York Islanders bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Chad Johnson draw the starts. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period as Anders Lee scored his twentieth of the season, thanks to Travis Hamonic and Brock Nelson. Arizona tied it on a Mark Arcobello goal, his twelfth of the year, via Martin Erat and David Moss. The Islanders took the lead in the third period on a Matt Martin goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Nikolay Kulemin and Kael Mouillierat. New York added on with a Johnny Boychuk goal, his seventh of the year, passed from John Tavares and Ryan Strome. The Islanders extended the lead on a Mouillierat goal, guided in by Colin McDonald and Kulemin. New York padded the lead with a Neslon goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, fueled by Josh Bailey and McDonald. This produced the 5-1 final, with the three stars going to Mouillierat, Nelson, and Kulemin, while McDonald gets an honorable mention.

Into Manhattan, where the New York Rangers host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Cam Talbot are the little-known goalies. New York got going in the third period as Kevin Hayes scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Derick Brassard. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Talbot (21 save shutout), Hayes, and Ramo (28 for 29 in saves).

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Anton Forsberg are the unknown goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his third of the season, coming off of Andrej Meszaros and Zach Bogosian. The Sabres added on with a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming shorthanded and unassisted. Columbus got on the board in the second period with a Matt Calvert goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Brandon Dubinsky and Jack Johnson. Buffalo shot back on a Mark Pysyk goal, his second of the year, guided in by Brian Flynn and Marcus Foligno. The Sabres extended the lead with a Chris Stewart power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Girgensons. The Blue Jackets got one back on a Kevin Connauton goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by James Wisniewski and Ryan Johansen. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 4-2, and the three stars were Girgensons, Pysyk, and Neuvirth (45 for 47 in saves).

Into St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jake Allen are in the blue paint. Montreal opened in the first period on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens added on in the second period with a Galchenyuk goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, via Tomas Plekanec. St. Louis got on the board with a David Backes goal, his twentieth of the season, helped along by Vladimir Tarasenko and T.J. Oshie. Montreal shot back with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his sixteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens extended the lead as Michael Bournival scored his third of the season, thanks to Galchenyuk and Lars Eller. The Blues got one back on an Oshie goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester. Montreal finished it at 5-2 in the third period with a Gallagher power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, powered by Markov and Subban. The three stars were awarded to Galchenyuk, Gallagher, and Oshie, while Markov and Subban get the honorable mentions.

Back to Nashville, where the Predators host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Colorado led off in the first period on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly and Brad Stuart. Nashville tied it on the sixth of the year by Calle Jarnkrok, going in unassisted. The Predators took the lead in the second period on a Craig Smith goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Mike Fisher. Nashville added on with a Roman Josi goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Matt Cullen. The Predators extended the lead in the third period on a Filip Forsberg goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Mike Ribeiro. Nashville padded the lead with a shorthanded empty net goal by Eric Nystrom, his seventh of the year, set up by Josi. The Avalanche got one back on a John Mitchell power play goal, his seventh of the campaign, powered by Matt Duchene and Alex Tanguay. This only got them to 5-2, with the three stars going to Josi, Forsberg, and Jarnkrok.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Dallas Stars. Jhonas Enroth and Michael Hutchinson are the young goalies. Winnipeg started in the first period on a Bryan Little goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Mark Scheifele and Andrew Ladd on the power play. Dallas tied it in the second period on an Erik Cole goal, his eighteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Jason Spezza. The Jets took the lead as Adam Lowry scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Adam Pardy. Winnipeg added on in the third period with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Jacob Trouba. The Jets extended the lead on a Michael Frolik empty net goal, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Stars got one back on a Jason Demers goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jamie Benn and Jordie Benn. This produced a 4-2 final, with the three stars given to Hutchinson (26 for 28 in saves), Byfuglien, and Lowry.

Back stateside, the Minnesota Wild bring in Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Devan Dubnyk are the overrated goalies. Edmonton struck first in the first period on a Benoit Pouliot goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Jordan Eberle and Oscar Klefbom. Minnesota tied it on a Thomas Vanek goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Jordan Schroeder and Charlie Coyle. The Oilers took the lead back on another Pouliot goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, assisted by Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 2-1. The three stars went to Pouliot, Scrivens (33 for 34 in saves), and Eberle.

South to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo faces a lesser foe in Scott Darling in goal. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks added on in the second period as Kris Versteeg scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Patrick Sharp and Brad Richards. Florida got on the board in the third period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his sixth of the season, via Brad Boyes and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers tied it on a Vincent Trocheck goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Tomas Fleischmann and Steven Kampfer. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Toews and Sharp gave the Blackhawks a 3-2 win. The three stars were Toews, Darling (34 for 36 in saves), and Luongo (36 for 38 in saves).

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson and Jonathan Quick are given the green light to start in goal. Los Angeles got going in the first period on a Justin Williams power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Anze Kopitar and Jake Muzzin. This was the only goal in the game, with the final being 1-0. The three stars went to Quick (20 save shutout), Williams, and Gustavsson (26 for 27 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL February 24th, 2015

Here's the last day of the regular season for the KHL. For the future, I will be covering the Gagarin Cup Playoffs. I do not know if I will return to the KHL next season, or if the KHL will return itself. The Russian financial crisis has put the league in a precarious position, and as I edge closer to a professional writing career, I need to focus on successful endeavors to build up a strong history of good reporting. With that said, I will take the summer to think about it, and you will all know in August. With that, enjoy the last day of the regular season, with the first game in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Alexander Pechursky and Ilya Proskuryakov draw the starts in goal. Vladivostok opened in the first period on a Niclas Bergfors goal, assisted by Richard Gynge and Shaun Heshka. Admiral added on in the second period with an unassisted goal by Jan Kolar. Vladivostok extended the lead in the third period on an Oleg Li goal, courtesy of Heshka and Alexander Goroshansky. Admiral padded the lead as Andrei Sigaryov scored, thanks to Li and Goroshansky. Vladivostok struck again on a Tom Wandell penalty shot goal, coming after he was hooked by Alexander Ryazantsev. Admiral finished it at 6-0 with a Vladislav Ushenin goal, passed from Artyom Zemchyonok and Alexander Gorshkov. The three stars went to Li, Heshka, and Goroshansky.

Southwest to Astana, where Barys welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Jan Laco are the goalies. Astana struck first in the first period on a Nigel Dawes power play goal, powered by Mike Lundin. Barys added on with a Talgat Zhailauov goal, made possible by Dustin Boyd and the goalie Laco. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Nikita Dvurechensky goal in the second period, guided in by Veli-Matti Savinainen and Kirill Knyazev. Torpedo tied it on a Dvurechensky third period goal, fueled by Savinainen and Ildar Valeyev. Astana retook the lead with a Nikolai Antropov goal, coming off of Zhailauov and Konstantin Rudenko. Barys iced it at 4-2 on a Konstantin Pushkaryov empty net goal, set up by Konstantin Romanov. The three stars were Dvurechensky, Zhailauov, and Savinainen.

Up in Omsk, Avangard brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin and Konstantin Barulin are in the blue paint. Omsk got going in the second period on a power play goal by Sergei Shirokov, powered by Nikolai Glukhov and Erik Gustafsson. Avangard added on with a Shirokov goal, coming off of Sergei Kalinin and Denis Parshin on the power play. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period on an Alexander Romanov goal, via Cade Fairchild. Metallurg tied it with an Alexander Komaristy goal, helped along by Romanov and Fairchild. Novokuznetsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Dmitry Maltsev goal, with a lone assist by Nikita Popov. The three stars belonged to Shirokov, Romanov, and Fairchild.

Continuing to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Yugra hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Alexei Murygin and Georgy Gelashvili are the backups in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the first period on a Nikita Gusev goal, assisted by Alexander Korolyuk. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Tim Brent goal, via Oskar Osala and Chris Lee. Yugra took the lead in the second period as Pavel Medvedev scored, with the help of Philip Larsen and Sergei Lesnukhin. Khanty-Mansiysk added on in the third period with an Artyom Bulyansky goal, fueled by Mikhail Mamkin. Metallurg pulled back with a Brent goal, coming off of Alexei Bereglazov and Maxim Yakutsenya. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Mikhail Yunkov goal, with helpers from Lee and Yaroslav Kosov. Yugra won 4-3 in overtime on Koroyuk goal, with a lone assist from Larsen. The three stars went to Korolyuk, Brent, and Larsen, while Lee gets an honorable mention.

West a little to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on an Andrei Antonov power play goal, powered by Alexander Nesterov. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Deron Quint goal, assisted by Yegor Martynov and Jan Bulis. Igor Ustinsky took over for Kovar in the second period. Traktor took the lead in the second period on a Martin Ruzicka goal, coming off of Artyom Penkovsky. Avtomobilist tied it again with an unassisted goal by Sergei Yemelin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Stansialv Chistov and Francis Pare topped Viktor Kozlov for a 3-2 Traktor win. The three stars went to Ruzicka, Quint, and Garnett (34 for 36 in saves).

Back to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the talented goalies. Ufa dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Alexander Mereskin goal, guided in by Yegor Dubrovsky and Alexander Stepanov. Novosibirsk tied it on a Sergei Shumakov goal, via Stepan Sannikov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, with a lone assist by Alexei Glukhov. Sibir tied it again on a Viktor Bobrov power play goal, powered by Alexei Kopeikin and Igor Ozhiganov. Ufa took the lead in the third period on an Anton Slepyshev goal, fueled by Glukhov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Slepyshev, Glukhov, and Hartikainen.

West a little again, as Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Ville Kolppanen are in the creases. Kazan led off in the first period with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, going in unassisted. Ak Bars chased Kolppanen with an Ilya Nikulin goal, passed from Konstantin Korneyev and Justin Azevedo. Alexander Sudnitsin came on in relief. Kazan added on with an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, assisted by Stepan Zakharchuk and Alexander Svitov. Ak Bars extended the lead with a Nikulin goal, his second of the game, via Svitov and Kirill Petrov. Kazan padded the lead in the second period with an Igor Mirnov power play goal, powered by Zakharchuk and Petr Vrana. Ak Bars wrapped it up at 6-0 with a Zakharchuk power play goal, with assists provided by Yakov Rylov and Vrana. The three stars went to Nikulin, Zakharchuk, and Svitov, while Vrana and Nilsson (28 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

Further west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Vitaly Kolesnik are set to start in goal. Cherepovets began in the first period on a power play goal by Evgeny Mons, powered by Alexander Shinin. Yaroslavl tied it on a third period goal by Ilya Gorokhov, via Geoff Platt and Evgeny Grachyov. Lokomotiv won 2-1 in overtime as Emil Galimov scored, thanks to Sergei Konkov. The three stars went to Galimov, Kolesnik (30 for 31 in saves), and Gorokhov.

Into Moscow, where Dynamo brings in Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Milchakov and Alexander Lazushin are the masked men. Moscow got going in the second period on a Konstantin Volkov goal, fueled by Alexei Tsvetkov and Martins Karsums. Minsk tied it on a Charles Linglet goal, via Jonathan Cheechoo and Ryan Vesce. Dynamo took the lead back in the third period as Dmitry Vishnevsky scored, thanks to Maxim Solovyov and Alexei Tereshchenko. Moscow added on with a power play goal by Karsums, powered by Tsvetkov and Alexander Osipov. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Karsums, Lazushin (17 for 18 in saves), and Tsvetkov.

Up in Mytishchi, Atlant hosts Dinamo Riga. Jeff Deslaurier and Atte Engren man the creases. Riga opened in the first period with a power play goal by Miks Indrasis, powered by Milan Jurcina and Kyle Wilson. Dinamo added on with a Ginta Meija power play goal, via Rodrigo Abols and Charles Genoway. Mytishchi got on the board with an Anton Babchuk power play goal, guided in by Evgeny Bodrov and Igor Levitsky. Atlant tied it in the second period as Levitsky scored, with the help of Bodrov. Mytishchi took the lead on an Artyom Chernov power play goal, assisted by Sergei Shmelyov and Matthew Gilroy. Atlant extended the lead with an Andrei Taratukhin goal, fueled by Gilroy and Chernov. Mytishchi padded the lead in the third period as Vitaly Novopashin scored, thanks to Nikita Soshnikov. Atlant struck again on a Taratukhin goal, coming off of Vyacheslav Kozlov and Soshnikov on the power play. Mytishchi ended it at 7-2 with a Soshnikov penalty shot goal, after he was slashed by Andris Dzerins. The three stars were given to Taratukhin, Levitsky, and Chernov, while Bodrov, Gilroy, and Soshnikov get the honorable mentions.

Down to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes CSKA Moscow. Kevin Lalande and Harri Sateri guard the cages. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Damir Zhafyarov goal, fueled by Nikolai Prokhorkin. Podolsk tied it on a Maxim Mamin goal, courtesy of Nikita Vyglazov and Yury Koksharov. CSKA won 2-1 in overtime on an Igor Makarov goal, passed from Mikhail Naumenkov and Andreas Engqvist. The three stars went to Makarov, Lalande (16 for 17 in saves), and Zhafyarov.

Further to the south, the Sochi Leopards bring in Lada Togliatti. Alexei Semyonov and Tomas Popperle receive the starting nods. Sochi started on a Max Warn goal, coming off of Pyotr Schastlivy and Mikhail Anisin. The Leopards added on in the second period with an Andrei Kostitsyn power play goal, powered by Nikita Shchitov and Ilya Krikunov. Sochi extended the lead in the third period on a Schastlivy goal, courtesy of Shchitov. Togliatti got on the board with a Martin Zatovic shorthanded and unassisted goal. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars given to Schastlivy, Popperle (14 for 15 in saves), and Shchitov.

The last game of the season featured Slovan Bratislava hosting Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Johan Backlund are between the pipes. Helsinki led off in the first period on a Jere Sallinen goal, coming off of Niko Peltola. Jokerit added on in the second period as Ryan Gunderson scored, thanks to Sallinen and Juhamatti Aaltonen. Bratislava got on the board in the third period on a Ladislav Nagy goal, assisted by Jan Brejcak. Slovan tied it as Matt Murley scored a power play goal, helped along by Libor Hudacek and Ivan Baranka. Helsinki won 3-2 in overtime on a Oskari Korpikari goal, via Daine Todd and Linus Omark. The three stars were handed to Korpikari, Sallinen, and Gunderson.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 23rd, 2015

Two games tonight, with the first in...

New Jersey, where the Devils host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cory Schneider are the experienced goalies. New Jersey led off in the first period on a Scott Gomez goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Devils added on in the third period on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his twenty-first of the year, via Jordin Tootoo and Jon Merrill. New Jersey iced it at 3-0 with a Cammalleri empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, set up by Stephen Gionta and Adam Larsson. The three stars went to Schneider (38 save shutout), Cammalleri, and Gomez.

The other game is the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and John Gibson are in the creases. Detroit began in the second period on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his twentieth of the season, going in unassisted. The Red Wings added on with a Datsyuk power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, powered by Justin Abdelkader and Niklas Kronwall. Anaheim got on the board in the third period as Andrew Cogliano scored, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Hampus Lindholm and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks tied it on a Emerson Etem goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Clayton Stoner. Anaheim gained the lead on a Francois Beauchemin goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Ryan Getzlaf and Kyle Palmieri. Detroit tied it on a Riley Sheahan goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Gustav Nyquist and Kronwall. The Ducks won 4-3 on shootout goals from Corey Perry and Silfverberg, topping Nyquist to secure the game. The three stars were Datsyuk, Silfverberg, and Kronwall.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 22nd, 2015

Eight games on today, beginning with...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby faces a lesser foe in Rob Zepp in goal. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek. The Flyers added on in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, via Streit and Giroux. Washington got on the board with a Tom Wilson goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by John Carlson. The Capitals tied it with a Joel Ward goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Eric Fehr and Brooks Laich. Philadelphia regained the lead as Michael Del Zotto scored his seventh of the campaign in the third period, with the help of Voracek and Chris VandeVelde. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars being Giroux, Voracek, and Streit.

West to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Boston began in the first period on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Reilly Smith and Brad Marchand. The Bruins added on with a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, via Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. Boston shot back on a second period Milan Lucic goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by David Pastrnak and Ryan Spooner. The Bruins extended the lead as Gregory Campbell scored, his sixth of the season, passed from Brian Ferlin and Dennis Seidenberg. Boston padded the lead on a Hamilton power play goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone assist by Bergeron. The Bruins struck again with a Smith goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Bergeron. The Blackhawks got one back in the third period with a Bryan Bickell goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of David Rundblad and Keith. This produced the 6-2 final, with the three stars given to Bergeron, Hamilton, and Smith, while Keith gets an honorable mention.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Michal Neuvirth are the subpar goalies. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Zemgus Girgensons and Matt Moulson. Nashville tied it in the third period as Mike Ribeiro scored his twelfth of the year, a power play goal powered by Cody Franson and Seth Jones. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Ennis was topped by Mike Santorelli and Filip Forsberg as the Predators took the game 2-1. The three stars were handed to Neuvirth (37 for 38 in saves), Ennis, and Hutton (16 for 17 in saves).

Out on Long Island, the New York Islanders bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Zack Kassian goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Radim Vrbata and Henrik Sedin on the power play. Miller got injured shortly after this, and was replaced by Eddie Lack. The Canucks added on with a Vrbata power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead with a Bo Horvat goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Ronalds Kenins and Jannik Hansen. The Canucks padded the lead in the third period as Yannick Weber scored his fifth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Shawn Matthias and Derek Dorsett.

Westward to Pittsburgh Penguins host the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Pittsburgh led off in the first period on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his seventeenth of the season, with a lone assist by Kris Letang. The Penguins added on with an unassisted Evgeni Malkin goal in the second period, his twenty-third of the year. Pittsburgh extended the lead on a Paul Martin goal, his third of the season, coming off of Sidney Crosby and Hornqvist in the third period. The Penguins padded the lead as Hornqvist scored his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Crosby and Malkin. Pittsburgh struck again with a Malkin goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, helped along by Zach Sill. Florida got on the board with a Scottie Upshall goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone helper from Vincent Trocheck. This only made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars given to Malkin, Hornqvist, and Crosby.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Semyon Varlamov are the Russian goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Tyler Johnson. Colorado tied it on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period as MacKinnon scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, thanks to Ryan O'Reilly and Tyson Barrie. Colorado added on with a Matt Duchene goal, his sixteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Lightning got one back on a Johnson goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn. The Avalanche replied on a MacKinnon goal, completing his hat trick on his twelfth of the year, made possible by O'Reilly. Colorado extended the lead in the third period on an Alex Tanguay goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Dennis Everberg. Tampa Bay pulled back with a Brett Connolly goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Cedric Paquette. The Lightning chipped closer on a Kucherov goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, helped along by Johnson and Victor Hedman. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars given to MacKinnon, Johnson, and Kucherov, while O'Reilly gets an honorable mention.

Eastward to New York again, as the Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Cam Talbot are the backups covering for injured starters. New York started in the first period on a Kevin Hayes goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Carl Hagelin. The Rangers added on with a Martin St. Louis goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Derek Stepan and Marc Staal. New York extended the lead on a St. Louis goal in the second period, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, passed from Ryan McDonagh and Stepan. Columbus got on the board with a Marko Dano goal, his second of the year, via Nick Foligno and Fedor Tyutin. The Blue Jackets pulled closer on an Artem Anisimov goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Dano. Columbus tied it in the third period as David Savard scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Anisimov and Foligno. The tie lasted to a shootout, where St. Louis and Rick Nash topped Mark Letestu for a 4-3 Rangers win. The three stars went to St. Louis, Anisimov, and Dano, while Stepan and Foligno get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Dallas Stars. Jhonas Enroth and Devan Dubnyk are the under-the-radar goalies. Dallas struck first in the second period on a Jason Spezza goal, his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal coming off of John Klingberg and Brett Ritchie. Minnesota tied it in the third period on a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Christian Folin and Justin Fontaine. The Wild took the lead with a Mikko Koivu goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Minnesota added on with a Stephane Veilleux goal, passed from Marco Scandella and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild extended the lead with a Matt Dumba power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mikael Granlund and Jonas Brodin. Minnesota padded the lead with a Granlund goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Nate Prosser and Folin. The Wild kept going on a Parise goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, helped along by Granlund. The Stars got one back on a Spezza goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Jamie Benn and Ales Hemsky. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars going to Parise, Spezza, and Granlund, while Folin gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL February 22nd, 2015

Eleven games on today, beginning with...

Barys Astana hosting Sibir Novosibirsk. Alexander Salak and Pavel Poluektov are in goal. Astana got going in the third period on a Kevin Dallman goal, coming off of Brandon Bochenski and Nigel Dawes. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Poluektov (36 save shutout), Dallman, and Salak (22 for 23 in saves).

Up in Russia, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Barry Brust are the reliable goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk began in the first period on a Philip Larsen goal, made possible by Nikita Gusev and Alexander Korolyuk. This produced the eventual 1-0 final, with the three stars going to Brust (29 save shutout), Larsen, and Kovar (28 for 29 in saves).

Back to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Vasily Demchenko are given the starting nods. Magnitogorsk led off in the first period on a Bogdan Potekhin goal, via Evgeny Timkin. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Tereshchenko power play goal in the second period, powered by Evgeny Biryukov. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Martin Ruzicka power play goal, fueled by Deron Quint. Magnitogorsk shot back with a Jan Kovar goal, guided in by Sergei Mozyakin and Danis Zaripov. Metallurg extended the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Oskar Osala, assisted by Tim Brent and Maxim Yakutsenya. Traktor got one back with an Ilya Davydov power play goal, with assists by Quint and Jan Bulis. This was as close as it got, with the final at 4-2. The three stars were Kovar, Osala, and Quint.

Moving along to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Rafael Khakimov and Vladimir Sokhatsky are in the creases. Ufa dented the scoreboard in the second period as Teemu Hartikainen scored, thanks to Kirill Koltsov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Ryan Stoa goal, guided in by Nikita Khlystov. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead on an Andrei Zubarev goal, going in unassisted. Ufa added on with an Arturs Kulda goal, passed from Alexei Glukhov and Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev made it 4-1 in the third period on a shorthanded goal by Kulda, set up by Alexei Kaigorodov. This was a final, with the three stars given to Kulda, Sokhatsky (27 for 28 in saves), and Hartikainen.

Continuing to Togliatti, as Lada welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Alexei Semyonov are the masked men. Kazan opened in the first period on an Igor Mirnov goal, courtesy of Vladimir Denisov and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars added on with an Oscar Moller goal, coming off of Azevedo. Kazan extended the lead in the second period as Mikhail Glukhov scored, thanks to Dmitry Obukhov. Togliatti got on the board in the third period on a Karol Sloboda goal, via Semyon Valuisky and Stanislav Romanov. Ak Bars iced at 4-1 with an Artyom Lukoyanov empty net goal, set up by Sheldon Brookbank. The three stars belonged to Azevedo, Nilsson (28 for 29 in saves), and Moller.

Way out west, Dinamo Minsk brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Lars Haugen are between the pipes. Minsk struck first in the third period, with a Ryan Vesce goal with eleven seconds left on the clock, passed from Charles Linglet and Matt Ellison. This produced a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Haugen (26 save shutout), Vesce, and Sedlacek (30 for 31 in saves).

Back to Moscow, where Dynamo hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Alexander Lazushin are in the blue paint. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Alexei Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Alexander Osipov and Konstantin Glazachev. Dynamo added on with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, going in unassisted. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the second period with an Artyom Alyayev goal, passed from Vladimir Galuzin and Sakari Salminen. Torpedo tied it on an Artyom Blazhiyevsky power play goal, coming off of Juuso Hietanen and Galuzin. Nizhny Novgorod took the lead in the third period with a Jarkko Immonen power play goal, made possible by Salminen. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Galuzin, Salminen, and Immonen.

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Harri Sateri guard the cages. Podolsk started in the first period on a Maxim Afinogenov goal, going in unassisted. Cherepovets tied it on a Maxim Trunyov goal, with a lone assist by Pavel Chernov. Severstal took the lead on a Chernov goal, guided in by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Ilya Khokhlov. Cherepovets added on with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, via Evgeny Kovyrshin and Khokhlov. Severstal wrapped it up at 4-1 with an Andreas Thuresson power play goal in the third period, powered by Zakhar Arzamastsev and Yury Trubachyov. The three stars were given to Chernov, Stepanek (18 for 19 in saves), and Khokhlov.

Southeast to Sochi, where the Leopards bring in CSKA Moscow. Kevin Lalande and Dmitry Shikin have the green light to start in goal. Sochi got going in the second period as Igor Radulov scored, thanks to Roman Lyuduchin. Moscow tied it on an Alexander Radulov goal, fueled by Stephane Da Costa and Maxim Mamin. CSKA took the lead in the third period on a Nikita Zaitsev goal, assisted by Simon Hjalmarsson and Roman Lyubimov. The Leopards retied it on a Ryan Whitney goal, helped along by Mikhail Anisin and Ilya Krikunov. Moscow won 3-2 with a lone shootout tally by Lyubimov. The three stars went to Lyubimov, Zaitsev, and Alexander Radulov.

Into Slovakia, where Slovan Bratislava hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Johan Backlund protect the nets. Bratislava led off in the first period on a power play goal by Libor Hudacek, powered by Matt Murley. Slovan added on in the second period with a Rok Ticar goal, courtesy of Cam Barker and Ladislav Nagy. Bratislava extended the lead in the third period on a Vladimir Mihalik goal, passed from Hudacek and Milan Bartovic. St. Petersburg got on the board with a penalty shot goal by Patrick Thoresen, coming after he was held by Ziga Jeglic. SKA pulled closer on a Roman Cervenka goal, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Jimmie Ericsson. Slovan shot back on a Nagy goal, fueled by Murley and Jan Brejcak, an empty net goal. Bratislava finished it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Ivan Baranka, going in unassisted. The three stars were Hudacek, Nagy, and Murley.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Calvin Heeter are occupying the creases. Helsinki began in the first period on a Eetu Poysti goal, assisted by Jere Sallinen. Zagreb tied it on a Sasa Martinovic goal, fueled by Bill Thomas and Pascal Pelletier. Medvescak took the lead in the second period on a Mark Flood goal, made possible by Pelletier and Martinovic. Zagreb added on with a Pelletier goal, guided in by Edwin Hedberg and Thomas. Jokerit got one back with a Petteri Wirtanen goal, with assists provided by Topi Jaakola and Poysti. Medvescak shot back with a Pelletier goal, coming off of Andrew Hutchinson. Helsinki pulled back in the third period with a Tommi Huhtala goal, via Niko Kapanen and Oskari Korpikari. Jokerit tied it on a Korpikari goal, with helpers from Wirtanen and Sallinen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Huhtala lifted Jokerit to the 5-4 win. The three stars belonged to Wirtanen, Pelletier, and Huhtala, while Thomas, Poysti, Sallinen, Martinovic, and Korpikari get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Premier League Week 26

Another wave of games, beginning with Saturday's seven, the first of which has...

Aston Villa host Stoke City. Asmir Begovic and Brad Guzan are in the six-yards boxes. Aston Villa led off in the twentieth minute with a Scott Sinclair header goal, made possible by Fabian Delph on a cross after a corner kick. Stoke City had a yellow card go to Philipp Wollscheid in the thirty-fifth minute for a foul. Stoke City tied it in the forty-fifth minute on a Mame Biram Diouf header goal, coming off of Stephen Ireland's cross. In the fifty-ninth minute, Carlos Sanchez of Aston Villa took a yellow card for a foul. Stoke City's Glenn Whelan took a yellow card for his foul at the sixty-three minute mark. Aston Villa saw a yellow card go to Ron Vlaar in the ninetieth minute for his foul, followed by a stoppage time ejection of Vlaar for his second yellow card-worthy foul, which led to a Victor Moses penalty kick goal for Stoke City, giving them the 2-1 win after a later Jonathan Walters yellow card.

In London, Chelsea welcomes Burnley. Tom Heaton and Thibaut Courtois are given the starting nods in goal. Chelsea struck first in the fourteenth minute on a Branislav Ivanovic goal, passed from Eden Hazard. In the forty-first minute, George Boyd of Burnley took a yellow card for a foul. Burnley had another yellow card for a Michael Kightly offense at the sixty-two minute mark. Discipline came Chelsea's way with a seventieth minute red card booting Nemanja Matic from the game for fighting, as well as giving Ivanovic a yellow card a minute later. In the eighty-first minute, Burnley pulled level on a Ben Mee header goal, via Kieran Trippier's cross after a corner kick. The result stayed at 1-1.

Staying in the city, Crystal Palace brings in Arsenal. David Ospina and Julian Speroni are the reliable goalies. Arsenal began in the eighth minute with a penalty kick goal by Santiago Cazorla. In the nineteenth minute, Jordon Mutch of Crystal Palace took a yellow card. Arsenal had a yellow card go to Francis Coquelin in the twenty-eighth minute for a foul. Arsenal added on with an Olivier Giroud goal in first half stoppage time. In the fifty-sixth minute, Giroud took a yellow card for his foul for Arsenal, followed by a Calum Chambers yellow card in the eighty-fifth minute. Crystal Palace got on the board with a Glenn Murray stoppage time goal after a corner kick. The final stood for Arsenal at 2-1.

Up to Hull City hosting the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Allan McGregor are the keepers. Hull City opened in the sixteenth minute with a Nikica Jelavic goal after a set piece. In the thirty-second minute, QPR went down a man for Joey Barton picking a fight and receiving a red card, followed by a yellow card assessed to Darnell Furlong for his foul. In the thirty-ninth minute, QPR equalized with a Charlie Austin header goal, set up by Matthew Phillips on a cross. QPR took three yellow cards in the second half: Bobby Zamora's foul in the fifty-eighth minute, Mauro Zarate's foul in the seventy-fifth minute, and an eightieth minute foul by Phillips. Hull City retook the lead in the eighty-ninth minute on a Dame N'Doye header goal, passed from Robbie Brady on a cross. Hull City won 2-1.

Next up, Sunderland welcomes West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Costel Pantilimon are between the posts. West Brom's Joleon Lescott took a yellow card for his foul in the fifth minute. In the eleventh minute, Ricardo Alvarez of Sunderland had a yellow card for a foul. West Brom took another yellow card in the twenty-ninth minute for a Craig Dawson foul. The last hour of the game was cleanly played and scoreless, with the final at 0-0.

Out in Wales, Swansea City brings in Manchester United. David de Gea and Lukasz Fabianski are the gloved men. Manchester United started in the twenty-eighth minute on an Ander Herrera goal, coming off of Angel Di Maria. Swansea City tied it as Ki Sung-Yueng scored in the thirtieth minute, thanks to Jonjo Shelvey's cross. In the forty-fifth minute, Marouane Fellaini took a yellow card for his foul for Manchester United. Phil Jones of Manchester United had a yellow card in the forty-eighth minute. Swansea City gained the lead in the seventy-third minute on a Bafetimbi Gomis goal, set up by Shelvey. In the eighty-fourth minute, Ashley Young of Manchester United received a yellow card for a foul. Swansea City had two yellow cards given out late, going to Ashley Williams for an eighty-eighth minute foul and to Shelvey for his foul in stoppage time. Swansea City won 2-1.

Finally, Manchester City closes out Saturday by hosting Newcastle United. Tim Krul and Joe Hart are the goalies with short names. Newcastle United had a yellow card for a foul in the first minute for Vurnon Anita. Manchester City was first to score on a second minute penalty kick by Sergio Aguero. Manchester City added on with a Samir Nasri goal in the twelfth minute. Manchester City extended the lead as Edin Dzeko scored in the twenty-first minute, thanks to a David Silva through ball. In the twenty-ninth minute, Jack Colback of Newcastle United receive a yellow card. Manchester City's Vincent Kompany took a yellow card in the thirty-seventh minute, as did Yaya Toure in the thirty-ninth minute, both for fouls. In the fifty-first minute, Manchester City padded the lead on a Silva goal, set up by Nasri. Manchester City kept going with a fifty-third minute goal by Silva, with an assist from Aguero. In the eighty-third minute, Dzeko took a yellow card for his handball. Manchester City won 5-0.

Sunday also starts in London, with Tottenham Hotspur welcoming West Ham United. Adrian Hugo Lloris are the goalies. West Ham United was first to score in the twenty-second minute on a Cheikhou Kouyate header goal, via Aaron Cresswell's cross. West Ham United took a yellow card for a Mark Noble foul in first half stoppage time. Cresswell took a yellow card in the fifty-first minute for a foul. West Ham United added on in the sixty-second minute with a Diafra Sakho goal, set up by a Noble cross. Tottenham Hotspur got on the board in the eighty-first minute on a Danny Rose goal after a corner kick. Tottenham Hotspur tied it as Harry Kane scored six minutes into second half stoppage time after a set piece. The tie stood up for a 2-2 final.

Up north, Everton brings in Leicester City. Mark Schwarzer and Tim Howard are set to start in goal. Leicester City took a yellow card for a twenty-fifth minute foul by Wes Morgan. Everton got going in the fifty-seventh minute on a Steven Naismith goal, coming off of Romelu Lukaku. Leicester City evened it with a David Nugent goal in the sixty-third minute. Leicester City gained the lead as Esteban Cambiasso scored in the seventieth minute. Everton retied it on an own goal from Matt Upson in the eighty-eighth minute. The final remained at 2-2.

Finally, Southampton hosts Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Fraser Forster receive the starting nods. Liverpool led off in the third minute with a Philippe Coutinho goal, passed from Lazar Markovic. In the forty-third minute, Dejan Lovren of Liverpool had a yellow card for a foul. Southampton saw a yellow card for a sixty-third minute foul by Victor Wanyama. Liverpool added on with a Raheem Sterling goal in the seventy-third minute, going in unassisted. Liverpool took yellow cards for Alberto Moreno in the seventy-eighth minute and Jordan Henderson in the eighty-fourth minute, both for fouls. Southampton's Eljero Elia took a yellow card for his foul in stoppage time. Liverpool claimed a 2-0 victory.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.