NHL 2016/17 - Day 123

Eleven games on for today, which is Hockey Day in Canada. We begin with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Robin Lehner play goal. St. Louis started in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Joel Edmundson. Buffalo tied it on a Nicholas Baptiste goal, his third of the year, via Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. The Sabres took the lead in the second period with a Kane goal, his twentieth of the season, made possible by Zach Bogosian and Baptiste. Buffalo added on with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen and Kyle Okposo. The Blues got one back with a shorthanded and unassisted Scottie Upshall goal in the third period, his sixth of the campaign. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Kane, Baptiste, and Lehner (37 for 39 in saves).

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Petr Mrazek protect the nets. Detroit began in the first period with a Frans Nielsen power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Tomas Tatar goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Zetterberg and Anthony Mantha. Washington got on the board with a Zach Sanford goal, his second of the season, made possible by Lars Eller. The Capitals tied it on a Daniel Winnik goal, his eighth of the year, passed from T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom. In the shootout, Thomas Vanek of Detroit and Evgeny Kuznetsov of Washington traded goals before Zetterberg won it 3-2 for the Red Wings. The three stars were Zetterberg, Tatar, and Nielsen.

In Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Carey Price draw the starts in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with an Andrei Markov goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk. Winnipeg tied it on a Joel Armia shorthanded goal in the second period, his second of the game and sixth of the year, going in unassisted. The Jets took the lead in the third period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Dustin Byfuglien and Patrik Laine. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 with a Laine empty net goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, set up by Ben Chiarot and Perreault. The three stars were Perreault, Laine, and Hellebuyck (19 for 20 in saves).

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Edmonton got going in the second period with a Matt Benning power play goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Oilers added on with a Milan Lucic goal in the third period, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Chicago got on the board with a Richard Panik goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Jonathan Toews and Trevor van Riemsdyk. Edmonton iced it at 3-1 with a Connor McDavid empty net goal, his twentieth of the year, set up by Mark Letestu and Leon Draisaitl. The three stars were Talbot (38 for 39 in saves), Lucic, and Benning.

East to New Jersey, where the Devils welcome the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Cory Schneider are given the starting nods. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his third of the season, assisted by Travis Zajac and Jon Merrill. The Devils added on in the second period with a shorthanded Zajac goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Adam Henrique. New Jersey extended the lead in the third period as Pavel Zacha scored a power play goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to P.A. Parenteau and Damon Severson. New York got on the board with an Andrew Ladd goal, his fifteenth of the year, helped along by Calvin de Haan. The Islanders got closer with an Anthony Beauvillier goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Alan Quine and Johnny Boychuk. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Zajac, Zacha, and Schneider (40 for 42 in saves).

In Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in their provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Frederik Andersen are the similarly-named goalies. Ottawa struck first in the first period with a Chris Wideman goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Mark Stone. The Senators added on with a Ryan Dzingel goal, his twelfth of the year, via Marc Methot and Stone. Toronto got on the board in the second period on a Morgan Rielly goal, his third of the season, guided in by Auston Matthews and William Nylander. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Nazem Kadri goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, made possible by Josh Leivo. Toronto took the lead in the third period with a Nylander power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Matthews and Leo Komarov. Ottawa retied it with a Mike Hoffman goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. The Senators took the lead with a Brassard power play goal, his tenth of the season, with assists provided by Stone, who got a sock trick, and Karlsson. Ottawa extended the lead as Stone scored an empty net goal, his twenty-first of the year, with the help of Turris. The Senators iced it at 6-3 with a Brassard empty net goal, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by Turris, who got a sock trick, and Stone. The three stars were Stone, Brassard, and Turris, while Karlsson, Nylander, and Matthews get the honorable mentions.

South to Texas, where the Dallas Stars host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kari Lehtonen and Andrei Vasilevskiy are in the creases. Tampa Bay was first to score in the first period with a Victor Hedman goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Brian Boyle and Jake Dotchin. The Lightning added on with a Tyler Johnson power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Brayden Point and Hedman. Dallas got on the board with an Antoine Roussel goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Dan Hamhuis and Tyler Seguin. The Stars tied it on another Roussel goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, via Seguin and Patrick Eaves. Tampa Bay retook the lead with a Hedman goal in the second period, his second of the game and tenth of the season, helped along by Johnson and Ondrej Palat on the power play. Dallas tied it in the third period with a Roussel goal, completing his hat trick on his eleventh of the year, with helpers from Seguin, who got a sock trick, and Patrick Sharp. The Stars won 4-3 in overtime with a Jamie Benn goal, his twentieth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Cody Eakin. The three stars went to Roussel, Seguin, and Hedman, while Johnson gets an honorable mention.

Over in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the San Jose Sharks. Aaron Dell is mismatched with Mike Smith in goal. San Jose opened in the first period with a Brent Burns goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, made possible by Melker Karlsson. The Sharks added on with a Karlsson goal, his eighth of the year, via Micheal Haley and Brenden Dillon. San Jose extended the lead in the second period as Haley scored, thanks to Paul Martin and Karlsson. Arizona got on the board in the third period with a Martin Hanzal goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alex Goligoski and Radim Vrbata. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 with a Burns power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Logan Couture and Joe Thornton. The three stars went to Burns, Karlsson, and Haley.

Back northeast to Minnesota, where the Wild bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Devan Dubnyk guard the cages. Minnesota started in the first period with a Mikael Granlund power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Nino Niederreiter and Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on in the second period with Jason Zucker's seventeenth goal of the year, via Granlund and Jared Spurgeon. Minnesota extended the lead in the third period with a Koivu goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Ryan Suter and Zucker. Nashville got on the board with a Colin Wilson goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Yannick Weber. The Predators got closer with a P.K. Subban goal, his eighth of the season, passed from James Neal and Wilson. The Wild answered with a Zucker goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Minnesota iced it at 5-2 with an Eric Staal goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Jason Pominville and Suter. The three stars went to Zucker, Koivu, and Granlund, while Suter and Wilson get the honorable mentions.

In California, the Los Angeles Kings host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Peter Budaj are the old goalies. Florida led off in the first period with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck. The Panthers added on in the second period with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his ninth of the year, via Reilly Smith and Alex Petrovic. Los Angeles got on the board with a Dwight King goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Trevor Lewis and Nick Shore. The Kings tied it on a Tanner Pearson goal, his nineteenth of the year, assisted by Jeff Carter and Paul Ladue. Florida regained the lead in the third period with a Barkov goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, passed from Jaromir Jagr and Aaron Ekblad. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Barkov, Jokinen, and Huberdeau.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Ryan Miller are the masked men. Vancouver began in the first period with an Alexander Edler goal, his third of the season, assisted by Troy Stecher. Calgary tied it on a Mark Giordano goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Matthew Tkachuk and Michael Frolik in the third period. The Canucks won 2-1 in overtime with a Christopher Tanev goal, with a lone assist by Daniel Sedin. The three stars went to Tanev, Miller (35 for 36 in saves), and Edler.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 161 Regular Season Finale

Twelve games wrap up the KHL regular season, setting the playoff field for the next two months or so. We begin with...

Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosting Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Niklas Svedberg earn the starts in goal. Togliatti opened in the first period with a Denis Zernov goal, via Georgy Belousov and Kristaps Sotnieks. Ufa tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Sami Lepisto, powered by Igor Grigorenko. Lada took the lead back with a Stanislav Bocharov goal, helped along by Viktor Komarov. Andrei Gavrilov relieved Svedberg at this time. Salavat Yulaev tied it again on a Maxim Mayorov goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Korotkov. Ufa took the lead with a third period Stanislav Gareyev goal, passed from Mikhail Vorobyov and Mikhail Kotlyarevsky. Salavat Yulaev iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Denis Kulyash. The three stars were Gareyev, Mayorov, and Lepisto.

Next up, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the goalies. Novosibirsk got going in the second period with a Yegor Milovzorov goal, assisted by Maxim Shalunov. Yekaterinburg tied it in the third period with an unassisted Anatoly Golyshev goal. Sibir won 2-1 in the shootout with a Stepan Sannikov tally. The three stars were Taylor (33 for 34 in saves), Milovzorov, and Sokhatsky (29 for 30 in saves).

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin is mismatched with Henrik Karlsson in goal. Omsk started in the first period with an Ilya Mikheyev goal, fueled by Valentin Pyanov. Avangard added on in the second period with an Ilya Zubov goal, made possible by Pyanov and Mikheyev. Omsk extended the lead as Mikheyev scored a power play goal, with the help of Yegor Martynov. Astana got on the board with a Roman Starchenko power play goal in the third period, powered by Cam Barker. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Mikheyev, Kostin (27 for 28 in saves), and Pyanov.

Back north, Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky and Georgy Boyarshinov are set to start in goal. Novokuznetsk led off in the first period with a Stanislav Kalashnikov power play goal, powered by Ignat Zemchenko and Evgeny Solovyov. Metallurg added on with an Igor Skorokhodov goal, passed from Artyom Mikheyev and Kirill Semyonov in the second period. Novokuznetsk extended the lead as Semyonov scored a power play goal, thanks to Timur Fatkullin and Skorokhodov. Metallurg padded the lead with a Nikita Yazkov goal, guided in by Andrei Taratukhin and Alexander Titov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period with an Evgeny Kulik goal, helped along by Sergei Kuptsov and Artyom Bulyansky. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars given to Semyonov, Skorokhodov, and Podyapolsky (38 for 39 in saves).

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Dmitry Shikin and Jakub Kovar are given the starting nods in goal. Sochi began in the first period with an Eric O'Dell goal, made possible by Andrei Kostitsyn. Cherepovets tied it on a Daniil Vovchenko power play goal in the second period, powered by Denis Yezhov. Severstal took the lead with a Ruslan Karlin goal in the third period, via Sergei Monakhov and Alexei Ugarov. Cherepovets added on with a Nikolai Stasenko goal, assisted by Vladislav Kodola and Sergei Lapin. The Leopards answered with an Ilya Krikunov goal, coming off of O'Dell and Ivan Vorobyov. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars being Stasenko, O'Dell, and Karlin.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Kevin Lalande are in the blue paint. Kazan struck first in the first period with an Atte Ohtamaa goal, made possible by Anton Glinkin and Alexander Svitov. Minsk tied it on an Aaron Palushaj power play goal, powered by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Fredrik Pettersson. Ak Bars retook the lead in the third period with a Svitov power play goal, assisted by Vasily Tokranov and Justin Azevedo. Kazan added on with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, going in unassisted. Dinamo pulled back with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, passed from Alexander Kitarov and Matt Ellison. Minsk tied it on a Pettersson goal, with a lone assist by Ellison. Ak Bars regained the lead on an Andrei Popov goal, courtesy of Mikhail Glukhov. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Svitov, Pettersson, and Ellison.

Returning to Russia, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Alexander Sudnitsin draw the starts in goal. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with an Alexei Byvaltsev goal, courtesy of Tomas Zohorna. Yaroslavl tied it on a Maxime Talbot goal, assisted by Brandon Kozun and Petri Kontiola in the second period. Lokomotiv took the lead with an Alexander Polunin goal, via Pavel Kraskovsky and Yegor Korshkov. Amur retied it on a Zohorna goal, coming off of Vyacheslav Litovchenko and Maxim Kondratyev. Yaroslavl retook the lead in the third period with an Alexander Kadeikin goal, passed from Emil Galimov and Vladislav Kartayev. Khabarovsk tied it again on a Pavel Dedunov goal, going in unassisted. Amur took the lead with a Byvaltsev goal, his second of the game, made possible by Ilya Gorokhov and Zohorna. Khabarovsk added on with a Litovchenko power play goal, powered by Zohorna, who earned a sock trick. The final held at 5-3, with the three stars being Zohorna, Byvaltsev, and Litovchenko.

In Moscow, Dynamo welcomes Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Alexander Yeryomenko are in the creases. Beijing dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Tomi Sallinen goal, assisted by Tuukka Mantyla and Oleg Yashin. Moscow tied it on a shorthanded goal by Denis Kokarev, set up by Konstantin Gorovikov. Dynamo took the lead in the third period with a Martins Karsums power play goal, powered by Ilya Nikulin and Lukas Kaspar. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Yeryomenko (28 for 29 in saves), Karsums, and Kokarev.

Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow brings in cross-town rivals Spartak. Markus Svensson and Ilya Sorokin are the masked men. CSKA began in the first period with a Valery Nichushkin goal, assisted by Semyon Koshelev and Maxim Mamin. Spartak tied it on an unassisted Sergei Shmelyov goal. CSKA took the lead with a Dmitry Kugryshev power play goal, powered by Denis Denisov and Igor Ozhiganov. CSKA added on with a Sergei Andronov goal, coming off of Ivan Telegin and Vladimir Zharkov. CSKA extended the lead as Grigory Panin scored, thanks to Artyom Sergeyev and Zharkov. CSKA padded the lead with a Koshelev goal, via Sergeyev and Mamin. Denis Sinyagin replaced Svensson in goal. CSKA continued in the second period with a Mikhail Naumenkov goal, helped along by Nichushkin and Mamin, the latter earning a sock trick. This made it 6-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Koshelev, Nichushkin, and Mamin, while Sergeyev and Zharkov get the honorable mentions.

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Harri Sateri are the solid goalies. Podolsk drew first blood in the second period on an unassisted goal by Alexander Pankov. Vladivostok tied it on a Samvel Mnatsyan goal, assisted by Sergei Barbashev and Andrei Konev. Admiral took the lead in the third period with an Andrei Sigaryov goal, fueled by James Wright and Anton Volchenkov. Vladivostok added on with another Sigaryov goal, going in unassisted. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Sigaryov, Bobkov (37 for 38 in saves), and Mnatsyan.

In St. Petersburg, SKA welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Mikko Koskinen are the veteran goalies. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, going in unassisted. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Brandon McMillan goal, passed from Carter Ashton in the second period. SKA took the lead back with a Patrik Hersley power play goal, powered by Pavel Datsyuk. St. Petersburg added on with an Alexander Khokhlachyov goal, fueled by Jarno Koskiranta and Artyom Zub. Torpedo got one back in the third period with an Artyom Alyayev goal, guided in by John Norman. SKA iced it at 4-2 with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, with a lone assist by Hersley. The three stars went to Hersley, Khokhlachyov, and Kovalchuk.

Finally, the regular season ends with Dinamo Riga bringing in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Andrei Kareyev and Janis Kalnins draw the starts in goal. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period with a Pavel Poryadin goal, fueled by Gennady Stolyarov and Ivan Lekomtsev. Riga tied it on a Lauris Darzins goal, passed from Maris Bicevskis and Aleksandrs Jerofejevs. Dinamo took the lead with a Guntis Galvins goal, via Miks Indrasis and Bicevskis. Neftekhimik tied it on a Richard Gynge power play goal, powered by Gilbert Brule and Dan Sexton. The tie went to a shootout, where Gynge got topped by Indrasis and Filipp Toluzakov for a 3-2 Dinamo win. The three stars went to Bicevskis, Indrasis, and Gynge.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0, and prepare for the Gagarin Cup Playoffs, beginning on Tuesday.

2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 160/NHL Day 122

Just another light day, with four total games of hockey. We begin in...

Magnitogorsk, where Metallurg hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Ilya Samsonov play goal, and they played very well. The game went to a shootout scoreless until Tommi Santala and Chris Lee bested Vitaly Kravtsov to give Metallurg a 1-0 win. The three stars went to Samsonov (31 save shutout), Demchenko (33 save "shutout"), and Lee.

In the US, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Columbus got going in the second period with a Ryan Murray goal, his second of the season, via William Karlsson and Josh Anderson. Pittsburgh tied it on an Ian Cole goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Evgeni Malkin. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Seth Jones. The three stars were Dubinsky, Bobrovsky (38 for 39 in saves), and Matt Murray (37 for 39 in saves).

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Cam Ward are the goalies. Colorado opened in the first period with a Tyson Barrie goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Jarome Iginla and John Mitchell. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Lee Stempniak and Brett Pesce. The Avalanche won 2-1 with a Mikko Rantanen goal in overtime, his twelfth of the campaign, guided in by Matt Duchene. The three stars belonged to Rantanen, Barrie, and Pickard (28 for 29 in saves).

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and John Gibson draw the starts in goal. Anaheim dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his twelfth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Logan Shaw. Florida tied it on a Colton Sceviour goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Derek MacKenzie and Shawn Thornton. The Panthers took the lead with an unassisted Jaromir Jagr goal, his eleventh of the season. Florida added on with a power play goal by Aaron Ekblad, his eighth of the year, powered by Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Marchessault. The Panthers iced it at 4-1 with a third period MacKenzie empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The three stars were Reimer (35 for 36 in saves), MacKenzie, and Jagr.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 121

Eight games for today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Cory Schneider are the goalies. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Dion Phaneuf power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Chris Wideman and Bobby Ryan. The Senators added on with an Erik Karlsson goal in the third period, his ninth of the year, via Derick Brassard and Tom Pyatt. Ottawa iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Kyle Turris, his nineteenth of the campaign, set up by Zack Smith and Mike Hoffman. The three stars were Condon (21 save shutout), Phaneuf, and Karlsson.

Over in Brooklyn, the New York Islanders welcome cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Thomas Greiss protect the nets. The Rangers opened in the first period with a Nick Holden goal, his ninth of the season, via Mats Zuccarello and Brady Skjei. The Islanders tied it in the second period with an Anders Lee goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Josh Bailey and John Tavares. The Islanders took the lead with an Andrew Ladd goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Stephen Gionta. The Islanders added on in the third period with a shorthanded Nikolay Kulemin goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Tavares. The Rangers got one back with a Jimmy Vesey power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Rick Nash and Skjei. The Islanders iced it at 4-2 with a Ladd empty net goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with a lone helper from Jason Chimera. The three stars went to Ladd, Tavares, and Skjei.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Marc-Andre Fleury earn the starts in goal. Pittsburgh started in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, helped along by Scott Wilson and Patric Hornqvist. The Penguins added on with a Chris Kunitz goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Patrik Laine goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Mathieu Perreault and Mark Scheifele. The Jets tied it in the third period with a Paul Postma goal, coming off of Adam Lowry. Winnipeg took the lead with a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Scheifele. Pittsburgh tied it again with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Letang and Crosby. The Penguins won 4-3 with a Crosby goal in overtime, his thirty-first of the year, fueled by Malkin and Letang, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Crosby, Letang, and Malkin, while Scheifele gets an honorable mention.

Next up, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Robin Lehner in goal. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Sam Reinhart power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan O'Reilly. The Sabres added on in the third period with an Evander Kane goal, his nineteenth of the year, helped along by Evan Rodrigues and Jack Eichel. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Lehner (23 save shutout), Reinhart, and Kane.

Southwest t St. Louis, where the Blues host the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen draw the starts. St. Louis led off in the first period with a Magnus Paajarvi goal, his third of the season, coming off of Kevin Shattenkirk and Ivan Barbashev. Vancouver tied it on a Bo Horvat goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Nikita Tryamkin. The Blues retook the lead with a Jori Lehtera goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Vladimir Tarasenko and Colton Parayko. The Canucks tied it in the second period with a Henrik Sedin goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Markus Granlund. St. Louis retook the lead in the third period with a Tarasenko power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, powered by Shattenkirk and Alexander Steen. The Blues added on with a Steen power play goal, his twelfth of the year, with a lone helper by Shattenkirk, who earned a sock trick. Vancouver got one back with a Brandon Sutter goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Alexander Edler and Troy Stecher. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Tarasenko, Steen, and Shattenkirk.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Darcy Kuemper are in the blue paint. Minnesota began in the first period with a Ryan Suter power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jason Pominville and Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on in the second period with an Erik Haula goal, his twelfth of the year, via Jordan Schroeder and Koivu. Dallas got on the board in the third period with a Cody Eakin goal, his second of the season, assisted by Antoine Roussel and Patrick Eaves. Minnesota iced it at 3-1 with a Jared Spurgeon goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Haula and Mikael Granlund. The three stars went to Kuemper (34 for 35 in saves), Haula, and Koivu.

West to Alberta, where the Edmonton Oilers host the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Cam Talbot are the solid goalies. Edmonton struck first in the first period with a Matt Hendricks goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mark Letestu and Iiro Pakarinen. The Oilers added on with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Matt Benning and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Radko Gudas goal, his third of the season, coming off of Sean Couturier. Edmonton replied with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Connor McDavid and Patrick Maroon. The Oilers extended the lead as Nugent-Hopkins scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Eric Gryba and Zack Kassian. Edmonton padded the lead on an Oscar Klefbom goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by McDavid and Hendricks. The Flyers got one back with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, helped along by Brayden Schenn. Philadelphia got closer in the third period with a Schenn power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Oilers countered with a McDavid goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, guided in by Eberle and Maroon. This stood for a 6-3 win, with the three stars going to McDavid, Hendricks, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Eberle, Schenn, and Maroon get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Peter Budaj are the veteran goalies. Arizona was first to score in the first period with a Brendan Perlini power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Radim Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes added on with a Tobias Rieder goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Jordan Martinook and Alex Goligoski. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with a Tanner Pearson goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown. Arizona shot back on a Perlini goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, coming off of Goligoski. The Kings answered on a Brown goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Pearson. The Coyotes countered with a shorthanded and unassisted Martinook goal, his ninth of the year. Arizona extended the lead as Martinook scored an empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, set up by Christian Dvorak and Josh Jooris. Los Angeles got one back with a Pearson power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, with assists provided by Anze Kopitar and Jake Muzzin. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Martinook, Perlini, and Pearson, while Goligoski and Brown get the honorable mentions.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 159

Twelve games on today in a busy day for the league. We begin with...

Barys Astana hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Rafael Khakimov and Kevin Poulin are the backups in goal. Astana got going in the second period with a Brendan Shinnimin power play goal, powered by Roman Starchenko and Roman Savchenko. Barys added on with a Savchenko power play goal, via Starchenko and Konstantin Pushkaryov. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period with a Timur Fatkullin power play goal, with assists provided by Kirill Semyonov and Mark Skutar. Metallurg tied it on a power play goal by Evgeny Solovyov, with a lone helper from Alexei Razumov. Novokuznetsk won 3-2 in overtime with an Alexander Komaristy goal, assisted by Stanislav Kalashnikov and Nikita Lyamkin. The three stars were Savchenko, Starchenko, and Komaristy.

Up in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Ivan Lisutin are the mediocre goalies. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period with a Petr Koukal power play goal, powered by Nikolai Timashov and Alexei Simakov. Avtomobilist added on with an Alexei Vasielvsky goal, passed from Rok Ticar and Michal Cajkovsky on the power play. Dominik Furch replaced Kostin in goal. Omsk got on the board in the second period with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, fueled by Nikolai Lemtyugov and Erik Gustafsson. Avangard tied it with a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal in the third period, helped along by David Booth and Anton Burdasov. In the shootout, Lemtyugov scored twice, topping Ticar's one goal as Avangard won 3-2. The three stars were Lemtyugov, Ticar, and Khokhryakov.

Further north to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Ugra brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Georgy Boyarshinov are in the blue paint. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with an Adam Polasek goal, via Sergei Shumakov on the power play. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on an Andrei Alexeyev power play goal, powered by Evgeny Lapenkov and Nikita Khlystov. Ugra took the lead with a Lapenkov power play goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Sergei Kuptsov. Sibir tied it again with a Polasek power play goal, helped along by Shumakov. Khanty-Mansiysk won 3-2 in overtime on an Alexeyev power play goal, courtesy of Lapenkov. The three stars were Alexeyev, Lapenkov, and Polasek, while Shumakov gets an honorable mention.

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal hosts Spartak Moscow. Markus Svensson and Roman Smiryagin are between the pipes. Moscow started in the first period with a Viktor Bobrov goal, assisted by Maxim Potapov. Cherepovets tied it on a Clay Wilson goal, guided in by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Vojtech Polak. Severstal won 2-1 in overtime on another Wilson goal, via Polak and Kagarlitsky. The three stars were Wilson, Smiryagin (28 for 29 in saves), and Polak, while Kagarlitsky gets an honorable mention.

Into Moscow, where CSKA welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ilya Proskuryakov and Ilya Sorokin tend the twines. Moscow began in the first period with a Maxim Mamin power play goal, powered by Vladimir Zharkov and Valery Nichushkin. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Kaspars Daugavins goal, coming off of Proskuryakov and Grigory Zheldakov. CSKA took the lead back with an Igor Ozhiganov goal, courtesy of Denis Denisov and Jan Mursak. Moscow added on with a Bogdan Kiselevich goal, passed from Grigory Panin. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Greg Scott scored, thanks to Mamin. Torpedo got one back with a Nikolai Zherdev power play goal, with assists provided by Dmitry Semin and Daugavins. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars going to Mamin, Daugavins, and Kiselevich.

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Harri Sateri protect the nets. Podolsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Pavel Lukin goal, via Ivan Yatsenko and Alexander Pankov. Vityaz added on with a Mikhail Yepishin goal, coming off of Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi and Alexei Makeyev. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, made possible by Alexei Byvaltsev and Tomas Zohorna. Amur took the lead with a Vitaly Atyushov goal, with a lone assist by Oleg Li. Khabarovsk won 3-2 in the shootout with a Zohorna tally. The three stars were Zohorna, Litovchenko, and Atyushov.

Next up, SKA St. Petersburg hosts the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with a Nikita Gusev goal, coming off of Evgeny Dadonov. SKA added on with a Vadim Shipachyov goal, courtesy of Dadonov. SKA extended the lead as Ilya Kovalchuk scored a power play goal, thanks to Shipachyov and Anton Belov. Sochi got on the board with an Oscar Fantenberg power play goal, powered by Eric O'Dell. SKA replied with a Belov power play goal, from Kovalchuk and Gusev. St. Petersburg padded the lead with an Evgeny Ketov goal, with assists provided by Patrik Hersley and Pavel Datsyuk. Dmitry Shikin replaced Barulin in goal. SKA struck again in the third period with a Shipachyov goal, passed from Dadonov, who got a sock trick, and Gusev. The Leopards got one back with a Fantenberg power play goal, with a lone helper from Igor Levitsky. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being Gusev, Dadonov, and Kovalchuk, while Shipachyov, Belov, and Fantenberg get the honorable mentions.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Andrei Kareyev and Kevin Lalande are set to start in goal. Minsk was first to score in the first period with a Fredrik Pettersson power play goal, powered by Aaron Palushaj. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the third period with a Richard Gynge goal, fueled by Andrei Pervyshin and Gilbert Brule. Dinamo won 2-1 in the shootout with Alexander Materukhin and Pettersson topping Gynge. The three stars were Pettersson, Lalande (26 for 27 in saves), and Gynge.

Back in Moscow, Dynamo brings in Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Alexander Yeryomenko guard the cages. Vladivostok got going in the second period with a Dmitry Sayustov power play goal, powered by Jonathon Blum and Robert Sabolic. Moscow tied it on a Maxim Karpov goal in the third period, guided in by Dmitry Vishnevsky. Dynamo won 2-1 in overtime with a Martins Karsums power play goal, helped along by Ilya Nikulin and Juuso Hietanen. The three stars belonged to Yeryomenko (32 for 33 in saves), Karsums, and Karpov.

East to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv hosts Kunlun Red Stars Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Alexei Murygin are the goalies. Yaroslavl opened in the first period with a Daniil Apalkov goal, assisted by Dmitry Lugin and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv added on with an Averin goal, passed from Apalkov. Beijing got on the board with a Max Warn power play goal, powered by Tobias Viklund and Janne Jalasvaara. Yaroslavl replied with an Alexander Kadeikin goal in the second period, made possible by Alexander Polunin. Lokomotiv extended the lead as Brandon Kozun scored a power play goal, with the help of Jakub Nakladal and Maxime Talbot. Kunlun Red Star got one back in the third period with a shorthanded Chad Rau goal, set up by Sean Collins. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Averin, Apalkov, and Kadeikin.

Into Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Ryan Zapolski protect the nets. Helsinki started in the first period with a Charles Genoway power play goal, powered by Brian O'Neill and Tommi Huhtala. Jokerit added on with an O'Neill goal, via Genoway and Jesper Jensen. Kazan got on the board with a Denis Golubev goal, courtesy of Vasily Tokranov and Atte Ohtamaa. Helsinki shot back in the second period with a Petteri Wirtanen goal, coming off of Masi Marjamaki and Roope Talaja. Ak Bars countered with a Rafael Batyrshin goal, assisted by Justin Azevedo and Vladimir Tkachyov. Kazan tied it on a Tokranov power play goal in the third period, guided in by Tkachyov. Ak Bars took the lead with a Damir Musin power play goal, with helpers from Fyodor Malykhin and Anton Glinkin. Jokerit tied it again with a Jesse Joensuu goal, fueled by Oliver Lauridsen and Marko Anttila. Kazan regained the lead with an Azevedo goal, with a lone assist by Tkachyov, who earned a sock trick. The three stars were Azevedo, Tkachyov, and Tokranov, while O'Neill and Genoway get the honorable mentions in the 5-4 game.

Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Janis Kalnins play goal. Togliatti struck first in the first period with a Gleb Koryagin goal, made possible by Semyon Valuisky and Vasily Streltsov. Riga tied it in the third period with a Lauris Darzins goal, with a lone assist by Krisjanis Redlihs. Dinamo won 2-1 in overtime with a Darzins goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Darzins, Kalnins (25 for 26 in saves), and Redlihs.

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Hockey 2016/17 - KHL Day 158/NHL Day 120

Six games on for today between the two leagues. In the KHL, two games were played, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Pavel Francouz draw the starts in goal. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period with a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Artyom Penkovsky goal, passed from Francouz and Kirill Koltsov on the power play. Traktor took the lead with a Paul Szczechura goal, assisted by Maxim Yakutsenya and Alexei Kruchinin. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars going to Francouz (24 for 25 in saves), Szczechura, and Penkovsky.

The other European game has Slovan Bratislava welcoming Medvescak Zagreb. Sergei Gaiduchenko and Justin Pogge play goal. Bratislava opened in the first period with a Nick Plastino goal, via Kyle Chipchura and Ziga Jeglic. Slovan added on with a Patrik Bacik goal, assisted by Mislav Rosandic. Bratislava extended the lead on a Patrik Lusnak power play goal, powered by Andrej Stastny and Pavol Skalicky. Slovan padded the lead as Skalicky scored a power play goal in the second period, thanks to Stastny. Zagreb got on the board with an Alexandre Giroux goal, helped along by Mark Katic. Bratislava answered with a Chipchura goal in the third period, made possible by Jeglic and Plastino. Medvescak countered with another Giroux goal, guided in by Ilya Arkalov. Slovan answered with a Tomas Starosta goal, fueled by Jeglic and Plastino, the former earning a sock trick. Bratislava struck again with a Michal Hlinka power play goal, with assists provided by Jeff Taffe and Jonathan Cheechoo. Zagreb pulled back on a Lukas Kozak goal, coming off of Katic. Medvescak chipped closer with a Giroux goal, finishing his hat trick with the help of Lukas Lessio and Nathan Perkovich. Zagreb inched closer with a Perkovich power play goal, with helpers from Lessio and Katic, the latter earning a sock trick. The final stayed at 7-5, with the three stars given to Plastino, Skalicky, and Giroux, while Jeglic, Chipchura, Stastny, Katic, Perkovich, and Lessio earn the honorable mentions.

In the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Curtis McElhinney and Joonas Korpisalo are the backups in goal. Columbus started in the first period with a Josh Anderson goal, his eleventh of the season, via William Karlsson and Seth Jones. The Blue Jackets added on with a Boone Jenner goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Zach Werenski and Brandon Dubinsky. Columbus extended the lead as Oliver Bjorkstrand scored, thanks to Alexander Wennberg and Brandon Saad. The Blue Jackets padded the lead with a Nick Foligno power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Werenski and Wennberg. Toronto got on the board with a Nazem Kadri goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Leo Komarov and Josh Leivo. The Maple Leafs got closer in the third period with a Kadri goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, helped along by Leivo. Columbus iced it at 5-2 with a Matt Calvert empty net goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Jones. The three stars went to Kadri, Werenski, and Wennberg, while Leivo and Jones get the honorable mentions.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues. Carter Hutton and Petr Mrazek man the nets. St. Louis led off in the first period with an Ivan Barbashev goal, his second of the season, passed from Kenny Agostino and Carl Gunnarsson. The Blues iced it at 2-0 in the third period with an empty net goal by Jaden Schwartz, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Hutton (25 save shutout), Barbashev, and Schwartz.

Over in Calgary, the Flames welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Brian Elliott draw the starts in goal. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Nick Cousins goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Matt Read. Calgary tied it on a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Mikael Backlund and Dougie Hamilton. The Flames took the lead in the second period with a T.J. Brodie goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Tkachuk and Deryk Engelland. Calgary iced it at 3-1 with a Mark Giordano empty net goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Tkachuk, Elliott (33 for 34 in saves), and Brodie.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Martin Jones tend the twines. Florida struck first in the first period with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Reilly Smith and Vincent Trocheck. San Jose tied it on a Brent Burns goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, coming off of Joe Pavelski. The Panthers retook the lead with a Nick Bjgustad goal, his third of the season, assisted by Aaron Ekblad and Mark Pysyk. Florida added on with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his twelfth of the year, via Keith Yandle and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Sharks pulled back with a Joel Ward goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Joe Thornton and Burns. San Jose tied it on a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, guided in by Kevin Labanc and Pavelski. The Panthers regained the lead with another Bjugstad goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, helped along by Alex Petrovic. Florida extended the lead as Barkov scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with the help of Jaromir Jagr and Petrovic. The Sharks got one back with a Pavelski goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by David Schlemko and Brenden Dillon. San Jose tied it on another Pavelski goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, with helpers from Tomas Hertl and Schlemko. James Reimer replaced an injured Luongo at this time. The Panthers won 6-5 in overtime with a Huberdeau goal, his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Barkov. The three stars were Barkov, Bjugstad, and Pavelski, while Huberdeau, Petrovic, Burns, and Schlemko get the honorable mentions.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 119

Seven games on for tonight, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Jeremy Smith is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Pavel Zacha goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Stefan Noesen and Jacob Josefson. Colorado tied it on a Mark Barberio power play goal in the second period, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. The Devils took the lead back with an Andy Greene goal, his fourth of the year, via Travis Zajac. New Jersey added on with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Taylor Hall. The Avalanche pulled back with a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Matt Duchene. This only made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars belonging to Palmieri, Greene, and Zacha.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Matt Murray draw the starts in goal. Pittsburgh got going in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Olli Maatta and Trevor Daley. The Penguins added on in the third period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Sidney Crosby and Brian Dumoulin. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Phil Kessel scored his twentieth of the season, thanks to Malkin and Scott Wilson. The Penguins iced it at 4-0 with a Matt Cullen goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Nick Bonino and Kris Letang. The three stars were Malkin, Murray (29 save shutout), and Guentzel.

Up to Ontario, where the Ottawa Senators bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner faces his former crease-mate, Craig Anderson, in goal. Buffalo led off in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Kyle Okposo and Justin Falk. Ottawa tied it on a Bobby Ryan goal, his twelfth of the year, via Erik Karlsson and Fredrik Claesson. The Senators took the lead in the second period with a Dion Phaneuf goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Ryan. The Sabres retied it on a Matt Moulson goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel in the third period. Buffalo took the lead with a Justin Bailey goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Ryan, Bailey, and Moulson.

Staying in the province, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Frederik Andersen are the reliable goalies. Toronto started in the first period with a Josh Leivo goal, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs added on with a Nazem Kadri goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Nikita Zaitsev and William Nylander. Toronto extended the lead in the second period as Nylander scored his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Kadri and Roman Polak. New York got on the board with a Jason Chimera penalty shot goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming from a Matt Hunwick hook. The Maple Leafs replied in the third period with an Auston Matthews power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, powered by Leo Komarov and Leivo. Toronto padded the lead on a Tyler Bozak goal, his fourteenth of the season, helped along by James van Riemsdyk and Mitchell Marner. The Maple Leafs chased Greiss with a Matthews goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, made possible by Connor Brown. Toronto iced it at 7-1 against Jean-Francois Berube as Hunwick scored, with the help of Leivo and Ben Smith. The three stars were Matthews, Leivo, and Kadri, while Nylander gets an honorable mention.

Over in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Connor Hellebuyck are the goalies. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Patrik Laine goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Andrew Copp and Mark Scheifele. The Jets added on with a Joel Armia goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Shawn Matthias and Paul Postma in the second period. Dallas got on the board with a Jamie Benn goal, his nineteenth of the season, guided in by Jason Spezza and Tyler Seguin. The Stars tied it on a Seguin power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by John Klingberg and Benn. Winnipeg retook the lead in the third period with another Laine goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the season, fueled by Scheifele. The Jets extended the lead as Blake Wheeler scored an empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Laine, who completed his hat trick with his twenty-sixth of the campaign, set up by Scheifele, who got a sock trick, and Josh Morrissey. The three stars were Laine, Scheifele, and Benn, while Seguin gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Devan Dubnyk tend the twines. Anaheim began in the first period with a Joseph Cramarossa goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Corey Perry and Hampus Lindholm. This held up all game for a 1-0 Ducks win, with the three stars awarded to Gibson (37 save shutout), Cramarossa, and Dubnyk (22 for 23 in saves).

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the Arizona Coyotes. Cam Talbot faces a lesser foe in Louis Domingue in goal. Arizona was first to score with a Josh Jooris goal in the first period, his third of the season, passed from Jordan Martinook and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Edmonton tied it on a second period Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Milan Lucic and Oscar Klefbom. The Oilers took the lead on a Matt Hendricks goal, his third of the season, via Iiro Pakarinen and Mark Letestu. The Coyotes retied it on a Martin Hanzal goal, his fourteenth of the year, helped along by Max Domi and Radim Vrbata. Edmonton regained the lead with a Letestu power play goal, his eleventh of the season, with assists provided by Connor McDavid and Draisaitl. The Oilers added on in the third period with a Klefbom goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Anton Slepyshev and Draisaitl. Edmonton extended the lead as Patrick Maroon scored his twentieth of the campaign, thanks to Klefbom and McDavid. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars being Draisaitl, Letestu, and Klefbom, while McDavid gets an honorable mention.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 157

Twelve games on today as the schedule will heavily oscillate this week until the season ends on Saturday. We begin in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Niklas Svedberg man the nets. Ufa started in the first period with an Igor Grigorenko goal, assisted by Denis Parshin and Sami Lepisto. Salavat Yulaev added on with an Alexander Nesterov goal, passed from Zakhar Arzamastsev and Enver Lisin. Kazan got on the board with an Atte Ohtamaa goal, coming off of Anton Glinkin. Ufa replied with an Alexander Loginov goal, made possible by Dmitry Makarov and Parshin. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Nesterov, Parshin, and Svedberg (17 for 18 in saves).

Next up, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky and Ivan Lisutin are the underwhelming goalies. Novokuznetsk opened in the first period with an Ignat Zemchenko power play goal, powered by Stanislav Kalashnikov. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Rok Ticar goal, via Dmitry Monya and Alexei Vasilevsky. Avtomobilist took the lead with a Denis Mingaleyev goal, courtesy of Niclas Andersen and Oleg Gubin. Yekaterinburg added on with a Dmitry Megalinsky goal, helped along by Anatoly Golyshev and Petr Koukal on the power play. Avtomobilist extended the lead in the third period as Ticar scored again, thanks to Alexei Mikhnov and Michal Cajkovsky. Yekaterinburg padded the lead with another Mingaleyev goal, guided in by Vasilevsky. Avtomobilist continued with an Alexander Torchenyuk goal, assisted by Alexei Simakov and Evgeny Chesalin. Rafael Khakimov replaced Podyapolsky. Yekaterinburg struck again with a Mikhnov goal, with a lone helper by Stanislav Chistov. Metallurg got one back with an Artyom Mikheyev goal, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 7-2 game were Ticar, Mingaleyev, and Mikhnov, while Vasilevsky gets an honorable mention.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Henrik Karlsson draw the starts in goal. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a power play goal by Kirill Vorobyov, powered by Vadim Khlopotov and Georgy Misharin. Astana tied it on a Dustin Boyd power play goal, via Kevin Dallman and Nigel Dawes. Barys won 2-1 in overtime with a Dawes goal, passed from Brandon Bochenski and Dallman. The three stars were awarded to Dawes, Karlsson (26 for 27 in saves), and Dallman.

Back in Russia, Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch faces a lesser foe in Georgy Boyarshinov in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk began with a Konstantin Panov goal, fueled by Roman Lyuduchin. Omsk tied it on a Jonas Ahnelov goal, via Ilya Mikheyev and Ilya Zubov. Ugra took the lead back with an Andrei Alexeyev power play goal in the second period, powered by Nikita Khlystov and Evgeny Lapenkov. Avangard tied it on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, helped along by Alexander Perezhogin. Omsk won 3-2 in overtime with an Anton Burdasov power play goal, with assists provided by Erik Gustafsson and Sobotka. The three stars were given to Sobotka, Burdasov, and Ahnelov.

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Jakub Kovar are the solid goalies. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period with an Alexander Frolov goal, via Kaspars Daugavins and Dmitry Semin. Cherepovets tied it on an unassisted Daniil Vovchenko goal. Torpedo took the lead with a Carter Ashton goal, assisted by Bobby Butler and Grigory Zheldakov. Severstal tied it on a third period shorthanded Dmitry Megalinsky goal, set up by Vojtech Polak. Nizhny Novgorod won 3-2 in overtime with a Daugavins goal, with a lone assist by Semin. The three stars went to Daugavins, Semin, and Ashton.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Ben Scrivens protect the nets. Minsk struck first in the first period with an Aaron Palushaj power play goal, powered by Sergei Kostitsyn and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Dinamo added on with an Ilya Shinkevich goal, assisted by Gragnani and Alexander Materukhin. Togliatti got on the board with an Andrei Ivanov goal, helped along by Kristaps Sotnieks and Alexander Bumagin. Lada tied it on another Ivanov goal, fueled by Nikita Filatov. Minsk retook the lead in the second period with a Palushaj goal, his second of the game, from Rob Klinkhammer. Dinamo added on with an Evgeny Lisovets goal, coming off of Kostitsyn and Kirill Gotovets. Togliatti got one back with a Semyon Valuisky goal, via Vasily Streltsov. Minsk replied with a Klinkhammer goal, made possible by Materukhin. Dinamo extended the lead on a power play goal by Klinkhammer, with assists provided by Alexander Kulakov and Gragnani, the latter earning a sock trick. Minsk padded the lead as Fredrik Pettersson scored a power play goal in the third period, thanks to Gragnani. Dinamo iced it at 8-3 with another Pettersson power play goal, with helpers from Kulakov and Gragnani. The three stars were Gragnani, Klinkhammer, and Palushaj, while Pettersson, Ivanov, Kulakov, Materukhin, and Kostitsyn get the honorable mentions.

Back east, Dynamo Moscow hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Alexander Lazushin are in the creases. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with a Vitaly Popov goal, via Yury Zazarov and Pavel Dedunov. Amur added on in the second period with an Ilya Gorokhov power play goal, powered by Vyacheslav Litovchenko and Alexei Byvaltsev. Moscow got on the board with a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, assisted by Ilya Nikulin and Martins Karsums. Dynamo tied it in the third period with a Maxim Solovyov goal, passed from Denis Kokarev and Artyom Podshendyalov. Moscow took the lead with a Karsums goal, guided in by Solovyov and Alexei Tsvetkov. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Karsums, Solovyov, and Hietanen.

Up to Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Andrei Kareyev and Ryan Zapolski play goal. Helsinki led off in the first period with a Tommi Huhtala goal, via Jesper Jensen and Sakari Salminen. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Gilbert Brule goal, guided in by Dan Sexton and Richard Gynge. Jokerit took the lead back in the second period with a Topi Jaakola power play goal, powered by Jensen and Salminen. Neftekhimik tied it in the third period with a Gynge goal, fueled by Sexton and Brule. Helsinki won 3-2 in overtime with a Mika Niemi goal, made possible by Arturs Kulda and Masi Marjamaki. The three stars belonged to Jensen, Salminen, and Gynge, while Sexton and Brule get the honorable mentions.

Returning to Moscow, CSKA brings in the Sochi Leopards. Dmitry Shikin and Andrei Filonenko are the backups in goal. Moscow began in the first period with a Stephane Da Costa power play goal, powered by Bogdan Kiselevich and Kirill Petrov. CSKA added on with an Andrei Kuzmenko goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Greg Scott. Sochi got on the board with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, guided in by Eric O'Dell and Ivan Vorobyov. The Leopards tied it with an Andre Petersson goal, going in unassisted. Moscow retook the lead with a Kuzmenko goal, helped along by Igor Ozhiganov and Semyon Koshelev. CSKA added on with an Alexander Popov goal, passed from Kuzmenko and Koshelev. Sochi pulled back on an Alexander Mereskin goal in the third period, with helpers from Igor Levitsky and Mikhail Mamkin. The final stood at 4-3, with the three stars going to Kuzmenko, Koshelev, and Popov.

South to Podolsk, where Vityaz hosts Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Igor Saprykin are called on to play goal. Beijing opened in the first period with a Linus Videll goal, via Joonas Jarvinen and Sean Collins. Podolsk tied it on a Miro Aaltonen goal, coming off of Jakub Jerabek and Alexei Kopeikin on the power play. Kunlun Red Star took the lead in the second period with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, assisted by Tobias Viklund and Zach Yuen. Vityaz tied it again with a Roman Horak power play goal, powered by Jerabek. Podolsk took the lead with another Horak power play goal, with helpers from Kopeikin and Mario Kempe. Vityaz added on with an unassisted Alexander Pankov goal. Beijing replied with a Collins goal, helped along by Ponikarovsky and Yuen. Podolsk iced it at 5-3 with an Alexei Makeyev empty net goal, set up by Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi. The three stars went to Horak, Kopeikin, and Collins, while Jerabek, Ponikarovsky, and Yuen get the honorable mentions.

Out to St. Petersburg, where SKA welcomes Spartak Moscow. Markus Svensson and Igor Shestyorkin are the masked men. St. Petersburg started in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov power play goal, powered by Pavel Datsyuk and Yegor Yakovlev. Moscow tied it on an Alexander Vasilyev goal, via Dmitry Kalinin and Igor Mirnov. Spartak took the lead with a Yaroslav Dyblenko goal, courtesy of Anatoly Nikontsev and Ilya Klyauzov. Moscow added on in the second period with a Lukas Radil goal, passed from Vyacheslav Leshchenko. Spartak extended the lead as Viktor Bobrov scored a power play goal, with the help of Maxim Potapov and Alexei Bondarev. SKA got one back with a third period goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, assisted by Anton Belov and Evgeny Dadonov. The three stars of the 4-2 game were Radil, Bobrov, and Dyblenko.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Sergei Gaiduchenko and Barry Brust get the starts in goal. Bratislava struck first in the first period with a Michal Hlinka goal, assisted by Pavol Skalicky and Tomas Starosta. Zagreb tied it on an Ilya Arkalov goal, passed from Lukas Kozak. Slovan took the lead with a Kyle Chipchura power play goal, powered by Michal Sersen and Tomas Kundratek. Medvescak tied it in the second period with an Alexandre Giroux goal, via Matija Milicic and Mark Katic. Bratislava regained the lead with a Ziga Jeglic goal, made possible by Nick Plastino and Andrej Stastny. Zagreb tied it again in the third period with an Arkalov goal, helped along by Ivan Jankovic and Tomislav Zanoski. Justin Pogge replaced Brust in goal. Slovan pulled ahead again with an Igor Musatov goal, via Stastny and Plastino. Medvescak tied it once more with a Samson Mahbod goal, fueled by Mike Glumac and Derek Smith. Slovan won 5-4 in overtime with a Kundratek goal, with helpers from Jeff Taffe and Pogge. The three stars were Kundratek, Plastino, and Stastny, while Arkalov gets the honorable mention.

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2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 156/NHL Day 118

Just three games on today across the two leagues. We begin with...

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosting Admiral Vladivostok in the lone KHL game of the day. Igor Bobkov and Alexei Murygin man the nets. Yaroslavl started in the first period with an Alexander Polunin goal, passed from Artyom Ilyenko and Andrei Loktionov. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with a Jakub Nakladal power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Emil Galimov scored, thanks to Vladislav Kartayev. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period with a Loktionov goal, via Polunin. Yaroslavl struck again with a Daniil Apalkov goal, assisted by Pavel Koledov. Vladivostok got one back with a Denis Alexeyev goal, guided in by Andrei Konov and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Lokomotiv iced it at 6-1 with an unassisted Koledov goal. The three stars went to Polunin, Loktionov, and Koledov.

In the US, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the New York Rangers. Antti Raanta is mismatched with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Columbus opened in the first period with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Brandon Saad and Seth Jones. New York tied it on a shorthanded Dan Girardi goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, set up by Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with a Hayes goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Nick Foligno goal, his nineteenth of the year, with a lone helper by David Savard. New York regained the lead with a Jimmy Vesey goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Derek Stepan and Nick Holden. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Hayes, Vesey, and Raanta (30 for 32 in saves).

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Chad Johnson earn the starts in goal. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Martin Hanzal goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Radim Vrbata and Max Domi. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Christian Dvorak goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Brendan Perlini and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Arizona extended the lead as Jordan Martinook scored his eighth of the year, with the help of Ryan White and Connor Murphy. The Coyotes padded the lead on a White goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Luke Schenn and Dvorak. Arizona iced it at 5-0 in the third period with a Dvorak goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, helped along by Shane Doan and Schenn. The three stars were Dvorak, White, and Smith (36 save shutout), while Schenn gets an honorable mention.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 117

Six games on for today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Cory Schneider guard the cages. New Jersey opened in the first period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Taylor Hall and Jacob Josefson. San Jose tied it in the second period with a Brent Burns goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Paul Martin. The Sharks took the lead with a Burns goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Kevin Labanc and Joe Pavelski. San Jose added on with a Joe Thornton goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Labanc. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 with a third period goal by Tomas Hertl, his sixth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Justin Braun and Joel Ward. The three stars went to Burns, Labanc, and Jones (21 for 22 in saves).

West to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jared Coreau and Devan Dubnyk are in the creases. Minnesota started in the first period with a Mikael Granlund power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Gustav Olofsson. The Wild added on with a Nino Niederreiter power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, with assists provided by Koivu and Nate Prosser. Detroit got on the board in the second period with an Anthony Mantha goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Xavier Ouellet and Gustav Nyquist. Minnesota replied with a Charlie Coyle goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Jason Pominville and Olofsson. The Red Wings pulled back on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Ouellet and Mantha. The Wild answered in the third period with a Zach Parise goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along Pominville. Detroit countered with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Nick Jensen and Niklas Kronwall. Minnesota shot back on a Christian Folin goal, his second of the year, with a lone helper by Coyle. The Wild extended the lead as Parise scored a power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, with the help of Eric Staal and Jared Spurgeon. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Parise, Koivu, and Olofsson, while Mantha, Ouellet, Coyle, and Pominville get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the New York Islanders bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Jean-Francois Berube are the backups in goal. Colorado led off in the first period with a Joe Colborne goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Andreas Martinsen and Fedor Tyutin. New York tied it on a Nick Leddy goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Stephen Gionta and Casey Cizikas. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with a Ryan Strome power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Leddy. New York added on with an Anders Lee goal, his twentieth of the year, coming off of Tavares and Johnny Boychuk in the third period. The Islanders extended the lead as Lee scored his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, a power play goal helped along by Boychuk and Leddy. New York padded the lead with a Jason Chimera goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone helper from Brock Nelson. This made it 5-1, with the three stars being Lee, Leddy, and Tavares, while Boychuk gets an honorable mention.

Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Pekka Rinne are the Finnish goalies. Dallas began in the first period with a Jamie Benn power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Radek Faksa and Tyler Seguin. The Stars added on with a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Seguin and Benn. Dallas extended the lead as Devin Shore scored a power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the season, thanks to Brett Ritchie and Seguin, the latter earning a sock trick. Nashville got on the board with a Roman Josi goal, his eighth of the year, via Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators got closer with a Josi power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and ninth of the season, made possible by James Neal and P.K. Subban. Nashville tied it on a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Neal and Subban. The Predators took the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Filip Forsberg goal, his sixteenth of the season. Nashville iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Mike Fisher, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Josi, Neal, and Subban, while Seguin and Benn get the honorable mentions.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Boston struck first in the first period with an Adam McQuaid goal, his second of the season, helped along by Peter Cehlarik and Torey Krug. The Bruins added on in the second period with a shorthanded Zdeno Chara goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Ryan Spooner and Brad Marchand. Boston extended the lead as David Krejci scored a power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by David Backes and Cehlarik. The Bruins padded the lead with a Frank Vatrano goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, assisted by Krejci and David Pastrnak. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars going to Rask (25 save shutout), Krejci, and Cehlarik.

Finally, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Robin Lehner are the inexperienced goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period with a Tyler Ennis goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Evan Rodrigues. Vancouver tied it on a Bo Horvat power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Ben Hutton and Markus Granlund. The Canucks took the lead with a Michael Chaput goal, his second of the season, via Daniel Sedin. The Sabres retied it on a Kyle Okposo goal, his eighteenth of the year, helped along by Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan O'Reilly. Vancouver took the lead with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Troy Stecher and Horvat in the second period. The Canucks added on with a Chaput goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Alexander Edler and Burrows. The game ended at 4-2, with the three stars being Burrows, Chaput, and Horvat.

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