NHL 2016/17 - Day 137

Ten games today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Anton Khudobin in goal. Boston got going in the second period with a Torey Krug power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron. New Jersey tied it on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Steven Santini and Kyle Palmieri. The Bruins retook the lead on a Brandon Carlo goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Bergeron and David Backes. The Devils retied it in the third period with a Palmieri goal, his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by Taylor Hall. Boston gained the lead with a Ryan Spooner goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Drew Stafford and Frank Vatrano. This produced a 3-2 final, with the three stars given to Palmieri, Bergeron, and Spooner.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Robin Lehner draw the starts in goal. Buffalo started in the first period with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen and Jack Eichel. Tampa Bay tied it on a Tyler Johnson goal, his nineteenth of the year, via Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning won 2-1 in the shootout with tallies by Brayden Point and Kucherov. The three stars were Kucherov, Vasilevskiy (31 for 32 in saves), and Lehner (31 for 32 in saves).

Across the state, the New York Rangers bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Montreal opened in the first period with a Shea Weber goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Max Pacioretty and Steve Ott. The Canadiens added on in the second period with an Artturi Lehkonen goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Phillip Danault and Pacioretty. Montreal extended the lead as Andrew Shaw scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Alex Galchenyuk and Andrei Markov. New York got on the board in the third period with a Chris Kreider goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello. The Canadiens replied with a Jordie Benn goal, his third of the season, made possible by Nathan Beaulieu and Galchenyuk.

Down in Florida, the Panthers host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and James Reimer are in the blue paint. Dallas led off in the first period with a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. Florida tied it on a Jonathan Huberdeau power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jonathan Marchessault and Aleksander Barkov. The Stars took the lead in the third period with a John Klingberg goal, his eleventh of the campaign, passed from Seguin and Benn. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Lehtonen (41 for 42 in saves), Benn, and Seguin.

Back north, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Koprisalo is mismatched with Craig Anderson in goal. Columbus began in the first period with a Brandon Saad goal, his twentieth of the season, coming off of Zach Werenski and Seth Jones. Ottawa tied it with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Chris Kelly and Tommy Wingels. The Senators gained the lead in the second period with an Erik Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Mark Stone and Marc Methot. Ottawa added on in the third period with a Zack Smith goal, his sixteenth of the year coming shorthanded into the empty net, set up by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, helped along by Werenski and Cam Atkinson. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars being Smith, Werenski, and Karlsson.

Over in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Connor Hellebuyck are in the creases. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Patrik Laine goal, his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets added on with a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Bryan Little and Byfuglien. Winnipeg extended the lead as Mark Scheifele scored his twenty-seventh of the season, via Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets padded the lead in the second period with a Ben Chiarot goal, passed from Ehlers and Wheeler. Winnipeg continued with an Ehlers goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Wheeler. Jeremy Smith replaced Pickard in goal. The Jets struck again in the third period with an unassisted Jacob Trouba goal, his sixth of the season. Colorado got on the board with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Cody Goloubef. The game ended at 6-1, with the three stars awarded to Wheeler, Ehlers, and Laine, while Byfuglien gets an honorable mention.

Back east, the Washington Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Braden Holtby are the masked men. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Sean Couturier goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Matt Read and Nick Cousins. Washington tied it on a Dmitry Orlov goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Matt Niskanen. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with a power play goal by Nicklas Backstrom, his twentieth of the campaign, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Ovechkin. The three stars went to Backstrom, Holtby (30 for 31 in saves), and Orlov.

Southwest to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Juuse Saros man the nets. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Brent Seabrook and Richard Panik. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Jordin Tootoo goal, passed from Seabrook and Duncan Keith. Nashville got on the board with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Ryan Johansen and P.K. Subban. Chicago replied with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Predators got one back with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his thirteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville tied it in the third period with another Arvidsson goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, helped along by Johansen and Filip Forsberg. The Blackhawks took the lead with a Brian Campbell goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, coming off of Toews and Panik. Chicago iced it at 5-3 with a Kane empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the campaign, set up by Artemi Panarin. The three stars were Kane, Toews, and Arvidsson, while Panik, Seabrook, and Johansen.

Northwest to Edmonton, as the Oilers bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Cam Talbot are in the blue paint. Edmonton cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Connor McDavid goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Adam Larsson. Detroit tied it on an Anthony Mantha goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Henrik Zetterberg. The Oilers took the lead with a Zack Kassian goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Larsson and David Desharnais. Edmonton added on in the third period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Milan Lucic. The Red Wings answered with a Darren Helm goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Dylan Larkin. The Oilers replied with a Patrick Maroon goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Leon Draisaitl and McDavid. Detroit pulled back on a Larkin goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Justin Abdelkader. The three stars of the 4-3 game were McDavid, Larsson, and Larkin.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop are the American goalies. Vancouver drew first blood in the first period with a Sven Baertschi goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Loui Eriksson and Bo Horvat. The Canucks added on with a Henrik Sedin goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Horvat and Christopher Tanev. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period as Baertschi scored his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, with the help of Horvat, who got a sock trick, and Eriksson. The Canucks padded the lead with a Nikolay Goldobin goal, assisted by Ben Hutton and Brandon Sutter. Los Angeles got on the board with an Anze Kopitar power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Alec Martinez and Drew Doughty. The Kings got closer in the third period with a Trevor Lewis power play goal, his ninth of the season, with assists provided by Adrian Kempe and Paul Ladue. Los Angeles chipped closer with a shorthanded Martinez goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Kempe and Derek Forbort. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars awarded to Baertschi, Horvat, and Eriksson, while Martinez and Kempe get the honorable mentions.

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MLS 2017: Week 1

Just less than three months after the Seattle Sounders FC were crowned MLS Cup Champions in a thrilling shootout win, the 2017 campaign is here, with 22 teams to play 34 games apiece. We begin with a single Friday game this weekend, as...

The Portland Timbers host Minnesota United FC. John Alvbage and Jake Gleeson man the nets. Portland started in the fourteenth minute with a Lawrence Olum goal, passed from Vytautas Andriuskevicius and Diego Valeri. The Timbers saw a yellow card for Diego Chara foul in the twenty-fifth minute. Portland added on in the forty-seventh minute with a Valeri goal, set up by Sebastian Blanco. Minnesota got on the board in the seventy-ninth minute with a Christian Martinez goal, via Johan Venegas. In the eighty-first minute, Minnesota's Venegas received a yellow card for dissent. A minute later, the Timbers replied with a Valeri penalty kick goal. Portland extended the lead as Fanendo Adi scored a minute into stoppage time, thanks to Darlington Nagbe. The Timbers padded the lead with another Adi goal, helped along by Andriuskevicius. This made it 5-1, with Valeri the man of the match.

The first of seven on Saturday has the Columbus Crew SC welcoming the Chicago Fire. Jorge Bava and Zack Steffen are the goalies. Columbus opened in the seventeenth minute with an Ethan Finlay goal, via Justin Meram. The Crew' Federico Higuain received a yellow card in the forty-first minute for dissent. Chicago tied it on a seventy-third minute goal by David Accam. The Fire's John Goossens took a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-first minute. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Accam the man of the match for the equalizer.

Out in California, the Los Angeles Galaxy bring in FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Brian Rowe are in the six-yard boxes. In the seventeenth minute, Los Angeles' Jermaine Jones took a yellow card for a foul. Joao Pedro of the Galaxy took a yellow card for a forty-first minute foul. Dallas got going in the forty-seventh minute with a Maximiliano Urruti goal. Los Angeles tied it on a Giovani dos Santos penalty kick goal in the fifty-third minute. Dallas retook the lead with a sixty-ninth minute goal by Kellyn Acosta, passed from Roland Lamah. Dallas had yellow cards in the eighty-third and eighty-fifth minutes to Maynor Figueroa and Matt Hedges for fouls. Dallas took the win 2-1, with Acosta the man of the match for the winner.

Backtracking to Utah, where Real Salt Lake hosts Toronto FC. Clint Irwin and Nick Rimando protect the nets. Chris Schuler of Salt Lake took a yellow card for dissent in the twenty-third minute. In the twenty-ninth minute, Real had a yellow card for a foul by Rimando. Toronto had a yellow card for a forty-fifth minute foul by Nick Hagglund. Toronto saw another yellow card given to Steven Beitashour for dissent in the fifty-third minute. Salt Lake's Sunny took a yellow card for persistent infringement in the seventy-second minute. In the eighty-second minute, Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto had a yellow card for a foul. In stoppage time, Jozy Altidore received a yellow card for persistent infringement. The game ended 0-0, with the man of the match named as Rimando for a three-save clean sheet.

Over in Colorado, the Rapids welcome the New England Revolution. Cody Cropper is mismatched with Zac MacMath in goal. New England saw a yellow card for a fourteenth minute foul by Chris Tierney. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the fifty-second minute with a Dominique Badji goal, set up by Jared Watts. The Rapids collected yellow cards for Caleb Calvert's sixty-eighth minute foul, persistent infringement by Dillon Powers in the sixty-ninth minute, and Sam Cronin in the seventy-fifth minute. The Revolution's Kei Kamara took a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-ninth minute. Colorado took the win 1-0, with the man of the match being Badji.

Back east, DC United bring in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Bill Hamid are set to start in goal. Seth Sinovic of Kansas City took a yellow card for a thirty-seventh minute foul. DC had yellow cards for Sean Franklin and Rob Vincent fouls in the fifty-fourth and sixty-fourth minutes, respectively. Sporting took a yellow card for a Roger Espinoza foul in the seventy-second minute. The game ended at 0-0, with the man of the match being Melia for his five-save clean sheet on the road.

Down in Houston, the Dynamo host the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Tyler Deric are the gloved men. Houston began in the twentieth minute with an Erick Torres goal. Seattle's Chad Marshall had a yellow card for a thirty-third minute foul. The Dynamo added on with a Romell Quioto goal, passed from Alex. The Sounders got on the board with a fifty-eighth minute goal by Clint Dempsey. In the sixty-seventh minute, Roman Torres of Seattle received a yellow card for a foul. Houston's Torres took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-first minute. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Quioto.

Saturday ends in San Jose, where the Earthquakes welcome the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and David Bingham are between the posts. Montreal's Chris Duvall took a yellow card for a fourteenth minute foul. San Jose struck first with an Anibal Godoy goal, coming off of Chris Wondolowski in he seventeenth minute. The Earthquakes had a yellow card for a thirty-fifth minute foul by Fatai Alashe. In first half stoppage time, Hassoun Camara received a yellow card for a foul for the Impact. Montreal went down to ten men in the sixty-sixth minute as Camara took a second yellow card for a foul. Matteo Mancosu of the Impact had a yellow card for an eighty-third minute foul. San Jose saw Shea Salinas take a yellow card for time wasting in second half stoppage time. The game ended 1-0 with the man of the match being Godoy.

Sunday's first game has Orlando City SC bringing in New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Joe Bendik are set to start in goal. Orlando City began in the fifteenth minute on a Cyle Larin goal, via Giles Barnes and Carlos Rivas. New York City had a yellow card for a Rodney Wallace foul in the thirtieth minute. Orlando City's Will Johnson took a yellow card for a sixty-first minute foul. Alexander Ring of New York City received a yellow card for a sixty-seventh minute foul. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Larin for the winner.

Up to Georgia, where Atlanta United hosts the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Alec Kann are the veteran keepers. Atlanta led off in the twenty-fifth minute with a Yamil Asad goal, coming off of Tyrone Mears. Sal Zizzo of New York had a yellow card for a foul in the thirty-eighth minute. Atlanta's Josef Martinez took a yellow card for his forty-ninth minute foul. The Red Bulls saw Damien Perrinelle receive a yellow card for a sixty-sixth minute foul. New York tied it in the seventy-sixth minute on a Daniel Royer goal, via Sacha Kljestan. The Red Bulls took the lead in the eighty-second minute with an Anton Walkes own goal. Carlos Carmona of Atlanta received a yellow card in the eighty-eighth minute for violent conduct. The game ended 2-1, with the man of the match being Royer.

Finally, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC host the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and David Ousted play goal. Vancouver had a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for Matias Laba delaying the restart of the play. Philadelphia's Fabian Herbers had a yellow card for an eightieth minute foul. The final stood at 0-0, with the man of the match being Ousted for his five-save clean sheet.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal: 4) Traktor Chelyabinsk VS. 5) Barys Astana

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal between Traktor Chelyabinsk and Barys Astana.

Game 1: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Henrik Karlsson and Pavel Francouz man the nets. Astana started in the first period with a Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, going in unassisted. Barys added on with an unassisted Nigel Dawes goal. Astana extended the lead as Dustin Boyd scored a power play goal, with the help of Kevin Dallman and Martin St. Pierre. Barys padded the lead in the second period with a Brendan Shinnimin power play goal, going in unassisted. Vasily Demchenko took over for Francouz in goal. Astana continued with a Vladimir Markelov goal, passed from Corey Trivino and Kirill Panyukov. Chelyabinsk got on the board in the third period with a Vitaly Kravtsov goal, courtesy of Alexander Chernikov. Traktor pulled closer with a Yury Petrov goal, assisted by Kirill Koltsov and Alexei Kruchinin. The final held at 5-2 for Barys, with the three stars going to Boyd, Shinnimin, and Karlsson (36 for 38 in saves). Barys leads the series 1-0.

Game 2: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Henrik Karlsson and Pavel Francouz man the nets. Chelyabinsk got going in the second period with an Alexei Kruchinin power play goal, powered by Dmitry Pestunov and Paul Szczechura. Traktor added on with an Alexander Sharov goal, via Pestunov. Astana got on the board with a Martin St. Pierre power play goal, assisted by Nigel Dawes and Kevin Dallman. Chelyabinsk replied in the third period with an Artyom Penkovsky goal, passed from Kirill Koltsov and Nikolai Belov on the power play. Traktor extended the lead as Maxim Yakutsenya scored, thanks to Koltsov. Chelyabinsk finished it at 5-1 with a Yakutsenya empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Yakutsenya, Pestunov, and Koltsov. The series heads to Kazakhstan tied at 1.

Game 3: Barys Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan. In goal: Pavel Francouz of Traktor and Henrik Karlsson of Barys. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period with a Dmitry Pestunov power play goal, powered by Paul Szczechura. Astana tied it in the second period with a Nigel Dawes power play goal, with a lone assist from Konstantin Pushkaryov. Barys took the lead in the third period on an unassisted Dawes goal. Astana iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Corey Trivino, going in unassisted. The three stars were Dawes, Karlsson (18 for 19 in saves), and Pestunov. Barys takes a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Barys Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan. In goal: Pavel Francouz of Traktor and Henrik Karlsson of Barys. Chelyabinsk dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Paul Szczechura goal, assisted by Maxim Yakutsenya and Alexei Kruchinin. Astana tied it on a Nigel Dawes power play goal in the third period, powered by Kevin Dallman. Traktor won 2-1 in overtime on an Alexei Petrov goal, via Derek Roy and Alexander Tridchikov. The three stars were Petrov, Szczechura, and Francouz (29 for 30 in saves). The series heads north tied at 2.

Game 5: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia. In goal: Henrik Karlsson and Pavel Francouz man the nets. Astana led off in the first period with a Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, assisted by Nigel Dawes and Dustin Boyd. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period with an Artyom Borodkin power play goal, powered by Maxim Yakutsenya and Kirill Koltsov. Barys won 2-1 in overtime with a Martin St. Pierre goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were St. Pierre, Karlsson (27 for 28 in saves), and Pushkaryov. Barys heads home with a 3-2 series lead. 

Game 6: Barys Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan. In goal: Pavel Francouz of Traktor and Henrik Karlsson of Barys. Chelyabinsk began in the first period with a Kirill Koltsov goal power play goal, powered by Derek Roy and Artyom Penkovsky. Astana tied it in the second period with a Vladimir Markelov goal, with a lone assist by Kevin Dallman. Barys took the lead with a Dustin Boyd power play goal in the third period, made possible by Konstantin Pushkaryov and Dallman. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Boyd, Dallman, and Karlsson (28 for 29 in saves). Barys won the series 4-2, and is the only lower-ranked team to make the Conference Semifinals, facing Metallurg Magnitogorsk next.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal: 2) Avangard Omsk VS. 7) Admiral Vladivostok

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal between Avangard Omsk and Admiral Vladivostok.

Game 1: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Bobkov of Admiral and Dominik Furch of Avangard. Omsk opened in the first period with a Jonas Ahnelov goal, coming off of Vladimir Sobotka and Erik Gustafsson. Vladivostok tied it on a Maxim Kazakov goal in the second period, made possible by Artyom Zemchyonok. Avangard won in triple overtime with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal, via Anton Burdasov and Ilya Zubov. The three stars of the 2-1 game were Kucheryavenko, Furch (31 for 32 in saves), and Bobkov (49 for 51 in saves). Avangard holds a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Bobkov of Admiral and Dominik Furch of Avangard. Omsk started in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Mikhail Yunkov goal. Vladivostok tied it on an Artyom Zemchyonok power play goal, powered by Mikhail Fisenko and Viktor Alexandrov. Admiral took the lead on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev power play goal, with assists provided by Oskars Bartulis and Alexandrov. Avangard retied it on an Evgeny Medvedev power play goal in the second period, helped along by Yegor Martynov and Valentin Pyanov. Vladivostok retook the lead with a Maxim Kazakov goal, passed from Krasnoslobodtsev. Omsk retied it on a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, via Vladimir Sobotka and Erik Gustafsson on the power play. Avangard took the lead with a Mikhail Grigoryev power play goal in the third period, made possible by Sobotka. Omsk added on with a Jonas Ahnelov goal, with a lone helper from Ilya Mikheyev. Avangard iced it at 6-3 with a Yunkov goal, coming off of Ahnelov and Maxim Pestushko. The three stars went to Yunkov, Ahnelov, and Sobotka, while Krasnoslobodtsev and Alexandrov get the honorable mentions. Avangard holds 2-0 series lead as the series heads east.

Game 3: Fetisov Arena, Vladivostok, Russia. In goal: Dominik Furch of Avangard and Igor Bobkov of Admiral. Vladivostok led off in the first period with a Sergei Barbashev power play goal, powered by Vladimir Tkachyov. Admiral added on in the second period with a Maxim Kazakov goal, fueled by Denis Alexeyev. Omsk got on the board with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, guided in by Alexander Perezhogin and Nikolai Lemtyugov. Vladivostok answered with a shorthanded goal by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, set up by Damir Zhafyarov and Artyom Zemchyonok. Avangard pulled back on a Valentin Pyanov goal, passed from Sobotka and Yegor Martynov. Omsk tied it on a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal, assisted by Lemtyugov and Erik Gustafssov. Admiral won 4-3 with a Kazakov goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Zhafyarov. The three stars went to Kazakov, Zhafyarov, and Sobotka, while Lemtyugov gets an honorable mention. Admiral has cut into the deficit a bit, but Avangard still has a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Fetisov Arena, Vladivostok, Russia. In goal: Dominik Furch of Avangard and Igor Bobkov of Admiral. Omsk began in the first period with an Anton Burdasov goal, via Nikolai Lemtyugov and Erik Gustafsson. Vladivostok tied it on a Maxim Kazakov goal, assisted by Anton Volchenkov and Shaone Morrisonn. Avangard retook the lead in the second period with another Burdasov goal, fueled by Alexander Kucheryavenko. Admiral tied it again with a Vladimir Tkachyov power play goal, powered by Jonathon Blum and Morrisonn. Vladivostok won 3-2 in overtime with a James Wright goal, with a lone assist by Tkachyov. The three stars went to Tkachyov, Morrisonn, and Burdasov. The series heads back west tied at 2.

Game 5: Omsk Arena, Omsk, Russia. In goal: Igor Bobkov of Admiral and Dominik Furch of Avangard. Omsk struck first in the first period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, courtesy of Nikolai Lemtyugov and Maxim Pestushko. Avangard added on with a Jonas Ahnelov goal, going in unassisted. Omsk extended the lead as Vitaly Menshikov scored, thanks to Sobotka. Avangard padded the lead on a David Booth goal in the second period, via Evgeny Medvedev and Mikhail Yunkov. Omsk struck again with an Ilya Mikheyev goal, passed from Ilya Zubov and Valentin Pyanov. Avangard iced it at 6-0 in the third period with a Danil Faizullin goal, coming off of Erik Gustafsson. The three stars went to Sobotka, Furch (21 save shutout), and Ahnelov. Avangard heads east again with a 3-2 series lead in tow. 

Game 6: Fetisov Arena, Vladivostok, Russia. In goal: Dominik Furch of Avangard and Igor Bobkov of Admiral. Omsk was first to score in the first period with an Ilya Mikheyev goal, passed from Valentin Pyanov. Avangard added on in the second period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, assisted by Nikolai Lemtyugov. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Furch (17 save shutout), Mikheyev, and Sobotka. Avangard won the series 4-2, and advance to face Ak Bars Kazan in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

NHL 2016/17 - Day 136

Just six games tonight across the league, beginning with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Peter Budaj and Matt Murray draw the starts in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period with an Adam Erne goal, via Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, powered by Phil Kessel and Justin Schultz. The Penguins took the lead with a Malkin goal, his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, assisted by Kessel and Ian Cole. The Lightning retied it in the third period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, helped along by Jonathan Drouin and Victor Hedman. Pittsburgh took the lead back with a Mark Streit goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Sidney Crosby and Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Schultz power play goal, his tenth of the season, with helpers from Crosby and Streit. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Tom Kuhnhackl, his fourth of the year, set up by Nick Bonino. The three stars went to Malkin, Schultz, and Streit, while Crosby and Kessel get the honorable mentions.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue is mismatched with Cam Ward in goal. Arizona opened in the first period with a Christian Dvorak goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off Shane Doan. The Coyotes added on with an Alex Goligoski goal, his fourth of the year, via Radim Vrbata and Max Domi. Carolina got on the board with a Lee Stempniak goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Jaccob Slavin and Jay McClement. The Hurricanes tied it on a Jordan Staal goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Teuvo Teravainen and Phillip Di Giuseppe. Arizona took the lead with a third period goal by Jordan Martinook, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Doan. The Coyotes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Doan, his sixth of the year, a power play goal set up by Tobias Rieder. The three stars went to Doan, Martinook, and Goligoski.

Up in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the St. Louis Blues. Carter Hutton and Connor Hellebuyck are set to start in goal. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his eighteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets added on in the third period with a Bryan Little goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Byfuglien and Wheeler. Winnipeg iced it at 3-0 with a Wheeler empty net goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, set up by Little and Jacob Trouba. The three stars went to Wheeler, Little, and Hellebuyck (29 save shutout), while Byfuglien gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks host the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Corey Crawford are in the blue paint. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brock Nelson goal, his fourteenth of the season, set up by Travis Hamonic and Jason Chimera. Chicago tied it on a third period with an Artemi Panarin goal, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The tie went to a shootout, where Jonathan Toews and Panarin scored for the Blackhawks to win 2-1. The three stars were Panarin, Crawford (31 for 32 in saves), and Greiss (30 for 31 in saves).

In Canada again, the Calgary Flames welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Brian Elliott are the masked men. Detroit led off in the first period with a Darren Helm goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Justin Abdelkader and Anthony Mantha. Calgary tied it on a Kris Versteeg power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by T.J. Brodie and Sean Monahan. The Flames took the lead with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. The Red Wings tied it in the third period with a Tomas Tatar goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Henrik Zetterberg and Abdelkader. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime with a Mikael Backlund goal, his twentieth of the campaign, helped along by Michael Frolik and Mark Giordano. The three stars went to Backlund, Abdelkader, and Elliott (35 for 37 in saves).

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Curtis McElhinney and Jonathan Bernier are the backups in goal. Anaheim began in the first period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, made possible by Chris Wagner and Logan Shaw. Toronto tied it on a Zach Hyman goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Nikita Zaitsev and William Nylander. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tyler Bozak and Mitchell Marner. The Ducks retied it on a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his eighteenth of the year, assisted by Ryan Kesler. Anaheim took the lead with a Rakell goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the season, via Hampus Lindholm and Nick Ritchie. The Ducks added on with a Sami Vatanen goal, his third of the year, guided in by Ryan Getzlaf and Brandon Montour. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with a Patrick Eaves empty net goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, set up by Getzlaf and Vatanen. The three stars were Rakell, Vatanen, and Getzlaf.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 135

Ten games for tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask protect the nets. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Nick Holden and Rick Nash. The Rangers added on with an Oscar Lindberg goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Matt Puempel and Brady Skjei. Boston got on the board with a Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-ninth of the campaign, made possible by David Pastrnak and Colin Miller. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Lundqvist (32 for 33 in saves), Lindberg, and Buchnevich.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Robin Lehner are the productive goalies. Arizona opened in the first period with a Teemu Pulkkinen goal, his second of the season, coming off of Max Domi and Christian Dvorak. Buffalo tied it on a shorthanded goal by Marcus Foligno, his eleventh of the year, set up by Ryan O'Reilly and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Sabres took the lead with an O'Reilly goal in the second period, his fourteenth of the season, a power play goal via Jack Eichel and Kyle Okposo. The Coyotes retied it on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Tobias Rieder, his fourteenth of the year. Buffalo regained the lead with an Eichel power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Sam Reinhart and Okposo. Arizona tied it again in the third period with an Alex Goligoski, his third of the year, passed from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Rieder. The Sabres gained the lead with an Evander Kane goal, his twenty-third of the season, guided in by O'Reilly and Jake McCabe. Buffalo added on with a Foligno empty net goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, with helpers from Eichel and Cody Franson. The Sabres extended the lead as Reinhart scored an empty net goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This made it 6-3, with the three stars given to Foligno, Eichel, and O'Reilly, while Rieder, Okposo, and Reinhart get the honorable mentions.

Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Steve Mason draw the starts in goal. Florida got going in the second period with an Aaron Ekblad shorthanded goal, his ninth of the season, going in unassisted. Philadelphia tied it on a Valtteri Filppula goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, assisted by Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek. In the shootout, Jordan Weal and Voracek scored, topping Aleksander Barkov as the Flyers won 2-1. The three stars went to Voracek, Mason (39 for 40 in saves), and Reimer (35 for 36 in saves in relief from the second period onward).

Close by, the Washington Capitals host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington cracked the scoresheet in the third period with a Jakub Vrana goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Evgeny Kuznetsov and John Carlson on the power play. This held up for a 1-0 win, with the three stars handed to Vrana, Holtby (15 save shutout), and Schneider (23 for 24 in saves).

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Sergei Bobrovsky protect the nets. Columbus drew first blood in the third period with a Brandon Saad goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist from Nick Foligno. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Bobrovsky (38 save shutout), Dubnyk (39 for 40 in saves), and Saad.

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Carey Price are the masked men. Nashville started in the first period with a Ryan Ellis power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by P.K. Subban and Mike Fisher. Montreal tied it on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens took the lead with a Paul Byron goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Byron, Price (24 for 25 in saves), and Gallagher.

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Craig Anderson in goal. Ottawa led off in the first period with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci. The Senators added on in the second period with a Burrows goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with a lone assist by Hoffman. Colorado got on the board in the third period with a Rene Bourque goal, his tenth of the campaign, courtesy of Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. This stood for a 2-1 result, with the three stars going to Burrows, Hoffman, and Anderson (22 for 23 in saves).

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Antti Niemi are in the blue paint. New York began in the first period with a Ryan Strome goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jason Chimera. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Benn power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. The Stars took the lead with a Radek Faksa goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Patrick Sharp and Greg Pateryn. Dallas added on with a Spezza goal, his tenth of the year, via John Klingberg and Seguin. The Islanders got one back with an Andrew Ladd goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Strome and Josh Bailey. New York tied it in the third period with a Nick Leddy goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Anders Lee and John Tavares. The Islanders pulled ahead with a Dennis Seidenberg goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Calvin de Haan and Strome. New York extended the lead as Nikolay Kulemin scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Leddy. The Stars got one back on a shorthanded and unassisted Benn goal, his twenty-third of the campaign. The final remained at 5-4, with the three stars given to Strome, Leddy, and Benn, while Seguin and Spezza get the honorable mentions.

Out to California, where the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Jonathan Quick man the creases. Toronto struck first in the first period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Mitchell Marner and James van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a Nikita Zaitsev goal, his third of the year, via Brian Boyle. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with an Anze Kopitar power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin. The Kings tied it on a Tanner Pearson goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli. Los Angeles won 3-2 with a Kopitar goal in the shootout. The three stars were Kopitar, Pearson, and Quick (28 for 30 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Aaron Dell are between the pipes. Vancouver was first to score in the first period with a Bo Horvat goal, his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ben Hutton and Sven Baertschi. San Jose tied it on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Logan Couture and Paul Martin. The Sharks took the lead in the second period with a Marcus Sorensen goal, made possible by Tomas Hertl and Joel Ward. San Jose added on with a Couture goal, his twenty-first of the season, helped along by Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Couture, Sorensen, and Dell (17 for 18 in saves).

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal: 3) Ak Bars Kazan VS. 6) Salavat Yulaev Ufa

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal between Ak Bars Kazan and Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Game 1: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Niklas Svedberg for Salavat Yulaev and Emil Garipov for Ak Bars. Kazan began in the first period with a Jiri Sekac power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo and Vasily Tokranov. Ufa tied it on a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, assisted by Linus Omark and Alexander Loginov. Ak Bars won 2-1 on a last second goal by Atte Ohtamaa, via Mikhail Varnakov and Andrei Popov. The three stars were Ohtamaa, Sekac, and Garipov (24 for 25 in saves). Ak Bars has a 1-0 lead in the series.

Game 2: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Niklas Svedberg for Salavat Yulaev and Emil Garipov for Ak Bars. Kazan led off in the first period with a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Mikhail Varnakov and Rafael Batyrshin. Ak Bars added on in the third period with a Mikhail Glukhov goal, via Vladimir Tkachyov. Ufa got on the board with an unassisted Enver Lisin goal. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Garipov (26 for 27 in saves), Glukhov, and Malykhin. Ak Bars takes a 2-0 series lead with them on the road.

Game 3: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Emil Garipov of Ak Bars and Andrei Gavrilov of Salavat Yulaev. Ufa opened in the first period with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, powered by Linus Omark. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Denis Kulyash goal, assisted by Enver Lisin and Denis Parshin. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Omark scored a power play goal, with the help of Igor Grigorenko and Sami Lepisto. Kazan got on the board with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, helped along by Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars got closer with a Jiri Sekac power play goal, via Vasily Tokranov and Alexander Svitov. Kazan tied it on a Justin Azevedo power play goal, with assists provided by Vladimir Tkachyov and Tokranov. Niklas Svedberg replaced Gavrilov at this time. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead in the third period with a Lisin goal, with a lone helper from Parshin. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Omark, Lisin, and Parshin, while Tokranov gets the honorable mention. Ufa has gained some ground against leading Ak Bars, who hold a 2-1 series lead still.

Game 4: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Emil Garipov of Ak Bars and Niklas Svedberg of Salavat Yulaev. Kazan started in the first period with a Vladimir Tkachyov power play goal, powered by Justin Azevedo and Jiri Sekac. Ufa tied it on a Kirill Kaprizov goal in the third period, coming off of Sami Lepisto and Linus Omark in the last minute. Ak Bars answered only 37 seconds later with the winner, an Azevedo goal with a lone assist by Tkachyov to take the game 2-1. The three stars were Azevedo, Tkachyov, and Garipov (12 for 13 in saves). Ak Bars leads the series 3-1 as they head home looking to close it out. 

Game 5: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Niklas Svedberg for Salavat Yulaev and Emil Garipov for Ak Bars. Kazan struck first in the first period with a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Vladimir Tkachyov and Justin Azevedo. Ufa tied it on a Zakhar Arzamastsev power play goal in the third period, going in unassisted. Ak Bars won 2-1 in overtime with a Jiri Sekac goal, made possible by Azevedo. The three stars were Azevedo, Sekac, and Garipov (27 for 28 in saves). Ak Bars advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 4-1 series win.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal: 1) Metallurg Magnitogorsk VS. 8) Kunlun Red Star Beijing

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal between Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Kunlun Red Star Beijing.

Game 1: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Tomi Karhunen of Kunlun Red Star and Ilya Samsonov of Metallurg. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Tomas Filippi goal, with a lone assist by Chris Lee. Metallurg added on with another Filippi goal in the second period, via Evgeny Timkin and Alexei Bereglazov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Yaroslav Kosov scored, thanks to Sergei Tereshchenko and Yaroslav Khabarov. Andrei Makarov replaced Karhunen in goal. Metallurg padded the lead with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, powered by Lee and Danis Zaripov. Beijing got on the board with a Tuukka Mantyla power play goal, with assists provided by Linus Videll and Sean Collins. Kunlun Red Star got closer with another Mantyla goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Filippi, Mantyla, and Lee. Metallurg holds a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Andrei Makarov of Kunlun Red Star and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with an Oskar Osala goal, fueled by Alexander Semin. Beijing tied it on a Sean Collins goal, courtesy of Chad Rau and Sergei Peretyagin in the second period. Kunlun Red Star took the lead with a Collins goal, guided in by Tobias Viklund and Linus Videll on the power play. Metallurg retied it on a Jan Kovar goal, via Danis Zaripov. Magnitogorsk took the lead with a Vladislav Kaletnik goal, assisted by Denis Platonov. Beijing tied it on a Zach Yuen goal, passed from Tomas Marcinko and Brett Bellemore. Metallurg gained the lead again with a shorthanded Osala goal, set up by Platonov and Alexei Bereglazov. Magnitogorsk iced it at 5-3 with an Osala empty net goal, with helpers from Tomas Filippi and Kovar. The three stars went to Osala, Collins, and Platonov, while Kovar gets an honorable mention. Metallurg leads the series 2-0 as it heads to China.

Game 3: Le Sports Center, Beijing, China. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg and Tomi Karhunen of Kunlun Red Star. Beijing started in the first period with a Linus Videll power play goal, powered by Tommi Taimi and Tuukka Mantyla. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period with a Denis Platonov goal, guided in by Viktor Antipin and Evgeny Biryukov. Metallurg took the lead with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, via Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Magnitogorsk added on in the third period with a Zaripov power play goal, made possible by Mozyakin and Chris Lee. Kunlun Red Star got one back with an Oleg Yashin goal, coming off of Mantyla and Vadim Pereskokov. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Zaripov, and Mantyla. Metallurg will try to advance in two days, leading the series 3-0 currently.

Game 4: Le Sports Center, Beijing, China. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg and Tomi Karhunen of Kunlun Red Star. Beijing led off in the first period with a Martin Bakos goal, passed from Tuukka Mantyla and Joonas Jarvinen. Kunlun Red Star added on with a Chad Rau goal, via Mantyla and Linus Videll. Beijing extended the lead in the second period as Tommi Taimi scored, thanks to Miika Lahti and Max Warn. Ilya Samsonov replaced Koshechkin in goal. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Viktor Antipin goal, coming off of Chris Lee and Sergei Mozyakin on the power play. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Mantyla, Karhunen (32 for 33 in saves), and Rau. The series is at 3-1 for Metallurg, and they will try to close it out at home. 

Game 5: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Tomi Karhunen of Kunlun Red Star and Vasily Koshechkin of Metallurg. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period with a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Chris Lee. Metallurg added on with a Jan Kovar power play goal, with assists provided by Lee and Zaripov. Beijing got on the board with a Tommi Taimi power play goal, helped along by Tobias Viklund. Magnitogorsk answered on a Zaripov goal, passed from Lee, who got a sock trick, and Alexei Bereglazov. Metallurg extended the lead in the second period as Sergei Mozyakin scored a power play goal, thanks to Lee and Kovar. Magnitogorsk padded the lead with another Kovar goal, assisted by Mozyakin and Bereglazov. Metallurg continued in the third period as Zaripov completed his hat trick, with the help of Mozyakin and Kovar. Magnitogorsk struck again with a Yaroslav Kosov goal, with a lone assist by Tomas Filippi. Metallurg got another with a Kovar power play goal to complete his hat trick, coming off of Lee and Zaripov. Kunlun Red Star got one back with a Yaroslav Alshevsky goal, passed from Tuukka Mantyla. This only made it 8-2, the final, with the three stars going to Zaripov, Kovar, and Lee, while Mozyakin and Bereglazov get the honorable mentions. Metallurg takes the series 4-1, the first team to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

NHL 2016/17 - Day 134

Two games on tonight, beginning with the...

Tampa Bay Lightning welcoming the Carolina Hurricanes. Eddie Lack and Andrei Vasilevskiy are in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Victor Hedman power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. Carolina tied it on a Noah Hanifin goal, his third of the year, guided in by Elias Lindholm and Sebastian Aho. The Hurricanes took the lead on a Derek Ryan power play goal, his ninth of the season, with assists provided by Hanifin and Victor Rask. The Lightning tied it in the third period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Jake Dotchin and Palat. Tampa Bay took the lead with a Kucherov goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Johnson and Jason Garrison. Carolina retied it on a Jay McClement shorthanded goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Jaccob Slavin and Lindholm. The Lightning won 4-3 in overtime with a Hedman goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, helped along by Kucherov and Johnson. The three stars went to Kucherov, Hedman, and Johnson, while Hanifin, Lindholm, and Palat get the honorable mentions.

The other game has the Chicago Blackhawks bringing in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Scott Darling play goal. Chicago got going in the second period with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, coming off of Nick Schmaltz. Pittsburgh tied it on a Scott Wilson goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Ron Hainsey. The Blackhawks retook the lead with a Richard Panik goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Duncan Keith. Chicago added on with another Kane goal in the third period, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, made possible by Schmaltz and Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with a Kane empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his unassisted twenty-seventh of the campaign. The three stars were Kane, Schmaltz, and Darling (36 for 37 in saves).

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: 3) Dynamo Moscow VS. 6) Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Western Conference Quarterfinal between Dynamo Moscow and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.

Game 1: VTB Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikhail Biryukov for Torpedo and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. The game went into double overtime before Maxim Karpov scored for Dynamo, with the help of Lukas Kaspar to seal the 1-0 win. The three stars were Yeryomenko (33 save shutout), Karpov, and Biryukov (48 for 49 in saves). Dynamo leads 1-0 in the series.

Game 2: VTB Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikhail Biryukov for Torpedo and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow opened in the first period with an Artyom Fyodorov power play goal, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Dynamo added on with a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, with assists provided by Martins Karsums and Lukas Kaspar. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the second period with an Evgeny Mozer goal, helped along by Maxim Osipov and Artyom Alyayev. Torpedo tied it on an Alexander Frolov power play goal, courtesy of Sam Lofquist and Kaspars Daugavins. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime with an unassisted goal by Andrei Kuteikin. The three stars were Kuteikin, Hietanen, and Fyodorov. Dynamo travels with a 2-0 series lead after the pair of overtime wins.

Game 3: Trade Union Sport Palace, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Ilya Proskuryakov for Torpedo. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period with a Kaspars Daugavins goal, passed from John Norman and Dmitry Semin. Torpedo added on with a Norman goal, assisted by Semin and Evgeny Grachyov. Moscow got on the board with an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, via Ilya Nikulin and Andrei Mironov. Dynamo tied it on an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, coming off of Dmitry Vishnevsky. Moscow took the lead with a Nikulin goal, guided in by Juuso Hietanen and Tereshchenko. Nizhny Novgorod retied it with another Norman goal, courtesy of Daugavins and Semin, the latter earning a sock trick. Torpedo won 4-3 in overtime with an unassisted Brandon McMillan goal. The three stars went to Norman, Semin, and Daugavins, while Nikulin and Tereshchenko get the honorable mentions. Torpedo cut Dynamo's series lead to 2-1 in the closest series in the west.

Game 4: Trade Union Sport Palace, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. In goal: Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo and Ilya Proskuryakov for Torpedo. Nizhny Novgorod started in the first period with a Vladimir Galuzin goal, going in unassisted. Torpedo added on in the second period with an Evgeny Mozer power play goal, powered by Galuzin and Dmitry Semin. Moscow got on the board with an Ivan Igumnov goal, made possible by Daniil Tarasov and Yakov Rylov. Dynamo tied it in the third period with an unassisted Tarasov goal. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime with a Maxim Karpov goal, also unassisted. The three stars went to Tarasov, Karpov, and Galuzin. Dynamo leads the series 3-1 as they return home in two days. 

Game 5: VTB Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Mikhail Biryukov for Torpedo and Alexander Yeryomenko for Dynamo. Moscow struck first in the first period with a Yakov Rylov goal, assisted by Alexei Tsvetkov and Artyom Fyodorov. Dynamo added on with a Fyodorov power play goal in the second period, powered by Tsvetkov. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board with a Kirill Urakov goal, coming off of Vyacheslav Kulyomin and Kirill Rasskazov. Moscow won 3-1 with an Alexei Tereshchenko empty net goal, set up by Andrei Kuteikin. The three stars went to Fyodorov, Tsvetkov, and Yeryomenko (18 for 19 in saves). Dynamo win the series 4-1, confirming the Western Conference Semifinals to be CSKA v. Lokomotiv and SKA v. Dynamo.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: 4) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl VS. 5) Dinamo Minsk

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Western Conference Quarterfinal between Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and Dinamo Minsk.

Game 1: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Ben Scrivens of Dinamo and Alexei Murygin of Lokomotiv. Yaroslavl dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Yegor Korshkov goal, via Vladislav Gavrikov and Pavel Kraskovsky. Lokomotiv added on with a Petri Kontiola power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Staffan Kronwall. Minsk got on the board with a Matt Ellison goal, coming off of Dmitry Korobov. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Murygin (26 for 27 in saves), Kontiola, and Korshkov. Lokomotiv leads 1-0 in the series.

Game 2: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Ben Scrivens of Dinamo and Alexei Murygin of Lokomotiv. Yaroslavl led off in the first period with a Staffan Kronwall power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Maxime Talbot. Lokomotiv added on with an Artyom Ilyenko goal in the second period, passed from Andrei Loktionov. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Jakub Nakladal scored a power play goal, with the help of Kozun and Kronwall. Lokomotiv padded the lead on a Yegor Averin goal, via Dmitry Lugin. Kevin Lalande replaced Scrivens in goal. Yaroslavl struck again with a Lugin power play goal, with a lone assist by Rushan Rafikov. Lokomotiv continued in the third period with a shorthanded Loktionov goal, set up by Alexander Kadeikin and Rafikov. Yaroslavl got another with another Loktionov shorthanded goal, with helpers from Vladislav Gavrikov and Kadeikin. Minsk got on the board with a Dmitry Korobov goal, fueled by Andrei Stepanov on the power play. Dinamo got closer with a Matt Ellison goal, via Rob Klinkhammer and Sergei Kostitsyn. This only made it 7-2, the final, with the three stars going to Loktionov, Kronwall, and Kadeikin, while Lugin, Kozun, and Rafikov get the honorable mentions. Lokomotiv leaves the country leading the series 2-0.

Game 3: Minsk-Arena, Minsk, Belarus. In goal: Alexei Murygin of Lokomotiv and Ben Scrivens of Dinamo. Yaroslavl began in the first period with a Staffan Kronwall power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Jakub Nakladal. Lokomotiv added on with a Nakladal goal, passed from Maxime Talbot and Kozun. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Talbot scored a power play goal, with the help of Kozun, who got a sock trick, and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the second period with an unassisted goal by Alexander Polunin. Minsk got on the board with an Evgeny Lisovets goal in the third period, via Alexander Kulakov and Alexander Materukhin. Yaroslavl replied with a Nakladal power play goal, with assists provided by Kozun and Andrei Loktionov. This produced the 5-1 final, with the three stars given to Nakladal, Kozun, and Talbot. Lokomotiv is at 3-0, on the verge of advancing through this series.

Game 4: Minsk-Arena, Minsk, Belarus. In goal: Alexei Murygin of Lokomotiv and Ben Scrivens of Dinamo. Minsk started in the first period with an Andrei Stepanov power play goal, powered by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Andrei Kostitsyn. Dinamo added on with an unassisted goal by Alexander Pavlovich. Yaroslavl got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Daniil Apalkov in the second period, set up by Yegor Averin. Minsk shot back with an Evgeny Kovyrshin goal, passed from Artur Gavrus. Lokomotiv pulled back with an Alexander Kadeikin goal, made possible by Rushan Rafikov. Dinamo answered with an Andrei Stas goal, fueled by Sergei Drozd and Alexander Materukhin. The game ended 4-2, with the three stars going to Kovyrshin, Stas, and Pavlovich. Dinamo lives to see another game, as Lokomotiv leads the series 3-1 before heading home.

Game 5: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Ben Scrivens of Dinamo and Alexei Murygin of Lokomotiv. Minsk opened with a first period goal by Rob Klinkhammer, via Dmitry Korobov. Yaroslavl tied it on a Staffan Kronwall goal, assisted by Brandon Kozun and Petri Kontiola. Lokomotiv took the lead in the second period with a Pavel Koledov goal, coming off of Dmitry Lugin and Andrei Loktionov. Yaroslavl added on with a Kozun power play goal, powered by Kronwall in the third period. Lokomotiv iced it at 4-1 with a Maxime Talbot empty net goal, set up by Kozun and Kontiola. The three stars were Kozun, Kronwall, and Murygin (22 for 23 in saves), while Kontiola gets an honorable mention. Lokomotiv won the series 4-1, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinal, presumably against CSKA Moscow.

NHL 2016/17 - Day 133

Twelve games on throughout the night on a busy day for the NHL. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Tuukka Rask are the masked men. Boston led off in the first period with a Colin Miller goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of David Pastrnak and David Krejci. Arizona got on the board in the second period with a Peter Holland goal, his second of the year, a power play goal powered by Brendan Perlini and Radim Vrbata. The Bruins took the lead back with Riley Nash shorthanded goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Patrice Bergeron. Boston added on with a David Backes goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Bergeron. The Bruins extended the lead as Marchand scored his twenty-eighth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Marchand, Bergeron, and Rask (22 for 23 in saves).

Up in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Robin Lehner are in the blue paint. Buffalo began in the first period with a Brian Gionta goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Zach Bogosian and Jack Eichel. The Sabres added on with a Kyle Okposo goal, his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Jake McCabe and Matt Moulson. Nashville got on the board with a Mike Fisher goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Austin Watson and Matt Irwin. The Predators tied it in the second period with a Colin Wilson power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi. Buffalo took the lead back with an Evander Kane goal, his twenty-second of the season, guided in by Gionta and Cody Franson. The Sabres extended the lead as McCabe scored his second of the year, thanks to Okposo and Ryan O'Reilly. Nashville chipped back on a Johansen goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Filip Forsberg and Irwin. The Predators tied it on a Forsberg goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with a lone helper from Viktor Arvidsson. Nashville won 5-4 in overtime with a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Josi. The three stars went to Forsberg, Johansen, and Okposo, while Irwin, Josi, Gionta, and McCabe get the honorable mentions. 

Across the state, the New York Rangers bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York opened in the first period with a Brady Skjei goal, his third of the season, passed from Adam Clendening and J.T. Miller. Washington tied it in the second period with a Marcus Johansson goal, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Dmitry Orlov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals took the lead with a Brett Connolly goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Matt Niskanen and Lars Eller. Washington added on in the third period with another Johansson goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, guided in by Kuznetsov and Niskanen. The Capitals extended the lead as Nicklas Backstrom scored a power play goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, with the help of Johansson and John Carlson. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars given to Johansson, Kuznetsov, and Holtby (29 for 30 in saves), while Niskanen gets an honorable mention.

West to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Colorado Avalanche. Jeremy Smith and Steve Mason are the backups in goal. Philadelphia started in the first period with a shorthanded Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, set up by Andrew MacDonald. The Flyers added on with a Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Shayne Gostisbehere and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead as Jakub Voracek scored a power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Brayden Schenn and Giroux. The Flyers padded the lead in the second period on a Jordan Weal goal, via Radko Gudas and Mark Streit. This stood for a 4-0 win, with the three stars handed to Simmonds, Giroux, and Mason (32 save shutout). 

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal won 1-0 in overtime with an Alex Galchenyuk power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Shea Weber and Max Pacioretty. The three stars went to Price (26 save shutout), Galchenyuk, and Bobrovsky (29 for 30 in saves).

South to Florida, where the Panthers bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Florida struck first in the first period with a Jaromir Jagr power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers added on with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Reilly Smith and Alex Petrovic. Carolina got on the board in the second period with a Lee Stempniak goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Teuvo Teravainen and Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes tied it in the third period with a Sebastian Aho goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Victor Rask and Elias Lindholm. The Panthers won 3-2 in the shootout, with Huberdeau and Barkov tallying. The three stars went to Huberdeau, Barkov, and Trocheck.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Jake Allen are the strong goalies. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with a Paul Stastny power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Jaden Schwartz. Edmonton tied it on a Milan Lucic goal, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers took the lead in the second period with a Mark Letestu power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Connor McDavid and Nugent-Hopkins. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Nugent-Hopkins, Talbot (25 for 26 in saves), and Letestu.

In Winnipeg, the Jets welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper is mismatched with Connor Hellebuyck in goal. Winnipeg drew first blood in the first period with a Patrik Laine goal, his thirty-first of the season, assisted by Mark Scheifele and Mathieu Perreault. Minnesota tied it on a Mikael Granlund goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone assist by Mikko Koivu. The Wild took the lead with a Tyler Graovac goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Granlund and Martin Hanzal. Minnesota added on with an Erik Haula power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Granlund and Chris Stewart. The Wild extended the lead in the second period as Marco Scandella scored his third of the season, thanks to Hanzal. The Jets got one back with an Adam Lowry goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Drew Stafford and Nikolaj Ehlers. Minnesota answered with a Ryan White goal, his ninth of the season, via Stewart. Michael Hutchinson replaced Hellebuyck at this time. Winnipeg shot back with a Perreault goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets got closer with a shorthanded goal by Joel Armia, his seventh of the season, set up by Scheifele. Winnipeg tied it on a Scheifele goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, with helpers from Perreault and Laine. The Wild won 6-5 with a shorthanded Jason Zucker goal, his twentieth of the campaign, helped along by Haula and Scandella. The three stars went to Granlund, Scheifele, and Perreault, while Haula, Scandella, Hanzal, Stewart, and Laine get the honorable mentions.

Back south, the Dallas Stars bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Antti Niemi draw the starts in goal. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Carl Hagelin. The Penguins added on in the second period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his seventh of the year, via Ian Cole and Chris Kunitz. Dallas got on the board with a Brett Ritchie goal in the third period, his eleventh of the season, guided in by John Klingberg and Antoine Roussel. The Stars tied it on a Jason Spezza goal, his ninth of the year, helped along by Jamie Benn and Dan Hamhuis. Dallas took the lead with a Roussel goal, his twelfth of the season, with a lone assist by Klingberg. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Roussel, Klingberg, and Spezza.

Returning to Canada, the Calgary Flames host the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Bishop and Brian Elliott are between the pipes. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Tanner Pearson power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. Calgary tied it in the second period on a Micheal Ferland goal, his twelfth of the year, with a lone helper by Mark Giordano. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime on a T.J. Brodie goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Mikael Backlund. The three stars went to Elliott (28 for 29 in saves), Brodie, and Ferland.

Over in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Ryan Miller occupy the creases. Detroit led off in the first period with a Frans Nielsen goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Andreas Athanasiou and Xavier Ouellet. The Red Wings added on with a Nielsen power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, powered by Henrik Zetterberg. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with a Markus Granlund goal, his sixteenth of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks tied it in the third period on a Reid Boucher goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fifth of the campaign, with helpers from Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The three stars went to Nielsen, Zetterberg, and Abdelkader.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Martin Jones protect the nets. Toronto got going in the second period on an Auston Matthews power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Josh Leivo and William Nylander. San Jose tied it on a Brenden Dillon goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Kevin Labanc and Joe Pavelski. The Sharks took the lead in the third period with a Tomas Hertl goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns. San Jose iced it at 3-1 with a Pavelski empty net goal, his twenty-first of the year, set up by Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. The three stars were Jones (20 for 21 in saves), Pavelski, and Hertl.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 132

Just three games today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. New Jersey led off in the first period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Travis Zajac. The Devils added on in the third period with a John Moore goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Joseph Blandisi. Montreal got on the board with an Alexander Radulov goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Alexei Emelin and Jeff Petry. New Jersey shot back with a Zajac goal, his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Miles Wood and Palmieri. The Canadiens pulled back on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirtieth of the season, courtesy of Nathan Beaulieu and Radulov. Montreal tied it with a Pacioretty goal, his second of the game and thirty-first of the year, via Shea Weber and Radulov. The Canadiens won 4-3 with an Alex Galchenyuk power play goal in overtime, his fourteenth of the campaign, with helpers from Weber and Radulov, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Pacioretty, Radulov, and Zajac, while Palmieri and Weber get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Andrei Vasilevskiy draw the starts in goal. Ottawa began in the first period with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with a Brayden Point goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The Lightning took the lead with a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Victor Hedman and Jonathan Drouin. Tampa Bay added on with another Kucherov power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, with assists provided by Drouin and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning extended the lead as Kucherov completed his natural hat trick on another power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, guided in by Hedman and Drouin, the latter earning a sock trick. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the third period on a Braydon Coburn goal, his third of the year, coming off of Kucherov and Johnson. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars awarded to Kucherov, Drouin, and Hedman, while Johnson gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Los Angeles struck first in the first period with a Nick Shore goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Marian Gaborik and Jake Muzzin. Minnesota tied it on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his twentieth of the year, via Jared Spurgeon and Ryan White. The Kings retook the lead with a Tanner Pearson goal, his twentieth of the season, going in unassisted. The Wild tied it in the second period with a Jordan Schroeder goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Chris Stewart. Los Angeles gained the lead again on a Muzzin goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Nic Dowd and Dwight King. Minnesota tied it once again with a White goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Eric Staal. The Kings pulled ahead in the third period with a Gaborik goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Shore and Trevor Lewis. The Wild equalized with a Jason Zucker goal, his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Graovac and Schroeder. Minnesota won 5-4 in overtime with a Mikael Granlund goal, his twentieth of the campaign, with helpers from Spurgeon and Mikko Koivu. The three stars went to White, Schroeder, and Spurgeon, while Gaborik, Muzzin, and Shore get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: 1) CSKA Moscow VS. Jokerit Helsinki

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Western Conference Quarterfinal between CSKA Moscow and Jokerit Helsinki.

Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Ryan Zapolski of Jokerit and Ilya Sorokin of CSKA. Moscow began in the first period with a Bogdan Kiselevich power play goal, powered by Stephane Da Costa. CSKA added on with a Greg Scott goal, passed from Geoff Platt and Jan Mursak. Helsinki got on the board in the second period with an Antti Pihlstrom goal, fueled by Marko Anttila and Arturs Kulda. Moscow answered with a Kiselevich goal, his second of the game, via Scott. Jokerit replied in the third period with a Ville Lajunen goal, courtesy of Jesper Jensen. CSKA iced it at 4-2 with a Vladimir Zharkov empty net goal, set up by Grigory Panin and Ivan Telegin. The three stars were Kiselevich, Scott, and Zharkov. CSKA leads the series 1-0.

Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Ryan Zapolski of Jokerit and Ilya Sorokin of CSKA. Moscow got going in the second period with a Maxim Mamin goal, assisted by Valery Nichushkin. Helsinki tied it in the third period on a Tommi Huhtala goal, via Charles Genoway. CSKA won 2-1 in overtime with a Sergei Andronov goal, passed from Vladimir Zharkov and Igor Ozhiganov. The three stars went to Andronov, Sorokin (18 for 19 in saves), and Mamin. CSKA head out of the country leading the series 2-0.

Game 3: Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland. In goal: Ryan Zapolski for Jokerit and Ilya Sorokin for CSKA. Moscow led off in the first period with a Stephane Da Costa goal, passed from Artyom Sergeyev and Maxim Mamin. CSKA added on with a Mamin goal in the second period, assisted by Bogdan Kiselevich and Da Costa. Helsinki got on the board with a Brian O'Neill power play goal, powered by Topi Jaakola and Peter Regin. Jokerit tied it in the third period with a Tommi Huhtala goal, guided in by Petteri Wirtanen and Jesper Jensen. Moscow took the lead back with a power play goal by Alexander Popov, with assists provided by Valery Nichushkin and Kiselevich. Helsinki retied it on a Ville Lajunen power play goal, made possible by O'Neill and Jaakola. CSKA won 4-3 in overtime with a Jan Mursak goal, fueled by Kirill Petrov and Grigory Panin. The three stars were Mamin, Da Costa, and O'Neill, while Kiselevich and Jaakola get the honorable mentions. CSKA is on the brink of advancing with a 3-0 series lead. 

Game 4: Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland. In goal: Ryan Zapolski for Jokerit and Ilya Sorokin for CSKA. Moscow won 1-0 in overtime with a Geoff Platt goal, assisted by Mikhail Naumenkov and Vladimir Zharkov. The three stars were Platt, Sorokin (25 save shutout), and Zapolski (39 for 40 in saves). CSKA sweeps the series 4-0, sending themselves into the Western Conference Semifinals. 

KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: 2) SKA St. Petersburg VS. 7) Vityaz Podolsk

The KHL playoffs are back, and we'll return to the old series-post format. Here's the first game of the Western Conference Quarterfinal between SKA St. Petersburg and Vityaz Podolsk.

Game 1: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Harri Sateri of Vityaz and Mikko Koskinen of SKA. St. Petersburg led off in the first period with an Anton Belov power play goal, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov. Podolsk tied it in the second period with an Alexei Makeyev goal, via Alexander Nikulin. SKA retook the lead with a Nikita Gusev power play goal, going in unassisted. St. Petersburg added on with a Dadonov goal in the third period, also unassisted. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Dadonov, Koskinen (22 for 23 in saves), and Gusev. SKA leads 1-0 in the series.

Game 2: Ice Palace Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia. In goal: Igor Saprykin of Vityaz and Mikko Koskinen of SKA. St. Petersburg began in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov goal, passed from Yegor Yakovlev and Anton Belov. SKA added on with an Evgeny Dadonov goal, via Arkhip Nekolenko and Vadim Shipachyov. Harri Sateri replaced Saprykin to start the second period. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Ketov scored again, thanks to Dinar Khafizullin and Patrik Hersley. SKA padded the lead with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, assisted by Shipachyov and Hersley. St. Petersburg continued with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, guided in by Sergei Shirokov and Belov. Podolsk got on the board with an Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi goal, helped along by Maxim Afinogenov. SKA answered in the third period with a Hersley goal, coming off of Nikita Gusev and Dadonov. Vityaz replied with a Jakub Jerabek goal, made possible by Ivan Yatsenko and Artyom Chernov. St. Petersburg finished it at 7-2 with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, powered by Belov, who earned a sock trick. The three stars were Ketov, Hersley, and Belov, while Dadonov and Shipachyov get the honorable mentions. SKA travels southeast with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Vityaz Ice Palace, Podolsk, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen of SKA and Harri Sateri of Vityaz. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with a Patrik Hersley power play goal, powered by Jarno Koskiranta and Pavel Datsyuk. SKA added on with an Evgeny Ketov power play goal in the second period, via Hersley and Datsyuk. Podolsk got on the board with an Alexander Nikulin power play goal, with assists provided by Jakub Jerabek. St. Petersburg replied with a Roman Rukavishnikov goal, coming off of Anton Belov. SKA extended the lead as Nikita Gusev scored, thanks to Evgeny Dadonov and Andrei Zubarev. St. Petersburg padded the lead in the third period with an unassisted Datsyuk goal. Vityaz pulled back with an Alexei Kopeikin goal, passed from Mario Kempe. SKA iced it at 6-2 with an Ilya Kovalchuk empty net goal, set up by Koskinen and Datsyuk, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Datsyuk, Hersley, and Koskinen (29 for 31 in saves). SKA holds a 3-0 series lead, giving them a good chance to advance soon. 

Game 4: Vityaz Ice Palace, Podolsk, Russia. In goal: Mikko Koskinen of SKA and Harri Sateri of Vityaz. St. Petersburg started in the first period with a Jarno Koskiranta power play goal, powered by Pavel Datsyuk and Patrik Hersley. SKA added on with a Vadim Shipachyov goal, passed from Nikita Gusev and Evgeny Dadonov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Sergei Shirokov scored a power play goal, thanks to Datsyuk and Evgeny Ketov. SKA padded the lead in the second period with a Koskiranta goal, via Alexander Khokhlachyov. St. Petersburg continued with a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, assisted by Yegor Yakovlev and Sergei Plotnikov. SKA struck again with a Dadonov power play goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Kovalchuk. Podolsk got on the board in the third period with an Alexei Makeyev goal, coming off of Roman Horak and Maxim Afinogenov. SKA iced it at 7-1 with a Dadonov power play goal, with helpers from Gusev and Shipachyov. The three stars went to Koskiranta, Dadonov, and Shipchyov, while Gusev and Datsyuk get the honorable mentions. SKA swept the series 4-0, the first team to punch a ticket to the Western Conference Semifinal round. 

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 131

Seven games for this Sunday, beginning early in...

Dallas, as the Stars host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. Boston began in the first period with a Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. The Bruins added on with a David Krejci goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Torey Krug and David Backes. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a John Klingberg goal, his tenth of the season, via Jiri Hudler and Devin Shore. The Stars tied it on a Hudler power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Boston retook the lead with a Frank Vatrano goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Kevan Miller and Ryan Spooner. The Bruins extended the lead as Bergeron scored his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Marchand and Zdeno Chara. Boston padded the lead with another Bergeron goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, guided in by Marchand and Krug. Dallas replied on a Seguin goal, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Patrick Sharp and Klingberg. The Bruins iced it at 6-3 with a Spooner power play goal, his tenth of the campaign, with helpers from Krug, who got a sock trick, and Pastrnak. The three stars were Bergeron, Marchand, and Krug, while Seguin, Klingberg, Hudler, and Spooner get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Eddie Lack draw the starts in goal. Carolina opened in the first period with a Victor Rask power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Jeff Skinner and Noah Hanifin. Calgary tied it in the second period on a Micheal Ferland goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie. The Flames took the lead on a Gaudreau goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. Calgary added on in the third period with another Gaudreau goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, via Sean Monahan and Brodie. The game ended 3-1, with the three stars awarded to Gaudreau, Elliott (34 for 35 in saves), and Brodie.

Up in New York, the Rangers bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Columbus started in the first period with an Alexander Wennberg goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of David Savard and Oliver Bjorkstrand. New York tied it on a Rick Nash goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Jimmy Vesey and Derek Stepan. The Blue Jackets took the lead back with a Cam Atkinson power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Sam Gagner and Zach Werenski. Columbus added on with a Wennberg goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, guided in by Bjorkstrand. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Atkinson scored his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the season, with the help of Brandon Dubinsky. Columbus padded the lead on a Josh Anderson goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by William Karlsson and Scott Hartnell. The Rangers got one back with a Jesper Fast goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Marc Staal and Oscar Lindberg. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Wennberg, Atkinson, and Bjorkstrand.

Southwest to Nashville, where the Predators host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Nashville led off in the first period with a Ryan Ellis power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by P.K. Subban and Calle Jarnkrok. Edmonton tied it on a Connor McDavid goal, his twenty-first of the year, helped along by Patrick Maroon. The Predators regained the lead on a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by James Neal and Ryan Johansen. Nashville added on in the second period with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his second of the year, passed from Roman Josi and Subban. The Oilers pulled back with a power play goal by Milan Lucic, his thirteenth of the season, with helpers from McDavid and Oscar Klefbom. The Predators countered with a Colin Wilson goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Neal and Mattias Ekholm. Edmonton pulled back with a Mark Letestu goal, his twelfth of the season, via Klefbom. The Oilers tied it on a Jordan Eberle goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Andrej Sekera. Nashville pulled ahead in the third period with a Viktor Arvidsson power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by Neal, who earned a sock trick, and Josi. This produced the 5-4 final, with the three stars handed to Neal, Josi, and Subban, while McDavid and Klefbom get the honorable mentions.

Next up, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Scott Darling are the goalies. Chicago struck first in the first period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Nick Schmaltz and Richard Panik. The Blackhawks added on with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, via Toews and Duncan Keith on the power play. St. Louis got on the board with a Magnus Paajarvi goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blues tied it on an Alex Pietrangelo power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, powered by David Perron and Patrik Berglund. Chicago took the lead back in the third period with an Artem Anisimov goal, his twenty-second of the season, courtesy of Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks won 4-2 with a Tanner Kero empty net goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook. The three stars were Toews, Anisimov, and Darling (30 for 32 in saves).

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson faces a lesser foe in James Reimer in goal. Ottawa was first to score in the first period with a Zack Smith shorthanded goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Erik Karlsson. Florida tied it on a Jonathan Marchessault power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Keith Yandle. The Senators retook the lead in the second period on a Kyle Turris goal, his twenty-first of the season, made possible by Mike Hoffman and Karlsson. This produced the eventual 2-1 final, with the three stars belonging to Karlsson, Anderson (37 for 38 in saves), and Turris.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Nilsson and Louis Domingue are the backups in goal. Buffalo drew first blood in the first period with a Jack Eichel goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Josh Gorges. The Sabres added on with an Evan Rodrigues goal in the second period, his second of the year, via Jake McCabe and Eichel. Arizona got on the board in the third period with a Max Domi goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes tied it on a Jamie McGinn goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Josh Jooris and Jakob Chychrun. Arizona took the lead on a Vrbata goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Domi. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Vrbata, Domi, and Eichel.

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