NHL 2017-18 Day 11

Fourteen games on a massive schedule tonight, beginning with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Carey Price draw the starts in goal. Montreal opened in the first period with a Jeff Petry goal, assisted by Jonathan Drouin and Artturi Lehkonen. Toronto tied it on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs took the lead with an unassisted Auston Matthews goal, his fourth of the year. The Canadiens retied it with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, passed from Charles Hudon on the power play. Montreal took the lead in the second period with a Drouin goal, with a lone assist by Karl Alzner. Toronto tied it again with a Patrick Marleau goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nazem Kadri. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in overtime with a Matthews goal, his second of the game fifth of the year, helped along by William Nylander. The three stars went to Matthews, Drouin, and Marleau.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid and Ondrej Pavelec are the backups in goal. New York got going in the second period with a Rick Nash goal, via David Desharnais. New Jersey tied it on an Adam Henrique goal, his second of the season, made possible by Brian Gibbons. The Devils took the lead with a Miles Wood goal, his third of the year, coming off of Ben Lovejoy and Will Butcher. New Jersey added on with a Drew Stafford power play goal in the third period, powered by Butcher and Nico Hischier. The Rangers got one back with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his second of the campaign, guided in by J.T. Miller. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars going to Butcher, Stafford, and Kinkaid (29 for 31 in saves).

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer is mismatched with Brian Elliott in goal. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Sean Couturier goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Washington tied it on a Jakub Vrana goal, his second of the year, guided in by Evgeny Kuznetsov and John Carlson. The Flyers took the lead back with a shorthanded and unassisted Scott Laughton goal. Philadelphia added on in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Flyers extended the lead as Giroux scored his second of the year, thanks to Sean Couturier and Voracek, the latter earning a sock trick. The Capitals got one back with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his third of the season, made possible by T.J. Oshie and Brooks Orpik. Philadelphia replied with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jordan Weal and Simmonds. The Flyers continued in the third period with a Laughton goal, his second of the game, dished from Ivan Provorov. Philadelphia struck again with a Couturier goal, his third of the season, with helpers from Giroux and Gostisbehere. The Flyers padded the lead on a Giroux goal, his third of the year, fueled by Brandon Manning and Gostisbehere, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Voracek, Couturier, and Giroux, while Gostisbehere, Simmonds, and Laughton get the honorable mentions.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Matt Murray are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Phil Kessel and Kris Letang. Florida tied it on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his second of the year, helped along by Evgenii Dadonov in the second period. The Penguins took the lead back with a Greg McKegg shorthanded goal, set up by Tom Kuhnhackl. The Panthers tied it again with a Huberdeau power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, assisted by Dadonov and Keith Yandle. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his second of the year, passed from Olli Maatta and Bryan Rust. The Penguins added on in the third period with a Crosby goal, his second of the game and third of the season, guided in by Letang and Conor Sheary. Florida got one back with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his second of the year, fueled by Vincent Trocheck and Jamie McGinn. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Crosby, Huberdeau, and Letang, while Dadonov gets an honorable mention.

Down in the Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the masked men. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Tyler Johnson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mikhail Sergachev and Brayden Point. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Vladislav Namestnikov. St. Louis got one back with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Vasilevskiy (28 for 29 in saves), Kucherov, and Johnson.

In Canada again, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Scott Darling and Connor Hellebuyck are the inexperienced goalies. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Bryan Little goal, fueled by Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Noah Hanifin and Justin Williams. The Jets took the lead back with an Ehlers goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, via Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Ehlers, Hellebuyck (28 for 29 in saves), and Little.

Down in Dallas, the Stars host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ben Bishop are between the pipes. Dallas drew first blood in the second period with a Jamie Benn goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Tyler Seguin. The Stars added on with a Seguin power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Devin Shore and Benn. Colorado got on the board in the third period Matt Duchene goal, his third of the season, coming off of Tyson Barrie and Colin Wilson. Dallas iced it at 3-1 with an Esa Lindell empty net goal, set up by Shore and Stephen Johns. The three stars were given to Seguin, Benn, and Shore.

Back north to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Devan Dubnyk guard the cages. Minnesota struck first in the first period with an Eric Staal goal, his third of the season, passed from Chris Stewart and Matt Dumba. Columbus tied it on a Zach Werenski goal, his second of the year, guided in by Alexander Wennberg and Artemi Panarin. The Wild took the lead with a second period Tyler Ennis power play goal, powered by Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. Minnesota added on with a Landon Ferraro goal, made possible by Zack Mitchell. The Blue Jackets pulled one back with a David Savard goal, assisted by Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nick Foligno. The Wild replied with another Ennis power play goal in the third period, with assists provided by Mikko Koivu and Suter. Columbus countered with a Cam Atkinson goal, his second of the season, fueled by Jack Johnson and Panarin.The Blue Jackets tied it with a Josh Anderson goal, coming off of Savard and Matt Calvert. Columbus won 5-4 in overtime with a Wennberg goal, with helpers from Panarin, who got a sock trick, and Seth Jones. The three stars were awarded to Wennberg, Panarin, and Ennis, while Savard and Suter get the honorable mentions.

In Chicago, the Blackhawks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Nashville cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Scott Hartnell and P.K. Subban. Chicago tied it on a third period Patrick Sharp goal, his second of the year, via John Hayden and Cody Franson. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in overtime with a Brandon Saad goal, his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. The three stars went to Crawford (37 for 38 in saves), Saad, and Sharp.

Southwest to Arizona, where the Coyotes host the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin and Louis Domingue are the mediocre goalies. Arizona was first to score in the first period with a Mario Kempe goal, made possible by Anthony Duclair and Luke Schenn. Boston tied it on a David Pastrnak goal, his second of the season, helped along by Zdeno Chara and Brandon Carlo. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with a Jake DeBrusk goal, his second of the year, via David Krejci and Charlie McAvoy. Boston added on with a Chara goal, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Pastrnak. The Bruins extended the lead as Marchand scored his third of the season, thanks to Chara and Adam McQuaid. The Coyotes got one back with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, with assists provided by Jason Demers and Derek Stepan. Boston shot back with a Tim Schaller goal, his second of the year, coming off of Danton Heinen and Sean Kuraly. The Bruins finished it at 6-2 with an Anders Bjork goal on the power play, with helpers from Heinen and DeBrusk. The three stars were Chara, Marchand, and Pastrnak, while DeBrusk and Heinen get the honorable mentions.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Cam Talbot receive the green light to play goal. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his second of the season, assisted by Tom Pyatt and Dion Phaneuf. The Senators added on with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Mark Stone and Thomas Chabot. Ottawa extended the lead as Hoffman scored his second of the night and third of the season, thanks to Kyle Turris and Alexandre Burrows. The Senators chased Talbot in the third period with a Turris goal, via Zack Smith and Stone. Laurent Brossoit took over in goal. Ottawa padded the lead with a Chris Wideman power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Hoffman and Smith. The Senators kept going with a Turris power play goal, with a lone assist by the goalie Condon. Edmonton got on the board with an Adam Larsson goal, made possible by Connor McDavid and Kailer Yamamoto. This made it 6-1, the final, with the three stars given to Hoffman, Turris, and Stone, while Smith gets an honorable mention.

West to British Columbia, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames. Mike Smith and Jacob Markstrom are the goalies. Calgary started with a shorthanded goal by Mark Giordano, set up by Freddie Hamilton and Troy Brouwer. Vancouver tied it on a Derek Dorsett goal, via Alex Burmistrov and Michael Del Zotto. The Flames retook the lead with a Travis Hamonic goal in the second period, going in unassisted. Calgary added on with a Dougie Hamilton goal, going in unassisted. The Flames extended the lead in the third period as Johnny Gaudreau scored a power play goal, his second of the season, thanks to Jaromir Jagr and T.J. Brodie. The Canucks got one back with a Brock Boeser goal, assisted by Sven Baertschi and Derrick Pouliot. Calgary countered with a Dougie Hamilton goal, his second of the year, passed from Matthew Tkachuk. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars named as Dougie Hamilton, Hamonic, and Gaudreau.

Down in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Jonathan Quick are in the creases. Buffalo began in the first period with a Zemgus Girgensons goal, via Jack Eichel and Jake McCabe. Los Angeles tied it on a Dustin Brown power play goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, powered by Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty. The Kings took the lead on a Tyler Toffoli power play goal in the third period, his second of the year, assisted by Jake Muzzin and Oscar Fantenberg. The Sabres retied it on an Eichel goal, his second of the campaign, passed from Evander Kane and Jason Pominville. Los Angeles pulled ahead with a Doughty power play goal, coming off of Alec Martinez and Anze Kopitar. The Kings iced it at 4-2 with a Tanner Pearson empty net goal, set up by Toffoli and Carter. The three stars belonged to Doughty, Eichel, and Toffoli, while Carter gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Aaron Dell are the backups making spot starts. San Jose led off in the first period with a Kevin Labanc power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. New York tied it on an Anders Lee goal, his second of the year, via Jordan Eberle and Adam Pelech. The Islanders took the lead in the second period on a Brock Nelson goal, his third of the campaign, assisted by Joshua Ho-Sang and Calvin de Haan. New York finished it at 3-1 with a Cal Clutterbuck empty net goal, set up by Nikolay Kulemin and Casey Cizikas. The three stars went to Greiss (40 for 41 in saves), Nelson, and Lee.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHl 2017-18 Day 10

We're approaching the second weekend of the season with five games on this Friday night. We begin in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Washington began in the first period with a T.J. Oshie goal, his fourth of the season via Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Backstrom and John Carlson. New Jersey got on the board with a Taylor Hall power play goal, coming off of Kyle Palmieri and Will Butcher. Washington shot back with a Jakub Vrana goal, passed from Devante Smith-Pelly and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Devils chipped back in the third period with a Palmieri goal, courtesy of Damon Severson and John Moore. The Capitals answered with an Oshie power play goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Backstrom and Kuznetsov. Washington extended the lead as Backstrom scored a power play goal, his second of the year, thanks to Ovechkin and Oshie. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars given to Backstrom, Oshie, and Ovechkin, while Kuznetsov and Palmieri get the honorable mentions.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Sergei Bobrovsky are the masked men. New York led off in the first period with an unassisted Kevin Hayes goal. Columbus tied it on a Seth Jones goal in the second period, made possible by Zach Werenski and Alexander Wennberg. The Blue Jackets took the lead with an Artemi Panarin goal in the third period, helped along by Jones and Werenski. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with a Lukas Sedlak empty net goal, set up by Ryan Murray. The three stars belonged to Jones, Werenski, and Bobrovsky (37 for 38 in saves).

In the west, the Calgary Flames host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith protect the nets. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Cody Ceci goal, his second of the season, assisted by Tom Pyatt and Nate Thompson. The Senators added on in the second period with a Derick Brassard goal, his second of the year, coming off of Mark Stone and Bobby Ryan. Ottawa extended the lead in the third period as Mike Hoffman scored a power play goal, thanks to Ceci and Kyle Turris. The Senators padded the lead on a Stone goal, his third of the season, passed from Mark Borowiecki and Brassard. Ottawa chased Smith with a Ryan Dzingel goal, his second of the year, guided in by Thomas Chabot and Turris. Eddie Lack replaced Smith in goal. The Senators capped it at 6-0 with a Chris Wideman power play goal, his second of the campaign, powered by Turris and Zack Smith. The three stars were Turris, Ceci, and Brassard, while Stone gets an honorable mention.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts in goal. Colorado started in the first period with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mikko Rantanen and Sven Andrighetto. Reto Berra replaced Gibson to start the second period. Anaheim tied it in the third period on a shorthanded Brandon Montour goal, set up by Andrew Cogliano and Logan Shaw. The Avalanche took the lead with a Tyson Barrie power play goal, his second of the year, via Rantanen and Andrighetto. Colorado iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted empty net goal by Nikita Zadorov. The three stars belonged to Rantanen, Andrighetto, and Barrie.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Marc-Andre Fleury are in the blue paint. Detroit struck first in the first period with a Gustav Nyquist goal, made possible by Henrik Zetterberg and Trevor Daley. Vegas tied it on a Jonathan Marchessault goal in the second period, via Reilly Smith. The Red Wings retook the lead on a Zetterberg goal, his third of the season, helped along by Darren Helm and Nick Jensen. The Golden Knights tied it again with a James Neal goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of David Perron and Cody Eakin. Vegas took the lead on an Erik Haula goal, coming off of Luca Sbisa and Brendan Leipsic. Detroit retied it in the third period with an Anthony Mantha goal, his third of the season, assisted by Zetterberg and Nyquist. The Red Wings pulled ahead on a Frans Nielsen goal, his second of the year, guided in by Zetterberg and Mantha, the former earning a sock trick. Detroit added on with a Nyquist goal, his second of the game, fueled by Mantha. The Red Wings extended the lead as Luke Glendening scored his second of the campaign, with helpers from Justin Abdelkader and Dylan Larkin. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Zetterberg, Mantha, and Nyquist.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 9

Seven games on tonight, beginning with...

The Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Antti Niemi and Andrei Vasilevskiy make the starts in goal. Tampa Bay started in the first period with a Slater Koekkoek goal, assisted by Chris Kunitz and Anton Stralman. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his second of the season, passed from Kris Letang and Bryan Rust. The Lightning took the lead back with a Victor Hedman power play goal, powered by Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov. Tampa Bay added on with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, with assists provided by Vladislav Namestnikov and Killorn in the second period. The Penguins got one back with a Conor Sheary goal, his third of the year, helped along by Chad Ruhwedel and the goalie Niemi. The Lightning countered with a Kucherov goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Braydon Coburn and Killorn, the latter earning a sock trick. Pittsburgh chipped back with a Rust power play goal, guided in by Guentzel and Olli Maatta. Tampa Bay shot back on a Koekkoek goal, his second of the game, via Killorn and Tyler Johnson. The Penguins cut the deficit in the third period with a Matt Hunwick goal, made possible by Greg McKegg and Phil Kessel. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Killorn, Koekkoek, and Kucherov, while Guentzel and Rust get the honorable mentions.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Paul Stastny power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Pietrangelo. Florida tied it on an Ian McCoshen goal, assisted by Connor Brickley and Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers took the lead with a shorthanded Vincent Trocheck goal, his second of the year, set up by Colton Sceviour. Florida added on with a Jared McCann power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Radim Vrbata and Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers extended the lead in the third period as Ekblad scored, thanks to Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. Florida padded the lead with a Bjugstad goal, his second of the year, made possible by McCann and Brickley. The Blues pulled one back with a Vince Dunn goal, courtesy of Scottie Upshall and Pietrangelo. This produced the 5-2 final, with the three stars given to McCann, Bjugstad, and Ekblad, while Pietrangelo gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Dallas Stars. Ben Bishop and Pekka Rinne are the veterans in goal. Dallas opened in the first period with a Jamie Benn power play goal, powered by Jason Spezza and John Klingberg. Nashville tied it on a Samuel Girard goal, via P.K. Subban and Cody McLeod in the second period. The Predators took the lead with a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Girard and Ryan Johansen. Nashville added on in the third period with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his second of the year, made possible by Forsberg. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with a Subban empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Girard, Forsberg, and Rinne (30 for 31 in saves), while Subban gets an honorable mention.

In Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Corey Crawford are the alliterative goalies. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Eric Staal goal, his second of the season, via Charlie Coyle. Chicago tied it on a Ryan Hartman goal, his second of the year, passed from Tanner Kero and Patrick Kane. The Wild retook the lead with a Chris Stewart goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jason Zucker. Minnesota added on with a Zucker power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Mike Reilly and Matt Cullen. The Wild extended the lead as Stewart scored an empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, with the help of Tyler Ennis and Jared Spurgeon. Minnesota padded the lead on a Mikko Koivu empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Joel Eriksson Ek. The Blackhawks got one back with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Gustav Forsling and Kane. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars given to Zucker, Stewart, and Kane.

Out in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Antti Raanta receive the starting nods in goal. Louis Domingue replaced Raanta at the start of the second period. Arizona drew first blood in the second period with a Clayton Keller power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Derek Stepan and Max Domi. Detroit tied it on a Martin Frk power play goal, his third of the year, passed from Mike Green. The Coyotes retook the lead with a Keller goal, his second of the game and third of the season, via Domi and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Red Wings retied it on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his second of the year, assisted by Dylan Larkin and Green. Detroit took the lead with a Luke Glendening shorthanded goal, set up by Larkin. The Red Wings iced it at 4-2 with a Frans Nielsen empty net goal, made possible by Darren Helm and Jonathan Ericsson. The three stars went to Keller, Larkin, and Green, while Domi gets an honorable mention.

Up in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Jacob Markstrom are between the pipes. Vancouver led off in the first period with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, powered by Brock Boeser and Thomas Vanek. Winnipeg tied it on a Josh Morrissey goal, passed from Jacob Trouba and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead in the second period on a Patrik Laine goal, his second of the season, coming off of Little and Dmitry Kulikov. Winnipeg added on with a Tyler Myers shorthanded goal, set up by Andrew Copp. The Canucks got one back with a Christoper Tanev goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Sam Gagner. The Jets iced it at 4-2 with a Nikolaj Ehlers empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Little, Hellebuyck (30 for 32 in saves), and Myers.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Martin Jones protect the nets. San Jose began in the first period with a Tomas Hertl power play goal, guided in by Kevin Labanc and Mikkel Boedker. Buffalo tied it on a Jason Pominville goal, his third of the season, passed from Jack Eichel and Zemgus Girgensons. The Sharks took the lead back with a Chris Tierney goal, via Joonas Donskoi and Timo Meier. The Sabres tied it on another Pominville goal in the second period, his second of the game and fourth of the year, assisted by Eichel and Girgensons. San Jose regained the lead with a Meier goal, courtesy of Donskoi and Tierney. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars handed to Meier, Pominville, and Tierney, while Eichel, Donskoi, and Girgensons get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 8

We're into the second week of the hockey season. Today's five games start in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Frederik Andersen are the masked men. Toronto led off in the first period with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mitchell Marner and Morgan Rielly. New Jersey tied it on a Miles Wood goal, passed from Steven Santini and Will Butcher. The Devils took the lead with another Wood goal, coming off of Adam Henrique and Butcher. The Maple Leafs tied it again on a Dominic Moore goal, his second of the year, assisted by Nikita Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey. New Jersey regained the lead in the second period on a Pavel Zacha goal, fueled by Jesper Bratt and Marcus Johansson on the power play. The Devils added on with a shorthanded goal by Brian Gibbons, his second of the season, set up by Henrique. New Jersey extended the lead in the third period as Blake Coleman scored an unassisted goal. Toronto pulled back with an Auston Matthews power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by William Nylander and Patrick Marleau. The Devils responded on a Zacha goal, with a lone helper from John Moore. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Zacha, Wood, and Henrique, while Butcher gets an honorable mention.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Kris Letang power play goal, powered by Bryan Rust and Patric Hornqvist. The Penguins added on in the second period with a Hornqvist power play goal, courtesy of Tom Kuhnhackl and Sidney Crosby. Washington got on the board with a Christian Djoos goal, passed from Lars Eller and Brett Connolly. Pittsburgh countered in the third period with a Conor Sheary power play goal, his second of the season, assisted by Justin Schultz and Olli Maatta. The Capitals got one back with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Djoos and Nicklas Backstrom. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Hornqvist, Djoos, and Sheary.

West to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Semyon Varlamov are the veterans in goal. Colorado began in the first period with an Alexander Kerfoot goal, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Matt Duchene. Boston tied it on a Brad Marchand goal, his second of the season, via Ryan Spooner. The Avalanche retook the lead in the second period with a Nail Yakupov goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Nathan MacKinnon. Colorado added on with a Sven Andrighetto power play goal, his second of the season, powered by MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche extended the lead as Duchene scored his second of the year, thanks to Yakupov. The Bruins pulled one back in the third period on a Tim Schaller goal, made possible by Danton Heinen and Sean Kuraly. Boston got closer with a Torey Krug power play goal, with helpers from Marchand and Riley Nash. Colorado answered with an Andrighetto empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the season, set up by Mikko Rantanen and Patrik Nemeth. The Avalanche iced it at 6-3 with a Tyson Jost empty net goal, coming off of J.T. Compher and Landeskog. The three stars were Yakupov, MacKinnon, and Andrighetto, while Duchene, Landeskog, and Marchand get honorable mentions.

In California, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and John Gibson are in the creases. Anaheim opened in the first period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his second of the season, passed from Josh Manson and Ryan Getzlaf. New York tied it on a Brock Nelson goal, guided in by Scott Mayfield and Joshua Ho-Sang. The Ducks retook the lead in the second period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his second of the year, assisted by Cam Fowler and Cogliano. Anaheim added on in the third period with a Patrick Eaves goal, via Manson and Getzlaf. The Islanders replied with a Nelson goal, his second of the game, made possible by Calvin de Haan and Ho-Sang. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Cogliano, Nelson, and Manson, while Getzlaf and Ho-Sang get honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Calgary Flames. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick protect the nets. Calgary struck first in the first period with a Matthew Tkachuk power play goal, powered by Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Flames added on with a Michael Frolik goal, passed from Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Los Angeles got on the board with an Anze Kopitar goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jake Muzzin and Dustin Brown. The Kings tied it on a Brown goal, his second of the year, made possible by Drew Doughty and Alex Iafallo. Los Angeles pulled ahead on another Brown goal, his second of the game and third of the season, guided in by Derek Forbort and Kopitar. Calgary retied it on a Tkachuk goal, his second of the year, via Dougie Hamilton and Frolik. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime with a Monahan goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by T.J. Brodie and Gaudreau. The three stars went to Brown, Monahan, and Tkachuk, while Gaudreau, Frolik, and Kopitar recieve honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

MLS Midweek: October 11, 2017

The last midweek game of the regular season has the Houston Dynamo hosting Sporting Kansas City. Andrew Dykstra is mismatched with Tyler Deric in goal. Kansas City was first to score in the thirty-third minute with a Jimmy Medranda goal, passed from Saad Abdul-Salaam. Houston had a yellow card for a Ricardo Clark foul in the forty-fifth minute. The Dynamo tied it in the sixty-third minute with a Tomas Martinez goal. Houston took the lead as Sporting's Erik Palmer-Brown committed an own goal in the seventy-seventh minute. The Dynamo's Andrew Wenger took a yellow card for time wasting in the seventy-ninth minute. Ilie Sanchez of Kansas City had a yellow card for an eighty-seventh minute foul. The final held at 2-1 Dynamo, with Martinez named man of the match.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 7

We've got another seven games today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Scott Darling are in goal. Columbus dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Sonny Milano goal, his third of the season, coming off of Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nick Foligno. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime with an unassisted Milano goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year. The three stars were Milano, Bobrovsky (37 for 38 in saves), and Skinner.

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Carter Hutton and Henrik Lundqvist draw the starts in goal. St. Louis began in the first period with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Jaden Schwartz. New York tied it on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues retook the lead with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Paul Stastny. St. Louis iced it at 3-1 with a Schwartz empty net goal in the third period, his second of the year, set up by Vladimir Sobotka and Alex Pietrangelo. The three stars belonged to Schwartz, Hutton (32 for 33 in saves), and Schenn.

Further north, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal led off in the first period with an unassisted Tomas Plekanec goal. Chicago tied it on an Alex DeBrincat goal, passed from Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks took the lead with a Brandon Saad goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik. Chicago added on in the second period with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, powered by DeBrincat and Cody Franson. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to DeBrincat, Crawford (41 for 42 in saves), and Saad.

Back stateside, the Nashville Predators host the Philadelphia Flyers. Brian Elliott and Pekka Rinne are the veterans in goal. Nashville started in the first period with a Craig Smith power play goal, powered by Kevin Fiala and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators added on in the second period with a Scott Hartnell goal, his second of the season, via Pontus Aberg. Nashville extended the lead as Nick Bonino scored, thanks to Ekholm and P.K. Subban. Philadelphia got on the board with an Andrew MacDonald goal, assisted by Scott Laughton and Taylor Leier. The Flyers got closer with a Nolan Patrick goal, helped along by Dale Weise. Philadelphia tied it on a Valtteri Filppula power play goal, with helpers from Jakub Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere. Philadelphia took the lead in the third period with a Travis Konecny goal, coming off of Jordan Weal and Gostisbehere. The Flyers padded the lead with a Filppula goal, his second of the game, coming on the power play from Claude Giroux and Voracek. The Predators answered with a Filip Forsberg goal, his second of the year, guided in by Ryan Johansen and Samuel Girard. Nashville tied it on a Hartnell power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by Forsberg and Subban. The Predators took the lead on a Forsberg power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, made possible by Subban, who got a sock trick, and Fiala. This made it 6-5, the final, with the three stars handed to Forsberg, Hartnell, and Subban, while Fiala, Filppula, Gostisbehere, Voracek, and Ekholm get the honorable mentions.

In Texas, the Dallas Stars welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. Dallas opened in the first period with a John Klingberg goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Jason Spezza. The Stars added on with a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Klingberg and Jamie Benn. Detroit got one back with a Justin Abdelkader power play goal in the second period, helped along by Henrik Zetterberg and Mike Green. Dallas answered with a Mattias Janmark goal, his second of the season, passed from Alexander Radulov and Esa Lindell. The Red Wings pulled one back in the third period with an Anthony Mantha goal, his second of the year, fueled by Dylan Larkin and Green. The Stars iced it at 4-2 with a Martin Hanzal empty net goal, set up by Janmark. The three stars went to Klingberg, Janmark, and Green.

Northwest to Vancouver, where the Canucks bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jacob Markstrom are set to start in goal. Ottawa struck first in the first period with a Cody Ceci goal, via Kyle Turris and Zack Smith. Vancouver tied it on a Christopher Tanev goal, guided in by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks took the lead in the second period with a Thomas Vanek goal, helped along by Troy Stecher and Henrik Sedin. The Senators retied it in the third period with a Ryan Dzingel goal, assisted by Bobby Ryan and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. In the shootout, Markus Granlund scored for the Canucks, but Turris and Mark Stone won it 3-2 for the Senators. The three stars were Turris, Henrik Sedin, and Markstrom (40 for 42 in saves).

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights are home for the first time against the Arizona Coyotes. Antti Raanta and Marc-Andre Fleury are between the pipes. Vegas dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Tomas Nosek goal, assisted by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Luca Sbisa. The Golden Knights added on with a Deryk Engelland goal, passed from Brendan Leipsic. Vegas chased Raanta with a James Neal goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Brayden McNabb and David Perron. Louis Domingue replaced Raanta in goal. The Golden Knights extended the lead as Neal scored a power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, with the help of Reilly Smith and Erik Haula. Arizona got on the board with a Tobias Rieder goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Niklas Hjalmarsson. Vegas replied in the second period with an Oscar Lindberg goal, helped along by Leipsic. The Coyotes got one back in the third period with a Kevin Connauton goal, made possible by Derek Stepan and Clayton Keller. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars belonging to Neal, Leipsic, and Nosek.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 6

The NHL has seven games on Columbus Day in the US and Thanksgiving in Canada. Three are matinees, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Tuukka Rask are the goalies. Colorado opened in the first period with a Sven Andrighetto goal, via Mikko Rantanen and Nikita Zadorov. The Avalanche added on with a shorthanded goal by J.T. Compher, set up by Carl Soderberg. Colorado extended the lead in the third period as Nail Yakupov scored, thanks to Patrik Nemeth and Alexander Kerfoot. The Avalanche iced it at 4-0 with a Yakupov empty net goal, set up by Andrighetto and Nathan MacKinnon. The three stars went to Varlamov (29 save shutout), Yakupov, and Andrighetto.

Down in Brooklyn, the New York Islanders welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Thomas Greiss are the masked men. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his second of the season, coming off of Paul Stastny. The Blues added on with a Tarasenko power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, powered by Jaden Schwartz and Alex Pietrangelo. New York got on the board with an Andrew Ladd goal in the third period, helped along by Jason Chimera and Brock Nelson. The Islanders tied it on an Anders Lee goal, assisted by Thomas Hickey and Jordan Eberle. The Blues won 3-2 with shootout tallies by Brayden Schenn and Tarasenko. The three stars were awarded to Tarasenko, Allen (40 for 42 in saves), and Greiss (33 for 35 in saves).

The last of the matinees has the Buffalo Sabres bringing in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Chad Johnson protect the nets. New Jersey started in the first period with a Stefan Noesen goal, with a lone assist by Brian Gibbons. The Devils added on with a Gibbons goal, guided in by Nico Hischier and Marcus Johansson. Buffalo got on the board with an Evander Kane power play goal in the second period, his third of the season, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen. New Jersey answered with a Jesper Bratt shorthanded goal, his second of the year, set up by Adam Henrique and Mirco Mueller. The Devils extended the lead as Johansson scored, thanks to Taylor Hall. New Jersey padded the lead with a Bratt goal, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by Hall and Andy Greene. The Devils kept going with a Johansson goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Bratt. Robin Lehner relieved Johnson to start the third period. The Sabres got one back in the second period with a Kane goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, helped along by Jason Pominville. this only made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars given to Bratt, Gibbons, and Kane, while Johansson and Hall get the honorable mentions.

At the normal times, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Chicago Blackhawks. Anton Forsberg is mismatched with Frederik Andersen in goal. Chicago led off in the first period with a Jan Rutta goal, his second of the season, coming off of John Hayden and Tommy Wingels. The Blackhawks added on with a Jonathan Toews goal, his second of the year, passed from Richard Panik and Brandon Saad. Toronto got on the board in the second period with a Nikita Zaitsev goal, his second of the season, via Connor Brown and Calle Rosen. Chicago answered in the third period with a Panik power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Gustav Forsling and Rutta. The Maple Leafs pulled back with a Brown goal, courtesy of Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey. Toronto tied it on a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Tyler Bozak and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in overtime with an unassisted Auston Matthews goal, his second of the year. The three stars went to Zaitsev, Brown, and Rutta, while Panik gets an honorable mention.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Andrei Vasilevskiy are in between the pipes. Washington began in the first period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, assisted by Andre Burakovsky and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals added on with an Oshie power play goal, his second of the season, powered by John Carlson and Backstrom. Tampa Bay got on the board with an Alex Killorn goal, via Brayden Point and Braydon Coburn in the second period. Washington replied with an Oshie power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with assists provided by Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Lightning shot back with a Chris Kunitz goal, fueled by Anton Stralman and Cedric Paquette. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his third of the season, helped along by Killorn and Stralman. The Lightning won 4-3 in overtime with a Point power play goal, with assists provided by Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. The three stars were awarded to Point, Kucherov, and Killorn, while Oshie, Backstrom, and Stralman earn honorable mentions.

Way to the northwest, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Cam Talbot are in the blue paint. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his third of the season, coming off of Dmitry Kulikov. The Jets added on with a Kulikov goal, helped along by Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, made possible by Connor McDavid and Patrick Maroon. The Oilers tied it on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Darnell Nurse. Winnipeg retook the lead with an Ehlers goal, passed from Jacob Trouba and the goalie Hellebuyck. The Jets extended the lead as Ehlers scored his second of the night, thanks to Wheeler and Scheifele. Winnipeg padded the lead with an Ehlers power play empty net goal to iced the game at 5-2, with helpers from Scheifele and Wheeler, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Ehlers, Scheifele, and Wheeler, while Kulikov gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Calgary Flames. Mike Smith and John Gibson guard the cages. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, powered by Kris Versteeg and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames added on with a Mikael Backlund goal in the third period, his second of the campaign, via Michael Frolik and Matthew Tkachuk. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Smith (43 save shutout), Monahan, and Backlund.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 5

We're back with a much quieter day of hockey. The one game today sees the New York Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens, with Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist tending the twines. New York struck first in the first period with a Brady Skjei goal, assisted by Michael Grabner and J.T. Miller. The Rangers added on with a third period goal by Mika Zibanejad, his fourth of the campaign, via Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Lundqvist (34 save shutout), Skjei, and Zibanejad.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NWSL Playoffs: 2017 Semifinals

This post holds the two semifinals for the NWSL Playoffs this year. We begin on Saturday in...

Portland, as the Thorns FC host the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Adrianna Franch play in goal. Portland started in the twelfth minute with an Amandine Henry goal, via Meghan Klingenberg. The Thorns added on in the fifteenth minute with an Emily Sonnett goal, helped along by Tobin Heath on a free kick. Orlando got on the board with an Alanna Kennedy goal in the twenty-third minute, set up by Toni Pressley. Portland shot back with a Hayley Raso goal in the seventy-first minute, guided in by Lindsey Horan. In the eightieth minute, Henry of the Thorns took a yellow card for a foul. Portland extended the lead as Christine Sinclair scored in the eighty-second minute, thanks to Nadia Nadim. This made it 4-1, with the woman of the match being Raso. Other strong Thorns efforts came from Klingenberg, Henry, Heath, and Sonnett, while the Pride's best were Kennedy, Pressley, and Steph Catley.

The other semifinal is in North Carolina, as the Courage host the Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Katelyn Rowland are the keepers. Chicago's Danielle Colaprico had a yellow card for her thirty-sixth minute foul. North Carolina dented the scoreboard in the ninetieth minute on a Denise O'Sullivan goal, set up by Jessica McDonald. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the woman of the match being O'Sullivan. Also good for the Courage were Taylor Smith, McCall Zerboni, and Lynn Williams, while the best Red Stars were Naeher, Katie Naughton, Julie Ertz, and Christen Press.

The NWSL Championship is on October 14, featuring the Courage and Thorns.