NHL 2021 - Day 11

An unusually quiet Saturday has only five games, beginning with...

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Elvis Merzlikins are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Victor Hedman goal, assisted by Mitchell Stephens and Alexander Volkov. Columbus tied it on a Nick Foligno goal, his third of the season, coming off of Cam Atkinson and Michael Del Zotto. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, passed from Kevin Stenlund and Nathan Gerbe. Columbus added on with a Vladislav Gavrikov goal, fueled by Liam Foudy and Eric Robinson. The Lightning got one back with an Ondrej Palat power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Brayden Point and Hedman. The Blue Jackets countered in the third period with a Zach Werenski goal, made possible by Alexandre Texier and Boone Jenner. Columbus iced it at 5-2 with a Robinson empty net goal, set up by Riley Nash and Seth Jones. The three stars were Robinson, Hedman, and Gavrikov. 

Next up, the Boston Bruins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. Boston started in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Nick Ritchie and David Krejci. Philadelphia tied it on a Kevin Hayes goal in the second period, his third of the year, courtesy of Jakub Voracek. The Bruins retook the lead with a Craig Smith goal, assisted by Charlie Coyle and Jeremy Lauzon. Boston added on with a Coyle goal, his second of the season, passed from Trent Frederic and Smith. The Bruins extended the lead in the third period as Brad Marchand scored his second of year, with the help of Bergeron and Jake DeBrusk. Boston padded the lead on a Marchand power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, with assists provided by Ritchie and Jakub Zboril. The Bruins continued with Bergeron's second of the game and third of the year on the power play, fueled by Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. This made it 6-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Bergeron, Marchand, and Ritchie, while Coyle and Smith get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Vancouver Canucks host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Braden Holtby guard the cages. Montreal led off in the first period with a Nick Suzuki goal, his second of the season, coming off of Brett Kulak and Jonathan Drouin. The Canadiens added on in the second period with a Corey Perry goal, made possible by Ben Chiarot and Tyler Toffoli. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with an Elias Pettersson goal, passed from Jordie Benn and Brock Boeser. The Canucks tied it with a Nils Hoglander goal, his second of the year, via Nate Schmidt and Bo Horvat. Montreal retook the lead with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his second of the season, assisted by Tomas Tatar. The Canadiens extended the lead as Drouin scored, thanks to Josh Anderson. Montreal iced it at 5-2 on a Joel Edmundson empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Drouin, Gallagher, and Perry.

Backtracking to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Calvin Petersen is mismatched with Jordan Binnington in goal. St. Louis began in the first period with a Torey Krug power play goal, powered by David Perron and Ryan O'Reilly. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with an Adrian Kempe goal, his third of the season, assisted by Alex Iafallo and Matt Roy. The Blues took the lead back with a Vince Dunn goal, guided in by Robert Thomas and Mike Hoffman. St. Louis added on with a Perron goal, with a lone helper from Thomas. The Kings got one back with a Dustin Brown power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The Blues iced it at 4-2 in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz empty net goal, set up by Brayden Schenn and O'Reilly. The three stars were Perron, Thomas, and O'Reilly.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets host the Ottawa Senators. Marcus Hogberg is mismatched with Connor Hellebuyck in goal. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Nikolaj Ehlers power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Neal Pionk and Adam Lowry. Ottawa tied it on an Evgenii Dadonov goal in the second period, coming off of Nick Paul and Erik Gudbranson. The Jets retook the lead with a Kyle Connor goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. The Senators retied it on a Brady Tkachuk goal, his second of the season, fueled by Josh Norris and Austin Watson. Ottawa pulled ahead with a Paul goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Artem Anisimov and Mike Reilly. Winnipeg retied it in the third period on an Andrew Copp goal, assisted by Paul Stastny and Ehlers. The Jets pulled ahead with a Stastny power play goal, with assists provided by Wheeler and Scheifele. Winnipeg added on with a Copp goal, his second of the game, guided in by Stastny and Dylan DeMelo. The Jets iced it at 6-3 with a Scheifele empty net goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Connor and Wheeler. The three stars were awarded to Wheeler, Stastny, and Scheifele, while Ehlers, Copp, Connor, and Paul get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 10

We're into double-digit days. Friday's action is an eight-game slate, leading off with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Tristan Jarry make the starts in goal. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Bryan Rust goal, via Cody Ceci and Evgeni Malkin. New York tied it in the second period with a Filip Chytil goal, his second of the season, made possible by Phillip Di Giuseppe. The Rangers took the lead on an Adam Fox power play goal, powered by Artemi Panarin. New York added on with a Kaapo Kakko goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Di Giuseppe and K'Andre Miller. The Penguins got one back with a Jared McCann power play goal, with assists provided by Evan Rodrigues and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period on a Teddy Blueger goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Kasperi Kapanen. The tie went to a shootout, where Jake Guentzel and Letang tallied to give the Penguins a 4-3 win over Panarin and the Rangers. The three stars were Letang, Panarin, and Di Giuseppe. 

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Linus Ullmark and Vitek Vanecek are in the creases. Buffalo began in the first period with an Eric Staal goal, made possible by Victor Olofsson. Washington tied it on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tom Wilson and Brenden Dillon. The Capitals took the lead in the second period on a Nic Dowd goal, his second of the year, fueled by Jakub Vrana and John Carlson. The Sabres retied it on a Dylan Cozens goal, going in unassisted. Washington pulled ahead again on a Vrana goal, his third of the season, coming off of Zdeno Chara and T.J. Oshie. Buffalo tied it again with a Riley Sheahan goal, passed from Jeff Skinner and Curtis Lazar. The tie went to a shootout, where Carlson had the lone tally for a 4-3 Capitals win. The three stars were Vrana, Carlson, and Cozens. 

Up north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Edmonton Oilers. Mikko Koskinen and Frederik Andersen are the masked men. Edmonton got going in the second period with a shorthanded Leon Draisaitl goal, his second of the season, set up by Kailer Yamamoto. Toronto tied it with an Adam Brooks power play goal, powered by Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie. The Maple Leafs took the lead with a Jimmy Vesey goal, his second of the year, guided in by William Nylander and Alexander Kerfoot. The Oilers retied it in the third period with a Connor McDavid goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Ethan Bear and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Toronto retook the lead with a John Tavares power play goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Mitchell Marner and Nylander. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted Marner empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign. The three stars belonged to Marner, Nylander, and Brooks. 

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas Greiss and Kevin Lankinen are set to start in goal. Chicago opened in the first period with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Calvin de Haan goal, via Strome and Ian Mitchell. Chicago extended the lead in the third period as Andrew Shaw scored on the power play, thanks to Kane and DeBrincat. Detroit got on the board with a Dylan Larkin goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Marc Staal and Frans Nielsen. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Mattias Janmark, set up by Connor Murphy. The three stars belonged to Lankinen (30 for 31 in saves), Kane, and Strome, while DeBrincat gets an honorable mention. 

Up to Minnesota, as the Wild host the San Jose Sharks. Devan Dubnyk and Cam Talbot protect the nets. Minnesota started in the first period with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jordan Greenway and Ryan Hartman. San Jose tied it on a Matt Nieto goal, coming off of Erik Karlsson and Patrick Marleau. Kaapo Kahkonen relieved an injured Talbot to start the second period. The Wild retook the lead with a Zach Parise goal, fueled by Nick Bjugstad and Carson Soucy in the second period. Minnesota added on in the third period with a Kevin Fiala empty net goal, going in unassisted. The Wild iced it at 4-1 with a Greenway empty net goal, set up by Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno. The three stars were Eriksson Ek, Greenway, and Kahkonen (17 for 17 in saves in relief). 

Down south, the Dallas Stars welcome the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Anton Khudobin are between the pipes. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, powered by Alexander Radulov and Miro Heiskanen. The Stars added on with a Radulov power play goal, with a lone assist by Pavelski. Dallas extended the lead as Denis Gurianov scored on the power play, thanks to John Klingberg and Roope Hintz. The Stars padded the lead on Radulov's second goal of the game, courtesy of Joel Kiviranta and Pavelski. Dallas continued with a shorthanded and unassisted Esa Lindell goal. Pekka Rinne replaced Saros to start the third period. The Stars struck again in the third period on Pavelski's second power play goal of the game, fueled by Hintz and Klingberg. Dallas kept going with a Kiviranta power play goal, with helpers from Klingberg and Jason Dickinson. The final was 7-0, with the three stars awarded to Khudobin (34 save shutout), Pavelski, and Radulov, while Klingberg, Kiviranta and Hintz get the honorable mentions.

Out in Arizona, the Coyotes host the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner and Darcy Kuemper tend the twines. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Christian Dvorak power play goal, powered by Conor Garland. Vegas tied it in the second period with a Shea Theodore goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Coyotes retook the lead on a Derick Brassard goal, made possible by Tyler Pitlick and Dvorak. Arizona added on with a Nick Schmaltz goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Garland and Drake Caggiula. The Coyotes extended the lead in the third period as Garland scored his second of the season, thanks to Caggiula and Schmaltz. The Golden Knights got one back with a Cody Glass power play goal, with assists provided by Mark Stone and Theodore. Arizona iced it at 5-2 with a Jordan Oesterle power play empty net goal, set up by Lawson Crouse. The three stars were Garland, Schmaltz, and Dvorak, while Caggiula and Theodore get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Philipp Grubauer and John Gibson guard the cages. Colorado kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Joonas Donskoi power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Samuel Girard and Devon Toews. Anaheim tied it on a Hampus Lindholm goal in the second period, coming off of Rickard Rakell and Ryan Getzlaf. The Avalanche retook the lead in the third period with a Mikko Rantanen goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Bowen Byram and Gabriel Landeskog. The Ducks tied it again with an Adam Henrique goal, passed from Danton Heinen and Jakob Silfverberg. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime with a Landeskog goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Cale Makar. The three stars were Landeskog, Rantanen, and Donskoi. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 9

Another schedule was shortened by postponements, leading to just six games today. First up...

The Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Philadelphia got going in the second period with a Claude Giroux power play goal, powered by Ivan Provorov. The Flyers added on with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Jakub Voracek and Kevin Hayes. Boston got on the board in the third period with a Jack Studnicka goal, via David Krejci and Nick Ritchie. The Bruins tied it with a Charlie Coyle goal, made possible by Craig Smith and Kevan Miller. Philadelphia retook the lead on a Travis Sanheim goal, assisted by Voracek and Nolan Patrick. Boston retied it on a Ritchie power play goal, with assists provided by Patrice Bergeron and Krejci. The Bruins pulled ahead on a Brandon Carlo goal, fueled by Matt Grzelcyk and Brad Marchand. The Flyers evened the score as van Riemsdyk netted his second of the game and third of the year on the power play, with helpers from Voracek and Hayes. The tie went to a shootout, where Jake DeBrusk's lone tally lifted the Bruins to a 5-4 win. The three stars were Ritchie, Voracek, and van Riemsdyk, while Krejci and Hayes get the honorable mentions.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Joonas Korpisalo guard the cages. Columbus led off in the first period with an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, his second of the season, via Max Domi. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with a Blake Coleman goal, his second of the year, assisted by Ryan McDonagh and Yanni Gourde. The Lightning took the lead on a Mathieu Joseph goal, his second of the season, passed from McDonagh and Anthony Cirelli. The Blue Jackets tied it in the third period with a power play goal by Nick Foligno, his second of the year, powered by Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime with a Brayden Point goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. The three stars were Bjorkstrand, McDonagh, and Point.

Back east, the New York Islanders bring in the New Jersey Devils. Scott Wedgewood and Semyon Varlamov are the goalies. New York began in the first period with a Mathew Barzal goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Josh Bailey and Noah Dobson. The Islanders added on with a Jordan Eberle goal, via Anders Lee and Barzal. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with a Nathan Bastian goal, assisted by Ty Smith. New York replied in the third period with an Eberle power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Dobson and Barzal. The Islanders extended the lead as Brock Nelson scored his second of the year on the power play, thanks to Nick Leddy and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Eberle, Barzal, and Dobson.

Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Matt Murray protect the nets. Winnipeg opened in the first period with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his second of the year, assisted by Andrew Copp and Nathan Beaulieu. The Jets added on in the second period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his second of the season, coming off of Kyle Connor and Ehlers. Winnipeg extended the lead as Adam Lowry scored his second of the year, thanks to Trevor Lewis and Derek Forbort. The Jets padded the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his second of the season, made possible by Scheifele and Connor. Marcus Hogberg replaced Murray in goal to start the third period. Ottawa got on the board with a Chris Tierney goal, guided in by Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Brown. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Ehlers, Scheifele, and Hellebuyck (28 for 29 in saves), while Connor gets an honorable mention.

Out west, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Thatcher Demko are the backups in goal. Montreal started in the first period with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his fourth of the season, via Joel Armia. Vancouver tied it on a Bo Horvat goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Tyler Myers and Nils Hoglander. The Canadiens retook the lead with a shorthanded Armia goal, set up by Toffoli. The Canucks tied it again with another Horvat power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, courtesy of J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes. Montreal regained the lead on a shorthanded Toffoli goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Armia. The Canadiens added on with a Josh Anderson goal, his third of the season, guided in by Nick Suzuki and Jonathan Drouin. Montreal extended the lead as Jake Evans scored his second of the year, thanks to Paul Byron and Artturi Lehkonen. The Canadiens padded the lead as Armia scored his second of the game, with the help of Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Vancouver got one back in the third period with a Brandon Sutter goal, helped along by Myers and Brogan Rafferty. Montreal responded with a Ben Chiarot power play goal, with helpers from Jeff Petry and Tomas Tatar. This stood for a 7-3 win, with the three stars going to Armia, Toffoli, and Horvat, while Myers gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Hunter Miska and Jonathan Quick draw the starts in goal. Colorado struck first in the first period with a Mikko Rantanen goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche added on with a MacKinnon power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Cale Makar and Rantanen. Los Angeles got on the board with a Drew Doughty power play goal, with assists provided by Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter. The Kings tied it on a power play goal by Gabriel Vilardi, his second of the season, made possible by Sean Walker and Andreas Athanasiou. Los Angeles took the lead in the third period with an Adrian Kempe goal, his second of the year, guided in by Kopitar and Alex Iafallo. The Kings iced it at 4-2 with a Blake Lizotte empty net goal his second of the year, set up by Trevor Moore. The three stars went to Kopitar, Kempe, and MacKinnon, while Rantanen gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 8

There's only five games on tonight, and no postponements. First up...

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Edmonton Oilers. Mikko Koskinen and Frederik Andersen are the goalies. Edmonton opened in the first period with an unassisted Kailer Yamamoto goal, his second of the season. Toronto tied it in the third period on an Auston Matthews goal, his second of the year, via Zach Hyman and T.J. Brodie. The Oilers retook the lead with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, powered by Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton iced it at 3-1 with a Josh Archibald empty net goal, set up by Connor McDavid and Darnell Nurse. The three stars were Koskinen (25 for 26 in saves), Draisaitl, and Matthews.

Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Jordan Binnington are in the creases. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jordan Kyrou and Vince Dunn. San Jose tied it on a Marcus Sorensen goal, passed from Matt Nieto and Mario Ferraro. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Tomas Hertl's lone tally lifted the Sharks to a 2-1 win. The three stars were Jones (22 for 23 in saves), Binnington (37 for 38 in saves), and Sorensen.

Out in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Minnesota Wild. Kaapo Kahkonen and Ryan Miller are the backups in goal. Minnesota started in the first period with a Ryan Hartman shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. The Wild added on in the second period with a Nick Bonino power play goal, powered by Joel Eriksson Ek. Anaheim got on the board with a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, his second of the season, via Carter Rowney and Derek Grant. The Ducks tied it on a Cam Fowler goal, coming off of Rowney and Deslauriers. Minnesota retook the lead with a third period Eriksson Ek goal, his second of the year, helped along by Jordan Greenway and Kirill Kaprizov. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Eriksson Ek, Deslauriers, and Rowney.

Backtracking to Nevada, as the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Darcy Kuemper and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Vegas led off in the first period with a Shea Theodore goal, coming off of Alec Martinez and Alex Tuch. The Golden Knights added on with an Alex Pietrangelo goal, courtesy of Tuch and Keegan Kolesar. Vegas extended the lead as Mark Stone scored his second of the season, thanks to Max Pacioretty and Nicolas Hague. Arizona got on the board with a Nick Schmaltz goal, his second of the year, guided in by Drake Caggiula. The Golden Knights replied in the third period with Theodore's second goal of the game, passed from Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault. Vegas padded the lead as Tuch scored on the power play, with the help of Stone and Pietrangelo. The Coyotes got one back with a Phil Kessel goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Jakob Chychrun and Christian Dvorak. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Theodore, Tuch, and Pietrangelo, while Stone gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Vancouver began in the first period with a Bo Horvat power play goal, his second of the season, powered by J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes. Montreal tied it in the second period on a Tyler Toffoli goal, assisted by Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Canucks took the lead back with a Tyler Motte goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The Canadiens retied it with a Toffoli power play goal, his second of the game, passed from Nick Suzuki and Shea Weber. Vancouver pulled ahead again with a Brock Boeser goal, made possible by Hughes and Horvat. Montreal tied it again on a Brendan Gallagher goal, fueled by Tomas Tatar and Phillip Danault. The Canucks reclaimed the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Horvat, his second of the game and third of the season, with assists provided by Boeser and Miller. The Canadiens tied it once again with an unassisted Kotkaniemi goal. Montreal pulled ahead with a Toffoli goal to complete his hat trick, with helpers from Jeff Petry and Joel Armia. Vancouver got an equalizer on a Boeser goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Miller and Tyler Myers. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Miller and Horvat lifted the Canucks 6-5 over Suzuki and the Canadiens. The three stars belonged to Toffoli, Boeser, and Horvat, while Miller, Hughes, and Kotkaniemi get the honorable mentions.

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NHL 2021 - Day 7

We're set for seven games today after COVID-19 caused the postponement of the Nashville Predators versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Leading off...

The New York Rangers host the New Jersey Devils. MacKenzie Blackwood and Alexandar Georgiev are the goalies. New Jersey began in the first period with a Travis Zajac goal, courtesy of Miles Wood and P.K. Subban. New York tied it in the second period with a Chris Kreider power play goal, powered by Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox. The Devils retook the lead on a Jack Hughes goal, made possible by Ty Smith and Yegor Sharangovich. New Jersey added on with Hughes' second goal of the game, going in unassisted. The Rangers got one back with a Mika Zibanejad power play goal, with helpers from Fox and Panarin. The Devils countered with a Wood power play goal, his third of the season, assisted by Hughes and Kyle Palmieri. Igor Shesterkin replaced Georgiev in goal to start the third period. New York got closer with a Filip Chytil goal, guided in by Phillip Di Giuseppe and Pavel Buchnevich. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Hughes, Wood, and Panarin, while Fox gets an honorable mention.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Laurent Brossoit and Matt Murray man the nets. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Josh Norris power play goal, powered by Evgenii Dadonov and Drake Batherson. The Senators added on with a Chris Tierney goal, his second of the season, coming off of Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev. Winnipeg got on the board with an Adam Lowry goal, helped along by Neal Pionk and Mason Appelton. Ottawa answered in the second period with a power play goal by Alex Galchenyuk, with helpers from Mike Reilly and Derek Stepan. The Jets answered with a power play goal by Kyle Connor, his third of the year, courtesy of Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Winnipeg tied it in the third period on a Wheeler goal, passed from Josh Morrisey and Scheifele. The Jets won 4-3 in overtime with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, guided in by Andrew Copp and Morrissey. The three stars were Wheeler, Morrissey, and Scheifele.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Carter Hutton and Brian Elliott play in the creases. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Travis Konecny goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick. Jonas Johansson replaced Hutton in goal to start the third period. The Flyers added on in the third period with a Jakub Voracek goal, coming off of Kevin Hayes and Erik Gustafsson. Philadelphia iced it at 3-0 with a Hayes empty net goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Elliott (40 save shutout), Hayes, and Konecny.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Casey DeSmith are the backups in goal. Washington opened in the first period with a Lars Eller goal, helped along by T.J. Oshie and Richard Panik. Pittsburgh tied it on a Colton Sceviour goal, his second of the season, made possible by Teddy Blueger and Kasperi Kapanen. The Capitals retook the lead with a Tom Wilson goal, his second of the year, passed from Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington added on with another Wilson goal, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by John Carlson. The Penguins got one back in the second period with a Jake Guentzel power play goal, powered by Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby. The Capitals responded with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, guided in by Daniel Sprong and Jakub Vrana. Pittsburgh chipped back with a Blueger shorthanded goal, set up by the goalie DeSmith. The Penguins tied it with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, with assists provided by Kris Letang and Crosby. Pittsburgh won 5-4 with a Crosby goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Guentzel and Letang. The three stars were Crosby, Wilson, and Guentzel, while Blueger and Letang get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Kevin Lankinen is mismatched with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Florida started in the first period with a Carter Verhaeghe goal, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Anthony Duclair. The Panthers added on with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad. Chicago got on the board with a Dominik Kubalik power play goal, going in unassisted. Florida responded in the second period with a Verhaeghe power play goal, his second of the game, an unassisted goal. The Blackhawks fired back with a Kubalik power play goal, his second of the game, with assists provided by Duncan Keith and Lucas Wallmark. Chicago tied it as Patrick Kane scored his second of the year, going in unassisted. The Blackhawks pulled ahead in the third period with a Philipp Kurashev goal, made possible by Kubalik and Adam Boqvist. The Panthers retied it on a Hornqvist power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, passed from Yandle and Jonathan Huberdeau. Florida won 5-4 with a Frank Vatrano goal, via Barkov and MacKenzie Weegar. The three stars belonged to Verhaeghe, Yandle, and Kubalik, while Barkov and Hornqvist get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Jonathan Bernier draw the starts in goal. Columbus got going in the second period with a Boone Jenner goal, his second of the season, coming off of Max Domi and David Savard. Detroit tied it on an Anthony Mantha power play goal, powered by Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin. The Red Wings took the lead with a Bobby Ryan goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Jon Merrill and Frans Nielsen. The Blue Jackets retied it with a third period goal by Alexandre Texier, his third of the season, made possible by Dean Kukan and Liam Foudy. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime with a Bertuzzi goal, set up by Larkin. The three stars were Bertuzzi, Larkin, and Ryan.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Colorado Avalanche. Philipp Grubauer faces a lesser foe in Calvin Petersen in goal. Colorado kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Brandon Saad goal, assisted by Matt Calvert and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Devon Toews power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Samuel Girard and Joonas Donskoi. Colorado extended the lead as Mikko Rantanen scored his second of the year on the power play, with the help of MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his third of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Mikey Anderson. The Kings got closer with an Adrian Kempe power play goal, with helpers from Dustin Brown and Kopitar. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Rantanen, MacKinnon and Kopitar. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 6

An early start is on for today, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Thomas Greiss are in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his second of the season, coming off of Michael Rasmussen. Columbus tied it in the second period on an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, assisted by Boone Jenner and Michael Del Zotto. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period with an Alexandre Texier goal, his second of the year, passed from Bjorkstrand. Columbus added on with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, made possible by Mikhail Grigorenko. The Red Wings got one back with a Ryan goal, his second of the game and third of the season, helped along by Anthony Mantha and Filip Hronek. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Ryan, Bjorkstrand, and Dubois. 

Another matinee has the New York Islanders welcoming the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, via Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Varlamov (27 save shutout), Pageau, and Rask (16 for 17 in saves). 

At the usual time, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Frederik Andersen tend the twines. Toronto got going in the second period with a John Tavares power play goal, his third of the season, powered by William Nylander and Jake Muzzin. The Maple Leafs added on with a Mitchell Marner goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Justin Holl and Auston Matthews. Winnipeg got on the board with a Kyle Connor goal, his second of the season, assisted by Derek Forbort and Neal Pionk. Toronto iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a Marner empty net goal, set up by Alexander Kerfoot. The three stars went to Marner, Andersen (27 for 28 in saves), and Hellebuyck (35 for 37 in saves).

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres. Carter Hutton and Carter Hart are the similarly named goalies. Buffalo began in the first period with an unassisted Curtis Lazar goal. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Sam Reinhart power play goal, powered by Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel. Buffalo extended the lead as Reinhart scored again, thanks to Eichel and Hall. The Sabres padded the lead with a Lazar goal, his second of the game, made possible by Riley Sheahan and Brandon Montour. Buffalo continued in the third period with a Henri Jokiharju goal, with a lone helper by Eric Staal. Philadelphia got on the board with a Nicolas Aube-Kubel goal, coming off of Michael Raffl and Travis Sanheim. The Sabres iced it at 6-1 with a Victor Olofsson power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers provided by Hall and Eichel. The three stars were Lazar, Reinhart, and Hall, while Eichel gets an honorable mention. 

Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Devan Dubnyk and Jordan Binnington are in the blue paint. San Jose opened in the first period with a Kevin Labanc goal, via Brent Burns and Logan Couture. The Sharks added on with a Couture power play goal, powered by Tomas Hertl and Burns. St. Louis got on the board in the second period with a Justin Faulk goal, made possible by Ivan Barbashev and Carl Gunnarsson. The Blues tied it on a Mike Hoffman goal, passed from Colton Parayko and Tyler Bozak. San Jose regained the lead with a Burns power play goal, with assists provided by Evander Kane and Hertl. St. Louis tied it again with a Brayden Schenn goal, with a lone assist by Jordan Kyrou. The Blues pulled ahead with a Faulk goal, his second of the game, guided in by David Perron and Ryan O'Reilly. The Sharks evened it with Couture's second of the game, helped along by Labanc and Radim Simek. St. Louis gained the lead on a Kyrou goal, his second of the season, coming off of Parayko and Torey Krug. This stood for a 5-4 win, with the three stars being Faulk, Kyrou, and Burns, while Couture, Labanc, Hertl, and Parayko get the honorable mentions. 

Along to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. James Reimer and Pekka Rinne are set to start in goal. Carolina cracked the scoresheet in the second period with an Andrei Svechnikov power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Sebastian Aho. Nashville tied it with a Filip Forsberg goal, his third of the year, fueled by Viktor Arvidsson and Dante Fabbro. The Hurricanes took the lead back in the third period with an unassisted Vincent Trocheck goal, his second of the season. Carolina added on with an Aho goal, assisted by Svechnikov and Jake Gardiner. The Predators got one back with an Arvidsson power play goal, with assists provided by Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with a Nino Niederreiter empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Trocheck and Jaccob Slavin. The three stars belonged to Aho, Svechnikov, and Trocheck, while Arvidsson gets an honorable mention. 

Out in Calgary, the Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko faces former teammate Jacob Markstrom in goal. Vancouver started in the first period with a Jake Virtanen goal, with a lone helper by J.T. Miller. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his second of the season, fueled by Sean Monahan. The Flames took the lead on a Mikael Backlund goal, coming off of Milan Lucic and Josh Leivo. Calgary added on with an Elias Lindholm power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Gaudreau. The Flames extended the lead as Mark Giordano scored an unassisted power play goal in the third period. The Canucks got one back with a shorthanded Tyler Myers goal, going in unassisted. Calgary finished it at 5-2 with a Rasmus Andersson empty net goal, set up by Monahan. The three stars were Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Monahan.

Also in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Mikko Koskinen are between the pipes. Montreal struck first in the first period with an Alexander Romanov goal, assisted by Brett Kulak and Paul Byron. The Canadiens added on with a Shea Weber power play goal, powered by Nick Suzuki and Tyler Toffoli in the second period. Montreal extended the lead in the third period as Artturi Lehkonen scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Jeff Petry. Edmonton got on the board with a shorthanded Devin Shore goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Allen (25 for 26 in saves), Romanov, and Weber.

To California, as the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and John Gibson protect the nets. Anaheim kicked off the scoring in the third period with a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, via Kevin Shattenkirk and Carter Rowney. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Gibson (34 save shutout), Deslauriers, and Talbot (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Arizona Coyotes. Darcy Kuemper and Robin Lehner are the masked men. Arizona drew first blood in the first period with a Tyler Pitlick shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Nick Schmaltz power play goal, powered by Jakob Chychrun and Derick Brassard. Vegas got on the board with a Max Pacioretty goal, his third of the season, assisted by Chandler Stephenson and Shea Theodore. The Golden Knights tied it in the third period with a Reilly Smith goal, coming off of William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. Vegas took the lead with a Stephenson goal, helped along by Zach Whitecloud and Mark Stone. The Golden Knights capped it at 4-2 with a Smith shorthanded empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Smith, Stephenson, and Lehner (30 for 32 in saves). 

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NHL 2021 - Day 5

Only a pair of games on today, beginning with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins welcoming the Washington Capitals. Ilya Samsonov and Casey DeSmith make the starts in goal. Pittsburgh started in the first period with an Evan Rodrigues goal, fueled by Brian Dumoulin and Jake Guentzel. Washington tied it on an unassisted Nic Dowd goal. The Capitals took the lead with an Alex Ovechkin goal, passed from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. The Penguins retied it in the second period on a Colton Sceviour goal, helped along by Teddy Blueger. Washington regained the lead with a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Kuznetsov and Ovechkin. Pittsburgh retied it on a Marcus Pettersson goal, guided in by Jason Zucker and Bryan Rust. The Penguins won 4-3 in the shootout with a Guentzel tally. The three stars were Guentzel, Ovechkin, and Kuznetsov. 

The other game has the Florida Panthers bringing in the Chicago Blackhawks. Collin Delia and Chris Driedger are the unknown goalies. Florida got going in the second period with an unassisted Aaron Ekblad goal. The Panthers added on with a Keith Yandle goal, made possible by Jonathan Huberdeau and Eetu Luostarinen. Chicago got on the board with an Alex DeBrincat power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks tied it on a Connor Murphy goal in the third period, helped along by Keith and Pius Suter. Florida regained the lead with a Luostarinen goal, coming off of Carter Verhaeghe and Anton Stralman. The Panthers extended the lead as Patric Hornqvist scored, thanks to Huberdeau and Radko Gudas. Florida padded the lead on a Huberdeau power play goal, with a lone assist by Aleksander Barkov and Hornqvist. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Huberdeau, Luostarinen, and Keith, while Hornqvist gets an honorable mention. 

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