NHL 2021 - Day 25

With some schedule shuffling, there's six games on today. We begin with...

The Ottawa Senators hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Matt Murray draw the starts in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Jeff Petry power play goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. Ottawa tied it on a Colin White power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Josh Norris. The Canadiens retook the lead in the third period with a Josh Anderson goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Nick Suzuki and Jonathan Drouin. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Allen (34 for 35 in saves), Anderson, and Petry. 

Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Darcy Kuemper faces a lesser foe in Ville Husso in goal. Arizona began in the first period with a Jakob Chychrun goal, his second of the season, assisted by Clayton Keller and Conor Garland. St. Louis tied it on a Robert Thomas goal, via Colton Parayko and Torey Krug. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period with a Keller power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Phil Kessel and Jordan Oesterle. Arizona iced it at 3-1 with a Chychrun power play empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, set up by Garland. The three stars were Chychrun, Keller, and Garland.

At the regular time, the New York Islanders bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Semyon Varlamov are set to start in goal. New York opened in the first period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourth of the season, via Michael Dal Colle and Noah Dobson. Pittsburgh tied it on a Pierre-Olivier Joseph goal, passed from Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang. The Islanders took the lead back with an Eberle goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, courtesy of Brock Nelson and Dal Colle. The Penguins tied it in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his second of the season, coming off of Kasperi Kapanen. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third period on a Guentzel goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. New York tied it again with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, guided in by Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin. The Islanders took the lead with an Anders Lee power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Eberle, Dal Colle, and Guentzel.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the Vancouver Canucks. Braden Holtby and Frederik Andersen guard the cages. Toronto started in the first period with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Mitchell Marner and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs added on with an Auston Matthews goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Marner and Zach Hyman. Toronto extended the lead in the second period as Hyman scored his third of the season, thanks to Mikko Lehtonen and Marner. The Maple Leafs padded the lead in the third period with Matthews' second of the game and tenth of the year, going in unassisted. Toronto kept going with Simmonds' second goal of the game and fifth of the season, passed from Lehtonen and John Tavares. Vancouver got on the board with a Brock Boeser power play goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. This only made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars given to Matthews, Simmonds, and Marner, while Hyman and Lehtonen get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Calgary Flames welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Mikko Koskinen and Jacob Markstrom tend the twines. Calgary kicked off the scoring in the first period with an Elias Lindholm goal, his third of the season, assisted by Dillon Dube and Matthew Tkachuk. Edmonton tied it on a Jujhar Khaira goal, courtesy of William Lagesson and Adam Larsson. The Oilers took the lead on a power play goal by Connor McDavid, his ninth of the year, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Tyson Barrie. The Flames tied it on a Milan Lucic goal, his third of the season, fueled by Andrew Mangiapane and Mikael Backlund. Calgary took the lead on a Backlund goal, his third of the year, via Mangiapane and Lucic. Edmonton tied it in the third period with a Jesse Puljujarvi goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by McDavid. The Flames regained the lead on a Dube power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Mark Giordano and Backlund. Calgary added on with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Sean Monahan and Giordano. The Oilers pulled back on a Darnell Nurse goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Dominik Kahun and Leon Draisaitl. The Flames responded with a Sam Bennett goal, coming off of Gaudreau and Monahan. This held for a 6-4 win, with the three stars going to Backlund, Lucic, and Gaudreau, while Dube, Mangiapane, Monahan, Giordano, and McDavid get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the San Jose Sharks. Devan Dubnyk and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Logan Couture goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Mario Ferraro and Evander Kane. Anaheim tied it in the second period on an Isac Lundestrom goal, assisted by Hampus Lindholm and Kevin Shattenkirk. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Troy Terry and Max Comtois topped Ryan Donato as the Ducks won 2-1. The three stars were Miller (26 for 27 in saves), Dubnyk (32 for 33 in saves), and Lundestrom. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 24

A full slate of five games goes this Friday, beginning with...

The Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas Greiss and Andrei Vasilevskiy are in goal. Detroit began in the first period with a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, his second of the season, via Filip Zadina and Jon Merrill. Tampa Bay tied it on an unassisted Pat Maroon goal. The Lightning took the lead in the second period with a Barclay Goodrow goal, assisted by Jan Rutta and Brayden Point. Tampa Bay iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a Goodrow empty net goal, set up by Blake Coleman and Ryan McDonagh. The three stars belonged to Goodrow, Vasilevskiy (27 for 28 in saves), and Maroon.

Up in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Brian Elliott are the veteran goalies. Philadelphia got going in the third period with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Erik Gustafsson and Claude Giroux. Boston tied it on a Brad Marchand goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins took the lead on a Sean Kuraly goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Anders Bjork and David Krejci. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Rask (23 for 24 in saves), Kuraly, and Marchand.

Back in Florida, the Panthers host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Chris Driedger draw the starts. Nashville led off in the first period with a Colton Sissons goal, his second of the season, made possible by Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis. Florida tied it in the second period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Carter Verhaeghe and Owen Tippett. The Panthers took the lead with a Verhaeghe goal, his sixth of the campaign, coming off of Barkov and MacKenzie Weegar. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Verhaeghe, Barkov, and Driedger (24 for 25 in saves). 

Out west, the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Marc-Andre Fleury are the veteran goalies. Vegas opened in the first period with a Nicolas Hague goal, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone. The Golden Knights added on with a Stone goal, his third of the season, coming off of Pacioretty and Shea Theodore. Vegas extended the lead as Jonathan Marchessault scored his second of the year, thanks to William Karlsson and Hague. The Golden Knights chased Quick in the second period with a Karlsson goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Marchessault and Hague. Calvin Petersen replaced Quick in goal. Vegas padded the lead with a Cody Glass power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Karlsson and Pacioretty. Los Angeles got on the board in the third period with an Austin Wagner goal, with helpers from Dustin Brown and Olli Maatta. The Kings got closer on a Brown power play goal, his fourth of the campaign, with assists provided by Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Hague, Karlsson, and Stone, while Pacioretty, Marchessault, and Brown receive the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and John Gibson guard the cages. San Jose started in the first period with a Matt Nieto goal, his third of the season, assisted by Marcus Sorensen and Alexander Chmelevski. Anaheim tied it in the second period on an Adam Henrique goal, his second of the year, passed from Derek Grant and Troy Terry. The Ducks took the lead with a Terry goal, guided in by Cam Fowler and Grant. Anaheim added on with a Max Comtois goal, his fourth of the season, via Rickard Rakell. The Sharks got one back in the third period with a Logan Couture goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Evander Kane and Brent Burns. San Jose tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Kane goal, his third of the season. The Sharks took the lead with a Burns goal, his third of the year, made possible by Ryan Donato. The Ducks retied it on a Comtois goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, with helpers from Carter Rowney and Hampus Lindholm. The Sharks won 5-4 in the shootout with goals by Donato and Kevin Labanc. The three stars were Comtois, Kane, and Burns, while Grant and Terry get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 23

Eight games on today, beginning with...

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Frederik Andersen are the goalies. Toronto led off in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Mitchell Marner and Jake Muzzin. Vancouver tied it on a Tanner Pearson goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a Jason Spezza power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and William Nylander. Toronto added on in the second period with another Matthews goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, helped along by Marner. The Canucks pulled one back on a Bo Horvat goal, his sixth of the season, via J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. The Maple Leafs answered with another Spezza goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Nic Petan and Travis Boyd. Toronto extended the lead as John Tavares scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Nylander and Rielly. The Maple Leafs padded the lead in the third period with a Spezza goal to complete his hat trick on his fourth of the year, with helpers from Muzzin and Nylander. Vancouver got one back with a Miller power play goal, his third of the season, with an assist from Quinn Hughes. Toronto countered on a Marner goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Zach Bogosian and Boyd. This stood for a 7-3 win, with the three stars going to Spezza, Matthews, and Marner, while Nylander, Boyd, Rielly, Muzzin, and Miller get the honorable mentions.

Over in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray and Carey Price protect the nets. Montreal began in the first period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Tomas Tatar and Phillip Danault. Ottawa tied it with a Thomas Chabot goal, his third of the year, via Chris Tierney and Tim Stutzle. The Senators took the lead on a Stutzle power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Drake Batherson and Chabot. Ottawa added on in the second period with a Connor Brown goal, coming off of Erik Brannstrom and Stutzle. The Canadiens got one back in the third period with a Josh Anderson shorthanded goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Danault. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Stutzle, Chabot, and Danault.

Stateside, the New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Igor Shesterkin are the young goalies. New York opened in the first period with a Ryan Strome goal, his third of the season, coming off of Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin. The Rangers added on in the second period with an Anthony Bitetto goal, via Kevin Rooney. Washington got on the board with a Carl Hagelin goal, made possible by Garnet Hathaway and Michael Sgarbossa. New York replied in the third period with a Strome goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, assisted by Panarin and Kaapo Kakko. The Capitals got one back on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom. The Rangers iced it at 4-2 with a Pavel Buchnevich empty net goal, his third of the year, set up Mika Zibanejad and Panarin. The three stars were Strome, Panarin, and Shesterkin (31 for 33 in saves).

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Sergei Bobrovsky draw the starts in goal. Florida started in the first period with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. The Panthers retook the lead on a Huberdeau goal, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Markus Nutivaara and Patric Hornqvist. The Predators tied it again with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his second of the season, coming off of Forsberg. Florida retook the lead on an Aaron Ekblad power play goal in the second period, his third of the year, with assists provided by Aleksander Barkov and Huberdeau. Nashville tied it again with a Matt Duchene goal, via Forsberg and Ellis. The Panthers went ahead again on a Barkov power play goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Huberdeau and Keith Yandle. Florida added on with a Huberdeau goal to complete his hat trick with his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Pekka Rinne replaced Saros in goal for the third period. The Predators pulled one back in the third period on a Roman Josi goal, his second of the year, passed from Mattias Ekholm and Forsberg. Nashville tied it with Duchene's second goal of the game, an unassisted goal on the power play. The Predators won 6-5 in overtime with a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, set up by Viktor Arvidsson. The three stars were Forsberg, Huberdeau, and Duchene, while Ellis and Barkov get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Dallas Stars. Anton Khudobin and Joonas Korpisalo man the nets. Columbus struck first in the first period with an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mikhail Grigorenko and Seth Jones. The Blue Jackets added on with a Jack Roslovic goal, fueled by Eric Robinson and Zach Werenski. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a Roope Hintz power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Denis Gurianov and Alexander Radulov. Columbus replied with a Patrik Laine goal, his third of the season, made possible by Max Domi and Alexandre Texier. The Stars pulled back on a Jason Dickinson goal, his second of the year, passed from Radulov and Miro Heiskanen. The Blue Jackets responded in the third period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his second of the season, guided in by Bjorkstrand and Roslovic. Dallas chipped back on a Jamie Benn goal, his third of the year, helped along by Radulov and Joe Pavelski. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars given to Bjorkstrand, Radulov, and Roslovic.

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. James Reimer and Kevin Lankinen are set to start in goal. Carolina drew first blood in the first period on a Sebastian Aho goal, his second of the season, guided in by Dougie Hamilton and Andrei Svechnikov. Chicago tied it on a Mattias Janmark power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Dominik Kubalik and Philipp Kurashev. The Blackhawks took the lead with a Kubalik power play goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Nicolas Beaudin and Janmark. Chicago added on with a power play goal by Andrew Shaw, his second of the year, passed from Patrick Kane and Kubalik. The Hurricanes got one back with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his fourth of the season, via Martin Necas and Jaccob Slavin. Carolina tied it on a Svechnikov goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Hamilton. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on a Kane goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Carl Soderberg. The Hurricanes retied it with a Brock McGinn goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Aho and Brett Pesce. Chicago reclaimed the lead with an Alex DeBrincat goal, his third of the season, fueled by Pius Suter and Kane. The Blackhawks finished it at 6-4 with a DeBrincat empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, set up by Kane. The three stars were Kane, Kubalik, and Janmark, while DeBrincat, Aho, Svechnikov, and Hamilton get the honorable mentions.

South to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Arizona Coyotes. Antti Raanta and Jordan Binnington are between the pipes. Arizona kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Tyler Pitlick goal, his second of the season, assisted by Drake Caggiula and Christian Dvorak. The Coyotes added on with a Nick Schmaltz goal, his fifth of the year, via Conor Garland and Jordan Oesterle. Arizona extended the lead in the second period as Garland scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Jason Demers and Oesterle. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his third of the year, passed from Torey Krug and Brayden Schenn. The Coyotes responded with a Dvorak empty net goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blues chipped back with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jaden Schwartz and David Perron. St. Louis got closer with a Hoffman goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, guided in by Perron and Krug. The three stars were Garland, Dvorak, and Oesterle, while Hoffman, Perron, and Krug get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Connor Hellebuyck tend the twines. Calgary was first to score in the first period with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Juuso Valimaki. Winnipeg tied it on a Mason Appleton goal in the second period, his second of the year, via Adam Lowry and Mathieu Perreault. The Jets took the lead with a Kyle Connor goal, his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg added on with a Mark Scheifele goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Neal Pionk and Perreault. The Jets iced it at 4-1 with an Appleton empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, set up by Perreault. The three stars were Appleton, Perreault, and Hellebuyck (23 for 24 in saves). 

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NHL 2021 - Day 22

Just two games are left on the schedule today, beginning with...

The Tampa Bay Lightning welcoming the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas Greiss and Andrei Vasilevskiy play in goal. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Victor Hedman goal, his third of the season, coming off of Tyler Johnson. The Lightning added on with an Anthony Cirelli goal, his second of the year, via Alex Killorn and Luke Schenn. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Ryan McDonagh scored, thanks to Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. Calvin Pickard replaced Greiss in goal. The Lightning padded the lead in the second period on a Brayden Point goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat. Detroit got on the board with an Anthony Mantha goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Christian Djoos. Tampa Bay responded with a Killorn goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Mikhail Sergachev and Coleman. This made it 5-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Killorn, Coleman, and Cirelli. 

Up in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Carter Hart tend twines. Boston began in the first period with a David Pastrnak goal, his third of the season, guided in by Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron. Philadelphia tied it on a Kevin Hayes goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, via Travis Sanheim and Philippe Myers. The Flyers took the lead in the third period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Sanheim and Nolan Patrick. Philadelphia added on with a Joel Farabee goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Scott Laughton and James van Riemsdyk. The Bruins got one back with a power play goal by Pastrnak, his second of the game and fourth of the season, powered by Bergeron and Nick Ritchie. Boston tied it on a power play goal by Pastrnak, completing his hat trick with his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Brad Marchand and Bergeron. The Bruins won 4-3 in overtime with a Bergeron power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Pastrnak and David Krejci. The three stars were Pastrnak, Bergeron, and Sanheim. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 21

There's eight games on today after a couple of postponements in the east. We begin with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Jake Allen are the backups in goal. Montreal opened in the first period with a Josh Anderson goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Ben Chiarot and Nick Suzuki. The Canadiens added on with another Anderson goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Brett Kulak and Suzuki. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, courtesy of Jay Beagle and Quinn Hughes. Montreal responded with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Joel Edmundson and Jeff Petry. The Canadiens extended the lead as Toffoli scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, fueled by Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Shea Weber. The Canucks got one back in the third period with an Elias Pettersson power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by J.T. Miller and Hughes. Vancouver got closer on a Tanner Pearson goal, his third of the year, passed from Brock Boeser and Hughes. Montreal iced it at 5-3 with a Petry empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Toffoli. The three stars were Toffoli, Anderson, and Petry, while Suzuki and Hughes get the honorable mentions.

Stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Joonas Korpisalo are set to start in goal. Dallas started in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of John Klingberg and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on in the second period with a Pavelski power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, powered by Klingberg. Columnubs got on the board with a Seth Jones power play goal, with assists provided by Jack Roslovic and Nick Foligno. Dallas replied on a Benn goal, his second of the season, assisted by Pavelski. The Stars extended the lead as Denis Gurianov scored his fourth of the year on the power play, thanks to Alexander Radulov and Roope Hintz. Dallas padded the lead on a Radek Faksa goal, made possible by Blake Comeau and Andrew Cogliano. Elvis Merzlikins replaced Korpisalo in goal. The Blue Jackets got one back in the third period on a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his second of the season, helped along by Eric Robinson. Columbus got closer with a Dean Kukan goal, via Grigorenko and Vladislav Gavrikov. The Stars shot back on a Radulov empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Pavelski and Benn. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Pavelski, Benn, and Klingberg, while Radulov and Grigorenko get the honorable mentions.

Over in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Carolina Hurricanes. James Reimer and Kevin Lankinen are in the creases. Carolina led off in the first period with an Andrei Svechnikov goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Jordan Staal and Warren Foegele. The Hurricanes added on with a Foegele goal, via Staal and Brady Skjei. Chicago got on the board with a Philipp Kurashev power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Pius Suter and Dominik Kubalik. The Blackhawks tied it with a Patrick Kane goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Alex DeBrincat. Carolina retook the lead in the third period with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Nino Niederreiter and Brett Pesce. Chicago retied it on a Dylan Strome goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by DeBrincat and Kubalik. The Hurricanes won 4-3 in the shootout with a Svechnikov tally. The three stars were Staal, Svechnikov, and DeBrincat, while Kubalik gets an honorable mention.

Down in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Darcy Kuemper and Jordan Binnington guard the cages. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Christian Dvorak goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Tyler Pitlick and Drake Caggiula. St. Louis tied it on a Mike Hoffman goal, his second of the year, via Colton Parayko and Sammy Blais. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a Justin Faulk goal, his third of the season, coming off of Blais and Vince Dunn. The Coyotes retied it with a Dvorak goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Nick Schmaltz and Phil Kessel on the power play. St. Louis reclaimed the lead with a Dunn goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Kyrou. The Blues added on in the third period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Kyrou and Parayko. Arizona got one back with a Schmaltz goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Conor Garland and Kessel. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Dunn, Dvorak, and Kyrou, while Parayko, Blais, Schmaltz, and Kessel get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Winnipeg Jets host the Calgary Flames. David Rittich and Laurent Brossoit receive the starting nods in goal. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Trevor Lewis shorthanded goal, set up by Mason Appleton. The Jets added on with a Derek Forbort goal, assisted by Neal Pionk and Andrew Copp. Calgary got on the board with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Dillon Dube and Elias Lindholm. Winnipeg replied with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Dylan DeMelo and Mark Scheifele. The Flames got one back in the third period on a Tkachuk goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, made possible by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Tkachuk, Ehlers, and Brossoit (28 for 30 in saves).

Southwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Philipp Grubauer protect the nets. Colorado kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Logan O'Connor goal, his second of the season, guided in by Kiefer Sherwood and Cale Makar. The Avalanche added on with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his second of the year, via Joonas Donskoi in the second period. Minnesota got on the board with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Gerald Mayhew. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Grubauer (27 for 28 in saves), Nichushkin, and O'Connor.

In Canada once more, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Marcus Hogberg and Mikko Koskinen are in the blue paint. Edmonton drew first blood in the first period with a Darnell Nurse goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Connor McDavid. The Oilers added on with a Jesse Puljujarvi goal, coming off of McDavid and Barrie. Edmonton extended the lead as Leon Draisaitl scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Kailer Yamamoto. The Oilers padded the lead in the second period on a Puljujarvi goal, his second of the game, fueled by Evan Bouchard and Kris Russell. Ottawa got on the board with a Cedric Paquette goal, courtesy of Thomas Chabot and Austin Watson. The Senators got closer with a Tim Stutzle goal in the third period, his third of the campaign, helped along by Derek Stepan and Artem Zub. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Puljujarvi, McDavid, and Barrie.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Los Angeles Kings. Calvin Petersen is mismatched with John Gibson in goal. Anaheim cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Danton Heinen goal, his third of the season, coming off of Jakob Silfverberg and Sam Steel. The Ducks added on in the second period with a David Backes goal, fueled by Carter Rowney and Nicolas Deslauriers. Los Angeles got on the board with an Arthur Kaliyev goal, assisted by Michael Amadio and Drew Doughty. Anaheim iced it at 3-1 with a Deslauriers empty net goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Gibson (20 for 21 in saves), Deslauriers, and Petersen (40 for 42 in saves). 

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NHL 2021 - Day 20

There's five games on this Monday, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Casey DeSmith and Igor Shesterkin are the goalies. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Jason Zucker goal, his third of the season, assisted by Chad Ruhwedel and Evgeni Malkin. New York tied it on a Kevin Rooney goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Artemi Panarin and Ryan Lindgren. The Rangers took the lead with a Chris Kreider goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Adam Fox and Panarin. New York iced it at 3-1 with a Panarin empty net goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Ryan Strome. The three stars were Panarin, Kreider, and Shesterkin (25 for 26 in saves). 

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Braden Holtby and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal started in the first period with a Nick Suzuki goal, his third of the season, coming off of Josh Anderson and Jonathan Drouin. The Canadiens added on with a shorthanded an unassisted Artturi Lehkonen goal, his second of the year. Vancouver got on the board with an Adam Gaudette goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Montreal shot back with a Jeff Petry goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Paul Byron and Lehkonen. The Canadiens extended the lead as Brendan Gallagher scored his fourth of the season in the second period, thanks to Suzuki. Montreal padded the lead on a Petry goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, fueled by Corey Perry and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Canadiens continued with a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Shea Weber and Petry. The Canucks got one back with a Jay Beagle goal, helped along by Tyler Motte and Alexander Edler in the third period. This only made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars given to Petry, Lehkonen, and Suzuki. 

Way south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Andrei Vasilevskiy protect the nets. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Steven Stamkos and Jan Rutta. The Lightning added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his second of the year, passed from Tyler Johnson and Anthony Cirelli. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Brayden Point scored his third of the season, thanks to Mathieu Joseph and Pat Maroon. The Lightning padded the lead in the second period with a Stamkos power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn. Nashville got on the board in the third period with an Eeli Tolvanen goal, made possible by Erik Haula. The Predators pulled closer with a Mikael Granlund goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-2 with a Gourde empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the year, set up by Barclay Goodrow. The three stars belonged to Stamkos, Gourde, and Point. 

Backtracking to DC, the Washington Capitals bring in the Boston Bruins. Jaroslav Halak and Vitek Vanecek patrol the creases. Washington began in the first period with a Zdeno Chara goal, his second of the season, coming off of Garnet Hathaway and Nic Dowd. The Capitals added on with a Daniel Sprong goal, his second of the year, assisted by Jakub Vrana and Nick Jensen. Washington extended the lead in the second period with a Josh Carlson power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Vrana. Boston got on the board with a David Pastrnak goal, guided in by Brad Marchand and Brandon Carlo. The Bruins got closer with another Pastrnak goal in the third period, fueled by Jakub Zboril and Charlie McAvoy. Boston tied it as Craig Smith scored his third of the year, thanks to Jeremy Lauzon and Nick Ritchie. The Bruins took the lead with a Carlo goal, his second of the season, helped along by Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner. Boston iced it at 5-3 with a Marchand empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by David Krejci. The three stars went to Pastrnak, Carlo, and Marchand, while Vrana gets an honorable mention. 

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets host the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Connor Hellebuyck guard the cages. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Kyle Connor power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on with a Connor power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with assists provided by Josh Morrissey and Wheeler. Calgary got on the board with a Christopher Tanev goal, helped along by Elias Lindholm. The Flames tied it in the third period with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Juuso Valimaki and Lindholm. Calgary took the lead on an Andrew Mangiapane goal, fueled by Noah Hanifin and Matthew Tkachuk. Winnipeg retied it on a Scheifele goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Neal Pionk and Wheeler. The tie went to a shootout, where Sean Monahan and Gaudreau lifted the Flames 4-3 over Connor and the Jets. The three stars were Gaudreau, Connor, and Wheeler, while Scheifele and Lindholm get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 19

We've got eight games on this Sunday, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the New Jersey Devils. Eric Comrie and Carter Hutton are the backups in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Michael McLeod goal, his second of the season, passed from P.K. Subban and Ryan Murray. The Devils added on with an Andreas Johnsson goal, his second of the year, coming off of Jesper Bratt and Ty Smith. Buffalo got on the board in the second period with a Curtis Lazar goal, his third of the season, assisted by Rasmus Ristolainen and Jake McCabe. The Sabres tied it on a Rasmus Dahlin power play goal, powered by Victor Olofsson and Jack Eichel. New Jersey retook the lead with a Miles Wood goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Janne Kuokkanen. Buffalo retied it in the third period with a Ristolainen power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Olofsson and Eichel. The Devils regained the lead on a McLeod goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Wood and Nathan Bastian. New Jersey iced it at 5-3 with a Wood empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, set up by Pavel Zacha and Damon Severson. The three stars went to Wood, McLeod, and Ristolainen, while Eichel and Olofsson get the honorable mentions. 

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Chris Driedger and Thomas Greiss are set to start in goal. Detroit started in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Givani Smith. Florida tied it on a Patric Hornqvist power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Keith Yandle. The Panthers took the lead with an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Yandle and Huberdeau. Florida added on in the third period with a Carter Verhaeghe goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Aleksander Barkov and Markus Nutivaara. The Red Wings got one back with an Anthony Mantha goal, his third of the season, made possible by Bobby Ryan and Filip Hronek. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Yandle, Huberdeau, and Verhaeghe.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Dallas Stars. Anton Khudobin and James Reimer are in the creases. Carolina led off in the first period with a Jordan Staal power play goal, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Sebastian Aho. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Oleksiak goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jamie Benn. The Hurricanes took the lead back with a Brock McGinn shorthanded goal, set up by Staal and Brady Skjei. The Stars tied it again in the third period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his second of the year, made possible by Blake Comeau and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas pulled ahead on a Benn goal, assisted by Alexander Radulov and the goalie Khudobin. Carolina tied it again with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his third of the season, helped along by Brett Pesce. In the shootout, Hamilton and Vincent Trocheck lifted the Hurricanes 4-3 over Radulov and the Stars. The three stars were Staal, Benn, and Hamilton. 

Northwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Kevin Lankinen are the goalies. Chicago began in the first period with a Philipp Kurashev goal, his third of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane and Mattias Janmark. Columbus tied it on a Boone Jenner goal, his third of the year, fueled by Jack Roslovic and Liam Foudy. The Blackhawks retook the lead in the third period with a Pius Suter goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Chicago added on with a Kane goal, his fourth of the year, via Kurashev. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Kane, Kurashev, and Lankinen (32 for 33 in saves). 

Back east, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Brian Elliott receive the starting nods in goal. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Joel Farabee goal, his third of the season, via James van Riemsdyk. New York tied it in the second period with a Nick Leddy power play goal, powered by Josh Bailey and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Flyers retook the lead on a Farabee goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, courtesy of van Riemsdyk and Travis Sanheim. Philadelphia added on with a Farabee goal to complete his hat trick with his fifth of the season, made possible by Philippe Myers and van Riemsdyk. The Islanders got one back in the third period with a Bailey goal, assisted by Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal. New York tied it as Barzal scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Anders Lee. The flyers won 4-3 in overtime with a Kevin Hayes power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, with assists provided by Claude Giroux and Ivan Provorov. The three stars were handed to Farabee, van Riemsdyk, and Barzal, while Bailey gets an honorable mention. 

West again to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Hunter Miska and Cam Talbot are in the creases. Colorado drew first blood in the first period with a Joonas Donskoi goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Minnesota tied it on a Jordan Greenway goal, his second of the year, passed from Joel Eriksson Ek and Ryan Hartman. The Wild took the lead in the second period with a Victor Rask goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. The Avalanche retied it on a Cale Makar goal, via MacKinnon and Samuel Girard. Colorado pulled ahead in the third period on a Brandon Saad goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Nazem Kadri. Minnesota tied it again with a Rask goal, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by Kirill Kaprizov. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Jonas Brodin goal, his second of the year, set up by Greenway and Eriksson Ek. The three stars were Rask, Greenway, and MacKinnon, while Eriksson Ek gets an honorable mention.

Out in Anaheim, the Ducks host the St. Louis Blues. Ville Husso is mismatched with John Gibson in goal. Anaheim kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Jakob Silfverberg power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Hampus Lindholm. St. Louis tied it in the second period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Justin Faulk and Torey Krug. The Blues took the lead on a Sammy Blais goal, coming off of Mike Hoffman and Robert Thomas. St. Louis added on in the third period with a Schenn power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with assists provided by Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron. The Blues extended the lead as Colton Parayko scored, thanks to Niko Mikkola and Thomas. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Schenn, Thomas, and Husso (25 for 26 in saves).

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray and Stuart Skinner are the alliterative goalies. Edmonton was first to score in the first period with a Dominik Kahun goal, his second of the season, via Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers added on with a James Neal power play goal, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid. Ottawa got on the board with a Colin White goal, passed from Evgenii Dadonov and Nick Paul. Edmonton replied with a Tyson Barrie power play goal, with assists provided by Draisaitl and McDavid. Marcus Hogberg replaced Murray in goal. The Oilers extended the lead as Neal scored his second of the game, with the help of Kyle Turris. Edmonton padded the lead with a Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by McDavid and Draisaitl. The Senators got one back on a Brady Tkachuk goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Connor Brown and Artem Zub. Ottawa got closer with a Drake Batherson power play goal, with helpers from Mike Reilly and Tkachuk. The Oilers shot back in the second period with a McDavid power play goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton continued with a Darnell Nurse goal, his second of the season, dished from McDavid and Draisaitl. The Oilers kept going with a Kailer Yamamoto goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Draisaitl and Barrie. The Senators got one back in the third period with a Tim Stutzle power play goal, his second of the season, fueled by White and Josh Norris. Ottawa pulled closer on an Austin Watson goal, his third of the year, guided in by Erik Gudbranson and Chris Tierney. The final stood from here at 8-5, with the three stars given to Draisaitl, McDavid, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Neal, Barrie, White, and Tkachuk get the honorable mentions. 

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