NHL 2021-22 - Day 5

A huge day with 14 games is on, beginning with one matinee in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Dustin Tokarski draw the starts in goal. Arizona led off in the first period with an Andrew Ladd goal, via Ryan Dzingel and Johan Larsson. Buffalo tied it on a Cody Eakin power play goal in the second period, powered by Drake Caggiula and Rasmus Dahlin. The Sabres won 2-1 in a shootout with tallies by Tage Thompson and Arttu Ruotsalainen overpowering the Coyotes' lone marker from Nick Schmaltz. The three stars were Tokarski (20 for 21 in saves), Eakin, and Vejmelka (32 for 33 in saves). 

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Sergei Bobrovsky are the Russian goalies. Florida began in the first period with a Sam Bennett goal, fueled by Radko Gudas and Gustav Forsling. The Panthers added on in the second period with another Bennett goal, his second of the game, via Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad. Florida extended the lead as Anthony Duclair scored his second of the season, thanks to MacKenzie Weegar. New York got on the board in the third period with an Oliver Wahlstrom power play goal, going in unassisted. The Panthers answered with a Bennett goal to complete his hat trick, with helpers from Matt Kiersted. Florida padded the lead with an Aleksander Barkov goal, made possible by Carter Verhaeghe and Forsling. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars awarded to Bennett, Forsling, and Bobrovsky (29 for 30 in saves).

Back north, the Boston Bruins bring in the Dallas Stars. Braden Holtby and Jeremy Swayman are set to start in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period with a Brad Marchand penalty shot goal. Dallas tied it in the second period with a Luke Glendening goal, assisted by Tanner Kero. The Bruins retook the lead in the third period with a Jake DeBrusk goal, courtesy of Erik Haula and Nick Foligno. Boston added on with a Marchand empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by David Pastrnak. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars handed to Marchand, DeBrusk, and Swayman (27 for 28 in saves).

Along to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators. Anton Forsberg and Jack Campbell are the masked men. Toronto started in the first period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, courtesy of Rasmus Sandin and Travis Dermott. The Maple Leafs added on with an Alexander Kerfoot goal, made possible by William Nylander and Michael Bunting. Ottawa got on the board in the second period with a Josh Norris power play goal, powered by Drake Batherson and Tyler Ennis. Toronto answered in the third period with a Bunting goal, helped along by Kerfoot and Timothy Liljegren. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Kerfoot, Bunting, and Campbell (20 for 21 in saves).

Staying in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Jake Allen are the goalies. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin. Montreal tied it in the third period with a Jonathan Drouin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Christian Dvorak and Brett Kulak. The Rangers retook the lead on an Alexis Lafreniere goal, made possible by Zibanejad and Adam Fox. New York iced it at 3-1 with a Kevin Rooney empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Shesterkin (31 for 32 in saves), Zibanejad, and Lafreniere. 

Back stateside, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss are in the blue paint. Detroit struck first in the first period with a Robby Fabbri goal, courtesy of Marc Staal and Gustav Lindstrom. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Conor Garland goal, via Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson. The Red Wings retook the lead with a Filip Zadina power play goal, powered by Mortiz Seider and Filip Hronek. Detroit iced it at 3-1 with a Sam Gagner empty net goal, set up by Tyler Bertuzzi. The three stars went to Greiss (40 for 41 in saves), Zadina, and Fabbri.

Next up, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Chicago Blackhawks. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tristan Jarry guard the cages. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Teddy Blueger goal, his second of the season, passed from Brock McGinn and John Marino. The Penguins added on with a Drew O'Connor goal, via Dominik Simon. Pittsburgh extended the lead as McGinn goal, helped along by O'Connor. The Penguins padded the lead as Danton Heinen scored his third of the year, thanks to Jake Guentzel and Jeff Carter. Kevin Lankinen relieved Fleury. Chicago got on the board in the second period with a Patrick Kane power play goal, powered by Seth Jones and Alex DeBrincat. Pittsburgh replied with a Jason Zucker goal, set up by Kasperi Kapanen and Evan Rodrigues. The Blackhawks pulled one back with a Kirby Dach goal, his second of the season, coming off of Brandon Hagel and Kane. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being O'Connor, McGinn, and Kane.

To DC, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Vitek Vanecek receive the starting nods in goal. Washington cracked the scoresheet in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his third of the season, made possible by Trevor van Riemsdyk and Tom Wilson. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period with a Mikhail Sergachev goal, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Erik Cernak. The Lightning won 2-1 in overtime with a Stamkos goal, his third of the year, coming off of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The three stars were Stamkos, Vasilevskiy (32 for 33 in saves), and Sergachev. 

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets bring in the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Elvis Merzlikins man the nets. Seattle got going in the second period with a Brandon Tanev goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan Donato. Columbus tied it in the third period with an Eric Robinson goal, courtesy of Gregory Hofmann and Scott Harrington. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime with a Patrik Laine goal, made possible by helped along by Zach Werenski and Max Domi.The three stars were Laine, Robinson, and Merzlikins (19 for 20 in saves).

South to Nashville, as the Predators host the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Juuse Saros tend the twines. Carolina drew first blood in the first period with a Jesper Fast goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jordan Staal and Jaccob Slavin. Nashville tied it in the second period with a Ryan Johansen goal, going in unassisted. The Hurricanes took the lead in the third period with an Andrei Svechnikov goal, his third of the year, via Martin Necas and Brett Pesce. Carolina added on with a Teuvo Teravainen empty net goal, his second of the season, set up by Pesce and Sebastian Aho. The Predators shot back with a Filip Forsberg goal, made possible by Mattias Ekholm and Johansen. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Pesce, Andersen (38 for 40 in saves), and Johansen.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Darcy Kuemper patrol the creases. St. Louis kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Justin Faulk goal, via Jordan Kyrou and Tyler Bozak. The Blues added on in the second period with a Brayden Schenn goal, made possible by Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich. St. Louis extended the lead as David Perron scored, thanks to Brandon Saad and Colton Parayko. Colorado got on the board with an Andre Burakovsky goal, helped along by Nazem Kadri and Samuel Girard. The Blues responded in the third period with a Perron power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Ivan Barbashev and Faulk. The Avalanche got one back with a Tyson Jost goal, coming off of J.T. Compher and Mikko Rantanen. Colorado pulled closer on a Compher goal, passed from Kadri and Cale Makar. St. Louis iced it at 5-3 with a Ryan O'Reilly empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Perron, Faulk, and Kyrou, while Compher and Kadri get the honorable mentions.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Mike Smith protect the nets. Edmonton started in the first period with a Derek Ryan goal, passed from Warren Foegele and Zack Kassian. The Oilers added on with a power play goal by Connor McDavid, powered by Jesse Puljujarvi and Leon Draisaitl. Edmonton extended the lead as McDavid scored another power play goal in the second period, with the help of Darnell Nurse and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Calgary got on the board with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, helped along by Dillon Dube and Juuso Valimaki. The Flames got closer with an Elias Lindholm goal in the third period, assisted by Matthew Tkachuk and Rasmus Andersson on the power play. The Oilers fired back with a Puljujarvi goal, his second of the season, guided in by Cody Ceci and Draisaitl. Edmonton iced it at 5-2 with a McDavid empty net goal to complete his hat trick, set up by Puljujarvi and Draisaitl. The three stars were handed to McDavid, Puljujarvi, and Draisaitl.

To California, as the San Jose Sharks welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Adin Hill have the green light to start in goal. Winnipeg opened in the first period with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, made possible by Brenden Dillon and Neal Pionk. The Jets added on in the second period with an Andrew Copp shorthanded goal, set up by Adam Lowry. San Jose got on the board with an Andrew Cogliano shorthanded goal, with helpers from Logan Couture and Brent Burns. The Sharks tied it with a Jasper Weatherby power play goal, powered by Erik Karlsson and Kevin Labanc. San Jose pulled ahead with a Tomas Hertl power play goal, with assists by Weatherby and William Eklund. The Sharks extended the lead as Rudolfs Balcers scored, with the help of Timo Meier and Hertl. Winnipeg got one back with a Jansen Harkins goal, courtesy of Logan Stanley and Josh Morrissey. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Weatherby, Hertl, and Balcers.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Jonathan Quick are the veterans in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period with a Viktor Arvidsson power play goal, powered by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Minnesota tied it on a Frederick Gaudreau goal, via Kevin Fiala and Dmitry Kulikov. The Wild took the lead with a Victor Rask goal, helped along by Kirill Kaprizov. Minnesota added on with a Ryan Hartman goal, assisted by Marcus Foligno and Jordan Greenway. The Kings got one back with a Kopitar goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Doughty and the goalie Quick. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Kopitar, Doughty, and Hartman.

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 4

We'll get just three games today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Kevin Lankinen and Jonathan Bernier are the goalies. New Jersey led off in the first period with a Dougie Hamilton goal, assisted by Pavel Zacha. Chicago tied it in the second period with an Alex DeBrincat power play goal, powered by Patrick Kane and Tyler Johnson. The Devils retook the lead with a Jack Hughes goal, passed from Yegor Sharangovich and Janne Kuokkanen. New Jersey added on in the third period with an Andreas Johnsson goal, coming off of Dawson Mercer and Tomas Tatar. The Blackhawks answered with a Kirby Dach power play goal, with helpers from Johnson and Kane. Chicago tied it on a Dominik Kubalik goal, helped along by Brandon Hagel and Seth Jones. The Devils won 4-3 in overtime with a Hughes goal, his second of the game, set up by Ryan Graves. The three stars were Hughes, Kane, and Johnson.

Along to Philadelphia, where the Flyers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Carter Hart are the young goalies. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Joel Farabee goal, via Ryan Ellis and Ivan Provorov. Vancouver answered in the second period with a Vasily Podkolzin goal, coming off of Tyler Myers and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Canucks took the lead with an Elias Pettersson power play goal, powered by J.T. Miller and Alex Chiasson. Vancouver added on with a Chiasson power play goal, with helpers from Miller and Quinn Hughes. The Flyers got one back on a Cam Atkinson goal, fueled by Farabee and Keith Yandle. The Canucks replied with a Miller goal, made possible by Pettersson and Conor Garland. Philadelphia fired back on a Travis Konecny power play goal in the third period, with assists provided by Sean Couturier and Yandle. The Flyers tied it as Claude Giroux scored, thanks to Couturier and Ellis. In the shootout, Pettersson and Miller lifted the Canucks to a 5-4 win. The three stars were Miller, Pettersson, and Chiasson, while Farabee, Couturier, Ellis, and Yandle get the honorable mentions. 

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Anthony Stolarz are the masked men. Anaheim got going in the second period with a Jakob Silfverberg power play goal, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Cam Fowler. Minnesota tied it in the second period on a Kevin Fiala power play goal, with assists provided by Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov. The Wild won 2-1 with a third period goal by Marcus Foligno, guided in by Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin. The three stars were Talbot (28 for 29 in saves), Stolarz (41 for 43 in saves), and Foligno. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 3

We've got nine games on for tonight's slate as more teams begin their seasons. First up...

The Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens. Samuel Montembeault and Craig Anderson are the goalies. Buffalo led off in the first period with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, powered by Jacob Bryson and Colin Miller. The Sabres added on with a Zemgus Girgensons goal, guided in by Miller and Cody Eakin. Montreal got on the board in the second period with a Chris Wideman goal, via Joel Armia and Mathieu Perreault. Buffalo replied with a Victor Olofsson power play goal, courtesy of Bryson and Jeff Skinner. The Sabres extended the lead as Anders Bjork scored, thanks to Girgensons and Vinnie Hinostroza. Buffalo padded the lead in the third period with a Tage Thompson goal, coming off of Skinner and Olofsson. This stood for a 5-1 win, with the three stars given to Olofsson, Girgensons, and Skinner, while Miller and Bryson get the honorable mentions.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Frederik Andersen are set to start in goal. New York struck first in the first period with a Mathew Barzal goal, fueled by Kyle Palmieri and Andy Greene. Carolina tied it on an Andrei Svechnikov goal, courtesy of Teuvo Teravainen and Ethan Bear. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Jesper Fast goal, via Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Staal. The Islanders tied it in the second period on a Brock Nelson goal, assisted by Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey. Carolina regained the lead with a Jordan Martinook goal, helped along by Steven Lorentz and Derek Stepan. The Hurricanes added on with a Nino Niederreiter goal, going in unassisted. New York got one back with an Anders Lee goal, with helpers from Noah Dobson and Palmieri. Carolina responded with a Teravainen power play goal, powered by Tony DeAngelo and Svechnikov. The Hurricanes iced it at 6-3 with a Svechnikov empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by DeAngelo and Sebastian Aho. The three stars went to Svechnikov, Teravainen, and DeAngelo, while Palmieri gets an honorable mention.

Back north, the New York Rangers bring in the Dallas Stars. Braden Holtby and Igor Shesterkin are the masked men. Dallas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Jacob Peterson goal, going in unassisted. The Stars added on in the second period with a Radek Faksa power play goal, powered by Miro Heiskanen and Ryan Suter. New York got on the board with an Adam Fox goal, guided in by Ryan Lindgren and Artemi Panarin. The Rangers tied it with a Chris Kreider goal, his second of the season, assisted by K'Andre Miller and Mika Zibanejad. Dallas won 3-2 in overtime with a Heiskanen goal, set up by Jamie Benn. The three stars were Heiskanen, Faksa, and Peterson.

In Canada, the Ottawa Senators host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Petr Mrazek and Anton Forsberg are in the blue paint. Ottawa began in the first period with a Chris Tierney goal, via Nick Paul and Tyler Ennis. The Senators added on with an Ennis power play goal, powered by Thomas Chabot and Tim Stutzle. Ottawa extended the lead as Alex Formenton scored, thanks to Victor Mete. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a Jason Spezza power play goal, assisted by Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs got closer with a William Nylander power play goal, his second of the season, helped along by Spezza and John Tavares. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Ennis, Spezza, and Forsberg (46 for 48 in saves).

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Sergei Bobrovsky receive the starting nods in goal. Florida started in the first period with a Carter Verhaeghe goal, coming off of Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers added on in the second period with an Anthony Duclair goal, courtesy of Frank Vatrano and Gustav Forsling. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Danton Heinen power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Dominik Simon and John Marino. The Penguins tied it with a Jeff Carter power play goal, with assists provided by Kasperi Kapanen and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh pulled ahead in the third period on a Jake Guentzel goal, guided in by Carter and Letang. The Penguins extended the lead as Evan Rodrigues scored his second of the year, thanks to Jason Zucker and Mark Friedman. Florida got one back with an Aaron Ekblad goal, going in unassisted. The Panthers tied it on another Ekblad goal, his second of the game, helped along by Owen Tippett and Jonathan Huberdeau. Florida won 5-4 in overtime with a Verhaeghe goal, his second of the game, assisted by Barkov and MacKenzie Weegar. The three stars belonged to Verhaeghe, Ekblad, and Carter, while Barkov and Letang get the honorable mentions.

North again to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Carter Hutton and Elvis Merzlikins are between the pipes. Columbus opened in the first period with an Alexandre Texier goal, assisted by Max Domi and Vladislav Gavrikov. The Blue Jackets added on with an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, powered by Zach Werenski and Jakub Voracek. Columbus extended the lead as Boone Jenner scored in the second period, thanks to Domi. Arizona got on the board with an Anton Stralman goal, guided in by Lawson Crouse and Johan Larsson. The Blue Jackets shot back with another Bjorkstrand goal, his second of the game, helped along by Jack Roslovic and Gavrikov. Columbus padded the lead on a Jake Bean goal, fueled by Voracek and Patrik Laine. The Blue Jackets continued in the third period with a Werenski power play goal, with assists provided by Laine and Bjorkstrand. Columbus struck again with a Domi goal, passed from Cole Sillinger and Andrew Peeke. The Coyotes got one back with a Clayton Keller power play goal, with helpers from Phil Kessel and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Blue Jackets responded with a Gustav Nyquist goal, via Bjorkstrand and Roslovic. This made it 8-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Bjorkstrand, Domi, and Werenski, while Laine, Voracek, Roslovic, and Gavrikov get the honorable mentions.

Next up, the Detroit Red Wings host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Alex Nedeljkovic protect the nets. Detroit was first to score in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, fueled by Robby Fabbri and Filip Zadina. The Red Wings added on with a Tyler Bertuzzi goal, courtesy of Nick Leddy and Moritz Seider. Detroit extended the lead as Bertuzzi scored his second of the game, assisted by Adam Erne and Gustav Lindstrom. Tampa Bay got on the board with an Ondrej Palat goal, guided in by Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov. The Red Wings shot back with a Bertuzzi power play goal, completing his hat trick with the help of Fabbri and Lucas Raymond. The Lightning fired back with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, with assists provided by Kucherov and Mikhail Sergachev. Tampa Bay got closer with another Stamkos power play goal, helped along by Sergachev and Kucherov. Detroit answered with Bertuzzi's fourth goal of the game in the third period, coming off of Seider. The Red Wings padded the lead on a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, made possible by Michael Rasmussen and Leddy. The Lightning got one back on a Ross Colton goal, with a lone helper from Erik Cernak. Tampa Bay inched closer with a Kucherov power play goal, dished from Hedman and Stamkos. The Lightning tied it on an Alex Killorn goal, his second of the season, set up by Hedman. Tampa Bay finished with a 7-6 win on a Palat goal in overtime, with helpers from Hedman and Brayden Point. The three stars went to Kucherov, Hedman, and Bertuzzi, while Stamkos, Palat, Sergachev, Fabbri, Seider, and Leddy get the honorable mentions.

To Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Juuse Saros patrol the creases. Nashville drew first blood with an Eeli Tolvanen goal, passed from Luke Kunin and Mikael Granlund. Seattle tied it on a Jared McCann power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mark Giordano and Jordan Eberle. The Kraken took the lead with a Brandon Tanev power play goal, with assists provided by Alexander Wennberg and Joonas Donskoi. The Predators tied it in the second period with a Roman Josi power play goal, assisted by Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene. Seattle regained the lead with a Wennberg goal, made possible by Alex Barre-Boulet. The Kraken added on in the third period with an empty net goal by Tanev, his second of the game, set up by McCann and Mason Appleton. Nashville got one back on a Granlund goal, helped along by Alexandre Carrier and Forsberg. The final stood at 4-3, with the three stars handed to Tanev, McCann, and Wennberg, while Granlund and Forsberg get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner and Calvin Petersen guard the cages. Vegas got going in the first period with a Shea Theodore goal, made possible by Keegan Kolesar and Brayden McNabb. Los Angeles tied it on a Dustin Brown goal, via Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. The Kings took the lead with a Kopitar power play goal, guided in by Vladimir Tkachev and Doughty. Los Angeles added on in the second period with a Phillip Danault goal, assisted by Doughty and Alex Iafallo. The Kings extended the lead as Kopitar scored his second of the game, thanks to Adrian Kempe and Iafallo. Los Angeles padded the lead in the third period with a Doughty power play goal, with helpers from Tkachev and Kopitar. The Kings kept going as Kopitar completed his hat trick, with the help of Viktor Arvidsson and Brown. The Golden Knights got one back on a Chandler Stephenson goal, his second of the season, helped along by Evgenii Dadonov and Alec Martinez. The final stood at 6-2, with the three stars handed to Kopitar, Doughty, and Brown, while Tkachev and Iafallo get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 2

There's five games on for the second day of the season. First up...

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Jack Campbell protect the nets. Montreal began in the first period with a Jonathan Drouin goal, coming off of Josh Anderson and Brett Kulak. Toronto tied it on a Pierre Engvall power play goal, powered by Michael Bunting and Rasmus Sandin. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the third period with a William Nylander goal, fueled by Morgan Rielly and Mitchell Marner. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars given to Nylander, Campbell (31 for 32 in saves), and Engvall.

Stateside, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Rangers. Alexandar Georgiev and Vitek Vanecek are the backups in goal. Washington led off in the first period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals added on in the second period with a Justin Schultz power play goal, with assists provided by Kuznetsov and Ovechkin. Washington extended the lead as Hendrix Lapierre scored, thanks to Oshie and Conor Sheary. The Capitals padded the lead in the third period with an Ovechkin power play goal, helped along by Anthony Mantha and John Carlson. New York got on the board with a Chris Kreider power play goal, with helpers from Ryan Strome and Adam Fox. Washington fired back on Ovechkin's second goal of the game, a shorthanded tally set up by Kuznetsov and Trevor van Riemsdyk. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, and Oshie.

Back in Canada, the Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Mike Smith are the masked men. Edmonton struck first in the first period with a Jesse Puljujarvi goal, assisted by Darnell Nurse and Connor McDavid. The Oilers added on in the second period with a Zach Hyman power play goal, via Leon Draisaitl and McDavid. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, coming off of Nils Hoglander and Conor Garland on the power play. The Canucks tied it with a Quinn Hughes goal, passed from Hoglander and J.T. Miller. The tie went to a shootout, where Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kyle Turris lifted the Oilers 3-2 over Bo Horvat and the Canucks. The three stars were McDavid, Hoglander, and Turris.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Marc-Andre Fleury and Darcy Kuemper make their first starts with their new teams. Colorado opened in the first period with a Jack Johnson goal, courtesy of Andre Burakovsky and Valeri Nichushkin. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, via Nazem Kadri and Erik Johnson. Colorado extended the lead as Bowen Byram scored, thanks to Landeskog. Chicago got on the board with a Dominik Kubalik power play goal, powered by Ian Mitchell and Henrik Borgstrom. The Avalanche replied with a Kadri goal, fueled by Byram and Mikko Rantanen. The Blackhawks shot back in the third period with a Connor Murphy goal, going in unassisted. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars handed to Kadri, Byram, and Landeskog.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and John Gibson are in the creases. Anaheim started in the first period with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, coming off of Jakob Silfverberg and Isac Lundestrom. The Ducks added on with a Mason McTavish goal, guided in by Lundestrom and Silfverberg. Winnipeg got on the board in the second period with a Kyle Connor goal, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Paul Stastny. Anaheim replied with an Adam Henrique power play goal, powered by Cam Fowler and McTavish. The Ducks extended the lead in the third period as Rickard Rakell scored on the power play, with the help of Jamie Drysdale and Ryan Getzlaf. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being McTavish, Gibson (33 for 34 in saves), and Lundestrom, while Silfverberg gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 1

I'm back, at least to start the new season. We'll see how long I can last for the first 82-game campaign since 2018-19, but I'll give it my best shot. We begin the year with two games, the first of which is...

The Tampa Bay Lightning welcoming the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the masked men. Pittsburgh got going in the second period with a Danton Heinen goal, via Jeff Carter. The Penguins added on with a Brian Boyle goal, assisted by Sam Lafferty and Drew O'Connor. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the third period as Dominik Simon scored, thanks to Kris Letang and Brock McGinn. Tampa Bay got on the board with an Anthony Cirelli goal, courtesy of Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. The Penguins shot back with a Teddy Blueger empty net goal, going in unassisted. The Lightning replied with an Alex Killorn goal, fueled by Stamkos and Cirelli. Pittsburgh countered with an Evan Rodrigues empty goal, helped along by John Marino. The Penguins continued with a Bryan Rust empty net goal, an unassisted goal. The final was 6-2, and the three stars went to Stamkos, Cirelli, and Blueger.

The other game sees the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the brand new Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Robin Lehner tend the twines. Vegas opened in the first period with a Max Pacioretty goal, assisted by Mark Stone and Chandler Stephenson. The Golden Knights added on with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, coming off of William Karlsson. Vegas extended the lead in the second period as Pacioretty scored his second goal of the game, thanks to Nicolas Hague and Stone. Seattle got on the board with a Ryan Donato goal, guided in by Vince Dunn and Joonas Donskoi. The Kraken got closer with a Jared McCann goal, via Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz. Seattle tied it in the third period as Morgan Geekie scored, with the help of Jeremy Lauzon. The Golden Knights retook the lead with a Stephenson goal, fueled by Stone and Pacioretty. The final stood at 4-3, with the three stars given to Pacioretty, Stone, and Stephenson. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0, and keep checking back here daily for game recaps. While you're at it, if you're into fantasy hockey and need some analysis, check out my work at Rotowire. I'm starting a new weekly column there called Hutch's Hockey, and I work alongside some brilliant fantasy hockey minds.