NHL 2021-22 - Day 26

There's 12 games on today, with just one matinee. First up...

The Ottawa Senators host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Brian Elliott and Matt Murray are the goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Victor Hedman power play goal, powered by Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point. Ottawa tied it in the second period with a Connor Brown goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Lightning retook the lead on a Jan Rutta goal, coming off of Ondrej Palat. The Senators tied it on a Brady Tkachuk goal, his third of the year, passed from Drake Batherson and Josh Norris. Tampa Bay reclaimed the lead in the third period with a Stamkos goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Alex Killorn and Mathieu Joseph. The Lightning added on with a Palat goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh. Tampa Bay extended the lead on a Cirelli empty net goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Palat and Point. Ottawa got one back with a Logan Shaw goal, with helpers from Victor Mete and Parker Kelly. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Palat, Stamkos, and Cirelli, while Point gets an honorable mention. 

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Spencer Knight man the nets. Florida started in the first period with an Anthony Duclair power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Carter Verhaeghe and Brandon Montour. The Panthers added on with a Frank Vatrano power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Montour and Duclair. Florida extended the lead as Anton Lundell scored his third of the season, thanks to Owen Tippett and Radko Gudas. The Panthers padded the lead on a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, fueled by Reinhart and Anthony Duclair. Antti Raanta took over for Andersen in goal to start the second period. Carolina got on the board in the second period with a Jesper Fast goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Jaccob Slavin and Vincent Trocheck. The Hurricanes pulled closer with a Trocheck power play goal, his third of the season, with helpers from Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen. Florida iced it at 5-2 with a Duclair empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, set up by Verhaeghe. The three stars were Duclair, Montour, and Trocheck, while Verhaeghe gets an honorable mention.

Back north, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Alex Nedeljkovic and Dustin Tokarski are patrolling the creases. Detroit led off in the first period with a Pius Suter goal, his second of the season, assisted by Lucas Raymond and Tyler Bertuzzi. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Tage Thompson goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Jeff Skinner and Rasmus Asplund. The Sabres took the lead with a Rasmus Dahlin power play goal, powered by Will Butcher and Asplund. Buffalo added on in the third period with an Arttu Ruotsalainen goal, his second of the season, made possible by Colin Miller and John Hayden. The Red Wings got one back with a Bertuzzi goal, his seventh of the year, via Danny DeKeyser and Raymond. Detroit tied it on another Bertuzzi goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, guided in by Suter and Raymond. The Red Wings won 4-3 in overtime with a Moritz Seider goal, set up by Bertuzzi. The three stars were Bertuzzi, Raymond, and Suter, while Asplund gets an honorable mention.

Into Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Jack Campbell are in the blue paint. Boston kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Taylor Hall power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Toronto tied it on a John Tavares goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Mitchell Marner and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs took the lead with an Auston Matthews power play goal, his fourth of the season, with an assist provided by Marner. Toronto added on with another Matthews power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, courtesy of Rielly and Marner. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as Tavares scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, thanks to William Nylander and Rasmus Sandin. The Bruins got one back with a David Pastrnak goal, his third of the year, coming off of Marchand. Toronto iced it at 5-2 with a Marner empty net goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Marner, Matthews, and Tavares, while Rielly and Marchand get the honorable mentions.

Along to Quebec, as the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner and Jake Allen are the veteran goalies. Montreal was first to score in the first period with a Nick Suzuki power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mike Hoffman. The Canadiens added on with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his third of the year, guided in by Brendan Gallagher and Suzuki. Vegas got on the board in the second period with an Alex Pietrangelo power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Shea Theodore and Chandler Stephenson. The Golden Knights tied it on a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Nicolas Roy and Nicolas Hague. Vegas took the lead with a Dylan Coghlan power play goal, with helpers from Pietrangelo and Reilly Smith. The Golden Knights extended the lead with a Stephenson empty net goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. Vegas iced it at 5-2 with a Brayden McNabb empty net goal, set up by the goalie Lehner. The three stars were Pietrangelo, Stephenson, and Suzuki.

Back stateside, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Tristan Jarry are the masked men. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, his second of the season, assisted by Alex Goligoski and Frederick Gaudreau. Pittsburgh tied it on a Kasperi Kapanen goal, courtesy of Jason Zucker and Evan Rodrigues. The Penguins took the lead with another Kapanen goal, his second of the game, via Rodrigues and Zucker. Pittsburgh added on in the second period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his third of the year, coming off of Bryan Rust and Mike Matheson. The Wild got one back with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin. The Penguins replied with a Kapanen goal to finish a hat trick, with the help of Bryan Rust and Kris Letang. Minnesota got closer with a Spurgeon goal, his second of the year, guided in by Gaudreau and Kaprizov. The Wild tied it on a Ryan Hartman goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Matt Dumba and Adam Beckman. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Kevin Fiala, Kaprizov, and Nick Bjugstad lifted the Wild 5-4 over Guentzel, Rust, and the Penguins. The three stars belonged to Kapanen, Spurgeon, and Kaprizov, while Gaudreau, Rust, Rodrigues, and Zucker get the honorable mentions.

Next up, the Washington Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers. Martin Jones and Vitek Vanecek are between the pipes. Philadelphia got going in the second period with a Derick Brassard goal, his second of the season, fueled by Cam Atkinson and Justin Braun. The Flyers added on with a Sean Couturier goal, his fifth of the year, via Rasmus Ristolainen and Claude Giroux. Washington got on the board with a Brett Leason goal, his second of the season, coming off of Connor McMichael and John Carlson. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Jones (31 for 32 in saves), Couturier, and Brassard.

To Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Darcy Kuemper and Elvis Merzlikins protect the nets. Columbus drew first blood in the first period with a Gabriel Carlsson goal, via Jakub Voracek and Yegor Chinakhov. Colorado tied it on an Andre Burakovsky goal, his second of the season, assisted by Nazem Kadri and Samuel Girard. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period with another Burakovsky goal, his second of the game and third of the year, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets tied it in the third period with an Alexandre Texier goal, his third of the season, passed from Eric Robinson and the goalie Merzlikins. Columbus took the lead with a Cole Sillinger goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Chinakhov and Vladislav Gavrikov. The Blue Jackets iced it at 4-2 with an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Boone Jenner and Gavrikov. The three stars were Chinakhov, Burakovsky, and Gavrikov.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin faces a lesser foe in Eric Comrie in goal. New York began in the first period with an Anders Lee goal, his second of the season, made possible by Josh Bailey. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his seventh of the year, via Kyle Palmieri and Adam Pelech. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars handed to Sorokin (24 save shutout), Lee, and Nelson.

Further west, the Calgary Flames host the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Jacob Markstrom tend the twines. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm. The Flames added on with a Brad Richardson goal, via Oliver Kylington and Trevor Lewis. Calgary extended the lead as Johnny Gaudreau scored his third of the year, coming off of Tkachuk and Noah Hanifin. The Flames padded the lead on another Gaudreau goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, helped along by Tkachuk. Calgary continued with a Milan Lucic goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Dillon Dube and Andrew Mangiapane. The Flames struck again with a Tkachuk goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Gaudreau. This made it 6-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Markstrom (22 save shutout), Tkachuk, and Gaudreau, while Lindholm gets an honorable mention.

Along to Arizona, as the Coyotes welcome the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Karel Vejmelka receive the starting nods in goal. Seattle cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Alexander Wennberg. The Kraken added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his second of the year, assisted by Brandon Tanev and Jamie Oleksiak. Scott Wedgewood replaced Vejmelka in goal. Arizona got on the board with an Antoine Roussel goal, guided in by Shayne Gostisbehere. Seattle replied with a Nathan Bastian goal, going in unassisted. The Coyotes fired back in the second period with a Travis Boyd goal, his second of the season, made possible by Christian Fischer and Gostisbehere. Arizona tied it in the third period on a Lawson Crouse goal, his third of the year, guided by Johan Larsson and Jakob Chychrun. The Coyotes pulled ahead with a Phil Kessel power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Clayton Keller and Gostisbehere. The Kraken tied it again with a Mark Giordano goal, his third of the year, an unassisted goal. Arizona regained the lead with a Crouse goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, via Larsson. This stood for a 5-4 win, with the three stars given to Crouse, Gostisbehere, and Larsson.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the New Jersey Devils. Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer are the veterans in goal. San Jose got on the board in the second period with a Rudolfs Balcers goal, his second of the season, assisted by Mario Ferraro and Brent Burns. New Jersey tied it on a Ryan Graves goal, via Nico Hischier and Michael McLeod. The Sharks took the lead back in the third period with a Jonathan Dahlen power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Burns and Nick Merkley. The Devils tied it with a Janne Kuokkanen goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jimmy Vesey and Colton White. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jesper Bratt and Damon Severson lifted the Devils 3-2 over Logan Couture and the Sharks. The three stars were Bernier (25 for 27 in saves), Kuokkanen, and Graves. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 25

Five games on tonight, beginning with...

The Winnipeg Jets hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Marc-Andre Fleury and Eric Comrie are set to start in goal. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Paul Stastny goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Andrew Copp and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets added on with a Neal Pionk power play goal, powered by Kyle Connor and Copp. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period as Dominic Toninato scored, thanks to Copp. The Jets padded the lead on a Connor goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Nate Schmidt and Evgeny Svechnikov. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a shorthanded MacKenzie Entwistle goal, his second of the season, set up by Seth Jones and Kirby Dach. Winnipeg iced it at 5-1 with an unassisted Ehlers goal, his third of the year. The three stars were Copp, Connor, and Ehlers. 

West to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the New York Rangers. Alexandar Georgiev and Mikko Koskinen are in the blue paint. New York began in the first period with a Filip Chytil goal, his second of the season, via Nils Lundkvist and Sammy Blais. Edmonton tied it on a Zach Hyman goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Darnell Nurse. The Rangers retook the lead in the second period with a Kevin Rooney goal, his third of the season, coming off of Chytil. New York added on with a Chris Kreider goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Adam Fox and Barclay Goodrow. The Rangers extended the lead as Mika Zibanejad scored his third of the season on the power play, thanks to Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin. The Oilers got one back with a Jesse Puljujarvi power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nurse. Edmonton got closer in the third period with a Barrie power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers tied it on a Puljujarvi goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Duncan Keith and Evan Bouchard. New York retook the lead with a Zibanejad goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone helper by Kreider. Edmonton tied it again with a McDavid goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Barrie and Draisaitl. The Oilers won 6-5 in overtime with a Draisaitl goal, his tenth of the campaign, helped along by Nurse and McDavid. The three stars belonged to Draisaitl, McDavid, and Puljujarvi, while Nurse and Barrie get the honorable mentions.

Further west, the Vancouver Canucks host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Thatcher Demko guard the cages. Nashville opened in the first period with a Roman Josi power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Eeli Tolvanen and Mikael Granlund. Vancouver tied it on a Brock Boeser goal, his third of the year, guided in by Travis Hamonic and J.T. Miller. The Canucks took the lead in the second period with a Nils Hoglander goal, via Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson. The Predators retied it on a Matt Duchene goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Granlund. Nashville pulled ahead on a Philip Tomasino power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Luke Kunin and Thomas Novak. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Granlund, Tomasino, and Saros (26 for 28 in saves).

Down in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Anthony Stolarz receive the starting nods in goal. Anaheim started in the first period with an Adam Henrique goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Ryan Getzlaf and Troy Terry. The Ducks added on with a Sonny Milano power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Henrique and Kevin Shattenkirk. Anaheim extended the lead in the second period as Sam Carrick scored his second of the season, thanks to Derek Grant and Jamie Drysdale. Arizona got on the board with a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, via Christian Fischer and Liam O'Brien. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Henrique, Stolarz (28 for 29 in saves), and Milano.

Finally, the Los Angeles kings host the New Jersey Devils. MacKenzie Blackwood and Calvin Petersen man the nets. Los Angeles got going in the second period with an Adrian Kempe goal, his third of the season, via Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. New Jersey tied it on a Jesper Bratt goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Andreas Johnsson and Nico Hischier. The Kings took the lead back with an Arthur Kaliyev power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Matt Roy and Andreas Athanasiou. The Devils retied it on a Pavel Zacha goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Ryan Graves and Bratt. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime with an Alex Iafallo goal, his fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Phillip Danault. The three stars were Bratt, Iafallo, and Zacha. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 24

We've got nine games on today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas Greiss and Jeremy Swayman are the goalies. Boston started in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, powered by Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins added on in the second period with another Bergeron goal, his second of the game, via Marchand on the power play. Boston extended the lead as Bergeron completed his natural hat trick on the power play, with the help of Marchand and McAvoy. Detroit got on the board with a Lucas Raymond power play goal, his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Filip Hronek and Moritz Seider. The Bruins replied with a shorthanded Mike Reilly goal, set up by Curtis Lazar and Tomas Nosek. Boston padded the lead on a Bergeron goal, his fourth of the game, assisted by Marchand and Reilly. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Bergeron, Marchand, and Reilly, while McAvoy gets an honorable mention.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jack Campbell are the masked men. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Pat Maroon goal, courtesy of Corey Perry and Erik Cernak. Toronto tied it in the third period with a John Tavares goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mitchell Marner and Auston Matthews. The Maple Leafs won 2-1 in overtime with a William Nylander power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Marner and Matthews. The three stars belonged to Campbell (24 for 25 in saves), Marner, and Matthews.

To Montreal, as the Canadiens bring in the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Jake Allen patrol the creases. New York opened in the first period with a Brock Nelson goal, his third of the season, coming off of Kyle Palmieri and Anthony Beauvillier. The Islanders added on in the second period with an Oliver Wahlstrom goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Casey Cizikas. New York extended the lead as Nelson scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, with the help of Beauvillier and Zdeno Chara. The Islanders padded the lead as Nelson completed his hat trick on his fifth of the year, thanks to Beauvillier. New York continued with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, guided in by Zach Parise and Ryan Pulock. Samuel Montembeault replaced Allen for the third period. Montreal got on the board with a Nick Suzuki shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up David Savard. The Canadiens got closer with a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Christian Dvorak and Suzuki. The Islanders finished it at 6-2 with a Nelson empty net goal, his fourth of the game and sixth of the campaign, with helpers from Parise and Pageau. The three stars belonged to Nelson, Beauvillier, and Pageau, while Suzuki and Parise get the honorable mentions.

Back in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner and Filip Gustavsson are given the starting nods in goal. Vegas got going in the second period with a William Carrier goal, his second of the season, assisted by Evgenii Dadonov and Chandler Stephenson. The Golden Knights added on with a Brett Howden goal, courtesy of Shea Theodore and Jonas Rondbjerg. Vegas extended the lead as Jonathan Marchessault scored his third of the year, thanks to Nicolas Roy and Nicolas Hague. Ottawa got on the board with a Brady Tkachuk goal, his second of the season, fueled by Artem Zub and Drake Batherson. The Golden Knights replied in the third period with an Alex Pietrangelo goal, via Reilly Smith. Vegas iced it at 5-1 with an empty net goal by Marchessault, his second of the game and fourth of the year, set up by Mattias Janmark. This stood for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Marchessault, Lehner (38 for 39 in saves), and Roy.

Way down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Sergei Bobrovsky are the goalies, but Ilya Samsonov took over in net after being listed originally as the starter, replacing Vanecek. Florida led off in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Anthony Duclair and Carter Verhaeghe. The Panthers added on with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. Washington got on the board in the second period with a Daniel Sprong goal, his second of the season, made possible by Anthony Mantha. Florida replied with a Brandon Montour goal, his second of the year, coming off of Gustav Forsling and Mason Marchment. Vitek Vanecek returned to the game to relieve Samsonov. The Panthers extended the lead as Barkov scored his second of the game and seventh of the season on the power play, powered by Patric Hornqvist and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Capitals got one back with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone helper from Lars Eller. Washington got closer with a Tom Wilson goal, guided in by John Carlson and Ovechkin. The Capitals tied it in the third period with a Connor McMichael goal, via Ovechkin and Brett Leason. Florida won 5-4 in overtime with an Eetu Luostarinen goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by Forsling and Sam Reinhart. The three stars were Barkov, Ovechkin, and Forsling.

Back north, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Tristan Jarry protect the nets. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Brock McGinn goal, his third of the season, guided in by Mike Matheson. Philadelphia tied it on a Travis Konecny power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Ivan Provorov in the second period. Pittsburgh retook the lead with a Jake Guentzel goal, his second of the season, passed from Danton Heinen and John Marino. The Flyers tied it in the third period with a Scott Laughton goal, his third of the year, via James van Riemsdyk. Pittsburgh won 3-2 in overtime with a Kris Letang goal, coming off of Jeff Carter. The three stars were Letang, Guentzel, and McGinn.

Out west, the Calgary Flames host the Dallas Stars. Anton Khudobin and Jacob Markstrom guard the cages. Dallas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Denis Gurianov power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Miro Heiskanen and Ryan Suter. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Milan Lucic goal, his third of the year, via Nikita Zadorov and Erik Gudbranson. The Flames took the lead with a Matthew Tkachuk power play goal, his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Elias Lindholm and Rasmus Andersson. The Stars tied it on a Blake Comeau goal, passed from Michael Raffl and Heiskanen. Dallas retook the lead in the third period with a Tyler Seguin goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Alexander Radulov and Heiskanen. Calgary tied it on a Zadorov goal, made possible by Oliver Kylington and Markstrom. The Stars won 4-3 in overtime with a Jamie Benn goal, his second of the campaign, assisted by Joe Pavelski and John Klingberg. The three stars were Heiskanen, Benn, and Zadorov.

Stateside again, the Seattle Kraken welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Dustin Tokarski is mismatched with Philipp Grubauer in goal. Seattle drew first blood in the first period with a Morgan Geekie goal, his second of the season, coming off of Alexander Wennberg and Vince Dunn. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Tage Thompson goal, his third of the year, via Rasmus Asplund and Rasmus Dahlin. The Sabres took the lead with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Jacob Bryson and Dylan Cozenz. The Kraken retied it on a Jordan Eberle goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jaden Schwartz. Seattle took the lead with another Eberle goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, assisted by Wennberg and Jeremy Lauzon. The Kraken added on with an Eberle goal to complete his hat trick on his fifth of the year, courtesy of Schwartz. Seattle iced it at 5-2 with a Schwartz empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up Jamie Oleksiak and the goalie Grubauer. The three stars went to Eberle, Schwartz, and Wennberg.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Joel Hofer and Adin Hill are the young goalies. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Brent Burns power play goal, powered by Tomas Hertl and Alexander Barabanov. St. Louis tied it on a Brandon Saad shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Tyler Bozak. The Sharks retook the lead on a Logan Couture shorthanded goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Rudolfs Balcers. The Blues retied it in the second period with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his second of the season, assisted by Ivan Barbashev and Klim Kostin. San Jose reclaimed the lead with a Nick Merkley goal, guided in by Mario Ferraro and Burns. St. Louis tied it on a Saad goal, his second of the game and third of the year, passed from Robert Thomas and David Perron. The Blues took the lead with a James Neal goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Jake Walman and Bozak. St. Louis iced it at 5-3 with a Thomas empty net goal, made possible by Colton Parayko and the goalie Hofer. The three stars were Saad, Thomas, and Burns, while Bozak gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 23

Four games on tonight, beginning with...

The Chicago Blackhawks hosting Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Marc-Andre Fleury are the goalies. Chicago began in the first period with an Alex DeBrincat goal, his fifth of the season, via Patrick Kane and Seth Jones. Carolina tied it on a Derek Stepan goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Tony DeAngelo and Andrei Svechnikov. The Blackhawks took the lead in the second period with a Kane goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Riley Stillman and MacKenzie Entwistle. Chicago added on with a DeBrincat goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, passed from Philipp Kurashev and Mike Hardman. The Hurricanes got one back with a Seth Jarvis goal, assisted by Stepan. Carolina tied it in the third period with a Jesper Fast goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Svechnikov and Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes pulled ahead with a Martin Necas goal, his second of the year, guided in by Sebastian Aho and Ethan Bear. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Stepan, DeBrincat, and Kane, while Svechnikov gets an honorable mention.

Over in Edmonton, the Oilers welcome the Nashville Predators. Connor Ingram and Mikko Koskinen are set to start in goal. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid. Nashville tied it on a Matt Duchene goal, his fourth of the year, via Luke Kunin and Roman Josi. The Oilers took the lead in the second period with a Kailer Yamamoto goal, his second of the season, fueled by Zach Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton added on in the third period with another Draisaitl goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi. The Oilers extended the lead as Devin Shore scored, thanks to Warren Foegele and Tyson Barrie. The Predators got one back with a Ryan Johansen power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Duchene and Josi. Edmonton iced it at 5-2 with a Puljujarvi empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. The three stars belonged to Draisaitl, Duchene, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Puljujarvi, McDavid, and Josi get the honorable mentions.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Jonas Johansson man the nets. Colorado got going in the second period with a Logan O'Connor goal, guided in by Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche added on with a Bowen Byram goal, his second of the season, assisted by Kadri and Landeskog. Columbus got on the board with a Jake Bean goal, his second of the year, coming off of Oliver Bjorkstrand and Andrew Peeke. The Blue Jackets tied it in the third period with a Cole Sillinger goal, his second of the season, via Jakub Voracek and Patrik Laine. Columbus pulled ahead with another Sillinger goal, his second of the game and third of the year, made possible by Gabriel Carlsson and Laine. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Boone Jenner scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Gustav Nyquist and Bjorkstrand. Colorado got one back with a J.T. Compher goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers from Byram and Kadri. The Avalanche tied it on a Byram goal, his second of the game and third of the season, helped along by Nathan MacKinnon and Landeskog. Columbus won 5-4 in overtime with a Bean goal, his second of the game and third of the year, fueled by Voracek and Sillinger. The three stars were Sillinger, Bean, and Byram, while Bjorkstrand, Laine, Voracek, Landeskog and Kadri get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Jonathan Quick are the veterans in goal. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Vladimir Tarasenko and Torey Krug. Los Angeles tied it on an Arthur Kaliyev goal in the third period, his second of the year, via Kale Clague and Alexander Edler. The Kings took the lead with an Adrian Kempe goal, his second of the season, assisted by Alex Iafallo and Phillip Danault. The Blues tied it with a Krug shorthanded goal, his second of the year, set up by Jordan Kyrou and Tarasenko. The tie went to a shootout, where Iafallo, Kempe and Kaliyev scored to the lift the Kings 3-2 over David Perron and Kyrou of the Blues. The three stars were Krug, Tarasenko, and Kaliyev. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 22

We're back for nine games on tonight's schedule. First up...

The Montreal Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings. Alex Nedeljkovic and Jake Allen man the nets. Montreal opened in the first period with a Nick Suzuki goal, via Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Petry. The Canadiens added on with a Josh Anderson goal, his third of the season, made possible by Suzuki and Brendan Gallagher. Montral iced it at 3-0 in the third period with a Gallagher empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Toffoli and Suzuki. The three stars were Allen (22 save shutout), Suzuki, and Gallagher, while Toffoli gets an honorable mention.

Next up, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner and Jack Campbell draw the starts in goal. Toronto started in the first period with a Mitchell Marner goal, his second of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Alexander Kerfoot. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with an Auston Matthews power play goal, his second of the year, powered by William Nylander and Marner. Toronto extended the lead as Matthews scored his second of the game and third of the season, thanks to Morgan Rielly and Marner. The Maple Leafs padded the lead in the third period with a Nylander goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Michael Bunting and T.J. Brodie. This stood for a 4-0 win, with the three stars given to Campbell (26 save shutout), Matthews, and Marner, while Nylander gets an honorable mention.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Carter Hart in the blue paint. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Sean Couturier goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Travis Konecny and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on with a Scott Laughton goal, his second of the year, via Justin Braun and James van Riemsdyk. Philadelphia iced it at 3-0 with a Giroux empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Couturier and Travis Sanheim. The three stars were Hart (29 save shutout), Couturier, and Giroux.

Westward to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Ottawa Senators. Filip Gustavsson and Cam Talbot are in the creases. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Marcus Foligno goal, his third of the season, passed from Jared Spurgeon and Joel Eriksson Ek. The Wild added on with a Calen Addison goal, his first of the year, courtesy of Kirill Kaprizov and Jon Merrill. Ottawa got on the board with a Nick Paul goal, his third of the season, fueled by Connor Brown and Alex Formenton. Minnesota replied with a Nico Sturm goal, his second of the year, via Dmitry Kulikov and Kevin Fiala. The Senators got one back with a Drake Batherson goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Brady Tkachuk and Michael Del Zotto. Ottawa tied it on a Josh Norris power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Batherson and Tim Stutzle. The Senators pulled ahead with a Chris Tierney goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Tyler Ennis and Del Zotto. The Wild retied it with a Foligno power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, with assists provided by Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin. Minnesota won 5-4 in overtime with a Kaprizov goal, fueled by Fiala. The three stars were Kaprizov, Fiala, and Foligno, while Batherson and Del Zotto get the honorable mentions.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets welcome the Dallas Stars. Braden Holtby and Eric Comrie received the starting nods in goal. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Paul Stastny goal, his third of the season, assisted by Nathan Beaulieu and Nikolaj Ehlers. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Benn goal, helped along by Tyler Seguin. The Jets took the lead back in the second period with a Josh Morrissey power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Nate Schmidt and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg added on with a Pierre-Luc Dubois power play goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Mark Scheifele and Schmidt. The Stars got one back in the third period with a Jason Robertson power play goal, via Alexander Radulov and Joe Pavelski. Dallas tied it on a Seguin goal, his third of the year, with helpers from John Klingberg and Tanner Kero. The tie went to a shootout, where Kyle Connor and Scheifele lifted the Jets 4-3 over Pavelski and the Stars. The three stars belonged to Scheifele, Schmidt, and Pavelski.

Over in Calgary, the Flames bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Jacob Markstrom guard the cages. Nashville struck first in the first period with a Luke Kunin goal, coming off of Alexandre Carrier and Ryan Johansen. Calgary tied it on a Matthew Tkachuk power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm. The Predators took the lead back with a Filip Forsberg goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund. The Flames tied it in the third period with an Oliver Kylington goal, via Christopher Tanev and Andrew Mangiapane. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime with a Duchene goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by Granlund and Mattias Ekholm. The three stars were Duchene, Granlund, and Saros (38 for 40 in saves).

Further west to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Thatcher Demko tend the twines. New York got going in the second period with a Mika Zibanejad power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox. The Rangers added on with a Panarin power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Fox and Ryan Strome. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a J.T. Miller goal, his second of the season, made possible by Conor Garland and Elias Pettersson. The Canucks tied it with a Vasily Podkolzin goal, his second of the year, guided in by Garland and Tyler Myers. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime with a Miller goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, fueled by Quinn Hughes.

Down in Anaheim, the Ducks welcome the New Jersey Devils. Jonathan Bernier and John Gibson are the masked men. Anaheim kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Ryan Getzlaf power play goal, powered by Cam Fowler and Vinni Lettieri. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Troy Terry power play goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Getzlaf and Kevin Shattenkirk. Anaheim extended the lead as Terry scored his second of the game and seventh of the year, via Getzlaf. The Ducks padded the lead on a shorthanded Isac Lundestrom goal, his second of the season, set up by Derek Grant. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars handed to Terry, Getzlaf, and Gibson (28 save shutout).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Craig Anderson and James Reimer receive the starts in goal. San Jose was first to score in the first period with a Jonathan Dahlen goal, his fourth of the season, passed from William Eklund and Brent Burns. Buffalo tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his second of the year, via Vinnie Hinostroza and Robert Hagg. The Sharks took the lead with a Ryan Merkley goal, helped along by Alexander Barabanov and Tomas Hertl. San Jose added on with a Hertl goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Rudolfs Balcers. The Sabres got one back with a Drake Caggiula goal, his second of the year, assisted by Hinostroza and Dylan Cozens. The Sharks answered with a Mario Ferraro goal, courtesy of Nick Merkley and Jasper Weatherby. San Jose extended the lead as Hertl scored his second of the game and fifth of the season, guided in by Balcers and Ferraro. Buffalo got one back with another Skinner goal, his second of the game and third of the year, fueled by Tage Thompson and Rasmus Asplund. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Hertl, Skinner, and Ferraro, while Balcers and Hinostroza get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 21

Just three games on tonight, beginning with...

The Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the goalies. Washington led off in the first period with a Brett Leason goal, via Nick Jensen. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with an Alex Killorn goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Anthony Cirelli. The Lightning took the lead on a Cirelli power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Alex Barre-Boulet and Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay added on in the third period with a Brayden Point goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Taylor Raddysh and Cirelli. The Capitals got one back with a Conor Sheary power play goal, with assists provided by Evgeny Kuznetsov and John Carlson. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Cirelli, Point, and Vasilevskiy (31 for 33 in saves). 

Next up, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury are between the pipes. Chicago began in the first period with a Brandon Hagel goal, his second of the season, passed from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks added on with a Kane power play goal in the second period, his second of the year, powered by Ryan Carpenter and Toews. Chicago extended the lead in the third period as Hagel scored his second of the game and third of the season, helped along by Toews and Seth Jones. The Blackhawks padded the lead as Kane scored his second of the game and third of the year, with the help of Erik Gustafsson and Dominik Kubalik. Ottawa got on the board with an Alex Formenton goal, his second of the season, guided in by Victor Mete and Tyler Ennis. Chicago shot back on a Kane goal to complete his hat trick with his fourth of the year, fueled by Kubalik. The three stars of the 5-1 game were Kane, Hagel, and Toews, while Kubalik received an honorable mention. 

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Seattle Kraken. Joey Daccord and Mikko Koskinen are in the blue paint. Edmonton struck first in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Tyson Barrie. Seattle tied it on a Jaden Schwartz goal, courtesy of Yanni Gourde and Mark Giordano. The Oilers retook the lead on a Draisaitl power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, powered by Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton added on in the second period with a Duncan Keith goal, assisted by Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The Kraken got one back with a Carson Soucy goal, his second of the season, via Nathan Bastian and Jamie Oleksiak. The Oilers responded in the third period with a Kyle Turris goal, made possible by Devin Shore. Edmonton finished it at 5-2 with a Kailer Yamamoto goal, with a lone assist by Draisaitl. The three stars were Draisaitl, Keith, and Koskinen (27 for 29 in saves). 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 20

Five games on for Sunday, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka is mismatched with Frederik Andersen in goal. Arizona began in the first period with a Christian Fischer goal, his second of the season, fueled by Lawson Crouse and Shayne Gostisbehere. Carolina tied it in the second period on a Martin Necas goal, via Tony DeAngelo and Jordan Martinook. The Hurricanes took the lead in the third period with a Brett Pesce power play goal, powered by Necas and Seth Jarvis. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Necas, Andersen (22 for 23 in saves), and Pesce. 

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Dustin Tokarski and Jonathan Quick man the nets. Buffalo got going in the second period with a shorthanded and unassisted Rasmus Asplund goal, his fourth of the season. The Sabres added on with a Victor Olofsson goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Jacob Bryson. Los Angeles got on the board with a Carl Grundstrom goal, his second of the season, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Tobias Bjornfot. The Kings tied it in the third period on a Kopitar power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Kale Clague and Adrian Kempe. Los Angeles pulled ahead with an Alex Iafallo goal, his fourth of the campaign, passed from Bjornfot and Kempe. This held for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Kopitar, Bjornfot, and Kempe. 

In Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Samuel Montembeault and John Gibson are in the blue paint. Anaheim led off in the first period with an Adam Henrique power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Sonny Milano and Kevin Shattenkirk. Montreal tied it on a Mike Hoffman power play goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Chris Wideman and Jonathan Drouin. The Ducks retook the lead on a Vinni Lettieri power play goal, assisted by Henrique and Shattenkirk. The Canadiens tied it in the second period on a Jake Evans goal, helped along by Artturi Lehkonen and Jeff Petry. Anaheim regained the lead with a Troy Terry goal, his fifth of the season, via Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 with a Sam Carrick empty net goal, set up by Fowler and Isac Lundestrom. The three stars were Henrique, Shattenkirk, and Fowler. 

Back east, the New Jersey Devils host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Scott Wedgewood draw the starts in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with an Andreas Johnsson goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Jesper Bratt and P.K. Subban. Columbus tied it on an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Patrik Laine. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Laine goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Voracek. The Devils retied it on a Dawson Mercer goal in the second period, his third of the year, helped along by Subban. New Jersey took the lead with a Dougie Hamilton goal, his second of the season, coming off of Nico Hischier and Pavel Zacha. Columbus tied it in the third period with a Boone Jenner goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. In the shootout, the Blue Jackets won 4-3 with a lone tally by Voracek. The three stars were Laine, Voracek, and Subban. 

Finally, the Seattle Kraken host the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Philipp Grubauer tend the twines. New York started in the first period with a Chris Kreider goal, his seventh of the season, via Barclay Goodrow. Seattle tied it in the second period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his second of the year, guided in by Jaden Schwartz and Adam Larsson. The Rangers retook the lead in the third period with an Adam Fox goal, his second of the season, assisted by Artemi Panarin. New York iced it at 3-1 with a Goodrow empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Mika Zibanejad. The three stars were Shesterkin (31 for 32 in saves), Goodrow, and Fox. 

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