NHL 2023-24 - Day 78

There's nine games on New Year's Eve, beginning with...

The Minnesota Wild hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Laurent Brossoit and Marc-Andre Fleury man the nets. Minnesota began in the first period with a Marcus Foligno goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Jared Spurgeon and Frederick Gaudreau. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with an Adam Lowry goal, his seventh of the year, via Mason Appleton and Dylan DeMelo. The Wild retook the lead in the third period with a Gaudreau power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Marcus Johansson and Nic Petan. The Jets retied it on a Vladislav Namestnikov power play goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Cole Perfetti and Nate Schmidt. Winnipeg pulled ahead on a Dominic Toninato goal, guided in by Brenden Dillon and Neal Pionk. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Gaudreau, Toninato, and Namestnikov. 

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Boston Bruins. Jeremy Swayman and Alex Lyon are the goalies. Boston led off in the first period with a Trent Frederic goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by David Pastrnak and Parker Wotherspoon. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Frederic goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, fueled by Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm. Detroit got on the board with a Jake Walman goal, his ninth of the season, via Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. The Red Wings tied it in the second period with a Ben Chiarot goal, his third of the year, guided in by Andrew Copp and Joe Veleno. The Bruins took the lead back in the third period with a Charlie Coyle goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from McAvoy and Brad Marchand. The Bruins extended the lead on a Jake DeBrusk empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Frederic and McAvoy. Detroit got one back with a J.T. Compher power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Alex DeBrincat and David Perron. Boston iced it at 5-3 with a Pavel Zacha empty net goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Pastrnak and Lindholm. The three stars were Frederic, McAvoy, and Pastrnak, while Lindholm gets an honorable mention.

In Ontario, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Devon Levi and Anton Forsberg are set to start in goal. Ottawa started in the first period with a Jakob Chychrun power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Jake Sanderson. The Senators added on with a Zack MacEwen goal, courtesy of Jacob Bernard-Docker and Thomas Chabot. Buffalo got one back with a Tage Thompson goal, his tenth of the year, via Jeff Skinner. Ottawa replied in the second period with a Dominik Kubalik goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Ridly Greig and Chabot. The Senators extended the lead as Mark Kastelic scored, thanks to Erik Brannstrom. Ottawa padded the lead on an Artem Zub empty net goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Forsberg (45 for 46 in saves), Chabot, and MacEwen.

Stateside, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Alex Nedeljkovic receive the starts in goal. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Lars Eller goal, his fifth of the season, via Jansen Harkins and Valtteri Puustinen. The Penguins added on with a Noel Acciari goal, his third of the year, fueled by Drew O'Connor in the second period. New York got on the board in the third period with a Samuel Bolduc goal, going in unassisted. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Eller, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Eller, Nedeljkovic (36 for 37 in saves), and Sorokin (35 for 37 in saves).

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Sam Montembeault and Jonas Johansson are in the blue paint. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Cole Caufield goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens added on with a Johnathan Kovacevic goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of the goalie Montembeault. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Brayden Point goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Nick Paul and Brandon Hagel. The Lightning tied it on an Austin Watson goal, his second of the year, made possible by Victor Hedman and Nick Perbix. Tampa Bay took the lead with a Calvin de Haan goal, assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning extended the lead as Kucherov scored his twenty-sixth of the season, thanks to Hedman and Anthony Cirelli. Montreal got one back with a Nick Suzuki goal, his eleventh of the year, helped along by Juraj Slafkovsky and Michael Matheson. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Kucherov, Hedman, and de Haan.

Westward to Dallas, as the Stars bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek and Scott Wedgewood are in the blue paint. Dallas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Craig Smith goal, his fourth of the season, via Sam Steel and Jani Hakanpaa. The Stars added on with a Ryan Suter goal, coming off of Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas extended the lead as Tyler Seguin scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Mason Marchment and Matt Duchene. The Stars padded the lead in the second period on a Steel goal, his third of the season, helped along by Robertson and Heiskanen. Dallas continued with a Marchment power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Seguin and Nils Lundkvist. Chicago got on the board with a Philipp Kurashev power play goal in the third period, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Connor Bedard and Cole Guttman. The Stars shot back with a Roope Hintz goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Thomas Harley and Joe Pavelski. Arvid Soderblom replaced Mrazek in goal. Dallas struck again on a Marchment goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, guided in by Seguin and Duchene. The Stars kept going with Marchment completing his hat trick on his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Esa Lindell and Lundkvist. This produced the 8-1 final score, with the three stars going to Marchment, Seguin, and Steel, while Robertson, Heiskanen, Duchene, and Lundkvist get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the San Jose Sharks. Kaapo Kahkonen and Alexandar Georgiev protect the nets. Colorado drew first blood in the first period with a Mikko Rantanen power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin. San Jose tied it in the second period with a Tomas Hertl power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Mikael Granlund and Calen Addison. The Avalanche took the lead with a Nichushkin goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Jack Johnson and MacKinnon. Colorado iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Josh Manson, his fourth of the year, set up by Devon Toews and Ryan Johansen. The three stars went to Nichushkin, MacKinnon, and Georgiev (10 for 11 in saves).

Up in Calgary, the Flames welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Samuel Ersson and Jacob Markstrom are the masked men. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period with a Rasmus Ristolainen goal, via Ryan Poehling and Joel Farabee. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Mikael Backlund goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Andrew Mangiapane and Dennis Gilbert. The Flames pulled ahead in the third period with a Gilbert goal, guided in by Jonathan Huberdeau and Blake Coleman. Calgary added on with a Nazem Kadri goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Mangiapane. The Flyers got one back with a Bobby Brink goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Cam Atkinson and Travis Konecny. The Flames replied with a Coleman empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Mangiapane. Philadelphia got one back with an Egor Zamula goal, his third of the campaign, with helpers from Konecny and Morgan Frost. The final stood at 4-3, with the three stars being Coleman, Mangiapane, and Gilbert, while Konecny gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with John Gibson in goal. Edmonton cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Ryan McLeod goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Warren Foegele. Anaheim tied it on a Max Jones goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Strome and Trevor Zegras. The Oilers retook the lead with an Evander Kane goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Edmonton added on in the second period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his seventeenth of the year, via Darnell Nurse and Foegele. The Oilers extended the lead as Foegele scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Nurse and Connor Brown. Edmonton padded the lead on a Foegele goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, made possible by McLeod and Draisaitl. The Ducks got one back in the third period with a Frank Vatrano goal, his seventeenth of the season, helped along by Alex Killorn and Radko Gudas. The Oilers answered with a Zach Hyman goal, his twenty-first of the year, with helpers from Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard. Edmonton kept going with a Brett Kulak goal, his second of the season, guided in by Draisaitl and Foegele. The final stood at 7-2, with the three stars awarded to Foegele, Draisaitl, and McLeod, while Nurse gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 77

There's nine more games on this Saturday, beginning with...

The Winnipeg Jets hosting the Minnesota Wild. Filip Gustavsson and Connor Hellebuyck guard the cages. Winnipeg started in the first period with an Alex Iafallo goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Vladislav Namestnikov. The Jets added on with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Adam Lowry. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period as Niederreiter scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season, thanks to Josh Morrissey and Mason Appleton. Minnesota got on the board with a Ryan Hartman power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Marcus Johansson and Frederick Gaudreau. Marc-Andre Fleury replaced an injured Gustavsson for the third period. The Wild got closer in the third period with a Matt Boldy goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Kirill Kaprizov. The Jets responded with an Axel Jonsson-Fjallby goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Dominic Toninato and Morgan Barron. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars going to Niederreiter, Hellebuyck (35 for 37 in saves), and Jonsson-Fjallby. 

To the east, the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Daniil Tarasov and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen receive the starts in goal. Columbus opened in the first period with a Damon Severson goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Dmitri Voronkov and Yegor Chinakhov. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Jack Quinn goal, his third of the year, fueled by Dylan Cozens and Owen Power. The Blue Jackets took the lead with an Adam Fantilli goal, his eleventh of the season, via Justin Danforth and Cole Sillinger. The Sabres tied it in the third period with a Casey Mittelstadt goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Zach Benson and Mattias Samuelsson. Buffalo won 3-2 in overtime with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, helped along by Power and Tage Thompson. The three stars were Power, Skinner, and Quinn.

In Boston, the Bruins bring in the New Jersey Devils. Vitek Vanecek and Linus Ullmark protect the nets. New Jersey struck first in the first period with a Nico Hischier power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Tyler Toffoli and Jack Hughes. The Devils added on in the second period with a Luke Hughes goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Toffoli and Jesper Bratt. Boston got on the board with a Jake DeBrusk goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. The Bruins tied it on a David Pastrnak goal, his twenty-first of the year, going in unassisted. Boston took the lead with a Pastrnak power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, with assists provided by DeBrusk and Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins extended the lead as Kevin Shattenkirk scored his third of the year, thanks to Matt Grzelcyk and Coyle. Boston padded the lead in the third period with another Shattenkirk goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, made possible by Marchand and Pastrnak on the power play. The final held at 5-2, with the three stars going to Pastrnak, Shattenkirk, and Marchand, while DeBrusk, Coyle, and Toffoli get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers host the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Anthony Stolarz are set to start in goal. Florida got going in the second period with an Eetu Luostarinen goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Evan Rodrigues and Sam Bennett on the power play. Montreal tied it on a Cole Caufield power play goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Nick Suzuki and Michael Matheson. The Panthers retook the lead in the third period with a Luostarinen power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, powered by Aaron Ekblad and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Florida added on with a Bennett goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Ekman-Larsson. The Panthers iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Carter Verhaeghe on the power play, his eighteenth of the campaign, set up by Matthew Tkachuk and Ekblad. The three stars went to Luostarinen, Bennett, and Ekman-Larsson, while Ekblad gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the state, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Andrei Vasilevskiy tend the twines. New York led off in the first period with an Artemi Panarin goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere. The Rangers added on with a Trocheck goal, his ninth of the year, via Jacob Trouba and Lafreniere. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Steven Stamkos and Nick Paul. New York replied with a Chris Kreider goal, his eighteenth of the year, fueled by Trocheck and Blake Wheeler. The Rangers extended the lead in the third period as Panarin scored his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, thanks to Trocheck. New York padded the lead on a Panarin power play goal to complete his hat trick on his twenty-third of the year, with assists provided by Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Panarin, Trocheck, and Lafreniere.

Back north, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the St. Louis Blues. Joel Hofer and Tristan Jarry are in the creases. Pittsburgh kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Drew O'Connor goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith. St. Louis tied it in the second period with a Robert Thomas power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Jordan Kyrou and Torey Krug. The Penguins took the lead back with a Malkin power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Jake Guentzel and Rickard Rakell. Pittsburgh added on in the third period with a Jeff Carter goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Jansen Harkins. The Blues got one back with a Kasperi Kapanen goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Scott Perunovich. The Penguins iced it at 4-2 with a Sidney Crosby empty net goal, his twentieth of the year, set up by Guentzel and Erik Karlsson. The three stars were Malkin, Guentzel, and Jarry (26 for 28 in saves).

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Nashville Predators. Yaroslav Askarov and Hunter Shepard are the inexperienced goalies. Nashville began in the first period with a Luke Evangelista goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Dante Fabbro and Tommy Novak. The Predators added on with a Roman Josi power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Gustav Nyquist and Ryan O'Reilly. Washington got on the board with a Beck Malenstyn goal, his third of the season, guided in by Nic Dowd and Trevor van Riemsdyk. The Capitals tied it in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas. The tie went to a shootout, where Nyquist and O'Reilly tallied for a 3-2 Predators win. The three stars were Askarov (26 for 28 in saves), O'Reilly, and Nyquist.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov and Martin Jones are in the blue paint. Carolina was first to score in the first period with a Michael Bunting power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Seth Jarvis power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Svechnikov and Aho. Toronto got on the board with a Timothy Liljegren goal, via Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok. Carolina shot back with an Aho empty net goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Nicholas Robertson goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Domi and Liljegren. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars going to Aho, Svechnikov, and Liljegren, while Domi gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner and Cam Talbot are between the pipes. Los Angeles drew first blood in the first period with a Kevin Fiala power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Adrian Kempe and Drew Doughty. The Kings added on with a Kempe goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Anze Kopitar and Quinton Byfield. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with a Connor McDavid power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evan Bouchard. The Oilers tied it with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his sixteenth of the year, with a lone helper from McDavid. The tie lasted to a shootout, where McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, and Derek Ryan lifted the Oilers to a 3-2 win over Trevor Moore, Kempe, and the Kings. The three stars were McDavid, Kempe, and Nugent-Hopkins. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 76

We're on for nine games Friday, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Alex Lyon man the nets. Detroit opened in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Dylan Larkin goal, his thirteenth of the season. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his seventeenth of the year, via Gustav Nyquist. The Red Wings took the lead back with a Jake Walman goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Michael Rasmussen and Robby Fabbri. The Predators retied it in the second period with a Nyquist shorthanded goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. Nashville took the lead on a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, passed from Tommy Novak. Detroit tied it again in the third period with an Alex DeBrincat goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by J.T. Compher and Patrick Kane. The Red Wings pulled ahead on a Walman goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, helped along by DeBrincat and Kane. The Predators retied it with a Nyquist goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, fueled by Forsberg and Luke Schenn. Detroit won 5-4 in overtime with a Lucas Raymond goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by DeBrincat and Walman. The three stars were Walman, Forsberg, and DeBrincat, while Nyquist and Kane get the honorable mentions.

Along to Ottawa, as the Senators welcome the New Jersey Devils. Nico Daws and Joonas Korpisalo are in the creases. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Drake Batherson goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Brady Tkachuk. New Jersey tied it on a Jack Hughes power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Luke Hughes and Jesper Bratt. The Devils pulled ahead with a Bratt power play goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, with assists provided by Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes. New Jersey added on in the second period with an unassisted Dawson Mercer goal, his tenth of the year. The Devils extended the lead as Tyler Toffoli scored his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Bratt and Jack Hughes. New Jersey padded the lead in the third period with a Brendan Smith goal, helped along by Nico Hischier and Bratt. The Senators got one back with a Jacob Bernard-Docker goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Erik Brannstrom and Angus Crookshank. The Devils replied with a Luke Hughes goal, his sixth of the campaign, made possible by Alexander Holtz and Chris Tierney. This stood for a 6-2 win, with the three stars given to Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, and Bratt.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the New York Rangers. Jonathan Quick and Sergei Bobrovsky are set to start in goal. Florida started in the first period with an Evan Rodrigues goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Aleksander Barkov and Niko Mikkola. The Panthers added on in the second period with a Sam Reinhart goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe. New York got on the board with an Artemi Panarin goal, his twentieth of the season, made possible by Alexis Lafreniere and Ryan Lindgren. The Rangers tied it on a Will Cuylle goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of K'Andre Miller. Florida retook the lead with another Reinhart goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, helped along by Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk on the power play. New York retied it in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Mika Zibanejad, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Chris Kreider. The Panthers pulled ahead on a Verhaeghe goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Gustav Forsling and Tkachuk. This held for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Reinhart, Verhaeghe, and Barkov, while Tkachuk gets an honorable mention.

Back north, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Elvis Merzlikins protect the nets. Toronto began in the first period with a Mitchell Marner goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Morgan Rielly. Columbus tied it on a Cole Sillinger goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Jake Bean. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, courtesy of Marner. Spencer Martin replaced Merzlikins to start the second period. Toronto added on in the second period with a Nicholas Robertson goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Timothy Liljegren and Max Domi. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Brendan Gaunce goal, helped along by Alexandre Texier and Damon Severson. The Maple Leafs fired back on a William Nylander power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Matthews and Rielly. Columbus got one back with a Dmitri Voronkov power play goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Johnny Gaudreau and Ivan Provorov. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Kent Johnson goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Emil Bemstrom. Toronto reclaimed the lead on a John Tavares power play goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Nylander and Rielly. Columbus tied it again in the third period with an Adam Fantilli goal, his tenth of the season, with a lone assist by Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets won 6-5 in overtime with a Gaudreau goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Severson and Justin Danforth. The three stars belonged to Gaudreau, Rielly, and Matthews, while Marner, Nylander, and Severson get the honorable mentions.

Over in New York, the Islanders welcome the Washington Capitals. Charlie Lindgren and Ilya Sorokin started the game, but Lindgren left with an injury and was replaced by Darcy Kuemper before a goal was scored. New York got going in the second period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his third of the season, fueled by Alexander Romanov and Julien Gauthier. The Islanders added on with a Noah Dobson goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat. New York extended the lead in the third period as Gauthier scored his third of the year, thanks to Pageau and Horvat. The Islanders padded the lead on another Gauthier goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, helped along by Pageau and Samuel Bolduc. New York continued with a Pageau goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, with a lone helper from Simon Holmstrom. Washington got on the board with a Nicolas Aube-Kubel goal, his third of the year, guided in by Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen. This only made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Pageau, Gauthier, and Horvat.

Way down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek and Scott Wedgewood are in the blue paint. Chicago struck first in the first period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Anthony Beauvillier and Jason Dickinson. The Blackhawks added on with a Cole Guttman goal, his third of the year, via Lukas Reichel and Connor Murphy. Dallas got on the board with a Roope Hintz power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn. The Stars tied it in the second period with a Pavelski goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Nils Lundkvist and Thomas Harley. Dallas took the lead with a Hintz goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Jason Robertson. The Stars padded the lead in the third period with a Benn goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Wyatt Johnston and Evgenii Dadonov. Chicago got one back with a Dickinson goal, his twelfth of the season, with helpers from Guttman and Alex Vlasic. The Blackhawks tied it on a Johnson power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, with assists provided by Phillip Kurashev and Kevin Korchinski. Dallas won 5-4 in overtime as Hintz completed his hat trick on his fourteenth of the campaign, made possible by Robertson and Miro Heiskanen. The three stars were Hintz, Johnson, and Pavelski, while Benn, Robertson, Dickinson, and Guttman get the honorable mentions.

North to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Jordan Binnington guard the cages. Colorado kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his eleventh of the season, via Jonathan Drouin and Josh Manson. St. Louis tied it on a Robert Thomas shorthanded goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Avalanche took the lead in the third period with a Devon Toews goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Valeri Nichushkin and Johansen. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Johansen, Georgiev (28 for 29 in saves), and Toews.

Westward to Anaheim, as the Ducks welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Ingram and John Gibson protect the nets. Arizona drew first blood in the first period with a Clayton Keller power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Nick Schmaltz and Alexander Kerfoot. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Lawson Crouse goal, his sixteenth of the year, with a lone helper from Matias Maccelli. This made it 2-0, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Ingram (28 save shutout), Keller, and Crouse.

Finally, the Seattle Kraken bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Joey Daccord tend the twines. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period with a shorthanded Travis Konecny goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Scott Laughton and Travis Sanheim. Seattle tied it in the third period with a Vince Dunn power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Oliver Bjorkstrand and Alexander Wennberg. The Kraken won 2-1 in overtime with a Justin Schultz goal, his third of the campaign, assisted by Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde. The three stars were Daccord (27 for 28 in saves), Bjorkstrand, and Schultz. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 75

It's a four-game slate this Thursday, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Cayden Primeau and Antti Raanta receive the starts in goal. Carolina started in the first period with an Andrei Svechnikov goal, his fourth of the season, via Brent Burns and Sebastian Aho. The Hurricanes added on with a Jesper Fast goal, his third of the year, guided in by Aho and Burns. Montreal tied it on a Mitchell Stephens goal, his second of the season, made possible by Michael Pezzetta and Jayden Struble. The Canadiens tied it on a Mike Matheson power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Sean Monahan and the goalie Primeau. Carolina retook the lead in the second period with a Fast goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Stefan Noesen and Jack Drury. Montreal tied it again in the third period with a Josh Anderson goal, his sixth of the year, going in unassisted. The Hurricanes reclaimed the lead on a Svechnikov goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, with helpers from Brett Pesce and Aho. Carolina iced it at 5-3 with a Svechnikov power play empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his sixth of the year, set up by Aho and Burns. The three stars were Svechnikov, Aho, and Fast, while Burns gets an honorable mention. 

Out west, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Samuel Ersson and Casey DeSmith are the backups in goal. Philadelphia got going in the second period with an Egor Zamula power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Tyson Foerster and Joel Farabee. The Flyers added on with a Sean Walker goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny. Phildelphia extended the lead as Farabee scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Bobby Brink. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a Teddy Blueger goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Dakota Joshua and Quinn Hughes. Carter Hart replaced an injured Ersson in goal. The Flyers fired back with a shorthanded Garnet Hathaway goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Ryan Poehling. The final held at 4-1, with the three stars being Farabee, Hathaway, and Walker.

Down in Vegas, the Golden Knights bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Logan Thompson guard the cages. Vegas opened in the first period with a Jack Eichel goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Ivan Barbashev and Mark Stone. The Golden Knights added on with a Michael Amadio goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Pavel Dorofeyev and Brayden McNabb. Los Angeles got on the board with an Anze Kopitar goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Adrian Kempe and Vladislav Gavrikov. Vegas replied with a William Karlsson goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Paul Cotter and Alex Pietrangelo. The Kings got one back in the third period with a Trevor Moore goal, his seventeenth of the season, helped along by Kopitar and Carl Grundstrom. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Kopitar, Karlsson, and Amadio.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner faces a lesser foe in Magnus Chrona in goal. Edmonton kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Ryan McLeod goal, his sixth of the season, via Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard. The Oilers added on with a Hyman goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Connor McDavid and Darnell Nurse. Edmonton extended the lead as Bouchard scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Mattias Ekholm and Connor Brown. The Oilers padded the lead on a Leon Draisaitl goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Warren Foegele and McLeod. Kaapo Kahkonen replaced Chrona in the second period. Edmonton continued with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Nurse and Cody Ceci. This held for a 5-0 win, with the three stars going to Skinner (25 save shutout), McLeod, and Hyman, while Bouchard and Nurse get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 74

We come back out of the holiday break with 14 games. First up...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Vitek Vanecek are in the creases. Columbus led off in the first period with a Jake Bean goal, his second of the season, made possible by Brendan Gaunce and Alexandre Texier. New Jersey tied it on an Ondrej Palat goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Erik Haula and Dawson Mercer. The Blue Jackets took the lead back in the second period with a Justin Danforth goal, his ninth of the season, via Adam Fantilli and David Jiricek. The Devils tied it in the third period with a Mercer goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Simon Nemec. Columbus pulled ahead with a Yegor Chinakhov goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. New Jersey tied it again with a Luke Hughes goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Jack Hughes. The Devils won 4-3 in overtime with a Timo Meier goal, his ninth of the campaign, fueled by Mercer. The three stars were Mercer, Meier, and Luke Hughes.

In New York, the Rangers welcome the Washington Capitals. Darcy Kuemper and Igor Shesterkin guard the cages. Washington got going in the second period with an Anthony Mantha goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Rasmus Sandin and Aliaksei Protas. New York tied it on a K'Andre Miller goal, his sixth of the year, via Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin. The Rangers took the lead with a Panarin power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Vincent Trocheck and Zibanejad. New York added on with a Braden Schneider goal, his third of the year, guided in by Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey. The Rangers extended the lead Miller scored his second of the game and seventh of the season, with the help of Chris Kreider and Blake Wheeler. New York padded the lead as Alexis Lafreniere scored his tenth of the year, assisted by Adam Fox and Miller. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars going to Miller, Panarin, and Zibanejad.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrobsky and Andrei Vasilevskiy tend the twines. Florida began in the first period with an Aaron Ekblad goal, assisted by Gustav Forsling and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers added on in the second period with a Sam Reinhart goal, his twentieth of the season, coming off of Evan Rodrigues and Barkov. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, via Victor Hedman and Nick Perbix. Florida shot back with a shorthanded Reinhart goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, set up by Barkov and Niko Mikkola. The Lightning got one back with a Mikey Eyssimont goal, his sixth of the year, a power play goal powered by Brandon Hagel and Darren Raddysh. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Reinhart, Barkov, and Ekblad.

Way north to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators. Joonas Korpisalo and Martin Jones are set to start in goal. Toronto opened in the first period with a Matthew Knies goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Auston Matthews. The Maple Leafs added on with a Tyler Bertuzzi goal, his sixth of the year, via Morgan Rielly and William Nylander. Ottawa got on the board in the second period with a shorthanded Parker Kelly goal, his second of the season, set up by Claude Giroux. The Senators tied it on a Drake Batherson goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Tim Stutzle and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Ottawa took the lead in the third period with another Batherson goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, passed from Vladimir Tarasenko and Travis Hamonic. The Senators iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Brady Tkachuk, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Tarasenko. The three stars were Batherson, Tarasenko, and Kelly.

Stateside, the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Boston Bruins. Jeremy Swayman and Devon Levi man the nets. Boston started in the first period with a Mason Lohrei goal, his third of the season, coming off of James van Riemsdyk and Trent Frederic. The Bruins added on with a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Jake DeBrusk and Brad Marchand. Boston extended the lead in the second period as Coyle scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season on the power play, courtesy of DeBrusk and David Pastrnak. The Bruins padded the lead on a Morgan Geekie power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Charlie McAvoy and Marchand. Buffalo got on the board in the third period with an Erik Johnson goal, his third of the season, passed from Owen Power and Casey Mittelstadt. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Coyle, Marchand, and DeBrusk.

Also in New York, the Islanders bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Ilya Sorokin protect the nets. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jake Guentzel and Marcus Pettersson. The Penguins added on with a Guentzel goal, his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Kris Letang and Pettersson. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Guentzel scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, thanks to Rakell and Letang. The Penguins padded the lead on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Reilly Smith and Letang. Pittsburgh continued on a Malkin goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, guided in by Letang and Pettersson. The Penguins kept going with a Radim Zohorna goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers from Valtteri Puustinen and Letang. Semyon Varlamov replaced Sorokin in goal. Pittsburgh continued in the third period with a Puustinen goal, coming off of Letang and Pettersson. The final stood at 7-0, with the three stars awarded to Letang, Guentzel, and Jarry (21 save shutout), while Pettersson, Malkin, Rakell, and Puustinen receive the honorable mentions.

West to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Detroit Red Wings. James Reimer is mismatched with Filip Gustavsson in goal. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a Matt Boldy goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. Detroit tied it on a Patrick Kane goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Alex DeBrincat. The Wild retook the lead in the second period with a Marcus Johansson goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Red Wings tied it in the third period with a DeBrincat power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Shayne Gostisbehere and J.T. Compher. Minnesota retook the lead with a Ryan Hartman goal, his tenth of the season, via Zach Bogosian and Johansson. The Wild added on with a Marcus Foligno goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Jake Middleton. Minnesota extended the lead as Johansson scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, thanks to Rossi. Detroit got one back with a Daniel Sprong goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Simon Edvinsson and Jonatan Berggren. The Wild shot back on a Kaprizov goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Dakota Mermis. The final held from here at 6-3, with the three stars going to Johansson, Kaprizov, and DeBrincat.

South to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov and Juuse Saros patrol the creases. Carolina was first to score in the first period with a Sebastian Aho power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Brent Burns and Seth Jarvis. The Hurricanes added on with a Burns power play goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his sixth of the season, via Ryan O'Reilly. Carolina fired back on a Svechnikov goal, his third of the year, fueled by Aho. The Predators got one back with an O'Reilly power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, with assists provided by Colton Sissons and Roman Josi. The Hurricanes fired back with a Jack Drury goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Jesper Fast and Stefan Noesen. Carolina extended the lead as Jarvis scored his twelfth of the season on the power play, with the help of Michael Bunting and Aho. Yaroslav Askarov replaced Saros in goal for the third period. The final remained at 5-2, with the three stars given to Aho, Burns, and Svechnikov, while Jarvis and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.

Over in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Dallas Stars. Scott Wedgewood and Joel Hofer are the backups in goal. St. Louis kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Jake Neighbours goal, his twelfth of the season, via Scott Perunovich. The Blues added on in the second period with a Marco Scandella goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Kasperi Kapanen and Perunovich. Dallas got on the board with a Jason Robertson goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Roope Hintz. This only made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars handed to Hofer (39 for 40 in saves), Perunovich, and Scandella.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Coyotes host the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Karel Vejmelka handle the goaltending duties. Colorado cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Mikko Rantanen power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The Avalanche added on with a Jonathan Drouin goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, via Ross Colton and Devon Toews. Colorado extended the lead as Logan O'Connor scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Josh Manson and Bowen Byram. The Avalanche padded the lead on a MacKinnon power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, with assists provided by Rantanen and Makar. Arizona got on the board with a Lawson Crouse goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Nick Bjugstad and Matias Maccelli. The Coyotes got closer in the third period with a Michael Kesselring goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Sean Durzi. Arizona pulled closer with a Jason Zucker goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Durzi and Logan Cooley. The Coyotes tied it on a Durzi goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Maccelli and Crouse. Arizona won 5-4 in overtime with a Jack McBain goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Zucker and Durzi. The three stars were Durzi, Zucker, and MacKinnon, while Crouse, Maccelli, Rantanen, and Makar get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Petr Mrazek are the veteran goalies. Chicago drew first blood in the first period with a Connor Bedard goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Connor Murphy and Philipp Kurashev. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Morgan Barron goal, his sixth of the year, via Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Dominic Toninato. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in overtime with a Bedard goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, assisted by Alex Vlasic and Anthony Beauvillier. The three stars were Bedard, Mrazek (37 for 38 in saves), and Barron.

Along to Calgary, as the Flames bring in the Seattle Kraken. Chris Driedger and Jacob Markstrom have the green light to start in goal. Seattle began in the first period with a Kailer Yamamoto goal, his seventh of the season, via Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson. Calgary tied it on a Nazem Kadri power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Yegor Sharangovich. The Kraken took the lead back in the third period with an Alexander Wennberg goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Jared McCann and Will Borgen. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Driedger (36 for 37 in saves), Wennberg, and Yamamoto.

Down in California, the Anaheim Ducks welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. Logan Thompson and John Gibson are between the pipes. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Brett Leason goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Cam Fowler and Adam Henrique. The Ducks added on with a Jamie Drysdale goal, courtesy of Mason McTavish and Ryan Strome. Anaheim extended the lead as Frank Vatrano scored his sixteenth of the year, thanks to McTavish and Ilya Lyubushkin. The Ducks padded the lead on a Troy Terry goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Alex Killorn and Trevor Zegras. Vegas got on the board in the second period with an Alec Martinez goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Paul Cotter. The Golden Knights got closer with a Mark Stone power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. Anaheim answered with a Leason goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with helpers from McTavish and Fowler. This held for a 5-2 win, with the three stars being Leason, McTavish, and Fowler.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the San Jose Sharks. Kaapo Kahkonen and David Rittich receive the starting nods in goal. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Fabian Zetterlund goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with a Kevin Fiala goal, his seventh of the year, via Jordan Spence. The Kings took the lead with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. Los Angeles added on with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Arthur Kaliyev and Alex Laferriere. The Kings extended the lead in the third period as Adrian Kempe scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Matt Roy and Carl Grundstrom. Los Angeles padded the lead on a Kempe goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, guided in by Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty. This produced the 5-1 final score, with the three stars going to Kempe, Lewis, and Rittich (24 for 25 in saves). 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 73

There's 14 games on today to take us into the holiday break. First up...

The Nashville Predators welcome the Dallas Stars. Scott Wedgewood and Juuse Saros are the goalies. Nashville got going in the second period with a Michael McCarron goal, his fifth of the season, via Ryan McDonagh and Philip Tomasino. The Predators added on with a Colton Sissons power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Gustav Nyquist and Ryan O'Reilly. Dallas got on the board in the third period with an Evgenii Dadonov goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Esa Lindell and Roope Hintz. The Stars tied it with a Craig Smith goal, his third of the year, coming off of Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski. Dallas took the lead with a Jani Hakanpaa goal, going in unassisted. This made it a 3-2 win for the Stars, with the three stars going to Hakanpaa, Smith, and Dadonov.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Jiri Patera and Sergei Bobrovsky are in goal. Vegas dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Mark Stone goal, his eleventh of the season, via Ivan Barbashev. Florida tied it on a Sam Bennett goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Carter Verhaeghe and Brandon Montour. The Panthers took the lead with a Gustav Forsling goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Evan Rodrigues and Aleksander Barkov. The Golden Knights tied it on a Pavel Dorofeyev goal, his third of the year, guided in by Ben Hutton and Keegan Kolesar. Florida pulled ahead in the third period with a Verhaeghe power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Montour and Matthew Tkachuk. The Panthers added on with a Sam Reinhart power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, with assists provided by Barkov and Tkachuk. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to Verhaeghe, Barkov, and Montour, while Tkachuk gets an honorable mention.

At the regular time, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Martin Jones and Daniil Tarasov are the backups in goal. Toronto kicked off the scoring in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Mitchell Marner. Columbus tied it in the second period with a Justin Danforth goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Johnny Gaudreau and Adam Fantilli. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a John Tavares goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by T.J. Brodie and William Nylander. Toronto added on with another Matthews power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, powered by Marner and Nylander. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on a shorthanded goal by Nylander, his sixteenth of the season, set up by Matthews and Jake McCabe. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars being Matthews, Nylander, and Marner.

Over in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Marc-Andre Fleury are the veteran goalies. Boston began in the first period with a David Pastrnak power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand. Minnesota tied it on a Joel Eriksson Ek power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Wild took the lead with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Alex Goligoski and Eriksson Ek. Minnesota added on in the third period with a Marcus Foligno goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Pat Maroon and Frederick Gaudreau. The Bruins got one back with a Morgan Geekie goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Danton Heinen and Trent Frederic. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Eriksson Ek, Foligno, and Kaprizov.

Back east, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Michael Hutchinson and Vitek Vanecek are set to start in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, his fifth of the season, via Alex DeBrincat and Jake Walman. New Jersey tied it on a Timo Meier goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Red Wings took the lead on a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Daniel Sprong and Christian Fischer. The Devils tied it in the third period with another Meier goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, courtesy of Luke Hughes and Dawson Mercer. New Jersey pulled ahead on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his fourteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. This held for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Meier, Toffoli, and Vanecek (22 for 24 in saves).

In Ottawa, the Senators host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Alex Nedeljkovic and Anton Forsberg draw the starts in goal. Ottawa started in the first period with a Jakob Chychrun goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Claude Giroux and Josh Norris. Pittsburgh tied it with a Lars Eller power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Reilly Smith and Kris Letang. The Senators retook the lead on a Norris goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Brady Tkachuk and Erik Brannstrom. Ottawa added on in the second period with a Tkachuk goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Giroux and Chychrun. The Penguins got one back on a Rickard Rakell goal, with helpers from Sidney Crosby and Smith. The Senators replied with a Brannstrom goal, his second of the season, coming off of Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson. Pittsburgh got one back in the third period with a Drew O'Connor goal, his third of the year, helped along by Letang and Marcus Pettersson. The Penguins tied it on a Letang goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Pettersson. Ottawa won 5-4 in overtime with a Tim Stutzle goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Drake Batherson. The three stars were given to Tkachuk, Norris, and Chychrun, while Brannstrom, Letang, Giroux, Pettersson, and Smith get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Charlie Lindgren are the masked men. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Luke Glendening goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Victor Hedman. Washington tied it in the second period with an Anthony Mantha goal, coming off of Nick Jensen and Aliaksei Protas. The tie went to a shootout, where Brayden Point and Hedman lifted the Lightning to a 2-1 win over Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Capitals. The three stars were Hedman, Vasilevskiy (32 for 33 in saves), and Lindgren (19 for 20 in saves).

Further south, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Pyotr Kochetkov are the Russian goalies. New York was first to score in the first period with a Sebastian Aho goal, via Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson. Carolina tied it on a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Seth Jarvis and Dmitry Orlov. The Islanders retook the lead with a Nelson goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Mike Reilly and Palmieri. New York added on with a Bo Horvat goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee. The Hurricanes got one back in the second period with a Sebastian Aho power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Michael Bunting and Andrei Svechnikov. The Islanders fired back with a Reilly goal, his second of the season, fueled by Barzal and Lee. Carolina got one back in the third period with a Jaccob Slavin goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Martin Necas and Svechnikov. New York answered with a Lee goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Noah Dobson and Horvat. The Hurricanes answered with a Stefan Noesen power play goal, his tenth of the year, with assists provided by Necas and Brady Skjei. The comeback fell short as the Islanders won 5-4, with the three stars being Lee, Horvat, and Nelson, while Reilly, Barzal, Palmieri, Svechnikov, and Necas get the honorable mentions.

North again to New York, as the Rangers host the Buffalo Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Igor Shestekrin start in goal. New York struck first in the first period with a Ryan Lindgren goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jonny Brodzinski and Nick Bonino. The Rangers added on with an Artemi Panarin power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Mika Zibanejad. Buffalo got on the board with a Rasmus Dahlin goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Jordan Greenway. The Sabres tied it in the second period with a Jack Quinn goal, his second of the year, passed from Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka. New York retook the lead with a Zibanejad goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Chris Kreider and Blake Wheeler. Buffalo tied it in the third period with a Casey Mittelstadt goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone helper from Greenway. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime with a Kreider goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, with helpers from Zibanejad and Adam Fox. The three stars were Zibanejad, Kreider, and Greenway.

Out west, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Arvid Soderblom and Jordan Binnington receive the starts in goal. St. Louis drew first blood in the first period with a Robert Thomas goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Pavel Buchnevich. Chicago tied it on a Connor Bedard goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Philipp Kurashev and Isaak Phillips. The Blackhawks took the lead with an Anthony Beauvillier goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jarred Tinordi and Taylor Raddysh. Chicago added on in the second period with a Nick Foligno power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Kurashev and Raddysh. The Blues got one back with a Colton Parayko goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Sammy Blais and MacKenzie MacEachern. The Blackhawks fired back with a Jason Dickinson goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Raddysh and Tinordi. Chicago extended the lead as Foligno scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, set up by Tinordi. St. Louis got one back with a Brandon Saad power play goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Kevin Hayes and Scott Perunovich. The Blues got closer with a Jake Neighbours power play goal, his eleventh of the season, with helpers from Justin Faulk and Hayes. St. Louis tied it as Jordan Kyrou scored his eighth of the year, with the help of Thomas and Buchnevich. The Blues took the lead with a Faulk goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Torey Krug. St. Louis iced it at 7-5 with an empty net goal by Kyrou, his second of the game and ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Kyrou, Faulk, and Thomas, while Foligno, Buchnevich, Hayes, Raddysh, Tinordi, and Kurashev get the honorable mentions.

In California, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Seattle Kraken. Joey Daccord and Lukas Dostal make the starts. Seattle led off in the first period with an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Jared McCann and Vince Dunn. The Kraken added on with a Dunn goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Matty Beniers and Tomas Tatar. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with a Frank Vatrano power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Seattle replied in the third period with a Tatar goal, his third of the year, helped along by Dunn and Beniers. The Ducks got one back with a Trevor Zegras goal, his second of the season, via Pavel Mintyukov and Troy Terry. The final was 3-2, with the three stars being Dunn, Tatar, and Beniers.

Backtracking to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Ingram and Alexandar Georgiev protect the nets. Colorado began in the first period with a Bowen Byram goal, his sixth of the season, via Ross Colton. The Avalanche added on with a Valeri Nichushkin goal in the second period, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews. Colorado extended the lead as Josh Manson scored his third of the season, thanks to Fredrik Olofsson and Logan O'Connor. The Avalanche padded the lead on an Olofsson goal, his third of the year, passed from Andrew Cogliano and O'Connor. Arizona got on the board with an Alexander Kerfoot power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Michael Carcone and Sean Durzi. The final held at 4-1, with the three stars going to Olofsson, Georgiev (24 for 25 in saves), and O'Connor.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks welcome the San Jose Sharks. Mackenzie Blackwood and Thatcher Demko are between the pipes. Vancouver opened in the first period with an Andrei Kuzmenko goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Ilya Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson. The Canucks added on with a Kuzmenko goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, via J.T. Miller and Pettersson on the power play. San Jose got on the board with a Mikael Granlund goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Anthony Duclair and Mario Ferraro. The Sharks tied it on a Tomas Hertl goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Filip Zadina and Ferraro. Vancouver reclaimed the lead in the second period on a Nils Aman goal, his second of the season, made possible by Teddy Blueger. The Canucks added on with a Sam Lafferty goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Ian Cole and Conor Garland. San Jose got one back with a Fabian Zetterlund goal, his ninth of the season, with helpers from Ferraro and Granlund. Vancouver replied with a Dakota Joshua goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Garland and Blueger. The Sharks pulled closer in the third period with a Jacob MacDonald goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Zadina and Jan Rutta. The Canucks answered with a Pius Suter goal, his sixth of the year, with assists from Quinn Hughes and Miller. Vancouver iced it at 7-4 with a Hughes empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Kuzmenko, Pettersson, and Miller, while Blueger, Garland, Hughes, Granlund, Ferraro, and Zadina get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Cam Talbot guard the cages. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Quinton Byfield goal, his ninth of the season, via Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. Calgary tied it on a Rasmus Andersson goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Mikael Backlund and Andrew Mangiapane. The Kings took the lead with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Jordan Spence and Phillip Danault. The Flames tied it in the second period with a Blake Coleman shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Yegor Sharangovich. Los Angeles pulled ahead with an Alex Laferriere goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Doughty and Mikey Anderson. The Kings added on with a Trevor Moore goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Matt Roy. Calgary got one back with a Coleman power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, powered by Adam Ruzicka and MacKenzie Weegar. Los Angeles iced it at 5-3 with a Byfield empty net goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, with helpers from Adrian Kempe and Kopitar. The three stars went to Byfield, Coleman, and Doughty, while Kopitar gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 72

It's a four-game Friday, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and James Reimer are in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, his third of the season, made possible by Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat. The Red Wings added on with another Kane goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, guided in by DeBrincat and Justin Holl. Philadelphia got on the board with a Bobby Brink goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Joel Farabee and Egor Zamula. Detroit replied with a Daniel Sprong power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. The Red Wings extended the lead as J.T. Compher scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Joe Veleno and Raymond. Detroit padded the lead on a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Kane and DeBrincat. The Flyers fired back in the second period with a Sean Couturier goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Travis Sanheim and Zamula. Philadelphia got closer with a Morgan Frost goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Sanheim and Cam Atkinson. The Flyers pulled closer in the third period with a Garnet Hathaway goal, his third of the season, with helpers from Scott Laughton and Cam York. Philadelphia tied it on a Laughton goal, his third of the year, helped along by Farabee and Tyson Foerster. The Flyers took the lead with an Owen Tippett goal, his twelfth of the season, with assists provided by Travis Konecny and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Red Wings retied it as Larkin scored his twelfth of the year, with the help of Jeff Petry and Seider. The tie went to a shootout, where Raymond and Kane lifted the Red Wings to a 7-6 win. The three stars were given to Kane, Raymond, and DeBrincat, while Larkin, Laughton, Seider, Farabee, Sanheim, and Zamula get the honorable mentions. 

Over in New York, the Rangers welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner and Jonathan Quick patrol the creases. New York began in the first period with a Blake Wheeler goal, his fifth of the season, via Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with a Zach Hyman goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Mattias Ekholm and Connor McDavid. The Oilers took the lead on an Evander Kane goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Derek Ryan. Edmonton added on with a Warren Foegele goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Ryan McLeod and Cody Ceci. The Oilers extended the lead as McLeod scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Foegele. The Rangers got one back with a Zibanejad power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Alexis Lafreniere and Kreider. New York got closer with a Will Cuylle goal, his sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being McLeod, Foegele, and Zibanejad, while Kreider gets an honorable mention. 

Back west, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Boston Bruins. Jeremy Swayman and Connor Hellebuyck tend the twines. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Josh Morrissey goal, his sixth of the season, via Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele. The Jets added on in the second period with a Vilardi goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Nikolaj Ehlers and Scheifele. Winnipeg extended the lead on a Nino Niederreiter power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Nate Schmidt and Neal Pionk. Winnipeg padded the lead in the third period with an Adam Lowry goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Mason Appleton and Niederreiter. Boston got on the board with a Brandon Carlo goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Winnipeg finished it at 5-1 with a Niederreiter power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, passed from Cole Perfetti. The three stars were Niederreiter, Vilardi, and Scheifele. 

Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Montreal Canadiens. Cayden Primeau and Petr Mrazek man the nets. Chicago opened in the first period with a Ryan Donato goal, his sixth of the season, via Connor Bedard and Isaak Phillips. The Blackhawks added on with a Jason Dickinson goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, assisted by Colin Blackwell and Louis Crevier. Montreal got on the board with a Mitchell Stephens goal, helped along by Michael Matheson and David Savard. The Canadiens tied it on a Josh Anderson goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Sean Monahan and Jake Evans. Montreal took the lead with a Juraj Slafkovsky goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Nick Suzuki and Jesse Ylonen. The Canadiens extended the lead in the third period as Suzuki scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Cole Caufield and Slafkovsky. Montreal iced it at 5-2 with a Savard empty net goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Suzuki, Slafkovsky, and Savard. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 71

It's a 12-game Thursday, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Devon Levi start in goal. Buffalo began in the first period with a Jordan Greenway goal, his third of the season, coming off of Connor Clifton and Zach Benson. Toronto tied it on an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs took the lead with a Max Domi power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and Timothy Liljegren. The Sabres tied it again with an Owen Power goal, his second of the year, passed from Benson and Casey Mittelstadt. Buffalo took the lead with a Jeff Skinner goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Alex Tuch. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Rasmus Dahlin power play goal, his ninth of the year, with an assist provided by Tage Thompson. Toronto got one back with a Calle Jarnkrok shorthanded goal, his eighth of the season, set up by William Nylander and Liljegren. Buffalo answered with a Thompson goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Tuch and Skinner. Martin Jones replaced Samsonov in goal. The Sabres extended the lead on a Kyle Okposo shorthanded goal, his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Buffalo padded the lead in the third period with a Jack Quinn goal, guided in by JJ Peterka and Clifton. The Sabres continued on a Skinner goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with helpers from Tuch and Thompson. Buffalo struck again with another Okposo goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, made possible by Peyton Krebs and Ryan Johnson. The final held at 9-3, with the three stars given to Skinner, Okposo, and Tuch, while Thompson, Benson, Clifton, and Liljegren get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Joel Hofer and Sergei Bobrovsky receive the starts in goal. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Jordan Kyrou goal, his eighth of the season, via Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. The Blues added on with a Buchnevich goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Kyrou and Thomas. Florida got on the board with an Eetu Luostarinen goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Dmitry Kulikov. St. Louis replied with an Alexey Toropchenko goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Marco Scandella and Brandon Saad. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Buchnevich, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, set up by Oskar Sundqvist and Thomas. The three stars were Buchnevich, Kyrou, and Thomas.

Back north, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Washington Capitals. Charlie Lindgren and Elvis Merzlikins patrol the creases. Washington struck first in the first period with an Anthony Mantha power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. Columbus tied it on an Cole Sillinger goal in the second period, his third of the year, via Emil Bemstrom and Johnny Gaudreau. The Capitals took the lead with a Mantha goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, guided in by Aliaksei Protas and Carlson. The Blue Jackets tied it in the third period with a Yegor Chinakhov goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko. Washington won 3-2 in overtime with an Ovechkin goal, his sixth of the campaign, passed from Dylan Strome and Carlson. The three stars were Mantha, Ovechkin, and Carlson.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Samuel Ersson are in the blue paint. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Morgan Forst goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Bobby Brink and Owen Tippett. Nashville tied it in the second period with a Cole Smith shorthanded goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Colton Sissons. The Flyers took the lead with a Sean Couturier power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Frost. The Predators retied it on a Philip Tomasino goal, his third of the year, guided in by Tommy Novak and Filip Forsberg. Nashville took the lead with a Tomasino goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, via Sissons. The Predators iced it at 4-2 with a Gustav Nyquist empty net goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Forsberg. The three stars went to Tomasino, Sissons, and Forsberg.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov and Alex Nedeljkovic man the nets. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Rickard Rakell and Jake Guentzel. Carolina tied it on a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his twelfth of the year, via Jack Drury and Jaccob Slavin. The tie went to a shootout, where the Penguins won 2-1 with a lone tally by Crosby. The three stars were Crosby, Nedeljkovic (23 for 24 in saves), and Kochetkov (24 for 25 in saves).

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Jiri Patera is mismatched with Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Vegas opened in the first period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Paul Cotter and Brayden McNabb. The Golden Knights added on with an Ivan Barbashev goal, his ninth of the year, via Mark Stone and Jack Eichel. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with an Alex Barre-Boulet goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Victor Hedman and Conor Sheary. The Lightning tied it on a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Hedman. Tampa Bay took the lead on a Brayden Point power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, with assists provided by Nick Paul and Kucherov. The Lightning extended the lead as Point scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, thanks to Paul and Kucherov. Vegas got one back in the third period with a Marchessault power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, guided in by William Karlsson and Eichel. The Golden Knights tied it on a Paul Cotter goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by McNabb and Ben Hutton. The Lightning took the lead back with a Paul goal, his eleventh of the campaign, with helpers from Hedman and Point. The final stood at 5-4, with the three stars going to Point, Paul, and Kucherov, while Hedman, Marchessault, Eichel, Cotter, and McNabb get the honorable mentions.

North again to New Jersey, as the Devils host the Edmonton Oilers. Calvin Pickard and Akira Schmid are the backups in goal. Edmonton was first to score in the first period with a Ryan McLeod goal, his third of the season, guided in by Sam Gagner. The Oilers added on with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Mattias Ekholm and Connor McDavid. Vitek Vanecek replaced Schmid in goal. New Jersey got on the board with a Dawson Mercer goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Michael McLeod. The Devils tied it in the second period with a Jonas Siegenthaler goal, courtesy of Simon Nemec and Michael McLeod. New Jersey pulled ahead on a Timo Meier goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Mercer. Edmonton tied it on a McDavid goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Ekholm and Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers took the lead with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Edmonton extended the lead as Adam Erne scored, thanks to Gagner. The Oilers padded the lead as Ryan McLeod scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, an unassisted goal. The final was 6-3, and the three stars were Ryan McLeod, McDavid, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Mercer, Ekholm, and Michael McLeod get the honorable mentions.

Way south to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Scott Wedgewood are between the pipes. Vancouver kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Dakota Joshua goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Conor Garland and Teddy Blueger. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Matt Duchene and Miro Heiskanen. The Stars took the lead with a Roope Hintz goal in the second period, his eleventh of the season, via Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski. The Canucks tied it with a Brock Boeser goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, fueled by J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes. Vancouver pulled ahead with a Garland goal in the third period, his third of the season, coming off of Joshua and Blueger. Dallas tied it again with a Thomas Harley goal, his ninth of the year, with helpers from Robertson and Heiskanen. The Stars won 4-3 in overtime with a Duchene goal, his eleventh of the campaign, helped along by Harley and Wyatt Johnston. The three stars belonged to Duchene, Harley, and Garland, while Joshua, Robertson, Heiskanen, and Blueger get the honorable mentions.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Sam Montembeault and Filip Gustavsson protect the nets. Minnesota drew first blood in the first period with a Matt Boldy power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Kirill Kaprizov and Marco Rossi. The Wild added on with a Rossi goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Zach Bogosian and Marcus Foligno. Montreal got on the board in the second period with a David Savard goal, his second of the season, guided in by Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. The Canadiens tied it on a Suzuki power play goal in the third period, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Juraj Slafkovsky and Michael Matheson. Minnesota pulled ahead with a Brock Faber power play goal, his second of the season, made possible by Kaprizov and Rossi. Montreal tied it again with a Slafkovsky goal, his third of the year, passed from Savard and Matheson. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Kaprizov goal, his eleventh of the campaign, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Faber. The three stars were Kaprizov, Faber, and Rossi, while Suzuki, Slafkovsky, Savard, and Matheson get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Ottawa Senators. Joonas Korpisalo and Alexandar Georgiev are the starting goalies. Colorado led off in the first period with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Jonathan Drouin and Cale Makar. Ottawa tied it on a Josh Norris power play goal, his eleventh of the year, with assists provided by Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle. The Senators took the lead with a Ridly Greig goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Dominik Kubalik and Jakob Chychrun. The Avalanche tied it on another MacKinnon goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, fueled by Valeri Nichushkin. Ottawa retook the lead in the second period with a Jacob Bernard-Docker goal, his second of the season, guided in by Jiri Smejkal and Mark Kastelic. The Senators added on with a Batherson goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Vladimir Tarasenko and Artem Zub. Colorado got one back with a Mikko Rantanen power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Avalanche tied it on a MacKinnon goal, completing his hat trick on his seventeenth of the year, with helpers from Devon Toews and Nichushkin. Colorado pulled ahead with a Rantanen power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, helped along by MacKinnon and Makar. The Avalanche iced it at 6-4 with a MacKinnon empty net goal, his fourth of the game and eighteenth of the year, set up by Nichushkin.

In California, the Anaheim Ducks welcome the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Lukas Dostal draw the starts in goal. Calgary began in the first period with a Nick DeSimone goal, assisted by Connor Zary and Elias Lindholm. The Flames added on in the second period with a Lindholm power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Nazem Kadri and Yegor Sharangovich. Calgary iced it at 3-0 with an A.J. Greer empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Lindholm. The three stars belonged to Markstrom (27 save shutout), Lindholm, and DeSimone.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Mackenzie Blackwood are the goalies. Arizona dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Michael Kesselring goal, his third of the season, via Clayton Keller. San Jose tied it on an Anthony Duclair goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Fabian Zetterlund. The Coyotes took the lead with a Keller goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Alexander Kerfoot and Sean Durzi. Arizona added on with a Kerfoot goal, his third of the year, guided in by Nick Schmaltz and Durzi. The Sharks got one back in the third period with a Filip Zadina goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Mario Ferraro and William Eklund. The Coyotes fired back with a Schmaltz power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Kerfoot and Keller. Arizona extended the lead as Lawson Crouse scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Matias Maccelli and Nick Bjugstad. The final stood from here at 5-2, with the three stars going to Keller, Kerfoot, and Schmaltz, while Durzi gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 70

It's a three-game night, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals hosting the New York Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Darcy Kuemper are in goal. Washington led off in the first period with a Hendrix Lapierre goal, his second of the season, via Aliaksei Protas. New York tied it in the second period with a Hudson Fasching goal, his second of the year, helped along by Cal Clutterbuck. The Capitals took the lead with a Joel Edmundson goal, fueled by Anthony Mantha and Lapierre. The Islanders tied it on an Anders Lee goal, his ninth of the season, going in unassisted. Washington won 3-2 in overtime with a Dylan Strome power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson.

Out west, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Detroit Red Wings. James Reimer and Laurent Brossoit man the nets. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Neal Pionk goal, his second of the season, assisted by Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and David Gustafsson. Detroit tied it in the second period with an Olli Maatta goal, via Patrick Kane and Andrew Copp. The Jets took the lead on a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Gabriel Vilardi and Dylan DeMelo. Winnipeg added on with a Jonsson-Fjallby goal, coming off of Dylan Samberg. The Jets extended the lead as Vilardi scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Cole Perfetti and Josh Morrissey. The Red Wings got one back with a Kane goal, his second of the year, made possible by Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider. Winnipeg answered with a Mark Scheifele goal, his twelfth of the season, with helpers from Vilardi and Ehlers. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Vilardi, Ehlers, and Jonsson-Fjallby, while Kane gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Seattle Kraken. Joey Daccord and Cam Talbot are the masked men. Seattle got going in the second period with a Brandon Tanev goal, his third of the season, an unassisted goal. The Kraken added on in the third period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourth of the year, via Matty Beniers and Will Borgen. Los Angeles got on the board with a Blake Lizotte shorthanded goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Daccord (43 for 44 in saves), Eberle, and Tanev. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 69

There's 11 games on this Tuesday slate, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury and Linus Ullmark protect the nets. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Marcus Johansson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Frederick Gaudreau and Alex Goligoski. Boston tied it on a David Pastrnak goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of John Beecher. The Bruins took the lead with another Pastrnak goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, assisted by Pavel Zacha and James van Riemsdyk. The Wild tied it in the third period with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Jake Middleton and Brock Faber. Minnesota took the lead with a Ryan Hartman goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Marco Rossi and Faber. Boston tied it with a Brad Marchand power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Morgan Geekie and Charlie McAvoy. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Kaprizov goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, coming off of Joel Eriksson Ek. The three stars were Kaprizov, Pastrnak, and Hartman.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Daniil Tarasov and Devon Levi are set to start in goal. Buffalo started in the first period with a Rasmus Dahlin goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt. Columbus tied it on a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his sixth of the year, via Adam Fantilli. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Fantilli goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Gaudreau and Ivan Provorov. Columbus added on with a Kirill Marchenko power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Gaudreau and Zach Werenski. The Blue Jackets extended the lead in the second period as Marchenko scored his second of the game and twelfth of the season, with the help of Yegor Chinakhov and Andrew Peeke. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen replaced Levi in goal. Columbus padded the lead as Marchenko scored his thirteenth of the year to complete his hat trick, thanks to Chinakhov and Provorov. The Blue Jackets continued with an Erik Gudbranson goal, his third of the season, fueled by Alexandre Texier and Sean Kuraly. Columbus struck again with a Kuraly goal, his sixth of the year, with helpers from Texier and Brendan Gaunce. The Sabres got one back with a Kyle Okposo goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Mittelstadt and Victor Olofsson. Buffalo pulled one back in the third period with a Tage Thompson power play goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Dahlin and Alex Tuch. The Sabres got closer with a Cozens goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Zach Benson and Mittelstadt. The Blue Jackets replied with a Cole Sillinger goal, his second of the year, made possible by Werenski and Kent Johnson. Columbus kept going with a Johnson goal, his fourth of the season, dished from Sillinger and Emil Bemstrom. This stood for a 9-4 win, with the three stars going to Marchenko, Gaudreau, and Fantilli, while Johnson, Sillinger, Kuraly, Chinakhov, Texier, Werenski, Provorov, Dahlin, Mittelstadt, and Cozens get the honorable mentions.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Logan Thompson and Pyotr Kochetkov are the young goalies. Carolina began in the first period with an Andrei Svechnikov power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Brady Skjei and Sebastian Aho. Vegas tied it on a William Carrier goal, his fourth of the year, via Brayden McNabb and Brett Howden. The Hurricanes took the lead back in the second period with a Jordan Staal goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Jesper Fast and Jordan Martinook. Carolina added on with a Jesperi Kotkaniemi goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Jalen Chatfield and Michael Bunting. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Bunting scored his seventh of the season on the power play, with the help of Aho and Brent Burns. Carolina padded the lead in the third period with a Seth Jarvis power play goal, his eleventh of the year, with assists provided by Bunting and Aho. The Hurricanes continued with a Skjei goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. Jiri Patera replaced Thompson in goal. The Golden Knights got one back with a Nicolas Hague goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Mark Stone and Jack Eichel. Vegas got closer with another Carrier goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, helped along by Howden and Michael Amadio. The three stars of the 6-3 game were Bunting, Aho, and Carrier, while Skjei and Howden get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers. Samuel Ersson and Vitek Vanecek patrol the creases. New Jersey struck first in the first period with a Michael McLeod goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Nathan Bastian and Curtis Lazar. Philadelphia tied it on a second period goal by Ryan Poehling, his third of the year, via Joel Farabee. The Devils took the lead back with a Jesper Bratt power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. The Flyers tied it on another Poehling goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, fueled by Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim. The Flyers won 3-2 in overtime with an Owen Tippett goal, his eleventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Poehling, Ersson (24 for 26 in saves), and Tippett.

Further south, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Andrei Vasilevskiy guard the cages. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Mikey Eyssimont goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Tanner Jeannot and Haydn Fleury. The Lightning added on with a Tyler Motte goal, his second of the year, guided in by Conor Sheary and Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Nikita Kucherov scored his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Brayden Point and Nick Paul. The Lightning padded the lead on another Kucherov goal in the second period, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, via Nick Perbix and Paul. Tampa Bay chased Binnington with a Fleury goal, made possible by Stamkos and Brandon Hagel. Joel Hofer entered in goal. The Lightning continued in the third period with a Paul power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Stamkos and Victor Hedman. St. Louis got on the board with a Justin Faulk power play goal, with assists provided by Jake Neighbours and Kevin Hayes. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars being Paul, Stamkos, and Kucherov, while Fleury gets an honorable mention.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin faces a lesser foe in Martin Jones in goal. New York got going in the second period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Blake Wheeler and Chris Kreider. Toronto tied it on an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Morgan Rielly and Tyler Bertuzzi. The Rangers took the lead back with an Alexis Lafreniere power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Jonny Brodzinski and Erik Gustafsson. The Maple Leafs tied it with another Matthews goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Matthew Knies and William Nylander. New York pulled ahead on a Braden Schneider goal, his second of the season, made possible by Gustafsson and Wheeler. The Rangers added on with an Artemi Panarin power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, with assists provided by Gustafsson and Vincent Trocheck. New York iced it at 5-2 with a Zibanejad empty net goal, is second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, set up by Wheeler and Ryan Lindgren. The three stars were Zibanejad, Wheeler, and Gustafsson, while Matthews gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the New York Islanders host the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner and Ilya Sorokin are the masked men. Edmonton kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Warren Foegele and Mattias Ekholm. New York tied it in the second period with an Anders Lee power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Kyle Palmieri and Mathew Barzal. The Islanders took the lead with a Bo Horvat power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Brock Nelson and Noah Dobson. New York added on with a Simon Holmstrom shorthanded goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. This held for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Sorokin (31 for 32 in saves), Horvat, and Holmstrom.

Along to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Casey DeSmith and Juuse Saros are in the creases. Vancouver drew first blood in the first period with an Elias Pettersson goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Ilya Mikheyev and Pius Suter. The Canucks added on with a Nils Aman goal, going in unassisted. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Jeremy Lauzon goal, his third of the year, guided in by Luke Evangelista and Tommy Novak. Vancouver shot back on a Nils Hoglander goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek. The Canucks extended the lead as Suter scored his fifth of the year, fueled by Mikheyev and Pettersson. Vancouver padded the lead in the third period on a Teddy Blueger goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Hughes. Kevin Lankinen replaced Saros in goal. The Predators got one back with a Cody Glass goal, helped along by Cole Smith. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Pettersson, Suter, and Hughes, while Mikheyev gets an honorable mention.

Next up, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Petr Mrazek are the veterans in goal. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Ryan Donato goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Bedard. Colorado tied it on a Valeri Nichushkin power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche took the lead with a Nichushkin power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, with assists provided by Mikko Rantanen and Sam Malinski. The Blackhawks tied it on a Lukas Reichel goal, his third of the year, guided in by Bedard and Donato. Chicago pulled ahead in the third period with a Tyler Johnson power play goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Nick Foligno and Zaitsev. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Donato, Nichushkin, and Bedard, while Zaitsev gets an honorable mention.

To Arizona, as the Coyotes host the Ottawa Senators. Joonas Korpisalo and Connor Ingram are between the pipes. Ottawa dented the scoreboard in the first period with an Angus Crookshank goal, assisted by Artem Zub and Jake Sanderson. The Senators added on with a Josh Norris power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Sanderson and Tim Stutzle. Ottawa extended the lead as Dominik Kubalik scored his seventh of the year, fueled by Erik Brannstrom. Karel Vejmelka replaced Ingram in goal. Arizona got on the board in the second period with a Jack McBain goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Logan Cooley and Michael Carcone. The Coyotes got closer in the third period with a J.J. Moser goal, his third of the year, via Matias Maccelli and Matt Dumba. Arizona tied it on a Clayon Keller goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Troy Stecher and Alexander Kerfoot. The Coyotes pulled ahead with a Michael Kesselring goal, his second of the year, passed from Zach Sanford and McBain. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to McBain, Carcone, and Sanderson.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings. David Rittich and Kaapo Kahkonen are the backups in goal. Los Angeles cracked the scoresheet in the first period with an Anze Kopitar power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Arthur Kaliyev and Kevin Fiala. The Kings added on in the second period with a Trevor Moore goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Fiala and Phillip Danault. Los Angeles extended the lead as Alex Laferriere scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Jordan Spencer and Kopitar. The Kings padded the lead on a Trevor Lewis shorthanded empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Blake Lizotte. San Jose got on the board with a Jacob MacDonald power play goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Kevin Labanc and Filip Zadina. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Kopitar, Fiala, and Rittich (14 for 15 in saves). 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 68

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

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Lukas Dostal and Ville Husso man the nets. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Radko Gudas goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Brett Leason and Adam Henrique. The Ducks added on with a Pavel Mintyukov goal, his second of the year, coming off of Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry. James Reimer replaced an injured Husso in goal. Anaheim extended the lead on a Henrique power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Cam Fowler and Ryan Strome. The Ducks padded the lead in the second period on a Terry goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Urho Vaakanainen and Alex Killorn. Detroit got on the board with a Jeff Petry goal, assisted by Andrew Copp and Patrick Kane. The Red Wings got closer in the third period with an Alex DeBrincat power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, with assists provided by Kane and Shayne Gostisbehere. Detroit pulled closer with a DeBrincat power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, fueled by Gostisbehere and Dylan Larkin. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Henrique, Terry, and DeBrincat, while Kane gets an honorable mention.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Minnesota Wild. Filip Gustavsson and Alex Nedeljkovic are set to start in goal. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Reilly Smith goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Valtteri Puustinen and Marcus Pettersson. The Penguins added on in the second period with a Jake Guentzel power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Erik Karlsson and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Evgeni Malkin scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Puustinen and Pettersson. Minnesota got on the board with a Ryan Hartman goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Brock Faber and Marcus Johansson. The Wild got closer with a Jake Middleton goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Vinni Lettieri goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jon Merrill and Daemon Hunt. The Penguins retook the lead with a Crosby power play goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Guentzel and Malkin. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Crosby, Guentzel, and Malkin, while Puustinen and Pettersson get the honorable mentions.

Next up, the Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Connor Hellebuyck are the goalies. Montreal got going in the second period with a Josh Anderson goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Michael Matheson and Jake Evans. The Canadiens added on with a Christian Dvorak power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Anderson and Brendan Gallagher. Winnipeg got on the board with a Gabriel Vilardi goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Josh Morrissey and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets tied it in the third period with a Cole Perfetti goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Vladislav Namestnikov and Brenden Dillon. Montreal won 3-2 in overtime with a Justin Barron goal, his sixth of the campaign, coming off of Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki on the power play. The three stars were handed to Anderson, Barron, and Dvorak. 

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Seattle Kraken. Joey Daccord and Scott Wedgewood are in the blue paint. Dallas opened in the first period with a Matt Duchene goal, his ninth of the season, via Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment. The Stars added on with a Jason Robertson goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz. Seattle got on the board in the second period with a Tomas Tatar goal, his second of the season, assisted by Matty Beniers. Dallas replied with another Duchene goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, passed from Joe Pavelski and Evgenii Dadonov. The Kraken pulled one back with a Beniers goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Jordan Eberle and Tatar. Seattle tied it in the third period with an Eeli Tolvanen goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Alexander Wennberg and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The Stars won 4-3 in overtime with a Thomas Harley goal, his eighth of the campaign, helped along by Duchene and Jamie Benn. The three stars were Duchene, Pavelski, and Beniers, while Tatar gets an honorable mention. 

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Florida Panthers. Anthony Stolarz and Jacob Markstrom are between the pipes. Calgary started in the first period with a Martin Pospisil goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Nazem Kadri and Dennis Gilbert. Florida tied it on a Sam Reinhart power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov. The Flames took the lead in the third period with a Mikael Backlund shorthanded goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Noah Hanifin. Calgary added on with a shorthanded Blake Coleman empty net goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Markstrom (34 for 35 in saves), Backlund, and Pospisil. 

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