NHL 2023-24 - Day 26

The NHL loads them up again with 15 games this Saturday. First up...

The Edmonton Oilers host the Nashville Predators. Kevin Lankinen and Jack Campbell are in goal. Edmonton started in the first period with a Darnell Nurse power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mattias Ekholm and Ryan McLeod. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Ryan O'Reilly and Marc Del Gaizo. The Predators pulled ahead in the second period with an O'Reilly goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Forsberg and Alexandre Carrier. Nashville added on with an O'Reilly power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Forsberg and Thomas Novak. The Oilers got one back on a Zach Hyman power play goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid. The Predators fired back with a Novak goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Luke Evangelista and Roman Josi. Nashville extended the lead in the third period as O'Reilly completed his hat trick on his seventh of the campaign, thanks to Carrier and Forsberg. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to O'Reilly, Forsberg, and Novak, while Carrier gets an honorable mention. 

Down in Arizona, the Coyotes welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Karel Vejmelka are the masked men. Arizona opened in the first period with a J.J. Moser goal, his second of the season, via Matias Maccelli and Lawson Crouse. The Coyotes added on with a Liam O'Brien goal in the second period, his second of the year, courtesy of Jack McBain. Winnipeg got on the board with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his third of the season, passed from Mason Appleton and Josh Morrissey. The Jets tied it on a Brenden Dillon goal, fueled by Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti. Arizona retook the lead with a Crouse power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Nick Bjugstad. Winnipeg tied it again with a Niederreiter power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Nikolaj Ehlers and Neal Pionk. The Jets pulled ahead in the third period with a Dillon goal, his second of the game, made possible by Appleton and Adam Lowry. Winnipeg extended the lead as Niederreiter completed his hat trick with his fifth of the year, with the help of Lowry and Dillon. The final stood at 5-3, with the three stars going to Niederreiter, Dillon, and Appleton, while Lowry and Crouse get the honorable mentions.

At the regular time, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Ville Husso protect the nets. Boston led off in the first period with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. The Bruins added on with a Matthew Poitras goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Kevin Shattenkirk and van Riemsdyk. Detroit got on the board with a Lucas Raymond power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by David Perron and Dylan Larkin. The Red Wings tied it on a Jake Walman power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Moritz Seider and Daniel Sprong. Boston retook the lead on a Charlie Coyle goal, his second of the season, passed from Jake DeBrusk and Parker Wotherspoon. Detroit tied it in the third period with a Larkin goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. The Red Wings pulled ahead with a Perron goal, his third of the season, coming off of J.T. Compher and Jeff Petry. Detroit extended the lead as Andrew Copp scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Compher and Perron. The Bruins got one back with a Pastrnak goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Poitras and Hampus Lindholm. They couldn't tie it, with the final being 5-4. The three stars were Larkin, Perron, and Pastrnak, while Compher, Poitras, Raymond, and van Riemsdyk get the honorable mentions.

Into Ontario, as the Ottawa Senators host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jonas Johansson and Joonas Korpisalo are in the blue paint. Ottawa kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Brady Tkachuk goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Mathieu Joseph and Jake Sanderson. Tampa Bay tied it on a Victor Hedman goal, his second of the year, via Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. The Lightning took the lead in the second period with a Point goal, his third of the season, assisted by Kucherov. Tampa Bay added on with a Mikey Eyssimont goal, his third of the year, guided in by Anthony Cirelli. Anton Forsberg replaced Korpisalo in goal. The Lightning extended the lead as Point scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, thanks to Kucherov. The Senators got one back in the third period with a Claude Giroux goal, his third of the year, made possible by Tim Stutzle and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Tampa Bay replied with a Point goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the season, with helpers from Steven Stamkos and Kucherov on the power play. Ottawa pulled one back with a Tkachuk power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, powered by Josh Norris. The Lightning shot back with a Kucherov goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Alex Barre-Boulet. The Senators countered with a Drake Batherson goal, his second of the year, with a lone helper from Tkachuk. This only made it 6-4, the final, with the three stars handed to Point, Kucherov, and Tkachuk.

Staying in the province, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Devon Levi and Joseph Woll are the young goalies. Toronto was first to score in the first period with a Mitchell Marner goal, his fourth of the season, via Calle Jarnkrok and Morgan Rielly. Buffalo tied it on a JJ Peterka power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Owen Power and Peyton Krebs. The Sabres took the lead with a Tage Thompson shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs tied it again with an Auston Matthews power play goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by William Nylander and Marner. Buffalo retook the lead on a Jeff Skinner goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Ryan Johnson. Toronto tied it on a Matthews goal in the third period, his second of the game and tenth of the year, helped along by Marner. The Sabres reclaimed the lead on a Jordan Greenway goal, his second of the season, coming off of Casey Mittelstadt and Peterka. The Maple Leafs retied it with a Matthews goal, completing his hat trick on his eleventh of the year, with helpers from Mark Giordano and Marner. Buffalo pulled ahead again with an Alex Tuch goal, his second of the season, guided in by Rasmus Dahlin and Connor Clifton. The Sabres iced it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Tuch, his second of the game and third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Matthews, Tuch, and Marner, while Peterka gets an honorable mention.

Stateside, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Sam Montembeault and Joel Hofer are in the creases. St. Louis began in the first period with a Jordan Kyrou goal, his second of the season, coming off of Brayden Schenn. Montreal tied it on a Juraj Slafkovsky power play goal, powered by Alex Newhook and Brendan Gallagher. The Blues took the lead back with a Robert Thomas goal, his fourth of the year, via Justin Faulk. St. Louis added on with a Brandon Saad goal in the second period, his third of the season, assisted by Kyrou and Schenn. The Canadiens got one back with a Gallagher goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Sean Monahan. The Blues fired back in the third period on a shorthanded Alexey Toropchenko goal, set up by Pavel Buchnevich. St. Louis extended the lead as Schenn scored, thanks to Kyrou and Saad. The Blues padded the lead on a Kasperi Kapanen empty net goal, his second of the season, with a lone helper by Thomas. Montreal got one back with a Nick Suzuki goal, his third of the year, guided in by Cole Caufield and Michael Matheson. This only made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars being Kyrou, Schenn, and Thomas, while Saad and Gallagher get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Washington Capitals host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Charlie Lindgren are set to start in goal. Washington struck first in the first period with a Tom Wilson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Nick Jensen and Rasmus Sandin. The Capitals added on with a Sonny Milano goal, his second of the year, via Jensen and Rasmus. Columbus got on the board with a Dmitri Voronkov goal in the second period, his second of the season, guided in by Kirill Marchenko and David Jiricek. This only made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Lindgren (35 for 36 in saves), Milano, and Wilson.

To New York, where the Islanders welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Antti Raanta is mismatched with Ilya Sorokin in goal. New York cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Noah Dobson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat. The Islanders added on with a Simon Holmstrom shorthanded goal, his third of the year, set up by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. New York extended the lead as Barzal scored his second of the season, thanks to Horvat and Ryan Pulock. Carolina got on the board with a Jalen Chatfield goal, via Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes got closer in the third period with a Dmitry Orlov goal, helped along by Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Andrei Svechnikov. Carolina tied it with a Kotkaniemi goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Svechnikov. The Hurricanes won 4-3 in overtime with a Sebastian Aho goal, his second of the campaign, passed from Martin Necas. The three stars were Kotkaniemi, Svechnikov, and Horvat, while Barzal gets an honorable mention.

Onward to Philadelphia, as the Flyers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Cal Petersen have the green light to play in goal. Los Angeles drew first blood in the first period with an Adrian Kempe goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Quinton Byfield and Mikey Anderson. The Kings added on with an Anze Kopitar goal, his sixth of the year, via Matt Roy and Byfield. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period as Arthur Kaliyev scored his third of the season on the power play, with the help of Byfield and Trevor Moore. The Kings padded the lead on a Moore shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Kaliyev. Los Angeles continued in the third period with a Blake Lizotte goal, his third of the season, made possible by Alex Laferriere. This stood for a 5-0 win, with the three stars going to Talbot (24 save shutout), Byfield, and Kaliyev, while Moore gets an honorable mention.

West to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Florida Panthers. Anthony Stolarz and Petr Mrazek patrol the creases. Chicago opened in the first period with a Nick Foligno power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Seth Jones and Corey Perry. The Blackhawks added on with a Nikita Zaitsev goal, via Philipp Kurashev and Lukas Reichel. Chicago extended the lead as Taylor Hall scored, thanks to Jason Dickinson and Tyler Johnson. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the second period with a Connor Bedard goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers from Kurashev and Jarred Tinordi. Florida got on the board in the third period with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers got closer with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Verhaeghe and Josh Mahura. The Blackhawks iced it at 5-2 with a Kurashev empty net goal, his second of the season, coming off of Ryan Donato. The three stars were Kurashev, Verhaeghe, and Hall.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the New York Rangers. Jonathan Quick and Filip Gustavsson are the goalies. New York started in the first period with a Jimmy Vesey goal, assisted by Tyler Pitlick and Ryan Lindgren. The Rangers added on with an Artemi Panarin goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere. New York extended the lead as Erik Gustafsson scored his third of the year, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Will Cuylle. Marc-Andre Fleury replaced Gustavsson in goal. Minnesota got on the board in the second period with a Ryan Hartman goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Dakota Mermis and Mats Zuccarello. The Wild got closer with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Brock Faber and Marcus Foligno. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Zuccarello goal, his third of the season, coming off of Jonas Brodin and Marcus Johansson. The Wild gained the lead on a Marco Rossi goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. The Rangers tied it on a Chris Kreider goal, his eighth of the season, via Panarin and Gustafsson. The tie went to a shootout, where Zuccarello and Boldy lifted the Wild to a 5-4 win over Panarin and the Rangers. The three stars belonged to Zuccarello, Panarin, and Gustafsson.

Out in California, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Mackenzie Blackwood are between the pipes. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Reilly Smith power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Jake Guentzel. The Penguins added on with a Smith goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, assisted by Marcus Pettersson and Bryan Rust. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the second period as Guentzel scored his third of the season, thanks to Rust and Pierre-Olivier Joseph. The Penguins padded the lead with a Vinnie Hinostroza goal, going in unassisted. San Jose got on the board with an Anthony Duclair power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Tomas Hertl and Jacob MacDonald. Pittsburgh countered with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Smith and Rickard Rakell. The Penguins kept going with a Kris Letang goal, coming off of Sidney Crosby and Rust. Pittsburgh continued with a Matt Nieto goal, with helpers from Noel Acciari and Hinostroza. The Penguins struck again in the third period with a Rust goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Guentzel and Karlsson. The Sharks took one back with a MacDonald power play goal, dished from Hertl and Mikael Granlund. Pittsburgh fired back with a Malkin power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, fueled by Smith and Rakell. The Penguins reached double digits on a Guentzel goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, made possible by Rust and Ryan Shea. The final stood at 10-2, with the three stars going to Rust, Guentzel, and Smith, while Malkin, Hinostroza, Rakell, Karlsson, MacDonald, and Hertl get the honorable mentions.

North to Seattle, as the Kraken host the Calgary Flames. Dan Vladar and Philipp Grubauer are set to play in goal. Seattle began in the first period with an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Justin Schultz and Yanni Gourde. Calgary tied it on a Martin Pospisil goal, via Nazem Kadri and Dillon Dube. The Kraken retook the lead with an Eeli Tolvanen goal, his second of the year, coming off of Gourde and Devin Shore. The Flames tied it in the second period on a Noah Hanifin goal, guide in by Jonathan Huberdeau and Connor Zary on the power play. Calgary took the lead with a Yegor Sharangovich goal, his second of the season, helped along by Nikita Zadorov and Nick DeSimone. The Flames added on with a Mikael Backlund goal, with helpers from Walker Duehr and A.J. Greer. Seattle got one back with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Matty Beniers and Vince Dunn. Calgary answered with a Backlund empty net goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. The Flames finished it at 6-3 with an empty net goal by Rasmus Andersson, his second of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars went to Backlund, Gourde, and Sharangovich.

Further north, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Thatcher Demko tend the twines. Vancouver got going in the second period with a Pius Suter goal, his second of the season, assisted by Dakota Joshua and Carson Soucy. The Canucks added on with an Elias Pettersson goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Filip Hronek and Ilya Mikheyev. The final remained at 2-0, with the three stars awarded to Demko (27 save shutout), Suter, and Pettersson.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Adin Hill guard the cages. Vegas struck first in the first period with a Mark Stone shorthanded goal, his third of the season, set up by Brayden McNabb and Chandler Stephenson. The Golden Knights added on in the second period with a Jack Eichel goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Jonathan Marchessault and Alex Pietrangelo. Vegas extended the lead as William Carrier scored his third of the season, thanks to Stone and Stephenson. The Golden Knights padded the lead on an Eichel power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by Stone and Shea Theodore. Vegas continued in the third period with another Stone shorthanded goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Golden Knights got another one with a William Karlsson goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Pavel Dorofeyev. Vegas piled on with another Karlsson goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, guided in by Dorofeyev and Michael Amadio. This made it 7-0, the final, with the three stars going to Stone, Eichel, and Karlsson, while Hill (41 save shutout), Stephenson, and Dorofeyev get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 25

Two games are on this Friday slate. We begin with...

The Buffalo Sabres welcoming the Philadelphia Flyers. Samuel Ersson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are the inexperienced goalies. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Scott Laughton goal, via Bobby Brink and Joel Farabee. The Flyers added on with a Louie Belpedio unassisted goal. Philadelphia extended the lead as Travis Konecny scored his ninth goal of the season, going in unassisted. The Flyers padded the lead in the second period on a Garnet Hathaway goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Ryan Poehling and Nicolas Deslauriers. Buffalo got on the board with a Henri Jokiharju goal in the third period, with helpers from Casey Mittelstadt and JJ Peterka. Philadelphia shot back with a Brink goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Farabee. This made it 5-1, with the three stars going to Brink, Farabee, and Ersson (21 for 22 in saves).

Over in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the New Jersey Devils. Akira Schmid and Jordan Binnington start in goal. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Jake Neighbours goal, his second of the season, assisted by Sammy Blais and Oskar Sundqvist. The Blues added on with a Kevin Hayes goal, via Nick Leddy and Jakub Vrana. New Jersey got on the board with a Curtis Lazar goal, made possible by Alexander Holtz and John Marino. St. Louis shot back on a Hayes empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Colton Parayko and the goalie Binnington. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with a Robert Thomas empty net goal, his third of the year, fueled by Justin Faulk and Hayes. The three stars were given to Hayes, Binnington (33 for 34 in saves), and Neighbours. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 24

There's 12 games on today, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and James Reimer are in the nets. Florida got going in the second period with a Steven Lorentz goal, courtesy of Niko Mikkola. The Panthers added on in the third period with an Anton Lundell empty net goal, set up by Matthew Tkachuk and Dmitry Kulikov. This stood for a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Bobrovsky (22 save shutout), Lorentz, and Reimer (25 for 26 in saves). 

In Ohio, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Matt Tomkins is mismatched with Elvis Merzlikins in goal. Columbus began in the first period with a Kirill Marchenko goal, via Dmitri Voronkov and Cole Sillinger. Tampa Bay tied it on a Steven Stamkos goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Lightning took the lead on a Conor Sheary goal, helped along by Stamkos and Erik Cernak. The Blue Jackets tied it in the third period with a Boone Jenner goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Zach Werenski and Damon Severson. Columbus took the lead with an Erik Gudbranson goal, with helpers from Emil Bemstrom and Adam Fantilli. The Blue Jackets added on with a Johnny Gaudreau empty net goal, set up by Ivan Provorov. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Stamkos, Gudbranson, and Jenner.

In Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Joonas Korpisalo face their former teams. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Phillip Danault power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Trevor Moore and Quinton Byfield. The Kings added on in the second period with a Carl Grundstrom goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Adrian Kempe. Los Angeles extended the lead on an Anze Kopitar goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Andreas Englund and Kempe. Ottawa got on the board with a Dominik Kubalik power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Claude Giroux and Jakob Chychrun. The Senators got closer in the third period with a Josh Norris goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Jacob Bernard-Docker and Vladimir Tarasenko. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Kempe, Kopitar, and Grundstrom.

Back stateside, the New York Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Igor Shesterkin protect the nets. New York opened in the first period with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Artemi Panarin. Carolina tied it on a Seth Jarvis power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Sebastian Aho and Tony DeAngelo. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with a Will Cuylle goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow. The final held from here at 2-1, with the three stars being Shesterkin (27 for 28 in saves), Cuylle, and Kreider.

Along to DC, as the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Darcy Kuemper man the nets. New York started in the first period with a Ryan Pulock goal, via Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. The Islanders added on with a Simon Holmstrom goal, his second of the season, coming off of Hudson Fasching and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. New York extended the lead in the second period as Nelson scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars going to Varlamov (32 save shutout), Nelson, and Pulock.

Over in Boston, the Bruins bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Jeremy Swayman are in the blue paint. Boston struck first in the first period with a Pavel Zacha goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Brandon Carlo and Mason Lohrei. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Jake DeBrusk goal, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. Toronto got on the board with a Mitchell Marner goal, his third of the year, passed from Auston Matthews and William Nylander. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Matthews goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Calle Jarnkrok and William Lagesson. The Bruins won 3-2 in the shootout with tallies from DeBrusk and Coyle. The three stars were DeBrusk, Coyle, and Zacha.

Westward to Minnesota, as the Wild host the New Jersey Devils. Vitek Vanecek and Filip Gustavsson are the masked men. New Jersey kicked off the scoring in the first period with an Alexander Holtz goal, his third of the season, guided in by Nathan Bastian. The Devils added on with a Michael McLeod goal, his second of the year, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Jesper Bratt. New Jersey extended the lead in the second period as Timo Meier scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jack Hughes and Bratt. Minnesota answered with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Calen Addison and Mats Zuccarello. The Wild got one back on a Marco Rossi goal in the third period, his fourth of the season, helped along by Matt Boldy and Jonas Brodin. The Devils responded with a Bratt power play goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Tyler Toffoli and Luke Hughes. Minnesota pulled one back with a Jake Middleton goal, his third of the season, passed from Boldy and Rossi. New Jersey replied with a Dougie Hamilton power play goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers from Bratt and Jack Hughes. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Bratt, Rossi, and Jack Hughes, while Rossi gets an honorable mention.

Further west, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Dallas Stars. Scott Wedgewood and Stuart Skinner are between the pipes. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Matt Duchene goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mason Marchment and Esa Lindell. Edmonton tied it with an Evander Kane goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Stars took the lead in the second period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas added on with a Hintz power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Pavelski and Jamie Benn. The Stars extended the lead in the third period as Hintz scored his second of the game and fifth of the season, thanks to Pavelski and Jason Robertson. The Oilers got one back with a Sam Gagner goal, helped along by Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak. Edmonton got closer with another Gagner goal, guided in by Kane. The final held at 4-3, with the three stars going to Hintz, Pavelski, and Gagner, while Kane gets an honorable mentions.

South to Arizona, as the Coyotes bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Connor Ingram are in the creases. Arizona started in the first period with a Nick Schmaltz penalty shot goal, his third of the season. Montreal tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his sixth of the year, via Brendan Gallagher. The Coyotes took the lead back with a Lawson Crouse goal in the second period, his third of the season, made possible by Matias Maccelli and Nick Bjugstad. The Canadiens retied it in the third period on a Gallagher power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Tanner Pearson and Alex Newhook. Arizona pulled ahead again with a Schmaltz goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller on the power play. This held for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Schmaltz, Gallagher, and Crouse.

Back north, the Seattle Kraken host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Philipp Grubauer guard the cages. Nashville opened in the first period with a Thomas Novak power play goal, his fifth of the season, via Colton Sissons and Luke Evangelista. Seattle tied it on an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Justin Schultz and Jared McCann. The Kraken took the lead with a McCann goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Yanni Gourde. The Predators tied it in the second period with a Roman Josi power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Tyson Barrie and Filip Forsberg. Seattle pulled ahead on a Brian Dumoulin goal, his second of the season, made possible by Schultz and Tye Kartye. The Kraken added on with a Vince Dunn goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Wennberg. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to McCann, Schultz, and Dumoulin.

Backtracking to Vegas, where the Golden Knights welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Logan Thompson tend the twines. Vegas led off in the first period with a William Karlsson goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Pavel Dorofeyev and Ben Hutton. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Kyle Connor goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Alex Iafallo and Mark Scheifele. The Golden Knights took the lead back on a Jonathan Marchessault power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Mark Stone and the goalie Thompson. Vegas added on with an Ivan Barbashev powered play goal, his third of the year, via Alex Pietrangelo and Karlsson. The Jets got one back with an Iafallo power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Cole Perfetti and Connor. The Golden Knights shot back on another Marchessault goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, passed from Barbashev and Pietrangelo. Vegas extended the lead to 5-2 as Marchessault completed his hat trick with an empty net goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The three stars were Marchessault, Barbashev, and Karlsson, while Pietrangelo, Connor, and Iafallo get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Kaapo Kahkonen receive the starts in goal. Vancouver began in the first period with a Brock Boeser power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. The Canucks added on with a J.T. Miller power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Boeser and Hughes. Vancouver extended the lead as Hughes scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Filip Hronek and Sam Lafferty. The Canucks padded the lead on a Boeser power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming off of Andrei Kuzmenko and Miller. Vancouver continued in the second period with an Ilya Mikheyev goal, his third of the season, made possible by Carson Soucy and Pettersson. The Canucks kept going with a Kuzmenko goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Pettersson and Mark Friedman. Mackenzie Blackwood replaced Kahkonen in goal. Vancouver struck again on a Lafferty goal, his third of the season, helped along by Miller and Hughes. The Canucks piled on with a Pius Suter goal, courtesy of Hughes. Vancouver tallied again in the third period with an Anthony Beauvillier power play goal, assisted by Soucy and Hronek. The Canucks hit double digits on another Beauvillier goal, his second of the game, fueled by Conor Garland. San Jose got on the board with a Fabian Zetterlund goal, his third of the year, helped along by Luke Kunin and Kevin Labanc. The final was 10-1, with the three stars going to Hughes, Boeser, and Miller, while Beauvillier, Lafferty, Kuzmenko, Hronek, and Soucy get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 23

We've got four games this Wednesday, beginning with...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Carter Hart man the nets. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Joel Farabee goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Travis Sanheim. Buffalo tied it on a Casey Mittelstadt goal, his third of the year, guided in by JJ Peterka and Jeff Skinner. The Sabres took the lead with a Brandon Biro goal, assisted by Tage Thompson and Jordan Greenway. Samuel Ersson replaced an injured Hart in goal. The Flyers tied it again with a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixth of the season, via Sanheim. Buffalo took the lead in the third period with an Owen Power goal, coming off of Thompson and Alex Tuch. The Sabres added on with a Thompson goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Tuch. Buffalo iced it at 5-2 with a Biro empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Mittelstadt and Peyton Krebs. The three stars went to Thompson, Biro, and Mittelstadt, while Tuch and Sanheim get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Calgary Flames welcome the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Jacob Markstrom tend the twines. Calgary led off in the first period with a Connor Zary goal, assisted by Chris Tanev and Nazem Kadri. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Benn shorthanded goal, his third of the season, set up by Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell. The Flames took the lead in the second period with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of MacKenzie Weegar and Elias Lindholm. The Stars tied it on a Jason Robertson goal, his second of the season, via Hintz and Joe Pavelski. Dallas took the lead with an Evgenii Dadonov goal, his third of the year, passed from Nils Lundkvist and Benn. The Stars added on with a Mason Marchment goal, his second of the season, his second of the season, helped along by Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin. Calgary got one back on a Weegar power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Kadri and Lindholm. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Benn, Hintz, and Weegar, while Lindholm and Kadri.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Ivan Prosvetov patrol the creases. Colorado started in the first period with a Ross Colton goal, his second of the season, helped along by Miles Wood. The Avalanche added on with a Rantanen power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. St. Louis got on the board in the second period with a Robert Thomas goal, his second of the season, made possible by Kasperi Kapanen and Nick Leddy. Colorado replied in the third period with an Artturi Lehkonen goal, his third of the year, guided in by Makar and Rantanen. The Avalanche extended the lead as Bowen Byram his second of the season, assisted by MacKinnon. The final was 4-1, with the three stars given to Rantanen, Makar, MacKinnon.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Lukas Dostal protect the nets. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Troy Terry power play goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Ducks added on with a Terry goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, via Pavel Mintyukov and Cam Fowler. Arizona got on the board with a Lawson Crouse goal, coming off of J.J. Moser and Nick Bjugstad. The Coyotes tied it on a Logan Cooley goal, assisted by Moser and Liam O'Brien. Arizona took the lead in the second period with a Crouse goal, his second of the game, made possible by Matias Maccelli and Juuso Valimaki. Anaheim retied it in the third period with a Leo Carlsson goal, his third of the season, fueled by Terry and Radko Gudas. The Ducks won 4-3 in overtime as Terry completed his hat trick on his fifth of the year, thanks to Mason McTavish. The three stars were Terry, Crouse, and Moser. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 22

A quiet Halloween night features two games, beginning with...

The Toronto Maple Leafs welcoming the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Joseph Woll are set to start in goal. Los Angeles began in the first period with an Andreas Englund goal, via Pierre-Luc Dubois. The Kings added on with a Phillip Danault goal, his second of the season, assisted by Trevor Moore and Jordan Spence. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period on an Arthur Kaliyev power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a John Tavares power play goal, his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Mitchell Marner and William Nylander. The Kings replied with an Adrian Kempe goal, his third of the year, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Byfield. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Talbot (30 for 31 in saves), Byfield and Danault.

Over in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Nashville Predators. Kevin Lankinen and Thatcher Demko patrol the creases. Vancouver led off in the first period with a Sam Lafferty goal, his second of the season, coming off of Quinn Hughes and Anthony Beauvillier. Nashville tied it on a Colton Sissons goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Roman Josi and Liam Foudy. The Predators took the lead with a Dante Fabbro goal, made possible by Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly. The Canucks tied it in the second period with an Elias Pettersson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Hughes and Ilya Mikheyev. Vancouver took the lead on another Pettersson power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, powered by Andrei Kuzmenko and Filip Hronek. The Canucks added on in the third period with a J.T. Miller goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Brock Boeser and Hughes. Vancouver iced it at 5-2 with a Pettersson empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the year, set up by Beauvillier and Tyler Myers. The three stars were Pettersson, Hughes, and Beauvillier. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 21

There's nine games on for a busy Monday, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Linus Ullmark man the nets. Florida started in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his second of the season, coming off of Sam Reinhart and Niko Mikkola. The Panthers added on with a Sam Reinhart goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Barkov. Boston got on the board in the second period with a Brad Marchand goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Jake DeBrusk and Charlie Coyle. The Bruins tied it in the third period on a Charlie McAvoy goal, his second of the year, made possible by David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. Boston won 3-2 in overtime with a Zacha goal, his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Zacha, Barkov, and McAvoy.

Along to Philadelphia, where the Flyers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Carter Hart are the veterans in goal. Carolina opened in the first period with a Stefan Noesen goal, his second of the season, coming off of Andrei Svechnikov and Dmitry Orlov. Philadelphia tied it with an Owen Tippett goal, his second of the year, assisted by Sean Couturier. The Flyers pulled ahead on a Garnet Hathaway goal, courtesy of Nicolas Deslauriers and Scott Laughton. The Hurricanes tied it in the second period with a Michael Bunting power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Noesen. Carolina pulled ahead in the third period with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Bunting and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Bunting, Noesen, and Teravainen.

Across the state, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Tristan Jarry patrol the creases. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith. Anaheim tied it on a Jakob Silfverberg goal, passed from Max Jones and Pavel Mintyukov. The Ducks took the lead in the second period with a Frank Vatrano power play goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Cam Fowler and Mason McTavish. The Penguins retied it on a Malkin power play goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Karlsson and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh pulled ahead in the third period with a Radim Zohorna goal, his second of the year, guided in by Drew O'Connor and Lars Eller. Anaheim tied it again with a McTavish goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Strome and Mintyukov. The Ducks pulled ahead on a McTavish shorthanded goal, set up by Adam Henrique. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being McTavish, Mintyukov, and Malkin, while Karlsson gets an honorable mention.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning host the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Jonas Johansson are set to start in goal. Seattle began in the first period with a Brian Dumoulin goal, assisted by Justin Schultz and Jaden Schwartz. The Kraken added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his second of the season, made possible by Kailer Yamamoto and Jared McCann. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Tanner Jeannot goal, his second of the year, guided in by Haydn Fleury and Darren Raddysh. Seattle replied with a Yamamoto power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Schwartz and Eeli Tolvanen. The Lightning pulled one back in the second period with an Alex Barre-Boulet power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Brandon Hagel and Jeannot. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on a Hagel goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Anthony Cirelli and Barre-Boulet. The Kraken won 4-3 in overtime with a McCann power play goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Vince Dunn and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The three stars went to Yamamoto, Hagel, and McCann, while Schwartz, Barre-Boulet, and Jeannot get the honorable mentions.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Ville Husso and Ilya Sorokin protect the nets. New York got going in the second period with a shorthanded Casey Cizikas goal, his second of the season, set up by Bo Horvat. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Noah Dobson and Pierre Engvall. Detroit got on the board with a Daniel Sprong goal, his third of the season, assisted by Michael Rasmussen and Jake Walman. The Red Wings tied it on a Walman goal, his second of the year, passed from Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Detroit pulled ahead on a J.T. Compher goal, his second of the season, made possible by Seider and Andrew Copp. New York tied it with a Horvat power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mathew Barzal and Dobson. The Red Wings won 4-3 in overtime with a Raymond goal, his third of the season, guided in by Compher. The three stars were Compher, Horvat, and Raymond, while Walman, Seider, and Dobson get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets bring in the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Connor Hellebuyck tend the twines. New York struck first in the first period with an Artemi Panarin goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller. Winnipeg tied it on a David Gustafsson goal, his second of the year, helped along by Cole Perfetti. The Jets took the lead in the third period with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his second of the season, fueled by Perfetti and Mark Scheifele. The Rangers tied it with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Adam Fox and Panarin. New York won 3-2 in overtime with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his second of the campaign, guided in by Panarin and Miller. The three stars were Panarin, Miller, and Perfetti.

South to Dallas, as the Stars host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Jake Oettinger are in the blue paint. Dallas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Thomas Harley goal, his second of the season, guided in by Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. Columbus tied it on a Dmitri Voronkov goal, helped along by Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Damon Severson goal, passed from Adam Fantilli and Zach Werenski. The Stars retied it in the second period with a Hintz goal, his third of the year, coming off of Robertson and Nils Lundkvist. Dallas pulled ahead in the third period with a Matt Duchene goal, courtesy of Ryan Suter and Mason Marchment. The Stars added on with an Evgenii Dadonov goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn. Dallas extended the lead on a Johnston empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Dadonov and Benn. Columbus got one back with a Sean Kuraly goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Ivan Provorov and Mathieu Olivier. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Hintz, Dadonov, and Johnston, while Robertson and Benn get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Arizona, as the Coyotes welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Arvid Soderblom and Connor Ingram are the backups in goal. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Connor Bedard goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Kevin Korchinski and Seth Jones. Arizona tied it on a Michael Carcone goal, his second of the year, passed from Logan Cooley and Sean Durzi. The Coyotes took the lead on a Josh Brown goal, via Jack McBain and Alexander Kerfoot. Arizona added on with a Carcone power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, powered by Lawson Crouse and Nick Bjugstad. The Coyotes extended the lead in the second period as Carcone scored his fourth of the year to complete his hat trick with an unassisted goal. Arizona padded the lead on a McBain goal, his third of the season, coming off of Kerfoot and Liam O'Brien. The Coyotes continued with a Durzi goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Carcone and Travis Boyd. Arizona kept going with an O'Brien goal, with helpers from McBain and Matias Maccelli. Petr Mrazek replaced Soderblom in goal. The Coyotes struck again in the third period with a McBain goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, set up by Kerfoot. The final stood at 8-1, with the three stars being Carcone, McBain, and Kerfoot, while Durzi, O'Brien, and Boyd get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Sam Montembeault is mismatched with Adin Hill in goal. Vegas drew first blood in the first period with a Paul Cotter power play goal, his third of the season, powered by William Karlsson and Alex Pietrangelo. Montreal tied it on a shorthanded Sean Monahan goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Golden Knights took the lead back with a William Carrier goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Chandler Stephenson and Jack Eichel. The Canadiens retied it on a Nick Suzuki goal in the third period, his second of the year, passed from Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Cole Caufield. The tie went to a shootout, where Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore lifted the Golden Knights to a 3-2 win over Suzuki and the Canadiens. The three stars were Hill (37 for 39 in saves), Carrier, and Cotter. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 20

There's four games on this Sunday, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are the goalies. Buffalo led off in the first period with a JJ Peterka goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Jeff Skinner. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Casey Mittelstadt goal, his second of the year, assisted by Skinner and Henri Jokiharju. Buffalo extended the lead as Tyson Jost scored, thanks to Alex Tuch and Owen Power. The Sabres iced it at 4-0 with a Rasmus Dahlin empty net goal in the third period, his second of the campaign, set up by Tage Thompson. The three stars were Luukkonen (23 save shutout), Skinner, and Peterka. 

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury and Vitek Vanecek protect the nets. New Jersey began in the first period with a Jesper Bratt goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of John Marino and Kevin Bahl. Minnesota tied it on a Pat Maroon goal, via Jonas Brodin and Brock Faber. The Wild took the lead in the second period with a Ryan Hartman power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Calen Addison and Joel Eriksson Ek. The Devils tied it on a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Bratt and Luke Hughes. New Jersey pulled ahead on an Erik Haula goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Devils added on with a Bratt power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, made possible by Timo Meier and Luke Hughes. Minnesota got one back with a Jake Middleton goal, helped along by Maroon and Marcus Foligno. The final held at 4-3, with the three stars being Bratt, Maroon, and Luke Hughes.

Along to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the San Jose Sharks. Mackenzie Blackwood and Darcy Kuemper are between the pipes. San Jose opened with a Luke Kunin goal in the first period, assisted by Ty Emberson and Mario Ferraro. Washington tied it in the third period with a Dylan Strome goal, his sixth of the season, via Nick Jensen and Hardy Haman Aktell. The Capitals took the lead with a Tom Wilson goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. Washington iced it at 3-1 with an Evgeny Kuznetsov empty net goal, set up by Ovechkin and Carlson. The three stars belonged to Ovechkin, Carlson, and Kuemper (29 for 30 in saves).

Finally, the game goes outdoors in Edmonton, as the Oilers host the Calgary Flames in the Heritage Classic. Edmonton started in the first period with a Brett Kulak goal, assisted by Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on with a Zach Hyman goal, his third of the season, guided in by Leon Draisaitl. Calgary got on the board with a Nazem Kadri power play goal, powered by MacKenzie Weegar and Jonathan Huberdeau. Edmonton replied with an Evan Bouchard goal, his third of the year, fueled by Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The Flames got one back on an A.J. Greer power play goal in the second period, with helpers from Weegar and the goalie Markstrom. The Oilers shot back in the third period with a Vincent Desharnais goal, courtesy of Kane and Hyman. Edmonton finished it at 5-2 with a Kane empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Derek Ryan. The three stars were handed to Kane, Hyman, and Weegar, while Draisaitl gets an honorable mention. 

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