NHL Day 41 2011-2012

Nine games are being played today. We begin in...

Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Steve Mason got the starting nods. Columbus opened with a shorthanded and unassisted Antoine Vermette goal. The Blue Jackets extended the lead with Mark Letestu notching his second of the season on the power play, from Nikita Nikitin and Grant Clitsome. Minnesota got going in the second period with the eighth of the year by Matt Cullen, made possible by Kyle Brodziak and Jared Spurgeon on the man advantage. Nick Johnson tied it up for the Wild with his second of the season, assisted by Darroll Powe and Warren Peters. Minnesota took the lead with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Justin Falk. The Wild made it a 4-2 final with Devin Setoguchi potting his fifth of the campaign into the empty net without help. The three stars were Backstrom (43 for 45 in saves), Clutterbuck, and Vermette.

The battle of New York is next, as the Islanders host the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist opposes Evgeni Nabokov in the creases. The Rangers led off with the second of the season by Sean Avery, via Brian Boyle and Mike Sauer. The Islanders tied it on a Frans Nielsen goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic. The Rangers retook the lead in the second period with a Steve Eminger goal set up by Ryan Callahan and Jeff Woywitka. The Islanders retied it on a power play goal by Matt Moulson, his fifth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Nielsen. The Rangers stole the lead with a Brad Richards goal, his sixth of the year, from Brandon Dubinsky. The Rangers made it 4-2 with Callahan's eighth of the campaign, and Ryan McDonagh had the lone assist. This was the final score, with the three stars being

Up to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs welcoming the Phoenix Coyotes. In goal are Mike Smith and Ben Scrivens. Phoenix struck first on the fifth of the season by Shane Doan, assisted by Mikkel Boedker. Oliver Ekman-Larsson extended the Coyotes lead with his fourth of the year, and the helpers were provided by Kyle Chipchura and Raffi Torres. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a Mike Komisarek goal off of Matthew Lombardi and Joey Crabb. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Phil Kessel power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Nikolai Kulemin and Carl Gunnarsson. The tie was broken in a shootout, as Phoenix's Patrick O'Sullivan and Radim Vrbata toppled Toronto for a 3-2 win. The three stars were

Back down to Boston, where the Bruins host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Tim Thomas are designated to stop the puck. David Clarkson opened the scoring for New Jersey in the second period with his fifth of the season, coming off of Petr Sykora and Zach Parise, a power play goal. Boston tied it with the fifth of the year for Chris Kelly, and Gregory Campbell picked up the lone assist. The Bruins took the lead in the third period on a Brad Marchand goal, his sixth of the season, with help coming from Zeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. The Devils took little time to retie the game on a Nick Palmieri goal, his second of the year, made possible by Andy Greene. Boston stole it back with a Shawn Thornton tally, guided in by Jordan Caron and Campbell. New Jersey tied it again with Palmieri's second of the night and third of the season, courtesy of Adam Henrique and Parise. The Bruins would win 4-3 with Benoit Pouliot scoring his second of the year, with the help of Joe Corvo and Rich Peverley. The three stars were Milan Lucic, Palmieri, and Campbell. Honorable mentions go to Parise.

Moving to Pennsylvania, where the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Marc-Andre Fleury are playing goal. Colorado led off with the second of the season by Jay McClement, assisted by Milan Hejduk and Erik Johnson. Matt Duchene added on for the Avalanche with his seventh of the year, via Paul Stastny and the tenth assist from Kyle Quincey. Pittsburgh got on the board with the ninth of the season for Jordan Staal, helped along by Tyler Kennedy and Deryk Engelland. Colorado restored a two goal lead as David Jones found a home for his seventh of the year, thanks to McClement and T.J. Galiardi. The Penguins pulled back in the second period with a Pascal Dupuis goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Arron Asham and Craig Adams. Pittsburgh tied it on a Brooks Orpik goal from Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. Malkin gave the Penguins the lead on his fifth of the year, courtesy of Neal. Pittsburgh continued to surge with a Neal power play goal, powered by Steve Sullivan and Kris Letang as his twelfth of the season. Letang tacked on his second of the year for the Penguins, and the puck gathered steam off of Staal and Joe Vitale. The final was 6-3, and Neal, Malkin, and Letang took the three stars, with honorable mentions in McClement and Staal.

To the Midwest, where the St. Louis Blues host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Brian Elliott are manning the nets. Detroit was first on the board with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his second of the season, fueled by Drew Miller. St. Louis tied it with a power play goal by Matt D'Agostini, his fifth of the year, powered by Patrik Berglund and the tenth assist for Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues took the lead with Alex Steen notching his seventh of the season, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo. The final was 2-1, and the three stars were David Backes, Elliott (21 for 22 in saves), and Barret Jackman, although I think Howard (35 for 37 in saves), D'Agostini, and Steen were all more worthy of spots.

Down to Nashville, where the Predators host the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Pekka Rinne play between the pipes. Washington opened the scoring in the late third period with a Troy Brouwer goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Marcus Johansson and Cody Eakin. Nashville tied it twenty-eight seconds after on the third of the year for Martin Erat, thanks to Shea Weber and Mike Fisher. The Predators took a 2-1 lead with just twenty-five seconds left in regulation as Colin Wilson put away his fourth of the season, with the help of Erat. Five seconds after that, Nashville made it 3-1 with Weber's third of the year, an empty net goal guided in by Fisher only. The three stars were Rinne (39 for 40 in saves), Wilson, and Erat, with honorable mention for Weber and Fisher.

Into Texas, where the Dallas Stars welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Kari Lehtonen are wearing the goalie masks. Florida opened with a Dmitry Kulikov goal, coming through Tomas Kopecky. The Panthers added on with Jason Garrison sinking his seventh of the season, courtesy of Mike Santorelli and Brian Campbell. Florida struck again in the second period on the seventh of the year for Tomas Fleischmann, assisted by Stephen Weiss and the tenth assist by Kris Versteeg. Weiss kept the Panthers well in charge with his sixth of the season, made possible by Versteeg and the tenth assist for Fleischmann. Halfway through the third period, Florida scored again on Versteeg's ninth of the year, via Weiss. The Panthers kept it coming as Evgeny Dadonov put away his second of the campaign, helped along by Marco Sturm and Mike Weaver. The final was 6-0, and the three stars were Weiss, Versteeg, and Fleischmann, while Clemmensen polished off a 25 save shutout.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Ottawa opened the scoring with a second period Daniel Alfredssomn goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Nick Foligno. Calgary tied it on a Tom Kostopoulos goal, his second of the year, assisted by Matt Stajan. The Senators took the lead in the third period with a Bobby Butler goal, guided in by Sergei Gonchar's tenth assist and Chris Phillips, and he extended it with a second goal off of Jesse Winchester and Erik Karlsson. The final was 3-1, and the three stars were Butler, Mark Giordano, and Anderson (37 for 38 in saves).

Fantasy Football All-Stars week 10

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
Running Back: Arian Foster and Michael Bush
Wide Receiver: Larry Fitzgerald and Denarius Moore
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski and Ed Dickson
Kicker: John Kasay
Team Defense: Chicago
Defensive Player: Kamerion Wimbley and Andre Carter

Monday Night Football week 10

This week's game is the Minnesota Vikings at the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay opened as Randall Cobb returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown, and Mason Crosby added the extra point. The Packers kept scoring with Aaron Rodgers tossing a 24 yard touchdown to Greg Jennings, and Crosby made another extra point. Crosby pushed Green Bay a little farther ahead in the second quarter with a 25 yard field goal. This was the score at halftime. The Packers continued their strong play with Rodgers finding Jordy Nelson on a 17 yard touchdown, and Crosby added yet another extra point. Minnesota dented the scoreboard on an Adrian Peterson 3 yard touchdown run, and Ryan Longwell handled the PAT. Green Bay replied quickly with John Kuhn receiving a 9 yard touchdown pass from Rodgers, and Crosby kicked another extra point. The Packers stayed relentless in the fourth quarter, as Rodgers and Nelson met up for a 4 yard touchdown, and Crosby added another extra point. Green Bay ran it up to 45-7 with Matt Flynn rushing 3 yards for a touchdown, and Crosby tacked on the extra point. This was a final, moving the Packers to 9-0 and the Vikings to 2-7.

NHL Day 40 2011-2012

Only three games going tonight, beginning with the Carolina Hurricanes welcoming the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cam Ward got the starts, but Brian Boucher relieve Ward halfway through the second period. Claude Giroux got Philadelphia on the board first with his tenth of the season, via Jaromir Jagr (tenth assist) and Chris Pronger. The Flyers extended the lead with a Max Talbot goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Matt Read and Jakub Voracek. In the last second of the first period, Carolina got on the board as Pat Dwyer scored, thanks to Eric Staal. Philadelphia got it back in the second period on Giroux's second of the game and eleventh of the season, fueled by Jagr alone. The Flyers extended the lead again as Wayne Simmonds netted his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Giroux and Pronger. The Hurricanes got one back as Tuomo Ruutu sent his seventh of the season to the mesh, and Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Skinner helped him out. Carolina pulled within one as Dwyer netted his second of the game on a penalty shot. Philadelphia made it 5-3 with Matt Read potting his fifth of the year, thanks to Voracek and a sock trick clincher for Pronger. This was a final, and the three stars were Giroux, Dwyer, and James van Riemsdyk, although better fits would be Pronger, Read, Voracek, or Jagr.

Up to Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Carey Price play in the creases. Montreal opened the scoring in the second period as Erik Cole sank his fourth of the season, a power play goal pushed through by P.K. Subban and Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty extended the Canadiens lead with his eighth of the year, coming off of David Desharnais and Cole. Buffalo got on the board in the third period with a Jason Pominville goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Derek Roy. Roy tied it for the Sabres with his sixth of the year, set up by Thomas Vanek.The tie lasted into a shootout, where Buffalo toppled Montreal with Vanek and Brad Boyes scoring, overpowering Pacioretty. The three stars were Boyes, Pacioretty, and Cole, while Roy and Vanek get honorable mentions.

We end in Winnipeg, where the Jets are hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Ondrej Pavelec occupy the nets. Winnipeg led off with the sixth of the season for Evander Kane, made possible by Dustin Byfuglien and Alex Burmistrov. Byfuglien added on for the Jets with his third of the year, and Kane had the lone assist. Winnipeg added on again with a power play goal by Mark Flood, his third of the season, powered by Tim Stapleton and Bryan Little. Tampa Bay got on the board with Martin St. Louis striking in his fourth of the year, helped along by Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier. The Jets chased Roloson with Andrew Ladd notching his fifth of the season, courtesy of Johnny Oduya and Kyle Wellwood. Mathieu Garon came on in relief. Winnipeg extended the lead once again with Stapleton's second of the year, aided by Tanner Glass. The Lightning replied with Stamkos putting away his eleventh of the season, guided in by Matt Gilroy. The final was 5-2, and the three star were awarded to Byfuglien, Stamkos, and Kane, with honorable mention for Stapleton.

Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 5

Center: Anze Kopitar, 1 G, 4 A,-2, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 19 SOG and Jonathan Toews, 4 G, 2 A, +6, 0 PIM, 0 PPP, 12 SOG
Left Wing: Johan Franzen, 4 G, 2 A +5, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 14 SOG
Right Wing: Marian Hossa, 1 G, 4 A, +6, 0 PIM, 1 PPP, 13 SOG
Defensemen: Aaron Rome, 2 G, 2 A, +3, 19 PIM, 1 PPP, 8 SOG and Drew Doughty, 2 G, 3 A, +2, 4 PIM, 3 PPP, 9 SOG
Goaltender: Jimmy Howard, 3 W, 1.33 GAA, 73 SV, .948 SV%, 1 SO and Niklas Backstrom, 2 W, 1.74 GAA, 120 SV, .952 SV%, 1 SO

Sunday Night game week 10

This week, the fierce rivalry between the host New York Jets and visiting New England Patriots is renewed. New England broke through first with Stephen Gostkowski tacking on field goals from 50 yards and 36 yards. New York answered with a safety via penalty. The Jets took the lead as Mark Sanchez ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Nick Folk made the extra point. The Patriots made it 13-9 before the half with Tom Brady tossing an 18 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski added the extra point. Gostkowski padded the Patriots lead with a 27 yard field goal. Brady extended the lead for New England with a 5 yard touchdown to Gronkowski, and Gostkowski again made the extra point. The Jets got a few back as Sanchez found Plaxico Burress for a 7 yard touchdown, and Folk added the PAT. Brady continued to help New England as he threw his third touchdown of the night 8 yards to Deion Branch, and Gostkowski added the extra point for a 30-16 lead. The Patriots defense put the nail in the coffin as Rob Ninkovich intercepted Sanchez and took it 12 yards for a touchdown, iced off with Gostkowski's extra point. The final was 37-16, as New England went up to 6-3 and left New York at 5-4.

NHL Day 39 2011-2012

Only four games on today, beginning with the Florida Panthers hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jose Theodore make the starts. Danny Briere put Philadelphia on the board first with his fifth of the season, coming off of Wayne Simmonds and James van Riemsdyk. The Flyers extended the lead in the second period with a Braydon Coburn goal, via Jakub Voracek and Max Talbot. Florida got on the board with Evgeny Dadonov scoring, and Ed Jovanovski had the lone assist. Philadelphia got it back with the fourth of the year for Matt Read, a converted penalty shot coming to fruition on a Jason Garrison hook. The Panthers made it 3-2 late as Tomas Fleischmann netted his sixth of the campaign, and it was assisted by Tomas Kopecky and Brian Campbell. Briere, Bryzgalov (31 for 33 in saves), and Dadonov had the three stars.

Moving along to Chicago, where the Blackhawks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Corey Crawford got the starting nods. Jonathan Toews opened things up for Chicago with his eighth of the season, assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Nick Leddy. Steve Montador added on for the Blackhawks, his second of the year coming off of Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Edmonton got on the board with the tenth of the season by Ryan Smyth, fueled by Jordan Eberle and Tom Gilbert. Montador struck again for Chicago on the power play, his second of the game and third of the year, powered by Leddy's tenth assist and Duncan Keith. Toews kept the Blackhawks strong early in the second period with his second of the game and ninth of the season, courtesy of Marian Hossa. The Oilers pulled back as Eberle sank his fourth of the year unassisted. Keith replied quickly for Chicago, sending his second of the season into the twine, and Hossa had the lone assist. Edmonton cut back with a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Eric Belanger. The Blackhawks iced it at 6-3 on an empty net goal for Dan Carcillo, his second of the year, made possible by Kane and Sharp. The three stars went to Montador, Toews, and Leddy, while the honorable mentions include Hossa, Kane, Sharp, Eberle, and Keith.

Out west, the Anaheim Ducks hosted the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jonas Hiller received the starts, but Dan Ellis took over the Anaheim net in the second period. Minnesota struck first with the fourth of the season by Kyle Brodziak, assisted by Darroll Powe and Nick Johnson. The Wild extended the lead with Matt Cullen notching his seventh of the year, via Cal Clutterbuck and Nate Prosser. Minnesota made it 3-0 on the second of the season for Jared Spurgeon, fueled by Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Cullen. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with a Cam Fowler goal, made possible by Francois Beauchemin and Bobby Ryan. Fowler added a late goal, his second of the game coming in the third period unassisted. The three stars were Backstrom (32 for 34 in saves), Fowler, and Cullen.

Lastly, in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Roberto Luongo are taking care of the twines. Vancouver struck first with Aaron Rome potting his third of the season, coming off of David Booth and Cody Hodgson. The Canucks added on as Henrik Sedin netted his sixth of the year, and Kevin Bieksa had the lone assist. New York got on the board with the fourth of the season by Matt Moulson, thanks to Michael Grabner and John Tavares. Hodgson put Vancouver up by two again with his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Rome and Chris Higgins. The Canucks iced it at 4-1 with Booth sinking an empty netter, his second of the campaign, received from Rome and Maxim Lapierre. The three stars were Hodgson, Rome, and Luongo (23 for 24 in saves), while Booth deserves honorable mention.