NHL Day 106 2011-2012

Coming at you all with ten games tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas faces fellow senior citizen Martin Brodeur in net. First of all, a fight, between Gregory Campbell and Brad Mills. New Jersey led off with a Petr Sykora goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias. Boston tied it early in the third period as Andrew Ference notched his third of the year, with the help of Shawn Thornton and Campbell. The Bruins took the lead with a Nathan Horton power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by David Krejci and Rich Peverley. Thirty-five seconds later, Boston added on as Campbell's fifth of the year found twine, resulting in a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, thanks to Thornton and Daniel Paille. The Bruins iced at 4-1 with a Chris Kelly empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign requiring no assistance to go in. The three stars went to Thornton, Campbell, and Thomas (30 for 31 in saves), with honorable mention for

Crossing the border to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the New York Islanders. Russians Evgeni Nabokov and Sergei Bobrovsky take to the creases. New York was first on the board with a Matt Moulson goal, his twenty-second of the season coming in the second period via John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders extended the lead with a Josh Bailey shorthanded goal, his fourth of the year, passed through by Matt Martin. New York added on with a third period power play goal for Mark Streit, his third of the season, powered by Tavares and P.A. Parenteau. Philadelphia got on the board with a Matt Read goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Sean Couturier and Andrej Meszaros. The Islanders iced it at 4-1 with a Michael Grabner empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, fueled by Parenteau. Tavares, Moulson, and Nabokov (40 for 41 in saves) were the official three stars, with honorable mention to Parenteau.

Back to New York City, where the Rangers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Pittsburgh struck first as Chris Kunitz recorded his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Paul Martin and James Neal. New York tied it in the second period as Carl Hagelin netted his eighth of the year, with the help of Marian Gaborik and Ryan McDonagh. The Penguins regained the lead as Richard Park put his fourth of the season away, thanks to Deryk Engelland and Matt Cooke. Pittsburgh extended the lead on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-third of the year, made possible by Kris Letang. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 on another Malkin goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign finding the empty cage with guidance from Neal and Kunitz. The three stars went to Malkin, Fleury (30 for 31 in saves), and Letang, with honorable mentions in store for Neal and Kunitz.

A little out west, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Steve Mason get the starting nods. Nashville got things started in the second period with a Martin Erat goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist from Sergei Kostitsyn. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Erat and Roman Josi. Nashville wrapped it up with an empty net goal by Shea Weber, his tenth of the campaign resulting in a 3-0 victory, thanks to Jerred Smithson. Rinne (38 save shutout), Erat, and Antoine Vermette were named three stars, while other point earners can argue the third star award.

Up to Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jonas Gustavsson are in front of the goalmouths. Toronto opened on a Nazem Kadri goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with a Joey Crabb goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Dave Steckel. Toronto added on with a second period power play goal from the stick of Phil Kessel, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Lupul and Tim Connolly. The Maple Leafs rolled on in the third period as Mikhail Grabovski sank his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Lupul for a sock trick and Jake Gardiner. Minnesota made it 4-1 late, which would be a final on a Nick Johnson goal, his sixth of the campaign going in unassisted. The three stars were Lupul, Gustavsson (20 for 21 in saves), and Kadri.

Back to the Midwest, as the St. Louis Blues host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jaroslav Halak play from the blue paint. St. Louis got on the board in the third period, as the eighth of the campaign for Alex Pietrangelo made it 1-0, assisted by David Backes and Carlo Colaiacovo. The three stars were Pietrangelo, Khabibulin (38 for 39 in saves), and Halak (15 save shutout).

Continuing with the zigzag pattern, we're back in Canada as the Winnipeg Jets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ondrej Pavelec will wear the masks. Winnipeg scored first as Andrew Ladd registered his sixteenth of the season, and Ron Hainsey and Kyle Wellwood had the assists. Buffalo tied it in the second period on Drew Stafford's eighth of the year, thanks to Nathan Gerbe. The Jets regained the lead as Tobias Enstrom potted his fourth of the season on the power play, powered by Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg extended their lead in the third period, when Tim Stapleton made his seventh of the year, fueled by Nik Antropov and Ladd on the power play. Antropov iced it at 4-1 for the Jets with his sixth of the campaign, set up by Wellwood and Johnny Oduya. The three stars were Enstrom, Ladd, and Wheeler, with honorable mentions for Wellwood and Antropov.

Way to the southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Detroit Red Wings and a whole lot of ticket sales revenue. Jimmy Howard and Mike Smith will be between the pipes. Phoenix led off when Raffi Torres scored his seventh of the season, with assists by Kyle Chipchura and Chris Summers. Detroit tied it with an Ian White goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Johan Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings took the lead with Todd Bertuzzi recording his tenth of the season, thanks to Franzen and Datsyuk. The Coyotes retied it with Gilbert Brule sinking his second of the year, helped along by Chipchura. Detroit would take the game in the shootout with a lone tally by Niklas Kronwall for a 3-2 win over Phoenix. The three stars were given to

Northwest to San Jose, as the Sharks host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Antti Niemi got the green light to play goal. San Jose opened on a Brad Winchester goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Andrew Desjardins and Dan Boyle. Ottawa evened the score on a Kyle Turris goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Sergei Gonchar and Daniel Alfredsson. The Senators took the lead in the second period as Erik Karlsson put away his seventh of the season, with the help of Turris and Nick Foligno. Ottawa extended the lead with a Colin Greening goal, his tenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Filip Kuba and Jason Spezza. The Senators iced it at *gasp* 4-1 with Greening's second of the game and eleventh of the campaign in the third period, guided in by Spezza and Jared Cowen. The three stars were Greening, Anderson (36 for 37 in saves), and Turris, with honorable mention for Spezza.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Calgary Flames in another edition of the Sutter Cup. Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles led off with a Dustin Brown goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Williams and Willie Mitchell. Calgary tied it in the second period as Jarome Iginla potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. The game went to the shootout, where the Flames' Jokinen and Michael Cammalleri overpowered the Kings' Williams for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Brown, Kiprusoff (31 for 32 in saves), and Quick (24 for 25 in saves), with Jokinen earning the honorable mention.

NHL Day 105 2011-2012

A slow day in the NHL, as only four games will roll tonight. First up...

The Montreal Canadiens host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Carey Price are under the masks. Washington got out to an early lead with Mathieu Perreault scoring his fourth of the season, assisted by Dmitry Orlov and Cody Eakin. The Capitals extended the lead on a Marcus Johansson goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Troy Brouwer and John Carlson. Washington added on in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Alexander Semin and Dennis Wideman. This was it in the scoring, with the final as 3-0. The three stars went to Neuvirth (31 save shutout), Ovechkin, and Perreault.

Southwest of Montreal, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Corey Crawford get the starting nods. Buffalo led off with a Jason Pominville goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Jochen Hecht. Chicago replied with Andrew Shaw potting his fifth of the year, thanks to Duncan Keith and Steve Montador. The Blackhawks took the lead as Jonathan Toews scored a power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane. The Sabres got an equalizer in the second period as Pominville scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, via Brad Boyes and Tyler Myers. Chicago wasted little time in regaining the lead when Marian Hossa scored his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Keith. The Blackhawks extended their lead with a Jimmy Hayes goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Andrew Brunette and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago kept going in the third period, as Dave Bolland registered his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Hayes and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks kept the attack up with another Toews power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, set up by Bolland and Seabrook. This was it for the scoring, and in the 6-2 game, the three stars were Hayes, Keith, and Shaw, with Bolland, Toews, Pominville, and Seabrook got the honorable mentions.

Further west, the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be in the blue paint. Florida struck first with the fifth of the season for Marcel Goc, assisted by Michal Repik and Dmitry Kulikov. Colorado answered in the second period on a Peter Mueller goal, courtesy of Erik Johnson. The Panthers regained the lead as Stephen Weiss put down his twelfth of the year, with the help of Brian Campbell and Kulikov. Florida extended the lead with Tomas Kopecky shelving his sixth of the season, thanks to Mikael Samuelsson and Goc. The Avalanche pulled back on another Mueller goal, this time a power play goal powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Milan Hejduk. Colorado tied it up when Paul Stastny put away his thirteenth of the year, with helpers from Mueller and Stefan Elliott. The Avalanche took the game 4-3 in overtime with an O'Reilly goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, helped along by Ryan Wilson and Stastny. The three stars were awarded to Mueller, Weiss, and Stastny, with honorable mentions to O'Reilly, Kulikov, and Goc.

Finally, we end in Anaheim, as the Ducks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Phoenix opened with a Kyle Chipchura goal, with a lone helper from Raffi Torres. Anaheim tied it with Niklas Hagman recording his seventh of the season, made possible by Lubomir Visnovsky and Teemu Selanne. The Ducks took the lead on a power play goal by Francois Beauchemin, powered by Jason Blake and Visnovsky as his fifth of the year. The Coyotes tied it with a Daymond Langkow goal in the second period, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Ray Whitney and Shane Doan. Anaheim regained the lead on Beauchemin's second of the night and sixth of the year, via Andrew Cogliano and Nick Bonino. The Ducks rolled on with a Blake goal, his fourth of the season, from Bonino and Cogliano. Anaheim added on again in the third period as Matt Beleskey notched his second of the year, guided in by George Parros and Sheldon Brookbank. The Ducks made it 6-2 with a shorthanded Corey Perry goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, passed from Beauchemin. The three stars in this game were Beauchemin, Bonino, and Cogliano, with honorable mentions for Blake and Visnovsky.

NHL Day 104 2011-2012

Eleven games going on tonight, beginning with...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ilya Bryzgalov are in the blue paint. Philadelphia was first on the board as Kimmo Timonen netted his second of the season on the power play via Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr. The Flyers struck again in the second period as Sean Couturier recorded his tenth of the year shorthanded with help from Matt Read. Minnesota got on the board with a Darroll Powe goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Warren Peters and Mike Lundin. Philadelphia got it back as Braydon Coburn put away his second of the year, with the help of Jagr and Brayden Schenn. The Flyers extended the lead again on a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Matt Carle and Read. Philadelphia kept the attack up in the third period as Jakub Voracek drained his seventh of the year, and the lone helper came from Max Talbot. This made it 5-1, the eventual final, with the three stars being Hartnell, Couturier, and Jagr, with respect to Read.

Staying in the Atlantic Division, the New Jersey Devils are hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Martin Brodeur received the starting nods. Ilya Kovalchuk struck first for New Jersey on his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Zach Parise. The Devils extended the lead in the second period on Petr Sykora's eleventh of the year, made possible by Henrik Tallinder and Patrik Elias. New Jersey rolled on as David Clarkson potted his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Elias. The Devils kept going on another Kovalchuk goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year coming on the power play from Clarkson and Kurtis Foster. Mason shortly left in favor of Ondrej Pavelec. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period with a Tobias Enstrom goal, his third of the season, via Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood. New Jersey got it back with Elias sinking his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Anton Volchenkov and Sykora. This was it for the scoring, leaving it at 5-1 with Kovalchuk, Elias, and Sykora as the three stars, and with honorable mention to Clarkson.

Into the nation's capital, as the Washington Capitals host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tomas Vokoun were the masked men. New York got things going on a John Tavares power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Mark Streit and Matt Moulson. The Islanders added on in the second period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Frans Nielsen. New York padded the lead in the third period with Parenteau's second of the game and ninth of the season coming on the power play, thanks to Moulson and Nielsen. This was the final goal, making it 3-0, with the three stars as Parenteau, Nabokov (17 save shutout), and Tavares, while Nielsen and Moulson were the honorable mentions.

Back to Pennsylvania, as the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Marc-Andre Fleury take to the goalmouths. Carolina was first to score with a Jamie McBain goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Skinner. Evgeni Malkin answered for Pittsburgh with his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Matt Niskanen and Paul Martin. The Penguins won it in the shootout due to Malkin and James Neal outscoring the Hurricanes' Jokinen for a 2-1 win. The three stars were awarded to Neal, Fleury (25 for 26 in saves), and Ward (40 for 41 in saves), with honorable mention for Malkin.

A tad to the west, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Curtis Sanford play goalie. Edmonton opened with Anton Lander registering his second of the season, with helpers provided by Josh Green and Ryan Jones. The Oilers extended the lead with a Ben Eager goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jeff Petry and Ales Hemsky. Columbus got on the board in the second period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his eighth of the season, thanks to Antoine Vermette and Tomas Kubalik. The Blue Jackets tied it with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Rick Nash and Nikita Nikitin. Columbus took the lead in the third period as Derek MacKenzie potted his fifth of the season, with a lone helper from Colton Gillies. The Blue Jackets iced it 4-2 an unassisted empty net goal for Derek Dorsett, his eighth of the year. The three stars were MacKenzie, Brassard, and Dorsett.

To the north as the Battle of Ontario returns in full force, with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and James Reimer guard the cages. Toronto was first on the board with a Matthew Lombardi goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tim Connolly and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs added on with Joffrey Lupul potting his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Phil Kessel. Ottawa got on the board late with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his fifteenth of the season, with assists from Milan Michalek and Kyle Turris. The Senators tied it in the second period as Jason Spezza put his twentieth of the year away, powered by Kaspars Daugavins and Filip Kuba. Ottawa gained the lead in the third period as Turris potted his third of the season, guided in by Alfredsson an Jared Cowen. This was a final, with the three stars of the 3-2 game being Anderson (37 for 39 in saves), Lombardi, and Turris, with honorable mention for Alfredsson.

Back stateside, the New York Rangers took on the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Henrik Lundqvist will be between the pipes. New York struck first as Dan Girardi netted his fourth of the season, helped along by Marian Gaborik and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers extended their lead in the second period as John Mitchell sank his fourth of the year, going down unassisted. New York iced it at 3-0 on a Ryan Callahan goal, his fifteenth of the campaign going unassisted into the empty net. The three stars went to Lundqvist (27 save shutout), Girardi, and Brandon Prust, while Mitchell or Callahan could have taken the third spot.

Down to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Mathieu Garon are in the creases. Tampa Bay struck first with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Matt Gilroy and Martin St. Louis. Boston tied it in the second period as Nathan Horton found a home for his fifteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Lightning regained the lead as Tom Pyatt scored his fifth of the season, courtesy of Steve Downie and Gilroy. The Bruins tied it again with Horton's second of the game and sixteenth of the year, thanks to Andrew Ference and David Krejci. Tampa Bay took the lead again in the third period as Ryan Malone found a home for his tenth of the season, with assists from Dominic Moore and Nate Thompson. Boston got another equalizer as Daniel Paille registered his eighth of the year shorthanded, guided in by Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg. The Lightning gained a 4-3 when Moore netted his fourth of the season, with help from Malone and Downie. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-3 with Steven Stamkos' goal, his thirty-first of the year, going into the empty net, passed through by Lecavalier. The three stars were given to Moore, Pyatt, and Malone, with honorable mention for Horton, Gilroy, Downie, and Lecavalier.

Westward to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Backups Ty Conklin and Richard Bachman have control of the nets. Detroit was first on the board as Tomas Holmstrom notched his eighth of the season, via Justin Abdelkader and Jan Mursak. Dallas tied it on a Brenden Morrow power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Alex Goligoski and Stephane Robidas. The Stars took the lead on a Loui Eriksson goal, his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Sheldon Souray and Adam Burish. The Red Wings evened it when Jiri Hudler netted his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Valtteri Filppula and Henrik Zetterberg. Detroit would take the game in the shootout on a lone Hudler tally. The three stars were Hudler, Bachman (30 for 32 in saves), and Eriksson.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Los Angeles struck first as Dustin Penner sank his third of the season, thanks to Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderi. Vancouver tied it in the second period with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Alexander Edler and Alexandre Burrows. The Kings grabbed the lead back with a Justin Williams goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal set up by Willie Mitchell and Anze Kopitar. The Canucks tied it in the third period on David Booth's sixth of the year, courtesy of Jannik Hansen and Cody Hodgson. The game went to a shootout, where Los Angeles used tallies by Williams and Mike Richards to outweigh a lone goal from Burrows, defeating the Canucks 3-2. The three stars belonged to Luongo (39 for 41 in saves), Williams, and Hansen.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks hosted the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Antti Niemi were in front of the nets. Calgary was first on the board as Chris Butler registered his second of the season, assisted by Jarome Iginla and Mikael Backlund. San Jose evened it with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his fifth of the year, coming from Michal Handzus and Brent Burns. The game was decided in the shootout as the Sharks beat the Flames with Handzus and Burns goals for a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Niemi (27 for 28 in saves), Kiprusoff (30 for 31 in saves), and Burns, with honorable mention for Handzus.

NHL Day 103 2011-2012

Another six games as the USA remembers Martin Luther King, Jr. Beginning with a pair of matinees, we head to...

New York, where the Islanders host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kevin Poulin will collect the starts. Nashville began with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his eleventh of the season, coming on a lone helper from Ryan Ellis. The Predators added on with Matt Halischuk potting his tenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville continued the attack with a David Legwand goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Martin Erat and Colin Wilson. New York pulled as close as 3-1 in the third period due to a John Tavares goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo. Legwand, Rinne (36 for 37 in saves), and Kostitsyn earned the three stars.

The other matinee is in Phoenix, as the Coyotes host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. Phoenix opened on a Gilbert Brule goal, assisted by Keith Yandle and Taylor Pyatt on the power play. Colorado tied it with a Chuck Kobasew goal, his sixth of the season, thanks to Erik Johnson and Jay McClement. The Coyotes took the lead again on a Shane Doan goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Yandle. Phoenix tallied again in the second period as Doan scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, coming off of Chris Summers and Ray Whitney. The Coyotes extended the lead again on a Boyd Gordon goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers from Whitney and Derek Morris. Gordon kept Phoenix strong in the third period with his second of the game and fifth of the season, guided in by Radim Vrbata and Summers. The Coyotes iced it on a Rostislav Klesla goal, his second of the year, making it 6-1 via Brule and Kyle Chipchura. The three stars went to Gordon, Doan, and Smith (38 for 39 in saves), while Brule, Summers, Yandle, and Whitney get honorable mentions.

At a regular time, the Ottawa Senators host the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Craig Anderson get the starting nods. Winnipeg struck early with a Jim Slater goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Chris Thorburn. The Jets extended their lead in the second period as Tobias Enstrom put away his second of the year, thanks to Kyle Wellwood and Andrew Ladd. This held for a 2-0 final over a silent last period, and the three stars went to Enstrom, Slater, and Anderson (33 for 35 in saves), with honorable mention for Mason (25 save shutout).

Southwest a tad, as the St. Louis Blues welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jaroslav Halak are the masked men. St. Louis opened the scoring in the third period on a T.J. Oshie goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo. This was the game's only goal, and the three stars of the 1-0 match were Halak (22 save shutout), Oshie, and Lehtonen (31 for 32 in saves).

Now to the southeast, as the Florida Panthers bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Scott Clemmensen are in front of the cages. Patrice Bergeron put Boston on the board early with his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Benoit Pouliot and Tyler Seguin. Florida tied it on a Jason Garrison goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Mike Weaver and Matt Bradley. The Bruins retook the lead with another Bergeron goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season coming on the power play from Seguin. The Panthers wasted no time in answering, as Shawn Matthias sank his eighth of the year, with the help of Tomas Kopecky and Stephen Weiss. Boston would go on to take the game 3-2 via the means of the shootout, as Bergeron and David Krejci overpowered Weiss. The three stars were Bergeron, Matthias, and Rask (38 for 40 in saves), with Seguin earning honorable mention.

Finishing the night off, the Detroit Red Wings host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Detroit struck first on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his ninth of the season, with a lone helper from Jiri Hudler. The Red Wings added on with Johan Franzen potting his eighteenth of the year, thanks to Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit kept going with Nicklas Lidstrom's ninth of the season, assisted by Bertuzzi and Datsyuk. Bertuzzi got things going again for the Red Wings in the second period by tallying his ninth of the year, with the help of Datsyuk, who wrapped up a sock trick. Detroit kept the blitz on high as they chased Miller with the fifth of the season for Darren Helm, made possible by Drew Miller and Danny Cleary. Jhonas Enroth came on in relief. This was all after a scoreless third period, and Datsyuk, Bertuzzi, and Howard (27 save shutout) were the three stars of the 5-0 game.

Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 14

1. Evgeni Malkin, 5 G, 2 A, +3, 4 PIM, 2 PPP, 20 SOG
2. James Neal, 3 G, 1 A, +3, 14 PIM, 2 PPP, 21 SOG
3. Craig Anderson, 3 W, 0.98 GAA, 96 SV, .970 SV%, 1 SO
4. Justin Williams, 2 G, 4 A, +2, 4 PIM, 4 PPP, 12 SOG
5. Anze Kopitar, 3 G, 3 A, +1, 4 PIM, 4 PPP, 12 SOG

NHL Day 102 2011-2012

Six games on a busier-than-usual Sunday. First off, a matinee with the...

Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Mathieu Garon take the goal as French-sounding last names prevail. Pittsburgh opened the scoring on a James Neal power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Paul Martin and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins extended the lead with the third of the year by Richard Park, an unassisted goal. Pittsburgh added on again in the third period with another Neal power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year season, fueled by Malkin and Steve Sullivan. Tampa Bay answered with a Matt Gilroy goal, made possible by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning tied it with a Ryan Malone power play goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Vincent Lecavalier and Teddy Purcell. Tampa got the equalizer when Purcell put away his ninth of the season, with helpers provided by Lecavalier and Bruno Gervais. The Penguins took the lead again with Malkin's nineteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Malkin struck again to extend the Pittsburgh lead with his second of the game and twentieth of the season, assisted by Brooks Orpik. Malkin iced it at 6-3 with his hat trick clincher, the twenty-first of the year for him, another unassisted goal into the empty net. Malkin, Neal, and Lecavalier earned the three stars, while Purcell earns honorable mention.

Next up, the Washington Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Tomas Vokoun get the starting nods. Washington got things started in the second period because of an Alexander Semin goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Alex Ovechkin. Carolina tied it with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Anthony Stewart. The Capitals quickly regained the lead as the third period kicked off, with Dmitry Orlov's goal coming off of Jason Chimera. This was it for the scoring, and the three stars of the 2-1 game were Vokoun (43 for 44 in saves), Orlov, and Jokinen.

Up to Montreal, as the Canadiens host the New York Rangers. In net are Henrik Lundqvist and Peter Budaj. Montreal opened early with a Max Pacioretty goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Erik Cole and David Desharnais. New York tied it on John Mitchell's third of the year, thanks to Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik. The Canadiens took it back with Pacioretty's second of the game and fifteenth of the season in the second period, with helpers provided by Cole and Desharnais again. Montreal extended the lead as Mike Blunden put away his second of the campaign, via Scott Gomez and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens iced it at 4-1 with Desharnais potting his seventh of the year, assisted by Pacioretty and Cole, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were Pacioretty, Desharnais, and Cole.

Southwest to Chicago, with the Blackhawks welcoming the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford are between the pipes. Chicago struck first with a Dave Bolland goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Brunette. The Blackhawks added on with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Jonathan Toews and Nick Leddy. San Jose got going in the second period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton. Jamie McGinn tied it for the Sharks by recording his ninth of the year, via Torrey Mitchell. Chicago took the lead again on a Toews goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming from Patrick Kane and Stalberg. Andrew Shaw added on for the Blackhawks in the third period with his fourth of the year, guided in by Marcus Kruger and Marian Hossa. San Jose got to 4-3 but never tied it after a Tommy Wingels goal, with assists provided by Mitchell and Dan Boyle. The three stars were Toews, Stalberg, and Shaw, with honorable mention for Mitchell.

Up to Edmonton, where the Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Devan Dubnyk take control of the creases. Edmonton led off with a Josh Green goal, made possible by Jeff Petry and Magnus Paajarvi. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with a Justin Williams goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Slava Voynov and Anze Kopitar. The Oilers put the game away 2-1 in overtime on a Taylor Hall power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky. The three stars went to Ladislav Smid, Quick (31 for 33 in saves), and Dubnyk (20 for 21 in saves), while all point earners have a valid argument.

Finishing on the Canadian west coast, as the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Nick Bonino started things for Anahiem with his third of the season, set up by Jason Blake and Andrew Cogliano. Cody Hodgson tied it for Vancouver on a power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Chris Higgins and Dan Hamhuis. The Ducks took the lead back in the second period on a Bobby Ryan goal, his seventeenth of the season, with a lone assist by Saku Koivu. Anaheim extended the lead on a Blake goal, his second of the year, an unassisted goal. The Ducks rolled on with Blake notching his second of the game and third of the season in the third period, a power play goal pushed through by Luca Sbisa and Ryan. The Canucks got it to 4-2 before falling due to a Mason Raymond goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa. The three stars were awarded to Blake, Bonino, and Ryan.

NFL Divisional Weekend

Another slate of four games this weekend, beginning on the west coast with the NFC #2 seed San Francisco 49ers hosting the #3 seed New Orleans Saints. Alex Smith got San Francisco on the board first as he tossed a 49 touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and David Akers handled the extra point. Smith kept the 49ers going on a 4 yard touchdown to Michael Crabtree, and Akers was good with the extra point again. San Francisco kept going with Akers kicking a 25 yard field goal in the second quarter. Drew Brees got New Orleans going with a 14 touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham, capped off with a John Kasay extra point. The Saints made it 17-14 at the half with Brees hooking up with Marques Colston for a 25 yard touchdown connection, and Kasay was there on the extra point. The 49ers gained a little separation in the third quarter on an Akers field goal from 41 yards away. Kasay pulled New Orleans back with a fourth quarter field goal of 48 yards. Akers answered for San Francisco on a 37 yard field goal. The Saints attacked with a Brees touchdown of 44 yards to Darren Sproles, finished off by Kasay's extra point to take the lead. The 49ers replied to take the lead on a 28 yard touchdown run by the quarterback Smith, but they failed the two point conversion. New Orleans quickly replied with a Brees touchdown to Graham, a 66 yard play, and Brees passed to Sproles for the two point conversion and a three point lead. This was irrelevant, as San Francisco took the game 36-32 with a Smith touchdown pass to Davis for 14 yards, and Akers' extra point. The 49ers will compete for the NFC Championship next weekend, while the Saints now head home.

The late game tonight has the AFC #1 seed New England Patriots hosting the #4 seed Denver Broncos. New England wasted little time in striking first, as Tom Brady fired a 7 yard touchdown to Wes Welker, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots added on with Brady's touchdown pass of 10 yards to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski was successful with the extra point. Denver got on the board in the second quarter with a Willis McGahee touchdown run of 5 yards, and Matt Prater added the extra point. New England answered with Brady finding Gronkowski again for a 12 yard touchdown connection. The Patriots rolled on with a Brady touchdown pass to Deion Branch, good for 61 yards on the catch and run, and Gostkowski supplied another extra point. New England would take a 35-7 lead into the locker rooms as Brady tossed another touchdown to Gronkowski, this time from 19 yards, and Gostkowski had the PAT. The Patriots kept going in the third quarter, as Brady found Aaron Hernandez on a 17 yard touchdown pass, and Gostkowski made another extra point. The Broncos got a little back with a 41 yard field goal by Prater. New England shot back in the fourth quarter as Gostkowski kicked a 20 yard field goal. This was it, leading the Patriots to 45-10 win, as they sit and await their AFC Championship opponent.

Continuing on Sunday with AFC #2 Baltimore Ravens hosting the #3 Houston Texans. Houston struck first on a Neil Rackers field goal of 40 yards. Baltimore answered on a Joe Flacco touchdown pass of 1 yard to Kris Wilson, and Billy Cundiff made the extra point. The Ravens added on with a Cundiff field goal from 48 yards. Baltimore rolled on with Flacco tossing a 10 yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin, and Cundiff supplied the extra point. Rackers answered in the second quarter for the Texans on a 33 yard field goal. Houston pulled closer with an Arian Foster touchdown run of 1 yard, and Rackers made the PAT for a 17-13 score at the half. The Ravens finally gained a little separation with a Cundiff field goal in the fourth quarter, good from 44 yards away. The final was 20-13, and the Ravens head to New England for the AFC Championship while the Texans return home.

Finally, the NFC #1 seed Green Bay Packers host the #4 New York Giants. New York opened the scoring on a Lawrence Tynes field goal from 31 yards away. Green Bay answered with a Mason Crosby field goal, good from 47 yards. The Giants took the lead again on an Eli Manning touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks, a 66 yard play iced off by a Tynes extra point. The Packers tied it in the second quarter with an Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass to John Kuhn for 8 yards, and Crosby had the tying point. New York took the lead back with Tynes kicking a 23 yard field goal. The Giants owned a 20-10 lead at the half thanks to a last second Manning and nicks connection for 37 yards and a touchdown, finished off with Tynes' PAT. Green Bay pulled a little closer with a Crosby field goal in the third quarter, from 35 yards out. New York answered in the fourth quarter as Tynes supplied a 35 yard field goal. The Giants extended the lead with a Manning touchdown of 4 yards to Mario Manningham, and Tynes made another extra point. The Packers pulled closer again with Rodgers tossing a 16 yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver, allowing a Crosby extra point. New York iced it at 37-20 with Brandon Jacobs rushing 14 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes was good with the extra point. The Giants will play in San Francisco next weekend, while the Packers shamefully head home.