KHL Day 123 2013-2014

Two games on a slower day today, beginning in...

Moscow, as Spartak hosts Dinamo Minsk. Kevin Lalande and Jeff Glass are the North American goalies. Moscow got going in the second period on a Vladimir Peshekhonov goal, courtesy of Denis Ignashin and Pavel Medvedev. Minsk tied it as Alexei Yefimenko scored, thanks to Zbynek Irgl and Alexander Kitarov. Dinamo took the lead in the third period as Irgl scored an unassisted goal. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Irgl, Lalande (36 for 37 in saves), and Yefimenko.

Out in Zagreb, Medvescak hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Mark Dekanich draw the starts. Zagreb opened in the first period as Mike Glumac scored, via Patrick Bjorkstrand. Donetsk tied it as Lukas Kaspar scored a power play goal, powered by Teemu Laine. Donbass took the lead in the second period as Dmitry Kagarlitsky scored, with assists provided by Peter Podhradsky and Clay Wilson. Donetsk iced it at 3-1 in the third period on an empty net goal from Evgeny Dadonov, set up by Maxim Yakutsenya and Wilson. The three stars were given to Kagarlitsky, Laco (27 for 28 in saves), and Wilson.

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NHL Day 95 2013-2014

Four games on tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta is mismatched with Martin Brodeur in goal. Chicago began in the second period as Patrick Sharp scored his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Jonathan Toews. New Jersey tied it on an Andy Greene goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on a Brandon Saad goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. Chicago added on as Sharp scored his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, fueled by Seabrook and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks extended the lead on a Marian Hossa goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Toews and Keith. The Devils got one back as Marek Zidlicky scored his sixth of the year, via Andrei Loktionov and Reid Boucher. New Jersey pulled closer as Zidlicky scored his second of the game and seventh of the season on the power play, powered by Eric Gelinas and Adam Henrique. Chicago answered as Sharp finished his hat trick with his twenty-fifth of the year, coming off of Keith, who got a sock trick. This made it 5-3, the final, with Sharp, Keith, and Zidlicky getting the three stars, while Toews and Seabrook get the honorable mentions.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming on the power play via Sidney Crosby and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins added on as Jussi Jokinen scored his tenth of the year, with the help of Brian Gibbons and Joe Vitale. Pittsburgh extended the lead on a second period Jokinen goal, his second of the night and eleventh of the season, passed from Gibbons and Brandon Sutter. The Penguins padded the lead as Crosby netted his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Kunitz and Brooks Orpik. New York got on the board in the third period on a Mats Zuccarello goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Benoit Pouliot and Derick Brassard. The Rangers pulled closer as Zuccarello scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Dan Girardi. Pittsburgh shot back as Kunitz scored his second of the night and twenty-third of the season, with helpers provided by Crosby and James Neal. This was good for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Kunitz, Crosby, and Jokinen, while Zuccarello and Gibbons get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Calgary Flames bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Karri Ramo are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay started in the second period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Teddy Purcell and Mark Barberio. The Lightning added on as Nikita Kucherov scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Palat and Matthew Carle. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Bishop (19 save shutout), Palat, and Kucherov.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jonas Hiller are the veteran goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period as Boyd Gordon scored his sixth of the season, made possible by Ryan Smyth and Jeff Petry. Anaheim tied it with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The Oilers retook the lead as Nail Yakupov scored his eighth of the season, thanks to David Perron and Taylor Hall. The Ducks tied it again on a Ben Lovejoy goal, his second of the year, passed from Saku Koivu and Palmieri. Anaheim took the lead on another Lovejoy goal, his second of the game and third of the season, coming off of Cam Fowler and Matt Beleskey. The Ducks added on with a Tim Jackman goal in the second period, his second of the year, fueled by Nick Bonio and Jakob Silfverberg. Anaheim extended the lead in the third period as Andrew Cogliano scored his thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. This was good for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to Lovejoy, Palmieri, and Jackman.

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KHL Day 122 2013-2014

The KHL is back from their New Year's break, and they come back in full force with twelve games, beginning in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Evgeny Ivannikov are set to start. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period with an unassisted goal by Artemy Panarin. SKA added on with an Anton Burdasov goal, going in unassisted. Vladivostok got on the board when Andrei Nikitenko scored, thanks to Konstantin Sokolov and Sergei Barbashev. Admiral tied it in the second period as Felix Schutz scored, with a lone assist by Richard Gynge. St. Petersburg retook the lead as Panarin scored another unassisted goal. SKA extended the lead with an Alexander Kucheryavenko goal in the third period, coming off of Evgeny Ryasensky. Vladivostok pulled back with an unassisted power play goal from Alexei Ugarov. Admiral tied it again on an Evgeny Grachyov goal, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Justin Hodgman scored the only goal to give Admiral the 5-4 win. The three stars were Panarin, Grachyov, and Hodgman.

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Alexei Murygin are between the pipes. Khabarovsk got going in the second period on a Dmitry Lugin goal, with a lone helper by Alexander Yunkov. Amur added on when Mikhail Klimchuk scored, thanks to Dmitry Tarasov and Sergei Abramov. Yaroslavl got on the board in the third period with a Staffan Kronwall power play goal, powered by Mikelis Redlihs. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars went to Murygin (44 for 45 in saves), Klimchuk, and Lugin.

West a bit to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. Novosibirsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on an unassisted goal by Alexander Nesterov. Cherepovets tied it as Niclas Andersen scored an unassisted goal. Severstal took the lead with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, fueled by Vadim Berdnikov. Sibir tied the game in the third period with another Nesterov goal, assisted by Dmitry Kugryshev. Cherepovets retook the lead as Nikontsev scored his second of the game, a power play goal powered by Bogdan Kiselevich. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Nikontsev, Nesterov, and Andersen.

Staying nearby, as Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov faces a lesser foe in Nikita Lozhkin in goal. Mytishchi opened in the first period with an Oleg Yashin goal, via Ilya Kablukov. Atlant added on as Yashin scored again, with another lone assist by Kablukov. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with an Evgeny Lapenkov goal, coming off of Denis Kurepanov. Mytishchi replied on a Rafael Batyrshin goal, guided in by Janne Niskala. Atlant extended the lead as Alexei Mikhnov scored, thanks to Yury Trubachyov and Nikita Soshnikov. Metallurg got one back in the third period on a Nikita Vyglazov goal, passed from Vadim Mitryakov. Mytishchi finished it at 5-2 with a Yashin empty net goal to complete his hat trick, and Kablukov's lone helper gave him a sock trick as well. The three stars were Yashin, Kablukov, and Batyrshin.

Further west to Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev welcomes Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the unknown goalies. Ufa struck first in the first period on an Alexander Mereskin goal, fueled by Igor Mirnov and Ildar Isangulov. Salavat Yulaev added on when Tomas Zaborsky scored, thanks to Denis Khlystov and Yegor Dubrovsky. Ufa extended the lead in the second period on a Mirnov goal, passed from Kirill Koltsov and Antti Pihlstrom. Riga got on the board with a Marcel Hossa goal, made possible by Kyle Wilson and Georgijs Pujacs. Dinamo pulled closer with a Miks Indrasis goal, via Roberts Bukarts. Riga tied it in the third period on a goal by Bukarts, with assists provided by Krisjanis Redlihs and Marcel Hascak. Salavat Yulaev won 4-3 in overtime on a Nikita Filatov goal, guided in by Andrei Zubarev and Koltsov. The three stars were handed to Mirnov, Bukarts, and Koltsov.

Moving along to Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg brings in Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Magnitogorsk started in the first period as Francis Pare scored, with a lone helper from Oskar Osala. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, fueled by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period with a Kovar goal, coming off of Zaripov. Metallurg padded the lead as Kovar scored his second of the game, again via Zaripov, who got a sock trick. Magnitogorsk kept going with a Zaripov power play goal, powered by Mozyakin. Metallurg struck again with an Osala goal, made possible by Evgeny Timkin. Janus was pulled for Miroslav Kopriva at this time. Bratislava got on the board as Tomas Mojzis scored, thanks to Branko Radivojevic. Slovan pulled closer in the third period as Michal Vondrka scored, with the help of Michel Miklik. This only made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars being Kovar, Zaripov, and Mozyakin, while Osala gets an honorable mention.

Next up, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Lev Prague. Petri Vehanen and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Chelyabinsk led off in the second period on a Jan Bulis power play goal, powered by Maxim Kondratyev and Andrei Kostitsyn. Prague tied it on a Jiri Novotny goal, with a lone assist by Martin Sevc. Traktor took the lead back in the third period when Petri Kontiola scored, thanks to Bulis. Lev tied it again as David Ullstrom scored a power play goal, coming off of Justin Azevedo. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jakub Klepis scored to win the game 3-2 for Lev. The three stars went to Bulis, Klepis, and Ullstrom.

Northwest a tad to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Vitaly Koval are given the starting nods. Yekaterinburg began in the first period with a Fyodor Malykhin power play goal, powered by Sami Lepisto and Anton Lazarev. Nizhny Novgorod tied it as Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev scored, with the help of Vladimir Galuzin and Vyacheslav Kulyomin. Torpedo took the lead on a power play goal by Juuso Hietanen, fueled by Denis Parshin and Pavel Valentenko. Avtomobilist tied it in the second period on an unassisted goal by Dmitry Megalinsky. Yekaterinburg took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Artyom Chernov, coming off of Megalinsky and Lepisto. Nizhny Novgorod retied it on a Sakari Salminen goal, guided in by Mikhail Grigoryev and Wojtek Wolski. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jarkko Immonen of Torpedo and Sergei Demagin of Avtomobilist traded goals before Parshin sealed a 4-3 Torpedo win with his tally. The three stars were Parshin, Megalinsky, and Lepisto.

Into Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik brings in CSKA Moscow. Ilya Proskuryakov and Alexander Sudnitsin occupy the blue paint. Moscow was first to score in the first period with an Alexander Frolov goal, made possible by Nikita Zaitsev. CSKA added on in the second period as Denis Denisov scored, with a lone assist by Enver Lisin. Moscow extended the lead on a third period Ivan Nepryayev goal, fueled by Lisin and Jan Mursak. CSKA padded the lead as Alexei Morozov scored, with the help of Ilari Filppula and Oleh Saprykin. Nizhnekamsk got on the board as Stanisav Alshevsky scored, via Nikolai Belov and Yaroslav Alshevsky. This only made it 4-1, the final, with Proskuryakov (20 for 21 in saves), Lisin, and Denisov getting the three stars.

Westward to Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Ivan Lisutin are between the pipes. Podolsk got going in the third period on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, passed from Igor Golovkov and Robert Kousal. Astana tied it on a Nigel Dawes goal, via Talgat Zhailauov and Brandon Bochenski. Barys won 2-1 in the shootout with tallies from Roman Starchenko and Zach Hamill. The three stars went to Ahonen (17 for 18 in saves), Lisutin (39 for 40 in saves), and Hamill.

Into the city of Moscow, as Dynamo welcomes Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Alexander Sharychenkov are given the green light to start. Omsk struck first in the first period on a Stefan Ruzicka goal, fueled by Miroslav Blatak. Avangard added on as Dmitry Semin scored, with the help of Sergei Shirokov on the power play. Moscow got on the board with a Maxim Karpov goal, coming off of Yegor Dugin and Denis Kokarev. Omsk replied as Ruzicka scored his second of the game, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Dynamo shot back with a Konstantin Glazachev goal, passed from Kokarev. Moscow tied it on a power play goal by Yury Babenko, powered by Alexei Tsvetkov and Glazachev. Avangard retook the lead with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, guided in by Shirokov and Ivan Baranka. Dynamo retied it with Babenko's second of the game, with a lone assist by Glazachev. Moscow took the lead in the third period on a Marek Kvapil goal, courtesy of Denis Mosalyov. Dynamo extended the lead as Babenko finished his hat trick on a shorthanded goal set up by Kokarev, who got a sock trick, and the goalie Sharychenkov. This stood for a 6-4 win, with the three stars going to Babenko, Ruzicka, and Glazachev, while Kokarev and Shirokov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Kazan, Ak Bars brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Konstantin Barulin are the reliable goalies. Kazan dented the scoreboard in the second period on a power play goal by Kirill Petrov, powered by Konstantin Korneyev and Ilya Nikulin. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it as Artyom Bulyansky scored, via Ivan Khlyntsev. Ak Bars retook the lead on another Petrov goal, with a lone assist by Artyom Lukoyanov. Kazan added on in the third period with an Alexander Svitov goal, passed from Grigory Panin and Dmitry Obukhov. Yugra shot back as Nikita Gusev scored, thanks to Alexei Kruchinin. Ak Bars iced it at 4-2 with a power play goal from Alexander Burmistrov, assisted by Tim Stapleton and Mikhail Varnakov. The three stars went to Petrov, Svitov, and Burmistrov.

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NHL Day 94 2013-2014

Ten games on today as the new year of hockey begins in earnest. We begin our coverage from...

New York, as the Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford returns from injury to face Evgeni Nabokov in goal. New York was first to score in the first period with a Casey Cizikas goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Islanders added on in the second period as Thomas Vanek scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Kyle Okposo and Andrew MacDonald. Chicago got on the board with a Brent Seabrook power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Kris Versteeg and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period with a Ben Smith goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. New York won 3-2 in overtime with an Okposo goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, assisted by John Tavares and MacDonald. The three stars were Okposo, MacDonald, and Nabokov (37 for 39 in saves).

Down in Washington, the Capitals welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Philipp Grubauer are the backups making spot starts. Carolina began in the first period as Jeff Skinner scored his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexander Semin and Eric Staal. Washington tied it in the second period when Alex Ovechkin scored his thirty-first of the year, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Karl Alzner. The Hurricanes retook the lead on a Manny Malhotra goal, his third of the season, made possible by Drayson Bowman and Tuomo Ruutu. The Capitals tied it again on a Troy Brouwer goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Nicklas Backstrom and Johansson. Washington took the lead with a Steve Oleksy goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist from Jay Beagle. Carolina tied it with another Skinner goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, passed from Ryan Murphy and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes would win 4-3 in overtime as Skinner completed his hat trick with his nineteenth of the campaign, guided in by Murphy and Malhotra. The three stars were handed to Skinner, Malhotra, and Eric Staal, while Murphy and Johansson get the honorable mentions.

Back north a touch to Boston, as the Bruins host the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec and Niklas Svedberg are the little known goalies. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Mike Fisher and Shea Weber. Boston tied it in the third period on a Johnny Boychuk goal, his second of the year, fueled by Ryan Spooner and Carl Soderberg. The Bruins took the lead as Jarome Iginla potted his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Milan Lucic and David Krejci. The Predators retied it on a Weber goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Fisher and Hornqvist. Boston won 3-2 in overtime on a Brad Marchand goal, his tenth of the campaign, passed from Patrice Bergeron and Dougie Hamilton. The three stars were Weber, Marchand, and Fisher.

Crossing into Canada, as the Ottawa Senators bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Craig Anderson draw the starts. Ottawa led off in the first period as Mika Zibanejad scored his tenth of the season, courtesy of Cory Conacher and Joe Corvo. Winnipeg tied it on a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his eighth of the year, via Anthony Peluso and James Wright. The Senators retook the lead as Milan Michalek potted his seventh of the season, guided in by Zibanejad and Conacher. The Jets retied it in the second period with an Evander Kane goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Jacob Trouba and Michael Frolik. Ottawa pulled ahead in the third period as Zack Smith scored his ninth of the season, with the help of Marc Methot. The Senators added on with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone helper from Kyle Turris. Winnipeg got one back on an Olli Jokinen goal, his tenth of the campaign, passed from Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Zibanejad, Byfuglien, and Conacher.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues host the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and Brian Elliott are the masked men. St. Louis struck first in the first period as Brenden Morrow scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues added on in the second period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Jaden Schwartz and Pietrangelo. Ben Scrivens replaced Jones at this time. St. Louis extended the lead as Oshie scored his second of the game and eighth of the season, with a lone helper from Vladimir Sobotka. The Blues padded the lead in the third period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Magnus Paajarvi. St. Louis iced it at 5-0 on a Barret Jackman goal, made possible by Morrow and Derek Roy. The three stars were given to Oshie, Elliott (30 save shutout), and Morrow, while Pietrangelo gets an honorable mention.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Niklas Backstrom are in the blue paint. Minnesota got going in the second period on the second of the season by Marco Scandella, assisted by Matt Cooke and Justin Fontaine. The Wild added on as Jason Pominville netted his eighteenth of the year, thanks to Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter. Minnesota extended the lead with a Jason Zucker goal, coming off of Nino Neiderreiter and Mikael Granlund. Buffalo got on the board in the third period as Matt Ellis scored his second of the season, with the help of Mike Weber and Tyler Ennis. The Wild shot back as Kyle Brodziak scored his third of the year, an empty net goal set up by Suter and Koivu. The three stars went to Pominville, Koivu, and Suter in the 4-1 game.

South to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Kari Lehtonen tend the twines. Dallas opened in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Tyler Seguin and Kevin Connauton. Montreal tied it as Max Pacioretty scored his eighteenth of the year, thanks to P.K. Subban. The Canadiens took the lead in the second period on a David Desharnais goal, his fifth of the campaign, courtesy of Subban and Brendan Gallagher. The Stars retied it as Valeri Nichushkin scored his eighth of the season on a penalty shot he received after Josh Gorges tripped him. Montreal took the lead back on a Subban goal, his seventh of the year, via Pacioretty and the goalie Price. The Canadiens added on in the third period with a Gallagher power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by Pacioretty and Desharnais. Dallas got one back with a Seguin power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, fueled by Cody Eakin and Connauton. The Stars evened it on a Brenden Dillon goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Alex Goligoski and Rich Peverley. Montreal retook the lead as Lars Eller scored his tenth of the campaign, via Travis Moen. The Canadiens finished it at 6-4 with a Pacioretty empty net goal, his nineteenth of the season and second of the game, set up by Subban, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Pacioretty, Subban, and Desharnais, while Gallagher, Seguin, and Connauton get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Semyon Varlamov are the masked men. Colorado started in the first period on a Jamie McGinn goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Matt Duchene and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche added on in the second period as Ryan O'Reilly scored his fourteenth of the year, via Gabriel Landeskog. Philadelphia got on the board as Wayne Simmonds potted his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Andrej Meszaros and Scott Hartnell. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Varlamov (29 for 30 in saves), O'Reilly, and McGinn.

Back down in Phoenix, the Coyotes bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Columbus got going in the second period as Nathan Horton scored a power play goal, powered by James Wisniewski and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets added on in the third period as R.J. Umberger scored his eleventh of the season, a power play goal guided in by Fedor Tyutin and Nick Foligno. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars awarded to McElhinney (34 save shutout), Horton, and Umberger.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Antti Niemi protect the nets. San Jose began in the first period as Brent Burns scored his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on with a Patrick Marleau goal, his eighteenth of the year, going in unassisted. San Jose extended the lead as Bracken Kearns scored his third of the season, thanks to Andrew Desjardins and James Sheppard. The Sharks padded the lead with a Logan Couture goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of John McCarthy. Edmonton got on the board with a Nail Yakupov goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Sam Gagner and Jordan Eberle. San Jose responded in the third period as Pavelski scored his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Thornton and Matt Irwin. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Pavelski, Niemi (23 for 24 in saves), and Thornton.

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NHL Day 93 2013-2014

The calendar has flipped to 2014, and this year begins with the Winter Classic. The first of two games today comes from...

Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the Detroit Red Wings host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Big House on the University of Minnesota campus. Jonathan Bernier and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Detroit got going in the second period as Daniel Alfredsson scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Brendan Smith. Toronto tied it as James van Riemsdyk potted his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the third period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Phaneuf. The Red Wings tied it with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fifth of the year, via Smith. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk and Joffrey Lupul exchanged goals before Bozak secured a 3-2 Maple Leafs victory. The three stars were Bozak, Bernier (41 for 43 in saves), and Phaneuf, while Smith gets an honorable mention.

The other game comes from Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Eddie Lack are the young goalies. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brad Richardson goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Chris Higgins. Tampa Bay tied it as Valtteri Filppula netted his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Teddy Purcell and Alex Killorn. The Lightning added on as Tyler Johnson scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Ondrej Palat and Mark Barberio. The Canucks tied it again on a Zac Dalpe goal, coming off of Dale Weise and Tom Sestito. Tampa Bay pulled ahead on a power play goal by Nikita Kucherov, his fourth of the year, powered by Radko Gudas and Matthew Carle. The Lightning added on in the third period with a Killorn goal, his tenth of the campaign, guided in by Victor Hedman and Filppula. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Filppula, Killorn, and Bishop (28 for 30 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL Day 92 2013-2014

Eleven games on for New Year's Eve. The first is a matinee from...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Brodeur tend the twines. New Jersey started in the first period with an Adam Henrique goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Ryane Clowe and Michael Ryder. The Devils added on in the second period on a Ryder goal, his twelfth of the year, thanks to Henrique and the goalie Brodeur. Pittsburgh got on the board as Matt Niskanen scored his fourth of the campaign. This was as close as it got, with the final being 2-1, and the three stars were Ryder, Brodeur (19 for 20 in saves with an assist), and Henrique.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tim Thomas are the veteran goalies. Florida got going in the second period on a Brad Boyes goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Aleksander Barkov. New York tied it in the third period with a Dan Girardi goal, third of the year, guided in by Derek Stepan and Rick Nash. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Brad Richards had the lone tally for a 2-1 Rangers win. The three stars went to Lundqvist (21 for 22 in saves), Thomas (30 for 31 in saves), and Richards.

Back north to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Josh Harding are in the creases. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a T.J. Oshie goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on as Schwartz scored his fourteenth of the year, with the help of Vladimir Tarasenko and the goalie Elliott. Minnesota got on the board late in the third period as Ryan Suter scored his second of the campaign, via Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Schwartz, Elliott (24 for 25 in saves with an assist), and Oshie.

Eastward to Boston, where the Bruins host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tuukka Rask. Boston was first to score in the first period on a David Krejci goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Jarome Iginla and Milan Lucic. New York tied it in the second period as Frans Nielsen scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Bruins took the lead back on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Ryan Spooner and Reilly Smith. Boston added on as Daniel Paille scored his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Zdeno Chara. The Islanders pulled back as Nielsen scored his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, guided in by Thomas Vanek and Tavares on the power play. New York tied it on an Okposo goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Andrew MacDonald on the power play. The Islanders gained the lead in the third period as Tavares scored his fifteenth of the season, via Vanek and Thomas Hickey. New York extended their lead on another Tavares goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, passed from MacDonald and Okposo on the power play. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars belonging to Tavares, Okposo, and Nielsen in the 5-3 game, while Vanek and MacDonald get the honorable mentions.

South to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Cam Ward are the masked men. Montreal began in the first period on a Lars Eller goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens added on as Max Pacioretty scored his sixteenth of the year on the power play, powered by David Desharnais and Andrei Markov. Montreal extended the lead as Pacioretty scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the season in the second period, helped along by P.K. Subban and Desharnais. Carolina got on the board in the third period as Jeff Skinner scored his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal via Jordan Staal and Andrej Sekera. The Hurricanes pulled closer as Skinner scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, thanks to Sekera and Eric Staal. Carolina tied it with an Eric Staal goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Skinner and Brett Bellemore. The Hurricanes took the lead as Manny Malhotra scored his second of the season, assisted by Zach Boychuk and Tuomo Ruutu. The Canadiens retied it as Subban scored his sixth of the year, a power play goal with assists provided by Markov and Desharnais, the latter getting a sock trick. Carolina won 5-4 in overtime as Alexander Semin potted his fifth of the campaign, set up by Ron Hainsey and Eric Staal. Skinner, Pacioretty, and Eric Staal earned the three stars, while Subban, Desharnais, Sekera, and Markov got the honorable mentions.

Way north to Winnipeg, as the Jets bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Backups Jhonas Enroth and Al Montoya make the spot starts. Winnipeg opened in the first period as Keaton Ellerby scored his second of the season, thanks to Andrew Ladd. The Jets added on in the second period with a Jacob Trouba goal, his third of the year, fueled by Chris Thorburn and Devin Setoguchi. Winnipeg iced it at 3-0 with an Anthony Peluso empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Evander Kane and Mark Scheifele. The three stars were Montoya (27 save shutout), Ellerby, and Trouba.

Back to the south, as the Dallas Stars host the Los Angeles Kings. Ben Scrivens and Kari Lehtonen are between the pipes. Los Angeles struck first in the first period on a Jeff Carter power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Mike Richards and Drew Doughty. Dallas tied it as Erik Cole scored his ninth of the year, a power play goal assisted by Alex Chiasson and Tyler Seguin. The Stars took the lead in the second period with a Seguin power play goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Chiasson and Jamie Benn. Dallas added on as Cole scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, guided in by Rich Peverley and Valeri Nichushkin. The Kings got one back in the third period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, courtesy of Carter and Dwight King. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Cole, Seguin, and Carter, while Chiasson gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Semyon Varlamov are given the starting nods. Columbus led off in the first period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Nick Foligno and R.J. Umberger. Colorado tied it on a Jan Hejda goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets retook the lead with a Boone Jenner goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Blake Comeau and Jack Johnson. The Avalanche tied it again as Jamie McGinn potted his seventh of the year, guided in by Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. Colorado took the lead on an O'Reilly goal, his thirteenth of the season coming on the power play via Duchene and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche added on in the third period with a power play goal by Gabriel Landeskog, his twelfth of the year, powered by Paul Stastny and Nathan MacKinnon. Columbus got one back as Foligno notched his eleventh of the season, fueled by Umberger and Johansen. Colorado shot back as MacKinnon scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal passed from Andre Benoit and Tyson Barrie. This was good for a 5-3 win, with the three stars being MacKinnon, O'Reilly, and Duchene, while Johansen, Foligno, and Umberger get the honorable mentions.

Out in California, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jonas Hiller are in the blue paint. Anaheim started in the first period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Matt Beleskey and Cam Fowler. San Jose tied it in the second period on a Dan Boyle goal, his seventh of the year, coming on the power play from Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. The Ducks took the lead back with a Francois Beauchemin goal, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Jakob Silfverberg. The Sharks retied it as Logan Couture scored his twelfth of the season, guided in by Patrick Marleau and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Anaheim retook the lead on a Nick Bonino power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Getzlaf and Fowler. The Ducks added on with a Beleskey goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Bonino. Anaheim extended the lead in the third period as Getzlaf scored his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by Corey Perry. Niemi was pulled for Ael Stalock at this time. The Ducks padded the lead on a shorthanded goal by Andrew Cogliano, his twelfth of the season, set up by Saku Koivu. San Jose got one back as Bracken Kearns scored his second of the year, a power play goal coming off of Matt Irwin and Matthew Nieto. This produced the 6-3 final score, with Getzlaf, Bonino, and Beleskey getting the three stars, while Fowler gets an honorable mention.

Up in Calgary, the Flames host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Reto Berra draw the starts. Philadelphia opened in the first period as Mark Streit scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone assist by Paul Byron. The Flyers took the lead back as Brayden Schenn scored his ninth of the season, courtesy of Andrej Meszaros and Simmonds. Philadelphia added on as Scott Hartnell scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Luke Schenn and Brayden Schenn. The Flyers wrapped it up at 4-1 with a Braydon Coburn goal, his fourth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Sean Couturier. The three stars were given to Brayden Schenn, Emery (23 for 24 in saves), and Simmonds.

Finally, down in Phoenix, the Coyotes welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Mike Smith protect the nets. Phoenix began in the first period with a Keith Yandle goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Derek Morris and Lauri Korpikoski. Edmonton tied it as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his eleventh of the year, via Taylor Hall and David Perron. The Oilers took the lead in the second period as Perron scored his seventeenth of the season, with a lone helper by Hall. Edmonton added on as Justin Schultz scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Hall, who got a sock trick. The Coyotes got one back on a Tim Kennedy goal, his second of the season, guided in by Martin Hanzal and Michael Stone. Phoenix tied it on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Yandle and Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes won 4-3 in overtime on a Yandle goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. Yandle, Hall, and Perron were given the three stars.

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NHL Day 91 2013-2014

Four games on tonight, beginning with...

The Ottawa Senators host the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Craig Anderson are in the creases. Washington began in the first period as Joel Ward scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Martin Erat and Jason Chimera. Ottawa tied it on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Cory Conacher and Milan Michalek. The Senators took the lead in the second period on a Kyle Turris goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Bobby Ryan. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Clarke MacArthur, his twelfth of the year going into the empty net, set up by Erik Karlsson and Jared Cowen. The three stars belonged to Anderson (34 for 35 in saves), Turris, and Zibanejad.

Southwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and Antti Raanta are the impressive backups in goal. Chicago led off in the first period as Brandon Saad scored his fourteenth of the season, via Bryan Bickell and Duncan Keith. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Raanta (26 save shutout), Saad, and Jones (29 for 30 in saves).

East a little to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard returns from injury against Marek Mazanec in goal. Nashville opened in the first period as Colin Wilson potted his sixth of the season, courtesy of Seth Jones and Mike Fisher. Detroit tied it on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Drew Miller. The Predators took the lead with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Paul Gaustad. Nashville added on as Nick Spaling netted his seventh of the year, thanks to Smith. The Red Wings got one back as Pavel Datsyuk scored his fifteenth of the season in the third period, coming off of Niklas Kronwall. The Predators answered with a Fisher goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Wilson and Patric Hornqvist. Detroit pulled back as Miller put away his fifth of the season, fueled by Kyle Quincey and Darren Helm. Nashville countered with a Wilson goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, guided in by Jones and Fisher. The Red Wings chipped closer with a Patrick Eaves power play goal, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Kronwall. The Predators wrapped it up at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Roman Josi, his third of the campaign, set up by Matt Cullen. The three stars were handed to Wilson, Fisher, and Smith, while Miller, Kronwall, and Jones get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Eddie Lack are the masked men. Philadelphia started in the first period as Mark Streit scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Michael Raffl and Claude Giroux. Vancouver tied it on a Tom Sestito goal in the second period, his third of the year, guided in by Dan Hamhuis and Zac Dalpe. The Canucks took the lead as Jannik Hansen scored his eighth of the season, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Flyers retied it as Giroux netted his eleventh of the year, fueled by Raffl. Vancouver took the lead back in the third period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Hamhuis. Philadelphia tied it again late on a Brayden Schenn goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Scott Hartnell and Matt Read. The Flyers won 4-3 with a Vincent Lecavalier shootout goal. The three stars were Giroux, Daniel Sedin, and Raffl, while Hamhuis gets an honorable mention.

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