NHL Day 115 2013-2014

Ten games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. St. Louis began on a first period goal by Alexander Steen, his twenty-sixth of the season, via Jaden Schwartz and David Backes. New York got on the board in the second period with a Rick Nash goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The Blues took the lead back in the third period on a Kevin Shattenkirk power play goal, his eighth of the campaign, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Backes. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Halak (34 for 35 in saves), Shattenkirk, and Backes.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery faces former Flyer Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Columbus led off in the first period with an unassisted Jack Johnson goal, his third of the season. Philadelphia tied it on a second period Brayden Schenn goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flyers took the lead on a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Mark Streit and Andrej Meszaros. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Derek MacKenzie goal, his third of the year, via Artem Anisimov and Corey Tropp. Columbus gained the lead on a power play goal by Matt Calvert, his sixth of the season, coming off of James Wisniewski and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets added on with a Dubinsky goal in the third period, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Calvert and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus extended the lead with a Nathan Horton goal, his fourth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Ryan Murray. This was good for a 5-3 win, with the three stars being Calvert, Dubinsky, and Horton.

Back east to Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Jhonas Enroth draw the starts. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Steve Ott. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-second of the year, going in unassisted. The Sabres took the lead back in the second period with a Brian Flynn goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Phil Varone and Marcus Foligno. The Hurricanes tied it on an Alexander Semin goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk. Buffalo took the lead back in the third period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Drew Stafford and Zenon Konopka. Carolina retied it again with another Semin goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, passed from Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Sekera goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Tuomo Ruutu and Mike Komisarek. Carolina finished it at 5-3 with a Tlusty empty net goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Sekera. The three stars were given to Semin, Sekera, and Tlusty.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson opposes former Senator Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay opened on a shorthanded Tyler Johnson goal, his thirteenth of the season, set up by Victor Hedman. Ottawa tied it on a power play goal by Erik Karlsson, his twelfth of the year, powered by Clarke MacArthur and Jason Spezza. The Lightning retook the lead in the second period on a B.J. Crombeen goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Hedman and Valtteri Filppula. The Senators retied it with a MacArthur power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, assisted by Spezza and Bobby Ryan. Tampa Bay retook the lead in the third period on an Ondrej Palat goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Hedman, the latter getting a sock trick. Ottawa tied it again with a Chris Neil goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Zack Smith and Karlsson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nikita Kucherov's lone tally gave the Lightning a 4-3 win. The three stars were given to Hedman, MacArthur, and Karlsson, while Spezza gets an honorable mention.

North again to New York, where the Islanders host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Zatkoff and Kevin Poulin are the backups making spot starts. New York struck first in the first period on a Michael Grabner goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Thomas Hickey. The Islanders added on as Brock Nelson scored his ninth of the year, thanks to Grabner. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Chris Kunitz goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, passed from Sidney Crosby and Olli Maatta. The Penguins tied it as Crosby scored his twenty-seventh of the year, assisted by Kunitz and Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh took the lead on a second period Maatta goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Kunitz and Niskanen. The Penguins extended the lead on a Kris Letang goal, his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Crosby and James Neal. New York pulled back in the third period with a Josh Bailey goal, his fifth of the season, via Peter Regin and Frans Nielsen. Pittsburgh shot back on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Neal. The Islanders chipped back on a Kyle Okposo goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by John Tavares and Matt Donovan. The Penguins iced it at 6-4 with a Brandon Sutter empty net goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Crosby, Maatta, and Kunitz, while Niskanen, Grabner, and Neal get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Minnesota, the Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper are the little-known goalies. Minnesota started in the first period with a Jason Pominville goal, his twentieth of the season, coming off of Mikael Granlund and Dany Heatley. The Wild added on with a Matt Cooke goal, his seventh of the year, via Justin Fontaine and Kyle Brodziak. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, assisted by Nick Leddy and Patrick Sharp. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Kuemper (33 for 34 in saves), Cooke, and Pominville.

Well south to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Kari Lehtonen protect the nets. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Jamie Benn goal, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Tyler Seguin. Toronto tied it on a Nikolai Kulemin goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Carl Gunnarsson and Nazem Kadri. The Stars retook the lead on a Cody Eakin goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Alex Goligoski. Dallas added on in the second period with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Jamie Benn and Sergei Gonchar. The Stars extended the lead on a power play goal by Shawn Horcoff, his sixth of the season, powered by Gonchar and the goalie Lehtonen. Dallas padded the lead as Rich Peverley scored a shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Jamie Benn and Jordie Benn. The Stars got another with a Trevor Daley goal, his third of the season, assisted by Goligoski and Eakin. Dallas struck again in the third period as Nichushkin potted his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with the help of Seguin and Jamie Benn, the latter getting a sock trick. This produced the 7-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Jamie Benn, Nichushkin, and Eakin, while Gonchar, Goligoski, and Seguin pick up the honorable mentions.

Way northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Roberto Luongo are set to start. Vancouver got going in the second period with a Chris Higgins goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Dale Weise and Christopher Tanev. Nashville tied it in the third period on a Craig Smith goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Nick Spaling. The Predators took the lead with a Seth Jones power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Matt Cullen and Ryan Ellis. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, and the three stars were handed to Hutton (33 for 34 in saves), Jones, and Smith.

Southward to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Frederik Andersen in goal. Los Angeles struck first in the first period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Trevor Lewis and Dwight King. Anaheim tied it in the second period on a Dustin Penner power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Corey Perry and Nick Bonino. The Ducks took the lead with a Pat Maroon goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Mark Fistric. This produced a 2-1 final score, with the three stars going to Andersen (30 for 31 in saves), Maroon, and Penner.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Alex Stalock have the green light to start. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, coming off of Justin Braun. This was the only goal in the game, so the Sharks won 1-0. The three stars were given to Stalock (20 save shutout), Pavelski, and Pavelec (31 for 32 in saves).

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KHL Day 142 2013-2014

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Alexei Murygin are in goal. Ufa dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Alexei Kaigorodov goal, assisted by Igor Mirnov and Antti Pihlstrom. This was good for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Vasilevsky (24 save shutout), Kaigorodov, and Murygin (34 for 35 in saves).

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Evgeny Ivannikov guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk was first to score in the first period on a Renat Mamashev goal, passed from Pyotr Khokhryakov. This was the game's only goal, resulting in a 1-0 final. The three stars went to Sudnitsin (36 save shutout), Mamashev, and Ivannikov (20 for 21 in saves).

West to Novosibirsk, as Sibir brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Mikko Koskinen tend the twines. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, with a lone helper by Dmitry Monya. Chelyabinsk tied it in the second period on a Stanislav Chistov goal, courtesy of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alexei Zavarukhin. Traktor took the lead on a Semyon Kokuyov goal, made possible by Konstantin Panov. Sibir retied it in the third period as Monya scored, thanks to Jori Lehtera. Novosibirsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Jonas Enlund goal, coming off of Lehtera. The three stars were Monya, Lehtera, and Enlund.

Moving along to Novokuznetsk, as Metallurg hosts the other Metallurg from Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Nikita Lozhkin in goal. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period on a Viktor Antipin goal, passed from Sergei Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk added on as Antipin scored his second of the game, assisted by Jan Kovar and Danis Zaripov. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period with a Kovar goal, made possible by Mozyakin and Zaripov. Magnitogorsk padded the lead in the third period on a Denis Platonov power play goal, powered by Tim Brent. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a power play goal by Kurtis McLean, guided in by Evgeny Lapenkov and Tuukka Mantyla. Novokuznetsk got closer with a Nikita Kamalov power play goal, with a lone helper by Alexei Kosourov. Novokuznetsk chipped closer on an unassisted goal by Denis Kurepanov. This wasn't enough to avoid the 4-3 loss, with the three stars belonging to Antipin, Kovar, and Mozyakin, while Zaripov gets an honorable mention.

Way west to Moscow, as Spartak welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Igor Shestyorkin are the backups making spot starts. Moscow started in the first period on a Viktor Bobrov goal, fueled by Evgeny Kulik. Yaroslavl tied it with a second period power play goal by Janis Sprukts, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Geoff Platt. Lokomotiv took the lead with a power play goal from Sergei Plotnikov, with a lone assist by Platt. Yaroslavl iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Yegor Averin, set up by Mikhail Pashnin and Daniil Apalkov. The three stars were Kolesnik (18 for 19 in saves), Plotnikov, and Platt.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Dmitry Milchakov are between the pipes. Cherepovets began in the first period on an Evgeny Mons goal, assisted by Linus Videll and Niclas Andersen. Minsk tied it in the third period with a power play goal by Andrei Stas, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Alexei Yefimenko. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Richard Lintner and Kalyuzhny overwhelmed Pavel Chernov to give Dinamo a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Milchakov (21 for 22 in saves), Kalyuzhny, and Stepanek (30 for 31 in saves).

Further along in Zagreb, Medvescak hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Mark Dekanich are the masked men. Zagreb opened in the first period on a Mike Glumac goal, passed from Mike Iggulden. Mytishchi tied it in the second period on a Sergei Shmelyov goal, assisted by Alexander Kadeikin and Evgeny Artyukhin. Medvescak retook the lead with a Matt Ellison goal, with a lone assist by Charles Linglet. Zagreb added on as Ellison scored again, and Linglet also had the lone helper again. Atlant pulled back in the third period on an Artyukhin goal, made possible by Rafael Batyrshin and Kadeikin. Medvescak replied on a Bill Thomas goal, coming off of Jonathan Cheechoo. This was good for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Ellison, Artyukhin, and Linglet, while Kadeikin gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Donetsk, Donbass hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Jan Laco protect the nets. Donetsk got going in the first period on a Clay Wilson power play goal, powered by Peter Podhradsky. St. Petersburg tied it with a Viktor Tikhonov goal, assisted by Yury Alexandrov and Artemy Panarin. Donbass retook the lead in the second period as Oleg Piganovich scored, thanks to Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Lukas Kaspar. Donetsk added on with a third period goal from Jan Kolar, guided in by Kagarlitsky and Randy Robitaille. Donbass extended the lead on a Ruslan Fedotenko goal, with a lone helper from Teemu Laine. SKA got one back with a Panarin goal, coming off of Tikhonov and Kevin Dallman. This only made it 4-2, with the three stars going to Kagarlitsky, Tikhonov, and Panarin.

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NHL Day 114 2013-2014

Four more games from the NHL for today, beginning with the game rescheduled from yesterday in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers finally host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Steve Mason are in goal. Carolina struck first in the first period with an Alexander Semin goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. Philadelphia got on the board with a Claude Giroux goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Jakub Voracek and Michael Raffl. The Flyers tied it in the third period as Scott Hartnell scored a power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Wayne Simmonds and Giroux. Carolina took the lead on a Tlusty goal, his seventh of the campaign, via Andrej Sekera and Justin Faulk. This was good for a 3-2 win, and Tlusty, Giroux, and Gerbe got the three stars.

West to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins added on with a Taylor Pyatt power play goal, his second of the year, passed from Niskanen and Paul Martin. Montreal got on the board as Rene Bourque scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Daniel Briere and Brandon Prust. Pittsburgh shot back in the second period on another Jokinen goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, via Olli Maatta and James Neal. The Penguins extended their lead with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, powered by Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh padded the lead on a Malkin goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Rob Scuderi and Brooks Orpik. Peter Budaj relieved Price at this time. This made it 5-1, which was it for the scoring, and the three stars were Jokinen, Malkin, and Fleury (23 for 24 in saves), while Niskanen got an honorable mention.

Further along to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in their longtime rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford faces a lesser foe in Jonas Gustavsson in goal. Chicago started in the first period on a Marian Hossa goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Jonathan Toews and Johnny Oduya. The Blackhawks added on with Andrew Shaw's fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad. Detroit got on the board with a Tomas Tatar goal, his eleventh of the season, via Brendan Smith and Tomas Jurco. The Red Wings tied it on a Patrick Eaves goal, his second of the year, passed from Justin Abdelkader and Henrik Zetterburg. Chicago took the lead back in the second period on a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Kane. Detroit retied it with a Kyle Quincey goal, his third of the year, coming off of Gustav Nyquist and Zetterberg. The Red Wings gained the lead on a Nyquist goal, his seventh of the season, with the help of Zetterberg, who got a sock trick, and Abdelkader. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period with an unassisted Marcus Kruger goal, his fifth of the year. The tie went to a shootout, where Toews and Eaves matched each other, Sharp was canceled out by Todd Bertuzzi, and then Darren Helm scored to secure a Detroit 5-4 win. The three stars went to Nyquist, Zetterberg, and Abdelkader, while Toews, Kane, Sharp, and Eaves get honorable mentions.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Karri Ramo are in front of the nets. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Sean Monahan goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by T.J. Galiardi and Joe Colborne. The Flames added on in the second period with a Lance Bouma goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of T.J. Brodie and the goalie Ramo. Phoenix got on the board as Antoine Vermette scored his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Lauri Korpikoski and Michael Stone. Calgary replied on a Matt Stajan goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Mark Giordano and David Jones. The Coyotes got one back in the third period with a Shane Doan goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, assisted by Keith Yandle and Mike Ribeiro. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Ramo (30 for 32 in saves), Stajan, and Monahan.

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KHL Day 141 2013-2014

Four games on today in both the KHL and the NHL. This is for the KHL, which starts off in...

Podolsk, as Vityaz hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Ivan Lasutin are the masked men. Riga was first to score in the first period with an unassisted goal by Lauris Darzins. Podolsk tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Vyacheslav Solodukhin, powered by Georgy Berdyukov and Mathias Porseland. Vityaz took the lead with an Anton Korolyov goal, made possible by Porseland and Ivan Ivanov. Podolsk added on in the third period as Maxim Afiongenov scored, with a lone assist by Alexei Makeyev. Vityaz extended the lead with a goal by Alexander Vasilyev, going in unassisted. Podolsk padded the lead on another Afinogenov goal, his second of the game, coming off of Airat Ziazov and Makeyev. Dinamo shot back on a Martins Cipulis goal, via Mat Robinson. Vityaz replied with a Makeyev power play goal, guided in by Afinogenov and Yakov Seleznyov. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars going to Afinogenov, Makeyev, and Porseland.

East to Nizhny Novgorod welcomes Lev Prague. Atte Engren and Ivan Kasutin are in the blue paint. Nizhny Novgorod began in the first period with an Evgeny Skachkov goal, via Pavel Valentenko and Evgeny Belokhvostikov. Torpedo added on with a Sakari Salminen goal, coming off of Wojtek Wolski. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead on a Mikhail Grigoryev goal, passed from Wolski. Torpedo padded the lead in the second period with a Jarkko Immonen goal, assisted by Wolski, who got a sock trick, and Salminen. Prague got on the board as Calle Ridderwall scored, thanks to Marc-Andre Gragnani and Niko Kapanen. Nizhny Novgorod shot back with Skachkov's second of the game, with a lone helper by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal. Lev replied on a third period Kapanen goal, made possible by Gragnani and Ridderwall. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Skachkov, Wolski, and Salminen, while Ridderwall, Kapanen, and Gragnani get the honorable mentions.

Down in Kazan, Ak Bars brings in Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Konstantin Barulin guard the cages. Kazan led off in the first period with a Yegor Milovzorov goal, helped along by Jakub Petruzalek. Bratislava tied it with a Miroslav Satan goal, courtesy of Libor Hudacek and Jonathan Sigalet. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Petruzalek scored twice, topping a single goal by Milan Bartovic to give Ak Bars the 2-1 win. The three stars went to Petruzalek, Barulin (24 for 25 in saves), and Janus (21 for 22 in saves).

Finally, in Moscow, Dynamo hosts CSKA Moscow. Jeff Glass and Alexander Sharychenkov are between the pipes. CSKA got going in the second period on an Alexander Frolov goal, via Vladimir Zharkov. Dynamo tied it in the third period with a Martins Karsums goal, passed from Maxim Solovyov and Maxim Karpov. Dynamo won 2-1 with shootout goals by Marek Kvapil and a winner by Leo Komarov, topping a lone tally from Alexander Radulov. The three stars were given to Sharychenkov (26 for 27 in saves), Glass (28 for 29 in saves), and Komarov.

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NHL Day 113 2013-2014

Originally, we had ten games on the schedule tonight, but the Flyers and Hurricanes were postponed tomorrow by another Polar Vortex storm. The Hurricanes game against the Senators, originally scheduled on Friday, has now been moved to Saturday as well. Just a couple of scheduling notes. With that, we begin the first of nine games tonight in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Ryan Miller are the veteran goalies. Buffalo began in the first period on a Drew Stafford power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Steve Ott and Linus Omark. Florida tied it on a Jesse Winchester goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Ed Jovanovski and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Sabres retook the lead as Stafford scored his second of the game and seventh of the season, via Tyler Ennis. The Panthers retied it on a Sean Bergenheim goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Tom Gilbert and Aleksander Barkov. Florida gained the lead with a Jovanovski goal, going in unassisted. The Panthers added on in the second period as Nick Bjugstad scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Brian Campbell and Gilbert. Buffalo pulled back in the third period with a Ott goal, his sixth of the year, a power play goal with assists provided by Stafford and Ville Leino. This only made it 4-3, with the three stars belonging to Jovanovski, Stafford, and Ott, while Gilbert gets an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and Sergei Bobrovsky are the young goalies. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Dwight King goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Trevor Lewis. Columbus tied it on an R.J. Umberger power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Ryan Johansen goal, his nineteenth of the season, guided in by Ryan Murray and Johansen. The Kings retied it in the second period with a Jeff Carter goal, his twentieth of the year, made possible by Mike Richards. Columbus regained the lead on an Umberger goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets added on with a Nathan Horton goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Artem Anisimov and Boone Jenner. Columbus extended the lead as Anisimov scored his thirteenth of the campaign, thanks to Nick Foligno. Los Angeles got one back on a Robyn Regehr goal, set up by Justin Williams and Richards. This produced the 5-3 final, with Umberger, Anisimov, and Wisniewski getting the three stars, while Richards gets an honorable mention.

Into Washington, as the Capitals bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Braden Holtby are the average goalies. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Clarke MacArthur and Eric Gryba. The Senators added on in the third period with a Jason Spezza power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Patrick Wiercioch and Erik Karlsson. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Anderson (34 save shutout), Turris, and Spezza.

Over in New Jersey, the Devils host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Cory Schneider draw the starts. New Jersey opened in the first period on a Mark Fayne goal, his second of the season, guided in by Damien Brunner and Patrik Elias. The Devils added on with a Ryan Carter goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Stephen Gionta and Eric Gelinas. St. Louis got on the board with an Alexander Steen goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, coming off of Jaden Schwartz and David Backes. New Jersey responded on a Jaromir Jagr goal, his sixteenth of the year, passed from Reid Boucher and Travis Zajac. Elliott was injured after this, and Jaroslav Halak came on in relief. The Devils extended the lead in the second period on a Ryane Clowe goal, his third of the season, via Marek Zidlicky and Brunner. New Jersey padded the lead as Adam Henrique scored his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal assisted by Gelinas and Zidlicky. The Devils got another in the third period on a Brunner power play goal, his ninth of the season, helped along by Elias and Zajac. New Jersey finished it at 7-1 with a Gelinas goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Anton Volchenkov. The three stars were handed to Gelinas, Brunner, and Elias, while Zidlicky and Zajac get the honorable mentions.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome their cross-town rivals, the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Cam Talbot are called on to start. The Rangers struck first in the first period on a Rick Nash goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Chris Kreider. The Rangers added on with another Nash goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, helped along by Dan Girardi and Kreider. The Islanders got on the board with a Matt Martin goal, his third of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Rangers replied in the second period on a Kreider power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Brad Richards. The Islanders pulled back on a Thomas Hickey goal, his third of the season, via Okposo and Thomas Vanek. The Islanders tied it as Colin McDonald scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Tavares and Peter Regin. The Islanders took the lead in the third period with a Vanek power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Tavares, who got a sock trick, and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders won it 5-3 with an unassisted empty net goal by Nielsen, his seventeenth of the year. The three stars were awarded to Vanek, Nash, and Tavares, while Kreider, Nielsen, and Okposo get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Dallas, as the Stars bring in the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Kari Lehtonen are in the creases. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his third of the season, coming off of Alex Goligoski and Antoine Roussel. The Stars added on with an Erik Cole power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Goligoski and Jamie Benn. Dallas extended the lead in the second period on a Ray Whitney power play goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Sergei Gonchar and Cody Eakin. The Stars padded the lead in the third period as Jordie Benn scored his second of the year on a penalty shot he received after Kuemper threw equipment. This was all they needed for a 4-0 win, with Lehtonen (18 save shutout), Fiddler, and Goligoski getting the three stars.

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Semyon Varlamov are between the pipes. Toronto started in the first period with a Phil Kessel goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Dion Phaneuf and Mason Raymond. The Maple Leafs added on with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Cody Franson and Tyler Bozak. Toronto extended the lead in the second period on a Nazem Kadri goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Jake Gardiner and Joffrey Lupul. Jean-Sebastien Giguere relieved Varlamov at this time. The Maple Leafs padded the lead on another Kessel goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by van Riemsdyk and Carl Gunnarsson. Colorado got on the board with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of P.A. Parenteau and Nick Holden. The Avalanche pulled closer with another MacKinnon goal in the third period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, made possible by Max Talbot. Toronto iced it at 5-2 with a Jay McClement empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Nikolai Kulemin and Lupul. The three stars went to Kessel, MacKinnon, and van Riemsdyk, while Bozak and Lupul get the honorable mentions.

North to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo faces a lesser foe in Ben Scrivens in goal. Vancouver led off in the first period with a Kellen Lain goal, courtesy of Dale Weise and Tom Sestito. The Canucks added on in the second period as Zack Kassian scored his tenth of the season, via Ryan Kesler and Daniel Sedin. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Taylor Hall and Sam Gagner. This wasn't enough to avoid a 2-1 loss, with the three stars going to Luongo (28 for 29 in saves), Kassian, and Lain.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. Anaheim dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Cam Fowler power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Matt Beleskey. Winnipeg tied it on a Blake Wheeler goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Evander Kane and Mark Scheifele. The Jets took the lead with a Bryan Little goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Andrew Ladd and Jacob Trouba. Winnipeg added on with a shorthanded Kane goal, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Little. Frederik Andersen relieved Hiller at this time. The Ducks replied in the third period on a Nick Bonino goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Jakob Silfverberg. This only made it 3-2, the final, with Kane, Little, and Pavelec (40 for 42 in saves) getting the three stars.

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NHL Day 112 2013-2014

It's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States, so we've got a pair of Monday matinees mixed amongst our seven games on the schedule today. We begin on...

Long Island, as the New York Islanders host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Anders Nilsson are the mediocre goalies. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Matt Read, his twelfth of the season, set up by Sean Couturier and Kimmo Timonen. New York tied it with a John Tavares goal, his twenty-third of the year, a power play goal powered by Kyle Okposo and Thomas Vanek. The Flyers took the lead back on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Scott Hartnell and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia added on as Read scored his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with a lone helper by Mark Streit. The Islanders shot back in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck. New York tied it with an Okposo power play goal, his twentieth of the year, fueled by Frans Nielsen and Andrew MacDonald. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nielsen was matched by Claude Giroux, Tavares and Read cancelled each other out, and then Okposo sealed a 4-3 Islanders win with a fourth round tally. The three stars belonged to Okposo, Read, and Tavares.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Chad Johnson draw the starts. Boston was first to score in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Brad Marchand, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on with a Torey Krug power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by David Krejci and Ryan Spooner. Los Angeles got on the board in the second period with a Willie Mitchell goal, fueled by Mike Richards. The Kings tied it in the third period with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. Boston took the lead back on Marchand's second of the game and sixteenth of the year, helped along by Reilly Smith and Bergeron. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Marchand, Bergeron, and Krug.

West to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins bring in the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Florida began in the first period with a Drew Shore shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by the goalie Clemmensen. The Panthers added on in the second period as Shore scored his second of the game and third of the year, thanks to Jesse Winchester and Jonathan Huberdeau. Florida extended the lead in the third period with a Dmitry Kulikov goal, his fourth of the season, via Winchester and Marcel Goc. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Matt Niskanen goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. The Panthers shot back with a Huberdeau goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Nick Bjugstad. Florida wrapped it up at 5-1 with a Shawn Matthias goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Winchester and Mike Weaver. The three stars were Shore, Huberdeau, and Winchester,

Northwest to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Jimmy Howard are the masked men. St. Louis struck first in the first period on a Magnus Paajarvi goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Chris Stewart and Roman Polak. Detroit tied it with a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Riley Sheahan. The Blues retook the lead in the second period with a Barret Jackman goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Alexander Steen. St. Louis added on as Kevin Shattenkirk scored his seventh of the year on the power play, via Steen and Derek Roy. The Blues extended the lead in the third period on a Jay Bouwmeester goal, his fourth of the campaign, with the help of Alex Pietrangelo and Ryan Reaves. This made it 4-1, the final, with Steen, Halak (22 for 23 in saves), and Jackman getting the three stars.

Down in Nashville, the Predators bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Carter Hutton in goal. Dallas led off in the first period on a Cody Eakin power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Rich Peverley and Ray Whitney. Nashville tied it on a Nick Spaling goal, his eighth of the year, via Roman Josi and David Legwand. The Predators took the lead with a Shea Weber goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Eric Nystrom and Gabriel Bourque. Nashville added on in the second period as Josi scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Paul Gaustad and Nystrom. The Predators extended the lead on a third period Mike Fisher goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Josi, Hutton (35 for 36 in saves), and Nystrom.

Out west, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Mike Smith are the reliable goalies. Toronto started in the first period with a Jake Gardiner goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nazem Kadri and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs added on as Kessel netted his twenty-fourth of the year, a power play goal with a lone assist by Cody Franson. Toronto extended the lead in the second period as Carl Gunnarsson scored, thanks to Dion Phaneuf and Carter Ashton. Phoenix got on the board in the third period when Mike Ribeiro netted a power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Maple Leafs shot back with a Kadri goal, his twelfth of the year, a power play goal assisted by Gardiner and Morgan Rielly. The Coyotes got one back with a shorthanded goal by Antoine Vermette, his fourteenth of the campaign, set up by Lauri Korpikoski. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Gardiner, Kessel, and Kadri.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goalies. Calgary opened in the first period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano. San Jose tied it on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Justin Braun and Brent Burns. The Sharks took the lead with a Tommy Wingels goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Brad Stuart. The Flames tied it on a Kevin Westgarth goal, via Brian McGrattan and Kris Russell. San Jose pulled ahead again in the second period with Pavelski's second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, coming off of Joe Thornton and Jason Demers. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 3-2, and the three stars went to Pavelski, Wingels, and Niemi (21 for 23 in saves).

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KHL Day 139 2013-2014

Only four games on in the KHL today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Henrik Karlsson are in goal. Donetsk got going in the third period with a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, with a lone helper by Randy Robitaille. Donbass added on as Evgeny Dadonov scored a power play goal, powered by Andrei Konev and Maxim Yakutsenya. This was all they needed to win 2-0, with the three stars being Laco (30 save shutout), Kaspar, and Dadonov.

Up in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Jakub Kovar tend the twines. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period on a Tobias Viklund power play goal, powered by Anton Lazarev and Fyodor Malykhin. Avtomobilist added on in the second period as Igor Yemeleyev scored, thanks to Alexei Yefimov. This held up for a 2-0 win, and Kovar (32 save shutout), Viklund, and Yemeleyev were the three stars.

South to Astana, as Barys brings in Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Milchakov and Vitaly Yeremeyev are the backups in goal. Astana started in the first period with a Brandon Bochenski power play goal, powered by Mike Lundin and Kristian Kudroc. Minsk tied it on an Andrei Stas power play goal in the third period, coming off of Alexei Yefimenko. Dinamo won 2-1 in overtime with a Lukas Krajicek goal, fueled by Stas and Alexei Kalyuzhny. The three stars belonged to Stas, Milchakov (32 for 33 in saves), and Krajicek.

Finally, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra hosts Spartak Moscow. Alexei Ivanov and Alexei Kuznetsov are set to start. Moscow led off in the first period with a Filipp Toluzakov goal, courtesy of Valery Vasilyev. Spartak added on with a Denis Bodrov power play goal, made possible by Oleg Kvasha and Vyacheslav Kozlov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the second period with an Andrei Shefer power play goal, powered by Nikita Gusev and Evgeny Khvostov. Yugra tied it with a Sergei Lesnukhin goal, with a lone helper by Radek Smolenak. Moscow retook the lead in the third period on a Kozlov power play goal, via Kvasha. Khanty-Mansiysk retied it with another Shefer power play goal, assisted by Mikhail Zhukov. Yugra pulled ahead on a Tomas Starosta goal, coming off of Smolenak. Khanty-Mansiysk iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Zhukov, set up by Smolenak, who got a sock trick, and Ilari Melart. The three stars were handed to Shefer, Zhukov, and Smolenak, while Kozlov and Kvasha get the honorable mentions.

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