KHL Day 176 2013-2014

After the Olympic Break, the KHL has a sprint to the finish. Today, there are twelve games on. We begin in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Andrei Vasilevsky are in goal. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period with a power play goal by Denis Parshin, powered by Juuso Hietanen and the goalie Kasutin. Ufa tied it in the second period on a Antti Pihlstrom goal, passed from Brent Sopel and Sergei Zinovyev. Salavat Yulaev won 2-1 in overtime on a Dmitry Makarov goal, with a lone assist by Teemu Hartikainen. The three stars were Makarov, Vasilevsky (25 for 26 in saves), and Pihlstrom.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Sergei Denisov is mismatched with Vasily Koshechkin in goal. Podolsk got going in the second period on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, coming off of Anton Korolyov. Vityaz added on as Georgy Berdyukov scored a power play goal, thanks to Mathias Porseland and Alexander Korolyuk. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Denisov (34 save shutout), Solodukhin, and Berdyukov.

Over in Chelyabinsk, Traktor brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Michael Garnett guard the cages. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Janne Jalasvaara power play goal, with a lone helper from Alexei Tsvetkov. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, via Ian White and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Traktor took the lead with a goal by Stanislav Chistov, assisted by Alexei Bondarev and Kuznetsov on the power play. Dynamo tied it again on an unassisted goal by Konstantin Glazachev. Moscow gained the lead again in the third period with an Alexander Ryazantsev, made possible by Maxim Karpov. Dynamo added on with a Tsvetkov goal, going in unassisted. Chelyabinsk got one back with a power play goal by Anton Glinkin, powered by Maxim Kondratyev and Kostitsyn. Moscow iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Maxim Pestushko, set up by Leo Komarov and Konstantin Gorovikov. The three stars belonged to Tsvetkov, Kostitsyn, and Kuznetsov.

Along to Kazan, where Ak Bars hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Konstantin Barulin are the veteran goalies. Kazan started in the first period with a Dmitry Obukhov goal, assisted by Tomas Vincour and Nikolai Belov. Nizhnekamsk tied it with an unassisted power play goal from Igor Polygalov. Neftekhimik took the lead with another power play goal by Polygalov, powered by Tomas Netik and Dmitry Kosmachyov. Ak Bars tied it on another goal by Obukhov, set up by Vincour. Kazan retook the lead on an Alexei Tereshchenko power play goal, coming off of Ilya Nikulin and Evgeny Medvedev. Ak Bars added on in the second period as Kirill Petrov score a power play goal, thanks to Jakub Petruzalek and Tereshchenko. Kazan extended the lead on a Tim Stapleton goal, guided in by Alexander Svitov. Nizhnekamsk replied in the third period when Petr Koukal scored a power play goal, fueled by Kosmachyov. Ak Bars answered on a Janne Pesonen, with a lone assist by Alexander Burmistrov. Kazan padded the lead with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, courtesy of Svitov. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 7-3 final, with Obukhov, Tereshchenko, and Polygalov getting the three stars, while Kosmachyov and Svitov get the honorable mentions.

Up to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Jakub Stepanek receive the starting nods. Cherepovets led off in the first period on a Pavel Chernov power play goal, powered by Linus Videll and Evgeny Mons. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it in the second period on a Radek Smolenak goal, courtesy of Artyom Bulyansky and Kirill Putilov. Severstal took the lead back with an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, via Vadim Berdnikov and Pavel Dedunov. Cherepovets added on in the third period with another Chernov goal, with a lone assist by Mons. Severstal iced it at 4-1 with another Nikontsev goal, coming off of Berdnikov. The three stars were Nikontsev, Chernov, and Stepanek (23 for 24 in saves), while Berdnikov and Mons get the honorable mentions.

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl brings in Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Curtis Sanford are in the blue paint. Yekaterinburg began in the first period with an Alexei Simakov goal, made possible by Andrei Antonov. Avtomobilist added on with a second period goal by Andre Deveaux, helped along by Sergei Gusev and Fyodor Malykhin. Yaroslavl got on the board as Sergei Konkov scored, thanks to Yury Petrov and Alexei Vasilyev. Lokomotiv tied it on an Emil Galimov goal, fueled by Konkov and Vladislav Kartayev. Yaroslavl took the lead when Geoff Platt score, with a lone assist from Janis Sprukts. Yekaterinburg retied it in the third period with a goal by Tobias Viklund, via Igor Yemeleyev. Lokomotiv regained the lead on a Jonas Holos power play goal, powered by Sergei Plotnikov and Staffan Kronwall. Yaroslavl iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Yegor Averin, set up by Plotnikov and Daniil Apalkov. The three stars went to Konkov, Holos, and Plotnikov.

Out west, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Avangard Omsk. Andrei Mezin and Alexander Salak. Omsk was first to score in the first period on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, assisted by Dmitry Semin and Alexander Popov. Avangard added on with a Sergei Kalinin goal, guided in by Kostitsyn and Miroslav Blatak. St. Petersburg got on the board in the second period on a Roman Cervenka power play goal, powered by Tony Martensson and Patrick Thoresen. Omsk replied on a Roman Berdnikov goal, fueled by Kirill Lyamin and Andrei Ivanov. SKA pulled back in the third period with a Viktor Tikhonov goal, passed from Igor Makarov and Alexei Semenov. St. Petersburg tied it as Alexei Ponikarovsky scored, thanks to Ilya Kablukov and Andrei Sigaryov. Avangard retook the lead on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, with a lone helper from Blatak. SKA pulled even again with a Thoresen goal, coming off of Cervenka and Martensson. Omsk won 5-4 in overtime with a Sergei Shirokov goal, with assists provided by Blatak, who got a sock trick, and Stefan Ruzicka. The three stars were Blatak, Kostitsyn, and Cervenka, while Thoresen and Martensson get the honorable mentions.

Back to Moscow, where CSKA welcomes crosstown rivals, Spartak Moscow. Igor Shestyorkin and Jeff Glass have the green light to start. CSKA struck first in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Ivan Nepryayev, set up by Vladimir Zharkov. Spartak tied it on a Tom Wandell goal, fueled by Nikolai Lemtyugov. CSKA regained the lead in the third period with an Ilari Filppula goal, helped along by Oleg Saprykin. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Nepryayev, Glass (22 for 23 in saves), and Filppula.

North a little to Mytishchi, where Atlant brings in Barys Astana. Ari Ahonen and Stanislav Galimov protect the nets. Mytishchi opened in the first period with a Sergei Shmelyov goal, assisted by Alexei Petrov and Roman Rukavishnikov. Atlant added on with an Igor Radulov goal, courtesy of Maxim Mayorov and Vitaly Atyushov. Mytishchi extended the lead when Shmelyov scored his second of the game, thanks to Maxim Velikov and Evgeny Artyukhin. Astana got on the board in the second period on a Nigel Dawes goal, with a lone helper by Brandon Bochenski. Atlant shot back in the third period on an Artyukhin goal, coming off of Shmelyov. Mytishchi padded the lead on another Radulov goal, guided in by Velikov and Mayorov. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Shmelyov, Radulov, and Artyukhin, while Mayorov and Velikov get the honorable mentions.

Over in Prague, Lev hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Petri Vehanen play goal. Prague led off in the first period with a Justin Azevedo goal, coming off of Jiri Novotny. Lev added on with a Topi Jaakola goal, passed from Patrik Zackrisson and Ryan O'Byrne. Donetsk got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Oskars Bartulis, set up by Vaclav Nedorost. Prague shot back with a Petr Vrana goal, fueled by Jiri Sekac and Martin Thornberg. Lev extended the lead in the second period as Thornberg scored, thanks to Nathan Oystrick. This made it 4-1, the final, with Thornberg, Vehanen (25 for 26 in saves), and Jaakola getting the three stars.

Continuing to Riga, as Dinamo welcomes Medvescak Zagreb. Barry Brust and Mikael Tellqvist tend the twines. Zagreb began in the first period with a Charles Linglet goal, assisted by Matt Ellison and Mark Popovic. Riga tied it in the second period on a Marcel Hossa shorthanded goal, set up by Maris Bicevskis. Dinamo took the lead as Roberts Bukarts scored, with the help of Andris Dzerins. Riga added on in the third period with a Marcel Hascak goal, courtesy of Paul Szczechura and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. Dinamo extended the lead with a power play goal from Sandis Ozolins, powered by Lauris Darzins. Riga finished it at 5-1 with an empty net goal by Darzins, with a lone helper from Szczechura. The three stars of the game were Tellqvist (27 for 28 in saves), Darzins, and Szczechura.

Finally, in Bratislava, we end with Slovan bringing in Dinamo Minsk. Dmitry Milchakov and Jaroslav Janus are set to start. Bratislava started in the first period with a Branko Radivojevic goal, courtesy of Peter Olvecky and Jan Brejcak. Minsk tied it on a Zbynek Irgl goal, fueled by Lukas Krajicek and Tomas Surovy. Slovan retook the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Miroslav Satan, powered by Radivojevic and Mario Bliznak. Dinamo retied it on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Surovy. Minsk took the lead with an Alexander Materukhin power play goal, assisted by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Krajicek. Bratislava tied it again with an Olvecky goal, going in unassisted. Slovan won 4-3 in the shootout, with a lone tally coming from Martin Stajnoch. The three stars were Radivojevic, Olvecky, and Surovy, while Krajicek gets the honorable mention.

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NHL Day 148 2013-2014

One game on today, as we make up a game originally scheduled for January 7th. The Buffalo Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes to bring us back from the Olympic break. Cam Ward and Ryan Miller draw the starts. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Christian Ehrhoff power play goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Drew Stafford and the goalie Miller. Carolina tied it with an Eric Staal goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Justin Faulk. The Sabres retook the lead with a Tyler Ennis goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Matt Moulson and Stafford. The Hurricanes retied it on an Alexander Semin goal, his fifteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Andrej Sekera. Buffalo won 3-2 as Ehrhoff scored his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, guided in by the goalie Miller again. Ehrhoff, Miller (36 for 38 in saves with two assists), and Stafford get the three stars.

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NHL Day 131 2013-2014

Ten games on for the last day before a two week break from the NHL. We begin early with...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Ray Emery handle the goaltending duties. Philadelphia got going in the second period on a Brayden Schenn goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Andrej Meszaros. The Flyers added on in the third period with a Claude Giroux goal, his twentieth of the year, with a lone helper from Meszaros. Calgary got on the board with a Matt Stajan goal, his tenth of the campaign, via T.J. Galiardi and Joe Colborne. This only made it 2-1, the final, with Emery (32 for 33 in saves), Meszaros, and Giroux getting the three stars.

Out west, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Brian Elliott are the backups in goal. St. Louis opened in the first period on a Brenden Morrow goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Vladimir Tarasenko and Derek Roy. Winnipeg tied it with a Mark Scheifele goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Devin Setoguchi and Zach Bogosian. The Blues retook the lead on a Roy goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Morrow and Alex Pietrangelo. The Jets tied it in the second period on another Scheifele goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Blake Wheeler and Chris Thorburn. St. Louis retook the lead in the third period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his nineteenth of the season, guided in by Barret Jackman and Patrik Berglund. Winnipeg retied it again with a Dustin Byfuglien power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. The Blues won with goals by T.J. Oshie and Tarasenko in the shootout for a 4-3 final. The three stars were Morrow, Roy, and Scheifele, while Tarasenko and Wheeler got the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Boston Bruins host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Chad Johnson are in the blue paint. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson. The Bruins added on with a Chris Kelly goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of David Warsofsky and Eriksson. Boston extended the lead as Bergeron scored his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, thanks to Brad Marchand and Dougie Hamilton. Ottawa got on the board with a Bobby Ryan goal, his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Kyle Turris and Cory Conacher. The Bruins replied with a Jarome Iginla goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by David Krejci and Torey Krug. Boston padded the lead with a Milan Lucic goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Iginla and Krejci. The Bruins struck again on a Marchand goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Reilly Smith and Bergeron. The Senators pulled back with a power play goal by Patrick Wiercioch, his sixth of the year, helped along by Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza. Boston shot back on a Soderberg goal, his ninth of the season, with assists provided by Smith and Marchand. This made it 7-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Bergeron, Marchand, and Soderberg, while Eriksson, Iginla, Krejci, and Smith got the honorable mentions.

Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Bernier guard the cages. Vancouver started in the first period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his twentieth of the season, coming off of Chris Higgins and Alexander Edler. Toronto tied it in the third period with a Mason Raymond goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by Nikolai Kulemin and Troy Bodie. The Maple Leafs took the lead with a Phil Kessel goal, his thirty-first of the season, made possible by Tyler Bozak and Tim Gleason. Toronto added on with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, guided in by Kessel and Bozak. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars being Kessel, Bernier (32 for 33 in saves), and Bozak.

Back south, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Anton Khudobin protect the nets. Carolina dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Drayson Bowman goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Riley Nash and Justin Faulk. Montreal tied it on a David Desharnais his tenth of the year, via Rene Bourque and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens took the lead with a Ryan White's second of the season, with a lone assist by Andrei Markov. Montreal added on in the third period on another Desharnais goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, assisted by Gallagher and Nathan Beaulieu. The Canadiens extended the lead on a Brian Gionta empty net goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Brandon Prust and White. This made it a 4-1 final, with the three stars going to Desharnais, White, and Price (31 for 32 in saves), while Gallagher gets an honorable mention.

Further to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Ben Bishop are the masked men. Detroit struck first in the first period on a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his fourteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Pavel Datsyuk. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Ondrej Palat, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Martin St. Louis and Victor Hedman. The Red Wings retook the lead on a Tomas Jurco goal, his third of the season, via Riley Sheahan and Danny DeKeyser. The Lightning retied it as Tom Pyatt scored, thanks to Sami Salo and J.T. Brown. Tampa Bay took the lead in the third period on an Alex Killorn, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Teddy Purcell and Pyatt. The Lightning finished at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Palat, his fourteenth of the campaign and second of the game, set up by Tyler Johnson and Salo. The three stars belonged to Palat, Pyatt, and Salo.

Northward again, with the New York Islanders welcoming the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. Colorado led off in the first period on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Gabriel Landeskog and Nick Holden. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Matt Duchene goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of P.A. Parenteau and Tyson Barrie. Colorado extended the lead when Duchene scored his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, thanks to Barrie and Jamie McGinn. New York got on the board in the third period with a John Tavares power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, powered by Josh Bailey and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Islanders pulled closer with a Visnovsky power play goal, his second of the season, assisted by Kyle Okposo and Tomas Vanek. The Avalanche added on with a Landeskog empty net goal, his eighteenth of the year, set up by Andre Benoit. Colorado was awarded a goal with two seconds left in the game, credited as the seventeenth of the campaign for Paul Stastny, with a lone helper by Barrie, who got a sock trick with the odd moment. The three stars went to Duchene, Visnovsky, and Landeskog, while Barrie gets an honorable mention.

Moving along to DC, as the Washington Capitals host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington began in the third period with a Julien Brouillette goal, assisted by Patrick Wey and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with an empty net goal by Martin Erat, passed from Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. Washington extended the lead on another empty net goal by Troy Brouwer, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Holtby (25 save shutout), Backstrom, and Brouillette.

Westward to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller faces a lesser foe in Carter Hutton in goal. Nashville started in the first period on a Viktor Stalberg goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Simon Moser and Victor Bartley. Anaheim tied it with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, via Hampus Lindholm and Dustin Penner. The Ducks took the lead in the second period on a Corey Perry power play goal, his thirtieth of the season, powered by Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Predators tied it in the third period on a Mike Fisher power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. Anaheim retook the lead as Emerson Etem scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Lindholm and Saku Koivu. The Ducks added on with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Daniel Winnik. Anaheim iced it on another Getzlaf goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the campaign making it 5-2 for the final score. The three stars went to Getzlaf, Lindholm, and Etem.

Finally, in Dallas, the Stars host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Kari Lehtonen are between the pipes. Dallas opened in the first period on a Ray Whitney goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jordie Benn and Brenden Dillon. The Stars added on in the second period with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn. Phoenix got on the board in the third period on a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Antoine Vermette and Keith Yandle. The three stars were awarded to Lehtonen (26 for 27 in saves), Smith (31 for 33 in saves), and Nichushkin.

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NHL Day 130 2013-2014

Five games on the second to last day before the Olympic Break for the NHL, beginning in...

New Jersey, where the Devils host the Edmonton Oilers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Cory Schneider are set to start. New Jersey opened in the first period with an Andrei Loktionov goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Bryce Salvador and Jaromir Jagr. Edmonton tied it on a Taylor Hall goal, his twentieth of the year, via Nail Yakupov and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime on a Jon Merrill goal, assisted by Michael Ryder and Adam Henrique. The three stars were handed to Merrill, Schneider (19 for 20 in saves), and Loktionov.

West a bit to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins welcoming the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. New York was first to score in the first period with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Mats Zuccarello and Marc Staal. Pittsburgh tied it on an Olli Maatta power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Sidney Crosby and Jussi Jokinen. The Rangers retook the lead in the second period on a Dan Girardi power play goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Derick Brassard. The Penguins tied it again on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming on the power play via James Neal and Matt Niskanen. New York regained the lead in the third period as Pouliot scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, a power play goal guided in by Girardi and Brad Richards. Pittsburgh tied it on a Neal goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Maatta and Jayson Megna. The Rangers won 4-3 on goals by Zuccarello and Richards in the shootout, topping a lone Malkin tally. The three stars were Pouliot, Zuccarello, and Girardi, while Richards, Neal, Maatta, and Malkin get the honorable mentions.

South to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas faces a former understudy in Anton Khudobin in goal. Carolina struck first in the first period with a Riley Nash goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes added on with an Alexander Semin unassisted goal, his fourteenth of the year. Florida got on the board with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Dylan Olsen and Scottie Upshall. Carolina responded with a Brett Bellemore goal, his second of the year, thanks to Elias Lindholm and Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the second period on a Jiri Tlusty goal, his ninth of the season, with a lone assist by Eric Staal. Scott Clemmensen relieved Thomas at this time. Carolina padded the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Andrej Sekera, his ninth of the year, powered by Skinner and Jordan Staal. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Khudobin (34 for 35 in saves), Skinner, and Semin.

Out west, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Phoenix started in the first period with a Keith Yandle power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Mike Ribeiro and Yandle.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose led off in the first period with a John McCarthy goal, passed from James Sheppard. The Sharks added on with a Patrick Marleau goal, his twenty-third of the season, with a lone helper by Scott Hannan. Columbus got on the board in the second period on a Ryan Johansen goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, going in unassisted. San Jose replied in the third period as Tommy Wingels scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Jason Demers and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Blue Jackets got one back on a Boone Jenner goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Nathan Horton and Johansen. This was as close as it got, with the three stars going to Wingels, Johansen, and Demers.

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NHL Day 129 2013-2014

Third to last day before the Olympic Break begins in the NHL. We have eleven games tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Evgeni Nabokov are in goal. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Sean Monahan goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Kris Russell. The Flames added on with a Dennis Wideman power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mikael Backlund and T.J. Brodie. New York got on the board with a Thomas Hickey goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Josh Bailey and Colin McDonald. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Calvin de Haan goal, his second of the year, passed from John Tavares and Thomas Vanek. Calgary took the lead back with a David Jones goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Matt Stajan and Wideman. The Flames iced it at 4-2 with a Backlund empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Jiri Hudler. The three stars went to Wideman, Backlund, and Berra (28 for 30 in saves).

Across town, the other New York team, the Rangers, welcome the other Alberta team, the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Cam Talbot are the young goalies. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Ryan Smyth goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by David Perron. New York tied it on a second period Derick Brassard goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Mats Zuccarello and Benoit Pouliot. The Oilers took the lead again in the third period on a Nail Yakupov goal, his eleventh of the season, via Sam Gagner and Taylor Hall. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Scrivens (35 for 36 in saves), Yakupov, and Smyth.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Steve Mason are the reliable goalies. Philadelphia got going in the second period with a Mark Streit goal, his eighth of the season, coming on the power play from Vincent Lecavalier and Sean Couturier. The Flyers added on in the third period with a Michael Raffl goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Couturier and Steve Downie. Colorado got on the board with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Ryan O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog. Philadelphia finished it at 3-1 with a Claude Giroux empty net goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Wayne Simmonds and Braydon Coburn. The three stars went to Mason (38 for 39 in saves), Raffl, and Couturier.

Moving along to DC, where the Washington Capitals host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Braden Holtby are the struggling goalies. Washington was first to score in the first period with a Troy Brouwer goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Marcus Johansson and Casey Wellman. Winnipeg tied it on a Bryan Little goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Andrew Ladd. The Jets took the lead in the second period as Dustin Byfuglien scored his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Devin Setoguchi and Olli Jokinen. The Capitals tied it in the third period on a Tom Wilson goal, his second of the year, coming off of Julien Brouillette and Patrick Wey. Washington took the lead on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fortieth of the season, fueled by Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner. The Capitals added on with another Brouwer goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Johansson and Connor Carrick. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Brouwer, Holtby (34 for 36 in saves), and Johansson.

North to Montreal, where the Canadiens welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Canadian Olympians Roberto Luongo and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal led off in the first period with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens added on as Ryan White scored, thanks to Michael Bournival and Dale Weise. Vancouver got on the board with a second period goal by Chris Higgins, his sixteenth of the year, coming on the power play via Jason Garrison and Jordan Schroeder. Montreal responded in the third period on another Pacioretty goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by David Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens extended the lead with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone helper by Desharnais. The Canucks got one back on an Alexander Edler power play goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Raphael Diaz and Alexandre Burrows. Montreal wrapped it up as Pacioretty wrapped up his hat trick with his twenty-sixth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Gallagher and Alexei Emelin. The three stars of the 5-2 game were Pacioretty, Desharnais, and Gallagher.

West to Ontario, as the Ottawa Senators bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Craig Anderson are in the creases. Ottawa started in the second period on an Erik Karlsson goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Stephane Da Costa and Cory Conacher. The Senators added on in the third period with a Milan Michalek goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Jason Spezza and Mika Zibanejad. Buffalo got on the board with a Tyler Ennis goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Drew Stafford and Ville Leino. The Sabres tied it on a Stafford goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone assist by Christian Ehrhoff. Ottawa retook the lead on another Michalek goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, made possible by Spezza and Chris Neil. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars belonging to Michalek, Stafford, and Spezza.

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Ben Bishop guard the cages. Toronto struck first in the second period on a Mason Raymond goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Nikolai Kulemin and Morgan Rielly. Anders Lindback relieved Bishop in the third period. The Maple Leafs added on in the third period with a Jay McClement goal, his third of the year, guided in by David Clarkson and Joffrey Lupul. Toronto extended the lead on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Carl Gunnarsson and Phil Kessel. Tampa Bay got on the board with an Ondrej Palat goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Martin St. Louis and Tyler Johnson. The Maple Leafs finished it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Tyler Bozak, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Kessel. The three stars went to McClement, Kessel, and Bernier (33 for 34 in saves).

Staying in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Tim Thomas are the American goalies. Florida began in the first period with a Scottie Upshall goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Tomas Kopecky and Mike Weaver. Detroit tied it in the second period on a Daniel Alfredsson power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Justin Abdelkader and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings took the lead on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Detroit iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal from Brian Lashoff, set up by Darren Helm and Kronwall. The three stars were given to Kronwall, Howard (23 for 24 in saves), and Thomas (30 for 32 in saves).

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. St. Louis led off in the first period with an Alexander Steen goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, via Jaden Schwartz and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues added on in the second period on a Schwartz goal, his eighteenth of the year, with assists provided by Dmitrij Jaskin and Alex Pietrangelo. Boston got on the board in the third period with a David Krejci goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Jarome Iginla and Milan Lucic. The Bruins tied it with a Brad Marchand goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Johnny Boychuk and Torey Krug. St. Louis won 3-2 in overtime with an unassisted goal by T.J. Oshie, his fourteenth of the campaign. The three stars went to Schwartz, Oshie, and Steen.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild host the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Darcy Kuemper are the inexperienced goalies. Minnesota opened in the first period on a Jonas Brodin goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Nino Neiderreiter. Nashville tied it with a Craig Smith goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone helper from the goalie Hutton. The Wild retook the lead on a Zach Parise power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Dany Heatley and Jason Pominville. The Predators retied it in the second period on another Smith goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, helped along by Victor Bartley. Minnesota won 3-2 in overtime with a Neiderreiter goal, his eleventh of the campaign, passed from Kyle Brodziak and Jared Spurgeon. The three stars went to Neiderreiter, Smith, and Parise.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jonathan Quick are the Vezina-caliber goalies. Columbus started in the first period on a Jack Johnson power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Ryan Johansen and James Wisniewski. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with a Jake Muzzin goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The Kings won in overtime with a Robyn Regehr goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. The three stars of the 2-1 game went to Regehr, Quick (24 for 25 in saves), and Muzzin.

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NHL Day 128 2013-2014

Three games on a not very busy day. We begin in...

Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Drew Stafford goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Tyler Ennis. Pittsburgh tied it on a Harry Zolnierczyk goal, his second of the year, coming off of Craig Adams and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on with a Crosby power play goal in the second period, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh extended the lead with an unassisted goal by Evgeni Malkin, his seventeenth of the year. The Penguins padded the lead when Brian Gibbons scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Brandon Sutter. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-1 with a James Neal goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Malkin and Brooks Orpik. The three stars went to Crosby, Fleury (24 for 25 in saves), and Malkin.

Way southwest to Anaheim, where the Ducks welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Chicago dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Marian Hossa goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, via Patrick Sharp and Michal Rozsival. The Blackhawks added on in the third period when Jonathan Toews scored his nineteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Hossa. This was good for a 2-0 win, with Crawford (29 save shutout), Hossa, and Toews earning the three stars.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Alex Stalock protect the nets. San Jose got going in the second period with a Martin Havlat goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Scott Hannan and James Sheppard. Dallas tied it in the third period with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Trevor Daley and Tyler Seguin. The Sharks won 2-1 in overtime on a Tommy Wingels goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by Havlat and Hannan. The three stars were Havlat, Stalock (19 for 20 in saves), and Hannan.

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NHL Day 127 2013-2014

Nine games on tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Milan Lucic goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by David Krejci and Jarome Iginla. The Bruins added on in the second period with an Iginla power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Zdeno Chara and Lucic. Vancouver got on the board when Raphael Diaz scored, with the help of Alexander Edler and Zack Kassian. Boston responded with a Daniel Paille goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Johnny Boychuk. This was good for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Iginla, Lucic, and Rask (27 for 28 in saves).

Over in New York, the Rangers welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York led off in the first period with a Ryan Callahan goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Carl Hagelin. The Rangers added on with another Callahan goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, guided in by Brad Richards. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Gabriel Landeskog, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Paul Stastny. New York replied on an Anton Stralman goal, courtesy of Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. The Rangers extended the lead on a third period with a Brassard goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Zuccarello. New York padded the lead with a Richards goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, fueled by Callahan and Hagelin. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Callahan, Brassard, and Richards, while Hagelin and Zuccarello get the honorable mentions.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Anton Khudobin get the starting nods. Winnipeg got going in the second period as Andrew Ladd scored his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Michael Frolik and Bryan Little. Carolina tied it in the third period with a Riley Nash goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Drayson Bowman and Tuomo Ruutu. The Jets took the lead back on a Chris Thorburn goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Jacob Trouba and Blake Wheeler. They held on for a 2-1 win, with Pavelec (28 for 29 in saves), Thorburn, and Ladd getting the three stars.

Back north to Montreal, as the Canadiens host the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal started in the second period on a Rene Bourque goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Brandon Prust and Lars Eller. The Canadiens iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by David Desharnais, his ninth of the year, a power play goal set up by Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. The three stars belonged to Price (27 save shutout), Bourque, and Berra (25 for 26 in saves).

Way south to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Tim Thomas are the masked men. Florida dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Tom Gilbert goal, his third of the season, coming on the power play via Brian Campbell and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers added on in the third period on a Campbell goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Scott Gomez and Tomas Fleischmann. Toronto got on the board with a David Clarkson goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nazem Kadri. Florida replied on a Shawn Matthias goal, his sixth of the year, going in unassisted. The Panthers wrapped it up at 4-1 on a Marcel Goc empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Tomas Kopecky and Mike Weaver. Campbell, Thomas (20 for 21 in saves), and Matthias were the three stars.

Backtracking to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Michal Neuvirth are between the pipes. New York opened in the first period on a third period Andrew MacDonald goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Brock Nelson. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with Nabokov (22 save shutout), MacDonald, and Neuvirth (27 for 28 in saves) receiving the three stars.

Out west, the St. Louis Blues host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jaroslav Halak receive the starting nods. St. Louis began in the first period on a Brenden Morrow goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie. Ottawa tied it in the second period as Erik Karlsson his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Jason Spezza. The Blues retook the lead with an Oshie goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Magnus Paajarvi and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis added on with a David Backes goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Jaden Schwartz and Barret Jackman. The Senators pulled back in the third period on a Milan Michalek goal, his eighth of the season, via Spezza and Mika Zibanejad. Ottawa tied it on a Kyle Turris, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Karlsson and Jared Cowen. The Senators took the lead with a Spezza goal, his fifteenth of the season, with assists provided by Zibanejad and Marc Methot. The Blues retied it with a Jordan Leopold goal, made possible by Schwartz and Derek Roy. In the shootout, Zibanejad cancelled out Oshie, Stephane Da Costa did the same to Alexander Steen, and then Ottawa took the game 5-4 on a Turris goal. The three stars of the game are Turris, Karlsson, and Spezza, while Oshie, Zibanejad, and Schwartz get the honorable mentions.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Darcy Kuemper are the young goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a Nino Neiderreiter power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Jared Spurgeon and Jason Zucker. The Wild added on with a third period Dany Heatley goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Spurgeon. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his twentieth of the season, passed from Martin St. Louis Radko Gudas. This only made it 2-1 and they failed to tie it, leaving that as the final score. Kuemper (34 for 35 in saves), Heatley, and Neiderreiter got the three stars.

Finally, in Phoenix, the Coyotes bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Mike Smith are the veteran goalies. Phoenix got going in the second period on an Antoine Vermette goal, his twenty-first of the season, an unassisted goal. Dallas tied it with a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley. The Stars took the lead in the third period on an Antoine Roussel goal, his ninth of the season, with a lone assist by Ryan Garbutt. Dallas iced it with a Garbutt empty net goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Cody Eakin. Lehtonen (27 for 28 in saves), Garbutt, and Smith (37 for 39 in saves) are awarded the three stars.

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