NHL Day 168 2013-2014

Four games on this evening, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Tuukka Rask are in the blue paint. Boston got going in the second period on a Jarome Iginla goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, passed from Matt Bartkowski and Andrej Meszaros. The Bruins added on with a Loui Eriksson goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Carl Soderberg. Minnesota got on the board on a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, guided in by Ryan Suter and Mikael Granlund. Boston shot back in the third period with a Reilly Smith goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with an Iginla empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign, set up by Chara. The three stars went to Rask (33 for 34 in saves), Iginla, and Chara.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Ondrej Palat and Ryan Callahan. The Lightning added on in the second period with a Palat goal, his eighteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Matthew Carle. Tampa Bay extended the lead with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming off of Stamkos. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Alexandre Burrows, his fourth of the year, assisted by Kevin Bieksa and Alexander Edler. The Lightning replied with a Tom Pyatt goal, his third of the season, made possible by J.T. Brown and Victor Hedman. The Canucks pulled back on a Burrows goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, fueled by Nicklas Jensen and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver chipped closer on a Jannik Hansen shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Burrows. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with the three stars going to Stamkos, Palat, and Burrows.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Ryan Miller are called on to start. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brenden Morrow goal, his eleventh of the season, via Derek Roy and Jay Bouwmeester. Winnipeg tied it in the third period on an Eric O'Dell goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian. The Blues took the lead back with a power play goal by David Backes, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Ian Cole and Bouwmeester. St. Louis finished it as Backes was awarded his twenty-third of the year while being slashed on a breakaway with an empty net. This was good for a 3-1 win, with Backes, Miller (16 for 17 in saves), and Morrow picking up the three stars.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick protect the nets. Phoenix started in the first period with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes added on with a Mikkel Boedker power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle. Los Angeles got on the board with a Tanner Pearson goal, his second of the season, fueled by Jarret Stoll and Tyler Toffoli. The Kings tied it in the second period on an Alec Martinez goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Jeff Carter. Los Angeles took the lead on a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Anze Kopitar and Slava Voynov. Phoenix tied it in the third period on an unassisted Yandle goal, his eighth of the year. The Coyotes took the lead as Jeff Halpern scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Shane Doan and Kyle Chipchura. This made it 4-3, the final, with Yandle, Halpern, and Boedker getting the three stars.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals Day 7 2014

This is it for the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Two games decide who makes it to the semifinals and who goes home. We begin in...

Moscow, as Dynamo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Yeryomenko are the masked men. Yaroslavl opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Alexander Chernikov. Lokomotiv added on with a Geoff Platt goal, coming off of Mikelis Redlihs and Janis Sprukts. Moscow got on the board in the second period on a Leo Komarov goal, passed from Konstantin Gorovikov. Yaroslavl replied in the third period with a goal by Sergei Konkov, going in unassisted. Lokomotiv extended the lead with an unassisted power play goal from Konkov. Yaroslavl finished it at 5-1 with a Yegor Averin goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Plotnikov. The three stars were Konkov, Sanford (31 for 32 in saves), and Platt. Lokomotiv ousts Dynamo 4-3 in the series, completing an unlikely upset.

The other game comes from Bratislava, where Donbass Donetsk hosts Dinamo Riga. The game is being played in Slovakia due to security concerns in Ukraine. Jakub Sedlacek and Jan Laco are in goal. Donetsk started in the first period with an Evgeny Dadonov power play goal, powered by Maxim Yakutsenya. Donbass added on as Teemu Laine scored, thanks to Clay Wilson. Riga got on the board with a Gints Meija goal, with a lone assist by Maris Bicevskis. Donetsk replied in the third period on a Dadonov goal, fueled by Yakutsenya and Ruslen Fedotenko. This was good for a 3-1 win. The three stars were awarded to Dadonov, Laco (24 for 25 in saves), and Yakutsenya. Donbass wins the series 4-3 and advances to the semifinals against Lev.

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NHL Day 167 2013-2014

Nine games on, inexplicably, this Sunday. We begin with the second half of yesterday's Battle of Pennsylvania...

As the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Marc-Andre Fleury again get the starts. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Brayden Schenn goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Vincent Lecavalier. The Flyers added on with a Simmonds power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. Philadelphia extended the lead as Simmonds potted his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, thanks to Giroux and Jakub Voracek on the power play. Fleury was replaced by Jeff Zatkoff in goal. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Brooks Orpik goal, his second of the year, guided in by Robert Bortuzzo and Joe Vitale. The Penguins pulled closer in the second period on a Matt Niskanen goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Rob Scuderi and Jussi Jokinen. The Flyers shot back with a shorthanded goal by Matt Read, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Luke Schenn. Pittsburgh replied on a Jayson Megna goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Brian Gibbons. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Simmonds,
Giroux, and Read.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack faces former mentor Roberto Luongo in goal. Florida led off in the first period with a power play goal by Jimmy Hayes, his eighth of the season, powered by Tom Gilbert and Brandon Pirri. Vancouver tied it on a Dan Hamhuis goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Alexandre Burrows and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on as Nicklas Jensen scored his second of the season, thanks to Burrows and Henrik Sedin. The Panthers retied it in the third period on a Trocheck goal, his second of the year, coming off of Quinton Howden. Vancouver regained the lead on a Burrows power play goal, his third of the season, an unassisted goal. Florida even the score with another Hayes power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, assisted by Brian Campbell and Pirri. The Canucks won in the shootout on a Jensen tally. The three stars were Burrows, Jensen, and Henrik Sedin, while Pirri and Hayes get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jaroslav Halak are set to start. Washington began in the first period with a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on as Jason Chimera put away his thirtieth of the year, with the help of Joel Ward and Karl Alzner. Washington extended the lead on a Ward goal, his twentieth of the season, coming off of Dustin Penner and Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Toronto got on the board with a Troy Bodie goal, his third of the year, guided in by Mason Raymond and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs pulled closer on a second period Dion Phaneuf goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Carl Gunnarsson and Joffrey Lupul. The Capitals iced it at 4-2 in the third period with an empty net goal by Brouwer, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, set up by Alzner. The three stars were Brouwer, Ward, and Alzner.

South again to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Anton Khudobin are the underrated goalies. Edmonton struck first in the first period on a Matt Hendricks goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Boyd Gordon and Justin Schultz. Carolina tied it with a Jordan Staal goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Eric Staal and Justin Faulk. The Oilers took the lead back in the third period on a Schultz power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by David Perron and Taylor Hall. this was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Schultz, Scrivens (29 for 30 in saves), and Khudobin (31 for 33 in saves).

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. San Jose opened in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted Logan Couture goal, his nineteenth of the season. This was the only goal in the game, resulting in a 1-0 final. The three stars were awarded to Niemi (41 save shutout), Couture, and Lundqvist (28 for 29 in saves).

Crossing into Canada, as the Ottawa Senators bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Robin Lehner are called on to start. Colorado got going in the second period on an Andre Benoit goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Patrick Bordeleau and Matt Duchene. The Avalanche added on in the third period with a Nick Holden goal, his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Jamie McGinn and Duchene. Colorado extended the lead on a John Mitchell goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon. Ottawa got on the board late with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Varlamov (38 for 39 in saves), Duchene, and Holden.

Into Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Jhonas Enroth are the unknown goalies. Montreal started in the first period with a Dale Weise goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on as Brendan Gallagher scored his seventeenth of the year, with the help of Tomas Plekanec and Alexei Emelin. Late in the second period, Enroth was hurt, and was replaced by Nathan Lieuwen.

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome longtime rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Chicago dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Nick Leddy power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Ben Smith. Detroit tied it with a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Daniel Alfredsson and Niklas Kronwall. The Blackhawks retook the lead on a Smith goal, his ninth of the season, via Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. Chicago added on in the third period as Hossa potted his twenty-fifth of the year, thanks to Patrick Sharp and Keith. The Blackhawks extended the lead on a shorthanded Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-seventh of the campaign, set up by Hossa. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Hossa, Smith, and Keith.

Finally, in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Dallas Stars. Tim Thomas and Al Montoya are between the pipes. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Jacob Trouba goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Blake Wheeler. Dallas tied it on a Alex Chiasson goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Alex Goligoski and Cody Eakin. The Stars took the lead with a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirtieth of the season, assisted by Valeri Nichushkin and Jamie Benn. The Jets retied it on a Michael Frolik goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Tobias Enstrom. Winnipeg gained the lead with an Enstrom goal, his eighth of the season, from Wheeler and Patrice Cormier. The Jets added on as Olli Jokinen scored his sixteenth of the year in the second period, thanks to Wheeler, who got a sock trick, and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg extended the lead on a Byfuglien power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Jokinen and Enstrom. The Jets padded the lead in the third period on another Byfuglien goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, coming off of Wheeler and Jokinen. Winnipeg kept going with an Evander Kane goal, his sixteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The final was 7-2. The three stars were given to Byfuglien, Wheeler, and Enstrom, while Jokinen gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Day 6 2014

Two games on today as the playoff picture thins a bit. We begin with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Mikko Koskinen draw the starts. Kazan got going in the second period on an unassisted goal by Evgeny Medvedev. Ak Bars added on with an Alexander Svitov goal, courtesy of Janne Pesonen and Medvedev. Novosibirsk got on the board as Dmitry Kugryshev scored in the third period, thanks to Alexei Kopeikin. Sibir tied it on an Alexander Kutuzov goal, guided in by Kopeikin and Yegor Martynov. Novosibirsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Stepan Sannikov goal, via Sergei Shumakov and Oleg Gubin. The three stars were Sannikov, Kopeikin, and Medvedev. Sibir survives to advance to the semifinals with a 4-2 series win.

Westward to Nizhny Novgorod, as Torpedo hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Vasilevsky and Ivan Kasutin are in the creases. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the first period on a Denis Parshin goal, with a lone assist by Vladimir Galuzin. Torpedo added on with a Jarkko Immonen power play goal, powered by Wojtek Wolski. Ufa got on the board with a Dmitry Makarov goal, fueled by Brent Sopel. Salavat Yulaev tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Yegor Dubrovsky, coming off of Makarov and Ivan Vishnevsky. Nizhny Novgorod pulled ahead in the third period on a Galuzin goal, via Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Torpedo extended the lead as Sakari Salminen scored, thanks to Vladimir Denisov. Nizhny Novgorod padded the lead as Salminen scored again, with the help of Juuso Hietanen on the power play. Vladimir Sokhatsky came on in relief of Vasilevsky. Torpedo iced it at 6-2 on an Immonen power play goal, assisted by Salminen and Hietanen. The three stars were Salminen, Immonen, and Galuzin, while Makarov and Hietanen get the honorable mentions. The series is tied at 3 and will conclude on Tuesday in Ufa.

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NHL Day 166 2013-2014

Nine games on this Saturday, beginning with a matinee in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Backups Cam Ward and Chad Johnson are called on to start. Boston opened in the first period on a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-first of the season, with a lone assist by David Krejci. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Jarome Iginla goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Lucic and Krejci. Carolina got on the board in the third period with an Alexander Semin goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Jordan Staal. Boston shot back with a Chris Kelly goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Krejci, who got a sock trick, and Dougie Hamilton. The Bruins extended the lead on another Iginla goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, fueled by Kevan Miller and Lucic. Boston iced it at 5-1 with a Torey Krug goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Carl Soderberg and Gregory Campbell. The three stars went to Iginla, Lucic, and Krejci.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome their in-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Steve Mason are between the pipes. Philadelphia began with a Scott Hartnell power play goal in the first period, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on as Matt Read scored a shorthanded goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Sean Couturier. Philadelphia extended the lead in the second period on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Luke Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann. The Flyers padded the lead with another Read goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Couturier and Giroux. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 4-0, with the three stars being Mason (25 save shutout), Read, and Giroux, while Couturier gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner welcomes Carey Price back to the crease. Montreal was first to score in the first period with a Daniel Briere goal, his twelfth of the season, an unassisted goal. Ottawa tied it on a Jason Spezza goal, his eighteenth of the year, guided in by Clarke MacArthur and Erik Karlsson. The Senators took the lead in the second period on a Zack Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone helper from Karlsson. Ottawa added on in the third period with an Ales Hemsky goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Spezza. The Senators extended the lead with a MacArthur goal, his twentieth of the season, via Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan. The Canadiens got one back on a Lars Eller goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Brian Gionta and P.K. Subban. Montreal pulled closer with a Gionta goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Subban and Eller. The Canadiens tied it with a David Desharnais goal, his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Subban, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Markov. Montreal completed the comeback with a 5-4 in overtime on a Francis Bouillon goal, with assists provided by Max Pacioretty and Desharnais. The three stars went to Desharnais, Subban, and Gionta, while Eller, Spezza, Karlsson, and MacArthur get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ben Bishop are the masked men. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a B.J. Crombeen goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mike Kostka and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning added on as Kostka scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Ondrej Palat and Filppula. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period on a Nate Thompson goal, his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist from J.T. Brown. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Bishop (23 save shutout), Kostka, and Filppula.

North to New York, as the Islanders welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Anders Nilsson are the unknown goalies. New York struck first in the first period on a Frans Nielsen goal, his twenty-second of the season, passed from Anders Lee and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders added on with an Okposo power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Brock Nelson and Lubomir Visnovsky. Buffalo got on the board in the third period with a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, helped along by Drew Stafford and Christian Ehrhoff. New York answered on a Ryan Strome goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Matt Martin and Visnovsky. The Islanders finished it at 4-1 with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his ninth of the campaign, going into an empty net via Visnovsky and Thomas Hickey. The three stars were Okposo, Nilsson (33 for 34 in saves), and Visnovsky.

Southwest to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. St. Louis led off in the first period with a Patrik Berglund goal, his thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blues added on in the second period as Berglund scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, thanks to Steve Ott and Roman Polak. St. Louis extended the lead with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-first of the season, passed from T.J. Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo. Nashville got on the board with an Eric Nystrom goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Colton Sissons and Paul Gaustad. The Blues replied in the third period with the thirtieth of the campaign for Alexander Steen, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and David Backes. This made it 4-1, the final, with Berglund, Miller (30 for 31 in saves), and Tarasenko earning the three stars.

Up north, the Minnesota Wild host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Darcy Kuemper are the young goalies. Columbus dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Dalton Prout goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jack Johnson and Matt Calvert. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, fueled by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. In the shootout, Parise and Mikko Koivu tallied for the Wild, but the Blue Jackets answered back with goals from Artem Anisimov, Mark Letestu, and a winner from Ryan Johansen to take the game 2-1. The three stars went to Bobrovsky (32 for 33 in saves), Kuemper (28 for 29 in saves), and Parise.

Way to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Calgary Flames. Joni Ortio and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. Phoenix started in the first period with a Chris Summers goal, via Lauri Korpikoski and David Moss. The Coyotes added on with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Paul Bissonnette and Keith Yandle. Calgary got on the board in the second period with a Curtis Glencross power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Michael Cammalleri and Mark Giordano. The Flames tied it on a Mikael Backlund power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Cammalleri and Sean Monahan. Phoenix retook the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Shane Doan his, nineteenth of the season, coming off of Yandle and Antoine Vermette. This made it 3-2, good for a win, with the three stars going to Yandle, Cammalleri, and Doan.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Martin Jones make the spot starts. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Tim Jackman goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Mathieu Perreault and Matt Beleskey. Los Angeles tied it on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his eleventh of the year, coming on the power play from Jarret Stoll and Alec Martinez. The Ducks retook the lead on a Pat Maroon goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Kyle Palmieri and Hampus Lindholm. This was all they needed to win 2-1, with the three stars being Andersen (37 for 38 in saves), Maroon, and Jackman.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals Day 6 2014

Two more games on today, with the first in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Curtis Sanford guard the cages. Yaroslavl began in the first period on an Ilya Gorokhov power play goal, powered by Sergei Plotnikov and Janis Sprukts. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with a Plotnikv goal, made possible by Yegor Averin. Yaroslavl extended the lead with a Sergei Konkov goal, guided in by Vladislav Kartayev. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period on a Alexander Chernikov shorthanded goal, set up by Plotnikov. Alexander Sharychenkov relieved Yeryomenko. Yaroslavl kept going with a Chernikov power play goal, via Alexei Vasilyev and Yegor Yakovlev. Lokomotiv finished it at 6-0 with a Konkov power play goal, with a lone assist by Mikhail Pashnin. The three stars were Konkov, Chernikov, and Plotnikov, while Sanford (28 save shutout) gets the honorable mention. The series is now tied at 3, with the decisive game in two days in Moscow.

The other game is from Riga, as Dinamo hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Jakub Sedlacek make the starts. Donetsk got going in the second period on a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, with a lone assist from Ruslan Fedotenko. Riga tied it with a Lauris Darzins goal, via Paul Szczechura and Roberts Bukarts. Dinamo pulled ahead on an Andris Dzerins goal, coming off of Krisjanis Redlihs. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Dzerins, Sedlacek (42 for 43 in saves), and Darzins. The series will be wrapped up in Donetsk, currently tied at 3 games each.

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NHL Day 165 2013-2014

Eight games on a busy Friday. Post was delayed due to my travel day.

We begin with the New York Islanders hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Evgeni Nabokov are set to start. San Jose began with a Matthew Nieto goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on with a Jason Demers goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Martin Havlat and James Sheppard. New York got on the board in the second period with an Anders Lee goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. San Jose shot back with a Joe Thornton goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Brent Burns. The Islanders pulled back with a Brock Nelson goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Matt Donovan and Josh Bailey. The Sharks replied with a Havlat goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist from Sheppard. New York answered in the third period on a Nielsen goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, fueled by Okposo and Lee. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Havlat, Lee, and Sheppard, while Okposo and Nielsen get the honorable mentions.

Down in Washington, the Capitals welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Jaroslav Halak are in the blue paint. Washington opened on a first period goal by Joel Ward, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Eric Fehr and Jason Chimera. Vancouver tied it on a Jordan Schroeder goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Zack Kassian. Washington took the lead back in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his forty-fifth of the season, powered by John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington added on with a Tom Wilson goal, his third of the year, guided in by Kuznetsov and Jay Beagle. The Canucks shot back in the third period on a Shawn Matthias goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Chris Higgins and Chris Tanev. Vancouver tied it on a Nicklas Jensen goal, coming off of Higgins and Tanev. The Capitals took the lead back on a Mike Green goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Nicklas Backstrom and Kuznetsov, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood from here at 4-3, with the three stars going to Kuznetsov, Higgins, and Tanev.

Northwest to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth is mismatched with Jimmy Howard in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Riley Sheahan goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Tomas Tatar and Drew Miller. Edmonton tied it in the third period on a Ryan Smyth goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Red Wings won 2-1 with a Tatar tally. The three stars were Tatar, Howard (21 for 22 in saves), and Fasth (22 for 23 in saves).

Way south to Florida, where the Panthers host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces former mentor Roberto Luongo in goal. Florida struck first in the first period on a Brian Campbell goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jonathan Huberdeau and Jimmy Hayes. New Jersey tied it on a Jaromir Jagr power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Damien Brunner and Travis Zajac. The Devils took the lead in the second period on a Bryce Salvador goal, fueled by Patrik Elias and Ryane Clowe. New Jersey added on with an Elias goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Brunner and Andy Greene. The Panthers got one back on a Quinton Howden goal, his second of the year, passed from Scott Gomez and Huberdeau. Florida tied it in the third period as Brad Boyes potted his eighteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Panthers took the lead as Scottie Upshall netted his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Boyes. Florida iced it at 5-3 on a Vincent Trocheck empty net goal, set up by Campbell. The three stars were Boyes, Campbell, and Huberdeau, while Elias and Brunner get the honorable mentions.

Up in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford protect the nets. Nashville started in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Matt Cullen and Roman Josi. The Predators added on as Patric Hornqvist potted his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Shea Weber and Josi. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, via Kris Versteeg. Nashville answered in the third period on a Ryan Ellis goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Josi, who got a sock trick. The Blackhawks got one back as Peter Regin put away his fourth of the campaign, with the help of Johnny Oduya and Andrew Shaw. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars being Josi, Ellis, and Hornqvist.

Crossing into Canada, where the Winnipeg Jets bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec make the starts. New York was first to score in the first period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Benoit Pouliot and Kevin Klein. Winnipeg tied it on a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Blake Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets added on as Andrew Ladd scored his nineteenth of the season, with the help of Bryan Little and Michael Frolik. The Rangers retied it on a Chris Kreider goal, his seventeenth of the year, passed from Derek Stepan and Dan Girardi. Pavelec was hurt, so Al Montoya played goal at the start of the second period. New York took the lead again with another Hagelin goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, via Martin St. Louis and Klein. The Rangers finished it at 4-2 in the third period when Hagelin finish his hat trick on his sixteenth of the year, with helpers provided by Brad Richards. Hagelin, Klein, and Lundqvist (30 for 32 in saves) were the three stars.

Back stateside, the Dallas Stars host the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Tim Thomas are the older goalies. Dallas got going in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Vernon Fiddler and Jordie Benn. Calgary tied it on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Joe Colborne and Mark Giordano. The Stars took the lead with a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Trevor Daley and Tyler Seguin. Dallas added on as Erik Cole put away his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Brenden Dillion and Travis Morin. The Flames got one back in the third period with a Paul Byron power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Curtis Glencross and Kris Russell. Calgary retied it on a Cammalleri goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, via T.J. Brodie and Colborne. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jordie Benn was cancelled out by Sean Monahan, allowing Corban Knight to score the game-winner for a 4-3 Flames victory. The three stars went to Cammalleri, Colborne, and Jordie Benn.

Finally, in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the first period with a John Mitchell goal, his eighth of the season, via Gabriel Landeskog and Nate Guenin. Anaheim tied it in the second period with a Daniel Winnik goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Nick Bonino and Bryan Allen. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Jamie McGinn power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Nick Holden. The Ducks evened the score with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Pat Maroon and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim pulled ahead on Palmieri's second of the game and eleventh of the season, helped along by Hampus Lindholm and Bonino. The Ducks added on as Corey Perry scored his thirty-sixth of the year, thanks to Teemu Selanne and Cam Fowler. Anaheim chased Varlamov with a Ben Lovejoy goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Fowler and Getzlaf. Former Duck Jean-Sebastien Giguere came on in relief. Colorado pulled back with another McGinn power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, with assists from Erik Johnson and O'Reilly. The Avalanche chipped closer on a Landeskog goal, his twentieth of the season, pushed through by Mitchell and Jan Hejda. The Ducks replied with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Jakob Silfverberg and Luca Sbisa. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 6-4. The three stars went to Palmieri, McGinn, and Fowler, while Getzlaf, Bonino, Landeskog, Mitchell, and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.

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