NHL Day 182 2013-2014

Four games on a calm Monday, beginning in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are the washed up goalies. Ottawa began in the first period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Patrick Wiercioch and Ales Hemsky. Carolina tied it on an unassisted goal by Jeff Skinner, his thirtieth of the year. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Hemsky scored the only goal for a 2-1 Senators win. Hemsky, Anderson (30 for 31 in saves), and Ward (28 for 29 in saves) were given the three stars.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Florida Panthers. Dan Ellis and Martin Brodeur are set to start. New Jersey started twelve seconds into the first period with a Travis Zajac goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Jaromir Jagr and Mark Fayne. The Devils added on with a Jagr goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Ryane Clowe. New Jersey extended the lead on another Zajac goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Clowe and Eric Gelinas. Florida got on the board with a shorthanded goal from Dmitry Kulikov, his eighth of the year, set up by Nick Bjugstad. The Panthers pulled closer in the second period on a Brad Boyes goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Bjugstad. The Devils shot back with a Clowe goal, his seventh of the year, with assists by Zajac and Jagr. Florida answered as Brandon Pirri notched his tenth of the season, via Dylan Olsen and Vincent Trocheck. Brodeur was replaced by Schneider at this time. New Jersey answered in the third period on a shorthanded goal by Jacob Josefson, assisted by Ryan Carter. The Devils finished it at 6-3 with Zajac's sixteenth of the year to complete his hat trick, helped along by Tuomo Ruutu and Jagr, who got a sock trick. The three stars went to Zajac, Jagr, and Clowe, while Bjugstad gets an honorable mention.

Way out west, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Frederik Andersen receive the starting nods. Winnipeg opened in the first period with a Jacob Trouba goal, his ninth of the season, via Michael Frolik and Bryan Little. The Jets added on with a Matt Halischuk goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Evander Kane and Eric O'Dell. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period on a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the campaign, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and the goalie Pavelec. The Jets padded the lead as Eric Tangradi put away his third of the season, with the help of Zach Redmond and Anthony Peluso. Anaheim got on the board with a Nick Bonino goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Jakob Silfverberg and Pat Maroon. The Ducks chipped closer in the third period with a power play goal by Ryan Getzlaf, his thirty-first of the campaign, assisted by Maroon and Mathieu Perreault. Anaheim pulled closer as Hampus Lindholm scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Daniel Winnik and Saku Koivu. The Ducks tied it with a Corey Perry goal, his thirty-ninth of the year, set up by Getzlaf and Kyle Palmieri. Anaheim completed the epic comeback in overtime, winning 5-4 with a Stephane Robidas goal, his fifth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Robidas, Getzlaf, and Maroon.

Finally, up I-5, the Los Angeles Kings host the Minnesota Wild. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jonathan Quick are the veteran goalies. Los Angeles led off in the first period with an Alec Martinez goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. Minnesota tied it in the second period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, powered by Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu. The Kings shot back as Williams scored his nineteenth of the campaign, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Willie Mitchell. The Wild tied it again in the third period on a Matt Moulson goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Jason Pominville and Erik Haula. Minnesota gained the lead as Koivu notched his tenth of the year, with the help of Charlie Coyle and Parise. This was all they needed for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Parise, Koivu, and Williams.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 181 2013-2014

Six games on for today's hockey, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Steve Mason are in the blue paint. Philadelphia opened in the first period with a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Adam Hall. Boston tied it on a Andrej Meszaros goal, his seventh of the year, via Brad Marchand and Dougie Hamilton. The Flyers retook the lead on a Kimmo Timonen goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Jakub Voracek. The Bruins tied it in the second period with a Zdeno Chara power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Jarome Iginla and David Krejci. Boston took the lead with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, passed from Reilly Smith and Matt Bartkowski. Philadelphia tied it on a Lecavalier goal in the third period, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, made possible by Voracek and Timonen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bergeron was matched by Claude Giroux before Smith won it 4-3 for the Bruins. The three stars went to Lecavalier, Bergeron, and Smith, while Voracek and Timonen get the honorable mentions.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Robin Lehner are the mediocre goalies. Ottawa was first to score in the first period on a Milan Michalek goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Erik Karlsson and Ales Hemsky. Calgary tied it with a Matt Stajan goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Jiri Hudler and Curtis Glencross. The Senators retook the lead on another Michalek goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, assisted by Jason Spezza and Hemsky. The Flames tied it on a second period Paul Byron goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Mikael Backlund and Michael Cammalleri. Calgary took the lead on Sean Monahan goal, his twentieth of the season, with assists provided by Hudler and Joe Colborne. Ottawa tied it on a Kyle Turris goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, helped along by Clarke MacArthur. The Senators took the lead in the third period on a Jared Cowen goal, his sixth of the season, via Mika Zibanejad. Ottawa added on with a MacArthur goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, with a lone helper from Turris. The Senators extended the lead as Turris scored his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign into the empty net, going in unassisted. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 6-3, and the three stars went to Turris, Michalek, and MacArthur, while Hemsky and Hudler get the honorable mentions.

Down in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces a lesser foe in Jonas Gustavsson in goal. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. Detroit tied it on a Joakim Andersson goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Darren Helm and Daniel Alfredsson. The Red Wings took the lead on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, passed from David Legwand. Detroit added on as Legwand scored his thirteenth of the year in the second period, a power play goal powered by Johan Franzen and Niklas Kronwall. The Lightning pulled back in the third period with a Sami Salo goal, his fourth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Nikita Kucherov. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Legwand, Nyquist, and Gustavsson (26 for 28 in saves).

Back east a little, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period with a James Neal goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Jussi Jokinen and Robert Bortuzzo. The Penguins added on as Lee Stempniak scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Matt Niskanen and Chris Kunitz. Chicago got on the board in the second period with a Sheldon Brookbank goal, his second of the season, fueled by Patrick Sharp and Nick Leddy. Pittsburgh answered in the third period on a Sidney Crosby goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Kunitz. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Crosby empty net goal, his second of the game and thirty-sixth of the campaign, set up by Olli Maatta and Beau Bennett. The three stars were Fleury (25 for 26 in saves), Crosby, and Kunitz.

Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Washington Capitals. Jaroslav Halak and Carter Hutton are set to start. Washington started in the first period with a Troy Brouwer goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom. Nashville tied it on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Shea Weber and Mike Fisher. The Predators took the lead with an unassisted goal by Hornqvist, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season. The Capitals retied it in the second period on a Brouwer power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, powered by Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. Nashville took the lead back in the third period on a Weber goal, his twenty-first of the season, via Fisher and Matt Cullen. Washington evened the score again with a Backstrom power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by John Carlson. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Craig Smith's goal gave the Predators a 4-3 win. Hornqvist, Weber, and Brouwer get the three stars, while Backstrom and Fisher are given the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Ben Scrivens are the young goalies. New York led off in the first period with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his sixteenth of the season, via Anton Stralman and Benoit Pouliot. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Derick Brassard power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Raphael Diaz and Zuccarello. New York extended the lead with a Rick Nash goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Derek Stepan. The Rangers padded the lead on a shorthanded Nash goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the season, set up by Stepan. New York struck again in the third period on a Zuccarello shorthanded goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, thanks to Stepan, who got a sock trick, and Marc Staal. This proved enough for a 5-0 win, with the three stars going to Zuccarello, Talbot (26 save shutout), and Nash, while Stepan gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 180 2013-2014

Eleven games on today, beginning in...

DC, as the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Braden Holtby are given the starting nods. Boston got going in the second period with a Jarome Iginla goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, fueled by Carl Soderberg and David Krejci. The Bruins added on with a Soderberg power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson. Boston extended the lead as Iginla scored his second of the game and thirtieth of the season, thanks to Milan Lucic and Krejci. Washington got on the board with a Jason Chimera goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Mike Green and Joel Ward. The Bruins shot back in the third period with a Bergeron goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, with assists provided by Soderberg and Dougie Hamilton. The Capitals got one back on an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The final was 4-2, an the three stars were Iginla, Soderberg, and Bergeron, while Krejci gets an honorable mention.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Semyon Varlamov draw the starts. Colorado began in the first period with a Paul Stastny goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon. San Jose tied it with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, powered by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Cody McLeod shorthanded goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Nick Holden and John Mitchell. Colorado added on in the second period with a Mitchell goal, his tenth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Jamie McGinn and Holden. The Sharks got one back as Dan Boyle scored his tenth of the season, thanks to James Sheppard. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2. The three stars were awarded to Varlamov (47 for 49 in saves), Mitchell, and Holden.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces a lesser foe in Matt Hackett. Buffalo started in the first period with a Matt D'Agostini goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Rasmus Ristolainen and Johan Larsson. The Sabres added on with a Cody Hodgson goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Christian Ehrhoff. Tampa Bay got on the board with an Alex Killorn goal, his sixteenth of the season, helped along by Nikita Kucherov and Matthew Carle. The Lightning tied it on a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-second of the year, via J.T. Brown and Radko Gudas. Buffalo took the lead back in the third period with a Cory Conacher goal, his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay tied it on a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Teddy Purcell and Stamkos. The Lightning won 4-3 in overtime on a power play goal by Stamkos, his twenty-third of the campaign, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Purcell. Stamkos, Purcell, and Callahan received the three stars.

Crossing into Toronto, with the Maple Leafs host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Toronto led off in the first period with a Cody Franson goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Jake Gardiner and Jay McClement. Detroit tied it in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Darren Helm, his eighth of the year, set up by Joakim Andersson. The Red Wings took the lead with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, coming off of Johan Franzen and Jakub Kindl. Detroit added on as Helm scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, via Kindl and Daniel Alfredsson. The Maple Leafs got one back on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his twenty-second of the season, passed from Morgan Rielly and Gardiner. The Red Wings responded in the third period on a Helm goal, finishing his hat trick with his tenth of the year, made possible by Danny DeKeyser. This produced the 4-2 final, with Helm, Kindl, and Gardiner getting the three stars.

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Dan Ellis draw the starts. Montreal was first to score in the first period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-fourth of the year, via Alexei Emelin and Daniel Briere. Montreal extended the lead in the second period as Pacioretty scored his second of the game and thirty-fifth of the season, thanks to David Desharnais and Vanek. Florida got on the board with a Brad Boyes goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Sean Bergenheim and Brian Campbell. The Canadiens shot back in the third period with a Desharnais goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, assisted by Pacioretty and Mike Weaver. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Pacioretty, Vanek, and Desharnais.

Backtracking to New York, as the Islanders bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Anders Nilsson are in the blue paint. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Frans Nielsen goal, his twenty-third of the season, made possible by Josh Bailey. New Jersey tied it on an Adam Henrique goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, via Damien Brunner and Patrik Elias. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nielsen and Brock Nelson scored to seal a 2-1 Islanders win. The three stars were Nielsen, Nilsson (23 for 24 in saves), and Schneider (19 for 20 in saves).

Back south, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Anton Khudobin. Carolina struck first in the second period with a Jeff Skinner goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Elias Lindholm and Riley Nash. Columbus tied it on a Matt Calvert goal, his eighth of the year, with an unassisted goal. The Hurrcianes retook the lead in the third period as Andrei Loktionov scored his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Nash and Jay Harrison. The Blue Jackets tied it again with an Artem Anisimov goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Nathan Horton and Nick Foligno. Columbus won 3-2 in overtime on a power play goal by Ryan Johansen goal, his thirtieth of the campaign, coming off of Anisimov and James Wisniewski. Johansen, Anisimov, and Nash.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Ryan Miller guard the cages. Dallas opened in the first period with a Colton Sceviour goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Shawn Horcoff. The Stars added on in the second period with a Sceviour goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, passed from Horcoff and Vernon Fiddler. St. Louis got on the board with an Alexander Steen goal, his thirty-second of the season, a power play goal powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. Dallas shot back as Cody Eakin scored his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Jordie Benn and Antoine Roussel. The Blues pulled back in the third period on a Steen power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-third of the season, made possible by David Backes and Shattenkirk. The Stars finished it at 4-2 with a Roussel goal, his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Jordie Benn and Eakin. The three stars were given to Sceviour, Steen, and Eakin, while Roussel, Jordie Benn, Horcoff, and Shattenkirk get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Phoenix, as the Coyotes bring in the Minnesota Wild. Ilya Bryzgalov and Thomas Greiss are set to start. Phoenix began in the first period with a power play goal by Mikkel Boedker, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Shane Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Minnesota tied it on a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Mikko Koivu. The Wild took the lead with a Jared Spurgeon goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund. Minnesota added on as Parise scored his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Koivu. The three stars belonged to Parise, Bryzgalov (23 for 24 in saves), and Koivu.

Out in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec returns from injury to face Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles led off with a Trevor Lewis goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Kyle Clifford and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on as Anze Kopitar potted his twenty-third of the year, via Marian Gaborik. Los Angeles extended the lead with another Kopitar goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, guided in by Gaborik and Willie Mitchell. Pavelec was pulled for Al Montoya in the second period. Winnipeg got on the board with a Matt Halischuk goal in the third period, his fourth of the year, assisted by Evander Kane and Eric O'Dell. The Kings shot back with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Tanner Pearson and Mitchell. The Jets got one back with a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, powered by Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Kopitar, Gaborik, and Mitchell.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Eddie Lack are the inexperienced goalies. Anaheim started with a Luca Sbisa goal in the first period, via Sami Vatanen and Pat Maroon. The Ducks added on with a Matt Beleskey goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Richard Rakell and Daniel Winnik. Vancouver got on the board with a Brad Richardson goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Ryan Stanton and Zack Kassian. Anaheim shot back in the second period as Saku Koivu scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Winnik and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks extended the lead in the third period on a Corey Perry goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, passed from Koivu and Cogliano. Anaheim finished it at 5-1 with a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, powered by Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The three stars went to Koivu, Perry, and Winnik, while Cogliano gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Day 6 2014

One game to go through today, which is in Ufa. Salavat Yulaev hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Andrei Vasilevsky are called on to start. Ufa opened in the first period on a Ivan Vishnevsky power play goal, guided in by Alexei Kaigorodov. Astana tied it with an Evgeny Blokhin goal, via Konstantin Rudenko and Nikolai Antropov. Salavat Yulaev retook the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Igor Mirnov, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Arturs Kulda. Ufa added on with a Anton Slepyshev goal, with a lone assist from Alexander Stepanov. Barys got one back with a Nigel Dawes power play goal, passed from Cam Barker. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Slepyshev, Mirnov, and Vishnevsky. Salavat Yulaev wins the series 4-2 and will play Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Eastern Conference Final.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. Conference Finals start on Wednesday.

NHL Day 179 2013-2014

Six games on this evening, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Steve Mason are set to start. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. Toronto tied it on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, guided in by Tyler Bozak. The Flyers took the lead back with a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his twentieth of the season, passed from Timonen and Giroux. Philadelphia added on with a Giroux goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Hartnell. The Maple Leafs got one back as Dave Bolland put away his seventh of the season, assisted by Mason Raymond and Jake Gardiner. The Flyers shot back with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with assists provided by Zac Rinaldo and Andrew MacDonald. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Giroux, Hartnell, and Timonen.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. Pittsburgh struck first in the third period with a Chris Kunitz goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Deryk Engelland. The Penguins added on with a Beau Bennett goal, his second of the year, fueled by Robert Bortuzzo. Columbus got on the board with a Matt Calvert power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Fleury (35 for 36 in saves), Bennett, and Kunitz.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Craig Anderson are in the blue paint. Ottawa opened with an Erik Condra goal, his sixth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Zack Smith. The Senators added on as Cody Ceci scored his third of the year, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Mark Stone. Ottawa extended the lead in the second period on a Milan Michalek goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky. Chicago got on the board with a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his thirty-first of the year, powered by Jonathan Toews and the goalie Raanta. The Blackhawks pulled closer with an unassisted goal by Marian Hossa, his twenty-seventh of the season. The Senators shot back with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, coming off of MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch. Ottawa padded the lead with a MacArthur goal, his twenty-third of the season, fueled by Stone. Chicago pulled back with a Brent Seabrook goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Michal Handzus and Peter Regin, a shorthanded goal. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars awarded to MacArthur, Stone, and Turris.

Way south to Dallas, as the Stars host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. Dallas led off in the first period on a Ryan Garbutt goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Antoine Roussel and Brendon Dillon. The Stars added on with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Colton Sceviour and Alex Goligoski. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Roman Josi. Dallas shot back with a Sceviour goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Trevor Daley and Goligoski. The Stars extended the lead on a power play goal Alex Chiasson, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Ray Whitney and Goligoski, the latter getting a sock trick. The Predators replied with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Craig Smith and Calle Jarnkrok. Dallas answered on a Daley goal, his seventh of the season, with helpers provided by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Nashville got it back as Eric Nystrom scored his fifteenth of the year in the third period, thanks to Colton Sissons and Richard Clune. The Stars countered with an unassisted goal by Valeri Nichushkin, his fourteenth of the season. Dallas iced it at 7-3 with a Cody Eakin goal, his fifteenth of the year, with the help of Garbutt and Roussel. The three stars went to Goligoski, Sceviour, and Garbutt, while Roussel and Daley get the honorable mentions.

Up in Calgary, the Flames welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Karri Ramo are between the pipes. Calgary began in the first period with a Joe Colborne power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by T.J. Brodie and Curtis Glencross. The Flames added on with a Mark Giordano goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and Paul Byron. New York got on the board with a second period goal by Brian Boyle, his sixth of the season, assisted by Derek Dorsett and Dominic Moore. The Rangers tied it on a Raphael Diaz goal, his second of the year, passed from Brad Richards. New York took the lead on a Richards goal, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Carl Hagelin and Benoit Pouliot. Calgary retied it on a Kevin Westgarth goal, his third of the year, made possible by Matt Stajan and Brodie. The Flames took the lead with a Cammalleri goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Chris Butler. This held up for a 4-3 win, with Cammalleri, Brodie, and Richards earning the three stars.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Ben Scrivens draw the starts. Anaheim started in the first period with Nick Bonino's nineteenth of the season, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Sami Vatanen. Edmonton tied it with a Sam Gagner goal, his ninth of the year, via David Perron and Taylor Hall. The Oilers took the lead in the second period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, passed from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Martin Marincin. The Ducks tied on a Pat Maroon goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Mathieu Perreault and Stephane Robidas. Edmonton took the lead back in the third period with a Oscar Klefbom goal, courtesy of Perron and Justin Schultz. Anaheim retied it on a Perreault goal, his seventeenth of the season, helped along by Maroon and Teemu Selanne. The Oilers won with an Andrew Ference goal in overtime, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Perron, Perreault, and Maroon.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL Western Conference Semifinals Day 6 2014

Two games on today, with series on the line. We begin in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Alexander Salak and Curtis Sanford guard the cages. Yaroslavl got going in the third period on a Yury Petrov goal, assisted by Mikelis Redlihs and Geoff Platt. Lokomotiv added on as Vitaly Vishnevsky scored an unassisted goal. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Sanford (26 save shutout), Petrov, and Vishnevsky. Lokomotiv wins the series 4-2, and waits to see who their Conference Final opponent is.

Out in Bratislava once again, Donbass Donetsk hosts Lev Prague in the last game to be played in Slovakia this postseason. Atte Engren and Jan Laco are called on to start. Prague dented the scoreboard with a power play goal by Ondrej Nemec in the third period, powered by Justin Azevedo. This was the game's only goal, so Lev won 1-0. The three stars were Engren (20 save shutout), Nemec, and Laco (24 for 25 in saves). Lev will advance to play Lokomotiv in the Conference Finals after their 4-2 series win.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 178 2013-2014

Ten games on tonight as the season starts to hit the stretch run. We begin with a rematch of the last Stanley Cup Final, as...

The Boston Bruins host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Boston led off in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, courtesy of Matt Bartkowski and Daniel Paille. The Bruins added on in the third period with a Carl Soderberg goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Chris Kelly and Johnny Boychuk. Boston extended the lead on Bergeron's second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Brad Marchand. This made it 3-0, the final, with Rask (28 save shutout), Bergeron, and Soderberg getting the three stars.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss is mismatched with Martin Brodeur in goal. Phoenix opened in the first period with a Kyle Chipchura goal, his fourth of the season, via Lauri Korpikoski and Chris Summers. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Summers goal, his second of the year, guided in by Chipchura and Radim Vrbata. New Jersey got on the board with a Ryane Clowe goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Jon Merrill and Jacob Josefson. The Devils tied it on a third period goal by Adam Henrique, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Patrik Elias and the goalie Brodeur. Phoenix won 3-2 in the shootout, with a lone tally by Mikkel Boedker making the difference. The three stars were Chipchura, Summers, and Boedker.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Los Angeles Kings. Backups Martin Jones and Jeff Zatkoff draw the starts. Los Angeles began in the first period with a power play goal by Jeff Carter, his twenty-sixth of the season, powered by Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar. The Kings added on in the second period with an Alec Martinez goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Tyler Toffoli and Jarret Stoll. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Chris Kunitz goal, his thirty-third of the season, made possible by Jayson Megna and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins tied it on a Taylor Pyatt goal, his fourth of the year, via Brian Gibbons and Marcel Goc. Los Angeles took the lead in the third period with a Drew Doughty goal, his ninth of the campaign, with assists provided by Dustin Brown and Tanner Pearson. This made it 3-2, the final, with Doughty, Martinez, and Carter.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by P.K. Subban and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens added on as Plekanec scored his second of the game and twentieth of the year, thanks to Subban. Detroit got on the board in the second period with a Riley Sheahan goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Luke Glendening and Brian Lashoff. Montreal shot back on a David Desharnais goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. The Red Wings got one back on a third period Tomas Tatar goal, his seventeenth of the season, going in unassisted. Detroit tied it with another Tatar goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, via Tomas Jurco and Sheahan. The Canadiens retook the lead on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-third of the season, set up by Desharnais and Vanek. Montreal extended the lead with a Vanek goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, with helpers from Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin. The Red Wings got one back on a Johan Franzen goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Gustav Nyquist and Darren Helm. This only made it 5-4, with the three stars being Vanek, Desharnais, and Plekanec, while Tatar, Subban, and Sheahan get the honorable mentions.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ben Bishop are set to start. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a Ryan Callahan goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Radko Gudas and Valtteri Filppula. New York tied it on a Ryan Strome goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Matt Martin and Matt Donovan. The Islanders took the lead with a Donovan goal, his second of the season, fueled by Frans Nielsen and Anders Lee. The Lightning retied it in the third period as Callahan scored his second of the game and fifteenth oft he year, guided in by Eric Brewer. The tie lasted to a long shootout, which the Lightning won 5-4 for a 3-2 win in the game. Tampa Bay saw goals from Mike Kostka, Ondrej Palat, Steven Stamkos, Matthew Carle, and Sami Salo for the winner, while New York had tallies from Nielsen, Brock Nelson, Colin McDonald, and Casey Cizikas. The three stars were Callahan, Donovan, and Nielsen.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin and Roberto Luongo protect the nets. Carolina started in the first period with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Brett Bellemore. Dan Ellis relieved Luongo for the second period. The Hurricanes added on as Tlusty scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year in the second period, assisted Andrei Loktionov and Justin Faulk. Carolina extended the lead on a Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, coming off of Patrick Dwyer. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 3-0. The three stars were awarded to Khudobin (35 save shutout), Tlusty, and Skinner.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Ryan Miller receive the starting nods. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with a T.J. Oshie goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by David Backes and Roman Polak. The Blues added on with a shorthanded goal by Oshie, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, going in unassisted. St. Louis extended the lead on a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Carlo Colaiacovo and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues padded the lead in the third period on an Oshie goal, his twenty-first of the year to complete his hat trick, via Bouwmeester and Backes. St. Louis got another on a Brenden Morrow power play goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Alexander Steen and Vladimir Sobotka. Minnesota got on the board with a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, assisted by Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu. This made it 5-1, the final, with Oshie, Miller (27 for 28 in saves), and Backes, while Bouwmeester gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators host the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett and Carter Hutton are the unknown goalies. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Colton Sissons goal, fueled by Richard Clune and Eric Nystrom. The Predators added on as Colin Wilson scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and Nick Spaling. Nashville extended the lead on a Calle Jarnkrok goal, made possible by Gabriel Bourque and Craig Smith. The Predators padded the lead with a Shea Weber power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist. Nathan Lieuwen relieved Hackett for the second period. Buffalo got on the board in the second period with a Rasmus Ristolainen goal, his second of the season, guided in by Brian Flynn and Johan Larsson. Nashville answered on a Weber goal, his twentieth of the year and second of the game, assisted by Roman Josi and Mike Fisher. The Predators finished it at 6-1 with a third period Nystrom goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Clune. The three stars were Weber, Nystrom, and Clune.

Westward to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Semyon Varlamov are set to start. Vancouver opened in the first period with a Yannick Weber power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Nicklas Jensen and Daniel Sedin. Colorado tied it with a Matt Duchene goal, his twenty-third of the year, coming off of Andre Benoit and Cody McLeod. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, fueled by Paul Stastny and Cory Sarich. The Canucks tied it with a Zack Kassian goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Dan Hamhuis and David Booth. Colorado won 3-2 in overtime with a Tyson Barrie goal, his tenth of the campaign, with helpers from Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. The three stars went to Duchene, Barrie, and Landeskog.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Antti Niemi are in the blue paint. San Jose started in the first period with a Dan Boyle goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Martin Havlat and James Sheppard. Winnipeg tied it with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Michael Frolik and Bryan Little. The Sharks took the lead with a Brent Burns power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. The Jets tied it in the second period on a Blake Wheeler goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg took the lead on a Dustin Byfuglien power play goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Wheeler and Frolik. San Jose retied it with a Logan Couture power play goal, his twentieth of the year, with assists provided by Sheppard and Havlat. The Jets gained the lead in the third period on a Tobias Enstrom power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, helped along by Wheeler and Little. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Wheeler, Little, and Frolik, while Sheppard and Havlat got the honorable mentions.

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