NHL November 16th, 2014

Six games on this afternoon, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the San Jose Sharks. Troy Grosenick and Anton Khudobin are the backups making spot starts. San Jose struck first in the first period on a Tomas Hertl goal, his fourth of the season, via Barclay Goodrow. The Sharks iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Joe Thornton, his seventh of the year, set up by Joe Pavelski and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The three stars went to Grosenick (45 save shutout), Hertl, and Khudobin (17 for 18 in saves).

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Niklas Backstrom are the veteran goalies. Minnesota was first to score in the first period on a power play goal by Nino Neiderreiter, his eighth of the season, powered by Thomas Vanek and Justin Fontaine. The Wild added on as Zach Parise potted his fifth of the year, thanks to Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville. Minnesota extended the lead on another Parise goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, coming off of Jared Spurgeon and Pominville. Michael Hutchinson replaced Pavelec in goal at the start of the second period. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period with a Michael Frolik goal, his third of the year, via Matt Halischuk. The Jets pulled closer with an Evander Kane goal, his second of the season, passed from Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg tied it on an Andrew Ladd goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Adam Pardy and Paul Postma. Darcy Kuemper replaced Backstrom at this time. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Marco Scandella goal, his third of the campaign, assisted by Pominville, who got a sock trick, and Mikael Granlund. The three stars went to Parise, Pominville, and Scandella.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Chicago opened in the first period with a Duncan Keith goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg. Dallas tied it on a Curtis McKenzie goal, made possible by Erik Cole and Jason Spezza. The Stars took the lead as Shawn Horcoff scored his third of the year, with the help of Vernon Fiddler and John Klingberg. The Blackhawks retied it on a Brent Seabrook goal, his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Kane and Keith. Chicago gained the lead in the third period on a Kane goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Brad Richards and Versteeg. The Blackhawks added on with a Jonathan Toews goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Marian Hossa. Chicago extended the lead with a Versteeg goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Richards and Michal Rozsival. The Blackhawks padded the lead with Brandon Saad's third of the campaign, via Toews and Hossa. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars going to Kane, Keith, and Versteeg, while Richards, Toews, and Hossa get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Detroit Red Wings host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski is mismatched with Jimmy Howard in goal. Montreal got going in the second period on a Brandon Prust goal, coming off of P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on as Subban scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Andrei Markov and Max Pacioretty. Montreal extended the lead in the third period on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his seventh of the year, via Brendan Gallagher and Nathan Beaulieu. Detroit got on the board with a Riley Sheahan goal, his second of the season, made possible by Danny DeKeyser and Tomas Tatar on the power play. The Canadiens answered with a Gallagher goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Alex Galchenyuk and Plekanec. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars belonging to Subban, Tokarski (28 for 29 in saves), and Gallagher, while Plekanec received an honorable mention.

Southwest to Anaheim, as the Ducks welcome the Florida Panthers. Al Montoya and Frederik Andersen are in the blue paint. Florida started in the first period on a Vincent Trocheck goal, passed from Tomas Kopecky and Scottie Upshall. Anaheim tied it on a Hampus Lindholm goal, his second of the season, made possible by Emerson Etem. The Panthers took the lead back in the second period on a Brad Boyes goal, his third of the year, assisted by Jonathan Huberdeau and Nick Bjugstad. Florida added on with a Bjugstad goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jussi Jokinen and Brian Campbell. The Panthers extended the lead on a Huberdeau goal, his second of the year, fueled by Aaron Ekblad and Bjugstad. Florida padded the lead with a Boyes power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, powered by Jokinen and Campbell. The Panthers continued in the third period on Bjugstad's second of the game and fourth of the year, via Boyes and Dylan Olsen. The Ducks got one back on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Josh Manson and Etam. The three stars of the 6-2 game were Bjugstad, Boyes, and Huberdeau,while Etem, Jokinen, and Campbell get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Devan Dubnyk faces his old team, with Ben Scrivens 200 feet away in goal. Arizona dented the scoreboard with a Brandon Gormley first period goal, coming unassisted on the power play. The Coyotes added on in the third period on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Antoine Vermette and Lauri Korpikoski. Edmonton tied it on a power play goal by Taylor Hall, his seventh of the year, powered by Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Dubnyk (33 for 34 in saves), Boedker, and Gormley.

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KHL November 16th, 2014

Eight games on today, which actually began yesterday from where I am, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Alexander Pechursky and Alexei Murygin are in the blue paint. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with a Chris Lee goal, coming off of Rafael Batyrshin. Khabarovsk tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Grigory Shafigulin, powered by Alexander Ryazantsev. Amur took the lead on a Tommi Taimi goal, fueled by Rastislav Spirko and Michel Miklik. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars named as Murygin (59 for 60 in saves), Taimi, and Shafigulin.

Out in Novokuznetsk, Metallurg welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Ilya Sorokin are in the creases. Kazan led off in the first period on an Alexander Svitov power play goal, powered by Dmitry Obukhov and Oscar Moller. Ak Bars added on with an Obukhov goal in the third period, courtesy of Alexander Burmistrov and Artyom Lukoyanov. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a Sergei Dorofeyev goal, with a lone assist by James O'Brien. Kazan shot back with a Justin Azevedo empty net goal, set up by Svitov and Lukoyanov. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Obukhov, Garipov (20 for 21 in saves), and Svitov, while Lukoyanov gets an honorable mention.

Staying close by, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Mikko Koskinen guard the cages. Yekaterinburg got going in the second period on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, assisted by Artyom Gareyev and the goalie Kovar. Novosibirsk tied it with an unassisted power play goal by Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir took the lead on a third period goal by Oleg Gubin, a power play goal powered by Stepan Sannikov and Maxim Ignatovich. Novosibirsk added on as Jonas Enlund scored, thanks to Ignatovich and Dmitry Kugryshev. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Gubin, Koskinen (25 for 26 in saves), and Ignatovich.

Northwest to Helsinki, as Jokerit brings in Slovan Bratislava. Johan Backlund and Henrik Karlsson draw the starts. Helsinki dented the scoreboard with a Petr Koukal goal, via Linus Omark and Steve Moses in the second period. Jokerit added on with a Tomi Maki power play goal, powered by Ryan Gunderson and Niko Kapanen. Bratislava got on the board in the third period with a Ladislav Nagy power play goal, fueled by Michal Sersen and Ziga Jeglic. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars given to Karlsson (21 for 22 in saves), Maki, and Koukal.

Down in Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Ivan Kasutin protect the nets. Nizhny Novgorod opened in the second period on Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, assisted by Vladimir Galuzin and Juuso Hietanen. Torpedo added on with a third period goal by Sakari Salminen, with a lone helper from Wojtek Wolski. This produced the 2-0 final, and the three stars were awarded to Kasutin (21 save shutout), Krasnoslobodtsev, and Salminen.

Into Moscow, where CSKA welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Kevin Lalande receive the starting nods. Moscow struck first in the first period on an Igor Grigorenko goal, passed from Alexander Radulov and Sergei Andronov. CSKA added on with a power play goal by Grigorenko, powered by Radulov and Andronov. Cherepovets got on the board with a David Ullstrom goal, via Alexander Shinin and Pavel Chernov. Moscow shot back in the second period as Radulov scored an unassisted power play goal. CSKA extended the lead when Grigorenko finished his hat trick, with a lone helper by Radulov, who had a sock trick. Severstal pulled back on an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, helped along by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Moscow answered with a Nikita Zaitsev power play goal, coming off of Radulov. CSKA padded the lead as Georgy Misharin scored, thanks to Damir Zhafyarov. Moscow struck again with a Roman Lyubimov goal, made possible by Nikita Kvartalnov. CSKA continued in the third period with Grigorenko's fourth of the game, guided in by Radulov and Alexei Bondarev. This made it 8-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Grigorenko, Radulov, and Andronov.

Out in Riga, Dinamo hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Jakub Sedlacek are between the pipes. Riga was first to score in the first period on a Maris Bicevskis goal, courtesy of Kaspars Saulietis. Dinamo added on with a Roberts Bukarts goal, coming off of Aleksandrs Jerofejevs. Riga extended the lead in the second period on a Linus Videll goal, made possible by Oskars Cibulskis. Moscow got on the board with an Alexander Osipov goal, guided in by Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tereshchenko. This only made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Bukarts, Sedlacek (22 for 23 in saves), and Videll.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Mark Owuya are the new-to-the-KHL goalies. Podolsk started in the first period on a shorthanded Roman Horak goal, set up by Mario Kempe. Vityaz added on as Robert Kousal scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Solodukhin and Denis Grebeshkov. Zagreb got on the board with a Mark Katic goal, fueled by Martin St. Pierre and Pascal Pelletier. Medvescak tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Mark Flood, powered by St. Pierre and Aaron Palushaj. Podolsk retook the lead on a Solodukhin goal, with a lone assist by Kousal. Vityaz extended the lead in the third period on a Dmitry Tsyganov goal, passed from Kempe. Podolsk padded the lead on a Horak goal, via Kempe, who got a sock trick, and Tsyganov. Zagreb shot back on a Matt Anderson goal, guided in by Bill Thomas and Katic. Vityaz ended it at 6-3 with an empty net goal by Alexei Kudreman, helped along by Georgy Berdyukov. The three stars went to Horak, Kempe, and Solodukhin, while Kousal, Katic, St. Pierre, and Tsyganov get the honorable mentions.

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NHL November 15th, 2014

Twelve games on today, with three of them playing as matinees. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Tuukka Rask receive the starting nods. Carolina was first to score in the first period on a Jiri Tlusty goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Justin Faulk and Eric Staal. Boston tied it on a Seth Griffith goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Bruins took the lead as Patrice Bergeron scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Brad Marchand and Dennis Seidenberg. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Rask (33 for 34 in saves), Bergeron, and Griffith.

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Kari Lehtonen are the reliable goalies. Dallas got going in the second period on an Antoine Roussel goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Vernon Fiddler and Ales Hemsky. Minnesota tied it on an Erik Haula goal, his second of the year, via Ryan Carter. The Wild took the lead in the third period on a Mikael Granlund goal, his second of the season, assisted by Charlie Coyle. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Kuemper (27 for 28 in saves), Granlund, and Haula.

West to Los Angeles for the last matinee, as the Kings bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Jonathan Quick protect the nets. Anaheim dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Emerson Etem goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Patrick Maroon and Ryan Getzlaf. Los Angeles tied it on a shorthanded Tyler Toffoli goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Jarret Stoll. The Ducks took the lead back with a Ryan Kesler goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Bryan Allen and Sami Vatanen. The Kings tied it in the third period on an Anze Kopitar power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime with a Stoll power play goal, fueled by Justin Williams and Muzzin. The three stars were given to Stoll, Muzzin, and Kopitar.

Back east, the Buffalo Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Michal Neuvirth are the backups in goal. Buffalo began in the first period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Drew Stafford and Matt Moulson. The Sabres added on with a shorthanded goal by Zemgus Girgensons, his fifth of the year, set up by Brian Flynn and Tyson Strachan. Buffalo extended the lead in the second period on a Stafford goal, his fourth of the season, via Nicolas Deslauriers and Andrej Meszaros. Toronto got on the board with a David Clarkson goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Cody Franson and Nazem Kadri. The Sabres shot back on a Moulson goal, his second of the season, fueled by Ennis and Mike Weber. The Maple Leafs replied as Phil Kessel scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to James van Riemsdyk and Morgan Rielly. Buffalo countered in the third period on a Tyler Myers goal, coming off of Moulson and Ennis. The Sabres wrapped it up at 6-2 with a Girgensons goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, helped along by Cody McCormick. The three stars went to Girgensons, Ennis, and Moulson, while Stafford gets an honorable mention.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal struck first in the first period with a P.A. Parenteau power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Max Pacioretty and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens added on with a David Desharnais power play goal, his second of the year, passed from Pacioretty and Markov. Montreal extended the lead in the second period as P.K. Subban potted his fourth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Alex Galchenyuk and Tomas Plekanec. Philadelphia got on the board as Brayden Schenn scored his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Jakub Voracek. The Flyers pulled closer on another Schenn goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, coming off of Claude Giroux and Voracek. The Canadiens shot back in the third period with another Parenteau goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, via Sergei Gonchar and Desharnais. Philadelphia answered with a Matt Read power play goal, his second of the season, fueled by Carlo Colaiacovo and Sean Couturier. Montreal countered on a Dale Weise goal, his second of the year, made possible by Galchenyuk and Gonchar. The Canadiens finished it at 6-3 with another Weise goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, helped along by Plekanec and Galchenyuk, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Parenteau, Galchenyuk, and Weise, while Pacioretty, Markov, Desharnais, Plekanec, Schenn, Voracek, and Gonchar get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Cory Schneider are the above-average goalies. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Martin Havlat goal, his second of the season, guided in by Michael Ryder and Patrik Elias. Colorado tied it on a John Mitchell goal, his third of the year, coming off of Gabriel Landeskog and Jarome Iginla. The Devils took the lead in the third period as Eric Gelinas scored his second of the season, thanks to Elias. The Avalanche tied it on an Erik Johnson goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. Colorado took the lead with a Matt Duchene goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Tyson Barrie and Alex Tanguay. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Duchene, Johnson, and Elias.

West to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off in the first period on a Blake Comeau goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Patric Hornqvist and Christian Ehrhoff. New York tied it with a Lee Stempniak goal, his fourth of the year, via Dan Girardi and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers took the lead with a Martin St. Louis goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Derick Brassard and Rick Nash on the power play. The Penguins tied it in the second period on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Nick Spaling. Pittsburgh took the game in the shootout with goals from Sidney Crosby and Brandon Sutter to top a Derek Stepan tally for a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Fleury (29 for 31 in saves), Lundqvist (36 for 38 in saves), and Sutter.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. New York started in the first period on a Brock Nelson goal, his eighth of the season, passed from John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. Tampa Bay tied it on a Ryan Callahan goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Jason Garrison and Valtteri Filppula. The Islanders retook the lead as Josh Bailey scored his third of the season, thanks to Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy. The Lightning tied it again with a Filppula power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Garrison. Tampa Bay gained the lead on a Cedric Paquette goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Vladislav Namestnikov and Alex Killorn. The Lightning added on in the second period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. Tampa Bay extended the lead on a third period goal by Radko Gudas, helped along by Callahan. This made it 5-2, with the three stars being Callahan, Filppula, and Garrison. 

Northwest to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Winnipeg got going in the second period on a shorthanded Blake Wheeler goal, his eighth of the season, set up by Evander Kane. Nashville tied it with a James Neal goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Mike Ribeiro. The Predators took the lead on a third period goal by Craig Smith, his sixth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Calle Jarnkrok. This gave them a 2-1 win, and the three stars belonged to Rinne (21 for 22 in saves), Smith, and Neal.

Up in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Columbus struck first in the first period on a David Savard goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Adam Cracknell and Artem Anisimov. The Blue Jackets added on as Cam Atkinson scored his seventh of the year in the second period, a power play goal powered by Jack Johnson and Boone Jenner. San Jose got on the board with a Joe Pavelski goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Bobrovsky (36 for 37 in saves), Atkinson, and Savard.

Over in St. Louis, the Blues welcome the Washington Capitals. Justin Peters and Brian Elliott are set to start in goal. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Jori Lehtera goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and Kevin Shattenkirk. Washington tied it in the second period on a Joel Ward goal, his eighth of the year, via Mike Green and Nate Schmidt. The Blues took the lead back as Schwartz netted his seventh of the season, made possible by Shattenkirk and Carl Gunnarsson. St. Louis added on in the third period as David Backes scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Patrik Berglund. The Blues extended the lead with a Berglund goal, his second of the season, passed from T.J. Oshie and Backes. This made it 4-1, and the three stars of the game were Schwartz, Backes, and Berglund, while Shattenkirk gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson faces a lesser foe in Karri Ramo in goal. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Erik Karlsson and Kyle Turris. Calgary tied it in the second period on a Paul Byron goal, his fourth of the year, via Sven Baertschi and Josh Jooris. The Flames took the lead in the third period on a Markus Granlund goal, his third of the season, assisted by Lance Bouma. Calgary added on with a Jooris goal, his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Curtis Glencross and Mark Giordano. The Senators got one back on a Bobby Ryan goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Milan Michalek and Eric Gryba. The Flames replied with a Bouma goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Granlund. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Jooris, Bouma, and Granlund.

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KHL November 15th, 2014

The only game today has Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ville Kolppanen is mismatched with Michael Garnett in goal. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period on a Yegor Milovzorov goal, via Dan Sexton. Neftekhimik added on with a Sexton goal, courtesy of Tim Stapleton and Milovzorov. Chelyabinsk got on the board in the second period as Anton Glinkin scored, with assists provided by Dmitry Pestunov and Oleg Piganovich. Traktor tied it on a Martin Ruzicka goal, with a lone assist by Igor Velichkin. Chelyabinsk took the lead with an Andrei Popov goal, assisted by Pestunov. Traktor extended the lead as Konstantin Panov scored, thanks to Stanislav Chistov and Piganovich. Chelyabinsk padded the lead on a Chistov goal, made possible by Panov. Traktor made it 6-2 with a power play goal in the third period by Maxim Kondratyev, powered by Deron Quint and Chistov. The three stars went to Chistov, Panov, and Pestunov, while Milovzorov, Sexton, and Piganovich get the honorable mentions.

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NHL November 14th, 2014

Six games on tonight, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney faces former Blue Jacket Steve Mason in goal. Columbus led off with a James Wisniewski power play goal, powered by Ryan Johansen and Tim Erixon. Philadelphia tied it on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek. The Blue Jackets regained the lead on a Nick Foligno goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Erixon and Johansen on the power play. The Flyers retied it in the second period on a Voracek power play goal, his seventh of the season, via Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds. Columbus reclaimed the lead as Foligno scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, thanks to Johansen, who got a sock trick, and Jack Johnson. The Blue Jackets added on with a Wisniewski goal, his second of the night, coming off of Foligno and Johansen on the power play. Philadelphia got one back in the third period on a Michael Del Zotto goal, his second of the campaign, passed from Giroux and the goalie Mason. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Foligno, Wisniewski, and Johansen, while Giroux, Voracek, and Erixon get the honorable mentions.

Over in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. New Jersey got going in the third period on an unassisted Michael Cammalleri goal, his seventh of the season. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win. The three stars belonged to Schneider (30 save shutout), Cammalleri, and Holtby (27 for 28 in saves).

Northwest to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Detroit began in the first period on a Luke Glendening goal, his second of the season, fueled by Drew Miller. Chicago tied it with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook. The Red Wings retook the lead in the second period as Johan Franzen potted his fifth of the season, with the help of Henrik Zetterberg. Detroit added on with a Tomas Tatar goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Joakim Andersson and Glendening. The Red Wings extended the lead in the third period as Brendan Smith scored his second of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Pavel Datsyuk and Justin Abdelkader. The final was 4-1, with the three stars being Glendening, Howard (25 for 26 in saves), and Franzen.

Along to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss is mismatched with Jonathan Bernier in goal. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Pascal Dupuis goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Christian Ehrhoff and Brandon Sutter. The Penguins added on in the third period on a Dupuis goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Robert Bortuzzo. Toronto got on the board with a Cody Franson goal, his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Dupuis, Greiss (30 for 31 in saves), and Bernier (38 for 40 in saves).

South to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Florida opened in the first period on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his third of the season, via Vincent Trocheck and Jussi Jokinen. New York tied it in the second period as John Tavares scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey. The Islanders took the lead with a Ryan Strome goal, his second of the season, passed from Thomas Hickey and the goalie Halak. New York took the lead on a third period Nikolay Kulemin goal, his third of the year, guided in by Johnny Boychuk and Mikhail Grabovski. The Panthers got one back on a Brian Campbell power play goal, powered by Jokinen and Aleksander Barkov. Florida tied it on an Aaron Ekblad goal, his second of the campaign, assisted by Trocheck and Hayes. In the shootout, the Islanders got goals from Frans Nielsen and Okposo to top a Jonathan Huberdeau tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Hayes, Jokinen, and Trocheck.

Finally, across the continent, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Devan Dubnyk and Ryan Miller draw the starts. Arizona started with a Martin Hanzal goal in the first period, his third of the season, guided in by Keith Yandle and Connor Murphy. The Coyotes added on in the second period with another Hanzal goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Tobias Rieder and Martin Erat. Arizona extended the lead as Hanzal completed his natural hat trick on his fifth of the season, via Erat and Zbynek Michalek. The Coyotes padded the lead on a Shane Doan goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Sam Gagner and Yandle. Arizona made it 5-0 with a third period Yandle power play goal, his second of the campaign, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Gagner. This was it for the scoring, and the three stars were awarded to Hanzal, Yandle, and Dubnyk (35 save shutout), while Erat and Gagner get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 14th, 2014

Nine games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Alexei Murygin occupy the creases. Kazan opened in the first period on an Oscar Moller power play goal, powered by Alexander Svitov and Alexander Burmistrov. Ak Bars added on with a shorthanded goal by Svitov, set up by Artyom Lukoyanov. Khabarovsk got on the board with an Alexander Loginov power play goal, fueled by Rastislav Spirko and Dmitry Lugin. Kazan replied with a Dmitry Obukhov in the second period, via Svitov and Evgeny Medvedev on the power play. Ak Bars extended the lead as Lukoyanov scored, with a lone assist by Stepan Zakharchuk. Kazan padded the lead on a Justin Azevedo power play goal, coming off of Ilya Nikulin. Ak Bars continued with an Igor Mirnov goal, passed from Lukoyanov. Kazan struck again in the third period with a Mikhail Varnakov goal, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. Ak Bars made it 8-1 on a Sheldon Brookbank goal, pushed through by Burmistrov. The three stars went to Svitov, Lukoyanov, and Burmistrov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Ivan Nalimov are in the blue paint. Vladivostok struck first in the first period on an Alexei Ugarov goal, via Konstantin Makarov and Enver Lisin. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Sergei Yemelin goal, fueled by Vladislav Yegin and Alexei Yefimov. Avtomobilist took the lead on an unassisted Yefimov goal. Yekaterinburg added on in the second period as Anton Lazarev scored, thanks to Tobias Viklund and Alexei Simakov. Avtomobilist extended the lead with an Anatoly Golyshev goal, assisted by Alexander Rybakov. This made it 4-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Yefimov, Kovar (20 for 21 in saves), and Lazarev.

Out to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in the similarly-named Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Alexander Pechursky and Rafael Khakimov are the mediocre goalies. Novokuznetsk started in the first period with an Ansel Galimov goal, passed from Dmitry Maltsev. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period on a Jan Kovar power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozyakin and Danis Zaripov. Novokuznetsk won 2-1 in overtime with a Cade Fairchild goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Romanov. The three stars were given to Khakimov (40 for 41 in saves), Fairchild, and Pechursky (31 for 33 in saves).

Southwest to Astana, as Barys hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Jan Laco are the masked men. Astana got going in the second period on a Dustin Boyd power play goal, powered by Mike Lundin and Kevin Dallman. Omsk tied it on a shorthanded goal by Denis Kulyash, set up by Vladimir Sobotka and Alexander Popov. Avangard took the lead in the third period with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, via Popov. Omsk added on as Miroslav Blatak scored an empty net goal, with the help of Sobotka. The three stars went to Barulin (34 for 35 in saves), Popov, and Sobotka.

Up in Nizhny Novgorod, Torpedo welcomes Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Ivan Kasutin are called on to start. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period with a Pavel Chernov goal, guided in by Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a power play goal by Jarkko Immonen, with a lone assist by Wojtek Wolski. Torpedo took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Sakari Salminen, powered by Wolski and Juuso Hietanen. Severstal tied it again on a power play goal by Andrei Shefer, via Yury Trubachyov and Pavel Buchnevich. Cherepovets took the lead in the third period with a Buchnevich penalty shot goal after he was slashed by Vadim Khomitsky. Severstal added on with a Kagarlitsky goal, assisted by Vadim Berdnikov and Logan Pyett. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars going to Buchnevich, Kagarlitsky, and Wolski.

Westward to Moscow, as CSKA brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Leland Irving and Kevin Lelande protect the nets. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Andrei Stas goal, via Vladimir Zharkov and Denis Denisov. CSKA added on with a Bogdan Kiselevich goal, assisted by Simon Hjalmarsson and Nikita Zaitsev on the power play. Moscow extended the lead as Sergei Andronov scored, thanks to Grigory Panin. CSKA padded the lead with a Zharkov goal, passed from Mikhail Naumenkov and Georgy Misharin. Moscow kept going on a Hjalmarsson goal, made possible by Evgeny Artyukhin. Vladimir Sokhatsky replaced Irving. CSKA continued with an Andrei Kuzmenko goal, coming off of Roman Lyubimov and Nikolai Prokhorkin. Moscow struck again in the third period on another Hjalmarsson goal, guided in by Stanislav Yegorshev and Jan Mursak. This produced the 7-0 final, with the three stars being Hjalmarsson, Zharkov, and Lelande (19 save shutout).

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Harri Sateri guard the cages. Podolsk led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Soloukhin goal, assisted by Yakov Seleznyov and Anton Korolyov. Yaroslavl tied it with an unassisted goal by Geoff Platt in the second period. Vityaz retook the lead on a Dmitry Shitikov power play goal, powered by Maxim Afinogenov and Alexander Kucheryavenko. Podolsk added on with a shorthanded Afinogenov goal, set up by Kucheryavenko. Lokomotiv got one back as Janis Sprukts scored, thanks to Staffan Kronwall. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period on an Alexei Vasilyev goal, via Sergei Plotnikov and Daniil Apalkov. Vityaz won 4-3 in overtime with a Seleznyov goal, courtesy of Solodukhin and Robert Kousal. The three stars went to Seleznyov, Afinogenov, and Solodukhin, while Kucheryavenko gets an honorable mention.

Into Latvia, as Dinamo Riga welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Danny Taylor and Jakub Sedlacek are between the pipes. Riga began in the first period with a power play goal by Linus Videll, powered by Marcel Hossa and Krisjanis Redlihs. Minsk tied it on a second period goal by Alexander Materukhin, a shorthanded goal set up by Matt Ellison. Riga took the lead back with a Charles Genoway goal, assisted by Kaspars Saulietis. Riga added on with a power play goal by Hossa, fueled by Milan Jurcina and Genoway. Riga extended the lead in the third period as Jurcina scored, thanks to Genoway. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Hossa, Genoway, and Jurcina.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Atlant Mytishchi. Atte Engren and Mark Owuya play goal. Zagreb got going in the second period on a Martin St. Pierre goal, via Pascal Pelletier. Medvescak added on as Aaron Palushaj scored a power play goal, powered by Matt Anderson and Bill Thomas. Zagreb extended the lead in the third period on a Pelletier goal, with a lone assist by St. Pierre. Mytishchi got on the board with a Petr Vrana goal, assisted by Andreas Engqvist and Artyom Chernov. Medvescak shot back with a St. Pierre goal, guided in by Pelletier and Mark Katic. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to St. Pierre, Pelletier, and Owuya (29 for 30 in saves).

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NHL November 13th, 2014

Nine games for tonight, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Cam Ward draw the starts. Winnipeg struck first in the first period on a Blake Wheeler goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Mark Stuart and Mark Scheifele. Carolina tied it on an Elias Lindholm power play goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, powered by Nathan Gerbe and Riley Nash. The Jets took the lead back as Wheeler scored his second of the game and seventh of the season, thanks to Zach Bogosian and Scheifele. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Michael Frolik in the third period, his second of the year, set up by Andrew Ladd and Stuart. The three stars went to Wheeler, Scheifele, and Stuart.

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Henrik Lundqvist protect the nets. Colorado began in the first period with a Matt Duchene goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Tyson Barrie and Ryan O'Reilly. New York tied it on a Kevin Hayes goal, his second of the year, via Dominic Moore and Matt Hunwick. The Avalanche took the lead back on an Alex Tanguay goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Erik Johnson and Duchene. The Rangers tied it again with a Derek Stepan goal, assisted by Rick Nash. New York took the lead with a Dan Girardi goal, made possible by Mats Zuccarello and John Moore. Colorado retied it in the third period on a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Zach Redmond and Barrie. In the shootout, the Avalanche got goals from MacKinnon and Tanguay to top a tally by Stepan for a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tanguay, MacKinnon, and Barrie, while Duchene gets an honorable mention.

Into Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Boston Bruins. Niklas Svedberg is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Dougie Hamilton goal, his fourth of the season, a power play goal coming off of Loui Eriksson. Montreal tied it on a Dale Weise penalty shot goal in the second period after he was tripped by Dennis Seidenberg. The Canadiens took the lead on a Lars Eller goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Brendan Gallagher. Montreal added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Weise and Mike Weaver. The Canadiens extended the lead in the second period on a Pacioretty goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, guided in by David Desharnais. Montreal padded the lead on a Jiri Sekac power play goal, his third of the campaign, powered by Nathan Beaulieu and Eller. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Pacioretty, Weise, and Eller.

Way south to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. San Jose got going in the second period on a Joe Thornton goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Sharks added on as Tyler Kennedy scored, with the help of Brent Burns and the goalie Niemi. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period on a Steven Stamkos goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Andrej Sustr and Valtteri Filppula. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Niemi (32 for 33 in saves), Kennedy, and Bishop (37 for 39 in saves).

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jake Allen receive the starting nods. St. Louis opened with a first period T.J. Oshie goal, made possible by Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera on the power play. The Blues added on with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, coming off of Maxim Lapierre and Steve Ott. Nashville got on the board with a Filip Forsberg goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by James Neal and Roman Josi. The Predators tied it in the second period as Shea Weber scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Forsberg and Josi. St. Louis reclaimed the lead with a goal by Tarasenko, his tenth of the season, passed from Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz. Nashville retied it on a Josi power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Weber and Forsberg. The Blues shot back with a third period goal by Paul Stastny, his second of the campaign, with assists provided by Kevin Shattenkirk and Gunnarsson. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars given to Tarasenko, Forsberg, and Josi, while Lehtera, Gunnarsson, and Weber get the honorable mentions.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Darcy Kuemper are the unknown goalies. Buffalo started in the first period on a Rasmus Ristolainen goal, via Matt Moulson and Zemgus Girgensons. Minnesota tied it as Ryan Carter potted his second of the season, with the help of Kyle Brodziak and Justin Fontaine. The Wild took the lead with a Nino Neiderreiter goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Charlie Coyle. The Sabres retied it on a Girgensons goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Tyler Ennis and Nikita Zadorov. Kuemper was removed for Niklas Backstrom at this point. Minnesota retook the lead on a Brodziak goal, his third of the year, helped along by Fontaine and Carter. The Wild added on as Neiderreiter scored his second of the game and sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mikael Granlund and Matt Dumba. Minnesota extended the lead with a second period Jared Spurgeon power play goal, his second of the year, with assists from Jason Pominville and Mikko Koivu. Buffalo got one back in the third period on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his second of the season, pushed through by Drew Stafford and Nicolas Deslauriers. The Wild iced it at 6-3 as Neiderreiter finished his hat trick on an empty net goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Coyle and Ryan Suter. The three stars were handed to Neiderreiter, Girgensons, and Brodziak, while Carter, Fonatine, and Coyle get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Calgary, the Flames host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jonas Hiller are the average goalies. Calgary led off in the first period on a Paul Byron goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Sven Baertschi. Arizona tied it on a Shane Doan goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Antoine Vermette and Zbynek Michalek. The Flames retook the lead in the second period on another Byron goal, his second of the game and third of the season, passed from Baertschi and Kris Russell. Calgary added on with a Sean Monahan goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Curtis Glencross and David Jones. The Coyotes got one back with a Vermette power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Doan and Mikkel Boedker. Arizona tied it on a Joe Vitale goal, his second of the year, helped along by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and B.J. Crombeen. The Flames pulled ahead with a Mark Giordano goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by T.J. Brodie and Jiri Hudler. Calgary extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted Jones goal, his third of the year. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars awarded to Byron, Baertschi, and Jones, while Doan and Vermette get the honorable mentions.

Staying in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Ben Scrivens receive the starting nods. Ottawa struck first in the first period on a Mike Hoffman goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Cody Ceci. The Senators added on with an Alex Chiasson goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Chris Phillips and Clarke MacArthur. Ottawa extended the lead with a Milan Michalek goal, his second of the season, via Bobby Ryan and Mika Zibanejad. Edmonton got on the board with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal in the second period, his second of the year, powered by David Perron and Nikita Nikitin. The Oilers pulled closer in the third period on a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Benoit Pouliot and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton tied it on a Jeff Petry goal, courtesy of Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz. The Senators won 4-3 in overtime with a Hoffman goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, with helpers from Curtis Lazar and Jared Cowen. The three stars were given to Hoffman, Nugent-Hopkins, and Michalek.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Martin Jones in goal. Dallas was first to score on a Ryan Garbutt goal in the first period, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Stars added on in the second period as Jason Spezza notched his third of the year, courtesy of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with the three stars going to Lehtonen (27 save shutout), Garbutt, and Spezza.

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