KHL November 25th, 2014

Two games today, both outside of Russia. The first is in...

Slovakia, as Slovan Bratislava hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Johan Backlund are in the blue paint. Bratislava led off in the first period with a power play goal by Vaclav Nedorost, powered by Ladislav Nagy and Matt Murley. Yaroslavl tied it with a second period power play goal by Sengei Konkov, with a lone assist by Martin Thornberg. Lokomotiv took the lead on an Emil Galimov goal, assisted by Daniil Apalkov and Vitaly Vishnevsky. Yaroslavl iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted empty net goal by Yegor Averin. The three stars went to Sanford (28 for 29 in saves), Galimov, and Konkov.

The other game has Medvescak Zagreb host Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Calvin Heeter are in goal. Podolsk began in the first period on an Ivan Vereshchagin goal, coming off of Alexander Kucheryavenko and Anton Korolyov. Zagreb tied it in the second period with a Mike Glumac goal, passed from Andrew Murray and Patrick Bjorkstrand. Medvescak took the lead as James Wright scored, thanks to Edwin Hedberg and Brock Trotter. Zagreb finished it at 3-1 on a Glumac empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Glumac, Heeter (21 for 22 in saves), and Wright.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL November 24th, 2014

Four games tonight, with the first in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Pittsburgh led off in the first period on a Sidney Crosby goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Craig Adams and Kris Letang. Boston tied it on a Milan Lucic goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, via Loui Eriksson and Carl Soderberg. The Bruins took the lead on a Joe Morrow goal, coming off of Dougie Hamilton and Simon Gagne. The Penguins tied it with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Letang and Crosby. Pittsburgh won 3-2 in overtime with a Malkin goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, courtesy of Crosby and Letang, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were given to Malkin, Crosby, and Letang.

Down in New York, the Islanders welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. They did this well, forcing the game to the shootout without surrendering a goal. In the shootout, Frans Nielsen and John Tavares won it with tallies for the Islanders. The three stars went to Mason (46 save "shutout"), Halak (21 save shutout), and Tavares.

West to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jimmy Howard are the veteran goalies. Ottawa began in the first period with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan. Detroit tied it on a Gustav Nyquist power play goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings took the lead on a Riley Sheahan goal, his fourth of the season, coming in the second period on the power play from Tomas Tatar and the goalie Howard. Detroit added on with a Stephen Weiss goal, passed from Kyle Quincey and Danny DeKeyser. The Red Wings extended the lead on a Weiss goal, his second of the game, made possible by Darren Helm and Tomas Jurco. The Senators got one back in the third period on a Karlsson goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Turris and Jared Cowen. Ottawa pulled closer with a Chris Neil goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Mike Hoffman and Zack Smith. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Weiss, Karlsson, and Turris.

Finally, the Florida Panthers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Roberto Luongo are between the pipes. Minnesota struck first in the first period on a Jason Zucker goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on with an unassisted Nino Niederreiter goal, his tenth of the year. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Shawn Thornton goal, coming off of Dmitry Kulikov. Minnesota shot back with a Zucker goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Koivu. The Wild finished it at 4-1 with a Zach Parise empty net goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. The three stars went to Zucker, Koivu, and Backstrom (29 for 30 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 24th, 2014

Ten games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov and Alexei Murygin are in the creases. Khabarovsk opened in the first period with a Sergei Teryayev goal, passed from Dmitry Lugin and Marcel Hascak. Amur added on in the third period on a Mikhail Fisenko power play goal, powered by Denis Yezhov and Lugin. Vladivostok got on the board with a Richard Gynge power play goal, with a lone assist by Ilya Zubov. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Murygin (50 for 51 in saves), Fisenko, and Lugin.

Way west to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor welcomes Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Michael Garnett are set to start in goal. Togliatti was first to score in the first period on a Yury Petrov goal, via Alexander Chernikov. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Konstantin Panov goal, passed from Deron Quint. Traktor took the lead in the second period with an Anton Glinkin goal, coming off of Dmitry Pestunov. Chelyabinsk made it 3-1 in the third period with a power play goal by Stanislav Chistov, powered by Quint and Oleg Piganovich. This was the final, with the three stars going to Garnett (29 for 30 in saves), Quint, and Glinkin.

Back to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Jakub Kovar are the young goalies. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period with an Eduard Lewandowski goal, assisted by Nikita Tryamkin and Alexei Mikhnov. Avtomobilist added on in the third period as Anatoly Golyshev scored, thanks to Alexander Rybakov. Yekaterinburg extended the lead on an Aaron Palushaj goal, with a lone assist by Lewandowski. The final was 3-0, and the three stars were Kovar (27 save shutout), Lewandowski, and Golyshev.

Down in Magnitogorsk, Metallurg hosts Avangard Omsk. Konstantin Barulin and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Omsk led off with a first period Chad Kolarik goal, courtesy of Alexander Popov. Avangard added on in the second period with a Miroslav Blatak power play goal, powered by Vladimir Sobotka and Erik Gustafsson. Omsk extended the lead with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, guided in by Denis Kulyash on the power play. Avangard padded the lead in the third period with an empty net goal by Kulyash, going in unassisted. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars being Barulin (33 save shutout), Kulyash, and Kolarik.

Continuing to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Barry Brust are the masked men. Nizhnekamsk started in the first period on a penalty shot goal by Gleb Klimenko, after he was hooked by Grigory Zheldakov. Neftekhimik added on with a power play goal by Andrei Ivanov, powered by Mikhail Zhukov. Nizhnekamsk extended the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Teemu Eronen, assisted by Yegor Milovzorov. Stepan Goryacvhevskikh relieved Brust in goal. Neftekhimik padded the lead on a Tim Stapleton goal, fueled by Dan Sexton and Ivanov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period on a Danil Romantsev power play goal, with helpers provided by Alexei Pepelyaev and Nikita Gusev. Yugra pulled closer with a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, helped along by Dmitry Ryabykin. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Ivanov, Eronen, and Stapleton.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo brings in the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Danny Taylor receive the starting nods. Minsk began in the first period on a Matt Ellison goal, assisted by Andrei Stepanov and Alexander Materukhin. Sochi tied it in the second period as Andre Petersson scored, with the help of Roman Lyuduchin and Evgeny Lapenkov. The Leopards took the lead with an Igor Ignatushkin goal, passed from Ilya Krikunov and Andrei Kostitsyn. Sochi added on with another Ignatushkin goal, made possible by Kostitsyn and Krikunov. Dinamo got one back in the third period on a Dmitry Meleshko goal, fueled by Artur Gavrus and Nick Bailen. The Leopards shot back on a Lyuduchin goal, with a lone assist by Nikita Shchitov. This produced the 4-2 final, with the three stars being Ignatushkin, Lyuduchin, and Krikunov, while Kostitsyn gets the honorable mention.

Back East in Russia, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Anders Nilsson occupy the creases. Kazan struck first in the first period with an Oscar Moller power play goal, powered by Evgeny Medvedev and Alexander Burmistrov. Astana tied it on a Nigel Dawes goal, fueled by Kevin Dallman and Brandon Bochenski. Barys took the lead in the second period on a Bochenski goal, coming off of Mike Lundin and Yulian Popovich. Ak Bars tied it on a Dmitry Obukhov goal, guided in by Artyom Lukoyanov and Dmitry Arkhipov. Kazan took the lead with an unassisted Obukhov goal. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Obukhov, Bochenski, and Moller.

Into Moscow, where Dynamo welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Dmitry Shikin is mismatched with Alexander Yeryomenko in goal. Moscow was first to score in the first period on a Maxim Karpov goal, assisted by Martins Karsums. Dynamo added on with an Andrei Mironov goal, fueled by Denis Kokarev and Nikolai Zherdev. Mytishchi got on the board in the second period on a shorthanded Matthew Gilroy goal, set up by Andreas Engqvist and Maxim Potapov. Atlant tied it in the third period as Potapov scored, thanks to Gilroy and Ondrej Nemec. In the shootout, Moscow got goals from Konstantin Glazachev twice and Kaspars Daugavins once to top single tallies by Igor Radulov and Sergei Shmelyov for a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Glazachev, Gilroy, and Potapov.

Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Evgeny Ivannikov and Stanislav Galimov guard the cages. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on a Jimmie Ericsson goal, passed from Viktor Tikhonov and Ilya Kovalchuk. Moscow tied it on a power play goal by Simon Hjalmarsson, with a lone assist by Alexander Radulov. CSKA took the lead on an Evgeny Artyukhin goal, guided in by Roman Lyubimov and Nikita Zaitsev. SKA retied it in the second period with a Tikhonov power play goal, powered by Andrei Kuteikin and Kovalchuk. Moscow took the lead back on a Hjalmarsson goal, fueled by Jan Mursak and Georgy Misharin. St. Petersburg tied it again as Tikhonov scored, with the help of Vadim Shipachyov and Artemy Panarin. CSKA took the lead in the third period on an unassisted Mursak goal. Moscow won 5-3 with a Radulov goal, helped along by Igor Grigorenko. The three stars went to Mursak, Tikhonov, and Hjalmarsson, while Kovalchuk and Radulov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Dinamo Riga hosts Jokerit Helsinki. Henrik Karlsson and Jakub Sedlacek protect the nets. Helsinki started in the first period on a Jani Rita goal, made possible by Topi Jaakola. Riga tied it on a Charles Genoway goal, fueled by Mikelis Redlihs and Lauris Darzins. Dinamo took the lead as Darzins scored, thanks to Linus Videll and Aleksandrs Jerofejevs. Riga added on with a Kristaps Sotnieks goal, coming off of Videll and Jerofejevs. Jokerit got one back in the second period on a power play goal by Linus Omark, powered by Ville Lajunen and Petr Koukal. Helsinki tied it on a Steve Moses power play goal, assisted by Omark and Koukal. Jokerit took the lead on a power play goal by Atte Ohtamaa in the third period, set up by Omark and Koukal, the latter getting a sock trick. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Omark, Koukal, and Darzins, while Videll and Jerofejevs get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Premier League Week 12

The Premier League is back with ten new games, seven being played Saturday. We begin in...

London, as Chelsea hosts West Bromwich Albion. Ben Foster and Thibaut Courtois are the goalies. Chelsea began in the eleventh minute with a Diego Costa goal, via Oscar. In the twenty-fifth minute, Chelsea added on with an Eden Hazard goal, passed from Cesc Fabregas after a corner kick. West Brom went down a man in the twenty-ninth minute as Claudio Yacob was shown a straight red card for a foul. In the seventy-fifth minute, Chelsea's Willian was shown a yellow card for his foul. Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory.

Next up, Everton welcomes West Ham United. Adrian and Tim Howard are the gloved men. Everton struck first in the twenty-sixth minute as Romelu Lukaku scored. West Ham took a yellow card in the forty-first minute for a foul by Winston Reid, followed by a yellow card given to Everton's James McCarthy a few seconds later. In the fifty-sixth minute, West Ham tied it on a Mauro Zarate goal, passed from Morgan Amalfitano. Kevin Mirallas of Everton received a yellow card in the sixtieth minute for his foul. Everton retook the lead in the seventy-third minute on a Leon Osman goal, coming off of a Samuel Eto'o cross after a fast break. West Ham's James Collins took a yellow card in the seventy-fourth minute. Everton held on for a 2-1 win.

Continuing to Leicester City, who brings in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and Kasper Schmeichel are set to start in goal. Sunderland took a yellow card in the forty-second minute on a foul by Sebastian Larsson. In the fifty-third minute, Jamie Vardy of Leicester City was given a yellow card for a foul. Sunderland had the next two yellow cards, going to Lee Cattermole in the sixty-first minute and Steven Fletcher in the sixty-eighth minute. Leicester City saw a yellow card assessed to Ritchie de Laet in the eighty-fifth minute. The final score was a scoreless draw.

Up in Manchester, City hosts Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Joe Hart are in the six-yard boxes. In the ninth minute, Wilfried Bony put Swansea City ahead with a goal off of Nathan Dyer's through ball. Steven Jovetic of Manchester City tied it in the nineteenth minute with his goal, assisted by a Jesus Navas cross. In the twenty-fourth minute, Swansea City took a yellow card for a Kyle Bartley foul. Manchester City had a yellow card go to Vincent Kompany in the thirty-first minute for his foul. Manchester City took the lead on a Yaya Toure goal in the sixty-second minute, passed from Fernandinho. In stoppage time, Manchester City's Martin Demichelis picked up a yellow card for time wasting. Manchester City won 2-1 in the end.

Following that, Newcastle United welcomes the Queens Park Rangers. Robert Green and Tim Krul protect the nets. QPR took a yellow card in the forty-first minute for a foul by Nedum Onuoha. In the fifty-eighth minute, Moussa Sissoki of Newcastle United took a yellow card for his foul. In the seventy-third minute, QPR saw another booking on a yellow card to Richard Dunne for a foul. Newcastle United opened the scoring in the seventy-eighth minute with a Sissoko goal, made possible by Sammy Ameobi. Newcastle United took a yellow card in the ninetieth minute, assessed to Bobby Zamora. They went on to win 1-0.

Down to Stoke City bringing in Burnley. Tom Heaton and Asmir Begovic guard the woodwork. Burnley started in the twelfth minute with an unassisted Danny Ings goal. Burnley added on in the thirteenth minute as Ings scored again, thanks to Michael Kightly with the cross. Stoke City had a yellow card go to Mame Biram Diouf in the twenty-fifth minute for a foul. In the thirty-second minute, Jonathan Walters put Stoke City on the board with a goal, coming off of a Bojan cross after a corner kick. Burnley's Ings took a yellow card in the thirty-ninth minute. Stoke City's Steve Sidwell received a yellow card at the fifty-nine minute mark for his foul. Burnley had another yellow card in the seventieth minute for Heaton's time wasting. Burnley held on for a 2-1 victory.

Closing out Saturday, Arsenal hosts Manchester United. David de Gea and Wojciech Szczesny are the keepers. Manchester United led off with a fifty-sixth minute gift, as Kieran Gibbs put the ball in his own net for an own goal. In the sixty-fifth minute, Arsenal took a yellow card for a Santiago Cazorla foul. In the eighty-fifth minute, Manchester United added on with a Wayne Rooney goal, passed from Angel Di Maria after a fast break. Arsenal got on the board in stoppage time with an Olivier Giroud goal, coming off of Mikel Arteta. Two minutes later, James Wilson of Manchester United was booked on a yellow card. The game went with Manchester United claiming a 2-1 win.

On Sunday, the first game saw Crystal Palace welcome Liverpool. Simon Mignolet and Julian Speroni are in the six-yard boxes. Liverpool began in the second minute with a Rickie Lambert goal, made possible by Adam Lallana on the through ball. Crystal Palace tied it in the seventeenth minute with a Dwight Gayle goal. Liverpool took a pair of yellow cards in the second half, going to Martin Skrtel in the fifty-third minute and Javier Manquillo in the sixty-first minute, both for fouls. Crystal Palace gained the lead in the seventy-eighth minute on a Joe Ledley goal, via Yannick Bolasie on a cross. In the eighty-first minute, Mile Jedinak scored on a free kick to extend the Crystal Palace lead. In the eighty-fourth minute, Brede Hangeland of Crystal Palace was shown a yellow card for a foul. Crystal Palace went on to win 3-1.

The other game has Hull City bringing in Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Allan McGregor draw the starts in goal. Hull City struck first in the eighth minute with a Jake Livermore goal. In the thirty-third minute, Tottenham Hotspur saw Eric Dier booked on a yellow card for his foul. In the fiftieth minute, Gaston Ramirez of Hull City was sent off on a straight red card for his fight. Tottenham Hotspur tied it in the sixty-first minute with a Harry Kane goal after a set piece. Hull City had two yellow cards in rapid succession, one going to Livermore in the sixty-second minute, and the next to Tom Huddlestone a minute later for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur took the lead in the ninetieth minute with a Christian Eriksen goal, passed from Aaron Lennon. Hull City's Andrew Robertson took a yellow card in stoppage time. Tottenham Hotspur managed to win 2-1.

Monday's game had Aston Villa host Southampton. Fraser Forster and Brad Guzan are the goalies. Aston Villa began in the twenty-ninth minute with a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal, fueled by Ciaran Clark. In the fifty-eighth minute, Southampton's Victor Wanyama took a yellow card for a foul. Aston Villa had a yellow card go to Jores Okore in the seventy-second minute. Southampton tied it in the eighty-first minute on a Nathaniel Clyne goal, guided in by Ryan Bertrand's cross. In the eighty-third minute, Clyne took a yellow card for a foul. The score remained 1-1 for a final.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL November 23rd, 2014

Four games today, beginning in...

Winnipeg, as the Jets host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Ondrej Pavelec draw the starts. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period on a Bryan Little goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. St. Louis tied it on a second period with a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Alexander Steen and Jori Lehtera. The Jets took the lead back on a Jim Slater goal, going in unassisted. The Blues retied it on a David Backes power play goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Steen and the goalie Allen. St. Louis took the lead in the third period with a Ryan Reaves goal, his third of the year, fueled by Steve Ott and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues iced it at 4-2 on a Paul Stastny empty net goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Pietrangelo. The three stars went to Reaves, Steen, and Pietrangelo.

Back east, the New York Rangers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. New York struck first in the first period on a Dominic Moore goal, passed from Tanner Glass and Jesper Fast. The Rangers added on in the second period as Derek Stepan scored his second of the season, via Martin St. Louis and Chris Kreider. New York extended the lead with a St. Louis goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Kreider and John Moore. The Rangers padded the lead in the third period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Anthony Duclair and Kevin Hayes. New York iced it on a Rick Nash goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. This produced the 5-0 final, with the three stars going to St. Louis, Lundqvist (21 save shutout), and Kreider.

Way out west, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Frederik Andersen are in the blue paint. Anaheim got going in the second period on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his second of the season, coming off of Ryan Kesler and Patrick Maroon. The Ducks added on with a Maroon goal, guided in by Sami Vatanen and Kesler. Arizona got on the board in the third period as Keith Yandle scored his third of the year, with the help of Martin Erat and Zbynek Michalek. This was as close as it got, as the final was 2-1. The three stars went to Maroon, Andersen (26 for 27 in saves), and Kesler.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Bo Horvat and Derek Dorsett. Chicago tied it on a Kris Versteeg power play goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, powered by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The Canucks retook the lead on a third period Hansen goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, with assists provided by Dorsett and Horvat. Vancouver added on with a Radim Vrbata goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Christopher Tanev and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks iced it at 4-1 with a Hansen empty net goal to finish his hat trick on his eighth of the campaign, set up by Chris Higgins and Horvat. The three stars went to Hansen, Horvat, and Miller (24 for 25 in saves), while Dorsett gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 23rd, 2014

One game today, as local rivals Sibir Novosibirsk host Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin is mismatched with Mikko Koskinen in goal. Novosibirsk opened in the first period on a Sergei Shumakov goal, guided in by Stepan Sannikov. Sibir added on with a Jonas Enlund goal, passed from Jarno Koskiranta and Igor Ozhiganov. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Cade Fairchild, powered by James O'Brien and Ryan Stoa. Novosibirsk shot back with another Enlund goal, assisted by Dmitry Kugryshev and Koskiranta. Sibir extended the lead with a third period penalty shot conversion from Sannikov, after he was tripped by Mark Skutar. Metallurg got one back as Ansel Galimov scored a power play goal, with the help of Vladimir Malinovsky and Sergei Dorofeyev. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Enlund, Sannikov, and Koskiranta.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL November 22nd, 2014

Thirteen games on a busy day today, with one matinee leading the pack. This game has...

The Ottawa Senators hosting the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Robin Lehner are in the creases. St. Louis struck first in the first period on a Maxim Lapierre goal, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Steve Ott. Ottawa tied it on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Bobby Ryan and Mark Stone. The Blues took the lead with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz. St. Louis added on in the second period with an Alexander Steen goal, his fourth of the season, via Jay Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo. The Senators took one back with an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Kyle Turris. The final stood from here at 3-2, with the three stars being Pietrangelo, Steen, and Tarasenko.

Southeast to Boston, where the Bruins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Montreal opened in the first period on an Andrei Markov power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on with a Plekanec goal in the second period, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stats going to Price (33 save shutout), Plekanec, and Gallagher.

Out on Long Island, the New York Islanders bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his eighth of the season, via Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. New York tied it in the second period as Matt Martin scored his second of the year, thanks to Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas. The Islanders took the lead in the third period on an Anders Lee goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Lubomir Visnovsky and Thomas Hickey. New York added on as Brock Nelson netted a power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Kyle Okposo and John Tavares. The Islanders extended the lead on a Tavares goal, his eighth of the campaign, coming off of Johnny Boychuk and Nikolay Kulemin. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars being named as Tavares, Halak (27 for 28 in saves), and Lee.

Over to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Steve Mason are the goalies who oppose their former teams. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Jakub Voracek and Braydon Coburn. Columbus tied it with a Boone Jenner power play goal, powered by James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson. The Flyers answered on a Mark Streit goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Claude Giroux and Nicklas Grossmann. Philadelphia added on with a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds in the second period, his eighth of the season, assisted by Voracek and Giroux. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Matt Calvert goal, his second of the year, passed from Jack Skille and Alexander Wennberg. The Flyers shot back on a Coburn goal, made possible by Matt Read and Nick Schultz. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Giroux, Coburn, and Voracek.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. Minnesota got going in the second period on a Zach Parise goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Thomas Vanek. Tampa Bay tied it on a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Anton Stralman and Jason Garrison. The Lightning took the lead on an Alex Killorn goal, his sixth of the campaign, with assists provided by Stralman and Ryan Callahan. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Bishop (30 for 31 in saves), Killorn, and Stralman.

North to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Toronto began in the first period on a Leo Komarov goal, his second of the season, via Mike Santorelli. Detroit tied it in the second period as Tomas Tatar potted his ninth of the year, with the help of Xavier Ouellet and Brian Lashoff. The Maple Leafs retook the lead in the third period on a shorthanded and unassisted Tyler Bozak goal, his seventh of the season. Toronto added on with a Peter Holland goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Bozak, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, set up by Daniel Winnik and Komarov. The three stars went to Bozak, Bernier (26 for 27 in saves), and Komarov.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Braden Holtby are called on to start in goal. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Matt Moulson goal, his third of the season, coming off of Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons. Washington tied it in the third period with a Matt Niskanen power play goal, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. The Sabres took the lead back with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his third of the year, guided in by Brian Gionta and Mike Weber. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Enroth (39 for 40 in saves), Mitchell, and Moulson.

Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Kari Lehtonen are the reliable goalies. Dallas was first to score with a first period Jamie Benn goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Cody Eakin. The Stars added on with a John Klingberg goal, his second of the year, made possible by Benn and Eakin. Dallas extended the lead as Benn scored his second of the game and eighth of the season, thanks to Klingberg and Antoine Roussel on the power play. The Stars padded the lead in the second period on a Seguin goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by the goalie Lehtonen. Los Angeles got on the board with a Tanner Pearson goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Jake Muzzin and Kyle Clifford. The Kings pulled closer with a Justin Williams power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Jarret Stoll and Brayden McNabb. Dallas answered on a Jason Demers goal, helped along by Ales Hemsky and Patrick Eaves on the power play. Los Angeles countered with a Mike Richards goal, his third of the season, via Clifford and Drew Doughty. The Kings chipped closer in the third period on a Williams goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Dustin Brown and Stoll. They failed to tie it, losing 5-4, with the three stars named as Benn, Williams, and Seguin, while Eakin, Klingberg, Clifford, and Stoll get the honorable mentions.

Up in Nashville, the Predators bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne are the good goalies. Nashville got going in the second period on a Colin Wilson goal, his third of the season, coming off of Calle Jarnkrok and Craig Smith. The Predators added on in the third period with a Matt Cullen goal, his third of the year, passed from Derek Roy. Florida got on the board with a Rocco Grimaldi goal, made possible by Brian Campbell and Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers tied it on a Nick Bjgustad goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Jimmy Hayes. In the shootout, Filip Forsberg gave the Predators a win with the lone tally for a 3-2 final. The three stars went to Luongo (48 for 50 in saves), Rinne (28 for 30 in saves), and Forsberg.

Out to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Reto Berra are the unimpressive goalies. Carolina began in the first period on a John-Michael Liles goal, made possible by Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes added on with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his second of the season, guided in by Riley Nash and Skinner. Colorado got on the board as Zach Redmond scored his second of the year, thanks to Tomas Vincour and Andrew Agozzino. Carolina shot back with an Andrej Nestrasil goal, via Nash and Tim Gleason. The Avalanche pulled back in the second period on an Erik Johnson goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado tied it in the third period on a Jarome Iginla goal, his third of the year, passed from Landeskog and MacKinnon. The Avalanche took the lead as Redmond scored his second of the game and third of the campaign, with assists provided by Iginla and MacKinnon. This was all they needed for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Redmond, Iginla, and MacKinnon, while Landeskog, Skinner, and Nash get the honorable mentions.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Ben Scrivens have the green light to start. Chicago led off in the first period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Brandon Saad and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks added on as Marcus Kruger potted his third of the year, with the help of Ben Smith and Joakim Nordstrom. Chicago extended the lead on another Toews goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, via Brent Seabrook and Hossa. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the second period on a Kris Versteeg power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Hossa, the latter getting a sock trick. Chicago chased Scrivens in favor of Viktor Fasth with a Hossa goal, his third of the season, coming on the power play from Bryan Bickell and Adam Clendening. The Blackhawks kept going with a Duncan Keith goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Dan Carcillo and Saad. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with a David Perron goal, his second of the season, fueled by Justin Schultz and Jordan Eberle. Chicago responded with a Kane goal, his eighth of the year, with helpers from Versteeg and Niklas Hjalmarsson. This made it 7-1, the final, and the three stars went to Toews, Hossa, and Versteeg, while Kane and Saad get the honorable mentions.

Staying in Alberta, the Calgary Flames bring in the New Jersey Devils. Scott Clemmensen and Karri Ramo are the sub-par goalies. New Jersey opened in the first period on an Adam Henrique goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Patrik Elias and Martin Havlat. The Devils added on with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Jaromir Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. Calgary got on the board in the second period with an unassisted Curtis Glencross goal, his third of the season. New Jersey shot back on a Travis Zajac power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Henrique and Zidlicky. The Flames pulled back in the third period with a Josh Jooris power play goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Michael Ferland and Kris Russell. The Devils answered on a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Michael Ryder and Adam Larsson. Calgary replied with a Jiri Hudler goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Lance Bouma and Mark Giordano. The Flames tied it on a Glencross goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, coming off of Johnny Gaudreau and Hudler. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Sean Monahan matched Cammalleri before a deciding goal from Hudler led the Flames to a 5-4 win. The three stars went to Glencross, Hudler, and Henrique, while Zidlicky and Cammalleri get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Arizona Coyotes. Devan Dubnyk and Antti Niemi will stop the pucks. Phoenix started in the first period on an Antoine Vermette goal, his fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes added on with a David Schlemko goal, via Boedker and Lauri Korpikoski. San Jose got one back in the second period with a Tommy Wingels shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Barclay Goodrow. The Sharks tied it on an Andrew Desjardins goal, passed from Tyler Kennedy and Matthew Nieto. Arizona retook the lead in the third period on a Doan goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Sam Gagner and Tobias Rieder. San Jose retied it on a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Brent Burns and Logan Couture. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Vermette's goal gave the Coyotes a 4-3 win. The three stars were Vermette, Doan, and Boedker.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.