KHL January 17th, 2015

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Barys Astana. Dmitry Malgin and Denis Kostin are the goalies. Astana was first to score in the first period on an unassisted Talgat Zhailauov goal. Omsk tied it on a second period goal by Erik Gustafsson, passed from Ivan Fischenko and Vadim Khomitsky. Avangard added on with a Kirill Rasskazov goal, coming off of Denis Parshin. Omsk extended the lead on an empty net goal by Alexander Perezhogin, set up by Khomitsky. Avangard iced it at 4-1 on an Igor Musatov empty net goal, via Perezhogin and Vladimir Sobotka. The three stars were Kostin (33 for 34 in saves), Perezhogin, and Khomitsky.

Back east, Sibir Novosibirsk welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Alexander Salak. Novosibirsk struck first in the first period on a Sergei Shumakov power play goal, powered by Ivan Vereshchagin. Ufa tied it on an Antti Pihlstrom goal, coming off of Evgeny Skachkov on the power play. Salavat Yulaev took the lead with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, via Alexander Kutuzov. Ufa added on with an Anton Slepyshev, guided in by Dmitry Makarov and Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an unassisted empty net goal from Slepyshev. The three stars were given to Sokhatsky (20 for 21 in saves), Hartikainen, and Slepyshev.

Way out west, Dinamo Minsk brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Ivan Lisutin and Lars Haugen are given the starting nods. Podolsk led off in the first period on a Vyacheslav Solodukhin goal, with a lone assist by Alexei Semenov. Vityaz added on with a power play goal by Alexei Makeyev, powered by Alexander Kucheryavenko and Georgy Berdyukov. Minsk got on the board in the second period with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, assisted by Charles Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Podolsk got it back with a Maxim Mamin goal, fueled by Nikita Vyglazov and Maxim Afinogenov. Vityaz extended the lead as Afinogenov scored, thanks to Semenov. Dinamo replied with an unassisted Cheechoo goal. Podolsk won 5-2 in the third period with a shorthanded and empty net goal by Mario Kempe, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Afinogenov, Cheechoo, and Semenov.

Back in Russia, Atlant Mytishchi hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik and Atte Engren are the masked men. Yaroslavl began in the first period on a Yegor Yakovlev goal, assisted by Jiri Novotny. Lokomotiv added on in the second period on a Staffan Kronwall goal, with a lone helper from Yakovlev. Yaroslavl extended the lead on a shorthanded goal by Alexei Vasilyev, set up by Novotny. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period with a Martin Thornberg goal, fueled by Vladislav Gavrikov and Geoff Platt. Mytishchi got on the board as Nikita Soshnikov scored, thanks to Maxim Potapov. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Kolesnik (22 for 23 in saves), Yakovlev, and Novotny.

Into Croatia, where Medvescak Zagreb welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Calvin Heeter are in the blue paint. Sochi started in the first period on an Andre Petersson power play goal, powered by Evgeny Lapenkov and Clay Wilson. Zagreb tied it on an Edwin Hedberg goal, guided in by Mark Flood and Shaone Morrisonn. Medvescak took the lead in the second period with a James Wright goal, courtesy of Brandon Segal and Kurtis McLean. The Leopards tied it on a Cory Emmerton power play goal, made possible by Lapenkov and Pavel Koledov. Zagreb won 3-2 in overtime with a Mark Popovic goal, passed from Bill Thomas and Mathieu Carle. The three stars were Lapenkov, Popovic, and Wright.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Denis Godla are the backups making spot starts. Moscow opened in the second period on a Denis Kokarev goal, courtesy of Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo added on as Mat Robinson scored a power play goal, powered by Maxim Pestushko and Volkov. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars given to Lazushin (32 save shutout), Kokarev, and Volkov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL January 16th, 2015

Six games on today, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Cam Ward are the veteran goalies. Vancouver got going in the second period on a Derek Dorsett goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nick Bonino and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on as Shawn Matthias scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Jannik Hansen and Christopher Tanev. Vancouver extended the lead on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his tenth of the campaign, via Ryan Stanton and Bieksa. Anton Khudobin relieved Ward for the third period. The final stood at 3-0, with the three stars going to Miller (28 save shutout), Dorsett, and Bieksa.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jaroslav Halak are the All-Star replacement goalies. Pittsburgh opened in the first period on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Chris Kunitz and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a David Perron goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Kris Letang and Crosby. New York got on the board with a Kyle Okposo goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by John Tavares and Josh Bailey. The Islanders tied it on a Ryan Strome goal, his eighth of the year, via Anders Lee and Frans Nielsen. Pittsburgh retook the lead on a Crosby goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, coming off of Paul Martin and Letang. New York tied it on an Okposo goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, passed from Tavares and Bailey. The Islanders pulled ahead on another Okposo goal, clinching his hat trick on his twelfth of the season, with assists provided by Bailey, who got a sock trick, and Travis Hamonic. New York extended the lead with a fourth goal by Okposo (a natural hat trick clincher), and his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Brock Nelson and Tavares, the latter getting a sock trick. The Islanders iced it at 6-3 on a Michael Grabner empty net goal, his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were given to Okposo, Bailey, and Tavares, while Crosby and Letang get the honorable mentions.

Out in Columbus, the Blue Jackets bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Marc Staal goal, his second of the season, guided in by Derek Stepan and Kevin Klein. The Rangers added on with a Chris Kreider goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Stepan and Martin St. Louis. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Scott Hartnell goal, his ninth of the campaign, courtesy of Ryan Johansen and the goalie Bobrovsky. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Lundqvist (35 for 36 in saves), Stepan, and Kreider.

Down to Nashville, as the Predators host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby faces a lesser foe in Carter Hutton. Nashville started in the first period on a Seth Jones goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Calle Jarnkrok. The Predators added on in the second period on a James Neal goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Mike Fisher and Victor Bartley. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Karl Alzner and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals tied it on an Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, powered by Mike Green and Troy Brouwer. Washington took the lead in the third period on a Marcus Johansson goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming on the power play from Backstrom and Green. Nashville tied it again on a Mattias Ekholm goal, his fourth of the year, a power play goal, guided in by Jones and Craig Smith. The Predators won with a Neal goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The final was 4-3, and the three stars went to Neal, Ovechkin, and Jones, while Backstrom and Green get honorable mentions.

Up in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Corey Crawford are the masked men. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Brandon Saad goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. Winnipeg tied it on a Zach Bogosian, his third of the year, via Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead in the third period on a Little power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Bogosian and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg added on with a Chris Thorburn goal, his third of the year, coming off of Adam Lowry and Dustin Byfuglien. The Blackhawks got one back with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, with a lone assist by Michal Rozsival. The Jets iced it at 4-2 with a Ladd empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Wheeler and Byfuglien. The three stars were Little, Bogosian, and Ladd, while Wheeler and Byfuglien get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Ilya Bryzgalov are given the starting nods. Anaheim struck first in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Cam Fowler and Patrick Maroon. New Jersey tied it on a Martin Havlat goal, his fifth of the year, coming on the power play from Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky. The Ducks took the lead in the second period on a Hampus Lindholm goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Matt Beleskey and Rickard Rakell. Anaheim added on with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks extended the lead in the third period on a Maroon goal, his third of the season, via Ryan Getzlaf and Sami Vatanen. Anaheim padded the lead on a Silfverberg power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, powered by Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin. The three stars of the 5-1 game were Silfverberg, Lindholm, and Maroon.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 16th, 2015

Two games today, with the first in...

Togliatti, as Lada hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Evgeny Ivannikov are the goalies. Togliatti led off in the first period with a Martin Zatovic goal, passed from Semyon Valuisky and Alexander Sharov. Lada added on with a Dmitry Ogurtsov goal, assisted by Georgy Belousov. Togliatti extended the lead in the second period with an Alexander Streltsov goal, made possible by Fedor Fedorov and Alexander Barantsev. Khabarovsk got on the board as Dmitry Tarasov scored, thanks to Michel Miklik. Lada shot back with a Belousov power play goal, powered by Peter Podhradsky. Amur got one back in the third period with a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, coming off of Rafael Akhmetov and Evgeny Orlov. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Belousov, Streltsov, and Ivannikov (20 for 22 in saves).

The other game has Ak Bars Kazan host Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Emil Garipov protect the nets. Kazan began in the first period on a Vladimir Denisov goal, courtesy of Artyom Lukoyanov. Yekaterinburg tied it in the second period on an Anton Lazarev power play goal, powered by Sami Lepisto and Tobias Viklund. Avtomobilist took the lead on an Alexander Loginov goal, coming off of Sergei Gusev on the power play. Yekaterinburg iced it at 3-1 on an Alexei Mikhnov empty net goal, set up by Eduard Lewandowski. The three stars belonged to Kovar (38 for 39 in saves), Loginov, and Denisov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL January 15th, 2015

Ten games today, with the first in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Tuukka Rask are in the creases. Boston started in the first period on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Dougie Hamilton. The Bruins added on in the second period on a David Krejci goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Torey Krug and Adam McQuaid. Boston extended the lead in the third period on a Loui Eriksson goal, his tenth of the season, via Krug and Kevan Miller. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars going to Rask (30 save shutout), Krug, and Bergeron.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jhonas Enroth are the underrated goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period on a Zach Parise goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville. The Wild added on with a Thomas Vanek goal, his eighth of the year, coming on the power play from Koivu and Pominville. Minnesota extended the lead in the second period on a Kyle Brodziak shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Erik Haula. The Wild padded the lead on a Matt Dumba goal, his second of the year, guided in by Pominville, who got a sock trick, and Parise. Minnesota continued with a Jared Spuregon goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Jonathon Blum and Ryan Carter. The Wild kept going in the third period on a Matt Cooke goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist from Brodziak. Minnesota capped it at 7-0 with a Haula power play goal, his fourth of the campaign, with helpers from Vanek and Christian Folin. The three stars were Pominville, Parise, and Brodziak, while Koivu, Haula, and Vanek get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Ray Emery are the veteran goalies. Vancouver was first to score in the first period on a Nick Bonino goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Shawn Matthias and Ryan Stanton. The Canucks added on with a Henrik Sedin power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Daniel Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Rob Zepp relieved Emery. The Canucks padded the lead as Jannik Hansen scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Alexander Edler. This held up for a 4-0 win, with the three stars given to Miller (30 save shutout), Henrik Sedin, and Daniel Sedin.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski is mismatched with Craig Anderson in goal. Ottawa opened in the first period on a Mika Zibanejad goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Mike Hoffman and Bobby Ryan. Montreal tied it on a Max Pacioretty goal, his twenty-first of the year, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec. The Senators took the lead back with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, passed from Milan Michalek and Mark Stone. Ottawa added on in the second period on an Erik Karlsson goal, his eighth of the season, via Michalek and Pageau. The Senators finished it at 4-1 in the third period on an empty net goal by Erik Condra, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Pageau, Anderson (25 for 26 in saves), and Michalek.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Ben Bishop are the similarly-named goalies. Edmonton began in the first period on a Benoit Pouliot shorthanded goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, coming off of Matthew Carle and Jason Garrison. The Oilers retook the lead on a Pouliot power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, powered by Taylor Hall and Nugent-Hopkins. The Lightning tied it on a third period goal by Ondrej Palat, his tenth of the year, helped along by Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson. Tampa Bay took the lead with a Palat goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, fueled by Johnson and Nikita Nesterov. This made it a 3-2 final, with the three stars given to Palat, Pouliot, and Johnson, while Nugent-Hopkins gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Roberto Luongo are the streaky goalies. Colorado led off in the first period on a Tyson Barrie goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by John Mitchell and Nate Guenin. Florida tied it on an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Brian Campbell and Nick Bjugstad. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his ninth of the season, via Ryan O'Reilly. The Panthers tied it again on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Brad Boyes and Jonathan Huberdeau. Colorado took the lead with a third period Nick Holden power play goal, his third of the season, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Barrie. The Avalanche iced it at 4-2 with a Jarome Iginla empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Tanguay. The three stars were Barrie, Holden, and Tanguay.

Up to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Brian Elliott occupy the blue paint. Detroit got going in the second period with a Joakim Andersson goal, assisted by Drew Miller and Luke Glendening. The Red Wings added on with a Tomas Tatar goal, his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Jonathan Ericsson and Riley Sheahan. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a David Backes goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Jay Bouwmeester and Kevin Shattenkirk on the power play. The Blues tied it in on an Alexander Steen goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Tarasenko. Detroit won 3-2 with an overtime goal by Pavel Datsyuk, his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Kyle Quincey and Danny DeKeyser. The three stars were Datsyuk, Tatar, and Andersson.

South to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Anders Lindback are the backups making spot starts. Winnipeg opened the scoring in the first period with a Michael Frolik goal, his ninth of the season, via Mathieu Perreault. The Jets added on in the third period on an Evander Kane shorthanded goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Mark Stuart. Dallas got on the board with a Trevor Daley goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by Antoine Roussel and Jason Spezza. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Pavelec (46 for 47 in saves), Kane, and Frolik.

West to Arizona, as the Coyotes bring in the Calgary Flames. Joni Ortio and Mike Smith draw the starts in goal. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Mikael Backlund goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Johnny Gaudreau and Dennis Wideman. Arizona tied it on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from Keith Yandle and Kyle Chipchura. The Flames took the lead in the third period on a David Jones goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Sean Monahan and T.J. Brodie. Calgary added on with a Mark Giordano goal, his eleventh of the year, via Monahan and Lance Bouma. The Flames iced it at 4-1 on a Monahan empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Wideman and Jones. The three stars went to Monahan, Ortio (27 for 28 in saves), and Jones, while Wideman gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Antti Niemi are the goalies. San Jose started in the first period on a Tyler Kennedy goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Brenden Dillon and Justin Braun. The Sharks added on with a Patrick Marleau goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Matthew Nieto and Braun. Toronto got on the board with a Roman Polak goal, his fifth of the season, via Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik. San Jose iced it at 3-1 with a Tommy Wingels empty net goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Tye McGinn and James Sheppard. The three stars belonged to Niemi (24 for 25 in saves), Braun, and Marleau.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 15th, 2015

Six games on today, beginning in...

Moscow, as CSKA hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Kevin Lalande are in goal. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Stephane Da Costa goal, made possible by Jan Mursak and Simon Hjalmarsson. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Lalande (17 save shutout), Da Costa, and Biryukov (26 for 27 in saves).

West to Minsk, where Dinamo welcomes Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Lars Haugen are the goalies. Minsk began in the first period on a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by Charles Linglet and Ryan Vesce. Dinamo added on in the second period as Paul Szczechura scored, with a lone assist by Cheechoo. Minsk finished it at 3-0 in the third period on an Alexander Materukhin goal, passed from Dmitry Meleshko. The three stars were handed to Cheechoo, Haugen (29 save shutout), and Szczechura.

Back in Russia, Atlant Mytishchi brings in Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Atte Engren are between the pipes. Mytishchi led off in the first period with an Albert Yarullin power play goal, powered by Sergei Shmelyov. Atlant added on in the second period as Maxim Potapov scored a power play goal, with the help of Shmelyov and Nikita Soshnikov. Mytishchi extended the lead on a Shmelyov goal, coming off of Soshnikov and Yarullin. Podolsk got on the board with a Robert Kousal goal, with a lone assist by Mario Kempe. This only made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars awarded to Shmelyov, Yarullin, and Soshnikov.

Westward again, as Dinamo Riga hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Igor Shestyorkin is mismatched with Jakub Sedlacek in goal. Riga was first to score in the second period on a Lauris Darzins goal, via Mikelis Redlihs. St. Petersburg tied it on an Evgeny Dadonov goal, passed from Vadim Shipachyov and Artemy Panarin. SKA took the lead with a third period Dadonov goal, again coming off of Shipachyov and Panarin. Dinamo retied it on a Redlihs goal, fueled by Roberts Bukarts. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Panarin won it 3-2 for SKA. The three stars were Dadonov, Panarin, and Redlihs, while Shipachyov gets an honorable mention.

Out to Zagreb, where Medvescak welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Calvin Heeter draw the starts. Zagreb opened in the first period on a Martin St. Pierre goal, guided in by Andrew Hutchinson and Mark Popovic. Moscow tied it on a Maxim Karpov goal, assisted by Gleb Koryagin and Martins Karsums. Dynamo took the lead with a Yury Babenko goal, fueled by Denis Kokarev and Dmitry Vishnevsky. Medvescak tied it again in the second period on an unassisted power play goal by Hutchinson. Zagreb pulled ahead with a Ville Leino goal, made possible by Mark Flood and Popovic. Moscow tied it again with a Karpov goal, with a lone assist by Karsums. Dynamo won 4-3 in overtime with an unassisted power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins. The three stars belonged to Karpov, Hutchinson, and Karsums, while Popovic gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in the Sochi Leopards. Tomas Popperle and Jaroslav Janus are the experienced goalies. Bratislava started in the first period on a Libor Hudacek goal, passed from Tomas Starosta and Patrik Luza. Sochi tied it on an Ilya Krikunov goal, coming off of Andrei Kostitsyn and Artyom Kryukov. The Leopards took the lead in the second period with an Andre Petersson goal, made possible by Cory Emmerton and Ryan Whitney. Sochi added on with an Igor Radulov goal, via Max Warn. The Leopards extended the lead in the third period on a Emmerton goal, with a lone helper by Petersson. Slovan got one back with a power play goal by Michal Vondrka, powered by Milan Bartovic and Michal Sersen. Bratislava pulled closer with a Rok Ticar goal, with a lone assist by Martin Stajnoch. Sochi iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Petersson, going in unassisted. The three stars were Petersson, Emmerton, and Radulov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL January 14th, 2015

Four games for the night, with the first coming from...

Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Columbus started in the first period on a Kevin Connauton goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Jeremy Morin. The Blue Jackets added on with a Ryan Johansen power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by James Wisniewski and Nick Foligno. Montreal got on the board with a Max Pacioretty goal, his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Andrei Markov and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens tied it on a P.K. Subban power play goal, his ninth of the year, via Markov and Alex Galchenyuk. Montreal took the lead on another Pacioretty power play goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the campaign, guided in by Tomas Plekanec and Sergei Gonchar. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Pacioretty, Subban, and Markov.

Back east, the Washington Capitals welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob Zepp is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Washington struck first in the first period on a Jason Chimera goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Matt Niskanen. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Holtby (21 save shutout), Chimera, and Zepp (25 for 26 in saves).

Way west to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Frederik Andersen are the young goalies. Anaheim was first to score in the first period on a Kyle Palmieri power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler. The Ducks added on in the second period as Corey Perry scored his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Ryan Getzlaf and Ben Lovejoy. Anaheim extended the lead on a Perry goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, with a lone assist by Getzlaf. The Ducks iced it at 4-0 in the third period on a Perry empty net goal to finish his hat trick, his eighteenth of the year, set up by Clayton Stoner and the goalie Andersen. The three stars went to Perry, Andersen (28 save shutout), and Getzlaf.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Jonathan Quick protect the nets. New Jersey opened in the first period on a Steve Bernier goal, his fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Michael Cammalleri and Scott Gomez. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with a Dustin Brown goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Drew Doughty and Brayden McNabb. The Devils shot back on a Bernier power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, powered by Gomez and Jon Merrill. New Jersey added on with a Martin Havlat goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Patrik Elias and Travis Zajac. The Devils extended the lead as Cammalleri scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Michael Ryder and Dainius Zubrus. New Jersey padded the lead on a Ryder goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Andy Greene and Adam Larsson. The Kings got one back in the third period with a Marian Gaborik goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from McNabb and Justin Williams. Los Angeles drew closer on a Williams goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Mike Richards. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Bernier, Ryder, and Cammalleri, while Williams, Gomez, and McNabb get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL January 14th, 2015

Six games on today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Denis Kostin are in the creases. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period on a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Bogdan Potekhin goal, passed from Yaroslav Kosov and Vladislav Kaletnik. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Kovar, assisted by Zaripov and Viktor Antipin. Omsk got on the board with an Ivan Fischenko goal, coming off of Erik Gustafsson and Kirill Rasskazov. This only made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars being Koshechkin (29 for 30 in saves), Zaripov, and Kovar.

Up in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra welcomes Sibir Novosibirsk. Nikita Bespalov and Georgy Gelashvili are given the starting nods. Novosibirsk began with a first period goal by David Ullstrom, helped along by Konstantin Alexeyev and Jonas Enlund on the power play. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it with a Pavel Valentenko power play goal, with a lone assist by Nikita Gusev. Sibir pulled ahead in the third period on an Oleg Gubin goal, fueled by Igor Ozhiganov. Yugra tied it on an Artyom Bulyansky power play goal, powered by Gusev and Philip Larsen. Novosibirsk retook the lead on an Ullstrom power play goal, his second of the game, guided in by Patrik Hersley and Alexeyev. Sibir iced it at 4-2 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Hersley, set up by Stepan Sannikov and Gubin. The three stars belonged to Ullstrom, Hersley, and Alexeyev, while Gubin and Gusev get the honorable mentions.

West to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Nikita Lozhkin and Vasily Demchenko are the goalies. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period on a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, passed from Artyom Penkovsky and Martin Ruzicka. Traktor added on with a power play goal by Maxim Kondratyev, powered by Dmitry Pestunov and Anton Glinkin. Chelyabinsk extended the lead as Andrei Popov scored, thanks to Kondratyev and Glinkin. Rafael Khakimov replaced Lozhkin in goal. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the third period on a Mikhail Plotnikov goal, made possible by Ansel Galimov and Ryan Stoa. Metallurg pulled closer on a Dmitry Maltsev goal, via Alexander Komaristy and Alexander Romanov. This only made it 3-2, the final, and the three stars were Kondratyev, Glinkin, and Popov.

Back to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Vladimir Sokhatsky tend the twines. Ufa opened with a first period Denis Khlystov power play goal, helped along by Denis Tolpeko. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Sergei Yemelin goal, coming off of Tobias Viklund and Artyom Gareyev. Avtomobilist took the lead on a power play goal by Viklund, powered by Alexander Rybakov and Alexei Simakov. Salavat Yulaev tied it as Anton Slepyshev scored, thanks to Teemu Hartikainen. Ufa pulled ahead in the second period on another Khlystov power play goal, via Denis Bodrov and Tolpeko. Yekaterinburg retied it on a Viklund power play goal, with a lone assist by Simakov. Avtomobilist took the lead in the third period on a Sami Lepisto goal, courtesy of Simakov on the power play. Simakov got a sock trick with his third assist. Yekaterinburg ended it at 5-3 on a shorthanded empty net goal by Andrei Antonov, going in unassisted. The three stars were Viklund, Simakov, and Khlystov, while Tolpeko gets an honorable mention.

Out to Togliatti, where Lada welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Ilya Proskuryakov faces former Admiral goalie Evgeny Ivannikov in goal. Vladivostok led off with an Alexander Gorshkov goal, passed from Denis Osipov and Vladislav Ushenin. Togliatti tied it in the second period as Anton Shenfeld scored, thanks to Georgy Belousov and Andrei Nikitenko. Lada took the lead on an unassisted Yury Petrov goal in the third period. Lada won 2-1, and the three stars were given to Ivannikov (20 for 21 in saves), Petrov, and Shenfeld.

Finally, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Sergei Borisov and Ville Kolppanen are in the blue paint. Nizhnekamsk started in the first period on a Teemu Eronen power play goal, powered by Dan Sexton and Georgijs Pujacs. Khabarovsk tied it on an Alexander Ryazantsev goal, assisted by Grigory Shafigulin and Michel Miklik. Neftekhimik retook the lead in the second period on a Yegor Milovzorov goal, passed from Alexander Nikulin and Evgeny Ryasensky. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Milovzorov, Kolppanen (26 for 27 in saves), and Eronen.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.