NHL February 19th, 2015

Seven games on tonight, beginning in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. New York began in the first period on a Brian Strait goal, his second of the season, made possible by Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner. The Islanders added on with a Johnny Boychuk goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Nick Leddy and Grabner. New York extended the lead as John Tavares scored a power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, powered by Leddy and Boychuk. Nashville got on the board with a Filip Forsberg goal, his twentieth of the year, via Roman Josi and Craig Smith. The Predators pulled closer in the second period on a James Neal goal, his twenty-first of the season, fueled by Mike Ribeiro and Josi. The Islanders shot back in the third period on a Leddy goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Colin McDonald and Matt Martin. New York finished it at 5-2 with a Josh Bailey goal, his twelfth of the campaign, guided in by Tavares and Anders Lee. The three stars were Leddy, Boychuk, and Tavares, while Grabner and Josi get the honorable mentions.

Downtown, the New York Rangers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller faces a lesser foe in Cam Talbot in goal. New York struck first in the first period on a Derek Stepan goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Martin St. Louis and Dan Girardi. Vancouver tied it in the second period as Shawn Matthias scored his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Jannik Hansen and Ronalds Kenins. The Rangers retook the lead on a Rick Nash goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. The Canucks tied it again with a Bo Horvat goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Kenins and Hansen. Vancouver gained the lead in the third period on a Henrik Sedin power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Adam Clendening and Daniel Sedin. New York tied it on a St. Louis goal, his sixteenth of the year, helped along by Stepan and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers took the lead again on a Hagelin goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Girardi. The Canucks tied it again as Henrik Sedin scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, made possible by Dan Hamhuis and Daniel Sedin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Alexandre Burrows and Radim Vrbata scored to give Vancouver the 5-4 win. The three stars went to Henrik Sedin, St. Louis, and Stepan, while Girardi, Hansen, Kenins, Daniel Sedin, and Hagelin receive the honorable mentions.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Ray Emery are the subpar goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Brian Flynn and Rasmus Ristolainen. Philadelphia tied it on a Ryan White goal, with assists provided by Braydon Coburn and Brayden Schenn. The Sabres regained the lead on a second period goal by Brian Gionta, his sixth of the year, coming off of Torrey Mitchell and Matt Moulson. The Flyers retied it as Jakub Voracek scored his nineteenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Wayne Simmonds and Sean Couturier. The tie went to a shootout, where Voracek and Gionta traded goals before Flynn won it 3-2 for the Sabres. The three stars were Flynn, Gionta and Voracek.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. Columbus led off in the first period on a Scott Hartnell goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Alexander Wennberg and Fedor Tyutin. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal in the second period, his twenty-second of the year, with a lone assist by Paul Martin. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period on a Brandon Dubinsky shorthanded goal, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Matt Calvert and Tyutin. The three stars of the 2-1 game were McElhinney (29 for 30 in saves), Tyutin, and Dubinsky.

Back to DC, where the Washington Capitals bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Braden Holtby are the masked men. Washington opened in the first period on a John Carlson power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, via Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen. Winnipeg got on the board with a Michael Frolik goal in the second period, his twelfth of the season, guided in by Toby Enstrom and Andrew Ladd. Washington shot back on a Backstrom power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, with assists provided by Mike Green and Ovechkin. The Capitals extended the lead on another Backstrom power play goal, his second of the game and his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Ovechkin and Johansson. Washington padded the lead in the third period on a Troy Brouwer shorthanded empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, going in unassisted. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars being Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Brouwer, while Johansson gets an honorable mention.

North to Montreal, where the Canadiens welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal got going in the second period on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on with another Gallagher goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of P.K. Subban. Florida got on the board with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers tied it in the third period on a Steven Kampfer goal, coming off of Fleischmann and Scottie Upshall. Florida won 3-2 in the shootout, with Nick Bjugstad and Dave Bolland topping Pacioretty. The three stars went to Gallagher, Fleischmann, and Pacioretty.

Finally, we end with the Dallas Stars hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen are the Finnish goalies. San Jose started on a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski. The Sharks added on with a second period Andrew Desjardins goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Tomas Hertl and Chris Tierney. The Sharks extended the lead with a Desjardins goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Hertl. Dallas got on the board with a Trevor Daley power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza. The Stars pulled closer in the third period on an Erik Cole goal, his sixteenth of the season, via Benn and Daley. The Sharks shot back with a Patrick Marleau empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by James Sheppard. San Jose won 5-2 with an empty net goal by Tommy Wingels, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Pavelski and Brenden Dillon. The three stars were handed to Desjardins, Daley, and Hertl, while Pavelski and Benn get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 18th, 2015

Six games in the slowest weeknight this week, beginning in...

Ottawa, where the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Andrew Hammond are the backups making spot starts. Ottawa got going in the second period on a Milan Michalek goal, his eleventh of the season, via Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone. Montreal tied it on a Max Pacioretty goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, assisted by Andrei Markov and David Desharnais. The Senators retook the lead on a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his third of the season, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Erik Condra. Ottawa added on in the third period as Mark Stone scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Karlsson and Michalek. The Canadiens got one back on a Nathan Beaulieu goal, passed from P.K. Subban and Michael Bournival. The Senators iced it at 4-2 on a Kyle Turris empty net goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, set up by Stone. The three stars were Stone, Michalek, and Karlsson.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford guard the cages. Detroit dented the scoreboard on a second period goal by Tomas Tatar, his twenty-fourth of the season, via Darren Helm and Riley Sheahan. Chicago tied it on a Brandon Saad goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Marian Hossa. The Red Wings retook the lead in the third period on a Helm goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk. The Blackhawks retied it as Kris Versteeg scored his eleventh of the year, guided in by Duncan Keith. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Gustav Nyquist and Tatar combined to top Jonathan Toews and give the Red Wings the 3-2 win. The three stars were Helm, Tatar, and Howard (32 for 34 in saves).

Back in Canada, the Calgary Flames bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jonas Hiller are the underrated goalies. Minnesota began in the first period on a Justin Fontaine goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Thomas Vanek and Charlie Coyle. The Wild added on with a Matt Dumba goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Jonas Brodin and the goalie Dubnyk. Calgary got on the board with a Jiri Hudler goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Dennis Wideman and Sean Monahan. The Flames tied it on a third period goal by Lance Bouma, his eleventh of the year, via Wideman and Mikael Backlund. Minnesota won 3-2 with an overtime goal from Mikko Koivu, his ninth of the campaign, with helpers from Coyle and Marco Scandella. The three stars went to Koivu, Coyle, and Wideman.

Staying in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Ben Scrivens in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period on a Nail Yakupov goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Derek Roy and Oscar Klefbom. The Oilers added on with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Teddy Purcell and Jordan Eberle. Boston got on the board with a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Dougie Hamilton and Torey Krug. Edmonton shot back in the second period on a Purcell goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Eberle on the power play. The Bruins replied on a Reilly Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Brad Marchand and Dennis Seidenberg. Boston tied it on a David Pastrnak goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Zdeno Chara and Hamilton. The tie lasted to the twelfth round of the shootout, where Martin Marincin scored to give the Oilers a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Purcell, and Eberle, and Hamilton.

Back stateside, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado led off in the first period on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Nathan MacKinnon. Los Angeles tied it in the second period on a Jeff Carter goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Tyler Toffoli and Dwight King. The Kings took the lead with a Toffoli goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Trevor Lewis and Drew Doughty. Los Angeles added on as Dustin Brown scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Doughty and Anze Kopitar. The Kings extended the lead in the third period on a Carter empty net goal on the power play, his second of the game and eighteenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 4-1 game belonged to Carter, Quick (42 for 43 in saves), and Toffoli, while Doughty gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and John Gibson are in the creases. Anaheim started in the first period with a Patrick Maroon goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Rickard Rakell and Kyle Palmieri. Tampa Bay tied it on an Anton Stralman goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, via Brian Boyle and Jonathan Drouin. The Lightning took the lead with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-second of the year, assisted by Stralman and Palat. The Lightning extended the lead on a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirty-first of the campaign, with helpers from Alex Killorn and Andrej Sustr. This produced the eventual 4-1 final, with the three stars being Stralman, Bishop (24 for 25 in saves), and Palat.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL February 18th, 2015

Nine games today, beginning with...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosting Ak Bars Kazan. Anders Nilsson and Michael Garnett protect the nets. Chelyabinsk dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Deron Quint power play goal, powered by Francis Pare. Kazan tied it on an Alexander Svitov goal, made possible by Artyom Lukoyanov. Traktor won 2-1 in the shootout, with two goals by Stanislav Chistov topping a lone tally from Vladimir Tkachyov. The three stars went to Garnett (25 for 26 in saves), Chistov, and Nilsson (17 for 18 in saves).

Over in Togliatti, Lada welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Jeff Glass draw the starts in goal. Yekaterinburg struck first in the first period on an Alexander Nesterov goal, fueled by Alexei Mikhnov and Eduard Lewandowski. Avtomobilist added on with a power play goal by Alexander Rybakov, powered by Sami Lepisto. Togliatti got on the board with a Georgy Belousov power play goal in the second period, helped along by Dmitry Ogurtsov. Yekaterinburg shot back on a power play goal by Alexei Simakov, coming off of Lepisto. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars handed to Kovar (27 for 28 in saves), Lepisto, and Rybakov.

Out in Minsk, Dinamo brings in SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Lars Haugen are in the creases. St. Petersburg led off in the first period on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, passed from Roman Rukavishnikov and Jimmie Ericsson. SKA added on with a Vadim Shipachyov goal, courtesy of Evgeny Ketov and Evgeny Dadonov. St. Petersburg extended the lead in the second period as Ketov scored, thanks to Shipachyov. Minsk got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Alexander Materukhin. SKA answered in the third period with a Shipachyov goal, his second of the game, coming off of Dadonov and Ketov. St. Petersburg padded the lead on an Ilya Kablukov goal, assisted by Kovalchuk and Dmitry Yudin. SKA kept going with an Anton Burdasov goal, with a lone assist by Andrei Kuteikin. St. Petersburg finished it at 7-1 with a Kovalchuk goal, guided in by Dmitry Kalinin and Roman Cervenka. The three stars were Shipachyov, Kovalchuk, and Ketov, while Dadonov gets an honorable mention.

Back east, the Sochi Leopards host Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Andrei Gavrilov are in the blue paint. Sochi was first to score in the first period as Nikita Shchitov scored, thanks to Roman Lyuduchin and Artyom Kryukov. The Leopards added on in the second period with a power play goal by Ilya Krikunov, powered by Ryan Whitney and Andrei Kostitsyn. Sochi extended the lead on a power play goal from Krikunov, his second of the game, via Igor Ignatushkin and Kostitsyn. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board in the third period on a Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev goal, coming off of Nikita Filatov and Vladimir Galuzin. Torpedo pulled closer on a Juuso Hietanen goal, assisted by Gennady Stolyarov and Dmitry Kazionov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a Wojtek Wolski goal, fueled by Sakari Salminen and Jarkko Immonen. Torpedo took the lead on an unassisted goal by Galuzin. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Galuzin, Krikunov, and Kostitsyn.

Northward to Nizhnekamsk, where Neftekhimik welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Alexander Sudnitsin guard the cages. Nizhnekamsk began in the first period on a Maxim Rybin power play goal, powered by Maxim Berezin and Yegor Milovzorov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Jan Kovar, guided in by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Neftekhimik took the lead back in the second period on an Evgeny Grigorenko goal, made possible by Matt Anderson and Dan Sexton. Nizhnekamsk added on with a Rybin goal, with helpers provided by Milovzorov and Igor Polygalov on the power play. Metallurg got one back in the third period on a Zaripov goal, coming off of Lee and Sergei Mozyakin. Neftekhimik iced it at 4-2 on a Milovzorov goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Rybin, Milovzorov, and Zaripov, while Lee gets an honorable mention.

West to Yaroslavl, where Lokomotiv brings in CSKA Moscow. Kevin Lalande and Vitaly Kolesnik are between the pipes. Moscow opened in the first period on an Evgeny Korotkov goal, passed from Mikhail Naumenkov and Maxim Mamin. Yaroslavl tied it on a power play goal by Jiri Novotny, powered by Sergei Plotnikov and Yegor Averin. CSKA retook the lead in the second period on a Nikolai Prokhorkin goal, via Evgeny Artyukhin. Lokomotiv tied it in the third period as Ilya Lyubushkin scored, thanks to Andrei Loktionov. Moscow won 3-2 in the shootout on a lone tally by Prokhorkin. The three stars went to Prokhorkin, Korotkov, and Lalande (20 for 22 in saves).

Down into Moscow, where Dynamo hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Alexander Yeryomenko are the veteran goalies. Cherepovets started in the first period on a Sergei Monakhov goal, via Vadim Berdnikov and Marek Kvapil. Moscow tied it in the second period on a Yegor Dugin goal, fueled by Dmitry Markovin and Dmitry Boichuk. Severstal retook the lead on a Nikolai Kazakovtsev goal, assisted by Alexander Urbom and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Cherepovets iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Kvapil, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Stepanek (21 for 22 in saves), Kvapil, and Kazakovtsev.

A little north to Mytishchi, where Atlant welcomes Jokerit Helsinki. Riku Helenius and Atte Engren are occupying the blue paint. Helsinki struck first in the first period on a Steve Moses penalty shot goal, which he received after a hook from Albert Yarullin. Jokerit added on in the second period with a Petteri Wirtanen goal, with a lone assist by Eetu Poysti. Helsinki extended the lead in the third period with a Ryan Gunderson goal, courtesy of Petr Koukal and Linus Omark. Jokerit padded the lead as Tommi Huhtala scored, thanks to Niklas Hagman and Niko Kapanen. Mytishchi got on the board with an Andrei Taratukhin goal, helped along by Artyom Chernov. Atlant pulled closer on another Taratukhin goal, with a lone helper by Chernov again. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Taratukhin, Gunderson, and Chernov.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Johan Backlund are the goalies. Riga was first to score in the first period on a Lauris Darzins penalty shot goal, coming after he was hooked by Ivan Baranka. Bratislava tied it on a Dominik Rehak goal, courtesy of Vladimir Mihalik and Andrej Stastny. Dinamo retook the lead on a Miks Indrasis goal, passed from Darzins and Krisjanis Redlihs. Riga added on with a Ginta Meija goal, made possible by Rodrigo Abols and Charles Genoway. Slovan pulled back in the second period as Libor Hudacek scored, with a lone assist by Matt Murley. Bratislava tied it in the third period with a Stastny goal, with assists provided by Hudacek and Cam Barker. Dinamo won 4-3 with a Genoway goal, set up by Oskars Cibulskis. The three stars were handed to Genoway, Darzins, and Hudacek, while Stastny gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 17th, 2015

Seven games on tonight, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New York Islanders. Chad Johnson and Anton Khudobin are the backups in goal. New York was first to score in the first period on an Anders Lee power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The Islanders added on with a Brock Nelson goal in the second period, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by Matt Martin and Colin McDonald. New York extended the lead in the third period as Michael Grabner scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Thomas Hickey and Nielsen. Carolina got on the board with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Eric Staal and Jordan Staal. The Islanders iced it at 4-1 with a Tavares empty net goal, his twenty-eighth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Johnson (37 for 38 in saves), Nielsen, and Tavares.

North to Philadelphia, where the Flyers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Ray Emery are the career backups in goal. Columbus began in the first period on a James Wisniewski power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Alexander Wennberg and Scott Hartnell. The Blue Jackets added on with a Ryan Johansen goal, his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Corey Tropp and David Savard. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-second of the season, guided in by Michael Del Zotto and Luke Schenn. The Flyers tied it with a Del Zotto goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by R.J. Umberger and Ryan White. Columbus regained the lead in the third period on a Matt Calvert goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets extended the lead on a Dubinsky goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Hartnell. Columbus finished it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Calvert, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, set up by Wennberg and Johansen. The three stars were given to Calvert, Dubinsky, and Johansen, while Hartnell, Wennberg, and Del Zotto receive the honorable mentions.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Washington started in the first period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, assisted by Joel Ward and Mike Green on the power play. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Steve Downie goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Craig Adams and Kris Letang. The Capitals retook the lead in the third period on a Ward power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Ovechkin. Washington wrapped it up at 3-1 on an empty net goal by John Carlson, his eighth of the year, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The three stars belonged to Ward, Holtby (32 for 33 in saves), and Ovechkin.

Back to New Jersey, where the Devils host the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. New Jersey struck first in the first period on a Patrik Elias power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Marek Zidlicky and Adam Henrique. Buffalo tied it in the third period as Tyler Ennis scored his fourteenth of the year, with a lone helper by Zemgus Girgensons. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Scott Gomez and Jacob Josefson lifted the Devils to a 2-1 victory. The three stars were Neuvirth (34 for 35 in saves), Elias, and Schneider (24 for 25 in saves).

Crossing into Canada, where the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Bernier are the reliable goalies. Toronto led off in the first period on a Tyler Bozak power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Nazem Kadri. Florida tied it on a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Brad Boyes and Brian Campbell. The Panthers took the lead in the second period as Nick Bjugstad scored his twenty-first of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Dave Bolland. Florida added on with a Jimmy Hayes goal, his seventeenth of the year, helped along by Campbell and Jokinen. The Maple Leafs got one back in the third period on a Phil Kessel power play goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, guided in by Kadri and Morgan Rielly. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars being Jokinen, Campbell, and Kadri.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Brian Elliott are the average goalies. Dallas opened in the first period on a Jamie Benn goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by John Klingberg and Jason Spezza. The Stars added on with another Benn goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, coming off of Spezza and Erik Cole. Dallas extended the lead as Cody Eakin scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Ryan Garbutt and Jyrki Jokipakka. Jake Allen relieved Elliott. The Stars padded the lead in the second period when Benn finished his hat trick on his twenty-second of the year, made possible by Spezza, who got a sock trick, and Jason Demers. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Patrik Berglund goal, his seventh of the campaign, with a lone assist by Paul Stastny. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars given to Benn, Spezza, and Lehtonen (27 for 28 in saves).

Finally, the Nashville Predators host the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Pekka Rinne are in the creases. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Matt Irwin goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Melker Karlsson and Joe Pavelski. Nashville tied it on a Shea Weber goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Mike Fisher. The Predators took the lead on a Craig Smith goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Mattias Ekholm and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville added on with a Smith power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, powered by Colin Wilson and Seth Jones. The Predators extended the lead on a Paul Gaustad goal, his second of the season, passed from Gabriel Bourque and Weber. Nashville padded the lead on a James Neal goal, his twentieth of the year, with a lone assist by Ribeiro. This held up for a 5-1 win, with the three stars given to Smith, Rinne (42 for 43 in saves), and Weber.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL February 17th, 2015

Two games on today, beginning with...

Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Leland Irving and Nikita Bespalov are the backups making spot starts. Ufa began in the first period with an Anton Slepyshev power play goal, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Ivan Vishnevsky. Novosibirsk tied it in the second period on an Igor Ozhiganov goal, made possible by Sergei Shumakov. Sibir took the lead on a Dmitry Monya goal, via Patrik Hersley and Konstantin Alexeyev. Salavat Yulaev tied it again as Koltsov scored a power play goal, with the help of Dmitry Makarov and Teemu Hartikainen. Novosibirsk regained the lead in the third period with a Monya power play goal, with a lone assist by Jarno Koskiranta. Sibir won 4-2 on an Alexei Kopeikin goal, assisted by Monya and Kosiranta. The three stars went to Monya, Koltsov, and Koskiranta.

Way out west, Vityaz Podolsk hosts Medvescak Zagreb. Mark Owuya and Harri Sateri protect the nets. Podolsk led off in the first period on an Alexander Kucheryavenko power play goal, powered by Georgy Berdyukov and Anton Korolyov. Zagreb tied it in the second period as Bill Thomas scored, thanks to Geoffrey Kinrade and Edwin Hedberg. Vityaz took the lead back on a third period goal by Maxim Mamin, via Berdyukov. Podolsk iced it at 3-1 on a Kucheryavenko empty net goal, set up by Yakov Seleznyov and Berdyukov, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars were Kucheryavenko, Berdyukov, and Sateri (19 for 20 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL February 16th, 2015

Eight games on today, beginning with a...

Battle of New York, as the Islanders host their cross-town rivals, the Rangers. Cam Talbot is mismatched with Jaroslav Halak in goal. The Islanders opened in the first period on a John Tavares goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, going in unassisted. The Islanders added on with a Frans Nielsen goal, his eleventh of the year, via Travis Hamonic and Mikhail Grabovski. The Rangers got on the board with a Ryan McDonagh goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Dan Girardi and Lee Stempniak. The Islanders shot back in the second period as Johnny Boychuk scored his fifth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Rangers pulled back on a Chris Kreider goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Derek Stepan and Dan Boyle. The Rangers tied it with a McDonagh goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, assisted by J.T. Miller. The Islanders pulled ahead on a Ryan Strome goal, his eleventh of the season, with assists provided by Brock Nelson and Hamonic. The Islanders extended the lead with a Strome goal in the third period, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, with a lone assist by Nielsen. The Rangers got one back on a Stepan goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Kreider and Kevin Klein. The Rangers tied it again on a Martin St. Louis goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Stepan and Marc Staal. The Rangers took the lead with a Klein goal, his ninth of the campaign, driven in by St. Louis and Derick Brassard. This held up for a 6-5 win, with the three stars given to McDonagh, Strome, and Klein, while St. Louis, Stepan, Nielsen, Hamonic, and Kreider get the honorable mentions.

West to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Dale Weise and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens iced it at 2-0 with a Pacioretty empty net goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, set up by Plekanec and P.K. Subban. The three stars were awarded to Plekanec, Price (25 save shutout), and Pacioretty.

Into Ontario, where the Ottawa Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Robin Lehner are set to start in goal. Carolina started in the first period with an Andrej Nestrasil goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Nathan Gerbe. Ottawa tied it on an Erik Condra goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Erik Karlsson and Shane Prince. The Hurricanes retook the lead in the second period as Jeff Skinner scored his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Riley Nash and Andrej Sekera. The Senators tied it again with a Mike Hoffman goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Mika Zibanejad and Karlsson. Carolina gained the lead on a Gerbe goal, his sixth of the season, via Nestrasil and Michal Jordan. Ottawa got an equalizer on a Cody Ceci goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. The Hurricanes again grabbed the lead with a Jay McClement goal, his third of the season, made possible by Brad Malone and Patrick Dwyer. Andrew Hammond relieved Lehner in goal. Carolina added on in the third period with a Jordan power play goal, guided in by Elias Lindholm and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes wrapped it up at 6-3 on a Chris Terry power play goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Ron Hainsey and Nestrasil. The three stars belonged to Nestrasil, Jordan, and Gerbe, while Karlsson and Zibanejad get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth and Michael Hutchinson receive the starting nods. Winnipeg led off in the first period on a Bryan Little power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Toby Enstrom and Blake Wheeler. Edmonton tied it on a Nail Yakupov goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Derek Roy and Andrew Ference. The Oilers took the lead with an Anton Lander power play goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz. The Jets tied it in the second period on a Little goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, with a lone assist by Ben Chiarot. Edmonton pulled ahead in the third period as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Jeff Petry and Eberle. Winnipeg tied it on a Tyler Myers goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Enstrom and Chris Thorburn. The Oilers regained the lead with Yakupov's second of the game and eighth of the season, a power play goal with helpers provided by Benoit Pouliot and Iiro Pakarinen. The Jets tied it again as Andrew Ladd scored his twentieth of the year, with the help of Wheeler and Little. Winnipeg won 5-4 in the shootout on a lone tally by Wheeler, which injured Fasth and brought Richard Bachman in for the rest of the shootout. The three stars were Little, Wheeler, and Yakupov, while Enstrom and Eberle get the honorable mentions.

Continuing to Alberta, where the Calgary Flames host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Karri Ramo are the Finnish goalies. Boston struck first in the first period on a Brad Marchand shorthanded goal, his sixteenth of the season, set up by Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on with a Zdeno Chara goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Dougie Hamilton and David Pastrnak. Boston extended the lead in the second period as Torey Krug scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Reilly Smith and Kevan Miller. Jonas Hiller relieved Ramo in goal. Calgary got on the board with a David Jones goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mikael Backlund and Mark Giordano. The Flames pulled closer in the third period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Sean Monahan and Paul Byron. Calgary tied it on another Hudler power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, powered by Giordano and Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames won 4-3 with a T.J. Brodie goal in overtime, his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Giordano, who got a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Hudler, Giordano, and Hiller (16 for 16 in saves in relief).

South to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike McKenna and Semyon Varlamov are in the blue paint. Colorado was first to score in the first period on a Cody McLeod goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Paul Carey and Jan Hejda. The Avalanche added on with a Matt Duchene goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Jarome Iginla and Zach Redmond. Arizona got on the board with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Lucas Lessio and Kyle Chipchura. Colorado shot back on a power play goal by Nick Holden, his fifth of the year, powered by Redmond and Duchene. The Avalanche extended the lead as Tyson Barrie scored his seventh of the season in the second period, with the help of Iginla and Max Talbot. Colorado padded the lead on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Ryan O'Reilly and Nathan MacKinnon. Varlamov had a slow night, so Reto Berra took the crease for the Avalanche in the third period. The Coyotes got one back in the third period on a Mark Arcobello goal, his tenth of the season, via Michael Stone and Jordan Martinook. This was as close as it got, with the final being 5-2. The three stars went to Duchene, Iginla, and Redmond.

Back in Canada, the Vancouver Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Eddie Lack are between the pipes. Minnesota began in the first period on a Nino Niederreiter goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Jordan Schroeder and Jonas Brodin. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Henrik Sedin goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks took the lead in the third period on a Bo Horvat goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Jannik Hansen and Luca Sbisa. Vancouver added on with an Alex Biega goal, via Henrik Sedin and Chris Higgins. The Wild pulled back on a Niederreiter goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, passed from Schroeder. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Niederreiter, Henrik Sedin, and Schroeder. 

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jonathan Quick occupy the creases. Tampa Bay got going in the first period on a Nikita Nesterov goal, passed from Ondrej Palat. Los Angeles tied it in the second period as Anze Kopitar scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Trevor Lewis and Brayden McNabb. The Kings took the lead in the third period on a Jordan Nolan goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Dwight King and Nick Shore. Los Angeles added on with a Jeff Carter goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Drew Doughty and King. The Lightning got one back with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to to Carter, King, and Nesterov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL February 16th, 2015

Two games on today, both from the Far East. The first sees...

Amur Khabarovsk host Barys Astana. Pavel Poluektov and Alexander Pechursky are in goal. Astana struck first in the first period on a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Konstantin Romanov. Barys added on in the second period with an Oleg Kvasha goal, passed from Nikita Mikhailis and Oskars Bartulis. Astana extended the lead on a power play goal by Nikolai Antropov, powered by Roman Starchenko. Khabarovsk got on the board in the third period as Vyacheslav Litovchenko scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Amur pulled closer on a Michel Miklik goal, via Denis Yezhov and Grigory Shafigulin. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Antropov, Kvasha, and Romanov.

Down in Vladivostok, Admiral hosts Avangard Omsk. Denis Kostin and Ivan Nalimov are given the starting nods. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period as Enver Lisin scored, thanks to Tom Wandell and Denis Osipov. Admiral added on with a second period goal by Richard Gynge, coming off of Ilya Zubov and Shaun Heshka on the power play. Omsk got on the board with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, made possible by Alexander Popov and Chad Kolarik. Avangard tied it in the third period on a Perezhogin goal, his second of the game, assisted by Denis Kulyash and Popov. Omsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Kulyash goal, with a lone helper by Sergei Shirokov. The three stars belonged to Perezhogin, Kulyash, and Popov.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.