KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: CSKA Moscow VS. Sochi Leopards

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between CSKA Moscow and the Sochi Leopards.

Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Dmitry Shikin of Sochi and Kevin Lalande of Moscow. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Simon Hjalmarsson goal, via Stephane Da Costa. CSKA added on with an Evgeny Artyukhin goal in the third period, assisted by Damir Zhafyarov. Moscow iced it at 3-0 on a Jan Mursak empty net goal, set up by Hjalmarsson. The three stars were Lalande (23 save shutout), Hjalmarsson, and Artyukhin. CSKA takes a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Dmitry Shikin of Sochi and Kevin Lalande of Moscow. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Igor Makarov goal, via Simon Hjalmarsson. CSKA added on with a Stephane Da Costa goal, guided in by the goalie Lalande and Alexander Radulov in the second period. Sochi got on the board in the third period on a Mikhail Anisin goal, assisted by Pyotr Schastlivy. Moscow shot back with an Igor Volkov goal, coming off of Andrei Stas. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Lalande (18 for 19 in saves), Da Costa, and Makarov. CSKA owns a 2-0 series lead as the series heads south.

Game 3: Bolshoy Ice Dome, Sochi, Russia. In goal: Kevin Lelande for Moscow and Andrei Gavrilov for Sochi. Sochi led off in the first period on a Mikhail Anisin goal, courtesy of Pyotr Schastlivy and Max Warn. Moscow tied it on an Alexander Radulov goal in the second period, via Vladimir Zharkov. CSKA took the lead on an Evgeny Korotkov goal in the third period, fueled by Igor Makarov. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Korotkov, Lalande (21 for 22 in saves), and Gavrilov (35 for 37 in saves). CSKA has pushed Sochi to the edge with a 3-0 series lead.

Game 4: Bolshoy Ice Dome, Sochi, Russia. In goal: Kevin Lelande for Moscow and Andrei Gavrilov for Sochi. Moscow began in the first period on an Alexander Radulov goal, with a lone assist by Igor Grigorenko. CSKA added on with a Damir Zhafyarov goal, fueled by Evgeny Korotkov and Vladimir Zharkov. Sochi got on the board with an Andre Petersson goal, passed from Ryan Whitney and Andrei Kostitsyn. Moscow answered with a Jan Mursak goal, assisted by Evgeny Artyukhin and Denis Denisov. The Leopards shot back in the second period on an Ilya Krikunov goal, guided in by Igor Radulov. CSKA replied in the third period as Grigorenko scored, thanks to Stephane Da Costa. Moscow extended the lead on a Grigorenko goal, his second of the game, with helpers from Da Costa and Alexander Radulov. CSKA padded the lead on an Artyukhin goal, made possible by Simon Hjalmarsson. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars given to Grigorenko, Alexander Radulov, and Artyukhin, while Da Costa gets an honorable mention. The series ends with CSKA winning 4-0 and advancing to the conference semifinals to oppose the lowest remaining seed.

NHL March 2nd, 2015

Three games on tonight, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Cam Talbot are set to start in goal. New York began in the first period on a Marc Staal goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. The Rangers added on with a Chris Kreider goal in the second period, his seventeenth of the year, via Zuccarello and Brassard. Nashville got on the board with a Matt Cullen goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Taylor Beck and Mike Santorelli. New York shot back in the third period as Dominic Moore scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Dan Girardi and Tanner Glass. The Rangers finished it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Rick Nash, his thirty-eighth of the campaign, set up by Kevin Klein. The three stars were given to Talbot (25 for 26 in saves), Zuccarello and Brassard.

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Corey Crawford are the veteran goalies. Chicago led off in the first period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Michal Rozsival and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on with a Toews shorthanded goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, set up by Duncan Keith. Chicago extended the lead with an unassisted Brandon Saad goal, his twentieth of the season. The Blackhawks padded the lead on a Marcus Kruger goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Andrew Shaw. Anton Khudobin relieved Ward in the third period. Carolina got on the board with a John-Michael Liles goal, his second of the season, passed from Andrej Nestrasil and Nathan Gerbe. Chicago replied with a Marian Hossa goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Toews and Rozsival. The Hurricanes got one back with an Alexander Semin goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Eric Staal and Jay McClement. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars given to Toews, Crawford (27 for 29 in saves), and Rozsival.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price faces a lesser foe in goal in Alex Stalock. San Jose opened in the first period on a Ben Smith goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Tomas Hertl and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks added on with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his thirty-second of the year, powered by Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. San Jose extended the lead in the second period on a Matt Irwin goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Tommy Wingels and Smith. The Sharks padded the lead in the third period as Patrick Marleau scored a power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Pavelski and Logan Couture. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars going to Smith, Pavelski, and Stalock (20 save shutout).

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NHL March 1st, 2015

Six games on today, beginning with...

The Winnipeg Jets hosting the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Michael Hutchinson are the masked men. Winnipeg started with a Drew Stafford goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Mark Scheifele and Jiri Tlusty. Los Angeles tied it on a Jeff Carter goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Tyler Toffoli and Jake Muzzin. The Jets retook the lead on a Tyler Myers goal, his sixth of the season, via Blake Wheeler and Chris Thorburn. Winnipeg added on with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets extended the lead as Ladd scored his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, thanks to Michael Frolik. The Kings got one back on a Carter goal in the third period, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, going in unassisted. Winnipeg iced it at 5-2 with a Wheeler empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Adam Lowry. The three stars were Ladd, Carter, and Wheeler.

East to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Marc-Andre Fleury start in goal. Columbus opened with a James Wisniewski power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Ryan Johansen and Jack Johnson. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Paul Martin. The Penguins took the lead in the second period on a David Perron power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Malkin and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh added on with a Malkin power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, helped along by Letang and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins extended the lead as Derrick Pouliot scored his second of the season, a power play goal, via Patric Hornqvist and Crosby. Pittsburgh padded the lead in the third period on a Steve Downie goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Daniel Winnik and Brandon Sutter. The Blue Jackets got one back on a Johansen shorthanded goal, his twenty-second of the season, going in unassisted. Columbus pulled closer with a Nick Foligno goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Scott Hartnell. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Malkin, Letang, and Johansen, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop faces a lesser foe in Al Montoya in goal. Florida struck first in the first period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Huberdeau and Brian Campbell. Tampa Bay tied it on an Anton Stralman goal, his fifth of the year, via Jonathan Drouin and Brian Boyle. The Panthers took the lead in the second period on an Aleksander Barkov goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Jagr and Huberdeau. Florida added on with an unassisted goal by Brad Boyes, his eleventh of the year. The Panthers extended the lead on a third period power play goal by Aaron Ekblad, his tenth of the season, powered by Nick Bjugstad and Huberdeau, the latter getting a sock trick. The Lightning got one back as Steven Stamkos scored his thirty-fifth of the year, with the help of Alex Killorn and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay pulled closer on a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, helped along by Nikita Kucherov and Stralman. They failed to tie it, losing 4-3, with the three stars going to Huberdeau, Jagr, and Stralman.

Back north, the Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Braden Holtby are set to start in goal. Washington was first to score in the first period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fortieth of the season, via Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner. The Capitals added on with another Ovechkin goal, his second of the game and forty-first of the year, assisted by Brooks Orpik and John Carlson in the second period. Washington extended the lead in the third period as Marcus Johansson scored his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Troy Brouwer and Ovechkin. The Capitals iced it 4-0 on a Joel Ward empty net goal, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Eric Fehr. The three stars were Ovechkin, Holtby (32 save shutout), and Johansson.

Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Jhonas Enroth are the backups in goal. Anaheim led off in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Jiri Sekac and Ryan Getzlaf. Dallas tied it on a second period power play goal by Patrick Eaves, his seventh of the year, powered by Trevor Daley and John Klingberg. The Ducks took the lead back in the third period on a Clayton Stoner goal, going in unassisted. Anaheim added on with a Getzlaf goal, his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by Perry. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Gibson (39 for 40 in saves), Getzlaf, and Perry.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Eddie Lack are the young goalies. St. Louis began in the first period with a Ryan Reaves goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Steve Ott and Marcel Goc. The Blues added on with an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his sixth of the year, via T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Vancouver got on the board with a Shawn Matthias goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Chris Higgins and Linden Vey. The Canucks tied it on a Yannick Weber goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Radim Vrbata and Derek Dorsett. Vancouver took the lead on a second period goal by Jannik Hansen goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Ronalds Kenins and Ryan Stanton. The Canucks extended the lead as Henrik Sedin scored his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Dan Hamhuis and Kenins. Vancouver padded the lead in the third period with a Nick Bonino goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Weber and Vrbata. St. Louis got one back with a Dmitrij Jaskin power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Paul Stastny and Oshie. The Blues chipped back on a Petteri Lindbohm goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. St. Louis tied it on a Backes goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone helper from Oshie. The Canucks won 6-5 with shootout goals by Bonino, Vrbata, and Chris Higgins to top Tarasenko's lone tally. The three stars went to Vrbata, Weber, and Oshie, while Kenins and Backes get the honorable mentions.

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Premier League Week 27

The season is nearly 3/4 done, and we only have eight games this week as others competitions begin to interfere. We begin with...

West Ham United hosting Crystal Palace. Julian Speroni and Adrian protect the nets. Crystal Palace had a yellow card given to Glenn Murray in the twenty-third minute for a foul. Crystal Palace began in the forty-first minute with a redemptive header goal by Murray, coming off of Jason Puncheon's cross after a corner kick. Crystal Palace added on with a Scott Dann header goal in the fifty-first minute, thanks to another Puncheon cross after a corner kick. Joel Ward of Crystal Palace received a yellow card his fifty-third minute foul. In the fifty-ninth minute, James Tomkins received a yellow card for West Ham United for his foul. Crystal Palace extended the lead with another Murray header goal, set up by Puncheon on a cross after a set piece, earning the latter man a sock trick for his three helpers. In the sixty-fifth minute, Enner Valencia of West Ham United took a yellow card for a foul. Murray was sent off with his second yellow card of the game in the sixty-ninth minute, putting Crystal Palace down a man. In the seventy-sixth minute, Valencia scored to put West Ham United on the board, with the help of Stewart Downing. Crystal Palace received a yellow card for Damien Delaney's time wasting in the eighty-fourth minute. Crystal Palace held on for the 3-1 win.

Up to Burnley welcoming Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Tom Heaton are the goalies. It took until the sixty-fourth minute for anything noteworthy to happen, when Kieran Trippier put the ball in his own net to give Swansea City a 1-0 lead. This was all Swansea City needed to claim a 1-0 victory.

Next up, Manchester United brings in Sunderland. Costel Pantilimon and David de Gea are given the starts in goal. Manchester United's Antonio Valencia received a yellow card for his first half stoppage time foul. In the sixty-fifth minute, Wes Brown of Sunderland received a straight red card for disagreeing with the concession of a penalty kick, and that kick was converted by Wayne Rooney in the next minute to give Manchester United the lead. In the seventy-ninth minute, the ten-man Sunderland took a yellow card for a Patrick van Aanholt foul. Manchester United added on in the eighty-fourth minute with a Rooney header goal at close range. Manchester United defended Old Trafford with a 2-0 win.

Continuing to Newcastle United hosting Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and Tim Krul man the nets. In the twenty-sixth minute, Aston Villa saw a yellow card given to Alan Hutton. In the thirty-seventh minute, Newcastle United began with a Papiss Demba Cisse goal, passed from Daryl Janmaat on a cross. Matthew Lowton of Aston Villa received a yellow card for his foul in first half stoppage time. Newcastle United saw a yellow card for a fifty-third minute foul by Michael Williamson. Aston Villa had three more yellow cards, going to Gabriel Agbonlahor in the sixty-third minute, Ciaran Clark in the eighty-third minute, Tom Cleverley in second half stoppage time, all for fouls. Newcastle United took a 1-0 victory.

Over to Stoke City welcoming Hull City. Allan McGregor and Asmir Begovic are in the six-yard boxes. Stoke City took yellow cards for a twenty-eighth minute foul by Erik Pieters and a Victor Moses foul in the forty-third minute. In the fifty-second minute, Hull City took a yellow card for a foul by David Meyler. Stoke City opened in the seventy-first minute on a Peter Crouch header goal, via Charlie Adam. Hull City received a yellow card for a Michael Dawson foul in the seventy-seventh minute. The final stood at 1-0 in favor of Stoke City.

Closing out Saturday, West Bromwich Albion brings in Southampton. Fraser Forster and Ben Foster are the gloved men. West Brom struck first in the second minute on a Saido Berahino goal, after a set piece. Southampton took a yellow card for a twenty-ninth minute Victor Wanyama foul. West Brom had yellow cards go to the goalie Foster in the sixty-second minute and Stephane Sessegnon in the eighty-second minute. West Brom won 1-0.

On Sunday, Liverpool hosts Manchester City. Joe Hart and Simon Mignolet are the keepers. Liverpool began in the eleventh minute on a Jordan Henderson goal, via Raheem Sterling. Manchester City tied it in the twenty-fifth minute on an Edin Dzeko goal, fueled by Sergio Aguero's through ball. In the fifty-seventh minute, Samir Nasri of Manchester City took a yellow card for his foul. Liverpool retook the lead in the seventy-fifth minute on a Philippe Coutinho goal, coming offo f Sterling. In the eighty-second minute, Manchester City saw a yellow card for a foul by James Milner. Adam Lallana of Liverpool had a yellow card for his eighty-fourth minute foul. Manchester City took another yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute for a foul by Wilfried Bony. Liverpool took the game 2-1.

Finally, Arsenal hosts Everton. Tim Howard and David Ospina guard the woodwork. Arsenal opened in the thirty-ninth minute on an Olivier Giroud goal, guided in by Mesut Ozil's cross after a corner kick. Arsenal had yellow cards go to Giroud at the forty-six minute mark and Laurent Koscielny in the seventy-eighth minute, both for fouls. In the eighty-ninth minute, Tomas Rosicky scored for Arsenal to give them a 2-0 lead, and later, victory.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

NHL February 28th, 2015

Ten games on today, beginning with...

The Florida Panthers hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Roberto Luongo are set to start in goal. Buffalo opened in the first period on a Cody Hodgson goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Zach Bogosian and Nicolas Deslauriers. The Sabres added on with an Andrej Meszaros goal, his third of the year, guided in by Johan Larsson and Hodgson. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Brandon Pirri power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Brian Campbell and Jussi Jokinen. The Panthers tied it on another Pirri power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Campbell and Brad Boyes. Florida took the lead with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Jokinen and Boyes. Buffalo retied it in the third period on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Matt Moulson and Nikita Zadorov. The Panthers retook the lead on a Scottie Upshall goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Derek MacKenzie and Shawn Thornton. Florida finished it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by MacKenzie, his fourth of the year, set up by Boyes and Jokinen, both of whom got sock tricks. The three stars belonged to Pirri, Jokinen, and Boyes, while MacKenzie, Hodgson, and Campbell get the honorable mentions.

Up in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jonas Gustavsson is mismatched with Pekka Rinne in goal. Detroit started in the first period on a Brendan Smith goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Joakim Andersson and Drew Miller. The Red Wings added on in the second period on a Miller goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Tomas Jurco. Nashville got on the board with a Matt Cullen goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Craig Smith and Roman Josi. The Predators tied it on a Mike Fisher goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Cody Franson and Cullen. Nashville took the lead as Shea Weber scored his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mike Ribeiro and Josi. Detroit retied it on a third period goal by Alexey Marchenko, via Justin Abdelkader and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings took the lead as Tomas Tatar scored his twenty-fifth of the year, a power play goal helped along by Pavel Datsyuk and Kronwall. This gave them a 4-3 win, with the three stars given to Miller, Kronwall, and Cullen, while Josi gets an honorable mention.

Northeast to Long Island, where the New York Islanders bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Chad Johnson occupy the creases. New York struck first in the first period on a Michael Grabner goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Ryan Strome and Johnny Boychuk. Carolina tied it on a Jay McClement goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Chris Terry and Brad Malone. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period on a Justin Faulk power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Eric Staal and Victor Rask. Carolina added on with another McClement goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, passed from Andrej Nestrasil and Nathan Gerbe. The Islanders replied with a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Cal Clutterbuck and Travis Hamonic. The Hurricanes shot back on a Malone goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Nestrasil and John-Michael Liles. Carolina extended the lead on a Michal Jordan power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers provided by Jordan Staal and Jeff Skinner. New York answered with a John Tavares goal in the third period, his thirtieth of the year, via Anders Lee and Nick Leddy. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to McClement, Malone, and Nestrasil.

Back west, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. New Jersey led off in the first period with an Andy Greene goal, his second of the season, made possible by Patrik Elias. The Devils added on in the third period with a Travis Zajac goal, his tenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Stephen Gionta and Michael Cammalleri. The final stood at 2-0, with the three stars going to Schneider (33 save shutout), Greene, and Zajac.

East again to Boston, as the Bruins welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Tuukka Rask are between the pipes. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Milan Lucic goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of David Pastrnak and Ryan Spooner. The Bruins added on with a Brad Marchand goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Reilly Smith and Patrice Bergeron. Boston extended the lead in the second period as Bergeron scored his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Marchand and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins padded the lead on a Chara power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Smith and Lucic. Louis Domingue relieved Smith. Arizona got on the board in the third period on a Martin Erat goal, his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Shane Doan and Keith Yandle. The final was 4-1, with the three stars going to Marchand, Bergeron, and Chara, while Lucic and Smith get the honorable mentions.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Carey Price guard the cages. Montreal began in the first period with a Manny Malhotra goal, via Dale Weise. The Canadiens added on with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. Montreal extended the lead in the third period as David Desharnais scored his tenth of the year, passed from Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens iced it at 4-0 on a Desharnais empty net goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, set up by Pacioretty and Gallagher. The three stars went to Price (30 save shutout), Desharnais, and Gallagher, while Pacioretty gets the honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Steve Mason get the starting nods. Philadelphia opened in the first period on a Matt Read goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek. New York tied it on a J.T. Miller goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Carl Hagelin. The Rangers took the lead on a John Moore goal in the second period, with assists provided by Tanner Glass and Dominic Moore. The Flyers tied it as Michael Raffl scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Braydon Coburn and Vincent Lecavalier. Philadelphia took the lead in the third period on a Michael Del Zotto shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Couturier. The Flyers finished it at 4-2 on an empty net goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Raffl. The three stars went to Raffl, Couturier, and Del Zotto.

Way west to Edmonton, where the Oilers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Ben Scrivens draw the starts. St. Louis started in the first period on a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, his tenth of the season, via Paul Stastny and Patrik Berglund. Edmonton tied it in the second period as Justin Schultz scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Blues retook the lead in the third period on a Stastny goal, his twelfth of the campaign, assisted by Ian Cole. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Stastny, Elliott (21 for 22 in saves), and Jaskin.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Semyon Varlamov are the goalies. Minnesota struck first in the first period on an Erik Haula goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Justin Fontaine and Kyle Brodziak. Colorado tied it on a Max Talbot goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Nick Holden in the second period. The Wild retook the lead as Fontaine scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Haula and Jonas Brodin. Minnesota added on in the third period with a Jason Pominville goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Mikael Granlund. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Dubnyk (33 for 34 in saves), Fontaine, and Haula.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Antti Niemi are in the blue paint. San Jose was first to score in the first period on a Tommy Wingels goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Matt Irwin and Matthew Nieto. Ottawa tied it in the second period on an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Kyle Turris and Mike Hoffman. The Sharks retook the lead on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns. The Senators tied it again in the third period as Mark Stone scored his fifteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Turris. Ottawa took the lead on a Hoffman goal, his twenty-second of the season, a power play goal helped along by Mika Zibanejad and Karlsson. The Senators finished it at 4-2 on a Hoffman empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, set up by Stone. The three stars went to Hoffman, Karlsson, and Stone, while Turris gets an honorable mention.

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NHL February 27th, 2015

Six games going today, beginning in...

Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin are the young goalies. Carolina led off in the first period on a Brett Bellemore goal, passed from Victor Rask and Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes added on with a Jeff Skinner goal in the second period, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Elias Lindholm and Riley Nash. Carolina extended the lead in the third period on a Nathan Gerbe goal, his seventh of the year, an empty net goal set up by Nestrasil and Justin Faulk. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Khudobin (28 save shutout), Nestrasil, and Bellemore.

North to New Jersey, where the Devils welcome the Boston Bruins. Niklas Svedberg is mismatched with Cory Schneider in goal. Boston began in the first period on a Daniel Paille goal, his third of the season, fueled by Loui Eriksson. The Bruins added on with a David Pastrnak goal in the third period, his seventh of the year, guided in by Chris Kelly and Reilly Smith. New Jersey got on the board with a Travis Zajac power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Jacob Josefson. The Devils tied it on a Jordin Tootoo goal, his sixth of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and Adam Larsson. Boston won 3-2 in overtime on a Ryan Spooner goal, made possible by Pastrnak and Torey Krug. The three stars went to Pastrnak, Spooner, and Paille.

Out to Long Island, where the New York Islanders bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jaroslav Halak are in the blue paint. New York opened in the first period on a Ryan Strome power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Travis Hamonic. The Islanders added on with an empty net goal by Cal Clutterbuck in the third period, his sixth of the year, set up by Nikolay Kulemin and Thomas Hickey. Calgary got on the board with a Josh Jooris goal, his eleventh of the campaign, fueled by Joe Colborne and Kris Russell. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars going to Halak (26 for 27 in saves), Ramo (37 for 38 in saves), and Strome.

Way south to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling opposes Ben Bishop in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a Brian Boyle goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Drouin. The Lightning added on with a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirty-third of the year, coming off of Jason Garrison and Nikita Nesterov. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Ryan Callahan, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning finished it at 4-0 on a Stamkos power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-fourth of the year, via Garrison and Victor Hedman. The three stars went to Stamkos, Bishop (28 save shutout), and Garrison.

West to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Kari Lehtonen are the struggling starters. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Cody Eakin goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Garbutt. Colorado tied it on a Tyson Barrie goal, his tenth of the year, via Matt Duchene and Nate Guenin. The Stars retook the lead on a Jason Spezza goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Erik Cole and Trevor Daley. Dallas added on in the third period with Eakin's second of the game and fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche pulled back on a Jarome Iginla goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Guenin and Duchene. Colorado tied it on a Guenin goal, his second of the year, made possible by Gabriel Landeskog and Barrie. The Stars took the lead back as Antoine Roussel scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Eakin and the goalie Lehtonen. The Avalanche tied it again on a Landeskog goal, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Barrie and Ryan O'Reilly. The tie lasted to a shootout, where O'Reilly's goal gave Colorado the 5-4 win. The three stars were Eakin, Guenin, and Barrie, while O'Reilly, Landeskog, and Duchene get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and John Gibson are the backups in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Trevor Lewis goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Robyn Regehr and Matt Greene. The Kings added on in the second period with a Brayden McNabb goal, via Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Anaheim got on the board in the third period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks tied it on an Emerson Etem goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Rickard Rakell and Jiri Sekac. Anaheim took the lead with a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Josh Manson. The Ducks won 4-2 on a Perry empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the campaign, set up by Kesler. The three stars went to Perry, Kesler, and Etem.

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NHL February 26th, 2015

Nine games on tonight, beginning with...

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Curtis McElhinney draw the starts. Montreal led off in the first period on a P.K. Subban goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Andrei Markov and Manny Malhotra. Columbus tied it on a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his eighth of the year, via David Savard and Cam Atkinson. The Canadiens retook the lead as Markov scored his eighth of the season, thanks to David Desharnais. Montreal added on with a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirtieth of the year, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Subban. The Canadiens extended the lead in the third period on a Jacob De La Rose goal, passed from Brandon Prust and Subban. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Marko Dano goal, his third of the campaign, courtesy of Artem Anisimov and Savard. Montreal finished it at 5-2 on a De La Rose empty net goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Subban, Markov, and De La Rose, while Savard gets an honorable mention.

East to Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Michal Neuvirth are in the creases. Buffalo struck first in the first period on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Matt Moulson and Brian Gionta. Vancouver tied it on a Shawn Matthias goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Nick Bonino and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks took the lead in the second period with a Jannik Hansen goal, his twelfth of the campaign, via Hamhuis. The Sabres retied it on an unassisted goal by Chris Stewart, his eleventh of the season. Buffalo took the lead in the third period on an Andrej Meszaros goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Vancouver retied it on a Daniel Sedin goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Henrik Sedin. The Sabres claimed the lead again on a Mitchell goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, fueled by Gionta and Moulson. Buffalo added on with a Brian Flynn goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Stewart and Mark Pysyk. The Sabres iced it at 6-3 with a Gionta empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Mitchell, Gionta, and Stewart, while Moulson and Hamhuis get the honorable mentions.

In New York City, the Rangers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cam Talbot are in the blue paint. Arizona was first to score in the first period on a Mark Arcobello goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by David Moss and Michael Stone. New York tied it on a Chris Kreider power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello. The Coyotes retook the lead with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Arizona added on with Gagner's second of the game and twelfth of the year, another power play goal coming off of Stone and Martin Erat. The Rangers got one back in the second period as Lee Stempniak scored his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by John Moore. New York tied it on an unassisted power play goal by Kreider, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year. The Rangers gained the lead on Stempniak's second of the game and ninth of the campaign in the third period, helped along by Hayes. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Stempniak, Kreider, and Gagner, while Hayes and Stone get the honorable mentions.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs host the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob Zepp is mismatched with Jonathan Bernier in goal. Toronto began in the first period with a Phil Kessel goal, his twenty-third of the season, with a lone assist by Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period as Bozak scored his seventeenth of the year, thanks to James van Riemsdyk and Morgan Rielly. Toronto extended the lead with a Dion Phaneuf goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Kessel and Jake Gardiner on the power play. Philadelphia got on the board with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Michael Del Zotto and Mark Streit. The Flyers pulled closer on a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his twelfth of the campaign, via Streit and Giroux. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Bernier (47 for 49 in saves), Bozak, and Kessel, while Giroux and Streit get the honorable mentions.

Way south to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Chicago started in the first period on a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Andrew Shaw and David Rundblad. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Brandon Saad goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa. Chicago extended the lead in the third period with a Jonathan Toews empty net goal, his nineteenth of the season, set up by Hossa and Saad. The final was 3-0, with the three stars being Crawford (20 save shutout), Saad, and Hossa.

Back northwest, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Michael Hutchinson are the masked men. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Patrik Berglund goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Paul Stastny and Ryan Reaves. Winnipeg tied it in the third period as Mark Scheifele scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Andrew Ladd and Michael Frolik. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen topped Ladd to give the Blues a 2-1 win. The three stars were Elliott (30 for 31 in saves), Hutchinson (28 for 29 in saves), and Ladd.

Stateside again, with the Nashville Predators hosting the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Pekka Rinne are between the pipes. Minnesota opened in the first period with an Erik Haula goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Justin Fontaine and Kyle Brodziak. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Mike Fisher goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Matt Cullen and Mattias Ekholm. The Wild retook the lead on a Brodziak goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Haula. The Predators tied it again with a Craig Smith goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Fisher and Cullen. Minnesota gained the lead as Nino Niederreiter scored his twentieth of the season, with the help of Charlie Coyle and Jordan Schroeder. The Wild iced it at 4-2 on a Niederreiter empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Haula, Brodziak, and Niederreiter, while Cullen and Fisher get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Jonathan Quick are the goalies. Ottawa got going in the third period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. This was all they needed for a 1-0 win. The three stars were awarded to Hammond (35 save shutout), Hoffman, and Quick (27 for 28 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Antti Niemi guard the cages. San Jose struck first in the first period on a Matt Irwin goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Joe Thornton and Scott Hannan. Detroit tied it on a Teemu Pulkkinen power play goal in the second period, his second of the year, powered by Riley Sheahan and Stephen Weiss. The Sharks took the lead back on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture. The Red Wings retied it on a Pavel Datsyuk goal in the third period, his twenty-second of the year, made possible by Tomas Tatar and Danny DeKeyser. Detroit took the lead on a Luke Glendening goal, his eighth of the campaign, helped along by Gustav Nyquist and DeKeyser. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Glendening, Datsyuk, and DeKeyser.

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