Thursday, December 10, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 64

Seven games for the day, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski and Petr Mrazek are the young goalies. Detroit got going with a Darren Helm goal in the second period, his second of the season, fueled by Luke Glendening and Joakim Andersson. Montreal tied it on a Sven Andrighetto goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Charles Hudon and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens took the lead on a Tomas Fleischmann goal in the third period, his eighth of the season, assisted by David Desharnais and Daniel Carr. The Red Wings tied it on a Justin Abdelkader power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit took the lead on a Helm goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, set up by Pavel Datsyuk. The final was 3-2, with the three stars given to Helm, Abdelkader, and Fleischmann.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Ben Bishop are the underrated goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on in the third period on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his third of the year, guided in by J.T. Brown and Ryan Callahan. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Kucherov scored his second of the game and tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Ottawa got on the board with a Cody Ceci goal, his third of the year, via Bobby Ryan and Mark Stone. The Lightning iced it at 4-1 with a Brown empty net goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Callahan. The three stars went to Kucherov, Brown, and Bishop (30 for 31 in saves), while Callahan gets an honorable mention.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers bring in the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Al Montoya are the backups in goal. The start of the game was delayed due to the absence of paramedics at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Once things got going, Florida led off with a Jaromir Jagr goal in the first period, his ninth of the season, assisted by Dmitry Kulikov and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers added on with a Brandon Pirri power play goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, powered by Brian Campbell and Vincent Trocheck. Florida extended the lead on an Aaron Ekblad goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Huberdeau and Willie Mitchell. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed from John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Panthers iced it at 4-1 with a Logan Shaw goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Jussi Jokinen. The three stars were handed to Huberdeau, Montoya (19 for 20 in saves), and Pirri.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues host the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Brian Elliott are the solid backups. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Robby Fabbri goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Dmitrij Jaskin. Philadelphia tied it on a Michael Raffl goal, his third of the year, via Brayden Schenn and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead on a Matt Read goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Michael Del Zotto and Wayne Simmonds. Philadelphia added on with a Giroux goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Schenn and Nick Schultz. The Blues got one back in the third period on a David Backes power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Flyers finished it at 4-2 with a Ryan White empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Giroux. The three stars went to Giroux, Schenn, and Neuvirth (35 for 37 in saves).

Over to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling is mismatched with Pekka Rinne in goal. Nashville started in the first period on a James Neal goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Shea Weber and Mike Ribeiro. The Predators added on with a Craig Smith goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Viktor Arvidsson. Nashville extended the lead as Filip Forsberg scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Roman Josi and Calle Jarnkrok. Chicago got on the board with a Patrick Kane goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Duncan Keith. The Predators replied on a Neal goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. Nashville finished it at 5-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Eric Nystrom, his fifth of the year, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Neal, Rinne (35 for 36 in saves), and Smith.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Connor Hellebuyck are the little-known goalies. Winnipeg began in the first period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Drew Stafford and Mathieu Perreault. The Jets added on with an Adam Lowry goal, via Dustin Byfuglien and Anthony Peluso. Winnipeg extended the lead on a Byfuglien power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Perreault and Bryan Little. Columbus got on the board with a Boone Jenner goal, his twelfth of the campaign, guided in by David Savard and Ryan Johansen. The Blue Jackets got closer in the second period on a Scott Hartnell power play goal in the third period, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Alexander Wennberg and Johansen. The Jets shot back in the third period on a Stafford goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Byfuglien and Perreault, the latter getting a sock trick. Winnipeg padded the lead on a Perreault goal, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Scheifele and Stafford. Columbus got one back with a Cam Atkinson goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Wennberg. The Blue Jackets pulled closer with another Atkinson goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, passed from Wennberg, who got a sock trick, and Ryan Murray. The Jets iced it at 6-4 on a Blake Wheeler goal, his tenth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Little. The three stars went to Perreault, Byfuglien, and Stafford, while Atkinson, Wennberg, Scheifele, Little, and Johansen get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Buffalo Sabres. Chad Johnson and Jonas Hiller are the goalies. Calgary drew first blood in the second period on a Sean Monahan goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Dennis Wideman and Brandon Bollig. The Flames added on with a Markus Granlund goal, his third of the year, via Dougie Hamilton and Joe Colborne. Buffalo got on the board with a Rasmus Ristolainen power play goal in the third period, his fifth of the season, powered by Sam Reinhart and Ryan O'Reilly. The Sabres tied it on another Ristolainen power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with assists provided by O'Reilly. Calgary regained the lead on a Monahan goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, made possible by Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano. Buffalo tied it again as Ristolainen completed his hat trick on his seventh of the year, assisted by Matt Moulson and Zach Bogosian. The Flames took the lead on a Gaudreau goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Monahan and T.J. Brodie. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Ristolainen, Monahan, and Gaudreau, while O'Reilly gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 98

Six games on today, beginning in the far east, with...

Admiral Vladivostok hosting Barys Astana. Jan Laco and Ivan Nalimov are the goalies. Vladivostok began in the first period with a Dmitry Sayustov goal, going in unassisted. Admiral added on with a David Booth power play goal in the second period, powered by Alexander Gorshkov. Vladivostok extended the lead as Alexei Ugarov scored a power play goal, via Rushan Rafikov and Jonathon Blum. Astana got on the board in the third period with a Dustin Boyd power play goal, assisted by Brandon Bochenski and Nigel Dawes. Barys got closer with a Dawes power play goal, helped along by Kevin Dallman and Mike Lundin. Admiral iced it at 4-2 on a Yegor Dugin empty net goal, set up by Ugarov and Blum. The three stars went to Ugarov, Dawes, and Blum.

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Alexander Pechursky are set to start in goal. Khabarovsk got going in the third period on a Mikhail Zheleznov goal, passed from the goalie Pechursky and Denis Tolpeko. Amur iced it at 2-0 on a Vladislav Ushenin goal, via Oleg Li. The three stars were awarded to Pechursky (23 save shutout), Zheleznov, and Ushenin.

West to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings Avtomobilist. Jakub Kovar and Andrei Kareyev are the masked men. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period on a Pavel Turbin goal, made possible by Alexei Mikhnov. Avtomobilist added on with a Mikhnov goal, going in unassisted. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a Kirill Lebedev goal, fueled by Kirill Kaprizov and Roman Manukhov. Yekaterinburg answered on an Alexander Torchenyuk goal, assisted by Vitaly Popov. Metallurg pulled back with a Kaprizov power play goal in the third period, powered by Manukhov. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars going to Mikhnov, Kaprizov, and Manukhov.

Over to Novosibirsk, where Sibir hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Georgy Gelashvili and Nikita Bespalov. Novosibirsk led off in the first period on a Sergei Shumakov goal, guided in by Vitaly Menshikov. Sibir added on with a Shumakov power play goal, powered by David Ullstrom. Novosibirsk extended the lead on an unassisted Ullstrom power play goal. Sibir padded the lead in the second period on a Tomas Vincour goal, passed from Ullstrom and Menshikov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with an Artyom Bulyansky goal, courtesy of Andrei Taratukhin and Pavel Medvedev. Yugra got closer on a Medvedev goal, coming off of Oleg Pogorishny on the power play. Novosibirsk replied in the third period on a Konstantin Okulov goal, assisted by Alexei Kopeikin and Artyom Voroshilo. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Ullstrom, Shumakov, and Menshikov, while Medvedev gets an honorable mention.

Out in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Riku Helenius are in the blue paint. Chelyabinsk started in the first period on a Semyon Afonasyevsky goal, going in unassisted. Helsinki tied it on a Philip Larsen goal, fueled by Petteri Wirtanen. Jokerit took the lead on a Wirtanen goal, made possible by Larsen and Daine Todd. Traktor tied it on a Danil Gubarev goal, coming off of Nikita Zhuldikov. Helsinki took the lead again in the second period on a Peter Regin goal, passed from Niko Kapanen and Jesse Joensuu. Chelyabinsk tied it on a Vyacheslav Osnovin goal, assisted by Afonasyevsky. Traktor took the lead on a Semyon Kokuyov power play goal, powered by Zhuldikov and Gubarev. Jokerit tied it in the third period on a Juhamatti Aaltonen goal, helped along by Atte Ohtamaa and Larsen. The tie went to the shootout, where Brandon Kozun, Jere Sallinen, and Larsen all scored for Jokerit to win over Anton Glinkin and Maxim Yakutsenya of Traktor for a 5-4 final. The three stars went to Larsen, Wirtanen, and Afonasyevsky, while Gubarev and Zhuldikov get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Ivan Lisutin and Joacim Eriksson are the goalies. Nizhnekamsk struck first in the first period on an Andrei Sergeyev goal, courtesy of Dan Sexton and Jeff Taffe. Riga tied it in the second period on an Edgars Kulda goal, via Maris Bicevskis and Kristaps Sotnieks. Dinamo took the lead on a Ville Leino goal, fueled by Krisjanis Redlihs and Gints Meija. Riga added on in the third period with a Sotnieks goal, assisted by Kulda and Maris Jass. Dinamo made it 4-1 with a Gunars Skvorcovs goal, coming off of Miks Indrasis. The three stars were Sotnieks, Kulda, and Eriksson (27 for 28 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 63

Four games tonight, beginning with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Mike Condon in goal. Montreal was first to score in the first period on a Paul Byron goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone helper by Tomas Plekanec. Boston tied it in the third period on a Loui Eriksson shorthanded goal, his eleventh of the year, set up by Zdeno Chara. The Bruins took the lead on a Landon Ferraro goal, his third of the season, via Ryan Spooner and Torey Krug. Boston added on with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Brad Marchand and Matt Beleskey. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Rask (32 for 33 in saves), Ferraro, and Bergeron.

Out in Edmonton, the Oilers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Anders Nilsson are in the blue paint. Edmonton got going in the second period on a Leon Draisaitl goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Teddy Purcell and Taylor Hall. San Jose tied it on a Justin Braun goal in the third period, made possible by Patrick Marleau and Joel Ward. The Oilers retook the lead with a Jordan Eberle goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jujhar Khaira and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Sharks tied it again with a Marleau goal, his eleventh of the season, via Tomas Hertl and Braun. San Jose took the lead with a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Joonas Donskoi and Brent Burns. Edmonton tied it again with an Iiro Pakarinen goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers won 4-3 in overtime with a Hall goal, his twelfth of the year, with a lone helper by Draisaitl. The three stars went to Hall, Eberle, and Draisaitl, while Marleau, Braun, and Nugent-Hopkins get the honorable mentions.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Reto Berra get the starting nods. Colorado struck first in the first period on a Matt Duchene goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Mikhail Grigorenko. Pittsburgh tied it on a Matt Cullen goal, his third of the year, via Patric Hornqvist and Olli Maatta. The Avalanche retook the lead with an Erik Johnson goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Carl Soderberg and Francois Beauchemin. The Penguins tied it in the third period on a Beau Bennett goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh took the lead on a Hornqvist goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Maatta and Nick Bonino. The Penguins added on with a Bennett goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, made possible by Brian Dumoulin. This held for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Bennett, Hornqvist, and Maatta.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller guard the cages. Vancouver dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Alexander Edler power play goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. New York tied it on a Dan Boyle penalty shot goal, coming after Christopher Tanev fell on the puck in the crease. The Canucks took the lead back on a Daniel Sedin goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Edler and Henrik Sedin. The three stars went to Daniel Sedin, Edler, and Miller (32 for 33 in saves), while Henrik Sedin gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 97

Eight games on today as the schedule picks up some steam approaching an international break starting next Tuesday. The first game today is...

Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosting Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Stepanek and Ilya Proskuryakov get the starting nods. Nizhny Novgorod started with an unassisted Sergei Kostitsyn power play goal in the first period. Torpedo added on with an Artyom Alyayev power play goal, powered by Dmitry Semin and Kaspars Daugavins. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead as Daugavins scored a power play goal, with the help of Semin and Alyayev. Cherepovets got on the board with a Daniil Vovchenko power play goal in the third period, helped along by Yury Trubachyov and Pavel Buchnevich. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Alyayev, Daugavins, and Semin.

West to Moscow, where Spartak welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Evgeny Ivannikov are the goalies. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period on a Danis Zaripov power play goal, powered by Wojtek Wolski and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Yaroslav Kosov goal, via Alexei Bereglazov. Moscow got on the board with a Lukas Radil power play goal, made possible by Charles Genoway and Vyacheslav Belov. Spartak tied it in the third period as Evgeny Bodrov scored, with the help of Genoway and Matthew Gilroy in the last second of regulation. In the shootout, Igor Levitsky and Casey Wellman won it for Spartak for a 3-2 final score. The three stars were Genoway, Bodrov, and Wellman.

Down in Podolsk, Vityaz hosts Lada Togliatti. Edgars Masalskis and Harri Sateri guard the cages. Togliatti dented the scoreboard in the third period on an Igor Magogin goal, fueled by Martin Zatovic and Alexander Bumagin. Lada iced it at 2-0 with a Georgy Belousov empty net goal, set up by Yefim Gurkin and Anton Shenfeld. The three stars went to Masalskis (31 save shutout), Magogin, and Sateri (27 for 28 in saves).

Northwest to St. Petersburg, where SKA brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Mikko Koskinen are the masked men. St. Petersburg was first to score in the first period on an Andrei Kuteikin power play goal, coming off of Vadim Shipachyov and Nikita Gusev. SKA added on with a power play goal by Evgeny Dadonov, powered by Shipachyov and Gusev. Ufa got on the board with a Maxim Mayorov goal, passed from Nikolai Prokhorkin. Salavat Yulaev tied it in the second period on a Teemu Hartikainen goal, assisted by Alexander Loginov and Prokhorkin. Ufa took the lead as Igor Grigorenko scored, thanks to Andreas Engqvist. St. Petersburg tied it again in the third period on an Anton Burdasov goal, fueled by Ilya Kovalchuk. SKA took the lead on an Alexander Kadeikin goal, with a lone assist by Kovalchuk. St. Petersburg iced it at 5-3 with a Steve Moses empty net goal, set up by Jarno Koskiranta. The three stars went to Kovalchuk, Shipachyov, and Prokhorkin, while Gusev gets an honorable mention.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk hosts CSKA Moscow. Viktor Fasth and Dmitry Milchakov are in the creases. Moscow struck first in the first period on a Geoff Platt goal, via Alexander Kutuzov and Dmitry Kugryshev. CSKA added on in the second period with another Platt goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Radulov. Minsk got on the board in the third period on a power play goal by Jonathan Cheechoo, powered by Alexei Kalyuzhny and Nick Bailen. Moscow finished it at 3-1 on a Radulov empty net goal, set up by Nikita Zaitsev. The three stars were awarded to Platt, Fasth (15 for 16 in saves), and Radulov.

Back in Russia, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Jussi Rynnas and Alexander Lazushin are set to start in goal. Kazan led off in the first period on an Alexander Svitov goal, going in unassisted. Ak Bars added on with an unassisted power play goal by Mattias Sjogren. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Rynnas (26 save shutout), Svitov, and Sjogren.

In Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava hosts the Sochi Leopards. Dmitry Shikin and Michael Garnett are called on to start. Bratislava began in the first period on a Michel Miklik goal, via Milan Bartovic and Tomas Surovy. Sochi tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, guided in by Sergei Kuznetsov. Slovan took the lead back on a Bartovic goal, fueled by Miklik and Ivan Svarny. The Leopards tied it again in the second period on an unassisted goal by Vadim Shchegolkov. Sochi took the lead as Igor Ignatushkin scored, with a lone assist by Andrei Kostitsyn. Barry Brust replaced Garnett in goal. Bratislava tied it again on a Lukas Kaspar power play goal, powered by Cam Barker. The Leopards pulled ahead on a Ben Maxwell power play goal, courtesy of Ziyat Paigin and Andre Petersson. Slovan tied it again in the third period on a Marek Viedensky goal, made possible by Vladimir Mihalik and Vaclav Nedorost. Sochi gained the lead on an Ilya Krikunov goal, passed from Kostitsyn and Ignatushkin. The three stars went to Ignatushkin, Kostitsyn, and Bartovic, while Miklik gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Danny Taylor protect the nets. Yaroslavl got going in the third period on a Kirill Kapustin goal, guided in by Emil Galimov. Zagreb tied it on a Jesse Saarinen goal, via Tomas Mertl and Tuukka Mantyla. Lokomotiv won 2-1 in overtime on a Pavel Koledov goal, fueled by Petri Kontiola and Vladislav Kartayev. The three stars went to Koledov, Murygin (18 for 19 in saves), and Kapustin.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 62

Nine games on tonight, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Steve Mason receive the starting nods. New York led off in the first period on a Frans Nielsen goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Anders Lee and Johnny Boychuk. Philadelphia tied it on a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Claude Giroux. The Islanders took the lead back on a Brock Nelson power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, powered by Nick Leddy and Kyle Okposo. New York added on with a Nielsen goal in the second period, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, via Josh Bailey and Leddy. Michal Neuvirth replaced Mason in goal. The Flyers pulled back on a Ryan White goal, his second of the year, courtesy of R.J. Umberger and Scott Laughton. Philadelphia tied it on a Giroux goal in the third period, his tenth of the campaign, passed from Brayden Schenn and Brandon Manning. The tie went to a shootout, where Okposo's lone tally gave the Islanders the 4-3 win. The three stars were Nielsen, Okposo, and Giroux, while Leddy gets an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets welcoming the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Sergei Bobrovsky are the Olympian goalies. Columbus got going in the second period on a Scott Hartnell power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen. The Blue Jackets added on with a Matt Calvert goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Brandon Saad and Ryan Murray. Los Angeles got on the board with a Christian Ehrhoff goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Curtis McElhinney had to replace an injured Bobrovsky in the third period. The Kings tied it just after this on a Jeff Carter goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Milan Lucic and Alec Martinez. Los Angeles won 3-2 in overtime on a Martinez goal, his fourth of the campaign, helped along by Nick Shore and Dustin Brown. The three stars were handed to Martinez, Carter, and Ehrhoff.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces a lesser foe in Garret Sparks in goal. New Jersey was first to score in the first period on a Lee Stempniak power play goal, his seventh of the season, via John Moore and Patrik Elias. Toronto tied it on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone helper by Roman Polak. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period as James van Riemsdyk scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dion Phaneuf and Tyler Bozak. The Devils retied it on a Kyle Palmieri goal, his twelfth of the year, coming on the power play from David Schlemko and Jacob Josefson. The tie went to the shootout, with Bozak and Nazem Kadri leading the Maple Leafs to a 3-2 win over a lone tally by the Devils' Mike Cammalleri. The three stars went to Bozak, Schneider (35 for 37 in saves), and van Riemsdyk.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Braden Holtby guard the cages. Washington began in the first period on a Justin Williams goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. Detroit tied it on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Dylan Larkin. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period on a Tomas Jurco goal, assisted by Joakim Andersson and Luke Glendening. The Capitals tied it in the third period on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, powered by Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The tie went to the shootout, where T.J. Oshie and Kuznetsov won it for the Capitals by a 3-2 score. The three stars were handed to Kuznetsov, Johansson, and Howard (38 for 40 in saves).

South to Florida, with the Panthers welcoming the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Roberto Luongo are the veteran goalies. Florida opened in the first period on a Logan Shaw goal, fueled by Derek MacKenzie and Jussi Jokinen. Ottawa tied it on a Zack Smith power play goal in the second period, his seventh of the season, powered by Mark Stone and Kyle Turris. The Panthers took the lead back as Reilly Smith scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Vincent Trocheck and Brandon Pirri. The Senators tied it again on a Turris power play goal, his twelfth of the season, coming in the third period with the help of Stone and Bobby Ryan. Ottawa took the lead with an unassisted Mike Hoffman goal, his fifteenth of the year. The Senators iced it at 4-2 with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau shorthanded empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Stone, who got a sock trick. The three stars were awarded to Stone, Turris, and Hoffman.

Northwest to St. Louis, with the Blues bringing in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jake Allen are between the pipes. Arizona struck first in the first period on a Steve Downie goal, his second of the season, guided in by Brad Richardson and Jordan Martinook. St. Louis tied it in the second period as Vladimir Tarasenko scored his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Magnus Paajarvi and Jay Bouwmeester. The Blues took the lead on a shorthanded Alexander Steen goal, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis added on in the third period on a Shattenkirk goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Jori Lehtera and Robby Fabbri. The Blues wrapped it up at 4-1 on a David Backes empty net goal, his seventh of the year, with helpers provided by Colton Parayko and Steen. The three stars were given to Shattenkirk, Steen, and Allen (22 for 23 in saves).

Up to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago started in the first period on a Dennis Rasmussen goal, made possible by Andrew Shaw. The Blackhawks added on with a Shaw power play goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, powered by Teuvo Teravainen and David Rundblad. Nashville got on the board with an Eric Nystrom goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Roman Josi. Chicago answered in the third period as Teravainen scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks ended it at 4-1 with a Patrick Kane empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Artemi Panarin and Hjalmarsson. The three stars belonged to Crawford (36 for 37 in saves), Shaw, and Teravainen, while Hjalmarsson gets an honorable mention.

Southward to Dallas, with the Stars welcoming the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Kari Lehtonen are the longtime starting goalies. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Patrick Eaves goal, passed from Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg. The Stars added on with a Jamie Benn goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Valeri Nichushkin and Johnny Oduya. Dallas extended the lead as Oduya scored his second of the year, with the help of Benn and Nichushkin. The Stars padded the lead on a Seguin power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Klingberg and Benn. Eddie Lack replaced Ward at the start of the second period. Carolina got on the board with a Jaccob Slavin goal, via Riley Nash and Eric Staal. Dallas replied on a Nichushkin goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Benn and Seguin, the former getting a sock trick. The Hurricanes shot back with a Justin Faulk power play goal in the third period, his tenth of the season, made possible by Victor Rask and Elias Lindholm. Carolina pulled closer with a Phillip Di Giuseppe goal, coming off of Noah Hanifin and Rask. The Hurricanes edged closer on Faulk's second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal with assists from Hanifin and Rask, the latter getting a sock trick. Carolina tied it with a Jeff Skinner goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Andrej Nestrasil and Ron Hainsey. The Stars took a late lead with a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Klingberg and Seguin, both of whom got sock tricks. The final held at 6-5, with the three stars given to Seguin, Benn, and Klingberg, while Faulk, Nichushkin, Rask, Oduya, and Hanifin get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Karri Ramo occupy the creases. Calgary drew first blood in the first period on a Markus Granlund goal, his second of the season, fueled by Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman. San Jose tied it with a Chris Tierney goal, his third of the year, passed from Joonas Donskoi and Dainius Zubrus. The Flames retook the lead on a Sean Monahan power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Mark Giordano and Wideman. The Sharks retied it on a Joe Thornton power play goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture. Calgary took the lead back on a second period goal by Michael Frolik, his seventh of the season, made possible by Mikael Backlund and Dougie Hamilton. The Flames added on with a Backlund goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Giordano and T.J. Brodie. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Backlund, Giordano, and Wideman.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

2015/16 KHL Season - Day 96

Six games on today, beginning in...

Vladivostok, as Admiral hosts Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch and Igor Bobkov are in the creases. Omsk got going in the second period on a Michal Kempny goal, via Denis Parshin and Ilya Zubov. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Furch (27 save shutout), Kempny, and Bobkov (20 for 21 in saves).

Up in Khabarovsk, Amur welcomes Barys Astana. Pavel Poluektov and Juha Metsola protect the nets. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period on a Denis Tolpeko power play goal, powered by Jan Kolar and Akim Aliu. Astana tied it in the second period with a Brandon Bochenski power play goal, guided in by Nigel Dawes and Kevin Dallman. Amur retook the lead on a Vyacheslav Litovchenko goal, via Evgeny Grachyov. Khabarovsk added on in the third period with a Vyacheslav Ushenin goal, courtesy of Rinat Ibragimov. Barys pulled back with a Dawes goal, fueled by Mike Lundin and Dustin Boyd. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Dawes, Ushenin, and Litovchenko.

West to Novokuznetsk, where Metallurg brings in Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Vladislav Fokin and Vladislav Podyapolsky are the goalies. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first in the first period on a Maxim Mamkin power play goal, powered by Konstantin Panov and Igor Bortnikov. Yugra added on with a Kirill Rasskazov goal, made possible by Evgeny Khvostov and Grigory Zheldakov. Andrei Kareyev replaced Podyapolsky in goal for the second period. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Ignat Zemchenko goal, passed from Daniil Yerdakov. Metallurg tied it on a third period goal by Cade Fairchild, coming on the power play from Roman Manukhov. Khanty-Mansiysk regained the lead as Denis Gorbunov scored a power play goal, thanks to Zheldakov and Bortnikov. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Zheldakov, Gorbunov, and Bortnikov.

Nearby, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Jakub Kovar and Nikita Bespalov draw the starts in goal. Yekaterinburg dented the scoreboard on a second period goal by Kirill Polozov, via Sergei Yemelin. Avtomobilist added on with an Artyom Gareyev goal, guided in by Pavel Turbin and Petr Koukal. Novosibirsk got on the board with a Sergei Shumakov goal, passed from Vitaly Menshikov. Sibir tied it with a David Ullstrom goal, assisted by Calle Ridderwall and Tomas Vincour. Novosibirsk took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Oleg Gubin, powered by Konstantin Alexeyev. Sibir iced it at 4-2 with a Shumakov empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Shumakov, Gubin, and Ullstrom.

Out in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander Sudnitsin and Henrik Karlsson are the goalies. Helsinki started in the first period on an Eetu Poysti goal, fueled by Petteri Wirtanen and Philip Larsen. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Mikhail Zhukov goal, passed from Maxim Berezin. Neftekhimik took the lead with an Alexei Bondarev power play goal in the second period, powered by Dan Sexton and Andrei Sergeyev. Nizhnekamsk added on with a Pavel Poryadin goal, via Sexton. Jokerit shot back on a Jesper Jensen goal, coming off of Poysti and Wirtanen. Neftekhimik fired back with an Andrei Stas goal, courtesy of Zhukov and Igor Volkov. Helsinki clawed back on a power play goal by Niko Kapanen, made possible by Peter Regin and Larsen. Jokerit tied it on another Kapanen goal in the third period, assisted by Jere Sallinen and Pekka Jormakka. Helsinki took the lead with a Mathis Olimb goal, with assists provided by Ville Lajunen and Niklas Hagman. Nizhnekamsk tied it again on a Stas goal, helped along by Zhukov and Berezin. Jokerit won 6-5 in overtime on a Larsen goal, with helpers from Topi Jaakola and Kapanen. The three stars went to Kapanen, Larsen, and Stas, while Poysti, Wirtanen, Zhukov, Berezin, and Sexton get the honorable mentions.

Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Joacim Eriksson are the masked men. Chelyabinsk opened in the first period on a Semyon Afonasyevsky goal, passed from Alexei Kruchinin. Traktor added on in the second period with a Semyon Kokuyov goal, assisted by Danil Gubarev and Alexander Sharov. Riga got on the board with a power play goal by Guntis Galvins, powered by Steven Seigo and Miks Indrasis. Dinamo tied it on a third period Tim Sestito power play goal, coming off of Galvins and Indrasis. Traktor won 3-2 with an Anton Glinkin shootout tally. The three stars went to Galvins, Indrasis, and Kokuyov.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Monday, December 7, 2015

2015-16 NHL Season - Day 61

Three games tonight, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Jonas Gustavsson are the backups in goal. Boston started in the first period on a Kevan Miller goal, his second of the season, fueled by David Krejci and Matt Beleskey. Nashville tied it on a Roman Josi power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Mike Ribeiro and Shea Weber. The Bruins took the lead back on a second period Loui Eriksson power play goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Spooner and Patrice Bergeron. The Predators tied it again with a Josi power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, going in unassisted. Nashville took the lead on a Viktor Arvidsson goal in the third period, his third of the season, helped along by Cody Hodgson and Weber. The three stars of the 3-2 game went to Josi, Weber, and Arvidsson.

West to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Semyon Varlamov are the middling goalies. Colorado dented the scoreboard on a Tyson Barrie goal, his third of the season, coming off of Carl Soderberg and Blake Comeau. Minnesota tied it on a Zach Parise goal, his eighth of the year, via Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville in the third period. The Avalanche won 2-1 with a John Mitchell goal, his sixth of the campaign in overtime assisted by Matt Duchene and Barrie. The three stars were Barrie, Mitchell, and Varlamov (19 for 20 in saves).

Up in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Buffalo Sabres for the last game of the day. Linus Ullmark faces former Sabres legend Ryan Miller in goal. Buffalo opened in the first period on a Brian Gionta goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Jamie McGinn. Vancouver tied it on a Radim Vrbata goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Chris Higgins and Ben Hutton. The Canucks took the lead on Vrbata's second of the game and eighth of the season, passed from Dam Hamhuis and Daniel Sedin. Vancouver added on in the second period as Brandon Prust scored, with the help of Derek Dorsett and Adam Cracknell. The Canucks extended the lead on a Henrik Sedin power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Alexander Edler and Daniel Sedin. The Sabres answered with a Sam Reinhart goal in the third period, his eighth of the season, helped along by Ryan O'Reilly. Vancouver answered on a Vrbata goal, completing his hat trick on his ninth of the year, made possible by Cracknell and Prust. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars given to Vrbata, Prust, and Cracknell, while Daniel Sedin gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.