KHL 2016/17 - Day 95

Six games on for today, beginning with...

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosting Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Alexander Sharychenkov and Alexei Murygin are the masked men. Yaroslavl dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Petri Kontiola goal, passed from Maxime Talbot and Rushan Rafikov. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Murygin (19 save shutout), Kontiola, and Sharychenkov (26 for 27 in saves).

Along to Podolsk, where Vityaz welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Vladimir Sokhatsky and Harri Sateri are the goalies. Podolsk started in the first period with a Roman Horak power play goal, powered by Jakub Jerabek and Alexei Kopeikin. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Nikolai Timashov goal, going in unassisted. Vityaz retook the lead with a Mario Kempe power play goal, coming off of Miro Aaltonen and Jerabek. Podolsk added on with an Aaltonen power play goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Jerabek, who earned a sock trick. Avtomobilist got one back on a Dmitry Megalinsky power play goal, with assists from Alexander Torchenyuk and Alexei Mikhnov. This only made it 3-2, the eventual final, with the three stars being Aaltonen, Jerabek, and Kempe.

Out in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Barry Brust are the North American goalies. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a Konstantin Okulov goal, assisted by Maxim Shalunov. Sibir added on with an Okulov goal, guided in by Alexei Glukhov and Vitaly Menshikov. Bratislava got on the board in the second period with a Jonathan Cheechoo power play goal, powered by the goalie Brust. Novosibirsk shot back with an Okulov power play goal to complete his hat trick, with the help of Glukhov. Sibir extended the lead as Zach Boychuk scored, thanks to Shalunov. Slovan got one back in the third period on a Radek Smolenak goal, with a lone assist by Cheechoo. Novosibirsk iced it at 5-2 with a Fyodor Belyakov goal, made possible by Boychuk and Stepan Sannikov. The three stars were Okulov, Boychuk, and Glukhov, while Cheechoo and Shalunov get the honorable mentions.

Back in Russia, Dynamo Moscow hosts Barys Astana. Kevin Poulin and Alexander Yeryomenko draw the starts in goal. Moscow got going on a Martins Karsums goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin. Dynamo added on with an unassisted goal by Juuso Hietanen. Moscow iced it at 3-0 with an Artyom Fyodorov goal, passed from Alexei Tsvetkov. The three stars went to Yeryomenko (31 save shutout), Karsums, and Hietanen.

In Riga, Dinamo welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Andrei Gavrilov and Jakub Sedlacek are in the creases. Ufa led off in the first period with an unassisted Denis Kulyash goal. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, coming off of Evgeny Korotkov in the second period. Ufa extended the lead as Anton Lazarev scored in the third period, thanks to Evgeny Bodrov and Sami Lepisto. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars belonging to Gavrilov (25 save shutout), Kulyash, and Kaprizov.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Andrei Kareyev and Drew MacIntyre are set to start in goal. Novokuznetsk began in the first period with a Timur Fatkullin goal, helped along by Ignat Zemchenko. Metallurg added on in the second period with an Andrei Taratukhin goal, via Denis Vikharev and Alexei Vasilchenko. Michael Garnett replaced MacIntyre for the third period. Zagreb got on the board with a Goran Bezina goal, assisted by Colby Genoway and Terry Galiardi. Novokuznetsk shot back with an Alexander Komaristy goal, fueled by Zemchenko. Medvescak got one back with an Edwin Hedberg penalty shot goal after Kareyev displaced the net. The game ended 3-2, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Komaristy, and Taratukhin.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 48

There's twelve games on tonight in a busy NHL. We begin with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Henrik Lundqvist are the veterans in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Matt Tennyson and Joakim Nordstrom. The Hurricanes added on with another Stalberg goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, coming off of Jay McClement. New York got on the board in the second period on a Nick Holden goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers tied it in the third period on an unassisted Rick Nash goal, his tenth of the year. New York took the lead with a Jimmy Vesey power play goal, his eighth of the campaign, powered by Nash and Brady Skjei. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Nash, Vesey, and Stalberg.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Sergei Bobrovsky are the Russian goalies. Columbus opened in the first period with a William Karlsson goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Josh Anderson and Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets added on with an Alexander Wennberg goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Seth Jones in the second period. Columbus extended the lead as Anderson scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Scott Hartnell and Markus Nutivaara. The Blue Jackets padded the lead in the third period on a Hartnell goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of David Savard and Anderson. Columbus struck again with a Sam Gagner goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Brayden Point and Andrej Sustr. This only made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Anderson, Hartnell, and Bobrovsky (26 for 27 in saves).

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Petr Mrazek are in the blue paint. Dallas started in the first period with an Esa Lindell goal, his second of the season, via Tyler Seguin. Detroit tied it on a Dylan Larkin power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Mike Green and Frans Nielsen. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period on an Anthony Mantha power play goal, his third of the season, assisted by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. Detroit iced it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Steve Ott, his second of the year, set up by Thomas Vanek. The three stars were Mrazek (34 for 35 in saves), Mantha, and Larkin.

Into Ontario, where the Ottawa Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner faces his former team and Craig Anderson in goal. Buffalo began in the first period with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Jack Eichel and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Sabres added on with an Eichel power play goal, via Ryan O'Reilly and Ristolainen. Ottawa got on the board with a Mike Hoffman goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Mark Borowiecki and Derick Brassard. Buffalo replied with an O'Reilly goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Josh Gorges and Cody Franson. The Senators chipped back with a Mark Stone power play goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, helped along by Kyle Turris and Hoffman. The Sabres responded on a Sam Reinhart goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Evander Kane. Ottawa countered with a Hoffman goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, fueled by Erik Karlsson and Stone. Buffalo answered on an O'Reilly power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with assists provided by Reinhart and Okposo. The Senators fired back with a Hoffman power play goal to complete his hat trick on his seventh of the year, with helpers from Dion Phaneuf and Karlsson. The final held at 5-4, with the three stars given to O'Reilly, Hoffman, and Eichel, while Stone, Okposo, Reinhart, Ristolainen, and Karlsson receive the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Steve Mason are the masked men. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his second of the season, coming off of Wayne Simmonds and Travis Konecny. The Flyers added on with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Brayden Schenn. Boston got on the board in the third period with a David Krejci goal, his third of the season, passed from Torey Krug. The Bruins tied it on a Brad Marchand goal, his seventh of the year, assisted by Krug and Brandon Carlo. The tie went to a shootout, where Voracek and Marchand exchanged goals before Shayne Gostisbehere won it for the Flyers by a 3-2 score. The three stars were given to Mason (45 for 47 in saves), Voracek, and Marchand.

Into Canada again, where the Winnipeg Jets bring in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Connor Hellebuyck are the young goalies. Winnipeg got going in the second period on a Mark Scheifele goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets added on with a Blake Wheeler goal, his eighth of the year, via Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Miles Wood goal, made possible by Adam Henrique. Winnipeg answered with a Patrik Laine goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Scheifele and Ben Chiarot. The Devils got one back on a Nick Lappin goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Damon Severson. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Scheifele, Laine, and Wood.

South to Chicago, where the Blackhawks host the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Richard Panik goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Dennis Rasmussen and Marcus Kruger. Florida tied it in the third period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jonathan Marchessault and Aaron Ekblad. The tie went to a shootout, where Artemi Panarin and Panik scored to make it a 2-1 Blackhawks win. The three stars were Crawford (38 for 39 in saves), Panik, and Luongo (32 for 33 in saves).

Northwest to Edmonton, where the Oilers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Cam Talbot are set to start in goal. Toronto led off in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by William Nylander and Nikita Zaitsev. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Bozak and Mitchell Marner. Edmonton got on the board with an Andrej Sekera goal, his third of the season, made possible by Kris Russell and Connor McDavid. Toronto replied with a Nazem Kadri goal, his tenth of the year, via Leo Komarov. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as Zach Hyman scored his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Oilers got one back in the third period with a McDavid goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Milan Lucic. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to McDavid, Kadri, and Hyman.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Nashville began in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Austin Watson and Anthony Bitetto. Colorado tied it on a Mikko Rantanen goal, his third of the year, passed from Rene Bourque and Fedor Tyutin. The Predators retook the lead in the second period with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by P.K. Subban and Ryan Johansen. Nashville added on with a Kevin Fiala goal, his third of the year, guided in by Roman Josi and Mike Ribeiro. The Avalanche got one back with a Bourque goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Nikita Zadorov and Rantanen. The Predators shot back on a Johansen goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Nashville extended the lead as Watson scored, thanks to Josi and Frederick Gaudreau. Colorado chipped back on a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his third of the campaign, with helpers from Tyson Barrie and Matt Duchene. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Watson, Bourque, and Rantanen, while Josi gets an honorable mention.

In California, the San Jose Sharks host the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Martin Jones receive the starting nods in goal. Arizona dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Max Domi goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Radim Vrbata and Luke Schenn. San Jose tied it with a Chris Tierney goal, his second of the year, via Mikkel Boedker and Justin Braun. The Sharks won 2-1 in overtime with a Brent Burns power play goal, his ninth of the campaign, powered by Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture. The three stars were Jones (18 for 19 in saves), Burns, and Tierney.

Up to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Minnesota Wild. Darcy Kuemper and Ryan Miller are the sub-par goalies. Minnesota opened in the first period with a Jason Pominville goal, his fourth of the season, via Nino Niederreiter and Marco Scandella. The Wild added on in the second period with another Pominville goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, courtesy of Erik Haula and Jason Zucker. Vancouver got on the board with a Brandon Sutter power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Troy Stecher and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks tied it on a Ben Hutton power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver took the lead in the third period with a Loui Eriksson goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Michael Chaput and Hutton. The Canucks extended the lead as Bo Horvat scored his eighth of the year, with the help of Luca Sbisa and Sutter. Minnesota pulled back with a Zucker goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Wild tied it on a Haula goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon. Vancouver won 5-4 with a Sven Baertschi goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Stecher and Alexandre Burrows. The three stars went to Sutter, Hutton, and Pominville, while Zucker, Haula, Henrik Sedin, and Stecher get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and John Gibson guard the cages. Anaheim started in the first period with a Rickard Rakell power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Ryan Kesler and Sami Vatanen. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Cam Fowler goal, his seventh of the year, via Jakob Silfverberg and Kesler. Montreal got on the board in the third period with an Andrew Shaw goal, his fifth of the campaign, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Gibson (39 for 40 in saves), Kesler, and Price (36 for 38 in saves).

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 94

Five games on for a slightly light day for the KHL. We begin with...

Lada Togliatti hosting the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Ilya Ezhov are in goal. Togliatti opened in the first period on a Maxim Rybin power play goal, powered by Yefim Gurkin and Stanislav Bocharov. Lada added on with a Nikita Filatov goal, guided in by Andrei Ivanov. Barulin was ejected after this goal, forcing Dmitry Shikin into the net. Sochi got on the board with an Igor Ignatushkin power play goal in the second period, assisted by Mikhail Mamkin and Oscar Fantenberg. Togliatti replied with a Viktor Komarov goal, via Filatov. The Leopards answered on an Ivan Zakharchuk goal, fueled by Fantenberg. Lada iced it at 4-2 with a Filatov empty net goal, his second of the game going in unassisted. The three stars went to Filatov, Fantenberg, and Komarov.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk welcomes Spartak Moscow. Markus Svensson and Ville Kolppanen man the nets. Nizhnekamsk started in the first period with a Pavel Poryadin goal, fueled by Pavel Kulikov. Moscow tied it on an Artyom Voronin goal, helped along by Matthew Gilroy. Neftekhimik retook the lead on a Bogdan Yakimov goal, coming off of Pavel Zdunov. Spartak tied it again in the third period with an Igor Mirnov goal, courtesy of Gilroy. Nizhnekams took the lead again with a Kulikov goal, made possible by Podyadin and Sergei Konkov. Moscow retied it with a Voronin goal, passed from Vladislav Provolnev. Spartak won 4-3 with a Mirnov power play goal, powered by Vadim Berdnikov and Alexei Bondarev. The three stars were Mirnov, Voronin, and Kulikov, while Gilroy and Poryadin get the honorable mentions.

To Kazan, where Ak Bars hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Kasutin and Emil Garipov are in the creases. Kazan led off in the first period with a Justin Azevedo goal, helped along by Atte Ohtamaa and Jiri Sekac. Ak Bars added on in the second period with an Andrei Popov goal, guided in by Mikhail Sidorov and Stepan Zakharchuk. Kazan extended the lead as Anton Glinkin scored, with the help of Michal Jordan and Albert Yarullin. Ak Bars padded the lead on a Sekac goal, passed from Azevedo and Alexander Svitov. Kazan kept going on an unassisted Mikhail Glukhov goal, going in unassisted. The final held at 5-0 after Ilya Proskuryakov replaced Kasutin in goal, and the three stars went to Azevedo, Sekac, and Garipov (28 save shutout).

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Pavel Francouz and Ben Scrivens are set to start in goal. Chelyabinsk began in the first period with a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Alexander Chernikov. Traktor added on in the second period on an Alexei Kruchinin goal, via Paul Szczechura and Kirill Koltsov. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Francouz (34 save shutout), Chernikov, and Kruchinin.

Finally, Jokerit Helsinki hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ilya Samsonov and Riku Helenius are the backups in goal. Magnitogorsk struck first in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Chris Lee and Danis Zaripov. Helsinki tied it on a Jesse Joensuu goal, via Peter Regin and Pekka Jormakka in the third period. Metallurg regained the lead with an Ilya Berestennikov goal, assisted by Evgeny Timkin. Jokerit tied it again with a Jesper Jensen goal, courtesy of Tommi Huhtala. Helsinki took the lead with a Jensen goal, passed from Sakari Salminen and Huhtala. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Jensen, Huhtala, and Joensuu.

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2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 93/NHL Day 47

It's a small day for both leagues, so we'll do today's blogging in one post. In the first of four KHL games...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Vladimir Sokhatsky are the goalies. Vladivostok opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Alexander Gorshkov. Yekaterinburg tied it on an Artyom Gareyev goal in the second period, fueled by Tommi Kivisto and Petr Koukal. Avtomobilist took the lead on a Rok Ticar goal, helped along by Konstantin Volkov. Admiral retied it in the third period on a Robert Sabolic power play goal, going in unassisted. The tie went to a shootout, where Mikhail Grigoryev of Admiral was matched by Koukal, and then Jan Buchtele lifted Avtomobilist to the 3-2 win. The three stars were Koukal, Gareyev, and Buchtele.

Along to Khanty-Mansiysk, where Ugra welcomes Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Vladislav Fokin are the backups in goal. Beijing started in the first period with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, assisted by Brett Bellemore and Tobias Viklund. Kunlun Red Star added on in the second period with a Martin Bakos goal, going in unassisted. Beijing extended the lead in the third period with a Chad Rau goal, also unassisted. Georgy Boyarshinov replaced Fokin in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board with an Anton Kuryanov goal, passed from Alexander Ugolnikov and Konstantin Sokolov. Ugra pulled closer with an unassisted Roman Lyuduchin power play goal. Kunlun Red Star iced it at 4-2 with a Zach Yuen goal, helped along by Bellemore. The three stars went to Bellemore, Rau, and Yuen.

Next up, a Moscow derby, with CSKA bringing in Dynamo. Alexander Yeryomenko and Ilya Sorokin tend the twines. CSKA got going in the second period on a power play goal by Maxim Mamin, powered by Semyon Koshelev and Mikhail Naumenkov. Dynamo tied it on a Mat Robinson power play goal, with a lone assist by Andrei Kuteikin. Dynamo took the lead in the third period with an Artyom Podshendyalov goal, helped along by Juuso Hietanen and Denis Kokarev. CSKA tied it again with a Valery Nichushkin goal, fueled by Bogdan Kiselevich and Igor Ozhiganov. The tie went to a shootout, where Alexei Tsvetkov secured a 3-2 Dynamo win. The three stars were Yeryomenko (42 for 44 in saves), Podshendyalov, and Robinson.

Ending the KHL part of the post, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor faces his former team and Drew MacIntyre in goal. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a Zach Boychuk power play goal, powered by Maxim Shalunov and Stepan Sannikov. Sibir iced it at 2-0 with a Sannikov goal, passed from Vitaly Menshikov in the third period. The three stars went to Sannikov, Taylor (25 save shutout), and Boychuk.

In the NHL, the New York Islanders welcome the Calgary Flames. Brian Elliott and Thomas Greiss are the goalies. New York began in the first period with a John Tavares goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Josh Bailey. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Kris Versteeg and Deryk Engelland in the third period. The Islanders won 2-1 in overtime with a Thomas Hickey goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Tavares and Shane Prince. The three stars were Tavares, Hickey, and Greiss (25 for 26 in saves).

Finally, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Dallas Stars. Antti Niemi and Jake Allen occupy the creases. St. Louis struck first in the third period with a Robby Fabbri goal, his fifth of the season, via Robert Bortuzzo and Jori Lehtera. The Blues added on in the second period with an Alex Pietrangelo power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Patrik Berglund and Colton Parayko. Dallas got on the board with a Jamie Oleksiak goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. The Stars tied it in the third period with a Benn goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Julius Honka and Jason Spezza on the power play. St. Louis retook the lead with a David Perron goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Jaden Schwartz and Jay Bouwmeester. Dallas tied it on an Oleksiak goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with helpers from Honka and Benn. The Blues won 4-3 in overtime on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his tenth of the campaign, made possible by Lehtera and Kevin Shattenkirk. The three stars were Oleksiak, Benn, and Lehtera, while Honka gets an honorable mention.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 46

Just six games on today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Boston got going in the second period with a Dominic Moore goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Colin Miller and Ryan Spooner. The Bruins added on with a David Backes power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug. Boston extended the lead as Jimmy Hayes scored, thanks to David Krejci and Tim Schaller. The Bruins padded the lead on a David Pastrnak goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Krug and Brad Marchand. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Victor Hedman goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Nikita Nesterov and Brayden Point. The final was 4-1, with the three stars going to Rask (30 for 31 in saves), Krug, and Backes.

Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros is mismatched with Connor Hellebuyck in goal. Winnipeg dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Drew Stafford goal, made possible by Jacob Trouba and Ben Chiarot. The Jets added on with a Mark Scheifele empty net goal, his twelfth of the season, set up by Blake Wheeler and Trouba. Winnipeg extended the lead as Adam Lowry scored his sixth of the year, going unassisted into the empty net. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Hellebuyck (42 save shutout), Trouba, and Stafford.

Over in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cam Talbot are in the creases. Arizona led off in the first period with a Radim Vrbata goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Edmonton tied it in the third period on a Milan Lucic goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Coyotes took the lead back with a Jamie McGinn goal, his fourth of the campaign, helped along by Anthony Duclair and Christian Dvorak. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Smith (41 for 42 in saves), McGinn, and Vrbata.

Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Michael Leighton are the backups in goal. Florida began in the first period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Jaromir Jagr and Aleksander Barkov on the power play. The Panthers added on with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Barkov. Carolina got on the board in the second period with a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Matt Tennyson and Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes tied it on a Jeff Skinner goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Victor Rask and the goalie Leighton. Carolina took the lead with a Derek Ryan power play goal, powered by Skinner. This produced the eventual 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Skinner, Barkov, and Leighton (31 for 33 in saves).

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Antti Raanta are the goalies. Ottawa opened in the second period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his third of the season, coming off of Tom Pyatt and Zack Smith. The Senators added on with a Mark Stone power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Mike Hoffman. This made it 2-0, the eventual final, with the three stars belonging to Anderson (33 save shutout), Pageau, and Stone.

Finally, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Calgary Flames. Chad Johnson and Anthony Stolarz occupy the blue paint. Calgary started in the first period with a shorthanded T.J. Brodie goal, set up by Mikael Backlund and Sam Bennett. Philadelphia tied it on a Michael Raffl goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Jakub Voracek and Andrew MacDonald. The Flyers took the lead in the second period on a Voracek power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Philadelphia added on with a Chris VandeVelde goal, his fourth of the season, via Roman Lyubimov. The Flyers extended the lead as Simmonds scored his eleventh of the year, thanks to Nick Cousins. The Flames got one back in the third period on a Matthew Tkachuk power play goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Dougie Hamilton and Mark Giordano. Philadelphia shot back on a Lyubimov goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Michael Del Zotto and VandeVelde. Calgary replied with a shorthanded Alex Chiasson goal, his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Hamilton and Brodie. The final stood at 5-3, with the three stars going to Lyubimov, VandeVelde, and Simmonds, while Voracek, Brodie, and Hamilton get the honorable mentions.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 92

Just four games today, beginning with...

Barys Astana hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Henrik Karlsson man the nets. Astana started in the first period with a Nigel Dawes power play goal, powered by Martin St. Pierre. Khabarovsk tied it in the third period with a Teemu Ramstedt goal, passed from Maxim Kondratyev and Kristian Kuusela. Barys won 2-1 in overtime on a Vladimir Markelov goal, assisted by Maxim Khudyakov and Alexander Lipin. The three stars were Markelov, Karlsson (30 for 31 in saves), and Dawes.

Up in Russia, Traktor Chelyabinsk welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri and Vasily Demchenko guard the cages. Chelyabinsk got going with an unassisted Derek Roy power play goal in the second period. Traktor added on with an Alexander Chernikov goal, guided in by Dmitry Pestunov and Konstantin Klimontov. Podolsk got on the board with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, fueled by Alexander Nikulin and Stanislav Romanov. Vityaz tied it on an Afinogenov goal, his second of the game, via Nikulin and Alexei Makeyev. Chelyabinsk retook the lead on an Alexei Kruchinin goal, with a lone assist by Pestunov. This produced the eventual 3-2 final, with the three stars being Afinogenov, Pestunov, and Nikulin.

East to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Andrei Gavrilov are in the creases. Yaroslavl dented the scoreboard with a Petri Kontiola goal in the second period, helped along by Maxime Talbot and Brandon Kozun. Lokomotiv added on with a Kozun goal, coming off of Kontiola and Talbot. Ufa got on the board with a Denis Parshin goal, passed from Teemu Hartikainen. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Kozun, Kontiola, and Talbot.

Finally, Severstal Cherepovets hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Igor Shestyorkin and Jakub Kovar are the masked men. St. Petersburg opened in the first period with a Yegor Yakovlev goal, assisted by Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk on the power play. SKA added on with a Jarno Koskiranta goal, courtesy of Alexander Barabanov and Sergei Shirokov. St. Petersburg extended the lead as Shirokov scored a power play goal, with the help of Datsyuk and Yakovlev. Roman Smiryagin replaced Kovar in goal. Cherepovets got on the board with a Maxim Trunyov goal, helped along by Daniil Vovchenko and Yury Trubachyov. Severstal got closer with an Evgeny Mons goal in the second period, going in unassisted. SKA replied with a Vadim Shipachyov goal in the third period, made possible by Nikita Gusev and Evgeny Dadonov. Cherepovets chipped back on a Trubachyov goal, coming off of Vovchenko and Trunyov. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars given to Shirokov, Yakovlev, and Datsyuk, while Trubachyov, Trunyov, and Vovchenko receive the honorable mentions.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 45

Nine games fill the schedule tonight. We begin with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Petr Mrazek guard the cages. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Frans Nielsen and Luke Glendening. Montreal tied it on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Plekanec and Greg Pateryn. The Canadiens won 2-1 in overtime on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his ninth of the campaign, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Shea Weber. The three stars went to Price (32 for 33 in saves), Galchenyuk, and Gallagher.

Over in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Carolina led off in the first period with a Jordan Staal goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Sebastian Aho and Jeff Skinner. Ottawa tied it on a Dion Phaneuf goal, his second of the year, via Ryan Dzingel in the second period. The Senators took the lead in the third period with a Kyle Turris goal, his tenth of the campaign, helped along by Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars went to Anderson (32 for 33 in saves), Turris, and Phaneuf.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins bring in the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid and Matt Murray are the alliterative goalies. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his sixth of the season, via Kyle Palmieri. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and Trevor Daley. The Penguins took the lead on a Tom Kuhnhackl goal, passed from Malkin and Steve Oleksy. The Devils retied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Vernon Fiddler goal. New Jersey regained the lead with a Cammalleri power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, powered by Pavel Zacha and John Moore. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Bryan Rust and Malkin, the latter earning a sock trick. The Penguins won 4-3 in the shootout on a lone tally from Kris Letang. The three stars were Malkin, Cammalleri, and Murray (46 for 49 in saves).

Back in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Frederik Andersen are in the blue paint. Toronto started in the first period with a Matt Martin goal, his second of the season, made possible by Mitchell Marner and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Nikita Soshnikov and Marner. Toronto extended the lead in the third period as Auston Matthews scored his ninth of the season, with the help of Matt Hunwick and Zach Hyman. Washington got on the board with an unassisted Nicklas Backstrom goal, his sixth of the year. The Maple Leafs shot back on a Nazem Kadri goal, his ninth of the season, helped along by Leo Komarov and Morgan Rielly. The Capitals replied with a Marcus Johansson goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to Matthews, Marner, and Backstrom.

Way south to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Roberto Luongo man the nets. Florida began in the first period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his third of the season, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Shawn Thornton. Columbus tied it in the third period with a Brandon Saad goal, his sixth of the year, via Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. The tie went to a shootout, where the Panthers won 2-1 on Barkov's lone tally. The three stars went to Barkov, Luongo (36 for 37 in saves), and Jagr.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jake Allen tend the twines. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a Mikko Koivu goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jason Zucker. St. Louis tied it on a Paul Stastny goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, courtesy of David Perron. The Wild took the lead back with an Erik Haula goal, his third of the campaign, made possible by Jason Pominville and Nino Niederreiter. The Blues retied it in the third period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Perron and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis took the lead with a Schwartz power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, powered by Colton Parayko and Pietrangelo. Minnesota tied it as Charlie Coyle scored his eighth of the campaign, thanks to Eric Staal and Koivu. The tie went to a shootout, where Perron's lone tally won it 4-3 for the Blues. The three stars went to Schwartz, Perron, and Koivu, while Pietrangelo received an honorable mention.

West to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche host the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Calvin Pickard are the backups in goal. Vancouver was first to score in the first period with a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Markus Granlund and Ben Hutton. Colorado tied it in the second period on a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Matt Duchene and Carl Soderberg. The Canucks retook the lead with an Alexandre Burrows goal in the third period, his fourth of the season, coming off of Bo Horvat. The Avalanche retied it with a Jarome Iginla goal, his third of the year, helped along by Fedor Tyutin and Blake Comeau. Vancouver won 3-2 in the shootout with a Granlund goal. The three stars were Granlund, Burrows, and Eriksson.

Southwest to Los Angeles, as the Kings welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Peter Budaj received the starting nods in goal. Chicago opened in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Duncan Keith and Artemi Panarin. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with an Alec Martinez goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Jeff Carter and Jake Muzzin. The Kings won 2-1 in overtime with a Carter goal, his tenth of the campaign, fueled by Tyler Toffoli and Drew Doughty. The three stars were awarded to Carter, Budaj (18 for 19 in saves), and Martinez.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in Californian rivals in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonathan Bernier and Martin Jones are between the pipes. San Jose led off in the first period with a Logan Couture power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. Anaheim tied it on a Ryan Garbutt goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The Ducks took the lead with a Rickard Rakell goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The Sharks retied it in the second period with a Dylan DeMelo goal, via Kevin Labanc and David Schlemko. Anaheim retook the lead on a Getzlaf power play goal, his second of the year, assisted by Ryan Kesler and Perry. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Getzlaf, Perry, and Rakell.

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