NHL 2016/17 - Day 80

Seven games on tonight as the New Year gets going in earnest. We begin with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Cam Ward are the veteran goalies. New Jersey got going in the second period on an Adam Henrique goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Michael Cammalleri and Damon Severson. The Devils added on in the third period with a Cammalleri goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Henrique and Kyle Palmieri. Carolina got on the board with a Sebastian Aho goal, his eighth of the season, via Ron Hainsey and Teuvo Teravainen. New Jersey iced it at 3-1 with a Palmieri empty net goal, his eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Cammalleri, Henrique, and Schneider (29 for 30 in saves), while Palmieri gets an honorable mention.

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Nilsson is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Buffalo opened in the first period with a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by William Carrier and Brian Gionta. The Sabres added on with an Evander Kane goal, his ninth of the year, via Sam Reinhart and Kyle Okposo. Buffalo extended the lead as Justin Bailey scored an unassisted goal in the second period. New York got on the board with a Nick Holden goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by J.T. Miller and Oscar Lindberg. The Sabres replied in the third period with a Jack Eichel power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Reinhart and Matt Moulson. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Reinhart, Nilsson (23 for 24 in saves), and Bailey.

Backtracking to DC, where the Washington Capitals bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Braden Holtby are the masked men. Washington began in the first period with a Justin Williams power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Dmitry Orlov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Toronto tied it on a Nazem Kadri power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Mitchell Marner. The Maple Leafs took the lead on a Connor Brown goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Zach Hyman and Auston Matthews. The Capitals tied it on a T.J. Oshie goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Williams. Toronto took the lead back with a Frederik Gauthier goal, his second of the season, coming off of Connor Carrick. The Maple Leafs added on with a second period goal by Leo Komarov, his seventh of the year, coming on the power play from Matthews and William Nylander. Washington pulled back on a Kuznetsov goal in the third period, his fourth of the season, passed from Marcus Johansson and Williams. The Capitals tied it on an Orlov goal, his second of the year, guided in by Matt Niskanen and Lars Eller. Toronto retook the lead with a Marner goal, his tenth of the season, with helpers from vam Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. Washington tied it again with a John Carlson goal, his fourth of the year, dished from Johansson and Kuznetsov. The Capitals won 6-5 in overtime on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, via Carlson and Kuznetsov, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Williams, and Carlson, while Johansson, Orlov, Marner, Matthews, and van Riemsdyk get the honorable mentions.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Sergei Bobrovsky protect the nets. Columbus led off in the first period with a Cam Atkinson power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Zach Werenski and Alexander Wennberg. Edmonton tied it on a second period goal by Oscar Klefbom, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Maroon and Justin Eberle. The Blue Jackets retook the lead on a William Karlsson power play goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Brandon Saad and Seth Jones. Columbus added on in the third period with a Nick Foligno goal, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Bobrovsky (21 for 22 in saves), Karlsson, and Foligno.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the young goalies. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Patrik Laine and Toby Enstrom. Tampa Bay tied it on a Matthew Peca goal, via Vladislav Namestnikov and Alex Killorn in the second period. The Jets retook the lead with a Nikolaj Ehlers penalty shot goal, his eleventh of the year. Winnipeg added on with a Jacob Trouba goal, his second of the season, made possible by Mathieu Perreault and Blake Wheeler. The Jets extended the lead as Dustin Byfuglien scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Josh Morrissey and Wheeler. The Lightning got one back with an Ondrej Palat goal in the third period, his seventh of the season, assisted by Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. Winnipeg shot back with an Ehlers goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, coming off of Laine and Trouba. Tampa Bay answered with a Kucherov power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, with helpers from Johnson and Victor Hedman. The Lightning got closer with another Kucherov power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Hedman and Jonathan Drouin. The Jets iced it at 6-4 with a Laine empty net goal, his twentieth of the campaign, set up by Scheifele and Ehlers. The three stars went to Ehlers, Laine, and Kucherov, while Trouba, Scheifele, Wheeler, Johnson, and Hedman get the honorable mentions.

Back north to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Kevin Fiala goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. Montreal tied it on a Shea Weber goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Alexander Radulov and Torrey Mitchell in the third period. The Canadiens won 2-1 in overtime with a Max Pacioretty goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, helped along by Radulov and Nathan Beaulieu. The three stars were Price (22 for 23 in saves), Radulov, and Pacioretty.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings for a Battle of California. Peter Budaj and Martin Jones are in the blue paint. San Jose drew first blood in the second period with a Logan Couture goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Kevin Labanc and Paul Martin. Los Angeles tied it on a Jeff Carter power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar. The Kings won 2-1 in overtime with a Tanner Pearson goal, his tenth of the campaign, via Carter. The three stars were Carter, Budaj (26 for 27 in saves), and Pearson.

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KHL 2016/17 - Day 122

After the New Year's break, the KHL returns in full force with ten games today. We begin in...

Novosibirsk, where Sibir hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexander Sudnitsin and Ivan Nalimov are given the starting nods in goal. Novosibirsk opened with a Zach Boychuk goal, made possible by Konstantin Alexeyev. Yaroslavl tied it on a Jakub Nakladal power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Maxime Talbot in the second period. Sibir took the lead with an unassisted Evgeny Artyukhin power play goal. Lokomotiv retied it on a Staffan Kronwall power play goal, fueled by Kozun and Petri Kontiola. The tie went to the shootout, where Sergei Shumakov scored to give Sibir the 3-2 win. The three stars were Artyukhin, Boychuk, and Kozun. 

In Novokuznetsk, Metallurg welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Harri Sateri faces a lesser foe in Vladislav Podyapolsky in goal. Podolsk started in the first period with a Roman Horak goal, assisted by Nikita Vyglazov. Vityaz added on with an Alexei Kopeikin power play goal, powered by Horak. Podolsk extended the lead as Alexei Makeyev scored, thanks to Maxim Afinogenov and Alexei Semenov. Rafael Khakimov replaced Podyapolsky in goal. Novokuznetsk got on the board in the second period with an Igor Skorokhodov goal, helped along by Kirill Semyonov and Denis Vikharev. Metallurg got closer with a Semyonov goal, passed from Mark Skutar and Vikharev. Vityaz replied with a Mario Kempe goal, guided in by Kopeikin. Novokuznetsk chipped back on a Vikharev goal, coming off of Skorokhodov and Skutar. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Horak, Kopeikin, and Vikharev, while Semyonov, Skorokhodov, and Skutar get the honorable mentions.

Out to Omsk, where Avangard brings in Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Dominik Furch are in the blue paint. Moscow got going in the second period with a Maxim Karpov goal, courtesy of Juuso Hietanen and Denis Kokarev. Dynamo added on with a Kokarev power play goal, powered by Dmitry Vishnevsky. Omsk got on the board with a Nikolai Lemtyugov goal, helped along by Vladimir Sobotka and Evgeny Medvedev in the third period. Moscow shot back with a Karpov power play goal, with helpers from Hietanen and Alexei Tereshchenko. Avangard pulled back on a Sobotka goal, assisted by Lemtyugov and Ilya Mikheyev. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Karpov, Kokarev, and Hietanen, while Sobotka and Lemtyugov get the honorable mentions.

Over in Togliatti, Lada hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin and Edgars Masalskis draw the starts in goal. Togliatti led off in the first period with a Vasily Streltsov goal, assisted by Alexander Streltsov. Lada added on in the second period with an Andrei Ivanov goal, via Viktor Komarov. Magnitogorsk got on the board with an Alexander Semin goal, going in unassisted. Metallurg tied it on a Chris Lee goal, passed from Jan Kovar and Evgeny Biryukov. Magnitogorsk retook the lead with another Semin goal, helped along by Alexei Bereglazov and Tommi Santala. Metallurg extended the lead as Vladislav Kaletnik scored a power play goal, with the help of Oskar Osala and Santala. The three stars went to Semin, Santala, and Kaletnik.

Next up, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk welcomes Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Andrei Kareyev play goal. The game was scoreless into the shootout, where a pair of goals by Igor Bortnikov and Sergei Konkov of Neftekhimik lifted them to a 1-0 win over two goals by Linus Omark and one from Stepan Khripunov. The three stars went to Kareyev (61 save shutout), Bortnikov, and Konkov, while Svedberg (33 save "shutout") and Omark get the honorable mentions.

West to Kazan, where Ak Bars brings in Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vasily Demchenko and Stanislav Galimov guard the cages. Kazan began in the first period with a Jiri Sekac goal, assisted by Alexander Svitov and Justin Azevedo. Ak Bars added on with a Stepan Zakharchuk goal, via Roman Abrosimov and Sekac. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Nikolai Belov power play goal, powered by Kirill Koltsov and Jiri Novotny. Traktor tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Maxim Yakutsenya goal. Kazan retook the lead in the second period on a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, going in unassisted. Ak Bars extended the lead as Azevedo scored a power play goal, thanks to Vasily Tokranov and Tkachyov. Chelyabinsk pulled back on a Koltsov goal, helped along by Dmitry Pestunov. Kazan replied in the third period with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, passed from Mikhail Varnakov and Dmitry Obukhov. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Azevedo, Tkachyov, and Koltsov, while Sekac gets an honorable mention.

In St. Petersburg, SKA hosts Dinamo Minsk. Mikko Koskinen and Ben Scrivens are the goalies. Minsk struck first in the first period with a Fredrik Pettersson goal, made possible by Rob Klinkhammer. Dinamo added on in the second period with an Aaron Palushaj goal, helped along by Alexander Kitarov and Roman Graborenko. Minsk extended the lead as Pettersson scored a power play goal, powered by Palushaj. Dinamo padded the lead with an unassisted Andrei Stepanov goal. Minsk continued with a Sergei Drozd goal, passed from Alexander Kulakov. St. Petersburg got on the board with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, coming off of Evgeny Dadonov and Vadim Shipachyov. SKA got closer in the third period with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, via Roman Rukavishnikov. St. Petersburg pulled closer with a Dadonov goal, with a lone assist by Shipachyov. SKA chipped closer with a Yegor Yakovlev goal, via Patrik Hersley and Shipachyov. This only made it 5-4, with the three stars given to Pettersson, Palushaj, and Shipachyov, while Dadonov gets an honorable mention.

Out in Slovakia, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Barry Brust are between the pipes. Bratislava dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Michal Sersen goal, via Jeff Taffe. Slovan added on with a Marek Daloga goal, passed from Tomas Surovy adn Kyle Chipchura. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Brust (23 save shutout), Sersen, and Daloga.

To Latvia, where Dinamo Riga brings in Severstal Cherepovets. Jakub Kovar and Janis Kalnins are the masked men. Riga was first to score in the first period with a Roberts Lipsbergs goal, assisted by Oskars Cibulskis and Edgars Kulda. Dinamo added on with a Krisjanis Redlihs power play goal, powered by Pyotr Schastlivy. Riga extended the lead as Gunars Skvorcovs scored a power play goal, with the help of Schastlivy and Redlihs. Roman Smiryagin replaced Kovar in goal. Dinamo padded the lead in the second period on a Cibulskis power play goal, coming off of Lauris Darzins and Maris Bicevskis. Riga continued with an Uvis Balinskis power play goal, helped along by Darzins and Miks Indrasis.  Cherepovets got on the board in the third period with a Dmitry Kagarlitsky power play goal, courtesy of Clay Wilson and Adam Masuhr. Severstal got closer with a Maxim Trunyov goal, made possible by Arseny Khatsei. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Cibulskis, Redlihs, and Darzins, while Schastlivy gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Medvescak Zagreb hosts Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Drew MacIntyre occupy the creases. Zagreb drew first blood in the third period with a Francis Pare goal, via Colby Genoway. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being MacIntyre (29 save shutout), Pare, and Karhunen (32 for 33 in saves).

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 79

It's another day with just three games, beginning with another marquee event for the league, the...

Winter Classic as Busch Stadium in St. Louis, where the Blues host the Chicago Blackhawks outdoors. Corey Crawford and Jake Allen tend the twines. Chicago opened in the first period with a Michal Kempny goal, his second of the season, via Artemi Panarin and Duncan Keith. St. Louis tied it on a Patrik Berglund goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jay Bouwmeester and Alexander Steen. The Blues took the lead with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Robby Fabbri. St. Louis added on with another Tarasenko goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, helped along by Jori Lehtera and Fabbri. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with a Steen empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Tarasenko, Steen, and Fabbri.

At the usual time, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Cory Schneider guard the cages. New Jersey started in the first period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Taylor Hall and Steven Santini. The Devils added on in the third period with a Sergey Kalinin goal, his second of the year, coming off of Miles Wood and Jon Merrill. New Jersey iced it at 3-0 with a Hall empty net goal, his ninth of the campaign, set up by Kalinin. The three stars were Kalinin, Hall, and Schneider (22 save shutout).

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Ryan Miller in goal. Vancouver got going in the second period with a Bo Horvat goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Ben Hutton and Anton Rodin. Colorado tied it on a Mikko Rantanen power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Nikita Zadorov. The Canucks retook the lead with a Sven Baertschi goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Brandon Sutter and Henrik Sedin. The Avalanche retied it on a Tyson Barrie goal in the third period, his third of the year, via Francois Beauchemin and Gabriel Landeskog. Vancouver took the lead again on a Baertschi power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, helped along by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars belonging to Baertschi, Henrik Sedin, and Horvat.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 78

Three games on today, headlined by the outdoor spectacle in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field. Jared Coreau and Frederik Andersen are the goalies. Detroit got going in the second period with an Anthony Mantha goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Tatar. Toronto tied it on a Leo Komarov goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Jake Gardiner and William Nylander. The Maple Leafs took the lead with a power play goal by Mitchell Marner, his ninth of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and James van Riemsdyk. Toronto added on with a Connor Brown power play goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Zach Hyman and Connor Carrick. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as Auston Matthews scored his nineteenth of the season, with the help of Brown and Hyman. The Red Wings got one back with a Jonathan Ericsson goal, helped along by Mantha and Xavier Ouellet. Detroit pulled closer on a Tatar goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Zetterberg. The Red Wings tied it on Mantha's second of the game and ninth of the season, via Zetterberg, who got a sock trick, and Thomas Vanek. Toronto won 5-4 in overtime with Matthews' second of the game and twentieth of the year, guided in by Gardiner and Brown. The three stars went to Matthews, Mantha, and Brown, while Gardiner, Hyman, Zetterberg, and Tatar get the honorable mentions.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Braden Holtby man the nets. Ottawa dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Ryan Dzingel and Marc Methot. Washington tied it with a Karl Alzner goal, his third of the year, via T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams. The Capitals took the lead in the third period on a Taylor Chorney goal, passed from Brooks Orpik and Tom Wilson. The three stars were Holtby (23 for 24 in saves), Chorney, and Alzner.

West to California, where the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and John Gibson are the masked men. Anaheim struck first in the first period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Korbinian Holzer and Ryan Getzlaf. Philadelphia tied it on a Travis Konecny goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Wayne Simmonds. The Ducks took the lead back with a Kesler goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, helped along by Jakob Silfverberg. Anaheim added on in the second period when Kesler finished his hat trick on his fifteenth of the year, passed from Andrew Cogliano and Sami Vatanen. The Flyers got one back with a Sean Couturier goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. Philadelphia tied it on a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere. In the shootout, Rickard Rakell and Corey Perry tallied to top Jakub Voracek, giving the Ducks a 4-3 win. The three stars were Kesler, Gibson (51 for 54 in saves), and Rakell.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 77

Eleven games will be all that's left to send 2016 off in the NHL. We begin with two matinees, the first in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Tuukka Rask man the nets. Boston began in the first period on a Frank Vatrano goal, his second of the season, helped along by Zdeno Chara. The Bruins added on in the second period on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Ryan Spooner and Brad Marchand. Boston extended the lead as Tim Schaller scored his fifth of the season, with the help of Torey Krug and Austin Czarnik. Buffalo got on the board with a Jack Eichel goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart. The game ended at 3-1, with the three stars going to Bergeron, Rask (25 for 26 in saves), and Schaller.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Keith Kinkaid are the backups in goal. Washington led off in the first period with a Brett Connolly goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Andre Burakovsky and Brooks Orpik. The Capitals added on with a Jay Beagle goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Orpik and Daniel Winnik. New Jersey got on the board in the second period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his seventh of the season, going in unassisted. Washington replied with a T.J. Oshie goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals extended the lead as Ovechkin scored his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Matt Niskanen and Oshie. Washington padded the lead with a Justin Williams goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Niskanen and Dmitry Orlov. The Devils got one back in the third period on a Beau Bennett goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Ben Lovejoy and Jon Merrill. The Capitals answered with a Marcus Johansson goal, his fourteenth of the year, helped along by Williams and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The game ended at 6-2, with the three stars being Oshie, Ovechkin, and Williams, while Orpik and Niskanen get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Minnesota, where the Wild bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Devan Dubnyk tend the twines. Columbus opened in the first period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets added on with a Jack Johnson goal, his second of the year, via Brandon Saad and Alexander Wennberg. Columbus extended the lead as Atkinson scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, thanks to Ryan Murray and Markus Nutivaara. Minnesota got on the board with a Mikael Granlund power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Jared Spurgeon and Mikko Koivu. The Blue Jackets responded with a Seth Jones goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Saad and Nick Foligno. The Wild pulled back in the third period with a Jason Zucker goal, his ninth of the year, helped along by Granlund and Spurgeon. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Atkinson, Saad, and Granlund, while Spurgeon gets an honorable mention.

Back east, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. Montreal started in the first period with an Alexander Radulov goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Paul Byron and Shea Weber. Pittsburgh tied it on a Patric Hornqvist goal in the second period, his ninth of the year, helped along by Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin. The Penguins took the lead with a Phil Kessel goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Hagelin and Olli Maatta. The Canadiens retied it on a Byron goal, his twelfth of the year, with a lone assist by Jeff Petry. Montreal took the lead in the third period with a Brian Flynn goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Daniel Carr. Pittsburgh tied it on a Conor Sheary goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Justin Schultz and Kris Letang. The Penguins won 4-3 on a Malkin power play goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Kessel and Letang. The three stars went to Malkin, Kessel, and Letang, while Hagelin and Byron earn the honorable mentions.

South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Andrei Vasilevskiy are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Brian Boyle goal, his tenth of the season, a power play goal via Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on with a Jonathan Drouin power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period as Alex Killorn scored his twelfth of the season, with the help of Matthew Peca and Hedman. Carolina got on the board with a Sebastian Aho goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Jaccob Slavin and Teuvo Teravainen. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Vasilevskiy (26 for 27 in saves), Kucherov, and Hedman.

Way north in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Connor Hellebuyck receive the starting nods in goal. New York was first to score in the first period on a Nikolay Kulemin goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Islanders added on with a John Tavares goal, his eleventh of the year, via Josh Bailey. New York extended the lead in the second period as Shane Prince scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson. The Islanders padded the lead with a Strome goal, his sixth of the year, with a lone helper from Johnny Boychuk. Michael Hutchinson replaced Hellebuyck. Winnipeg got on the board with a Shawn Matthias shorthanded goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Jacob Trouba and Adam Lowry. New York replied in the third period with an Anders Lee goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Bailey and Tavares. The Islanders continued with an Andrew Ladd power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Nelson and Cal Clutterbuck. The Jets shot back with a Nikolaj Ehlers power play goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele. The final stood at 6-2, with the three stars going to Strome, Tavares, and Bailey, while Nelson gets an honorable mention.

Back south, the Dallas Stars host the Florida Panthers. James Reimer and Antti Niemi are given the green light to play goal. Florida led off in the first period with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Seth Griffith. The Panthers added on with a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Trocheck and Reilly Smith. Florida extended the lead as Jagr scored his seventh of the season on the power play, with the help of Jonathan Marchessault and Keith Yandle. Kari Lehtonen replaced Niemi in goal. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a Patrick Eaves power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. This only made it 3-1, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Jagr, Trocheck, and Reimer (35 for 36 in saves).

In Denver, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist faces a lesser foe in Calvin Pickard in goal. Colorado began in the first period with a Cody McLeod goal, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Mikhail Grigorenko. New York tied it on a Chris Kreider goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers took the lead with a Kreider power play goal, his fourteenth of the year and second of the game, powered by Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh. The Avalanche tied it on a Blake Comeau goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Francois Beauchemin and Rene Bourque. New York took the lead back in the second period with a J.T. Miller goal, his eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Rangers added on with a Kreider power play goal, completing his hat trick with his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Stepan and Brandon Pirri. New York extended the lead in the third period as Miller scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, made possible by Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast. The Rangers padded the lead on a Jimmy Vesey goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Michael Grabner and Kevin Hayes. The final stood at 6-2, with the three stars going to Kreider, Miller, and Stepan, while Zuccarello gets an honorable mention.

Into Alberta, where the Calgary Flames bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Louis Domingue and Brian Elliott play goal. Calgary started in the first period with a Michael Frolik power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Matthew Tkachuk and Dougie Hamilton. The Flames added on with a Dennis Wideman goal, his third of the year, via T.J. Brodie and Kris Versteeg. Calgary extended the lead as Lance Bouma scored his second of the season, with the help of Matt Stajan. The Flames padded the lead on a Mikael Backlund power play goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mark Giordano and Frolik. Arizona got on the board in the second period with a Brendan Perlini goal, his third of the season, assisted by Shane Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes got closer in the third period with a Martin Hanzal goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Jordan Martinook. The final stuck at 4-2, with the three stars handed to Frolik, Bouma, and Backlund.

Also in the province, the Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Cam Talbot are the masked men. Vancouver got going in the second period with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi. Edmonton tied it on a Drake Caggiula goal, his second of the year, coming off of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Matthew Benning. The Canucks retook the lead in the third period on a Baertschi goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Horvat and Alexander Edler. The Oilers tied it on a Connor McDavid power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Leon Draisaitl and Milan Lucic. In the shootout, Horvat had the lone tally for the Canucks to win 3-2. The three stars went to Horvat, Baertschi, and Markstrom (40 for 42 in saves).

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Peter Budaj draw the starts in goal. Los Angeles opened in the first period with a Tanner Pearson goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Alec Martinez. The Kings added on in the second period with a Drew Doughty power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Nic Dowd and Martinez. San Jose got on the board with a Brent Burns power play goal in the third period, his fifteenth of the season, with assists provided by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Los Angeles answered with a Jeff Carter goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from Pearson and Jake Muzzin. The Sharks pulled back with a Kevin Labanc goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Brenden Dillon. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars belonging to Pearson, Carter, and Martinez.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0, and have a safe and happy new year.

NHL 2016/17 - Day 76

Just four games on for New Year's Eve Eve, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Cam Ward man the nets. Chicago led off in the first period with a Michal Kempny goal, via Jonathan Toews and Ryan Hartman. Carolina tied it with an Elias Lindholm goal, his fourth of the season, helped along by Jordan Staal and Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Lee Stempniak goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Carolina added on in the third period with an unassisted Jay McClement goal, his second of the season. The Blackhawks got one back with a Vinnie Hinostroza goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Toews and Kempny. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars being Kempny, Toews, and McClement.

West to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros is mismatched with Jake Allen in goal. Nashville got going in the second period with a Yannick Weber goal, fueled by Craig Smith and Mike Ribeiro. The Predators added on with a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Ribeiro and Ryan Johansen. Nashville extended the lead as Viktor Arvidsson scored his tenth of the year, thanks to Matt Irwin and Mike Fisher. The Predators padded the lead in the third period on a Colin Wilson power play goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Forsberg and Ryan Ellis. The game ended at 4-0, with the three stars going to Saros (25 save shutout), Forsberg, and Ribeiro.

Out in California, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Aaron Dell are the goalies. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Kevin Labanc and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Anthony Stolarz replaced Mason in goal for the start of the second period. The Sharks added on in the third period with a Justin Braun goal, his second of the year, helped along by Joe Pavelski and Marleau. The final held at 2-0, with the three stars awarded to Dell (21 save shutout), Marleau, and Braun.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Ryan Miller draw the starts in goal. Anaheim began in the first period with a Ryan Getzlaf shorthanded goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Joseph Cramarossa and Josh Manson. The Ducks added on with a Hampus Lindholm goal, his second of the year, assisted by Corey Perry and Cam Fowler. Vancouver got on the board with a power play goal by Ben Hutton, his fifth of the season, powered by Bo Horvat and Markus Granlund. The Canucks tied it in the third period on a Jack Skille goal, his fourth of the year, via Sven Baertschi and Alexander Edler. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime with a Henrik Sedin goal, his ninth of the campaign, made possible by Loui Eriksson. The three stars went to Sedin, Skille, and Hutton.

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NHL 2016/17 - Day 75

Twelve games on for today, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Robin Lehner are the masked men. Buffalo led off in the first period with a Marcus Foligno goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Jack Eichel and Matt Moulson. The Sabres added on with a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Moulson and Sam Reinhart. Boston got on the board in the second period with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Brad Marchand and Torey Krug. The Bruins tied it with a David Krejci power play goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Frank Vatrano. Boston took the lead in the third period with a Ryan Spooner goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Krejci and Vatrano. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 with a Spooner empty net goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Krejci, Spooner, and Vatrano, while Moulson gets an honorable mention.

In DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. New Jersey got going in the second period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Washington tied it in the third period with a shorthanded Daniel Winnik goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Jay Beagle and John Carlson. In the shootout, the Devils saw Michael Cammalleri and Jacob Josefson score to take the win 2-1. The three stars went to Kinkaid (43 for 44 in saves), Cammalleri, and Holtby (26 for 27 in saves).

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Antoine Bibeau and Andrei Vasilevskiy are in the blue paint. Toronto began in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his eighteenth of the season, via Zach Hyman. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of James van Riemsdyk and Nikita Zaitsev. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Brian Boyle goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Drouin and Andrej Sustr. The Lightning tied it on an Ondrej Palat goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Nikita Kucherov. Toronto won 3-2 in overtime with a Nazem Kadri power play goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, with helpers from William Nylander and Matthews. The three stars were Matthews, Kadri, and Bozak.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the Montreal Canadiens. Backups Al Montoya and James Reimer play goal. Florida opened in the first period with a Jason Demers goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Jussi Jokinen and Jonathan Marchessault. Montreal tied it in the second period with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Alexander Radulov and Nathan Beaulieu. The Panthers retook the lead on a Vincent Trocheck power play goal, his tenth of the season, via Keith Yandle. The Canadiens tied it in the third period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Phillip Danault. Montreal won 3-2 in overtime with a Danault goal, his seventh of the campaign, helped along by Pacioretty. The three stars went to Danault, Pacioretty, and Gallagher.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Detroit Red Wings on Daniel Alfredsson night. Jared Coreau and Mike Condon are the little-known goalies. Detroit started in the first period with a Thomas Vanek goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Brendan Smith and Frans Nielsen. Ottawa tied it on a Derick Brassard goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Mike Hoffman. The Senators took the lead in the second period with a Mark Stone goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Brassard. The Red Wings tied it on a Tomas Tatar goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Henrik Zetterberg and Nick Jensen. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime on an Anthony Mantha goal, his seventh of the campaign, coming off of Niklas Kronwall. The three stars were Brassard, Mantha, and Tatar. 

Down in Nashville, the Predators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Chicago struck first in the first period with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Artemi Panarin. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his seventh of the year, via Ryan Johansen. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a Mike Fisher power play goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Mattias Ekholm and Johansen. The Blackhawks retied it on a Jonathan Toews power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane. Chicago took the lead with a Kane goal, his eleventh of the season, going in unassisted. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Kane, Toews, and Johansen. 

Back in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Michael Hutchinson are in the creases. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period with a Shawn Matthias goal, his third of the season, via Jacob Trouba and Adam Lowry. Columbus tied it on a Brandon Saad goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Foligno goal, his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by Zach Werenski and Sam Gagner. Columbus added on in the second period with an Alexander Wennberg goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Foligno. The Blue Jackets extended the lead in the third period as Wennberg scored a power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, with the help of Werenski and Seth Jones. The Jets got one back with a Bryan Little power play goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers from Drew Stafford and Blake Wheeler. Columbus replied with a Lukas Sedlak goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Jack Johnson. Winnipeg countered with a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his third of the year, made possible by Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The final held from here at 5-3, with the three stars given to Foligno, Wennberg, and Werenski, while Wheeler gets an honorable mention.

Across the border, the Minnesota Wild welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Devan Dubnyk protect the nets. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Marco Scandella goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mikael Granlund and Christian Folin. New York tied it on Jason Chimera goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey. The Islanders took the lead with a second period Nick Leddy power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Josh Bailey. The Wild tied it on a Chris Stewart goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Jason Pominville and Ryan Suter. Minnesota took the lead with a Jared Spurgeon goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mikko Koivu and Suter. The Wild added on with a Jordan Schroeder goal, his second of the year, fueled by Jonas Brodin and Zach Parise. New York got one back in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Shane Prince and Johnny Boychuk. The Islanders tied it on another Nelson goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, made possible by Calvin de Haan and Dennis Seidenberg. Minnesota took the lead back with an Erik Haula goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Nino Niederreiter and Charlie Coyle. The Wild iced it at 6-4 with a Granlund empty net goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Eric Staal and Koivu. The three stars were given to Granlund, Nelson, and Suter, while Koivu gets an honorable mention.

South to Texas, where the Dallas Stars bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Kari Lehtonen play goal. Dallas began in the first period with a Devin Shore goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Lauri Korpikoski and Patrick Eaves. The Stars added on with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza. Colorado got on the board with a Matt Duchene goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Mikko Rantanen and Tyson Barrie. Dallas replied in the second period with a Jamie Oleksiak goal, his fourth of the year, via Seguin and Benn. The Avalanche got one back in the third period with a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Barrie and Duchene. The Stars iced it at 4-2 with a Seguin empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Spezza. The three stars were Seguin, Benn, and Spezza, while Duchene and Barrie get the honorable mentions.

In Alberta, the Calgary Flames host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Chad Johnson receive the starting nods in goal. Calgary opened in the first period with a Mikael Backlund goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Matthew Tkachuk and Deryk Engelland. Anaheim tied it in the second period with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Corey Perry and Kevin Bieksa. The Ducks took the lead in the third period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Ryan Kesler and Korbinian Holzer. Anaheim added on with a power play goal by Rickard Rakell, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Vermette and Kesler. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars handed to Vermette, Kesler and Gibson (31 for 32 in saves).

Also in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj and Cam Talbot are between the pipes. Edmonton dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Patrick Maroon power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Jordan Eberle and Matthew Benning. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with a Nick Shore goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The Oilers took the lead back with an Eric Gryba goal, passed from Eberle and Milan Lucic. Edmonton won 3-1 with an empty net goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, his seventh of the campaign, set up by Leon Draisaitl. The three stars were Eberle, Gryba, and Talbot (28 for 29 in saves).

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the New York Rangers. Antti Raanta and Mike Smith are all padded up in goal. New York started in the first period with a Matt Puempel power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Jimmy Vesey. The Rangers added on with a Nick Holden power play goal, his seventh of the year, via J.T. Miller and Jimmy Hayes. Arizona got on the board with a Christian Dvorak goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Connor Murphy and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. New York replied in the second period with a Chris Kreider goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Holden and Mats Zuccarello. The Coyotes pulled back with an Anthony Duclair goal, his third of the season, passed from Lawson Crouse and Jakob Chychrun. Arizona tied it on a Tobias Rieder power play goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, coming off of Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The Rangers retook the lead on another Puempel power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, with helpers from Ryan McDonagh and Hayes. New York extended the lead with a Miller empty net goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Hayes, who got a sock trick, and Jesper Fast. The Rangers finished it at 6-3 with a Puempel power play goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Brandon Pirri and Marek Hrivik. The three stars were awarded to Puempel, Hayes, and Miller.

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