Tuesday, February 14, 2017

KHL 2016/17 - Day 157

Twelve games on today as the schedule will heavily oscillate this week until the season ends on Saturday. We begin in...

Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Niklas Svedberg man the nets. Ufa started in the first period with an Igor Grigorenko goal, assisted by Denis Parshin and Sami Lepisto. Salavat Yulaev added on with an Alexander Nesterov goal, passed from Zakhar Arzamastsev and Enver Lisin. Kazan got on the board with an Atte Ohtamaa goal, coming off of Anton Glinkin. Ufa replied with an Alexander Loginov goal, made possible by Dmitry Makarov and Parshin. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Nesterov, Parshin, and Svedberg (17 for 18 in saves).

Next up, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Vladislav Podyapolsky and Ivan Lisutin are the underwhelming goalies. Novokuznetsk opened in the first period with an Ignat Zemchenko power play goal, powered by Stanislav Kalashnikov. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Rok Ticar goal, via Dmitry Monya and Alexei Vasilevsky. Avtomobilist took the lead with a Denis Mingaleyev goal, courtesy of Niclas Andersen and Oleg Gubin. Yekaterinburg added on with a Dmitry Megalinsky goal, helped along by Anatoly Golyshev and Petr Koukal on the power play. Avtomobilist extended the lead in the third period as Ticar scored again, thanks to Alexei Mikhnov and Michal Cajkovsky. Yekaterinburg padded the lead with another Mingaleyev goal, guided in by Vasilevsky. Avtomobilist continued with an Alexander Torchenyuk goal, assisted by Alexei Simakov and Evgeny Chesalin. Rafael Khakimov replaced Podyapolsky. Yekaterinburg struck again with a Mikhnov goal, with a lone helper by Stanislav Chistov. Metallurg got one back with an Artyom Mikheyev goal, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 7-2 game were Ticar, Mingaleyev, and Mikhnov, while Vasilevsky gets an honorable mention.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Danny Taylor and Henrik Karlsson draw the starts in goal. Novosibirsk led off in the first period with a power play goal by Kirill Vorobyov, powered by Vadim Khlopotov and Georgy Misharin. Astana tied it on a Dustin Boyd power play goal, via Kevin Dallman and Nigel Dawes. Barys won 2-1 in overtime with a Dawes goal, passed from Brandon Bochenski and Dallman. The three stars were awarded to Dawes, Karlsson (26 for 27 in saves), and Dallman.

Back in Russia, Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Avangard Omsk. Dominik Furch faces a lesser foe in Georgy Boyarshinov in goal. Khanty-Mansiysk began with a Konstantin Panov goal, fueled by Roman Lyuduchin. Omsk tied it on a Jonas Ahnelov goal, via Ilya Mikheyev and Ilya Zubov. Ugra took the lead back with an Andrei Alexeyev power play goal in the second period, powered by Nikita Khlystov and Evgeny Lapenkov. Avangard tied it on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, helped along by Alexander Perezhogin. Omsk won 3-2 in overtime with an Anton Burdasov power play goal, with assists provided by Erik Gustafsson and Sobotka. The three stars were given to Sobotka, Burdasov, and Ahnelov.

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Jakub Kovar are the solid goalies. Nizhny Novgorod got going in the second period with an Alexander Frolov goal, via Kaspars Daugavins and Dmitry Semin. Cherepovets tied it on an unassisted Daniil Vovchenko goal. Torpedo took the lead with a Carter Ashton goal, assisted by Bobby Butler and Grigory Zheldakov. Severstal tied it on a third period shorthanded Dmitry Megalinsky goal, set up by Vojtech Polak. Nizhny Novgorod won 3-2 in overtime with a Daugavins goal, with a lone assist by Semin. The three stars went to Daugavins, Semin, and Ashton.

Out in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk brings in Lada Togliatti. Ilya Ezhov and Ben Scrivens protect the nets. Minsk struck first in the first period with an Aaron Palushaj power play goal, powered by Sergei Kostitsyn and Marc-Andre Gragnani. Dinamo added on with an Ilya Shinkevich goal, assisted by Gragnani and Alexander Materukhin. Togliatti got on the board with an Andrei Ivanov goal, helped along by Kristaps Sotnieks and Alexander Bumagin. Lada tied it on another Ivanov goal, fueled by Nikita Filatov. Minsk retook the lead in the second period with a Palushaj goal, his second of the game, from Rob Klinkhammer. Dinamo added on with an Evgeny Lisovets goal, coming off of Kostitsyn and Kirill Gotovets. Togliatti got one back with a Semyon Valuisky goal, via Vasily Streltsov. Minsk replied with a Klinkhammer goal, made possible by Materukhin. Dinamo extended the lead on a power play goal by Klinkhammer, with assists provided by Alexander Kulakov and Gragnani, the latter earning a sock trick. Minsk padded the lead as Fredrik Pettersson scored a power play goal in the third period, thanks to Gragnani. Dinamo iced it at 8-3 with another Pettersson power play goal, with helpers from Kulakov and Gragnani. The three stars were Gragnani, Klinkhammer, and Palushaj, while Pettersson, Ivanov, Kulakov, Materukhin, and Kostitsyn get the honorable mentions.

Back east, Dynamo Moscow hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Alexander Lazushin are in the creases. Khabarovsk was first to score in the first period with a Vitaly Popov goal, via Yury Zazarov and Pavel Dedunov. Amur added on in the second period with an Ilya Gorokhov power play goal, powered by Vyacheslav Litovchenko and Alexei Byvaltsev. Moscow got on the board with a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, assisted by Ilya Nikulin and Martins Karsums. Dynamo tied it in the third period with a Maxim Solovyov goal, passed from Denis Kokarev and Artyom Podshendyalov. Moscow took the lead with a Karsums goal, guided in by Solovyov and Alexei Tsvetkov. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Karsums, Solovyov, and Hietanen.

Up to Finland, where Jokerit Helsinki welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Andrei Kareyev and Ryan Zapolski play goal. Helsinki led off in the first period with a Tommi Huhtala goal, via Jesper Jensen and Sakari Salminen. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Gilbert Brule goal, guided in by Dan Sexton and Richard Gynge. Jokerit took the lead back in the second period with a Topi Jaakola power play goal, powered by Jensen and Salminen. Neftekhimik tied it in the third period with a Gynge goal, fueled by Sexton and Brule. Helsinki won 3-2 in overtime with a Mika Niemi goal, made possible by Arturs Kulda and Masi Marjamaki. The three stars belonged to Jensen, Salminen, and Gynge, while Sexton and Brule get the honorable mentions.

Returning to Moscow, CSKA brings in the Sochi Leopards. Dmitry Shikin and Andrei Filonenko are the backups in goal. Moscow began in the first period with a Stephane Da Costa power play goal, powered by Bogdan Kiselevich and Kirill Petrov. CSKA added on with an Andrei Kuzmenko goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Greg Scott. Sochi got on the board with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, guided in by Eric O'Dell and Ivan Vorobyov. The Leopards tied it with an Andre Petersson goal, going in unassisted. Moscow retook the lead with a Kuzmenko goal, helped along by Igor Ozhiganov and Semyon Koshelev. CSKA added on with an Alexander Popov goal, passed from Kuzmenko and Koshelev. Sochi pulled back on an Alexander Mereskin goal in the third period, with helpers from Igor Levitsky and Mikhail Mamkin. The final stood at 4-3, with the three stars going to Kuzmenko, Koshelev, and Popov.

South to Podolsk, where Vityaz hosts Kunlun Red Star Beijing. Tomi Karhunen and Igor Saprykin are called on to play goal. Beijing opened in the first period with a Linus Videll goal, via Joonas Jarvinen and Sean Collins. Podolsk tied it on a Miro Aaltonen goal, coming off of Jakub Jerabek and Alexei Kopeikin on the power play. Kunlun Red Star took the lead in the second period with an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, assisted by Tobias Viklund and Zach Yuen. Vityaz tied it again with a Roman Horak power play goal, powered by Jerabek. Podolsk took the lead with another Horak power play goal, with helpers from Kopeikin and Mario Kempe. Vityaz added on with an unassisted Alexander Pankov goal. Beijing replied with a Collins goal, helped along by Ponikarovsky and Yuen. Podolsk iced it at 5-3 with an Alexei Makeyev empty net goal, set up by Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi. The three stars went to Horak, Kopeikin, and Collins, while Jerabek, Ponikarovsky, and Yuen get the honorable mentions.

Out to St. Petersburg, where SKA welcomes Spartak Moscow. Markus Svensson and Igor Shestyorkin are the masked men. St. Petersburg started in the first period with an Evgeny Ketov power play goal, powered by Pavel Datsyuk and Yegor Yakovlev. Moscow tied it on an Alexander Vasilyev goal, via Dmitry Kalinin and Igor Mirnov. Spartak took the lead with a Yaroslav Dyblenko goal, courtesy of Anatoly Nikontsev and Ilya Klyauzov. Moscow added on in the second period with a Lukas Radil goal, passed from Vyacheslav Leshchenko. Spartak extended the lead as Viktor Bobrov scored a power play goal, with the help of Maxim Potapov and Alexei Bondarev. SKA got one back with a third period goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, assisted by Anton Belov and Evgeny Dadonov. The three stars of the 4-2 game were Radil, Bobrov, and Dyblenko.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Medvescak Zagreb. Sergei Gaiduchenko and Barry Brust get the starts in goal. Bratislava struck first in the first period with a Michal Hlinka goal, assisted by Pavol Skalicky and Tomas Starosta. Zagreb tied it on an Ilya Arkalov goal, passed from Lukas Kozak. Slovan took the lead with a Kyle Chipchura power play goal, powered by Michal Sersen and Tomas Kundratek. Medvescak tied it in the second period with an Alexandre Giroux goal, via Matija Milicic and Mark Katic. Bratislava regained the lead with a Ziga Jeglic goal, made possible by Nick Plastino and Andrej Stastny. Zagreb tied it again in the third period with an Arkalov goal, helped along by Ivan Jankovic and Tomislav Zanoski. Justin Pogge replaced Brust in goal. Slovan pulled ahead again with an Igor Musatov goal, via Stastny and Plastino. Medvescak tied it once more with a Samson Mahbod goal, fueled by Mike Glumac and Derek Smith. Slovan won 5-4 in overtime with a Kundratek goal, with helpers from Jeff Taffe and Pogge. The three stars were Kundratek, Plastino, and Stastny, while Arkalov gets the honorable mention.

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Monday, February 13, 2017

2016/17 Hockey - KHL Day 156/NHL Day 118

Just three games on today across the two leagues. We begin with...

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosting Admiral Vladivostok in the lone KHL game of the day. Igor Bobkov and Alexei Murygin man the nets. Yaroslavl started in the first period with an Alexander Polunin goal, passed from Artyom Ilyenko and Andrei Loktionov. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with a Jakub Nakladal power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun. Yaroslavl extended the lead as Emil Galimov scored, thanks to Vladislav Kartayev. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period with a Loktionov goal, via Polunin. Yaroslavl struck again with a Daniil Apalkov goal, assisted by Pavel Koledov. Vladivostok got one back with a Denis Alexeyev goal, guided in by Andrei Konov and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Lokomotiv iced it at 6-1 with an unassisted Koledov goal. The three stars went to Polunin, Loktionov, and Koledov.

In the US, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the New York Rangers. Antti Raanta is mismatched with Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Columbus opened in the first period with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Brandon Saad and Seth Jones. New York tied it on a shorthanded Dan Girardi goal in the second period, his fourth of the year, set up by Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with a Hayes goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Nick Foligno goal, his nineteenth of the year, with a lone helper by David Savard. New York regained the lead with a Jimmy Vesey goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Derek Stepan and Nick Holden. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Hayes, Vesey, and Raanta (30 for 32 in saves).

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Mike Smith and Chad Johnson earn the starts in goal. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Martin Hanzal goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Radim Vrbata and Max Domi. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Christian Dvorak goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Brendan Perlini and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Arizona extended the lead as Jordan Martinook scored his eighth of the year, with the help of Ryan White and Connor Murphy. The Coyotes padded the lead on a White goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Luke Schenn and Dvorak. Arizona iced it at 5-0 in the third period with a Dvorak goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, helped along by Shane Doan and Schenn. The three stars were Dvorak, White, and Smith (36 save shutout), while Schenn gets an honorable mention.

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Sunday, February 12, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 117

Six games on for today, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Cory Schneider guard the cages. New Jersey opened in the first period with a P.A. Parenteau goal, his thirteenth of the season, via Taylor Hall and Jacob Josefson. San Jose tied it in the second period with a Brent Burns goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Paul Martin. The Sharks took the lead with a Burns goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Kevin Labanc and Joe Pavelski. San Jose added on with a Joe Thornton goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Labanc. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 with a third period goal by Tomas Hertl, his sixth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Justin Braun and Joel Ward. The three stars went to Burns, Labanc, and Jones (21 for 22 in saves).

West to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jared Coreau and Devan Dubnyk are in the creases. Minnesota started in the first period with a Mikael Granlund power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Gustav Olofsson. The Wild added on with a Nino Niederreiter power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, with assists provided by Koivu and Nate Prosser. Detroit got on the board in the second period with an Anthony Mantha goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Xavier Ouellet and Gustav Nyquist. Minnesota replied with a Charlie Coyle goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Jason Pominville and Olofsson. The Red Wings pulled back on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Ouellet and Mantha. The Wild answered in the third period with a Zach Parise goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along Pominville. Detroit countered with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Nick Jensen and Niklas Kronwall. Minnesota shot back on a Christian Folin goal, his second of the year, with a lone helper by Coyle. The Wild extended the lead as Parise scored a power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, with the help of Eric Staal and Jared Spurgeon. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Parise, Koivu, and Olofsson, while Mantha, Ouellet, Coyle, and Pominville get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the New York Islanders bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard and Jean-Francois Berube are the backups in goal. Colorado led off in the first period with a Joe Colborne goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Andreas Martinsen and Fedor Tyutin. New York tied it on a Nick Leddy goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Stephen Gionta and Casey Cizikas. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with a Ryan Strome power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by John Tavares and Leddy. New York added on with an Anders Lee goal, his twentieth of the year, coming off of Tavares and Johnny Boychuk in the third period. The Islanders extended the lead as Lee scored his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, a power play goal helped along by Boychuk and Leddy. New York padded the lead with a Jason Chimera goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone helper from Brock Nelson. This made it 5-1, with the three stars being Lee, Leddy, and Tavares, while Boychuk gets an honorable mention.

Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Pekka Rinne are the Finnish goalies. Dallas began in the first period with a Jamie Benn power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Radek Faksa and Tyler Seguin. The Stars added on with a Patrick Sharp power play goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Seguin and Benn. Dallas extended the lead as Devin Shore scored a power play goal in the second period, his ninth of the season, thanks to Brett Ritchie and Seguin, the latter earning a sock trick. Nashville got on the board with a Roman Josi goal, his eighth of the year, via Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators got closer with a Josi power play goal in the third period, his second of the game and ninth of the season, made possible by James Neal and P.K. Subban. Nashville tied it on a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Neal and Subban. The Predators took the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Filip Forsberg goal, his sixteenth of the season. Nashville iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Mike Fisher, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Josi, Neal, and Subban, while Seguin and Benn get the honorable mentions.

Up in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Boston struck first in the first period with an Adam McQuaid goal, his second of the season, helped along by Peter Cehlarik and Torey Krug. The Bruins added on in the second period with a shorthanded Zdeno Chara goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Ryan Spooner and Brad Marchand. Boston extended the lead as David Krejci scored a power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by David Backes and Cehlarik. The Bruins padded the lead with a Frank Vatrano goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, assisted by Krejci and David Pastrnak. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars going to Rask (25 save shutout), Krejci, and Cehlarik.

Finally, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Robin Lehner are the inexperienced goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period with a Tyler Ennis goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Evan Rodrigues. Vancouver tied it on a Bo Horvat power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Ben Hutton and Markus Granlund. The Canucks took the lead with a Michael Chaput goal, his second of the season, via Daniel Sedin. The Sabres retied it on a Kyle Okposo goal, his eighteenth of the year, helped along by Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan O'Reilly. Vancouver took the lead with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Troy Stecher and Horvat in the second period. The Canucks added on with a Chaput goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Alexander Edler and Burrows. The game ended at 4-2, with the three stars being Burrows, Chaput, and Horvat.

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Saturday, February 11, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 116

Thirteen games on today, including six matinees. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller faces a lesser foe in Anton Khudobin in goal. Vancouver began in the first period with a Bo Horvat goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Jannik Hansen and Alexandre Burrows. Boston tied it with a Kevan Miller goal, his second of the year, helped along by Ryan Spooner and Frank Vatrano. The Bruins took the lead with a Vatrano power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by David Krejci and Torey Krug. The Canucks retied it on a Burrows goal in the second period, his eighth of the year, via Hansen and Horvat. Boston regained the lead in the third period with a Colin Miller goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jimmy Hayes and Vatrano. Vancovuer tied it on a Markus Granlund power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Alexander Edler and Ben Hutton. The Bruins won 4-3 with a David Pastrnak goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, via Krejci and Adam McQuaid. The three stars were Vatrano, Horvat, and Burrows, while Hansen and Krejci get the honorable mentions.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Craig Anderson draw the starts in goal. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Mark Stone goal, his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by Erik Karlsson. The Senators added on with a Zack Smith goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Kyle Turris and Dion Phaneuf. Ottawa extended the lead as Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Tom Pyatt. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Anderson (33 save shutout), Stone, and Smith.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the San Jose Sharks. Aaron Dell and Michal Neuvirth are the backups in goal. Philadelphia got going in the third period with an Ivan Provorov goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Andrew MacDonald and Jakub Voracek. San Jose tied it on a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Kevin Labanc and Joe Thornton. The Flyers won 2-1 in overtime on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Simmonds, Provorov, and Neuvirth (23 for 24 in saves).

Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Kari Lehtonen are the veteran goalies. Dallas opened in the first period with an Esa Lindell goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Stars added on with a Patrick Eaves goal, his twentieth of the year, via Cody Eakin and Jamie Benn. Dallas extended the lead as Curtis McKenzie scored an unassisted goal, his fourth of the season. Carolina got on the board with a Sebastian Aho goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Elias Lindholm and Jordan Staal in the second period. The Stars shot back with an Eaves power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, powered by Radek Faksa and Benn. The Hurricanes got one back in the third period with a Justin Faulk power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, assisted by Lindholm and Staal. Dallas answered with an Adam Cracknell goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by McKenzie. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Eaves, McKenzie, and Benn, while Lindholm and Staal get the honorable mentions.

Backtracking to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne draw the starts in goal. Florida started in the first period with a Jaromir Jagr goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Keith Yandle and Jonathan Huberdeau. Nashville tied it on a Roman Josi power play goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Panthers retook the lead in the second period with a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Vincent Trocheck and Reilly Smith. The Predators tied it on a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his sixteenth of the year, made possible by Ryan Ellis and Josi. Florida took the lead again with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his second of the season, assisted by Michael Sgarbossa and Mark Pysyk. The Panthers added on with a Trocheck goal, his nineteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Rinne was replaced by Juuse Saros. Florida extended the lead as Aleksander Barkov scored a power play goal, his eleventh of the season, thanks to Huberdeau. Nashville got one back with a shorthanded Arvidsson goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, set up by Ellis. The Panthers replied in the third period with a Huberdeau goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Alex Petrovic. The Predators responded with an Arvidsson goal, completing his hat trick on his eighteenth of the year, guided in by Yannick Weber and Calle Jarnkrok. Florida iced it at 7-4 with a Trocheck empty net goal, his twentieth of the campaign, fueled by Jokinen and Smith. The three stars belonged to Huberdeau, Trocheck, and Arvidsson, while Jokinen, Smith, Josi, and Ellis get the honorable mentions.

Northeast to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Sergei Bobrovsky are the masked men. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Boone Jenner goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Brandon Dubinsky. Detroit tied it on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Darren Helm. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period on a Cam Atkinson goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, assisted by Jenner and Dubinsky. The game ended at 2-1, with the three stars going to Jenner, Bobrovsky (35 for 36 in saves), and Dubinsky.

At the usual time, the Montreal Canadiens host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Al Montoya have the green light to play goal. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with an Patrik Berglund goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Alex Pietrangelo and Jaden Schwartz. Montreal tied it on a Shea Weber goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Max Pacioretty. The Blues took the lead in the second period with a David Perron goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Canadiens tied it on a Pacioretty goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, passed from Nathan Beaulieu and Greg Pateryn. St. Louis took the lead with a Berglund goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, coming off of Jay Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo. The Blues iced it at 4-2 with a third period Berglund empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his seventeenth of the year, set up by Perron and Schwartz. The three stars were Berglund, Pietrangelo, and Pacioretty, while Perron and Schwartz get the honorable mentions.

In New York, the Rangers welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Calvin Pickard is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. New York led off in the first period with a Kevin Klein goal, his second of the season, passed from Brady Skjei and Oscar Lindberg. Colorado tied it on a Gabriel Landeskog his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period with a John Mitchell goal, his second of the season, via Blake Comeau and Jarome Iginla. The Rangers tied it in the third period with a Klein goal, his second of the game and third of the year, helped along by Jesper Fast and Lindberg. New York took the lead with a Rick Nash goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers finished it at 4-2 with a Kevin Hayes empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Michael Grabner and J.T. Miller. The three stars went to Klein, Lindberg, and Lundqvist (32 for 34 in saves).

Back in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Frederik Andersen Buffalo began in the first period with an Evander Kane goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel. The Sabres added on with a Reinhart power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Kyle Okposo and Eichel. Buffalo extended the lead as Kane scored his second of the game, thanks to Eichel, who got a sock trick, and Justin Falk. Toronto got on the board with a Mitchell Marner power play goal in the second period, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Tyler Bozak and Nikita Zaitsev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Kane, Eichel, and Lehner (43 for 44 in saves).

West to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Connor Hellebuyck are the young goalies. Tampa Bay started in the first period Brayden Point goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jonathan Drouin. The Lightning added on with a Brian Boyle goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Victor Hedman and Jake Dotchin. Tampa Bay extended the lead on an Ondrej Palat goal in the second period, his eleventh of the season, with helpers from Point and Andrej Sustr. Winnipeg got on the board in the third period with a Jacob Trouba goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler. The Lightning iced it at 4-1 with a Hedman empty net goal, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Palat and Cedric Paquette. The three stars were Point, Palat, and Hedman.

Back in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Braden Holtby tend the twines. Washington opened in the first period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Marcus Johanssson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with a Backstrom goal, his seventeenth of the year, via Alex Ovechkin and Oshie. Washington extended the lead as Tom Wilson scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Daniel Winnik and Jay Beagle. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his seventeenth of the year, assisted by Andrew Cogliano and Ryan Getzlaf. The Capitals answered with a shorthanded and unassisted Winnik goal, his seventh of the season. The Ducks chipped back with a Hampus Lindholm goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Getzlaf and Silfverberg. Anaheim got closer with a Ryan Kesler goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Cam Fowler. The Ducks tied it as Getzlaf scored his ninth of the year, with the help of Fowler and Kevin Bieksa. Washington regained the lead with a Zach Sanford goal, with assists provided by Brett Connolly and Matt Niskanen. The Capitals finished it at 6-4 with a Johansson empty net goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, set up by Backstrom. The three stars went to Backstrom, Getzlaf, and Oshie, while Silfverberg, Fowler, Winnik, and Johansson get the honorable mentions.

In Arizona, the Coyotes bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith guard the cages. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard with a Josh Archibald goal in the second period, via Eric Fehr and Tom Kuhnhackl. Arizona tied it on an unassisted goal by Tobias Rieder, his twelfth of the season. The Coyotes took the lead with a Martin Hanzal power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Radim Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Arizona added on in the third period with a Hanzal goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, made possible by Ekman-Larsson and Max Domi. The Penguins chipped back with an Archibald goal, his second of the game going in shorthanded and unassisted. Pittsburgh tied it on a Phil Kessel goal, his nineteenth of the year, assisted by Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang. The Coyotes won 4-3 in overtime with a Connor Murphy goal, with a lone assist by Alex Burmistrov. The three stars belonged to Hanzal, Archibald, and Ekman-Larsson.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling and Cam Talbot are in the blue paint. Edmonton struck first in the first period with a Patrick Maroon goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Connor McDavid. Chicago tied it with a Richard Panik goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Nick Schmaltz and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks took the lead with a Patrick Kane power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Panik and Jonathan Toews. Chicago added on in the second period with a Trevor van Riemsdyk goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The Blackhawks extended the lead as Panik scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season on the power play, with the help of Toews and Kane. Laurent Brossoit replaced Talbot in goal. Chicago padded the lead in the third period with an Artem Anisimov goal, his twentieth of the year, with helpers from Kane and Brian Campbell. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars being Panik, Kane, and Toews.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 115

Two games tonight, with the first being...

The Winnipeg Jets welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Connor Hellebuyck are the goalies. Chicago struck first in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, his eighteenth of the season, helped along by Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov. Winnipeg tied it on a Bryan Little goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Toby Enstrom and Patrik Laine in the second period. The Blackhawks retook the lead with an Anisimov goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Panarin and Kane. Chicago added on in the third period with a Duncan Keith goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Nick Schmaltz. The Blackhawks extended the lead as Marian Hossa scored a shorthanded empty net goal, his twentieth of the season, set up by Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Jets pulled back with an Adam Lowry power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Joel Armia and Jacob Trouba. Chicago finished it at 5-2 with a Panarin empty net goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, assisted by Keith. The three stars went to Anisimov, Kane, and Panarin, while Keith gets an honorable mention.

Down in Minnesota, the Wild bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Minnesota got going in the second period with a Nino Niederreiter power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville. Tampa Bay tied it on a Brayden Point goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Jason Garrison and Alex Killorn. The tie went into the shootout, where Mikko Koivu gave the Wild a 2-1 win with his lone tally. The three stars were Dubnyk (26 for 27 in saves), Vasilevskiy (37 for 38 in saves), and Koivu.

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Thursday, February 9, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 114

Eleven games today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Boston opened in the first period with a David Backes goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Torey Krug and David Krejci. San Jose tied it on a Joe Thornton goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Tomas Hertl. The Bruins took the lead back with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Backes and Brandon Carlo. Boston added on with a David Pastrnak power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Bergeron. The Sharks got one back with a Justin Braun goal, his third of the season, made possible by Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau in the second period. Aaron Dell relieved Jones in goal. The Bruins answered with a Tim Schaller goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Riley Nash and Dominic Moore. Boston extended the lead as Pastrnak scored his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Bergeron and Brad Marchand. San Jose got on the board with a Timo Meier goal, his third of the year, with assists from Joel Ward and Hertl. The Bruins finished it at 6-3 with a Marchand empty net goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, set up by Bergeron and Backes. The three stars were Pastrnak, Bergeron, and Backes, while Marchand and Hertl get the honorable mentions.

Out to Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Robin Lehner are the goalies. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Corey Perry goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. Buffalo tied it on a Jack Eichel power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kyle Okposo and Ryan O'Reilly. The Ducks took the lead with a third period goal by Rickard Rakell goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Perry and Hampus Lindholm. Anaheim added on with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Brandon Montour and Lindholm. The Ducks extended the lead as Perry scored his second of the game and eleventh of the season, thanks to Rakell and Cam Fowler. The Sabres got one back with a Rasmus Ristolainen goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Justin Bailey and Sam Reinhart. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with an Andrew Cogliano empty net goal, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by Ryan Kesler and Logan Shaw. The three stars were given to Perry, Rakell, and Lindholm,

Along to Manhattan, where the New York Rangers bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Henrik Lundqvist draw the starts in goal. Nashville started in the first period with a Cody McLeod goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by P.K. Subban and Austin Watson. The Predators added on with a Calle Jarnkrok power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Mike Fisher and Subban in the second period. New York got on the board with a Michael Grabner goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, via Kevin Hayes. The Rangers tied it on a J.T. Miller goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Hayes. New York took the lead in the third period with a Chris Kreider goal, his twenty-second of the season, passed from Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers extended the lead as Miller scored his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, thanks to Ryan McDonagh and Hayes, the latter earning a sock trick. Nashville got one back with a Roman Josi power play goal, his sixth of the season, with assists provided by Ryan Johansen and Ryan Ellis. This only made it 4-3, with the three stars going to Miller, Hayes, and Subban.

West to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Steve Mason are in the blue paint. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Shayne Gostisbehere and Jakub Voracek. New York tied it on a John Tavares goal, his twenty-first of the year, helped along by Ryan Strome and Josh Bailey on the power play. The Islanders took the lead with a Jason Chimera goal, his twelfth of the season, via Andrew Ladd and Dennis Seidenberg. New York added on in the third period with a Casey Cizikas goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Johnny Boychuk. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Chimera, Griess (33 for 34 in saves), and Cizikas.

Next up, the Washington Capitals welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Braden Holtby are the masked men. Washington struck first in the first period with a Marcus Johansson goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams. Detroit tied it on an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his twelfth of the year, via Ryan Sproul and Thomas Vanek. The Red Wings took the lead with an Athanasiou power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Vanek. The Capitals tied it on a Brett Connolly goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Lars Eller and Karl Alzner. Washington took the lead in the second period on a T.J. Oshie goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. Detroit tied it on a third period goal by Henrik Zetterberg, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Anthony Mantha and Gustav Nyquist. The Capitals took the lead back with a Carlson goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Oshie. Washington added on with Oshie's second of the game and twenty-second of the year, a power play goal with assists provided by Backstrom and Johansson. The Capitals iced it at 6-3 with a Backstrom empty net goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, set up by Jay Beagle. The three stars belonged to Oshie, Backstrom, and Carlson, while Johansson, Athanasiou, and Vanek get the honorable mentions.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Sergei Bobrovsky are between the pipes. Vancouver got going in the second period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Markus Granlund and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on with a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead in the third period as Jayson Megna scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Troy Stecher and Alexander Edler. The three stars of the 3-0 game belonged to Miller (33 save shutout), Daniel Sedin, and Henrik Sedin.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Mike Condon are in the creases. Ottawa was first to score in the first period with a Dion Phaneuf goal, his seventh of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Senators added on with an empty net goal credited to Chris Kelly as his fifth of the year. Dallas got on the board in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Radek Faksa and Jordie Benn. The Stars tied it on a Jamie Benn goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Esa Lindell. Ottawa took the lead with a Mark Stone goal in the third period, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Ryan Dzingel and Cody Ceci. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Stone, Condon (31 for 33 in saves), and Phaneuf.

Also in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Frederik Andersen protect the nets. St. Louis began in the first period with a Patrik Berglund goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Magnus Paajarvi and Jaden Schwartz. Toronto tied it on a second period goal by Morgan Rielly goal, his second of the year, helped along by William Nylander and Nazem Kadri. The Blues won 2-1 in overtime with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-sixth of the campaign, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Kevin Shattenkirk. The three stars belonged to Allen (31 for 32 in saves), Tarasenko, and Berglund.

South to Florida, where the Panthers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Peter Budaj and James Reimer are the goalies. Los Angeles opened in the first period with a Dustin Brown power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Alec Martinez and Jeff Carter. The Kings added on with a Carter goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, via Tanner Pearson. Florida got on the board with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Nick Bjugstad and Vincent Trocheck. Los Angeles replied with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Drew Doughty and Carter. The Kings extended the lead as Pearson scored his sixteenth of the season in the second period, with the help of Brown. Los Angeles padded the lead with a Dwight King goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by Trevor Lewis and Paul Ladue. The Kings continued with a Carter goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the season, fueled by Pearson and Brayden McNabb. The Panthers got closer in the third period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Michael Sgarbossa and Jokinen. Florida got closer with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his tenth of the season, via Jaromir Jagr and Jonathan Huberdeau. This only made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars given to Carter, Brown, and Pearson, while Jokinen gets an honorable mention.

Out in Colorado, the Avalanche host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Calvin Pickard are the young goalies. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Phil Kessel goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Matt Cullen. The Penguins added on in the second period with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Kessel and Justin Schultz. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Hornqvist scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, thanks to Schultz. Colorado got on the board in the third period with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his tenth of the year, via Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Chris Kunitz goal, his eighth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Cullen. The three stars were Hornqvist, Kessel, and Schultz, while Cullen gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mike Smith are the veterans in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Phillip Danault and Jeff Petry. The Canadiens added on with an Andrei Markov goal, his third of the year, via Michael McCarron and Daniel Carr.Arizona got on the board in the second period with a Christian Dvorak power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Max Domi and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes tied it on a Domi goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Peter Holland and Connor Murphy. Arizona took the lead with an Alex Goligoski goal, his second of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Jordan Martinook. Montreal tied it again in the third period on a Pacioretty power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, with assists provided by Markov and Petry. The Canadiens took the lead with an Alexander Radulov goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Danault and Pacioretty. The Coyotes tied it again with a Dvorak goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, going in unassisted. Montreal iced it at 5-4 in overtime with an Alec Galchenyuk goal, his twelfth of the campaign, dished from Pacioretty. The three stars were Pacioretty, Dvorak, and Markov, while Domi, Petry, and Danault get the honorable mentions.

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

NHL 2016/17 - Day 113

Just a single game on tonight, as the Minnesota Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Darcy Kuemper get the starts in goal. Chicago opened in the first period with a Ryan Hartman goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Vinnie Hinostroza and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks added on with a second period goal by Nick Schmaltz, his fourth of the year, via Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik. Minnesota got on the board with a Jared Spurgeon goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Eric Staal and Nino Niederreiter. The Wild tied it on a Zach Parise goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Charlie Coyle and Jason Pominville. Chicago retook the lead with a Panik goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Toews. Minnesota tied it in the third period with an Erik Haula goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Marco Scandella and Niederreiter. The Blackhawks won 4-3 in overtime with a Toews power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by Patrick Kane and Keith. The three stars were given to Toews, Panik, and Keith, while Niederreiter gets an honorable mention.

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