Sunday, May 7, 2017

NWSL 2017: Week 4

We're back for more action this weekend, beginning with three Saturday games. The first is...

The Chicago Red Stars hosting the Houston Dash. Lydia Williams and Alyssa Naeher protect the nets. Houston's Bruna took a yellow card for a fourteenth minute foul. Chicago got a gift to start the scoring in the forty-fourth minute when the Dash's Sarah Hagen scored an own goal. The Red Stars added on in the sixty-first minute with a goal by Julie Johnston Ertz. Christen Press of Chicago received a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. The final held at 2-0, with Ertz the woman of the match for her well-rounded game.

To the east, the Washington Spirit welcome Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Stephanie Labbe are in the six-yard boxes. Washington led off in the sixth minute with a Francisca Ordega goal, set up by Line Sigvardsen Jensen. Sky Blue tied it on a twelfth minute goal by Kelley O'Hara. The Spirit retook the lead in the twenty-sixth minute when Sky Blue's Erin Simon put the ball in her own net for an own goal. Washington added on with a Havana Solaun goal in the thirty-fourth minute, coming off of Ordega. Sky Blue's Simon had a yellow card for a thirty-ninth minute foul. Sky Blue pulled back in the fiftieth minute on a Sarah Killion goal, guided in by O'Hara. The Spirit replied with a fifty-sixth minute goal by Ordega, her second of the game. Sky Blue shot back with a Killion penalty kick goal in the seventy-first minute, her second of the game. Cheyna Williams of Washington had a yellow card in the eighty-seventh minute for a foul. The final held at 4-3, with Ordega the woman of the match for a brace, assist, and the cross that led to Simon's own goal.

Saturday ends in the Northwest, as the Portland Thorns FC host the Seattle Reign FC for some Cascadia fun. Haley Kopmeyer and Adrianna Franch are the keepers. Seattle began in the first minute with a Jess Fishlock goal, assisted by Rumi Utsugi. Portland tied it in the thirty-seventh minute as Fishlock slid into a Hayley Raso cross that ended up in the Seattle goal. The Reign fired back with a thirty-ninth minute Merritt Mathias goal, coming off of Rebekah Stott. Seattle saw yellow cards for fouls by Megan Rapinoe in the fifty-seventh minute and Fishlock in the sixty-sixth minute. The Thorns' Amandine Henry took a yellow card for her seventy-third minute foul. Portland tied it on an eighty-second minute Allie Long goal, guided in by Meghan Klingenberg. Lindsey Horan of the Thorns had a yellow card in stoppage time for her foul. The game ended 2-2, with the woman of the match being Mathias.

On Sunday, the Boston Breakers bring in the North Carolina Courage. Sabrina D'Angelo and Abby Smith guard the woodwork. North Carolina opened in the thirty-second minute on a Jessica McDonald goal. Boston's Julie King had a yellow card for her thirty-fifth minute foul. The Breakers' Rosie White took a yellow card for her fifty-third minute foul. In the eighty-second minute, Boston's Adriana Leon received a yellow card for a foul. The Courage had a yellow card for time wasting by Taylor Smith in the eighty-seventh minute. The game ended at 1-0, with McDonald named woman of the match.

Finally, FC Kansas City hosts the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Nicole Barnhart are the keepers. In first half stoppage time, Kansas City's Sydney Leroux received a yellow card for her foul. Maddy Evans of Orlando had a yellow card for a sixtieth minute foul. The Pride got going in the seventy-third minute with a Marta goal, passed from Jasmyne Spencer. Kansas City tied it on an eighty-fourth minute goal by Erika Tymrak, assisted by Maegan Kelley. The game ended 1-1, with the woman of the match honors going to Marta.

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Central Division Final: 3) St. Louis Blues VS. 4) Nashville Predators

It's time for the second round of the playoffs, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup continues. This series features Central Division rivals, the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators.

Game 1: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Jake Allen for the Blues. Nashville started in the first period with a Colin Wilson power play goal, powered by P.K. Subban and Ryan Ellis. The Predators added on with a Subban goal in the second period, made possible by Ryan Johansen. St. Louis got on the board with a Colton Parayko goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Joel Edmundson and Kyle Brodziak. Nashville answered with a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his third of the playoffs, with assists provided by Subban and Roman Josi. The Blues pulled back with a Jaden Schwartz goal in the third period, his third of the postseason, guided in by Paul Stastny and Edmundson. St. Louis tied it on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Magnus Paajarvi. The Predators took the lead back with a Vernon Fiddler goal, with a lone assist by Austin Watson. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Subban, Edmundson, and Fiddler. The Predators have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Jake Allen for the Blues. Nashville opened in the first period with a James Neal goal, coming off of Colton Sissons and Ryan Ellis. St. Louis tied it on a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Alexander Steen. The Predators retook the lead with an Ellis goal, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted in the third period. The Blues tied it on a Jori Lehtera goal, via Patrik Berglund and Colton Parayko. St. Louis took the lead with a Tarasenko goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, assisted by Joel Edmundson and Jaden Schwartz. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars given to Tarasenko, Ellis, and Lehtera. The series is tied at 1 as it shifts to Tennessee.

Game 3: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Jake Allen for the Blues and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville led off in the first period with a Ryan Ellis goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban. The Predators added on with a Cody McLeod goal, via Colton Sissons and Mattias Ekholm. St. Louis got on the board with an Alexander Steen goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Sobotka. Nashville replied in the third period with a Roman Josi goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Sissons and Harry Zolnierczyk. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars going to Sissons, McLeod, and Rinne (22 for 23 in saves). The Predators retake the series lead at 2-1.

Game 4: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Jake Allen for the Blues and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. Nashville got going in the third period with a Ryan Ellis power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Colin Wilson. The Predators added on with a James Neal goal, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted. St. Louis got on the board with a Joel Edmundson goal, his third of the postseason, via Alexander Steen and Jori Lehtera. The game ended at 2-1, with the three stars being Rinne (32 for 33 in saves), Neal, and Ellis. The Predators have a 3-1 series lead, on the verge of advancing.

Game 5: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In goal: Pekka Rinne for the Predators and Jake Allen for the Blues. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Dmitrij Jaskin goal, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Sobotka. Nashville tied it on a James Neal power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by P.K. Subban and Roman Josi. The Blues took the lead in the third period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Colton Parayko. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Schwartz, Jaskin, and Allen (21 for 22 in saves). The series heads back to Tennessee with the Predators ahead 3-2. 

Game 6: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee. In goal: Jake Allen for the Blues and Pekka Rinne for the Predators. St. Louis began in the first period with a Paul Stastny goal, his second of the postseason, via Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Roman Josi goal, his fourth of the playoffs, assisted by Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Johansen. The Predators took the lead with a Johansen goal in the third period, his second of the postseason, guided in by Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with a Calle Jarnkrok empty net goal, set up by Josi and the goalie Rinne. The three stars were Johansen, Josi, and Rinne (23 for 24 in saves). The Predators are the first team to advance to the Western Conference final on a 4-2 series win.

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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

MLS Midweek: May 3, 2017

Two games at midweek this time, beginning with...

Toronto FC welcoming Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and Alexander Bono are the gloved men. Toronto began in the ninth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, passed from Jozy Altidore. Toronto added on in the thirty-eighth minute with a Giovinco goal, coming off of Victor Vazquez. Orlando City got on the board in first half stoppage time with a Kaka goal, made possible by Cyle Larin and Carlos Rivas. Toronto saw yellow cards for fouls by Bono in the fiftieth minute and Altidore in the fifty-second minute. Jonathan Spector of Orlando City took a yellow card for his seventy-fourth minute foul, as did teammate Cristian Higuita in the eighty-fifth minute. The game ended at 2-1, with the man of the match being Giovinco for his brace.

In Kansas City, Sporting brings in the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Tim Melia protect the nets. Kansas City's Ike Opara had a yellow card for a thirtieth minute foul. Sporting got going in the forty-sixth minute with a Dominic Dwyer goal. Kansas City's Dwyer had a yellow card for a fifty-first minute foul. Sean Davis of New York had a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Sporting added on in the sixty-eighth minute on another Dwyer goal, set up by Benny Feilhaber. Connor Lade of the Red Bulls had a yellow card for his seventy-sixth minute foul, as did teammate Bradley Wright-Phillips in stoppage time. Sporting won 2-0, with Dwyer's brace making him man of the match.

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Sunday, April 30, 2017

NWSL 2017: Week 3

We're back for another full week of games. First up, the game of the week in...

Portland, as the Thorns FC hosts the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Adrianna Franch receive the starting nods in goal. Portland led off in the twenty-seventh minute with a Nadia Nadim penalty kick goal, coming after a handball by Christen Press in the box. In the fifty-first minute, Emily Sonnett received a yellow card for a foul. Chicago's Julie Johnston Ertz received a yellow card for a sixty-fifth minute foul. Celeste Boureille took a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-seventh minute for Portland. The Red Stars had a yellow card in stoppage time for Press' foul. The final held at 1-0, with the woman of the match being Franch for a five-save clean sheet.

Back east, the North Carolina Courage welcome the Orlando Pride. Ashlyn Harris and Sabrina D'Angelo protect the nets. North Carolina opened in the sixth minute with a Jessica McDonald goal. Samantha Mewis took a yellow card for the Courage in the eighteenth minute. Orlando got on the board with a Camila goal in the twenty-sevneth minute. North Carolina retook the lead on a Mewis penalty kick goal in the thirty-third minute, right after the Pride's Laura Alleway took a yellow card for a handball in the box. In the seventieth minute, the Courage added on with a Lynn Williams goal, assisted by Debinha. North Carolina had yellow cards for fouls by McCall Zerboni in eighty-second minute and Samantha Witteman in the eighty-fourth minute. The final held at 3-1, with the woman of the match being Williams.

Up in Boston, the Breakers host the Seattle Reign FC. Haley Kopmeyer and Abby Smith are between the pipes. Boston started in the eleventh minute with an Adriana Leon goal. The Breakers added on in the fifteenth minute with a Rose Lavelle goal, passed from Leon. Seattle had a yellow card in the thirty-second minute for a foul by Jess Fishlock. Boston's Rosie White had a yellow card for a thirty-fifth minute foul. The Reign's Merritt Mathias took a yellow card for a thirty-eighth minute foul. The Breakers extended the lead in the fifty-second minute as Natasha Dowie scored, thanks to Leon. In the seventy-sixth minute, Boston's Allysha Chapman took a yellow card for a foul. The game ended at 3-0, with Leon the woman of the match for her goal and pair of assists.

In Washington, Saturday ends with the Spirit bringing in the Houston Dash. Lydia Williams and Stephanie Labbe play goal. Houston began in the twenty-eighth minute with a Kealia Ohai goal, assisted by Bruna. In the fifty-ninth minute, Bruna received a yellow card for her foul for the Dash. The game ended 1-0, with the woman of the match being Ohai for her goal.

Finally, on Sunday, Sky Blue FC hosts FC Kansas City. Nicole Barnhart and Kailen Sheridan are the keepers. Sky Blue had a yellow card for a seventy-third minute foul by Raquel Rodriguez. Sky Blue got going in the eighty-third minute on a Rodriguez goal, set up by Mandy Freeman. Madison Tiernan of Sky Blue took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The woman of the match was Rodriguez for her goal and defensive play around the field.

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MLS 2017: Week 9

We're back for a full week of games. We start with one on Friday, as...

Toronto FC hosts the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Alexander Bono are the goalies. Toronto began in the sixteenth minute with a Jozy Altidore goal, passed from Raheem Edwards and Marco Delgado. Toronto added on with an Altidore goal in the thirty-second minute, via Sebastian Giovinco. Alberth Elis and Juan Cabezas of Houston had yellow cards for fouls in the fifty-eighth and seventieth minutes, respectively. The game ended 2-0, with Altidore the man of the match for his brace.

Saturday also starts in Canada, with the Montreal Impact hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Evan Bush man the nets. Montreal led off in the ninth minute with a Marco Donadel goal. Kyle Fisher of the Impact took a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-eighth minute. Vancouver tied it on a twenty-ninth minute Andrew Jacobson goal. Hernan Bernardello of Montreal had a yellow card for a forty-first minute foul. In the fifty-ninth minute, Donadel of the Impact took a yellow card for his foul. Matias Laba of the Whitecaps took a sixty-fifth minute yellow card for a foul. Vancouver took the lead in the seventy-ninth minute with a goal by Cristian Techera goal, coming off of Jacobson. Dominic Oduro of Montreal received a yellow card for his foul in stoppage time. The man of the match was Jacobson for his goal and assist.

Down in Florida, Orlando City SC welcomes the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath and Joe Bendik receive the starts in goal. Colorado had yellow cards for Kevin Doyle in the twentieth minute and Micheal Azira in the thirty-fifth minute, both for fouls. Matias Perez Garcia had a yellow card for a thirty-sixth minute foul for Orlando City. Orlando City got going in the seventieth minute with a Carlos Rivas goal, assisted by Cristian Higuita. Tommy Redding of Orlando City had a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. Orlando City added on with a Kaka goal in stoppage time. The Rapids' Bobby Burling had a yellow card for a foul a minute later.

Back north, the Columbus Crew SC brings in New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Zack Steffen are in the six-yard boxes. New York City had a yellow card for a second minute foul by Ben Sweat. New York City opened in the eighth minute with a Jack Harrison goal, guided in by Maximiliano Moralez. Yangel Herrera of New York City took a yellow card for a seventeenth minute foul. Columbus tied it on a twenty-ninth minute goal by Federico Higuain, assisted by Jukka Raitala and Justin Meram. The Crew's Raitala took a yellow card for a forty-fourth minute foul. Columbus took the lead in the forty-ninth minute with an Ola Kamara goal, set up by Ethan Finlay. New York City tied it again with a Herrera goal, passed from Sweat and Alexander Ring. New York City took the lead in the seventy-sixth minute with a Harrison goal, made possible by Herrera. Maxime Chanot of New York City had a yellow card in the seventy-ninth minute for a foul. The final held at 3-2, with Harrison the man of the match for his brace.

East to Red Bull Arena, where the New York Red Bulls host the Chicago Fire. Jorge Bava and Luis Robles are the gloved men. New York started in the thirty-seventh minute with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, coming off of Daniel Royer. Alex Muyl of the Red Bulls had a yellow card for his fifty-first minute foul. Chicago tied it in the fifty-ninth minute with a Nemanja Nikolic goal, passed from Dax McCarty. Connor Lade of the Red Bulls took a yellow card for not retreating in the sixty-second minute. New York took the lead in the seventy-first minute with a Kemar Lawrence goal, fueled by Damien Perrinelle. The Red Bulls had yellow cards for Felipe in the eighty-first minute and Frederik Gulbrandsen in the eighty-seventh minute, both for fouls. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Lawrence for his winner. 

In Texas, FC Dallas welcomes the Portland Timbers. Jeff Attinella and Jesse Gonzalez guard the woodwork. Portland struck first in the thirtieth minute with a Fanendo Adi goal, made possible by David Guzman. The Timbers' Vytautas Andriuskevicius took a yellow card for a foul in the thirty-fourth minute. Dallas had a yellow card given to Maynor Figueroa in the thirty-seventh minute for his foul. Dallas tied it in the sixty-first minute on a Maximiliano Urruti goal. Portland retook the lead with a Sebastian Blanco goal in the seventy-first minute, via Adi and Alvas Powell. Dallas' Hernan Grana took a yellow card for a seventy-third minute foul. Dallas tied it on a Tesho Akindele goal, assisted by Grana and Urruti. The final held at 2-2, with the man of the match being Adi for his goal and assist to create a road point.

Up north to Minnesota, as United FC brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Bobby Shuttleworth play goal. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the fifty-fourth minute with a Florian Jungwirth goal, assisted by Chris Wondolowski and Jahmir Hyka. In the eighty-seventh minute, the Earthquakes keeper Bingham took a yellow card time wasting. Jerome Thiesson of Minnesota had a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The final held at 1-0, with the man of the match being Jungwirth for his goal.

Backtracking to Kansas City, where Sporting hosts Real Salt Lake. Matt Van Oekel and Tim Melia protect the nets. Kansas City was first to score in the seventeenth minute with a Benny Feilhaber goal, assisted by Graham Zusi and Roger Espinoza. Salt Lake had a yellow card for a foul by Luke Mulholland in the thirty-ninth minute. Feilhaber had a yellow card for his forty-ninth minute foul. In the fifty-first minute, Demar Phillips of Real took a yellow card for dissent. Sporting added on with a fifty-first minute Dominic Dwyer goal. In the fifty-fifth minute, Salt Lake's Yura Movsisyan and Espinoza of Kansas City each received yellow cards for fouls. In the sixty-ninth minute, Zusi took a yellow card for Sporting for his foul, as did teammate Gerso Fernandes in the eighty-fourth minute. Real's Brooks Lennon had a yellow card for an eighty-fifth minute foul. In stoppage time, Sporting iced it at 3-0 with a Fernandes goal, coming off of Soony Saad. The final held at 3-0, with the man of the match being Feilhaber for the early winner.

Northwest to Seattle, where the Sounders FC welcome the New England Revolution. Cody Cropper and Stefan Frei are in the six-yard boxes. New England opened in the fifteenth minute with a Daigo Kobayashi goal, assisted by Lee Nguyen. The Revolution added on with a twenty-sixth minute Juan Agudelo goal, passed from Kelyn Rowe and Antonio Mlinar Delamea. Tony Alfaro of Seattle had a yellow card for his forty-fourth minute foul. New England extended the lead in the fifty-fourth minute as Agudelo scored his second of the game, thanks to Diego Fagundez and Xavier Kouassi. The Sounders got on the board in the seventy-fifth minute with a Nicolas Lodeiro goal, coming off of Joevin Jones. Seattle's Will Bruin had a yellow card for dissent in the eightieth minute. The Sounders got closer with a Bruin goal in the eighty-fifth minute, via Jones and Cristian Roldan. Seattle tied it on an eighty-eighth minute goal by Osvaldo Alonso fueled by Gustav Svensson and Lodeiro. The game ended in a 3-3 tie, with the man of the match being Agudelo for his brace.

Saturday ends in California, with the Los Angeles Galaxy bringing in the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Brian Rowe are the keepers. Los Angeles' Jelle Van Damme took a forty-fourth minute yellow card for a foul. The Galaxy's Bradley Diallo had a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended 0-0, with the man of the match being Blake for a three-save clean sheet.

Finally, on Sunday, Atlanta United FC hosts DC United. Bill Hamid and Alec Kann play goal. DC's Sean Franklin took a second minute yellow card for a foul. Atlanta opened in the ninth minute on a Kenwyne Jones goal, via Yamil Asad. DC tied it on a Michael Parkhurst own goal in the twenty-fifth minute. DC took the lead in the thirty-sixth minute on a Luciano Acosta goal, coming off of Franklin. Jared Jeffrey of DC had a yellow card for a forty-fifth minute foul. DC added on with a Sebastien Le Toux goal in the fifty-fifth minute, set up by Acosta. In the eighty-third minute, Asad of Atlanta had a yellow card for his foul. The game ended at 3-1, with the man of the match being Acosta for his winner and assist.

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Monday, April 24, 2017

NWSL 2017: Week 2

We're onto the second week of the season, and we begin with...

The Chicago Red Stars hosting FC Kansas City. Nicole Barnhart and Alyssa Naeher play goal. Chicago opened in the forty-first minute with a Julie Johnston Ertz goal, assisted by Sofia Huerta. This stood for a 1-0 win, with Ertz the woman of the match for her consistent play as an attacking midfielder.

The Lifetime game of the week is the Orlando Pride welcoming the Washington Spirit. Stephanie Labbe and Ashlyn Harris protect the nets. Orlando's Laura Alleway took a yellow card for a fifty-ninth minute foul. Washington got going in the sixtieth minute on a Line Sigvardsen-Jensen goal. Kassey Kallman and Tori Huster of the Spirit each had yellow cards in the sixty-fifth and seventy-fifth minutes, for a dissent and a foul, respectively. The Pride tied it on a Danica Evans goal, passed from Chioma Ubogagu in the eighty-sixth minute. This made it 1-1, the final, with Sigvardsen-Jensen earning woman of the match honors for her goal.

Later on, the North Carolina Courage host the Portland Thorns FC. Adrianna Franch and Sabrina D'Angelo are the keepers. North Carolina's Yuri Kawamura took a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-seventh minute. Samantha Mewis of the Courage had a yellow card for her seventy-sixth minute foul. North Carolina dented the scoreboard in the eighty-first minute on a Debinha goal, assisted by Jessica McDonald. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the woman of the match being Debinha, who threatened all game before scoring.

Saturday ends with the Seattle Reign FC bringing in the Houston Dash. Jane Campbell and Haley Kopmeyer guard the woodwork. Seattle started in the eighteenth minute on a Jess Fishlock goal, passed from Christine Nairn. The Reign added on in the twenty-seventh minute with a Megan Rapinoe goal, courtesy of Fishlock. Seattle extended the lead with a Kristen McNabb goal in the thirty-first minute. The Reign padded the lead as Beverly Yanez scored in the fifty-fifth minute. Seattle continued with a seventy-fourth minute goal by Katie Johnson. The Reign's Rachel Corsie received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-third minute. Houston got on the board with a Poliana goal in the eighty-fourth minute. Seattle won 5-1, with Fishlock as the woman of the match for her play both offensively and defensively.

Finally, on Sunday, the Boston Breakers host Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Abby Smith are the goalies. Boston struck first in the thirty-seventh minute with a Natasha Dowie goal, set up by Rose Lavelle. The Breakers' Angela Salem had a yellow card for an eighty-sixth minute foul. Boston held on to win 1-0, with the woman of the match being Smith for her nine-save clean sheet in the win.

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Sunday, April 23, 2017

Metropolitan Division Playoffs: 1) Washington Capitals VS. 4) Toronto Maple Leafs

It's playoff time in 2017, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup begins. This series features the Metropolitan Division champion Washington Capitals against the wild card Toronto Maple Leafs.

Game 1: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Toronto led off in the first period with a Mitchell Marner goal, assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on with a Jake Gardiner goal, going in unassisted. Washington got on the board with a Justin Williams power play goal, powered by T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Capitals tied it on another Williams goal in the second period, courtesy of Matt Niskanen and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington won 3-2 in overtime with a Tom Wilson goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Williams, Wilson, and Holtby (35 for 37 in saves). The Capitals lead the series 1-0.

Game 2: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Toronto began in the first period with a James van Riemsdyk goal, helped along by Jake Gardiner and Tyler Bozak. Washington tied it in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, powered by T.J. Oshie and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals took the lead on a John Carlson power play goal, with assists provided by Justin Williams and Andre Burakovsky. The Maple Leafs retied it on a Kasperi Kapanen goal, guided in by Matt Martin and Brian Boyle. Toronto took the lead with a Morgan Rielly power play goal, fueled by Mitchell Marner. Washington tied it again with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, assisted by Dmitry Orlov in the third period. The Maple Leafs won in double overtime with a Kapanen goal, his second of the game, made possible by Boyle and Martin. The three stars were Kapanen, Boyle, and Martin in the 4-3 game. The series heads north tied at 1.

Game 3: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs. Washington started in the first period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Nate Schmidt and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Backstrom and Oshie. Toronto got on the board with an Auston Matthews goal, with a lone assist by Morgan Rielly. Washington replied in the second period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, passed from Marcus Johansson and Justin Williams. The Maple Leafs countered with a Nazem Kadri goal, helped along by Leo Komarov. Toronto tied it on a William Nylander goal, guided in by Matthews and Zach Hyman. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in overtime with a Tyler Bozak power play goal, powered by Kadri and Rielly. The three stars belonged to Matthews, Kadri, and Rielly, while Backstrom and Oshie get the honorable mentions.

Game 4: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs. Washington opened in the first period with a T.J. Oshie goal, assisted by Nicklas Backstrom and Nate Schmidt. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Kevin Shattenkirk. Toronto tied it on a Zach Hyman goal, via Jake Gardiner and William Nylander. Washington answered with a Tom Wilson goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Lars Eller and Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals extended the lead as Wilson scored his second of the game and third of the postseason, coming off of Andre Burakovsky and Brooks Orpik. The Maple Leafs got closer with a James van Riemsdyk power play goal in the second period, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Morgan Rielly and Mitchell Marner. Toronto got closer in the third period with an Auston Matthews goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Matt Hunwick and Connor Brown. Washington shot back on an Oshie goal, his second of the game, with a lone helper by Backstrom. The Maple Leafs pulled one back with a Tyler Bozak goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from Marner and Nylander. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Wilson, Oshie, and Backstrom, while Marner and Nylander get the honorable mentions. The series heads back stateside tied at 2.

Game 5: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Washington struck first in the first period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Kevin Shattenkirk. Toronto tied it in the second period with an Auston Matthews goal, his third of the playoffs, via William Nylander and Zach Hyman. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with a Justin Williams goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. The three stars went to Williams, Oshie, and Holtby (24 for 25 in saves). The Capitals leave home again with a 3-2 series lead. 

Game 6: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Frederik Andersen for the Maple Leafs. Toronto got going in the third period with an Auston Matthews goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Morgan Rielly and Zach Hyman. Washington tied it on a Marcus Johansson goal, assisted by Lars Eller and Brooks Orpik. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with a Johansson goal, his second of the game, made possible by Justin Williams and John Carlson. The three stars were Johansson, Holtby (37 for 38 in saves), and Andersen (34 for 36 in saves). The Capitals win the series 4-2, setting the Second Round as they are the last team to advance.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0, and keep an eye out for the next round, beginning Wednesday.