NHL 2017-18 Day 31

Just two games tonight, beginning with...

The Edmonton Oilers welcoming the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Cam Talbot are the masked men. Edmonton began in the first period with a Drake Caggiula power play goal, powered by Connor McDavid and Mark Letestu. The Oilers added on with a Ryan Strome goal, his second of the season, via Caggiula and Adam Larsson. New Jersey got on the board with a Taylor Hall goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Miles Wood. The Devils tied it on a Jesper Bratt goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nico Hischier and Damon Severson. Edmonton retook the lead with an Oscar Klefbom goal, helped along by Patrick Maroon and McDavid. The Oilers extended the lead as Milan Lucic scored his second of the year, thanks to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Anton Slepyshev. Edmonton padded the lead in the third period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his third of the season, coming off of McDavid, who got a sock trick, and Matt Benning. New Jersey pulled one back with a Brian Gibbons goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Will Butcher and Drew Stafford. The Oilers iced it at 6-3 with a Nugent-Hopkins empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were McDavid, Caggiula, and Nugent-Hopkins.

The other game sees the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and John Gibson protect the nets. Nashville led off in the first period with a Scott Hartnell goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Roman Josi and Pontus Aberg. The Predators added on with a Josi goal, his fourth of the year, via Colton Sissons and Frederick Gaudreau. Nashville extended the lead in the second period as Matt Irwin scored, thanks to Yannick Weber and Gaudreau. Anaheim got on the board with an Antoine Vermette goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie. The Predators shot back with a Viktor Arvidsson power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mattias Ekholm and Kevin Fiala. The Ducks chipped back with a Hampus Lindholm power play goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Rickard Rakell. Anaheim got closer in the third period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his second of the year, passed from Derek Grant and Chris Wagner. Nashville iced it at 5-3 with a P.K. Subban empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Rinne and Austin Watson. The three stars went to Josi, Gaudreau, and Arvidsson.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 30

Twelve games on a big day today. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Vegas Golden Knights. Maxime Lagace and Tuukka Rask are set to start in goal. Boston got going in the second period with a Riley Nash goal, via Austin Czarnik and Torey Krug. Vegas tied it on a Cody Eakin goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Nate Schmidt. The Bruins took the lead back with a Sean Kuraly goal in the third period, courtesy of Jake DeBrusk and Krug. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Kuraly, Krug, and Rask (28 for 29 in saves).

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Braden Holtby protect the nets. Washington opened in the first period with a Taylor Chorney goal, assisted by Chandler Stephenson and Lars Eller. New York tied it on a John Tavares power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Anders Lee and Josh Bailey. The Capitals took the lead back with an Eller goal, his second of the year, fueled by Stephenson and Madison Bowey. The Islanders tied it in the second period with a Lee power play goal, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Bailey and Mathew Barzal. Washington pulled ahead again with an Alex Chiasson goal, passed from John Carlson and Jay Beagle. New York retied it in the third period with a Lee goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming off of Thomas Hickey and Tavares. The Capitals regained the lead on an Eller goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, via Tom Wilson and Carlson. The final held at 4-3, with the three stars given to Eller, Lee, and Tavares, while Stephenson, Carlson, and Bailey get the honorable mentions.

In Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Craig Anderson are the masked men. Ottawa started in the first period with a Mark Stone goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Mike Hoffman and Erik Karlsson. The Senators added on in the second period with an Alexandre Burrows power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Stone and Dion Phaneuf. Detroit got on the board in the third period with an Anthony Mantha power play goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Mike Green and Dylan Larkin. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 with a Nate Thompson empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Karlsson and Tom Pyatt. The three stars were Stone, Anderson (24 for 25 in saves), and Karlsson.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Andrei Vasilevskiy are in the blue paint. New York led off in the first period with a Chris Kreider goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mika Zibanejad and Brady Skjei. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period on a shorthanded Yanni Gourde goal, his third of the year, set up by Victor Hedman and Brayden Point. The Rangers won 2-1 in overtime with a J.T. Miller goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Kevin Shattenkirk and the goalie Lundqvist. The three stars went to Miller, Lundqvist (27 for 28 in saves), and Kreider.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and James Reimer draw the starts in goal. Florida began in the first period with a Mark Pysyk goal, his second of the season, helped along by Vincent Trocheck and Jamie McGinn. Columbus tied it on a Josh Anderson goal, his fourth of the year, via Brandon Dubinsky and Pierre-Luc Dubois. The Blue Jackets took the lead with an Anderson goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, guided in by Markus Nutivaara and Boone Jenner. The Panthers tied it in the second period with an Ian McCoshen goal, his second of the year, made possible by Radim Vrbata and Trocheck. Columbus retook the lead with a Markus Hannikainen goal, coming off of David Savard and Matt Calvert. Florida tied it again with a shorthanded Trocheck goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Keith Yandle and Derek MacKenzie. The Blue Jackets chased Reimer with an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Seth Jones and Sonny Milano. Columbus added on against Antti Niemi with a Bjorkstrand goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, guided in by Zach Werenski and Calvert. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Tyler Motte scored his second of the year, thanks to Jenner and Nutivaara. Columbus padded the lead on a Jenner power play goal, his second of the campaign, with helpers from Artemi Panarin and Werenski. This made it 7-3, the final, with the three stars being Bjorkstrand, Anderson, and Trocheck, while Jenner, Calvert, Werenski, and Nutivaara get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth and Jake Allen are between the pipes. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brandon Manning goal, his second of the season, made possible by Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux. The Flyers iced it at 2-0 in the third period with an empty net goal by Giroux, his seventh of the year, set up by Wayne Simmonds and Couturier. The three stars were Neuvirth (33 save shutout), Giroux, and Couturier.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets host the Dallas Stars. Ben Bishop and Connor Hellebuyck are the starting goalies. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Mark Scheifele power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets added on with a Patrik Laine goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Dmitry Kulikov. Winnipeg extended the lead as Tyler Myers scored his second of the season on the power play, thanks to Bryan Little and Nikolaj Ehlers. Dallas got on the board with an Alexander Radulov goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Tyler Seguin. The Stars got closer with a Mattias Janmark goal in the second period, his third of the season, passed from Devin Shore and Stephen Johns. The Jets answered in the third period with a Scheifele goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, coming off of Josh Morrissey and Wheeler. Winnipeg finished it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Scheifele, completing his hat trick on his sixth of the campaign, set up by Wheeler, who got a sock trick, and Jacob Trouba. The three stars were Scheifele, Wheeler, and Myers.

Back stateside, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Devan Dubnyk protect the nets. Minnesota was first to score in the first period with a Matt Cullen goal, via Mike Reilly and Daniel Winnik. The Wild added on with a Nino Niederreiter goal, passed from Matt Dumba. Minnesota extended the lead as Tyler Ennis scored his third of the season, with the help of Cullen and Dumba. The Wild padded the lead in the second period with a Ryan Suter goal, his second of the year, assisted by Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund. Montreal got on the board with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Charles Hudon. Minnesota shot back in the third period with a Jared Spurgeon power play goal, his second of the year, with assists from Koivu and Granlund. The Canadiens replied with an Andrew Shaw goal, guided in by Phillip Danault and Max Pacioretty. Montreal got closer with a Gallagher goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Tomas Plekanec. The Wild capped it at 6-3 with an unassisted empty net goal by Marcus Foligno, his third of the year. The three stars went to Cullen, Dumba, and Koivu, while Gallagher and Granlund get the honorable mentions.

In Canada again, the Calgary Flames bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry is mismatched with Mike Smith in goal. Calgary drew first blood in the third period with a Sean Monahan goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Johnny Gaudreau and T.J. Brodie on the power play. Pittsburgh tied it with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his fifth of the year, via Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime with a Mark Giordano goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Matthew Tkachuk. The three stars went to Smith (43 for 44 in saves), Giordano, and Jarry (32 for 34 in saves).

South to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Semyon Varlamov are the underwhelming veterans in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with a Victor Rask goal, his third of the season, coming off of Teuvo Teravainen and Justin Williams. Colorado tied it on a Carl Soderberg goal, his second of the year, guided in by Erik Johnson and Mark Barberio. The Avalanche took the lead with a Patrik Nemeth goal, passed from A.J. Greer and Nail Yakupov. The Hurricanes retied it with an Elias Lindholm goal, his third of the season, assisted by Sebastian Aho and Hadyn Fleury. Colorado retook the lead in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, his second of the year, fueled by Soderberg and Matt Nieto. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Nathan MacKinnon and Nemeth. Colorado extended the lead as Mikko Rantanen scored a power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. Carolina got one back with a Derek Ryan goal, his second of the campaign, with a lone assist by Josh Jooris. This only made it 5-3, the eventual final, with the three stars being Soderberg, Nemeth, and Varlamov (57 for 60 in saves), while MacKinnon gets an honorable mention.

Further south to Arizona, where the Coyotes welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Antti Raanta occupy the blue paint. Arizona began in the first period with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his second of the season, via Max Domi and Christian Dvorak. Buffalo tied it on a Kyle Okposo goal, passed from Benoit Pouliot and Ryan O'Reilly. The Sabres took the lead in the second period with a Pouliot goal, his third of the year, coming off of O'Reilly and Okposo. Buffalo added on with a Seth Griffith goal, his second of the season, made possible by Sam Reinhart and Jake McCabe. The Sabres extended the lead in the third period as Evander Kane scored his seventh of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Jack Eichel and Marco Scandella. Buffalo padded the lead as Pouliot scored his second of the game and fourth of the season, thanks to O'Reilly and Rasmus Ristoalinen, the former earning a sock trick. The Coyotes got one back with a Zac Rinaldo goal, guided in by Jason Demers and Brad Richardson. Arizona got closer with a Nick Cousins goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jordan Martinook and Kevin Connauton. The Coyotes pulled closer with a Dvorak goal, his second of the campaign, with a lone helper from Demers. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Pouliot, O'Reilly, and Okposo, while Dvorak and Demers get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Curtis McElhinney and Jonathan Quick play goal. Los Angeles struck first in the first period with a Michael Amadio goal, made possible by Tanner Pearson. The Kings added on with a Michael Cammalleri power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. Los Angeles extended the lead as Trevor Lewis scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Nick Shore and Cammalleri. The Kings padded the lead in the second period on a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Pearson and Jake Muzzin. Los Angeles continued with another Toffoli goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, helped along by Adrian Kempe and Pearson, the latter earning a sock trick. Toronto got on the board with an Auston Matthews penalty shot goal, his tenth of the season. The Maple Leafs chipped closer with a Morgan Rielly goal, his second of the season, assisted by Matthews and Zach Hyman. Toronto got closer in the third period with a Connor Brown power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Jake Gardiner and William Nylander. This only made it a 5-3 final, with the three stars given to Toffoli, Pearson, and Cammalleri, while Matthews gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 29

Five games on tonight, beginning in...

Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Philadelphia Flyers. Brian Elliott and Corey Crawford are in the creases. Chicago got going in the second period with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Cody Franson and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks added on with a Jonathan Toews goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. Chicago iced it at 3-0 with an Alex DeBrincat empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by John Hayden and Anisimov. The three stars went to Crawford (35 save shutout), Anisimov, and Toews.

Over in Edmonton, the Oilers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Cam Talbot guard the cages. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Kris Letang and Phil Kessel. Edmonton tied it on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Patrick Maroon and Connor McDavid. The Oilers took the lead on a Leon Draisaitl goal, his second of the season, courtesy of McDavid. The Penguins tied it on a Conor Sheary goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Sidney Crosby and Olli Maatta. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third period with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Kessel and Letang. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars being Kessel, Letang, and McDavid.

West to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces his old team and Jacob Markstrom in goal. New Jersey was first to score in the second period with a Jimmy Hayes goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Taylor Hall. The Devils iced it at 2-0 with a Drew Stafford empty net goal in the third period, his fourth of the year, set up by Hall. The three stars were Schneider (37 save shutout), Hall, and Hayes.

Down in California, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and John Gibson draw the starts in goal. Toronto began in the first period with a Connor Brown goal, his fourth of the season, via James van Riemsdyk and Ron Hainsey. Anaheim tied it on an Ondrej Kase goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Derek Grant and Josh Manson. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the third period with a Patrick Marleau goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Hainsey. The Maple Leafs added on with a Leo Komarov goal, his second of the year, passed from Marleau. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Marleau, Hainsey, and Andersen (28 for 29 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Martin Jones protect the nets. San Jose led off in the first period with a Joonas Donskoi goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Tim Heed and Mikkel Boedker. The Sharks added on in the second period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Brenden Dillon and Joe Thornton. Nashville got on the board with a Roman Josi goal, his third of the year, via Calle Jarnkrok. San Jose replied with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic power play goal, powered by Kevin Labanc and Donskoi. The Sharks extended the lead in the third period as Boedker scored his second of the year, thanks to Chris Tierney and Joakim Ryan. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars given to Boedker, Donskoi, and Jones (19 for 20 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 28

Three games on this Halloween, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Vegas Golden Knights. Maxime Lagace is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. New York opened in the first period with a Jimmy Vesey goal, his second of the season, courtesy of David Desharnais and Ryan McDonagh. Vegas tied it it on an Oscar Lindberg goal, his fifth of the year, via Alex Tuch and Deryk Engelland. The Golden Knights took the lead with a Reilly Smith goal, his third of the season, passed from Jonathan Marchessault and Colin Miller. The Rangers retied it in the second period with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his third of the year, guided in by Rick Nash and Kevin Hayes. Vegas regained the lead on a Smith goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, assisted by Marchessault and William Karlsson. The Golden Knights added on with a David Perron penalty shot goal, his fourth of the year. New York got one back with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Zuccarello in the third period. The Rangers tied it on a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Zibanejad. New York took the lead with a Zibanejad power play goal, his eighth of the season, with assists provided by Kevin Shattenkirk and Buchnevich. The Rangers iced it at 6-4 with a Michael Grabner empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Jesper Fast. The three stars went to Zibanejad, Zuccarello, and Buchnevich, while Smith and Marchessault get the honorable mentions.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Scott Wedgewood and Jimmy Howard are in the creases. Detroit started in the first period with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Red Wings added on with a Luke Glendening goal, his third of the year, helped along by Martin Frk and Niklas Kronwall. Arizona got on the board with a Jason Demers goal, his second of the season, coming off of Clayton Keller and Christian Fischer. Detroit replied with an Anthony Mantha goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Andreas Athanasiou and Dylan Larkin. The Red Wings extended the lead as Larkin scored his second of the season, thanks to Darren Helm. The Coyotes got one back on a Nick Cousins goal, his second of the year, made possible by Mario Kempe and Adam Clendening. Arizona got closer with a Keller goal, his ninth of the season, an unassisted goal. Detroit finished it at 5-3 with a Helm empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Justin Abdelkader and Henrik Zetterberg. The three stars were Larkin, Helm, and Keller.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Alex Stalock draw the starts in goal. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Kyle Connor goal, his second of the season, via Mark Scheifele and Tyler Myers. The Jets added on with an unassisted Nikolaj Ehlers goal in the third period, his seventh of the year. Minnesota got on the board with a Luke Kunin goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of Nino Niederreiter and Eric Staal. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Hellebuyck (28 for 29 in saves), Ehlers, and Connor.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

MLS 2017 Conference Semifinals - Leg 1

These are the first legs of each home-and-home series in this round of the MLS playoffs. We begin with...

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC hosting the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Stefan Marinovic are the similarly named keepers. Vancouver saw yellow cards for Nosa's forty-fifth minute foul and Aly Ghazal's foul in the seventy-ninth minute. Seattle's Cristian Roldan took a yellow card for an eighty-seventh minute foul. The game ended 0-0, with the man of the match being Kendall Waston.

On Monday, the New York Red Bulls welcome Toronto FC. Alexander Bono and Luis Robles are the goalies. Toronto led off in the eighth minute with a Victor Vazquez goal. New York tied it in first half stoppage time with a Daniel Royer penalty kick goal. Toronto retook the lead in the seventy-second minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal. The Red Bulls saw a yellow card for a foul by Damien Perrinelle in the eightieth minute. Giovinco of Toronto had a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-second minute. The final held at 2-1, with the man of the match being Giovinco.

Also, the Houston Dynamo bring in the Portland Timbers. Jeff Attinella and Tyler Deric are the gloved men. Portland had yellow cards for fouls by Alvas Powell in the twenty-fourth minute and Larrys Mabiala in the forty-fifth minute. The final held at 0-0, with the man of the match being Deric for his two-save clean sheet.

The first legs end with the Columbus Crew SC hosting New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Zack Steffen are the keepers. Columbus began in the sixth minute with an Ola Kamara goal. New York City went down to ten men in the fifty-second minute as Alexander Callens took a straight red card for violent conduct. The Crew added on in the fifty-eighth minute with an Artur goal, via Federico Higuain. Ronald Matarrita of New York City received a yellow card for a foul in the sixty-fourth minute. Columbus extended the lead in the sixty-ninth minute as Justin Meram scored, thanks to Kamara and Higuain. New York City got on the board in the seventy-eighth minute with a David Villa goal. The Crew answered in stoppage time with a Harrison Afful goal, made possible by Meram. The final held at 4-1, with the man of the match being Kamara.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 27

Eight games on today as the usual scheduling shifts to accommodate Halloween tomorrow. We begin in...

Brooklyn, as the New York Islanders host the Vegas Golden Knights. Oscar Dansk and Jaroslav Halak are in goal. Vegas opened in the first period with a shorthanded William Karlsson goal, his third of the season, set up by Cody Eakin. New York tied it on an Andrew Ladd goal, his third of the year, via Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk. The Golden Knights took the lead back with an Alex Tuch power play goal, his third of the season, coming off of Colin Miller and Brad Hunt. The Islanders tied it in the second period with a John Tavares power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Leddy and Josh Bailey. New York gained the lead on a Mathew Barzal power play goal against Maxime Lagace, his third of the season, with assists provided by Anders Lee and Bailey. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his second of the year, courtsy of Dennis Seidenberg and Nikolay Kulemin. New York extended the lead as Kulemin scored, thanks to Seidenberg. The Islanders padded the lead on another Tavares goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, helped along by Bailey, who got a sock trick, and Lee. Vegas got one back with a Miller power play goal, his second of the year, dished from Hunt and Tuch. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars being Tavres, Bailey, and Kulemin, while Lee, Leddy, Seidenberg, Tuch, Miller, and Hunt all get honorable mentions.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Scott Wedgewood is mismatched with Brian Elliott in goal. Arizona started in the first period with a Jordan Martinook goal, helped along by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brad Richardson. The Coyotes added on with a Christian Dvorak goal, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jason Demers. Arizona extended the lead in the third period as Brendan Perlini scored his second of the season on the power play, thanks to Alex Goligoski and Hjalmarsson. Philadelphia got on the board with a Sean Couturier power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Ivan Provorov. The Flyers got closer with a Jordan Weal goal, his second of the season, passed from Provorov and Valtteri Filppula. Philadelphia tied it as Couturier scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, with the help of Giroux and Provorov, the latter earning a sock trick. The Coyotes won 4-3 in overtime with a Goligoski goal, coming off of Clayton Keller and Max Domi. The three stars were Goligoski, Couturier, and Provrov, while Hjalmarsson and Giroux get the honorable mentions.

Further to the west, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Columbus led off in the first period with a David Savard goal, his second of the season, guided in by Alexander Wennberg and Matt Calvert. The Blue Jackets added on with a Boone Jenner goal, coming off of Markus Nutivaara and Josh Anderson. Columbus extended the lead in the second period as Tyler Motte scored, thanks to Nutivaara and the goalie Bobrovsky. Boston got on the board with a Patric Bergeron power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Danton Heinen and David Pastrnak. The Bruins got closer in the third period with a Torey Krug goal, his second of the season, made possible by Kevan Miller and Pastrnak. Boston tied it on a Brad Marchand power play goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Bergeron and Pastrnak, the latter earning a sock trick. The tie went to a shootout, where Artemi Panarin and Oliver Bjorkstrand lifted the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 win. The three stars were Nutivaara, Pastrnak, and Bergeron.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Craig Anderson draw the starts in goal. Ottawa began in the first period with a Tom Pyatt goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. Montreal tied it on a Charles Hudon power play goal, made possible by Jeff Petry and the goalie Montoya. The Canadiens took the lead with a shorthanded and unassisted Max Pacioretty goal, his fourth of the year. The Senators retied it on a Ryan Dzingel power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Mike Hoffman and Christopher DiDomenico. Montreal retook the lead with an Artturi Lehkonen goal, passed from Jonathan Drouin and Shea Weber. The Canadiens added on with a Hudon goal, his second of the game, fueled by Weber and Tomas Plekanec. Ottawa got one back with a DiDomenico goal in the second period, his second of the year, a power play goal, via Erik Karlsson and Hoffman. Montreal responded with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jordie Benn. The Canadiens extended the lead as Brendan Gallagher scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Phillip Danault. Mike Condon replaced Anderson for the third period. Montreal padded the lead in the third period on a Plekanec goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Gallagher and Hudon. The Canadiens iced it at 8-3 with a Lehkonen goal, his second of the game, dished from Paul Byron and Weber, who got a sock trick. the three stars were Hudon, Lehkonen, and Weber, while Plekanec, Gallagher, DiDomenico, and Hoffman get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers host their in-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and James Reimer are in the blue paint. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Brayden Point goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Braydon Coburn and Dan Girardi. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his thirteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Steven Stamkos. Florida got on the board with an Aaron Ekblad goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. Tampa Bay replied with a Stamkos power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn. The Panthers pulled back on a Barkov goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone helper from Evgenii Dadonov. Florida tied it in the second period with a Huberdeau goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Barkov and Dadonov. The Lightning retook the lead on an Ondrej Palat goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Point and Yanni Gourde. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Gourde scored a power play goal, his second of the year, with the help of Mikhail Sergachev and Palat. Antti Niemi replaced Reimer in goal. The Lightning padded the lead on a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Kucherov and Hedman. The Panthers pulled one back on a Jamie McGinn goal, his third of the year, with assists from Nick Bjugstad and Radim Vrbata in the third period. Tampa Bay replied with a Stamkos goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Jake Dotchin and Namestnikov. Florida countered on a Dadonov goal, his sixth of the year, via Huberdeau and Barkov, the latter earning a sock trick. The Lightning capped it at 8-5 with an Anton Stralman empty net goal, his second of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Stamkos, Namestnikov, and Barkov, while Gourde, Point, Palat, Kucherov, Hedman, Huberdeau, and Dadonov receive the honorable mentions.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jake Allen guard the cages. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on with a Schwartz goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Brayden Schenn and Tarasenko. Los Angeles got on the board with a Tanner Pearson goal, his second of the season, via Alec Martinez. St. Louis replied with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his third of the year, helped along by Scottie Upshall and Kyle Brodziak. The Kings answered on a Dustin Brown power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. The Blues iced it at 4-2 with a Vladimir Sobotka empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Alex Pietrangelo and Alexander Steen. The three stars were Schwartz, Tarasenko, and Allen (26 for 28 in saves).

In Canada, the Vancouver Canucks host the Dallas Stars. Ben Bishop and Jacob Markstrom are the masked men. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Alexander Radulov and Jamie Benn. Vancouver tied it in the third period with a Sam Gagner power play goal, with assists provided by Thomas Vanek and Daniel Sedin. The Stars won 2-1 in overtime with a Radulov goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist from Dan Hamhuis. The three stars were Radulov, Seguin, and Bishop (38 for 39 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Martin Jones protect the nets. Toronto was first to score in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Nikita Zaitsev and William Nylander. San Jose tied it in the second period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his third of the year, via Tim Heed and Joe Thornton. The Sharks took the lead with a third period Heed power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Brent Burns and Logan Couture. San Jose added on with a Joel Ward empty net goal, set up by Chris Tierney and Melker Karlsson. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Nazem Kadri goal,his seventh of the year, passed from Andreas Borgman and Morgan Rielly. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Heed, Pavelski, and Andersen (36 for 38 in saves).

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2017-18 Day 26

Just three games on today. We begin in the afternoon with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Ryan Miller and Scott Darling are in goal. Anaheim opened in the first period with an Ondrej Kase goal, his fourth of the season, via Nick Ritchie. The Ducks added on with a Derek Grant goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Andrew Cogliano. Carolina got on the board with a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Justin Williams and Derek Ryan. The Hurricanes tied it in the second period with a Jordan Staal goal, his third of the year, passed from Sebastian Aho and Elias Lindholm. Carolina pulled ahead with a Justin Faulk goal, coming off of Teuvo Teravainen and Williams. Anaheim tied it in the third period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, courtesy of Cogliano and Hampus Lindholm. The tie went to a shootout, where Corey Perry won it 4-3 for the Ducks with his lone tally. The three stars were Cogliano, Perry, and Williams.

Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Connor Hellebuyck are the young goalies. Winnipeg started in the first period with an Andrew Copp goal, made possible by Shawn Matthias and Toby Enstrom. The Jets added on with a Blake Wheeler goal, his second of the year, via Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Winnipeg extended the lead as Wheeler scored his second of the game and third of the season, thanks to Matthias and Scheifele. The Jets chased Murray with a Joel Armia goal, his second of the year, passed from Matt Hendricks. Winnipeg padded the lead against Casey DeSmith as Wheeler finished his hat trick on his fourth of the season, with a lone helper from Connor. Pittsburgh got on the with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, powered by Phil Kessel. The Jets replied in the third period with a Scheifele power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg iced it at 7-1 with a Brendan Lemieux goal, assisted by Tyler Myers and Armia. The three stars went to Wheeler, Scheifele, and Matthias, while Connor gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Calgary got going in the second period with a Micheal Ferland goal, his third of the season, via Brett Kulak and Johnny Gaudreau. Washington tied it in the third period with a Jakub Vrana goal, his third of the year, passed from T.J. Oshie. The Flames regained the lead on a Sean Monahan goal, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Gaudreau and Mark Giordano. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Smith (30 for 31 in saves), Monahan, and Gaudreau.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.