NHL 2017-18 Day 36

Just three games on this evening. We begin in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Frederik Andersen are the masked men. Toronto led off in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Morgan Rielly and William Nylander. Minnesota tied it on a Jason Zucker goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Eric Staal. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a Patrick Marleau goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Zach Hyman and Connor Brown in the second period. Toronto added on in the third period with an unassisted Connor Carrick goal. The Wild got one back with a Zucker power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by Staal and Ryan Suter. The Maple Leafs iced it at 4-2 with a Brown empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Brown, Zucker, and Staal.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York began in the first period with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Ryan McDonagh and Michael Grabner. Boston tied it on a David Pastrnak goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Anders Bjork. The Rangers retook the lead with a Jimmy Vesey goal, his third of the season, helped along by Buchnevich and Mika Zibanejad. New York added on with a Vesey goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, via Kevin Shattenkirk and David Desharnais. The Bruins got one back with a Bergeron goal in the third period, his third of the season, made possible by Pastrnak and Torey Krug. The Rangers iced it at 4-2 with a Rick Nash empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by McDonagh. The three stars were awarded to Vesey, Buchnevich, and Bergeron, while Pastrnak and McDonagh get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in California, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Martin Jones guard the cages. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Joonas Donskoi goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. Tampa Bay tied it on a Jake Dotchin goal, made possible by Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde. The Lightning took the lead in the second period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Vladislav Namestnikov and Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay added on with a Slater Koekkoek goal, his third of the season, coming off of Gourde and Anton Stralman. The Lightning extended the lead as Namestnikov scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Stamkos and Kucherov. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the third period with a Namestnikov power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Kucherov and Stamkos, the latter earning a sock trick. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars given to Kucherov, Stamkos, and Namestnikov, while Gourde gets an honorable mention.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 35

Nine games on this Tuesday night, beginning in...

Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Washington Capitals. Philipp Grubauer and Robin Lehner draw the starts in goal. Buffalo got going in the second period with an Evander Kane goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Jack Eichel. Washington tied it on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Devante Smith-Pelly and Brooks Orpik. The Sabres retook the lead in the third period with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. Buffalo iced it at 3-1 with a Kane empty net goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, set up by Jason Pominville. The three stars were Kane, Pouliot, and Lehner (24 for 25 in saves).

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Florida Panthers. Roberto Luongo and Scott Darling are the masked men. Carolina dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brock McGinn goal, his second of the season, helped along by Noah Hanifin and Roland McKeown. Florida tied it on a Vincent Trocheck power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and the goalie Luongo. The Hurricanes took the lead back in the third period with a Derek Ryan goal, his third of the season, assisted by Justin Williams and McKeown. Carolina capped it at 3-1 with a Williams empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Joakim Nordstrom and Jaccob Slavin. The three stars went to McKeown, Williams, and Darling (30 for 31 in saves).

Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Cory Schneider tend the twines. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Blake Coleman goal, his second of the season, via Brian Boyle and John Moore. St. Louis tied it in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Brayden Schenn. The Blues took the lead in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Schenn and Tarasenko. St. Louis finished it at 3-1 with a Schenn empty net goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Tarasenko. The three stars went to Tarasenko, Schenn, and Allen (21 for 22 in saves).

In Brooklyn, the New York Islanders host the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot and Thomas Greiss are in the creases. Edmonton struck first in the second period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Milan Lucic. New York tied it on a Jordan Eberle goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone assist by Mathew Barzal. The Oilers won 2-1 in overtime with a Connor McDavid goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Draisaitl. The three stars belonged to Draisaitl, Talbot (36 for 37 in saves), and McDavid.

West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Antti Raanta is mismatched with Matt Murray in goal. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Justin Schultz goal, his second of the season, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. The Penguins added on with a Malkin goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Kessel and Jake Guentzel. Arizona got on the board in the third period with a Tobias Rieder goal, his third of the season, passed from Christian Fischer and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Pittsburgh replied with a Kessel power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Patric Hornqvist and Malkin. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Malkin, Kessel, and Murray (24 for 25 in saves).

Into Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Joonas Korpisalo in goal. Nashville was first to score in the second period with a Matt Irwin goal, his second of the season, helped along by Viktor Arvidsson and Mattias Ekholm. Columbus tied it in the third period with an unassisted goal by Pierre-Luc Dubois, his second of the year. The Predators retook the lead with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his second of the season, fueled by Miikka Salomaki and Kevin Fiala. Nashville added on with an empty net goal by Arvidsson, his sixth of the year, set up by Salomaki. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Rinne (35 for 36 in saves), Arvidsson, and Salomaki.

Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Vegas Golden Knights. Maxime Lagace and Charlie Lindgren are the little-known goalies. Montreal led off in the first period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Tomas Plekanec and Jordie Benn. The Canadiens added on with a Benn goal, assisted by Victor Mete and Charles Hudon. Vegas got on the board with a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, his second of the year, guided in by Deryk Engelland. Montreal countered in the second period with a Max Pacioretty goal, his sixth of the season, via Jeff Petry and Andrew Shaw. The Golden Knights got one back in the third period with an Erik Haula goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Jonathan Marchessault and David Perron. The final held from here at 3-2, with the three stars being Benn, Pacioretty, and Gallagher.

West to Alberta, as the Calgary Flames welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Vancouver began in the first period with a Sam Gagner power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Daniel Sedin and Thomas Vanek. Calgary tied it on a Dougie Hamilton power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames took the lead in the second period with a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of T.J. Brodie and Sean Monahan. The Canucks retied it on a Vanek goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Michael Del Zotto and Alex Biega. Calgary retook the lead with a Micheal Ferland goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. Vancouver tied it again with a shorthanded Derek Dorsett goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Brandon Sutter and Ben Hutton. The Canucks took the lead in the third period with a Bo Horvat power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, with helpers from Brock Boeser and Hutton. Vancouver finished it at 5-3 with a Henrik Sedin goal, made possible by Daniel Sedin and Jake Virtanen. The three stars were Vanek, Daniel Sedin, and Hutton.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and John Gibson protect the nets. Anaheim drew first blood in the first period with a Jared Boll goal, via Brandon Montour and Logan Shaw. The Ducks added on with a Sami Vatanen goal, coming off of Rickard Rakell. Los Angeles got on the board with an Anze Kopitar goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Alex Iafallo. Anaheim replied in the second period with a Rakell goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Josh Manson and Derek Grant. The Kings got one back with an Adrian Kempe goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with a Dustin Brown power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Iafallo and Kopitar. The Kings won 4-3 in overtime on a Nick Shore goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Brown and the goalie Quick. The three stars were Brown, Kopitar, and Rakell, while Iafallo gets an honorable mention.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 34

Six games on today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Tuukka Rask are the masked men. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his second of the season, made possible by Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon. Boston tied it on a Jake DeBrusk goal, his third of the year, via Zdeno Chara and Jordan Szwarz. The Bruins took the lead with a Frank Vatrano goal, assisted by Szwarz and Chara. Boston added on in the second period with a Sean Kuraly goal, his second of the season, passed from Danton Heinen and Tim Schaller. The Bruins extended the lead as Torey Krug scored his third of the year, thanks to David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron. Alex Stalock replaced Dubnyk to start the third period. The Wild got one back with a Mikael Granlund goal, coming off of Matt Dumba. Minnesota got closer with a shorthanded Eric Staal goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Jason Zucker. Boston iced it at 5-3 with a Schaller empty net goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Szwarz, Schaller, and Chara.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Henrik Lundqvist are between the pipes. Columbus got going in the second period with an Artemi Panarin goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Zach Werenski and Seth Jones. The Blue Jackets added on with a Josh Anderson goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Ryan Murray. New York got on the board with a Michael Grabner goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by J.T. Miller and Nick Holden. The Rangers tied it on a Kevin Shattenkrik power play goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad. Columbus took the lead back with an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner. New York retied it on a Chris Kreider power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Pavel Buchnevich and Zibanejad. The Rangers pulled ahead with a Buchnevich power play goal, his sixth of the season, with helpers from Zibanejad, who got a sock trick, and Shattenkirk. New York iced it at 5-3 with a Grabner empty net goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, set up by Jesper Fast and Ryan McDonagh. The three stars were Buchnevich, Shattenkirk, and Zibanejad, while Grabner gets an honorable mention.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Maxime Lagace and Frederik Andersen draw the starts in goal. Toronto began in the first period with a Nazem Kadri power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and Mitchell Marner. Vegas tied it on a James Neal goal, his eighth of the year, via Erik Haula and David Perron. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Toronto added on with a Kadri goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Patrick Marleau. The Golden Knights got one back in the second period with a Reilly Smith power play goal, his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Colin Miller and William Karlsson. Vegas tied it in the third period as Deryk Engelland scored his second of the year, thanks to Shea Theodore. The tie went to a shootout, where Marner scored the lone tally for a 4-3 Maple Leafs win. The three stars were Marner, Kadri, and van Riemsdyk.

Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the Arizona Coyotes. Scott Wedgewood is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Arizona opened in the first period with an unassisted Clayton Keller goal, his eleventh of the season. The Coyotes added on with a Christian Fischer goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Christian Dvorak and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Washington got on the board with a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his second of the season, helped along by Lars Eller. The Capitals tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin, his twelfth of the year, powered by John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington won 3-2 in overtime with a Carlson goal, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Kuznetsov. The three stars went to Carlson, Kuznetsov, and Ovechkin.

Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Ben Bishop are in the blue paint. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor. The Jets added on with a Patrik Laine power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Wheeler and Scheifele. Winnipeg extended the lead as Connor scored his third of the season, thanks to Wheeler, who got a sock trick. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a Jamie Benn power play goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by John Klingberg and Alexander Radulov. The Jets iced it at 4-1 in the third period with a Scheifele shorthanded empty net goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Scheifele, Wheeler, and Connor, while Hellebuyck (33 for 34 in saves) gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jacob Markstrom protect the nets. Detroit struck first in the first period with a Darren Helm goal, his third of the season, assisted by Frans Nielsen and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Martin Frk power play goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a Daniel Sedin goal, his third of the season, passed from Thomas Vanek and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks tied it on a Michael Del Zotto goal, made possible by Bo Horvat. Detroit won 3-2 with a Tomas Tatar goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Abdelkader and Dylan Larkin. The three stars were Tatar, Abdelkader, and Frk.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 33

Four games on this Sunday, beginning early in the afternoon with the...

Edmonton Oilers hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Cam Talbot draw the starts in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Frans Nielsen goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nick Jensen and Darren Helm. The Red Wings added on with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his fifth of the year, via Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader. Detroit extended the lead in the second period as Martin Frk scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Anthony Mantha. The Red Wings padded the lead in the third period on a Mantha power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Frk and Mike Green. This stood for a 4-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Mrazek (36 save shutout), Frk, and Mantha.

Back east, the New York Islanders welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Greiss are the backups in goal. New York began in the first period with a Scott Mayfield goal, his second of the season, coming off of Calvin de Haan and Josh Bailey. The Islanders added on with a Jordan Eberle goal, his third of the year, via Mathew Barzal and Johnny Boychuk. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog. New York replied with a Nick Leddy power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Barzal and John Tavares. The Islanders extended the lead as Leddy scored another power play goal, his third of the season, with the help of Bailey and Barzal, the latter earning a sock trick. New York padded the lead on a Boychuk goal, guided in by Leddy and Barzal. The Avalanche got one back with a Landeskog goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. The Islanders answered in the third period with an Eberle goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, made possible by Barzal and Mayfield. Colorado pulled back with an Alexander Kerfoot goal, his fourth of the year, dished from Sven Andrighetto and Barrie. The Avalanche chipped closer with another Kerfoot goal, his fifth of the campaign, with helpers from Andrighetto and Rocco Grimaldi. This made it a 6-4 game, with the three stars being Leddy, Eberle, and Barzal, while Mayfield, Bailey, Boychuk, MacKinnon, Landeskog, Barrie, Kerfoot, and Andrighetto get the honorable mentions.

West to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Charlie Lindgren is mismatched with Corey Crawford in goal. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Jonathan Drouin goal, his third of the season, made possible by Alex Galchenyuk and Joe Morrow. The Canadiens added on with a Morrow goal, passed from Phillip Danault and Andrew Shaw. This made it a 2-0 win for Montreal, with the three stars being Lindgren (38 save shutout), Morrow, and Drouin.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. New Jersey was first to score in the first period with a Taylor Hall goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Nico Hischier. Calgary tied it on a shorthanded Michael Frolik goal, his second of the year, set up by Mikael Backlund. The Devils took the lead back in the second period with a Ben Lovejoy goal, passed from Hischier and Jimmy Hayes. The Flames tied it again with a Michael Stone goal, assisted by Kris Versteeg and Frolik. Calgary took the lead on a Sean Monahan goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Micheal Ferland and Johnny Gaudreau. New Jersey retied it with an unassisted Brian Gibbons goal, his seventh of the year. The Flames regained the lead in the third period on a Ferland goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Gaudreau and Monahan. The Devils retied it on an Andy Greene goal, made possible by Jesper Bratt and Lovejoy. In the shootout, Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk bested Drew Stafford to give the Flames a 5-4 win. The three stars were Monahan, Ferland, and Lovejoy, while Hischier and Gaudreau get the honorable mentions.

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MLS 2017 Conference Semifinals - Leg 2

The festivities continue with the second leg of each series, beginning on a Thursday in...

Seattle, as the Sounders FC host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Stefan Marinovic and Stefan Frei play in goal. Nicolas Lodeiro of Seattle had a yellow card for a foul in the ninth minute. Cristian Techera of Vancouver received a yellow card for his thirty-eighth minute foul. In the forty-ninth minute, Fredy Montero of the Whitecaps had a yellow card for persistent infringement. The Sounders got going in the fifty-sixth minute with a Clint Dempsey goal, passed from Harry Shipp and Will Bruin. Nosa of Vancouver had a yellow card for his fifty-eighth minute foul. In the sixty-eighth minute, Roman Torres of Seattle received a yellow card for a foul. Kendall Waston of the Whitecaps took a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. The Sounders capped the game and the series at 2-0 with a Dempsey goal in the eighty-eighth minute, courtesy of Victor Rodriguez and Lodeiro. Dempsey was named man of the match.

In the east on Sunday, Toronto FC welcomes the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Alexander Bono man the nets. In the thirty-fourth minute, Sacha Kljestan of New York and Jozy Altidore of Toronto both took yellow cards for fouls. Michael Bradley of Toronto had a yellow card for dissent in first half stoppage time. In the forty-sixth minute, red cards for violent conduct were retroactively applied to Kljestan and Altidore for violent conduct, resulting in both teams going down to ten men. The Red Bulls dented the scoreboard in the fifty-third minute with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal, set up by Aaron Long. In the seventy-first minute, Wright-Phillips of New York took a yellow card for a foul. In the eightieth minute, Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto took a yellow card for dissent. The Red Bulls' Felipe had a yellow card in stoppage time for a foul. The game ended at 1-0 for the Red Bulls, and while the series is tied 2-2, Toronto advances with their away goal from leg one. Wright-Phillips is the man of the match.

Back stateside, New York City FC brings in the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Sean Johnson protect the nets. New York City began in the sixteenth minute with a David Villa penalty kick goal. New York City added on in the fifty-third minute with an Andraz Struna goal, passed from Rodney Wallace. Columbus saw a yellow card for a foul by Mohammed Abu in the sixty-third minute. New York City's Wallace took a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. The final held at 2-0, with the man of the match being Struna. The Crew still won the series 4-3, advancing to the Eastern Conference Championship against Toronto FC.

Finally, the Portland Timbers host the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Jeff Attinella are the backups in goal. Portland led off in the thirty-ninth minute with a Dairon Asprilla goal, passed from Vytautas Andriuskevicius and Diego Valeri. Houston tied it on a forty-third minute Dylan Remick goal, coming off of Jalil Anibaba and Tomas Martinez. The Timbers saw a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute Liam Ridgewell foul. In the seventieth minute, Alex of the Dynamo had a yellow card for persistent infringement. Houston took the lead in the seventy-seventh minute with a Mauro Manotas goal, courtesy of Eric Alexander. David Guzman of Portland received a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-fifth minute. In stoppage time, the Dynamo's Oscar Boniek Garcia took a yellow card for time wasting and Sebastian Blanco of the Timbers took a yellow card for a foul. The final held at 2-1, with the Dynamo advancing thanks to Manotas, the man of the match for the winning goal.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 32

We're back with a big day of games, beginning with a matinee in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Vegas Golden Knights. Maxime Lagace and Craig Anderson are in goal. Vegas led off in the first period with an Alex Tuch power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by William Karlsson. Ottawa tied it on a Mark Stone goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Mike Hoffman and Dion Phaneuf. The Golden Knights retook the lead with an Erik Haula goal, his third of the season, via Jonathan Marchessault and David Perron. The Senators tied it again with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his third of the year, helped along by Tom Pyatt and Chris Wideman. Vegas regained the lead with a Marchessault power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Nate Schmidt and Haula. The Golden Knights added on in the third period with a Karlsson goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers from Marchessault and Reilly Smith. Vegas extended the lead as Haula scored his second of the game and fourth of the season on the power play, thanks to Perron and James Neal. Ottawa got one back with a Ryan Dzingel goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Derick Brassard and Stone. The Senators pulled closer with an Erik Karlsson goal, coming off of Brassard and Kyle Turris. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars going to Haula, William Karlsson, and Marchessault, while Perron, Stone, and Brassard get the honorable mentions.

At the normal time, the Boston Bruins welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Washington began in the first period with a Tom Wilson goal, via Lars Eller and Chandler Stephenson. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov. Boston got on the board in the second period with a David Pastrnak goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug. Washington replied with a Wilson goal, his second of the game, coming off of Brooks Orpik. The Bruins got one back in the third period with a Pastrnak power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, powered by Brad Marchand and Krug. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Wilson, Pastrnak, and Krug.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are the Russian goalies. Colorado started in the first period with a Matt Duchene power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. Philadelphia tied it on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Travis Konecny and Wayne Simmonds in the second period. The Flyers took the lead with a Claude Giroux power play goal, his eighth of the season, with assists provided by Shayne Gostisbehere and Jakub Voracek. The Avalanche retied it on a shorthanded Blake Comeau goal, his third of the year, set up by MacKinnon and Patrik Nemeth. Colorado took the lead with a Mikko Rantanen power play goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Alexander Kerfoot and Barrie. Philadelphia retied it in the third period with a Voracek goal, his third of the year, via Sean Couturier and Robert Hagg. The Avalanche regained the lead with a Nail Yakupov goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Duchene. The Flyers tied it again on a Dale Weise goal, his second of the year, coming off of Jordan Weal and Travis Sanheim. The tie went to a shootout, where Weal got bested by MacKinnon and Rantanen as the Avalanche won 5-4. The three stars were MacKinnon, Duchene, and Rantanen, while Weal, Barrie, and Voracek get the honorable mentions.

Over in St. Louis, the Blues host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Jake Allen are the masked men. Toronto opened in the first period with an Andreas Borgman goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Matt Martin and Connor Carrick. St. Louis tied it in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn. The Blues took the lead with a Joel Edmundson goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Schenn and Schwartz. St. Louis added on with an Alex Pietrangelo goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Schenn and Schwartz, both of whom earned sock tricks. The Blues extended the lead as Magnus Paajarvi scored an unassisted goal in the third period, his second of the season. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Tyler Bozak goal, his third of the year, helped along by Mitchell Marner and Martin. St. Louis answered on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his third of the season, fueled by Alexander Steen and Paul Stastny. The Blues padded the lead with a power play goal by Pietrangelo, his sixth of the year, powered by Schenn and Tarasenko. Toronto chipped back on a Connor Brown goal, his sixth of the season, guided in by Zach Hyman and Borgman. The Maple Leafs got closer with Bozak's second of the game and fourth of the year, with a lone assist from Martin, who earned a sock trick. The final held at 6-4, with the three stars being Pietrangelo, Schenn, and Schwartz, while Tarasenko, Martin, Borgman, and Bozak get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Andrei Vasilevskiy guard the cages. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Seth Jones goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay tied it on a Brayden Point goal, his seventh of the year, helped along by J.T. Brown and Dan Girardi. The Lightning took the lead with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Mikhail Sergachev and Vladislav Namestnikov. The Blue Jackets retied it on a Zach Werenski goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Pierre-Luc Dubois and Markus Hannikainen. Tampa Bay regained the lead in the second period with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Kucherov and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his fourth of the year, via Alex Killorn and Hedman. Columbus got one back in the third period with a Hannikainen goal, his second of the season, passed from Sonny Milano and Jones. The Blue Jackets tied it as Brandon Dubinsky scored, thanks to Boone Jenner and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The tie went into a shootout, where Stamkos won it 5-4 for the Lightning. The three stars were Stamkos, Kucherov, and Hedman, while Hannikainen and Jones get the honorable mentions.

Also in Florida, the Panthers bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Roberto Luongo are the formerly great goalies. Florida got going in the second period with a Colton Sceviour goal, his second of the season, assisted by Micheal Haley and Derek MacKenzie. New York tied it on a Nick Holden goal, via Ryan McDonagh and Jesper Fast. The Panthers retook the lead with another Sceviour goal, his second of the game and third of the year, passed from MacKenzie and Haley. The Rangers tied it again with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his third of the season, coming off of J.T. Miller. New York took the lead with a Michael Grabner goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Fast. Florida tied it on a Keith Yandle goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jamie McGinn and Aleksander Barkov. The Rangers regained the lead on a Rick Nash power play goal, his third of the year, powered by McDonagh and Miller. The Panthers tied it again as Vincent Trocheck scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Jonathan Huberdeau. New York won 5-4 in overtime with a Shattenkirk goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, fueled by Nash and Miller, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Shattenkirk, Miller, and Sceviour, while Nash, Fast, McDonagh, MacKenzie, and Haley all get honorable mentions.

Way to the north, the Winnipeg Jets host the Montreal Canadiens. Al Montoya and Connor Hellebuyck occupy the creases. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period with a Patrik Laine power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. Montreal tied it on an Andrew Shaw power play goal, his second of the year, via Jonathan Drouin and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens took the lead in the second period with a Shaw power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, with assists provided by Shea Weber and Pacioretty. The Jets retied it on an Andrew Copp goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Brandon Tanev. Winnipeg took the lead back with a Nikolaj Ehlers power play goal in the third period, his eighth of the season, coming off of Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba. The Jets added on with a Wheeler power play goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone helper from Byfuglien. Montreal responded with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his third of the season, made possible by Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens tied it again with a Jeff Petry goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Montreal won 5-4 in overtime on a Pacioretty power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Alex Galchenyuk and Weber. The three stars were Pacioretty, Shaw, and Weber, while Wheeler and Byfuglien get the honorable mentions.

South again to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Kari Lehtonen draw the starts in goal. Dallas drew first blood in the first period with a Remi Elie goal, via Antoine Roussel. The Stars added on with a Radek Faksa goal, his third of the season, made possible by Gemel Smith and John Klnigberg. Dallas extended the lead as Stephen Johns scored his second of the year, thanks to Smith and Faksa. Chad Johnson replaced Lehner in goal. The Stars padded the lead with a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Klingberg and Alexander Radulov. Buffalo got on the board in the second period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. Dallas answered on a Roussel goal, coming off of Klingberg, who got a sock trick, and Seguin. The three stars were Faksa, Klingberg, and Roussel, while Smith and Seguin get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Devan Dubnyk protect the nets. Chicago dented the scoreboard in the third period with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks added on with an Alex DeBrincat empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Jonathan Toews. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Crawford (24 save shutout), Anisimov, and DeBrincat.

Continuing the zig-zag pattern, the Arizona Coyotes are next as they host the Carolina Hurricanes. Scott Darling and Antti Raanta are the former backups in goal. Arizona cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Clayton Keller goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Brad Richardson. Carolina tied it on a Jordan Staal goal, his fourth of the year, via Sebastian Aho and Noah Hanifin in the third period. The tie went to a shootout, where Keller and Derek Stepan lifted the Coyotes over Brock McGinn and the Hurricanes 2-1. The three stars were Keller, Raanta (35 for 36 in saves), and Darling (23 for 24 in saves).

In British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matt Murray and Jacob Markstrom man the nets. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Jake Guentzel power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby. Vancouver tied it on a Brock Boeser goal, his third of the year, via Bo Horvat. The Canucks took the lead in the second period with another Boeser goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, assisted by Sven Baertschi and Horvat. The Penguis tied it in the third period with a Greg McKegg goal, his second of the year, coming off of Ryan Reaves. Vancouver retook the lead with a Boeser goal, his fifth of the season completing his hat trick, with helpers from Horvat and Baertschi, the former earning a sock trick. The Canucks added on with a Horvat goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Baertschi, who got a sock trick, and Boeser. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Boeser, Horvat, and Baertschi.

In California, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Darcy Kuemper are the backups in goal. Nashville began in the first period with a Miikka Salomaki goal, assisted by Yannick Weber and Calle Jarnkrok. The Predators added on with a P.K. Subban goal, his third of the season, passed from Scott Hartnell and Ryan Johansen. The Predators extended the lead as Craig Smith scored his fourth of the year in the second period, thanks to Filip Forsberg. Los Angeles got on the board with an Alex Iafallo goal in the third period, via Anze Kopitar and Tyler Toffoli. The Kings got closer with a Christian Folin goal, coming off of Derek Forbort and Tanner Pearson. Los Angeles tied it with an Alec Martinez power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Drew Doughty and Kopitar. The Predators won 4-3 in overtime on a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his fifth of the year, with a lone helper from Jarnkrok. The three stars went to Jarnkrok, Arvidsson, and Kopitar.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks. Ryan Miller and Martin Jones are between the pipes. Anaheim struck first in the first period with a Corey Perry goal, his third of the season, passed from Derek Grant and Rickard Rakell. San Jose tied it in the third period with a Joel Ward goal, his second of the year, via Barclay Goodrow. The tie went to a shootout, where Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi helped the Sharks top Rakell and the Ducks 2-1. The three stars were Rakell, Jones (25 for 26 in saves), and Miller (44 for 45 in saves).

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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.

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