NHL 2017-18 Day 113

Three games tonight, beginning with...

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the New York Islanders. Thomas Greiss and Frederik Andersen make the starts in goal. Toronto led off in the first period with a Kasperi Kapanen goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs added on with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-third of the year, via Zach Hyman and Jake Gardiner. Toronto extended the lead as Mitchell Marner scored his eighth of the season, thanks to Nazem Kadri and Connor Carrick. The Maple Leafs padded the lead on a Travis Dermott goal, helped along by William Nylander. Toronto continued with a Justin Holl goal in the third period, made possible by Matthews and Dermott. This stood for a 5-0 win, with the three stars being Matthews, Dermott, and Andersen (28 save shutout).

In Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Petr Mrazek are the masked men. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Trevor Daley goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Frans Nielsen. San Jose tied it on a Kevin Labanc goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Brenden Dillon and Tomas Hertl. The tie went to a shootout, where Gustav Nyquist, Andreas Athanasiou, Tomas Tatar, and Justin Abdelkader lifted the Red Wings to a 2-1 win over Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, and Chris Tierney for the Sharks. The three stars went to Mrazek (30 for 31 in saves), Jones (43 for 44 in saves), and Abdelkader.

Finally, the Washington Capitals bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Michal Neuvirth faces former teammate Braden Holtby in goal. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Nolan Patrick goal, his fourth of the season, via Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on with a Travis Konecny goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Sean Couturier. Washington got on the board in the second period with a Chandler Stephenson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Lars Eller and John Carlson. The Capitals tied it on another Stephenson goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Madison Bowey. Washington took the lead with an Andrew Burakovsky power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Eller. The Capitals extended the lead as T.J. Oshie scored his twelfth of the year on the power play in the third period, thanks to Evgeny Kuznetsov and Carlson. Washington padded the lead on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Christian Djoos and Jay Beagle. Philadelphia got one back with a Jakub Voracek goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Ivan Provorov and Patrick. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Stephenson, Patrick, and Eller, while Carlson gets an honorable mention.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 112

We return from the All-Star break with twelve games tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Anton Khudobin man the nets. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Cam Fowler and Rickard Rakell. The Ducks added on with an Adam Henrique power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Rakell and Fowler. Ryan Miller replaced an injured Gibson in the third period. Boston got on the board with a Ryan Spooner goal in the third period, his eighth of the season, via Torey Krug and David Pastrnak. Anaheim iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Henrique, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Henrique, Fowler, and Rakell.

In Buffalo, the Sabres welcome the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid and Robin Lehner make the starts in goal. New Jersey got going with a Miles Wood goal in the second period, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Will Butcher and Kyle Palmieri. The Devils added on with a Taylor Hall goal in the third period, his eighteenth of the year, guided in by Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier. Buffalo got on the board with a Jake McCabe power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Ryan O'Reilly. New Jersey answered with a Palmieri empty net goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. This made it 3-1, the final with the three stars being Kinkaid (27 for 28 in saves), Palmieri, and Hall.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Cam Ward are the veteran goalies. Ottawa dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Zack Smith and Erik Karlsson. Carolina tied it in the third period with a Sebastian Aho goal, his seventeenth of the year, helped along by Teuvo Teravainen and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes took the lead with a power play goal by Victor Rask goal, his twelfth of the campaign, powered by Justin Williams and Noah Hanifin. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars being Ward (29 for 30 in saves), Rask, and Aho.

Back north, the New York Islanders host the Florida Panthers. Harri Sateri and Jaroslav Halak are between the pipes. Florida began in the first period with a Mike Matheson goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Mark Pysyk and Colton Sceviour. The Panthers added on with an Evgenii Dadonov goal in the second period, his eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. Florida extended the lead in the third period as Keith Yandle scored his fifth of the season, with the help of Vincent Trocheck. New York got on the board with an Adam Pelech goal, his second of the year, via Josh Bailey and Jason Chimera. The Panthers capped it at 4-1 with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, set up by Trocheck into the empty net. The three stars belonged to Sateri (32 for 33 in saves), Trocheck, and Dadonov.

Westward to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Matt Murray are the returning goalies. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Bryan Rust goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Riley Sheahan and Ian Cole. San Jose tied it in the second period with a Brent Burns power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Joonas Donskoi and Mikkel Boedker. The Sharks took the lead with a power play goal by Logan Couture, his twenty-first of the season, with assists provided by Tomas Hertl and Joe Pavelski. The Penguins retied it on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, with a lone helper from Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third period with a Malkin goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the season, via Patric Hornqvist. The Penguins added on with a Rust goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, fueled by Tom Kuhnhackl and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Malkin to complete his hat trick on his twenty-sixth of the campaign, set up by Rust and Sidney Crosby. The three stars were given to Malkin, Rust, and Murray (40 for 42 in saves).

In Ohio, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Columbus started in the first period with a David Savard goal, his third of the season, passed from Dean Kukan and Artemi Panarin. Minnesota tied it on a Jason Zucker power play goal in the second period, his twentieth of the year, powered by Jonas Brodin and Mikael Granlund. The Wild took the lead in the third period with a Charlie Coyle goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets tied it on a Panarin goal, his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Cam Atkinson and Seth Jones. In the shootout, Chris Stewart and Zach Parise lifted the Wild 3-2 over Panarin and the Blue Jackets. The three stars were Panarin, Coyle, and Zucker.

Along to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price faces a lesser foe in Carter Hutton in goal. St. Louis cracked the scoresheet in the second period with an Ivan Barbashev goal, his second of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blues added on in the third period with a Patrik Berglund power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Tage Thompson and Colton Parayko. St. Louis extended the lead as Alexander Steen scored a shorthanded empty net goal in the third period, his eleventh of the season, with the help of Kyle Brodziak. Montreal got on the board with a Charles Hudon power play goal, his seventh of the year, via Brendan Gallagher. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Hutton (33 for 34 in saves), Berglund, and Barbashev.

Back east, the Nashville Predators welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Anton Forsberg and Juuse Saros are the backups in goal. Chicago struck first in the first period with a David Kampf goal, his second of the season, guided in by Vinnie Hinostroza and Tomas Jurco. Nashville tied it in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, his ninth of the year, via Scott Hartnell and Craig Smith. The Blackhawks retook the lead on a Hinostroza goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Nick Schmaltz and Patrick Kane. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Forsberg (42 for 43 in saves), Hinostroza, and Kampf.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Louis Domingue and Michael Hutchinson are the lesser-known goalies. Tampa Bay was first to score in the first period with a Matthew Peca goal, coming off of Brayden Point and Jake Dotchin. Winnipeg tied it on a Patrik Laine power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets took the lead on a Kyle Connor goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Wheeler and Tyler Myers. Winnipeg added on in the third period with a Bryan Little goal, his eleventh of the campaign, assisted by Mathieu Perreault and Nikolaj Ehlers. The three stars went to Wheeler, Hutchinson (23 for 24 in saves), and Connor.

South to Dallas, where the Stars host the Los Angeles Kings. Darcy Kuemper and Ben Bishop draw the starts in goal. Los Angeles drew first blood in the first period with a Paul LaDue goal, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Alex Iafallo. The Kings added on with a Drew Doughty power play goal in the second period, his eighth of the season, powered by Jake Muzzin and Kopitar. Los Angeles extended the lead as Alec Martinez scored in the third period, his fifth of the year, thanks to Torrey Mitchell and Tanner Pearson. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars given to Kopitar, Kuemper (28 save shutout), and LaDue.

In Alberta, the Calgary Flames welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith protect the nets. Vegas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Reilly Smith power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Sam Bennett goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Troy Brouwer. The Flames took the lead with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Dougie Hamilton and Michael Frolik. The Golden Knights tied it on an unassisted Erik Haula goal in the third period, his eighteenth of the year. Vegas took the lead with a Marchessault goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Karlsson and Smith. The Golden Knights iced it at 4-2 with a David Perron empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Shea Theodore. The three stars were Marchessault, Smith, and Karlsson.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Jonathan Bernier and Jacob Markstrom make the starts in goal. Vancouver scored first in the first period with a Bo Horvat goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Thomas Vanek and Christopher Tanev. The Canucks added on with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Tanev and Jake Virtanen. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a J.T. Compher goal, his ninth of the season, via Erik Johnson and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avalanche tied it on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Tyson Barrie and Mikko Rantanen. Colorado took the lead with another Landeskog goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, assisted by Rantanen and Samuel Girard on the power play. Vancouver tied it in the third period with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Henrik Sedin and Brock Boeser. The Canucks won 4-3 in overtime with a Sven Baertschi goal, his eleventh of the campaign, guided in by Brandon Sutter and Tanev, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Tanev, Landeskog, and Rantanen.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 111 - The NHL All-Star Game

The best of the NHL players are ready to meet in a 3-on-3 Tournament again. We begin with...

The Central Division against the Pacific Division. Marc-Andre Fleury and Pekka Rinne make the starts in goal. Central opened in the first half with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, via Blake Wheeler. Mike Smith and Connor Hellebuyck took over for the second half in net. Pacific tied it with a Drew Doughty goal in the second half, set up by Connor McDavid. Pacific took the lead with a James Neal goal, passed from McDavid and Brent Burns. Central retied it on a P.K. Subban goal, coming off of MacKinnon. Pacific pulled ahead with a Brock Boeser goal, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Johnny Gaudreau. Pacific added on with a Burns goal, courtesy of McDavid, who got a sock trick, and the goalie Smith. Pacific iced it at 5-2 with a Neal goal, his second of the game, made possible by McDavid. The three stars were McDavid, Neal, and Burns, while MacKinnon gets an honorable mention.

In the other semifinal, the Metropolitan Division faces the Atlantic Division. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Henrik Lundqvist are the starting goalies. Metropolitan started with a Sidney Crosby goal in the first half, via Alex Ovechkin. Atlantic tied it on an Auston Matthews goal, courtesy of Jack Eichel and Aleksander Barkov. Metropolitan retook the lead with a Claude Giroux goal, fueled by Zach Werenski. Metropolitan added on with an Ovechkin goal, coming off of Crosby. Atlantic pulled back with a Nikita Kucherov goal, guided in by Erik Karlsson and Steven Stamkos. Carey Price and Braden Holtby took over in goal in the second half. Atlantic tied it on Kucherov's second of the game, assisted by Eichel and Karlsson. Metropolitan gained the lead with a Kris Letang goal, passed from John Tavares and Josh Bailey. Atlantic retied it on a Brayden Point goal, made possible by Brad Marchand and the goalie Price. Atlantic pulled ahead with an Eichel goal, with helpers from Barkov and Matthews. Atlantic extended the lead as Marchand scored, with the help of Point and Mike Green. Atlantic capped it at 7-4 with a Kucherov hat trick goal, set up by Stamkos and Karlsson, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars went to Kucherov, Karlsson, and Eichel, while Barkov, Point, Matthews, Marchand, Ovechkin, Crosby, and Stamkos pick up honorable mentions this time.

In the final, the Pacific Division meets the Atlantic Division. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Marc-Andre Fleury return to the creases for the start. Pacific struck first with a Rickard Rakell goal, passed from Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Pacific added on with a Brock Boeser goal, with a lone assist by Johnny Gaudreau. Atlantic got on the board with a Mike Green goal, made possible by Brad Marchand and Brayden Point. Pacific answered with a Drew Doughty goal, via Kopitar and Rakell. Pacific extended the lead as Gaudreau scored in the second half, thanks to Boeser. Atlantic got one back with a Green goal, his second of the game, with a lone helper from Marchand. Pacific capped it at 5-2 with a Rakell goal, his second of the game, helped along by Brent Burns. The three stars were Rakell, Boeser, and Gaudreau, while Doughty, Kopitar, Green, and Marchand get the honorable mentions. Brock Boeser was the overall All-Star Game MVP.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 110

Fifteen games on a busy day, the last before the All-Star Game. First up...

The New Jersey Devils host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Ken Appleby in goal. Nashville got going in the second period with a P.K. Subban goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Johansen. The Predators added on in the third period with an Ekholm goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Kevin Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson. Nashville extended the lead as Arvidsson scored his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Subban. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars being Subban, Arvidsson, and Ekholm, while Rinne (25 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Michal Neuvirth are in goal. Tampa Bay dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brayden Point goal, his twentieth of the season, passed from Tyler Johnson. The Lightning added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Matthew Peca and Dan Girardi. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Ryan Callahan scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal, his second of the season. Philadelphia got on the board with a third period Travis Konecny power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Lightning replied with a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-1 with another Namesntikov goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, fueled by Stamkos and Kucherov. The three stars went to Namestnikov, Vasilevskiy (36 for 37 in saves), and Kucherov, while Stamkos gets an honorable mention.

Across Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Casey DeSmith are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Dominik Simon goal, his third of the season, coming off of Sidney Crosby and Ian Cole. The Penguins added on with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Crosby and Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Carl Hagelin scored his fourth of the season in the second period, thanks to Malkin and Kessel. The Penguins chased Dubnyk with a Brian Dumoulin goal, his third of the year, passed from Crosby and Hagelin. Alex Stalock came on in relief. Pittsburgh padded the lead in the third period with a Malkin power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, with assists provided by Justin Schultz and Kessel, the latter earning a sock trick. The Penguins continued with an unassisted Simon goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year. Minnesota got on the board with an Eric Staal goal, his twentieth of the season, helped along by Nate Prosser and Marcus Foligno. The Wild pulled closer with a Mikael Granlund power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, with helpers from Ryan Suter and Jason Zucker. Minnesota chipped closer on a Jonas Brodin goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Foligno and Staal. The three stars were Malkin, Kessel, and Simon, while Crosby, Hagelin, Staal, and Foligno get the honorable mentions.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks. Anton Forsberg and Jimmy Howard make the starts in goal. Chicago led off in the first period with an Alex DeBrincat goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Connor Murphy and Anthony Duclair. The Blackhawks added on with a Duclair goal, his tenth of the year, passed from DeBrincat and Duncan Keith. Chicago extended the lead as Vinnie Hinostroza scored his fourth of the season, with the help of Duclair. Petr Mrazek replaced Howard in goal. Petr Mrazek replaced Howard in goal. The Blackhawks padded the lead in the second period with a DeBrincat goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, with a lone helper from Jonathan Toews. Detroit got on the board with a third period Anthony Mantha power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Henrik Zetterberg. Chicago iced it at 5-1 with an empty net goal by DeBrincat empty net goal to complete his hat trick on his fifteenth of the year, set up by Ryan Hartman. The three stars were DeBrincat, Duclair, and Forsberg (23 for 24 in saves).

In Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. Carolina opened in the first period with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Justin Williams and Victor Rask. The Hurricanes added on with a Jordan Staal power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Rask and Justin Faulk. Montreal got on the board in the second period with a Charles Hudon goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Jeff Petry and Paul Byron. The Canadiens tied it on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eighteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Carolina retook the lead with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Noah Hanifin and Derek Ryan. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Teravainen scored an unassisted goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year. Montreal got one back with an unassisted goal by Hudon, his second of the game and sixth of the season. The Canadiens retied it with a Petry goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Max Pacioretty and Hudon. Carolina pulled ahead again with a Ryan goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Hanifin and Lee Stempniak. Montreal tied it with a third period Pacioretty goal, his sixteenth of the year, a power play goal with assists provided by Petry and Jonathan Drouin. Carolina regained the lead on a Williams goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Teravainen and Hanifin, the latter earning a sock trick. The final was 6-5, with the three stars awarded to Teravainen, Hudon, and Petry, while Rask, Williams, Ryan, Hanifin, and Pacioretty get the honorable mentions

Next up, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Mike Condon are set to start in goal. Ottawa started in the first period with a Thomas Chabot goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Dion Phaneuf. Boston tied it on a Danton Heinen power play goal in the second period, his eleventh of the year, powered by David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins took the lead with a Tim Schaller shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Bergeron in the third period. The Senators retied it on a Ryan Dzingel power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, with helpers from Matt Duchene and Phaneuf. Boston regained the lead with a Jake DeBrusk goal, his eleventh of the season, via Ryan Spooner and Kevan Miller. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars being Bergeron, Phaneuf, and Rask (21 for 23 in saves).

To the south, the Florida Panthers host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Harri Sateri receive the starting nods in goal. Florida struck first in the first period with a Denis Malgin goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Jared McCann. Washington tied it on a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. The Panthers retook the lead in the second period with a Malgin goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, guided in by Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck. The Capitals tied it again on an Ovechkin goal, his thirtieth of the year, via Brooks Orpik and Madison Bowey. Washington took the lead with a John Carlson goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Tom Wilson and Kuznetsov. The Capitals added on in the third period with a Brett Connolly power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Andre Burakovsky and Lars Eller. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars given to Ovechkin, Malgin, and Kuznetsov.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jonathan Bernier and Carter Hutton are the backups in goal. St. Louis was first to score in the first period with a Paul Stastny power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Patrik Berglund. The Blues added on in the second period with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, with assists provided by Alexander Steen and Vince Dunn. Colorado got on the board with an Alexander Kerfoot goal, his twelfth of the season, passed from Tyson Jost and Anton Lindholm. St. Louis replied in the third period with a Steen goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Vladimir Sobotka and Pietrangelo. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Steen, Pietrangelo, and Hutton (36 for 37 in saves).

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Curtis McElhinney is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Toronto kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Mitchell Marner and Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period with a Zach Hyman goal, his ninth of the year, via William Nylander. Toronto extended the lead as Kadri scored a power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, powered by Tyler Bozak and Gardiner. Dallas got on the board with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Alexander Radulov. The Maple Leafs replied in the third period with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Nylander and Gardiner, the latter earning a sock trick. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars given to Kadri, Gardiner, and McElhinney (39 for 40 in saves), while Nylander gets an honorable mention.

In Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Calgary Flames in the battle of Alberta. David Rittich and Cam Talbot are in the creases. Calgary opened in the first period with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Troy Brouwer and Mikael Backlund. The Flames added on with a Mark Giordano goal, his ninth of the year, via Dougie Hamilton. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with a Brandon Davidson goal, helped along by Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Strome. The Oilers tied it on a Zack Kassian goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Edmonton took the lead in the third period with a Davidson goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Strome. Calgary tied it on a Tkachuk goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Backlund. The tie went to a shootout, where Michael Cammalleri and McDavid lifted the Oilers over Tkachuk and the Flames. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Davidson, Tkachuk, and McDavid, while Backlund and Strome get the honorable mentions.

Back south, the Arizona Coyotes welcome the Columbus Blues Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Antti Raanta protect the nets. Columbus drew first blood in the third period with an Alexander Wennberg power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. Arizona tied it on a Brendan Perlini power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Christian Dvorak and Derek Stepan. The Blue Jackets retook the lead with a Cam Atkinson goal, his seventh of the campaign, coming off of Wennberg and Nick Foligno. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Wennberg, Atkinson, and Bobrovsky (38 for 39 in saves).

Returning to Canada, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Jacob Markstrom are the reliable goalies. Buffalo started in the first period with a Sam Reinhart goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Scott Wilson and Victor Antipin. The Sabres added on with a Nicholas Baptiste goal, via Benoit Pouliot and Evan Rodrigues in the second period. Buffalo extended the lead as Kyle Okposo scored a power play goal in the third period, his ninth of the year, powered by Marco Scandella and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Sabres iced it at 4-0 with a shorthanded and unassisted empty net goal by Johan Larsson, his third of the campaign. The three stars were Lehner (30 save shutout), Reinhart, and Baptiste.

In California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and John Gibson tend the twines. Winnipeg led off in the first period with an unassisted Patrik Laine goal, his twenty-second of the season. Anaheim tied it on an Adam Henrique goal, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Ducks took the lead in the second period with a Nick Ritchie goal, his fourth of the season, via Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg. The Jets tied it on a Brandon Tanev goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Jacob Trouba. Anaheim retook the lead in the third period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Andrew Cogliano and J.T. Brown. Winnipeg retied it on an unassisted Jack Roslovic goal. Ryan Miller replaced an injured Gibson later on. The Ducks won 4-3 in the shootout with a lone tally by Henrique. The three stars were Henrique, Roslovic, and Kesler.

Back east, the Vegas Golden Knights welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Fleury are the experienced goalies. New York cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Ross Johnston goal, assisted by Ryan Pulock and Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier. Vegas got on the board with an Erik Haula power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by David Perron and Colin Miller. They failed to equalize, losing 2-1, as the three stars belong to Halak (38 for 39 in saves), Eberle, and Johnston.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the New York Rangers. Ondrej Pavelec and Aaron Dell occupy the blue paint.  New York began in the first period with a Kevin Hayes goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from J.T. Miller and Mats Zuccarello. San Jose tied it on a Barclay Goodrow goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Brent Burns. The Sharks took the lead with a Logan Couture goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Kevin Labanc and Joakim Ryan. The Rangers retied it on a Jesper Fast goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Michael Grabner and Peter Holland. San Jose reclaimed the lead in the second period on another Couture goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the season, helped along by Labanc and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. New York tied it on a Ryan McDonagh goal, courtesy of Hayes and Miller. The Rangers pulled ahead on a McDonagh power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Pavel Buchnevich. New York added on with a shorthanded and unassisted Brady Skjei goal, his third of the year. The Sharks pulled back in the third period with a Vlasic goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Justin Braun and Chris Tierney. The Rangers answered with a Miller goal, his eleventh of the year, dished from Zuccarello and Skjei. San Jose got one back with a Tomas Hertl goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, fueled by Labanc, who got a sock trick, and Burns. The three stars were McDonagh, Couture, and Miller in the 6-5 Rangers win, while Hayes, Zuccarello, Skjei, Labanc, Burns, and Vlasic all get honorable mentions.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 109

Just two games are on tonight. We begin with...

The Chicago Blackhawks welcoming the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Jeff Glass are the goalies. Chicago opened in the first period with a Brent Seabrook power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Patrick Kane and Nick Schmaltz. Toronto tied it on a Mitchell Marner goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Jake Gardiner and Ron Hainsey. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the third period with a Nazem Kadri power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, with assists provided by Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk. The Blackhawks tied it again with a Schmaltz power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Artem Anisimov and Vinnie Hinostroza. Toronto won 3-2 in overtime with a William Nylander penalty shot goal, his tenth of the campaign. The three stars were Andersen (34 for 36 in saves), Schmaltz, and Nylander.

The other game sees the Calgary Flames bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Darcy Kuemper and Mike Smith make the starts in goal. Calgary led off in the first period with a Sean Monahan goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Johnny Gaudreau and Micheal Ferland. Los Angeles tied it in the third period with a Jake Muzzin power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The Kings won 2-1 in overtime with a Tanner Pearson goal, his tenth of the campaign, assisted by Doughty and Dustin Brown. The three stars went to Doughty, Kuemper (30 for 31 in saves), and Pearson.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 108

A big day of games awaits today, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. New Jersey got going in the second period with a Miles Wood goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Will Butcher and Nico Hischier. Boston tied it on a Riley Nash goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Danton Heinen. The Devils took the lead back with a Damon Severson goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Marcus Johansson and Pavel Zacha. The Bruins tied it on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Brad Marchand and Torey Krug. Boston took the lead with a Marchand goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, helped along by David Pastrnak. This stood for the eventual 3-2 final, with the three stars going to Marchand, Bergeron, and Rask (37 for 39 in saves).

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Casey DeSmith receive the starting nods in goal. Carolina dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Derek Ryan goal, his tenth of the season, via Lee Stempniak and Trevor van Riemsdyk. Pittsburgh tied it on a Dominik Simon goal, his second of the year, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary. The Penguins took the lead with a Jean-Sebastien Dea goal, coming off of Bryan Rust and Tom Kuhnhackl. Pittsburgh added on in the third period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, made possible by Phil Kessel and Riley Sheahan. This made it 3-1, the final,with the three stars being DeSmith (34 for 35 in saves), Dea, and Guentzel.

Moving along to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Brian Elliott and Petr Mrazek are set to start in goal. Detroit opened in the first period with a Jonathan Ericsson goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Luke Glendening. Philadelphia tied it in the second period with an Andrew MacDonald goal, his second of the year, with a lone assist by Jakub Voracek. The Flyers took the lead with a Voracek power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux. The Red Wings retied it in the third period with a Frans Nielsen goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Tomas Tatar and Glendening. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime with a Travis Konecny goal, his ninth of the campaign, helped along by Couturier. The three stars were Voracek, Couturier, and Glendening.

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Colorado Avalanche. Jonathan Bernier and Carey Price man the nets. Montreal cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jonathan Drouin and Alex Galchenyuk. The Canadiens added on with a Galchenyuk power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Paul Byron and Drouin. Montreal extended the lead in the third period as Drouin scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Jeff Petry and Karl Alzner. Colorado got on the board with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, via Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog. The Canadiens countered with a Brendan Gallagher empty net goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Tomas Plekanec. The Avalanche pulled one back on a J.T. Compher goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Nail Yakupov. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Drouin, Galchenyuk, and Deslauriers.

Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Carter Hutton are in the creases. St. Louis started in the first period with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Brayden Schenn and Robert Bortuzzo. The Blues added on in the third period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Colton Parayko and Kyle Brodziak. St. Louis iced it at 3-0 with a Schenn empty net goal, his twentieth of the campaign, set up by Alex Pietrangelo and Alexander Steen. The three stars were Hutton (25 save shutout), Schenn, and Sobotka.

Into Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Louis Domingue and Juuse Saros are the backups in goal. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Chris Kunitz goal, his seventh of the season, going in unassisted. Nashville tied it on a Ryan Ellis power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Roman Josi and Colton Sissons. The Predators took the lead with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Pontus Aberg and Matt Irwin. The Lightning tied it again with a Vladislav Namestnikov goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Steven Stamkos and Kunitz. Nashville regained the lead in the second period with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his eleventh of the season, with assists provided by Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Johansen. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period with a Stamkos goal, his eighteenth of the year, helped along by Slater Koekkoek and Kunitz. The Lightning won 4-3 in overtime with a Yanni Gourde goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Namestnikov. The three stars belonged to Stamkos, Kunitz, and Namestnikov.

Down in Dallas, the Stars host the Florida Panthers. Harri Sateri is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Dallas began in the first period with a Devin Shore power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by John Klingberg and Esa Lindell. The Stars added on in the second period with a Jamie Benn goal, his twentieth of the year, helped along by Alexander Radulov and Greg Pateryn. Dallas extended the lead as Radulov scored a power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, thanks to Jason Spezza and Tyler Seguin. Florida got on the board with an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Nick Bjugstad and Denis Malgin. The Stars answered in the third period with a Mattias Janmark goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Klingberg and Shore. Dallas padded the lead on an unassisted Radulov goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year. The Stars kept going with a Tyler Pitlick goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Antoine Roussel and Dan Hamhuis. The three stars of the 6-1 game were Radulov, Shore, and Klingberg.

Way north to Edmonton, where the Oilers welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Robin Lehner and Cam Talbot are between the pipes. Buffalo struck first in the first period with a Sam Reinhart power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Rasmus Ristolainen and Jack Eichel. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his twelfth of the year, via Scott Wilson and Reinhart. Buffalo extended the lead as Zemgus Girgensons scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Kyle Okposo and Eichel. The Sabres chased Talbot on an Eichel power play goal, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Ristolainen and Okposo. Buffalo padded the lead against Al Montoya on an O'Reilly power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, with assists provided by Reinhart and Eichel, the latter earning a sock trick. The final held from here at 5-0, with the three stars awarded to O'Reilly, Eichel, and Reinhart, while Ristolainen, Okposo, and Lehner (33 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

Into California, where the Anaheim Ducks bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and John Gibson protect the nets. Anaheim was first to score in the first period with a J.T. Brown goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. New York tied it on a Rick Nash power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Pavel Buchnevich. The Ducks took the lead back on a Corey Perry power play goal, his eighth of the season, with assists provided by Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Rangers retied it on another Nash goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, passed from Tony DeAngelo and Mika Zibanejad. Anaheim regained the lead with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his sixth of the season, via Josh Manson and Hampus Lindholm. Ondrej Pavelec replaced Lundqvist in goal. The Ducks added on with a shorthanded Adam Henrique goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Getzlaf. New York got one back in the second period on a shorthanded Michael Grabner goal, his twenty-first of the season, with a lone helper by Zibanejad. Anaheim answered in the third period with a Rickard Rakell power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Perry and Fowler. The Ducks iced it at 6-3 with a Getzlaf empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, with a lone assist from Brandon Montour. The three stars were Getzlaf, Perry, and Nash, while Zibanejad and Fowler get the honorable mentions.

Back east, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Vegas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a William Karlsson goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, via Deryk Engelland and Jonathan Marchessault. Columbus tied it on a Markus Nutivaara goal, his third of the year, guided in by Nick Foligno. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period with a Josh Anderson goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Seth Jones and Artemi Panarin. The Golden Knights retied it on a Colin Miller goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Nate Schmidt and Marchessault. Vegas took the lead with a Brad hunt power play goal, powered by Shea Theodore and James Neal. The Golden Knights added on with a Neal goal, his twenty-second of the season, courtesy of Erik Haula and David Perron. Vegas extended the lead in the third period with another Karlsson goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, assisted by Theodore and Hunt. Columbus pulled back on a Matt Calvert goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Foligno and Alexander Wennberg. The Golden Knights capped it at 6-3 with a power play empty net goal by Haula, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Perron and Hunt. The three stars were Hunt, Karlsson, and Neal, while Foligno, Perron, Haula, Marchessault, and Theodore get the honorable mentions.

North again to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jacob Markstrom are called on to start in goal. Vancouver drew first blood in the first period with a Loui Eriksson goal, his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. The Canucks added on with an Eriksson goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, helped along by Bo Horvat. Vancouver extended the lead as Vanek scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Eriksson. Los Angeles got on the board with an Alex Iafallo goal, his fourth of the year, via Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. The Canucks replied with a Sven Baertschi power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Vanek and Michael Del Zotto. Vancouver padded the lead with a Brock Boeser power play goal in the second period, his twenty-third of the year, assisted by Horvat and Alexander Edler. Darcy Kuemper replaced Quick in goal. The Kings got one back with a Kopitar power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, with assists provided by Jake Muzzin and Drew Doughty. The Canucks replied with another Boeser power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, with helpers from Edler and Sam Gagner. The final held at 6-2, with the three stars given to Eriksson, Vanek, and Boeser, while Kopitar, Horvat, and Edler get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Aaron Dell occupy the creases. Winnipeg got on the board in the first period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Nikolaj Ehlers and Bryan Little. The Jets added on with a Joel Armia goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba. Winnipeg extended the lead as Little scored a power play goal, his ninth of the season, thanks to Tyler Myers and Perreault. San Jose got on the board with an unassisted Joe Pavelski goal, his tenth of the year. The Sharks got closer in the second period with a Logan Couture goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Joel Ward and Brenden Dillon. San Jose tied it on a Chris Tierney power play goal, his twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Jets retook the lead in the third period on an Armia goal, his ninth of the season, helped along by Brandon Tanev and Myers. The Sharks retied it on a Timo Meier goal, his eleventh of the year, via Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Pavelski. Winnipeg won 5-4 in overtime with a Little goal, his tenth of the campaign, with helpers from Dustin Byfuglien and Ehlers. The three stars went to Little, Armia, and Perreault, while Ehlers, Pavelski, and Myers get the honorable mentions.

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NHL 2017-18 Day 107

A new day is here as we get toward the All-Star Game this coming weekend. First up...

The New Jersey Devils host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Cory Schneider are the goalies. Detroit led off in the first period with a Tyler Bertuzzi goal, his second of the season, via Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a David Booth goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Jonathan Ericsson and Martin Frk. Detroit extended the lead as Larkin scored his eighth of the campaign in the third period, thanks to Athanasiou and Nick Jensen. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars going to Mrazek (37 save shutout), Larkin, and Athanasiou.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Jonathan Bernier and Frederik Andersen get the starts in goal. Colorado began in the first period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his second of the season, coming off of Tyson Jost and J.T. Compher. Toronto tied it on a Patrick Marleau goal, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Leo Komarov and Jake Gardiner. The Maple Leafs took the lead with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-first of the season, via William Nylander and Andreas Borgman. The Avalanche retied it on a Nail Yakupov goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Alexander Kerfoot. Colorado took the lead in the third period with a Blake Comeau goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Carl Soderberg and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche iced it at 4-2 with a Gabriel Landeskog empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Mikko Rantanen. The three stars were Comeau, Yakupov, and Bourque.

Back stateside, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Ottawa Senators. Mike Condon and Alex Stalock are the backups in goal. Minnesoa opened in the first period with a Zach Parise goal, his second of the season, assisted by Eric Staal and Daniel Winnik. Ottawa tied it in the second period with a Matt Duchene goal, his eleventh of the year, helped along by Christopher DiDomenico. The Wild retook the lead in the third period with a Jason Zucker goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu. The Wild added on with a Granlund power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Matt Dumba and Ryan Suter. The three stars of the 3-1 game went to Granlund, Stalock (37 for 38 in saves), and Zucker.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy faces a lesser foe in Jeff Glass in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period with a shorthanded Chris Kunitz goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Jake Dotchin and Brayden Point. The Lightning added on with a third period Yanni Gourde goal, his fifteenth of the year, going in unassisted. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Vasilevskiy (40 save shutout), Kunitz, and Gourde.

West to Calgary, as the Flames welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Chad Johnson faces his former team and Mike Smith in goal. Calgary started in the first period with a Matthew Tkachuk power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano. Buffalo tied it on a Scott Wilson goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The Sabres won 2-1 in overtime with a Jack Eichel goal, his nineteenth of the campaign, assisted by Rasmus Ristolainen. The three stars went to Johnson (32 for 33 in saves), Eichel, and Wilson.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Antti Raanta are between the pipes. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Nick Cousins goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Oliver Ekman-Larsson. New York tied it in the second period with an Anthony Beauvillier goal, his eleventh of the year, via Josh Bailey. The Coyotes retook the lead with a Brendan Perlini goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Luke Schenn and Cousins. The Islanders retied it on a third period Beauvillier goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, guided in by Thomas Hickey and Mathew Barzal. Arizona won 3-2 in overtime on a Cousins goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, with a lone helper from Christian Fischer. The three stars were Cousins, Beauvillier, and Perlini.

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