NHL 2021 - Day 6

An early start is on for today, beginning with...

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Thomas Greiss are in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his second of the season, coming off of Michael Rasmussen. Columbus tied it in the second period on an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, assisted by Boone Jenner and Michael Del Zotto. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period with an Alexandre Texier goal, his second of the year, passed from Bjorkstrand. Columbus added on with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, made possible by Mikhail Grigorenko. The Red Wings got one back with a Ryan goal, his second of the game and third of the season, helped along by Anthony Mantha and Filip Hronek. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Ryan, Bjorkstrand, and Dubois. 

Another matinee has the New York Islanders welcoming the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, via Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars being Varlamov (27 save shutout), Pageau, and Rask (16 for 17 in saves). 

At the usual time, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Frederik Andersen tend the twines. Toronto got going in the second period with a John Tavares power play goal, his third of the season, powered by William Nylander and Jake Muzzin. The Maple Leafs added on with a Mitchell Marner goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Justin Holl and Auston Matthews. Winnipeg got on the board with a Kyle Connor goal, his second of the season, assisted by Derek Forbort and Neal Pionk. Toronto iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a Marner empty net goal, set up by Alexander Kerfoot. The three stars went to Marner, Andersen (27 for 28 in saves), and Hellebuyck (35 for 37 in saves).

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres. Carter Hutton and Carter Hart are the similarly named goalies. Buffalo began in the first period with an unassisted Curtis Lazar goal. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Sam Reinhart power play goal, powered by Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel. Buffalo extended the lead as Reinhart scored again, thanks to Eichel and Hall. The Sabres padded the lead with a Lazar goal, his second of the game, made possible by Riley Sheahan and Brandon Montour. Buffalo continued in the third period with a Henri Jokiharju goal, with a lone helper by Eric Staal. Philadelphia got on the board with a Nicolas Aube-Kubel goal, coming off of Michael Raffl and Travis Sanheim. The Sabres iced it at 6-1 with a Victor Olofsson power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers provided by Hall and Eichel. The three stars were Lazar, Reinhart, and Hall, while Eichel gets an honorable mention. 

Southwest to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the San Jose Sharks. Devan Dubnyk and Jordan Binnington are in the blue paint. San Jose opened in the first period with a Kevin Labanc goal, via Brent Burns and Logan Couture. The Sharks added on with a Couture power play goal, powered by Tomas Hertl and Burns. St. Louis got on the board in the second period with a Justin Faulk goal, made possible by Ivan Barbashev and Carl Gunnarsson. The Blues tied it on a Mike Hoffman goal, passed from Colton Parayko and Tyler Bozak. San Jose regained the lead with a Burns power play goal, with assists provided by Evander Kane and Hertl. St. Louis tied it again with a Brayden Schenn goal, with a lone assist by Jordan Kyrou. The Blues pulled ahead with a Faulk goal, his second of the game, guided in by David Perron and Ryan O'Reilly. The Sharks evened it with Couture's second of the game, helped along by Labanc and Radim Simek. St. Louis gained the lead on a Kyrou goal, his second of the season, coming off of Parayko and Torey Krug. This stood for a 5-4 win, with the three stars being Faulk, Kyrou, and Burns, while Couture, Labanc, Hertl, and Parayko get the honorable mentions. 

Along to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. James Reimer and Pekka Rinne are set to start in goal. Carolina cracked the scoresheet in the second period with an Andrei Svechnikov power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Sebastian Aho. Nashville tied it with a Filip Forsberg goal, his third of the year, fueled by Viktor Arvidsson and Dante Fabbro. The Hurricanes took the lead back in the third period with an unassisted Vincent Trocheck goal, his second of the season. Carolina added on with an Aho goal, assisted by Svechnikov and Jake Gardiner. The Predators got one back with an Arvidsson power play goal, with assists provided by Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with a Nino Niederreiter empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Trocheck and Jaccob Slavin. The three stars belonged to Aho, Svechnikov, and Trocheck, while Arvidsson gets an honorable mention. 

Out in Calgary, the Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko faces former teammate Jacob Markstrom in goal. Vancouver started in the first period with a Jake Virtanen goal, with a lone helper by J.T. Miller. Calgary tied it in the second period with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his second of the season, fueled by Sean Monahan. The Flames took the lead on a Mikael Backlund goal, coming off of Milan Lucic and Josh Leivo. Calgary added on with an Elias Lindholm power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Gaudreau. The Flames extended the lead as Mark Giordano scored an unassisted power play goal in the third period. The Canucks got one back with a shorthanded Tyler Myers goal, going in unassisted. Calgary finished it at 5-2 with a Rasmus Andersson empty net goal, set up by Monahan. The three stars were Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Monahan.

Also in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Mikko Koskinen are between the pipes. Montreal struck first in the first period with an Alexander Romanov goal, assisted by Brett Kulak and Paul Byron. The Canadiens added on with a Shea Weber power play goal, powered by Nick Suzuki and Tyler Toffoli in the second period. Montreal extended the lead in the third period as Artturi Lehkonen scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Jeff Petry. Edmonton got on the board with a shorthanded Devin Shore goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Allen (25 for 26 in saves), Romanov, and Weber.

To California, as the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and John Gibson protect the nets. Anaheim kicked off the scoring in the third period with a Nicolas Deslauriers goal, via Kevin Shattenkirk and Carter Rowney. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Gibson (34 save shutout), Deslauriers, and Talbot (26 for 27 in saves).

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Arizona Coyotes. Darcy Kuemper and Robin Lehner are the masked men. Arizona drew first blood in the first period with a Tyler Pitlick shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Nick Schmaltz power play goal, powered by Jakob Chychrun and Derick Brassard. Vegas got on the board with a Max Pacioretty goal, his third of the season, assisted by Chandler Stephenson and Shea Theodore. The Golden Knights tied it in the third period with a Reilly Smith goal, coming off of William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. Vegas took the lead with a Stephenson goal, helped along by Zach Whitecloud and Mark Stone. The Golden Knights capped it at 4-2 with a Smith shorthanded empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Smith, Stephenson, and Lehner (30 for 32 in saves). 

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NHL 2021 - Day 5

Only a pair of games on today, beginning with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins welcoming the Washington Capitals. Ilya Samsonov and Casey DeSmith make the starts in goal. Pittsburgh started in the first period with an Evan Rodrigues goal, fueled by Brian Dumoulin and Jake Guentzel. Washington tied it on an unassisted Nic Dowd goal. The Capitals took the lead with an Alex Ovechkin goal, passed from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. The Penguins retied it in the second period on a Colton Sceviour goal, helped along by Teddy Blueger. Washington regained the lead with a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Kuznetsov and Ovechkin. Pittsburgh retied it on a Marcus Pettersson goal, guided in by Jason Zucker and Bryan Rust. The Penguins won 4-3 in the shootout with a Guentzel tally. The three stars were Guentzel, Ovechkin, and Kuznetsov. 

The other game has the Florida Panthers bringing in the Chicago Blackhawks. Collin Delia and Chris Driedger are the unknown goalies. Florida got going in the second period with an unassisted Aaron Ekblad goal. The Panthers added on with a Keith Yandle goal, made possible by Jonathan Huberdeau and Eetu Luostarinen. Chicago got on the board with an Alex DeBrincat power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks tied it on a Connor Murphy goal in the third period, helped along by Keith and Pius Suter. Florida regained the lead with a Luostarinen goal, coming off of Carter Verhaeghe and Anton Stralman. The Panthers extended the lead as Patric Hornqvist scored, thanks to Huberdeau and Radko Gudas. Florida padded the lead on a Huberdeau power play goal, with a lone assist by Aleksander Barkov and Hornqvist. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Huberdeau, Luostarinen, and Keith, while Hornqvist gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 4

We're ready to go with 10 games on the first Saturday of the season. Two are matinees, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Boston Bruins. Jaroslav Halak and MacKenzie Blackwood are the masked men. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Miles Wood goal, his second of the season, passed from Ty Smith and Jack Hughes. Boston tied it in the second period with a Patrice Bergeron shorthanded goal, set up by Brad Marchand. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime with a Yegor Sharangovich goal, coming off of Damon Severson and Kyle Palmieri. The three stars went to Blackwood (27 for 28 in saves), Sharangovich and Wood.

Out west, the second matinee has the Arizona Coyotes welcoming the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Antti Raanta are in goal. San Jose started in the first period with a Ryan Donato power play goal, powered by Timo Meier and Mario Ferraro. Arizona tied it on a Phil Kessel power play goal, his second of the season, with a lone assist by Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes took the lead with a Barrett Hayton goal, passed from Conor Garland and Nick Schmaltz. The Sharks retied it on a Meier goal, going in unassisted. Arizona regained the lead in the second period with Kessel's second goal of the game and third of the year, helped along by Ekman-Larsson and Christian Dvorak. The Coyotes added on with a Jakob Chychrun goal, made possible by Derick Brassard. Arizona extended the lead in the third period as Clayton Keller scored his second of the season, thanks to Ekman-Larsson and Brassard. Devan Dubnyk replaced Jones in goal. San Jose got one back with a Tomas Hertl power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Meier and Erik Karlsson. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Kessel, Ekman-Larsson, and Meier, while Brassard gets an honorable mention. 

At the regular time, the Detroit Red Wings bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Petr Mrazek and Jonathan Bernier are the goalies. Detroit got going in the second period with a Bobby Ryan goal, assisted by Filip Zadina. Carolina tied it in the third period with a Vincent Trocheck power play goal, powered by Andrei Svechnikov and Dougie Hamilton. The Red Wings retook the lead on a Dylan Larkin goal, passed from Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi. The Hurricanes retied it with a Svechnikov goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jordan Martinook. Detroit took the lead on a Robby Fabbri goal, helped along by Zadina and Filip Hronek. The Red Wings iced it at 4-2 with a Larkin empty net goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. The three stars were Larkin, Zadina, and Svechnikov.

East to New York, as the Rangers host the cross-town rival Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Alexandar Georgiev are the backups in goal. The Rangers began in the first period with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, assisted by Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers added on with an Artemi Panarin goal, via Brendan Smith. The Rangers extended the lead in the second period as Buchnevich scored again, going in unassisted. The Rangers padded the lead on a Kaapo Kakko goal, guided in by Phillip Di Giuseppe and Filip Chytil. The Rangers kept going in the third period with a Panarin power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Adam Fox and Buchnevich. This stood for a 5-0 final score, with the three stars awarded to Buchnevich, Panarin, and Georgiev (23 save shutout).

In Canada, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell and Matt Murray are in the blue paint. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Nick Paul goal, courtesy of Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Brown. Toronto tied it on a Joe Thornton goal, made possible by Mitchell Marner and T.J. Brodie. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period with a Marner goal, coming off of Auston Matthews. Toronto added on in the third period with a Matthews power play goal, powered by Marner and Thornton. The Senators got one back with a Tim Stuetzle goal, fueled by Thomas Chabot and Colin White. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Marner, Matthews, and Thornton.

Westward to Edmonton, as the Oilers bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mikko Koskinen guard the cages. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Jeff Petry power play goal, powered by Nick Suzuki and Shea Weber. The Canadiens added on in the second period with a Tomas Tatar goal, his second of the season, guided in by Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher. Montreal extended the lead as Petry scored again, thanks to Danault. The Canadiens padded the lead on a shorthanded Jake Evans goal, going in unassisted. Montreal continued in the third period with Tatar's second goal of the game and third of the year, assisted by Gallagher. Edmonton got on the board with a Slater Koekkoek goal, passed from Tyson Barrie and Connor McDavid. The final held at 5-1, with the three stars handed to Tatar, Petry, and Gallagher, while Danault gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Nashville, where the Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Juuse Saros occupy the creases. Columbus was first to score in the first period with a Nick Foligno goal, via Michael Del Zotto and Alexandre Texier. Nashville tied it on a Rocco Grimaldi goal, fueled by Ryan Ellis. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a Filip Forsberg goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The Blue Jackets retied it with a Texier goal, coming off of Liam Foudy and Del Zotto. Nashville regained the lead on a Brad Richardson goal, assisted by Mattias Ekholm. The Predators added on with a Luke Kunin goal, his second of the year, made possible by Nick Cousins and Matt Duchene. Nashville extended the lead as Colton Sissons scored, thanks to Viktor Arvidsson and Dante Fabbro. This stood for the 5-2 final score, with the three stars handed to Saros (42 for 44 in saves), Texier, and Del Zotto.

Out in California, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Jonathan Quick protect the nets. Minnesota drew first blood in the first period with a Matt Dumba goal, guided in by Jordan Greenway and Ryan Suter. Los Angeles tied it with a Gabriel Vilardi goal, passed from Austin Wagner and Kurtis MacDermid. The Kings took the lead in the second period on a Blake Lizotte goal, assisted by Drew Doughty and Jeff Carter. Los Angeles added on with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his second of the season, fueled by Carter. The Wild got one back in the third period with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, courtesy of Greenway and Greg Pateryn. Minnesota tied with a Suter goal in the final seconds, helped along by Zach Parise and Nick Bonino. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Marcus Johansson goal, with helpers from Kirill Kaprizov and Jonas Brodin. The three stars went to Suter, Greenway, and Carter.

Back in Vegas, the Golden Knights bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Marc-Andre Fleury are the veteran goalies. Anaheim dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Max Comtois goal, his third of the season, coming off of Sam Steel and Jacob Larsson. Vegas tied it in the third period with a William Karlsson goal, assisted by Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Stone. The Golden Knights won 2-1 in overtime with a Max Pacioretty goal, his second of the year, passed from Stone. The three stars were Stone, Pacioretty, and Fleury (21 for 22 in saves).

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Braden Holtby and Jacob Markstrom tend the twines. Calgary cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Sean Monahan power play goal, assisted by Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm. The Flames added on in the second period with a Dillon Dube power play goal, with assists provided by Andrew Mangiapane and Mikael Backlund. Calgary extended the lead as Tkachuk scored a power play goal, his second of the season, thanks to Johnny Gaudreau and Rasmus Andersson. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars belonging to Markstrom (32 save shutout), Tkachuk, and Monahan. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 3

The third day of the season is here, with five games on. First up...

The Buffalo Sabres host the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Linus Ullmark are the goalies. Washington got going in the second period with a Jakub Vrana goal, his second of the season, made possible by Tom Wilson. Buffalo tied it on a Rasmus Ristolainen goal in the third period, via Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel. The Capitals retook the lead on a Wilson goal, helped along by Nicklas Backstrom. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Wilson, Vanecek (30 for 31 in saves), and Vrana. 

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Matt Murray protect the nets. Toronto led off in the first period with a Zach Hyman power play goal, powered by John Tavares and William Nylander. Ottawa tied it with a Thomas Chabot power play goal, with assists provided by Drake Batherson and Josh Norris. The Maple Leafs retook the lead on an Alexander Kerfoot goal in the second period, made possible by Justin Holl and Ilya Mikheyev. The Senators tied it again with a Brady Tkachuk goal, assisted by Nikita Zaitsev and Norris. Ottawa took the lead with an Austin Watson goal, guided in by Braydon Coburn and Nick Paul. The Senators added on with a Chris Tierney goal, fueled by Zaitsev and Tkachuk. Ottawa extended the lead in the third period as Derek Stepan scored, thanks to Tkachuk and Batherson. Toronto got one back on a Tavares power play goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars going to Tkachuk, Norris, and Tavares, while Zaitsev and Batherson get the honorable mentions. 

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Carter Hart man the nets. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Travis Konecny power play goal, powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on with another Konecny goal, via Nolan Patrick and James van Riemsdyk. Philadelphia extended the lead as Ivan Provorov scored, thanks to Voracek and van Riemsdyk. Casey DeSmith replaced Jarry in goal. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust. The Penguins pulled closer with a Brandon Tanev goal, his second of the year, coming off of Jared McCann and Mark Jankowski. The Flyers responded in the third period on a Konecny goal to complete his hat trick, fueled by Kevin Hayes and Giroux. Philadelphia iced it at 5-2 with an Oskar Lindblom empty net goal, set up by Scott Laughton and Konecny. The three stars belonged to Konecny, Voracek, and van Riemsdyk, while Giroux gets an honorable mention. 

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Collin Delia is mismatched with Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the second period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his second of the season, assisted by Steven Stamkos. The Lightning added on with an Alex Killorn goal, via Tyler Johnson and Anthony Cirelli. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Blake Coleman scored, thanks to Barclay Goodrow and Yanni Gourde. Chicago got on the board with an Alex DeBrincat power play goal, powered by Dylan Strome and Adam Boqvist. The Blackhawks got closer with a Patrick Kane goal, helped along by DeBrincat and Connor Murphy. The Lightning countered in the third period with a Gourde goal, guided in by Coleman and Goodrow. Tampa Bay finished it at 5-2 with a Stamkos goal, his second of the year, passed from Palat and Brayden Point. The three stars were Coleman, Gourde, and Palat, while Stamkos, Goodrow, and DeBrincat get the honorable mentions. 

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Philipp Grubauer are set to start in goal. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan Graves. The Avalanche added on with an Andre Burakovsky power play goal, his second of the season, powered by the goalie Grubauer. Colorado extended the lead as Landeskog scored again, with the help of Mikko Rantanen. The Avalanche padded the lead on a Rantanen power play goal, with assists provided by Cale Makar and Nazem Kadri. Ville Husso replaced Binnington in goal. Colorado continued in the third period with a Kadri power play goal, fueled by MacKinnon and Makar. The Avalanche struck again with a MacKinnon power play goal, with a lone assist by Makar. Colorado kept going with a Joonas Donskoi goal, with helpers from Devon Toews and Samuel Girard. The Avalanche piled on with a Toews power play goal, guided in by Girard and Burakovsky. This made it 8-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to MacKinnon, Grubauer (20 save shutout), and Makar, while Kadri, Rantanen, Landeskog, Burakovsky, Toews, and Girard all get honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 2

It's time for a 10-game Thursday, leading off with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Washington Capitals. Ilya Samsonov and Carter Hutton are in goal. Washington led off in the first period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, via Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie. Buffalo tied it on a Taylor Hall power play goal, powered by Victor Olofsson and Jack Eichel. The Capitals retook the lead on an Oshie power play goal, with assists provided by Ovechkin and John Carlson. Washington added on in the second period with a Carlson goal, via Oshie and Backstrom. The Capitals extended the lead as Brenden Dillon scored on the power play, thanks to Conor Sheary and Lars Eller. The Sabres got one back with a Tobias Rieder goal, passed from Dylan Cozens and Jake McCabe. Buffalo pulled closer with a McCabe goal, guided in by Eichel and Tage Thompson. Washington replied on a Jakub Vrana goal, going in unassisted. The Sabres pulled one back with an Olofsson goal, with helpers from Hall and Sam Reinhart. The Capitals iced it at 6-4 with an empty net goal by Garnet Hathaway, set up by Nick Jensen. The three stars were Oshie, Backstrom, and Carlson, while Ovechkin, Hall, Olofsson and Eichel get the honorable mentions.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and MacKenzie Blackwood are the goalies. Boston began in the first period with a power play goal by Brad Marchand, powered by David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron. New Jersey tied it on a Miles Wood goal in the third period, set up by Jack Hughes. The Bruins retook the lead with a Nick Ritchie power play goal, with assists provided by Marchand and Matt Grzelcyk. The Devils retied it on a Ty Smith goal, helped along by Matt Tennyson and Hughes. In the shootout, Marchand tallied to give the Bruins a 3-2 win. The three stars were Marchand, Hughes and Rask (20 for 22 in saves).

Into New York, where the Rangers bring in the cross-town rival Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Igor Shesterkin are the Russian goalies. The Islanders opened in the first period with a Brock Nelson power play goal, powered by Anthony Beauvillier and Nick Leddy. The Islanders added on with an Anders Lee goal, fueled by Leddy. The Islanders extended the lead as Mathew Barzal scored, thanks to Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders padded the lead in the second period with a Lee power play goal, his second of the game, assisted by Jordan Eberle and Noah Dobson. This stood for a 4-0 win, with the three stars being Varlamov (24 save shutout), Lee, and Leddy.

Westward to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Carolina Hurricanes. Petr Mrazek and Thomas Greiss are set to start in goal. Carolina started in the first period with a Nino Niederreiter goal, via Sebastian Aho. The Hurricanes added on in the third period with a Ryan Dzingel power play goal, powered by Martin Necas and Jake Gardiner. Carolina iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal by Andrei Svechnikov, going in unassisted. The three stars were Mrazek (14 save shutout), Niederreiter, and Dzingel.

Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Juuse Saros are the Finnish goalies. Columbus was first to score in the first period with a Boone Jenner goal, going in unassisted. Nashville tied it in the second period with a Luke Kunin goal, coming off of Erik Haula. The Predators took the lead with a Filip Forsberg goal in the third period, made possible by Brad Richardson. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with a Calle Jarnkrok empty net goal, set up by Rocco Grimaldi and Roman Josi. Saros (29 for 30 in saves), Forsberg, and Korpisalo (32 for 34 in saves) earned the three stars.

Into the North, as the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Connor Hellebuyck tend the twines. Calgary struck first in the first period with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, assisted by Rasmus Andersson and Mark Giordano. Winnipeg tied it on a Patrik Laine goal, coming off of Kyle Connor and Derek Forbort. The Flames retook the lead with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, made possible by Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan on the power play. Calgary added on with an Lindholm goal, via Dillon Dube and Christopher Tanev. The Jets got one back in the second period on a Mark Scheifele goal, fueled by Nikolaj Ehlers. Winnipeg tied it with a power play goal by Connor, powered by Laine and Blake Wheeler. The Jets won 4-3 in overtime with a Laine goal, courtesy of Neal Pionk and Connor. The three stars belonged to Laine, Connor, and Lindholm.

West to Edmonton, as the Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. Edmonton cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, powered by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The Oilers added on with a McDavid goal, assisted by Kailer Yamamoto and Draisaitl. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with a Nate Schmidt goal, courtesy of Alexander Edler. Edmonton replied with a McDavid goal, his second of the game, fueled by Draisaitl and Tyson Barrie on the power play. The Canucks pulled one back with a Tyler Motte goal, via Travis Hamonic and Quinn Hughes. The Oilers fired back with another McDavid goal, completing his hat trick with the help of Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton extended the lead in the third period as Nugent-Hopkins scored his second of the game, thanks to Yamamoto. This stood for a 5-2 win, with the three stars going to McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Yamamoto gets an honorable mention.

Back stateside, the Arizona Coyotes welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones faces Darcy Kuemper in goal. San Jose drew first blood in the first period with a Tomas Hertl power play goal, powered by Evander Kane and Logan Couture. The Sharks added on with another Hertl goal, his second of the game, guided in by John Leonard and Kane. Arizona got on the board in the second period with a Conor Garland power play goal, with assists provided by Christian Dvorak and Jakob Chychrun. San Jose responded in the third period with a Kane goal, via Leonard and Hertl. The Coyotes pulled one back with a Clayton Keller goal, helped along by Garland and Chychrun. Arizona tied it on a Phil Kessel goal, made possible by Alex Goligoski and Keller. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Donato and Couture lifted the Sharks 4-3 over Nick Schmaltz and the Coyotes. The three stars were Hertl, Kane, and Keller, while Leonard, Garland, and Chychrun get the honorable mentions.

In California, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Jonathan Quick are the masked men. Minnesota got going in the first period with a Jonas Brodin goal, made possible by Kirill Kaprizov and Greg Pateryn. Los Angeles tied it with a Jeff Carter goal, guided in by Anze Kopitar. The Kings took the lead with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, via Carter and Matt Roy. Los Angeles added on with a Dustin Brown power play goal, powered by Alex Iafallo and Kopitar. The Wild responded in the third period with a Victor Rask goal, fueled by Kaprizov and Matt Dumba. Minnesota tied it as Marcus Foligno scored, thanks to Ryan Suter. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Kaprizov goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Kaprizov, Carter, and Kopitar.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Robin Lehner protect the nets. Vegas dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, via Alec Martinez and Shea Theodore. The Golden Knights added on with a Tomas Nosek goal, passed from Ryan Reaves. Anaheim got on the board with a Max Comtois goal, assisted by Sam Steel. The Ducks tied it on another Comtois goal, his second of the game, fueled by Ryan Getzlaf. Vegas regained the lead in the third period with a Mark Stone goal, coming off of Chandler Stephenson and Alex Pietrangelo. The Golden Knights extended the lead as Max Pacioretty scored, thanks to Stone. Vegas iced it at 5-2 with an Alex Tuch empty net goal, set up by Nicolas Roy and Cody Glass. The three stars went to Stone, Lehner (20 for 22 in saves), and Pacioretty. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 1

It's time to start the new NHL season, which will see all 31 teams play 56 divisional games each. Leading off...

The Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Carter Hart man the nets. Pittsburgh led off with a Mark Jankowski goal, via Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev. Philadelphia tied it on a power play goal by James van Riemsdyk, powered by Erik Gustafsson and Joel Farabee. The Flyers took the lead with a Nolan Patrick power play goal, with helpers from Gustafsson and Farabee. The Penguins retied it on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, going in unassisted in the second period. Philadelphia retook the lead with a Farabee goal, passed from Kevin Hayes. Pittsburgh retied it again in the third period on a Tanev goal, made possible by Jankowski. The Flyers restored their lead on a Michael Raffl goal, courtesy of Scott Laughton and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Philadelphia added on with a Oskar Lindblom goal, coming off of Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier. The Flyers extended the lead as Hayes scored, thanks to Farabee and Claude Giroux. The final stood at 6-3, with the three stars being Farabee, Hayes, and Jankowski, while Gustafsson and Tanev get the honorable mentions.

In the North, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Frederik Andersen tend the twines. Montreal began in the first period with a Nick Suzuki power play goal, powered by Jeff Petry and Jonathan Drouin. Toronto tied it with a William Nylander goal, assisted by Justin Holl and John Tavares. The Canadiens took the lead back with a Josh Anderson goal, guided in by Drouin and Petry. Montreal added on in the second period with a Tomas Tatar power play goal, fueled by Alexander Romanov and Shea Weber. The Maple Leafs pulled one back with a Nylander power play goal, his second of the game, helped along by Jason Spezza and Zach Hyman. Toronto tied it with a Tavares power play goal, with assists provided by Mitch Marner and the goalie Andersen. The Canadiens retook the lead in the third period with Anderson's second of the game, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs tied it again on a Jimmy Vesey goal, made possible by Nylander. Toronto won 5-4 in overtime with a Morgan Rielly goal, courtesy of Tavares and Auston Matthews. The three stars belonged to Nylander, Tavares, and Anderson, while Petry and Drouin get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks. Malcolm Subban is mismatched with Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with an Ondrej Palat power play goal, fueled by Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning added on with a Mathieu Joseph goal, passed from Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Cirelli scored, thanks to Erik Cernak and Killorn. The Lightning padded the lead with a Stamkos power play goal, via Brayden Point and Hedman. Tampa Bay struck again with a Point goal, assisted by Stamkos and Sergachev. Chicago got on the board with a Dylan Strome power play goal, guided in by Adam Boqvist and Andrew Shaw. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Stamkos, Hedman, and Point, while Cirelli and Killorn earn the honorable mentions.

To Canada again, as the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Braden Holtby and Mikko Koskinen are between the pipes. Vancouver started in the first period with a Bo Horvat goal, assisted by Tanner Pearson. Edmonton tied it in the second period with a Kailer Yamamoto goal, guided in by Leon Draisaitl. The Canucks retook the lead with a Nils Hoglander goal, made possible by Pearson and Horvat. The Oilers tied it in the third period with a Darnell Nurse goal, coming off of Zack Kassian and Ethan Bear. Vancouver reclaimed the lead on an Adam Gaudette goal, fueled by Antoine Roussel and Travis Hamonic. The Canucks added on with a Brock Boeser goal, passed from Quinn Hughes. Edmonton pulled back with an Adam Larsson goal, helped along by Caleb Jones and Dominik Kahun. Vancouver fired back on Boeser's second goal of the game, with helpers from Elias Pettersson and Hughes. This stood for a 5-3 win, with the three stars given to Boeser, Hughes, and Horvat, while Pearson gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Philipp Grubauer get the starts in goal. Colorado struck first in the first period with an Andre Burakovsky power play goal, powered by J.T. Compher and Samuel Girard. St. Louis tied it with an Oskar Sundqvist goal, coming off of Jaden Schwartz and Robert Thomas. The Blues took the lead with a Jordan Kyrou goal, via Tyler Bozak and Zach Sanford. St. Louis added on in the third period with a Kyle Clifford goal, assisted by Ivan Barbashev. The Blues extended the lead as Sundqvist scored his second of the game, thanks to Thomas. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Sundqvist, Binnington (26 for 27 in saves), and Thomas. 

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2020 Stanley Cup Final - Tampa Bay Lightning v. Dallas Stars

This post will contain the entirety of the Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars. 

Game 1: Anton Khudobin and Andrei Vasilevskiy man the nets. Dallas began in the first period on a Joel Hanley goal, via Roope Hintz. Tampa Bay tied it on a Yanni Gourde goal, his sixth of the postseason, made possible by Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. The Stars retook the lead in the second period with a Jamie Oleksiak goal, his fifth of the playoffs, guided in by Alexander Radulov and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas added on with a Joel Kiviranta goal, his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Esa Lindell and John Klingberg. The Stars iced it at 4-1 with a Jason Dickinson empty net goal, set up by Blake Comeau and Mattias Janmark. The three stars were Khudobin (35 for 36 in saves), Oleksiak, and Kiviranta. The Stars lead the series 1-0. 

Game 2: Anton Khudobin and Andrei Vasilevskiy again start in goal. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Brayden Point power play goal, his tenth of the postseason, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on with an Ondrej Palat power play goal, his ninth of the playoffs, with assists by Kucherov and Hedman. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Kevin Shattenkirk scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Blake Coleman and Anthony Cirelli. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his tenth of the playoffs, assisted by John Klingberg and Alexander Radulov. The Stars got one back in the third period with a Mattias Janmark goal, guided in by Klingberg and Radulov. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Kucherov, Hedman, and Klingberg, while Radulov gets an honorable mention. The series is now tied at 1. 

Game 3: Andrei Vasilevskiy and Anton Khudobin protect the nets. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his seventh of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Lightning added on with a Steven Stamkos goal, via Victor Hedman and Jan Rutta. Dallas got on the board with a shorthanded Jason Dickinson goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Roope Hintz. Tampa Bay replied in the second period with a Hedman power play goal, his tenth of the postseason, powered by Anthony Cirelli and Ondrej Palat. The Lightning extended the lead as Brayden Point scored his eleventh of the playoffs, thanks to Kucherov and Hedman. Tampa Bay padded the lead on a Palat goal, his tenth of the postseason, made possible by Point and Kevin Shattenkirk. Jake Oettinger replaced Khudobin in goal in the third period. The Stars got one back in the third period with a Miro Heiskanen goal, his sixth of the playoffs, guided in by Joe Pavelski and Andrew Cogliano. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Hedman, Point, and Kucherov, while Palat gets an honorable mention. The Lightning own a 2-1 series lead. 

Game 4: Andrei Vasilevskiy and Anton Khudobin get the starting nods in goal. Dallas started in the first period with a John Klingberg goal, his fourth of the postseason, made possible by Esa Lindell. The Stars added on with a Joe Pavelski goal, his eleventh of the playoffs, guided in by Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Brayden Point goal, his twelfth of the postseason, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Lightning tied it in the second period with a Point power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the playoffs, powered by Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov. Dallas retook the lead with a Corey Perry goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Mattias Janmark. Tampa Bay retied it on a Gourde power play goal, his seventh of the playoffs, with helpers from Kucherov and Mikhail Sergachev. The Lightning gained the lead on a Killorn goal, his fifth of the postseason, courtesy of Sergachev and Anthony Cirelli. The Stars retied it with a Pavelski goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Seguin and Miro Heiskanen. Tampa Bay won 5-4 in overtime with a Shattenkirk power play goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Victor Hedman and Pat Maroon. The three stars were Shattenkirk, Point, and Pavelski, while Killorn, Kucherov, Sergachev, and Seguin get the honorable mentions. The Lightning lead the series 3-1. 

Game 5: Anton Khudobin and Andrei Vasilevskiy play in goal. Dallas struck first in the first period on a Corey Perry goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Oleksiak. Tampa Bay tied it with an Ondrej Palat goal, his eleventh of the playoffs, via Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point in the second period. The Lightning took the lead in the third period on a Mikhail Sergachev goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Point. The Stars tied it on a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirteenth of the playoffs, assisted by Miro Heiskanen and Seguin. Dallas won in double overtime on Perry's second goal of the game and fifth of the postseason, fueled by John Klingberg and Seguin. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Perry, Seguin, and Point. The Stars stay alive but remain behind 3-2 in the series. 

Game 6: Andrei Vasilevskiy and Anton Khudobin occupy the creases. Tampa Bay kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Brayden Point power play goal, his fourteenth of the postseason, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on with a Blake Coleman goal, his fifth of the playoffs, via Cedric Paquette and Pat Maroon. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the Conn Smythe Trophy winner being Hedman. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup with a 4-2 series win. 

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