NHL 2021 - Day 23

Eight games on today, beginning with...

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Frederik Andersen are the goalies. Toronto led off in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Mitchell Marner and Jake Muzzin. Vancouver tied it on a Tanner Pearson goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a Jason Spezza power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Morgan Rielly and William Nylander. Toronto added on in the second period with another Matthews goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, helped along by Marner. The Canucks pulled one back on a Bo Horvat goal, his sixth of the season, via J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. The Maple Leafs answered with another Spezza goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Nic Petan and Travis Boyd. Toronto extended the lead as John Tavares scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Nylander and Rielly. The Maple Leafs padded the lead in the third period with a Spezza goal to complete his hat trick on his fourth of the year, with helpers from Muzzin and Nylander. Vancouver got one back with a Miller power play goal, his third of the season, with an assist from Quinn Hughes. Toronto countered on a Marner goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Zach Bogosian and Boyd. This stood for a 7-3 win, with the three stars going to Spezza, Matthews, and Marner, while Nylander, Boyd, Rielly, Muzzin, and Miller get the honorable mentions.

Over in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray and Carey Price protect the nets. Montreal began in the first period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Tomas Tatar and Phillip Danault. Ottawa tied it with a Thomas Chabot goal, his third of the year, via Chris Tierney and Tim Stutzle. The Senators took the lead on a Stutzle power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Drake Batherson and Chabot. Ottawa added on in the second period with a Connor Brown goal, coming off of Erik Brannstrom and Stutzle. The Canadiens got one back in the third period with a Josh Anderson shorthanded goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Danault. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Stutzle, Chabot, and Danault.

Stateside, the New York Rangers host the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Igor Shesterkin are the young goalies. New York opened in the first period with a Ryan Strome goal, his third of the season, coming off of Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin. The Rangers added on in the second period with an Anthony Bitetto goal, via Kevin Rooney. Washington got on the board with a Carl Hagelin goal, made possible by Garnet Hathaway and Michael Sgarbossa. New York replied in the third period with a Strome goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, assisted by Panarin and Kaapo Kakko. The Capitals got one back on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom. The Rangers iced it at 4-2 with a Pavel Buchnevich empty net goal, his third of the year, set up Mika Zibanejad and Panarin. The three stars were Strome, Panarin, and Shesterkin (31 for 33 in saves).

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Sergei Bobrovsky draw the starts in goal. Florida started in the first period with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. The Panthers retook the lead on a Huberdeau goal, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Markus Nutivaara and Patric Hornqvist. The Predators tied it again with a Calle Jarnkrok goal, his second of the season, coming off of Forsberg. Florida retook the lead on an Aaron Ekblad power play goal in the second period, his third of the year, with assists provided by Aleksander Barkov and Huberdeau. Nashville tied it again with a Matt Duchene goal, via Forsberg and Ellis. The Panthers went ahead again on a Barkov power play goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Huberdeau and Keith Yandle. Florida added on with a Huberdeau goal to complete his hat trick with his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Pekka Rinne replaced Saros in goal for the third period. The Predators pulled one back in the third period on a Roman Josi goal, his second of the year, passed from Mattias Ekholm and Forsberg. Nashville tied it with Duchene's second goal of the game, an unassisted goal on the power play. The Predators won 6-5 in overtime with a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, set up by Viktor Arvidsson. The three stars were Forsberg, Huberdeau, and Duchene, while Ellis and Barkov get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Dallas Stars. Anton Khudobin and Joonas Korpisalo man the nets. Columbus struck first in the first period with an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Mikhail Grigorenko and Seth Jones. The Blue Jackets added on with a Jack Roslovic goal, fueled by Eric Robinson and Zach Werenski. Dallas got on the board in the second period with a Roope Hintz power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Denis Gurianov and Alexander Radulov. Columbus replied with a Patrik Laine goal, his third of the season, made possible by Max Domi and Alexandre Texier. The Stars pulled back on a Jason Dickinson goal, his second of the year, passed from Radulov and Miro Heiskanen. The Blue Jackets responded in the third period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his second of the season, guided in by Bjorkstrand and Roslovic. Dallas chipped back on a Jamie Benn goal, his third of the year, helped along by Radulov and Joe Pavelski. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars given to Bjorkstrand, Radulov, and Roslovic.

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. James Reimer and Kevin Lankinen are set to start in goal. Carolina drew first blood in the first period on a Sebastian Aho goal, his second of the season, guided in by Dougie Hamilton and Andrei Svechnikov. Chicago tied it on a Mattias Janmark power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Dominik Kubalik and Philipp Kurashev. The Blackhawks took the lead with a Kubalik power play goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Nicolas Beaudin and Janmark. Chicago added on with a power play goal by Andrew Shaw, his second of the year, passed from Patrick Kane and Kubalik. The Hurricanes got one back with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his fourth of the season, via Martin Necas and Jaccob Slavin. Carolina tied it on a Svechnikov goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Hamilton. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on a Kane goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Carl Soderberg. The Hurricanes retied it with a Brock McGinn goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Aho and Brett Pesce. Chicago reclaimed the lead with an Alex DeBrincat goal, his third of the season, fueled by Pius Suter and Kane. The Blackhawks finished it at 6-4 with a DeBrincat empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, set up by Kane. The three stars were Kane, Kubalik, and Janmark, while DeBrincat, Aho, Svechnikov, and Hamilton get the honorable mentions.

South to St. Louis, as the Blues host the Arizona Coyotes. Antti Raanta and Jordan Binnington are between the pipes. Arizona kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Tyler Pitlick goal, his second of the season, assisted by Drake Caggiula and Christian Dvorak. The Coyotes added on with a Nick Schmaltz goal, his fifth of the year, via Conor Garland and Jordan Oesterle. Arizona extended the lead in the second period as Garland scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Jason Demers and Oesterle. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his third of the year, passed from Torey Krug and Brayden Schenn. The Coyotes responded with a Dvorak empty net goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Blues chipped back with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jaden Schwartz and David Perron. St. Louis got closer with a Hoffman goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, guided in by Perron and Krug. The three stars were Garland, Dvorak, and Oesterle, while Hoffman, Perron, and Krug get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Connor Hellebuyck tend the twines. Calgary was first to score in the first period with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Juuso Valimaki. Winnipeg tied it on a Mason Appleton goal in the second period, his second of the year, via Adam Lowry and Mathieu Perreault. The Jets took the lead with a Kyle Connor goal, his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg added on with a Mark Scheifele goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Neal Pionk and Perreault. The Jets iced it at 4-1 with an Appleton empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, set up by Perreault. The three stars were Appleton, Perreault, and Hellebuyck (23 for 24 in saves). 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2021 - Day 22

Just two games are left on the schedule today, beginning with...

The Tampa Bay Lightning welcoming the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas Greiss and Andrei Vasilevskiy play in goal. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Victor Hedman goal, his third of the season, coming off of Tyler Johnson. The Lightning added on with an Anthony Cirelli goal, his second of the year, via Alex Killorn and Luke Schenn. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Ryan McDonagh scored, thanks to Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. Calvin Pickard replaced Greiss in goal. The Lightning padded the lead in the second period on a Brayden Point goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat. Detroit got on the board with an Anthony Mantha goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Christian Djoos. Tampa Bay responded with a Killorn goal, his second of the campaign, fueled by Mikhail Sergachev and Coleman. This made it 5-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Killorn, Coleman, and Cirelli. 

Up in Philadelphia, the Flyers bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Carter Hart tend twines. Boston began in the first period with a David Pastrnak goal, his third of the season, guided in by Charlie McAvoy and Patrice Bergeron. Philadelphia tied it on a Kevin Hayes goal in the second period, his sixth of the year, via Travis Sanheim and Philippe Myers. The Flyers took the lead in the third period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Sanheim and Nolan Patrick. Philadelphia added on with a Joel Farabee goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Scott Laughton and James van Riemsdyk. The Bruins got one back with a power play goal by Pastrnak, his second of the game and fourth of the season, powered by Bergeron and Nick Ritchie. Boston tied it on a power play goal by Pastrnak, completing his hat trick with his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Brad Marchand and Bergeron. The Bruins won 4-3 in overtime with a Bergeron power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, helped along by Pastrnak and David Krejci. The three stars were Pastrnak, Bergeron, and Sanheim. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2021 - Day 21

There's eight games on today after a couple of postponements in the east. We begin with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Jake Allen are the backups in goal. Montreal opened in the first period with a Josh Anderson goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Ben Chiarot and Nick Suzuki. The Canadiens added on with another Anderson goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Brett Kulak and Suzuki. Vancouver got on the board in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, courtesy of Jay Beagle and Quinn Hughes. Montreal responded with a Tyler Toffoli goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Joel Edmundson and Jeff Petry. The Canadiens extended the lead as Toffoli scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, fueled by Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Shea Weber. The Canucks got one back in the third period with an Elias Pettersson power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by J.T. Miller and Hughes. Vancouver got closer on a Tanner Pearson goal, his third of the year, passed from Brock Boeser and Hughes. Montreal iced it at 5-3 with a Petry empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Toffoli. The three stars were Toffoli, Anderson, and Petry, while Suzuki and Hughes get the honorable mentions.

Stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Joonas Korpisalo are set to start in goal. Dallas started in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of John Klingberg and Jamie Benn. The Stars added on in the second period with a Pavelski power play goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, powered by Klingberg. Columnubs got on the board with a Seth Jones power play goal, with assists provided by Jack Roslovic and Nick Foligno. Dallas replied on a Benn goal, his second of the season, assisted by Pavelski. The Stars extended the lead as Denis Gurianov scored his fourth of the year on the power play, thanks to Alexander Radulov and Roope Hintz. Dallas padded the lead on a Radek Faksa goal, made possible by Blake Comeau and Andrew Cogliano. Elvis Merzlikins replaced Korpisalo in goal. The Blue Jackets got one back in the third period on a Mikhail Grigorenko goal, his second of the season, helped along by Eric Robinson. Columbus got closer with a Dean Kukan goal, via Grigorenko and Vladislav Gavrikov. The Stars shot back on a Radulov empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Pavelski and Benn. This made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars going to Pavelski, Benn, and Klingberg, while Radulov and Grigorenko get the honorable mentions.

Over in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Carolina Hurricanes. James Reimer and Kevin Lankinen are in the creases. Carolina led off in the first period with an Andrei Svechnikov goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Jordan Staal and Warren Foegele. The Hurricanes added on with a Foegele goal, via Staal and Brady Skjei. Chicago got on the board with a Philipp Kurashev power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Pius Suter and Dominik Kubalik. The Blackhawks tied it with a Patrick Kane goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Alex DeBrincat. Carolina retook the lead in the third period with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Nino Niederreiter and Brett Pesce. Chicago retied it on a Dylan Strome goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by DeBrincat and Kubalik. The Hurricanes won 4-3 in the shootout with a Svechnikov tally. The three stars were Staal, Svechnikov, and DeBrincat, while Kubalik gets an honorable mention.

Down in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Darcy Kuemper and Jordan Binnington guard the cages. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Christian Dvorak goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Tyler Pitlick and Drake Caggiula. St. Louis tied it on a Mike Hoffman goal, his second of the year, via Colton Parayko and Sammy Blais. The Blues took the lead in the second period on a Justin Faulk goal, his third of the season, coming off of Blais and Vince Dunn. The Coyotes retied it with a Dvorak goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, guided in by Nick Schmaltz and Phil Kessel on the power play. St. Louis reclaimed the lead with a Dunn goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Kyrou. The Blues added on in the third period with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Kyrou and Parayko. Arizona got one back with a Schmaltz goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Conor Garland and Kessel. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Dunn, Dvorak, and Kyrou, while Parayko, Blais, Schmaltz, and Kessel get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Winnipeg Jets host the Calgary Flames. David Rittich and Laurent Brossoit receive the starting nods in goal. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Trevor Lewis shorthanded goal, set up by Mason Appleton. The Jets added on with a Derek Forbort goal, assisted by Neal Pionk and Andrew Copp. Calgary got on the board with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Dillon Dube and Elias Lindholm. Winnipeg replied with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Dylan DeMelo and Mark Scheifele. The Flames got one back in the third period on a Tkachuk goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, made possible by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Tkachuk, Ehlers, and Brossoit (28 for 30 in saves).

Southwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Philipp Grubauer protect the nets. Colorado kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Logan O'Connor goal, his second of the season, guided in by Kiefer Sherwood and Cale Makar. The Avalanche added on with a Valeri Nichushkin goal, his second of the year, via Joonas Donskoi in the second period. Minnesota got on the board with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Gerald Mayhew. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Grubauer (27 for 28 in saves), Nichushkin, and O'Connor.

In Canada once more, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Marcus Hogberg and Mikko Koskinen are in the blue paint. Edmonton drew first blood in the first period with a Darnell Nurse goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Connor McDavid. The Oilers added on with a Jesse Puljujarvi goal, coming off of McDavid and Barrie. Edmonton extended the lead as Leon Draisaitl scored his seventh of the year, thanks to Kailer Yamamoto. The Oilers padded the lead in the second period on a Puljujarvi goal, his second of the game, fueled by Evan Bouchard and Kris Russell. Ottawa got on the board with a Cedric Paquette goal, courtesy of Thomas Chabot and Austin Watson. The Senators got closer with a Tim Stutzle goal in the third period, his third of the campaign, helped along by Derek Stepan and Artem Zub. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Puljujarvi, McDavid, and Barrie.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Los Angeles Kings. Calvin Petersen is mismatched with John Gibson in goal. Anaheim cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Danton Heinen goal, his third of the season, coming off of Jakob Silfverberg and Sam Steel. The Ducks added on in the second period with a David Backes goal, fueled by Carter Rowney and Nicolas Deslauriers. Los Angeles got on the board with an Arthur Kaliyev goal, assisted by Michael Amadio and Drew Doughty. Anaheim iced it at 3-1 with a Deslauriers empty net goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Gibson (20 for 21 in saves), Deslauriers, and Petersen (40 for 42 in saves). 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2021 - Day 20

There's five games on this Monday, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Casey DeSmith and Igor Shesterkin are the goalies. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Jason Zucker goal, his third of the season, assisted by Chad Ruhwedel and Evgeni Malkin. New York tied it on a Kevin Rooney goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Artemi Panarin and Ryan Lindgren. The Rangers took the lead with a Chris Kreider goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Adam Fox and Panarin. New York iced it at 3-1 with a Panarin empty net goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Ryan Strome. The three stars were Panarin, Kreider, and Shesterkin (25 for 26 in saves). 

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Braden Holtby and Carey Price tend the twines. Montreal started in the first period with a Nick Suzuki goal, his third of the season, coming off of Josh Anderson and Jonathan Drouin. The Canadiens added on with a shorthanded an unassisted Artturi Lehkonen goal, his second of the year. Vancouver got on the board with an Adam Gaudette goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Montreal shot back with a Jeff Petry goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Paul Byron and Lehkonen. The Canadiens extended the lead as Brendan Gallagher scored his fourth of the season in the second period, thanks to Suzuki. Montreal padded the lead on a Petry goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, fueled by Corey Perry and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Canadiens continued with a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Shea Weber and Petry. The Canucks got one back with a Jay Beagle goal, helped along by Tyler Motte and Alexander Edler in the third period. This only made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars given to Petry, Lehkonen, and Suzuki. 

Way south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Andrei Vasilevskiy protect the nets. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Steven Stamkos and Jan Rutta. The Lightning added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his second of the year, passed from Tyler Johnson and Anthony Cirelli. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Brayden Point scored his third of the season, thanks to Mathieu Joseph and Pat Maroon. The Lightning padded the lead in the second period with a Stamkos power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn. Nashville got on the board in the third period with an Eeli Tolvanen goal, made possible by Erik Haula. The Predators pulled closer with a Mikael Granlund goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. Tampa Bay iced it at 5-2 with a Gourde empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the year, set up by Barclay Goodrow. The three stars belonged to Stamkos, Gourde, and Point. 

Backtracking to DC, the Washington Capitals bring in the Boston Bruins. Jaroslav Halak and Vitek Vanecek patrol the creases. Washington began in the first period with a Zdeno Chara goal, his second of the season, coming off of Garnet Hathaway and Nic Dowd. The Capitals added on with a Daniel Sprong goal, his second of the year, assisted by Jakub Vrana and Nick Jensen. Washington extended the lead in the second period with a Josh Carlson power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Vrana. Boston got on the board with a David Pastrnak goal, guided in by Brad Marchand and Brandon Carlo. The Bruins got closer with another Pastrnak goal in the third period, fueled by Jakub Zboril and Charlie McAvoy. Boston tied it as Craig Smith scored his third of the year, thanks to Jeremy Lauzon and Nick Ritchie. The Bruins took the lead with a Carlo goal, his second of the season, helped along by Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner. Boston iced it at 5-3 with a Marchand empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by David Krejci. The three stars went to Pastrnak, Carlo, and Marchand, while Vrana gets an honorable mention. 

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets host the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Connor Hellebuyck guard the cages. Winnipeg struck first in the first period with a Kyle Connor power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on with a Connor power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with assists provided by Josh Morrissey and Wheeler. Calgary got on the board with a Christopher Tanev goal, helped along by Elias Lindholm. The Flames tied it in the third period with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Juuso Valimaki and Lindholm. Calgary took the lead on an Andrew Mangiapane goal, fueled by Noah Hanifin and Matthew Tkachuk. Winnipeg retied it on a Scheifele goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Neal Pionk and Wheeler. The tie went to a shootout, where Sean Monahan and Gaudreau lifted the Flames 4-3 over Connor and the Jets. The three stars were Gaudreau, Connor, and Wheeler, while Scheifele and Lindholm get the honorable mentions. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2021 - Day 19

We've got eight games on this Sunday, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the New Jersey Devils. Eric Comrie and Carter Hutton are the backups in goal. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Michael McLeod goal, his second of the season, passed from P.K. Subban and Ryan Murray. The Devils added on with an Andreas Johnsson goal, his second of the year, coming off of Jesper Bratt and Ty Smith. Buffalo got on the board in the second period with a Curtis Lazar goal, his third of the season, assisted by Rasmus Ristolainen and Jake McCabe. The Sabres tied it on a Rasmus Dahlin power play goal, powered by Victor Olofsson and Jack Eichel. New Jersey retook the lead with a Miles Wood goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Janne Kuokkanen. Buffalo retied it in the third period with a Ristolainen power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Olofsson and Eichel. The Devils regained the lead on a McLeod goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Wood and Nathan Bastian. New Jersey iced it at 5-3 with a Wood empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the campaign, set up by Pavel Zacha and Damon Severson. The three stars went to Wood, McLeod, and Ristolainen, while Eichel and Olofsson get the honorable mentions. 

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Chris Driedger and Thomas Greiss are set to start in goal. Detroit started in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Givani Smith. Florida tied it on a Patric Hornqvist power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Keith Yandle. The Panthers took the lead with an Aaron Ekblad power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Yandle and Huberdeau. Florida added on in the third period with a Carter Verhaeghe goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Aleksander Barkov and Markus Nutivaara. The Red Wings got one back with an Anthony Mantha goal, his third of the season, made possible by Bobby Ryan and Filip Hronek. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Yandle, Huberdeau, and Verhaeghe.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Dallas Stars. Anton Khudobin and James Reimer are in the creases. Carolina led off in the first period with a Jordan Staal power play goal, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Sebastian Aho. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Oleksiak goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jamie Benn. The Hurricanes took the lead back with a Brock McGinn shorthanded goal, set up by Staal and Brady Skjei. The Stars tied it again in the third period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his second of the year, made possible by Blake Comeau and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas pulled ahead on a Benn goal, assisted by Alexander Radulov and the goalie Khudobin. Carolina tied it again with a Nino Niederreiter goal, his third of the season, helped along by Brett Pesce. In the shootout, Hamilton and Vincent Trocheck lifted the Hurricanes 4-3 over Radulov and the Stars. The three stars were Staal, Benn, and Hamilton. 

Northwest to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Kevin Lankinen are the goalies. Chicago began in the first period with a Philipp Kurashev goal, his third of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane and Mattias Janmark. Columbus tied it on a Boone Jenner goal, his third of the year, fueled by Jack Roslovic and Liam Foudy. The Blackhawks retook the lead in the third period with a Pius Suter goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Chicago added on with a Kane goal, his fourth of the year, via Kurashev. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Kane, Kurashev, and Lankinen (32 for 33 in saves). 

Back east, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Brian Elliott receive the starting nods in goal. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Joel Farabee goal, his third of the season, via James van Riemsdyk. New York tied it in the second period with a Nick Leddy power play goal, powered by Josh Bailey and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Flyers retook the lead on a Farabee goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, courtesy of van Riemsdyk and Travis Sanheim. Philadelphia added on with a Farabee goal to complete his hat trick with his fifth of the season, made possible by Philippe Myers and van Riemsdyk. The Islanders got one back in the third period with a Bailey goal, assisted by Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal. New York tied it as Barzal scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Anders Lee. The flyers won 4-3 in overtime with a Kevin Hayes power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, with assists provided by Claude Giroux and Ivan Provorov. The three stars were handed to Farabee, van Riemsdyk, and Barzal, while Bailey gets an honorable mention. 

West again to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Hunter Miska and Cam Talbot are in the creases. Colorado drew first blood in the first period with a Joonas Donskoi goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Minnesota tied it on a Jordan Greenway goal, his second of the year, passed from Joel Eriksson Ek and Ryan Hartman. The Wild took the lead in the second period with a Victor Rask goal, his second of the season, coming off of Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter. The Avalanche retied it on a Cale Makar goal, via MacKinnon and Samuel Girard. Colorado pulled ahead in the third period on a Brandon Saad goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Nazem Kadri. Minnesota tied it again with a Rask goal, his second of the game and third of the season, fueled by Kirill Kaprizov. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime with a Jonas Brodin goal, his second of the year, set up by Greenway and Eriksson Ek. The three stars were Rask, Greenway, and MacKinnon, while Eriksson Ek gets an honorable mention.

Out in Anaheim, the Ducks host the St. Louis Blues. Ville Husso is mismatched with John Gibson in goal. Anaheim kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Jakob Silfverberg power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Hampus Lindholm. St. Louis tied it in the second period with a Brayden Schenn goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Justin Faulk and Torey Krug. The Blues took the lead on a Sammy Blais goal, coming off of Mike Hoffman and Robert Thomas. St. Louis added on in the third period with a Schenn power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with assists provided by Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron. The Blues extended the lead as Colton Parayko scored, thanks to Niko Mikkola and Thomas. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Schenn, Thomas, and Husso (25 for 26 in saves).

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray and Stuart Skinner are the alliterative goalies. Edmonton was first to score in the first period with a Dominik Kahun goal, his second of the season, via Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers added on with a James Neal power play goal, powered by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid. Ottawa got on the board with a Colin White goal, passed from Evgenii Dadonov and Nick Paul. Edmonton replied with a Tyson Barrie power play goal, with assists provided by Draisaitl and McDavid. Marcus Hogberg replaced Murray in goal. The Oilers extended the lead as Neal scored his second of the game, with the help of Kyle Turris. Edmonton padded the lead with a Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by McDavid and Draisaitl. The Senators got one back on a Brady Tkachuk goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Connor Brown and Artem Zub. Ottawa got closer with a Drake Batherson power play goal, with helpers from Mike Reilly and Tkachuk. The Oilers shot back in the second period with a McDavid power play goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton continued with a Darnell Nurse goal, his second of the season, dished from McDavid and Draisaitl. The Oilers kept going with a Kailer Yamamoto goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Draisaitl and Barrie. The Senators got one back in the third period with a Tim Stutzle power play goal, his second of the season, fueled by White and Josh Norris. Ottawa pulled closer on an Austin Watson goal, his third of the year, guided in by Erik Gudbranson and Chris Tierney. The final stood from here at 8-5, with the three stars given to Draisaitl, McDavid, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Neal, Barrie, White, and Tkachuk get the honorable mentions. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2021 - Day 18

We've got 12 games on for Saturday, with just one matinee in store. First up...

The Buffalo Sabres host the New Jersey Devils. Scott Wedgewood and Linus Ullmark play in goal. Buffalo got going in the second period with an Eric Staal goal, his third of the season, via Taylor Hall and Brandon Montour. New Jersey tied it on a Ty Smith power play goal, his second of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Pavel Zacha. The Devils took the lead in the third period with an Andreas Johnsson goal, guided in by Jack Hughes and Damon Severson. The Sabres retied it on a Tobias Rieder goal, his third of the season, made possible by Cody Eakin and Colin Miller. Buffalo retook the lead on a Victor Olofsson power play goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Rasmus Dahlin and Hall. New Jersey retied it on a Janne Kuokkanen goal, passed from Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian. The Sabres won 4-3 in the shootout with a lone tally by Jack Eichel. The three stars were Hall, Olofsson, and Kuokkanen. 

At the regular time, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Thomas Greiss are set to start in goal. Florida began in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad. Detroit tied it on an Anthony Mantha goal, his second of the year, passed from Vladislav Namestnikov and Taro Hirose. The Red Wings took the lead on a Tyler Bertuzzi goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Troy Stecher and Marc Staal. The Panthers tied it again with a Keith Yandle power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Patric Hornqvist and Barkov. Florida won 3-2 in overtime with an Aleksi Heponiemi goal, set up by Anthony Duclair. The three stars went to Barkov, Heponiemi, and Yandle.

Out in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen and Mikko Koskinen protect the nets. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Dominik Kahun goal, via Leon Draisaitl. Toronto tied it on a William Nylander goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Ilya Mikheyev. The Oilers retook the lead with a Josh Archibald goal, his second of the year, coming off of Connor McDavid and Tyler Ennis. Edmonton added on with a McDavid power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Tyson Barrie. The Maple Leafs got one back on an Auston Matthews goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Mitchell Marner and Jake Muzzin. Toronto tied it on a Zach Hyman power play goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Tavares and Mikko Lehtonen. The Oilers won 4-3 in overtime with a McDavid goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, fueled by Draisaitl and Barrie.

Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Dallas Stars. Anton Khudobin and Petr Mrazek make the starts in goal, but James Reimer replaced Mrazek early in the first period. Carolina opened with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his third of the season, assisted by Martin Necas and Steven Lorentz. The Hurricanes added on with another Trocheck goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, a power play goal powered by Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal. Carolina extended the lead as Andrei Svechnikov scored his fourth of the season on the power play, thanks to Aho and Trocheck. The Hurricanes padded the lead on a Ryan Dzingel power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Necas and Jake Gardiner. Dallas got on the board in the third period with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of John Klingberg and Denis Gurianov. The final stood from here at 4-1, with the three stars going to Trocheck, Aho, and Necas.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen patrol the creases. Calgary started in the first period with a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames won 2-0 with a Mikael Backlund empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Lindholm in the third period. The three stars were Markstrom (37 save shutout), Gaudreau, and Lindholm.

Back stateside, the New York Rangers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Casey DeSmith and Alexandar Georgiev are the backups in goal. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period with a Jason Zucker goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Kasperi Kapanen. New York tied it on a Brendan Lemieux goal, via Phillip Di Giuseppe and Ryan Lindgren. The Penguins took the lead back with a Brandon Tanev goal, his third of the year, passed from Joseph and Teddy Blueger. The Rangers retied it in the second period with a Kevin Rooney shorthanded goal, set up by K'Andre Miller and Ryan Strome. Pittsburgh replied with a Kapanen goal, his second of the season, fueled by Evgeni Malkin. New York tied it again on a Chris Kreider goal, his third of the year, helped along by Jacob Trouba and Miller. The Rangers took the lead with an Artemi Panarin power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Pavel Buchnevich and Tony DeAngelo. The Penguins tied it again in the third period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Cody Ceci and John Marino. Pittsburgh won 5-4 in overtime with a Sidney Crosby goal, his fourth of the campaign, assisted by Joseph and Bryan Rust. The three stars were Joseph, Kapanen, and Miller.

Along to Philadelphia, as the Flyers host the New York Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Carter Hart guard the cages. Philadelphia kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his second of the season, assisted by Claude Giroux and Scott Laughton. The Flyers added on with a Kevin Hayes goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by James van Riemsdyk and Ivan Provorov. New York got one back in the second period with a Jordan Eberle goal, his third of the season, fueled by Adam Pelech and Brock Nelson. The Islanders tied it on a Scott Mayfield goal, passed from Nick Leddy and Mathew Barzal. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime with a Laughton goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Laughton, Hayes, and Voracek.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Nashville Predators. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Pekka Rinne are the veterans in goal. Nashville cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Ryan Ellis power play goal, powered by Nick Cousins and Filip Forsberg. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period on a Tyler Johnson power play goal, with a lone assist by Anthony Cirelli. The Lightning took the lead on a Callan Foote goal, helped along by Mikhail Sergachev and Brayden Point. Tampa Bay added on with a Victor Hedman goal, his second of the season, assisted by Cirelli and Alex Killorn. The Lightning extended the lead as Steven Stamkos scored his third of the year on the power play, with the help of Hedman and Point. The Predators pulled one back in the third period with a Mathieu Olivier power play goal, with assists provided by Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi. Nashville got closer with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his second of the campaign, coming off of Mikael Granlund and Forsberg. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Hedman, Cirelli, and Point, while Forsberg gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to DC, the Washington Capitals bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Vitek Vanecek receive the starting nods in goal. Washington drew first blood in the first period with a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Capitals added on in the second period with a Trevor van Riemsdyk goal, via Brenden Dillon and Backstrom. Washington extended the lead as Richard Panik scored a power play goal, powered by Tom Wilson and Alex Ovechkin. Boston got on the board with a Nick Ritchie power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins got one back with a Brad Marchand goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, helped along by Charlie McAvoy and Bergeron. Boston tied it on a McAvoy goal, passed from David Pastrnak and Bergeron. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime with an Ovechkin goal, his second of the campaign, courtesy of Backstrom and John Carlson. The three stars were Ovechkin, Bergeron, and Backstrom, while McAvoy gets an honorable mention.

Next up, the Minnesota Wild host the Colorado Avalanche. Philipp Grubauer and Kaapo Kahkonen are in the blue paint. Colorado was first to score in the first period with a Logan O'Connor goal, via Samuel Girard and Cale Makar. Minnesota tied it on a Matt Dumba goal, his third of the season, made possible by Jonas Brodin and Jordan Greenway. The Avalanche took the lead with a Joonas Donskoi power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Brandon Saad and Andre Burakovsky. Colorado added on in the second period with a Mikko Rantanen goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche extended the lead in the third period as Saad scored his fourth of the year, thanks to MacKinnon and Rantanen. Colorado padded the lead as J.T. Compher scored a power play goal, with the help of Burakovsky and Girard. This held for a 5-1 win, with the three stars being Rantanen, Saad, and Girard, while MacKinnon and Burakovsky get the honorable mentions.

Southwest to Anaheim, as the Ducks welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and John Gibson tend the twines. St. Louis dented the scoresheet in the first period with a Jordan Kyrou goal, his fourth of the season, via Braden Schenn and Torey Krug. The Blues added on with a Zach Sanford goal, coming off of David Perron and Colton Parayko. St. Louis extended the lead as Kyrou scored his second of the game and fifth of the year, thanks to Schenn and Jaden Schwartz. Ryan Miller replaced Gibson in goal. Anaheim got on the board with a Max Jones goal, helped along by Rickard Rakell and Ryan Getzlaf. The Blues responded in the second period with a Perron goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Ryan O'Reilly. St. Louis padded the lead in the third period with a Kyle Clifford goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Oskar Sundqvist. The Blues continued with a Vince Dunn power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Mike Hoffman and Kyrou. The final remained at 6-1, with the three stars awarded to Kyrou, Perron, and Sanford, while Schenn gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Connor Hellebuyck are between the pipes. Vancouver lit the lamp in the first period with a Brock Boeser goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Alexander Edler and Elias Pettersson. Winnipeg tied it on a Mason Appleton goal, passed from Adam Lowry. The Canucks retook the lead on a Nils Hoglander goal, his third of the year, coming off of Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson. Vancouver added on in the second period with a Zack MacEwen goal, courtesy of Jordie Benn and J.T. Miller. The Canucks iced it at 4-1 with a Boeser empty net goal, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, set up by Nate Schmidt. The three stars were handed to Boeser, Demko (23 for 24 in saves), and Hoglander. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL 2021 - Day 17

Just one game on today, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Kevin Lankinen man the nets. Columbus began in the first period with an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Cam Atkinson and Zach Werenski. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with an Eric Robinson goal, his second of the year, via Bjorkstrand. Chicago got on the board with a Dylan Strome power play goal, his third of the campaign, with assists provided by Patrick Kane and Dominik Kubalik. This only made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars being Bjorkstrand, Korpisalo (31 for 32 in saves), and Robinson. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.