NHL 2021 - Day 86

There's ten games on today, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers. Chris Driedger and Alex Nedeljkovic are the young goalies. Carolina was first to score in the first period with a Sebastian Aho power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Vincent Trocheck and Andrei Svechnikov. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Trocheck goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Martin Necas and Brady Skjei. Carolina extended the lead in the third period on a Necas empty net goal, his tenth of the campaign, set up by Nino Niederreiter. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Nedeljkovic (24 save shutout), Trocheck, and Necas.

To DC, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Boston Bruins. Jeremy Swayman and Ilya Samsonov make the starts in goal. Boston started in the first period with a Jeremy Lauzon goal, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Craig Smith. The Bruins added on with an Anton Blidh goal, going in unassisted. Boston extended the lead in the second period on a Marchand shorthanded goal, his nineteenth of the season, an unassisted tally. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by John Carlson and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals got closer with an Oshie power play goal, his twelfth of the season, with assists provided by Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Bruins replied in the third period with a Smith power play goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Charlie Coyle and Jakub Zboril. The final held from here at 4-2, with the three stars being Smith, Marchand, and Oshie, while Carlson gets an honorable mention.

On Long Island, the New York Islanders bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Ilya Sorokin man the nets. New York opened in the first period with a Brock Nelson goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Ryan Pulock and Anthony Beauvillier. The Islanders added on with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Leo Komarov. Philadelphia got on the board with a Nicolas Aube-Kubel goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Flyers tied it in the second period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his seventh of the year, via Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny. The Islanders won 3-2 in the shootout with a Nelson tally. The three stars were Nelson, Eberle, and Sorokin (25 for 27 in saves).

Staying in New York, the Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Igor Shesterkin are set to start in goal. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Radim Zohorna goal, his second of the season, guided in by Marcus Pettersson and Kris Letang. New York tied it in the second period with a Colin Blackwell power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Pavel Buchnevich and Kaapo Kakko. The Penguins retook the lead on a Letang goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Jake Guentzel and Brian Dumoulin. Pittsburgh added on with an Evan Rodrigues power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Zohorna and Jason Zucker. The Penguins extended the lead in the third period as Zucker scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Rodrigues and Cody Ceci. The Rangers got one back on a Kevin Rooney goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Adam Fox. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with a Mark Jankowski empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Zach Aston-Reese. The three stars were Zucker, Zohorna, and Letang, while Rodrigues gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Allen are the masked men. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Josh Morrissey goal, his third of the season, via Mathieu Perreault and Mason Appleton. Montreal tied it on a Phillip Danault goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Tomas Tatar and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Jets took the lead with a Trevor Lewis goal, his second of the season, guided in by Neal Pionk and Derek Forbort. Winnipeg added on with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Kyle Connor and Logan Stanley. The Canadiens got one back with a Paul Byron goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, passed from Jeff Petry and Kotkaniemi. The Jets countered with an Andrew Copp empty net goal in the third period, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Connor and Mark Scheifele. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Connor, Kotkaniemi, and Ehlers.

Back stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Joonas Korpisalo guard the cages. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period with a Blake Coleman goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Yanni Gourde and Barclay Goodrow. The Lightning added on with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Goodrow scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Gourde and Coleman. Elvis Merzlikins replaced Korpisalo in goal. Columbus got on the board with a Michael Del Zotto goal, his third of the year, guided in by Jack Roslovic and the goalie Merzlikins. The Lightning replied with a Ryan McDonagh goal, his third of the season, with a lone helper by Gourde and Coleman. Tampa Bay padded the lead in the second period with a Ross Colton goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Tyler Johnson and Pat Maroon. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Roslovic goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Mikhail Grigorenko and Cam Atkinson. The Lightning responded on a McDonagh goal, his fourth of the year and second of the game, helped along by Gourde and Goodrow. Columbus shot back in the third period with a Zach Werenski goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Alexandre Texier and Roslovic. The Blue Jackets pulled closer with a Max Domi goal, his seventh of the year, with helpers from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Dean Kukan. This only made it 6-4, the final, with the three stars going to Goodrow, Coleman, and Gourde, while McDonagh and Roslovic get the honorable mentions.

Over in Buffalo, the Sabres host the New Jersey Devils. Aaron Dell and Linus Ullmark are in the blue paint. Buffalo kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Victor Olofsson goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Henri Jokiharju and Kyle Okposo. New Jersey tied it on a Pavel Zacha power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Ty Smith and Jesper Bratt. The Devils took the lead with a Zacha power play goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, with assists provided by Smith and Bratt. New Jersey added on with a Jack Hughes goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Janne Kuokkanen and Yegor Sharangovich. The Sabres got one back on a Tage Thompson power play goal, his third of the season, with helpers from Brandon Montour and Colin Miller. Buffalo tied it as Jeff Skinner scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Dahlin. The Devils retook the lead in the third period with a Jesper Boqvist goal, courtesy of Michael McLeod. New Jersey extended the lead as Sharangovich scored his ninth of the season, thanks to Hughes and Kuokkanen. The Devils iced it at 6-3 with an empty net goal by Kuokkanen, his sixth of the year, set up by Sharangovich and Hughes. The three stars were Hughes, Sharangovich, and Koukkanen, while Zacha, Bratt, and Smtih get the honorable mentions.

In Canada again, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Smith and Anton Forsberg play in goal. Edmonton got going in the second period on a Kailer Yamamoto power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Connor McDavid and Tyson Barrie. Ottawa tied it on a Connor Brown goal, his twelfth of the year, via Chris Tierney and Mike Reilly. The Oilers took the lead in the third period with a Devin Shore goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Caleb Jones and Jujhar Khaira. Edmonton iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Jesse Puljujarvi, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Smith (39 for 40 in saves), Shore, and Yamamoto.

Along to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Jonathan Bernier protect the nets. Detroit dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Darren Helm goal, his third of the season, fueled by Troy Stecher and Adam Erne. Nashville tied it on a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Nick Cousins and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators took the lead with an Erik Haula goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Rocco Grimaldi. Nashville added on with a Cousins goal, his fourth of the year, via Colton Sissons and Haula. The Predators extended the lead as Mikael Granlund scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Ben Harpur and Ekholm in the third period. Nashville padded the lead with an Arvidsson goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, helped along by Tyler Lewington. The Predators continued with an Arvidsson penalty shot goal to complete his hat trick with his eighth of the season. Nashville struck again with a Yakov Trenin goal, his third of the year, made possible by Sissons and Harpur. This stood for a 7-1 win, with the three stars handed to Arvidsson, Haula, and Cousins, while Sissons, Ekholm, and Harpur get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars. Anton Khudobin and Kevin Lankinen patrol the creases. Dallas drew first blood in the first period with a Roope Hintz power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski. Chicago tied it on a Dominik Kubalik goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Vinnie Hinostroza and Philipp Kurashev. The Stars retook the lead in the second period with a Jason Robertson goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Hintz and Esa Lindell. Dallas added on with a Miro Heiskanen power play goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Benn and Hintz. The Stars extended the lead as Blake Comeau scored his second of the season, thanks to Andrew Cogliano. Dallas padded the lead in the third period with a Comeau goal, his second of the game and third of the year, guided in by Hintz. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Hintz, Comeau, and Khudobin (38 for 39 in saves), while Benn gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 85

Just five games for today, beginning with...

The Ottawa Senators hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Mikko Koskinen and Marcus Hogberg are the goalies. Edmonton started in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Connor McDavid and Tyson Barrie. Ottawa tied it in the second period with a Josh Norris goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Thomas Chabot and Brady Tkachuk. The Oilers retook the lead with a Draisaitl goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, assisted by McDavid and Ethan Bear. The Senators tied it again in the third period with a Connor Brown goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Mike Reilly and Artem Zub. Edmonton regained the lead with a McDavid goal, his twenty-third of the season, helped along by Draisaitl and Barrie. The Oilers iced it at 4-2 with a Draisaitl empty net goal, his twenty-second of the year completing his hat trick with a lone helper by McDavid. The three stars were Draisaitl, McDavid, and Barrie. 

Also in Ontario, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Jack Campbell are the masked men. Toronto opened in the first period with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, assisted by Ilya Mihkeyev and Zach Hyman. Montreal tied it with a Corey Perry goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Nick Suzuki and Joel Edmundson. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the third period with a T.J. Brodie goal, fueled by Alexander Barabanov and Wayne Simmonds. Toronto added on with a Hyman goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Matthews and Mitchell Marner. The Canadiens got one back with a Perry goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Hyman, Matthews, and Perry.

Stateside, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Philipp Grubauer and Cam Talbot guard the cages. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Victor Rask and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on with a Luke Johnson goal, courtesy of Kyle Rau and Carson Soucy. Minnesota extended the lead as Kevin Fiala scored his twelfth of the season on the power play, thanks to Spurgeon and Rask. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen. The Wild replied with a Ryan Hartman goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Avalanche fired back on an Andre Burakovsky goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Jacob MacDonald and Kyle Burroughs. Colorado got closer with a Rantanen power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, with helpers from MacKinnon and Makar. Minnesota answered with a Kaprizov power play goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, fueled by Fiala and Spurgeon. The Wild padded the lead in the third on a Fiala goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, assisted by Nick Bonino. Minnesota continued in the third period with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, his thirteenth of the year, helped along by Zach Parise and Jordan Greenway. Jonas Johansson replaced Grubauer in goal. The Wild struck again with a Fiala power play goal, completing his hat trick on his fourteenth goal of the season, dished from Kaprizov and Rask. This made it 8-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Fiala, Kaprizov, and Spurgeon, while Rask, MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar get the honorable mentions.

Down in St. Louis, the Blues welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jordan Binnington tend the twines. St. Louis began in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his third of the season, guided in by Vince Dunn and Jaden Schwartz. The Blues added on with a Sammy Blais goal, his fourth of the year, via David Perron and Torey Krug. St. Louis extended the lead in the third period as Jake Walman scored, thanks to Jordan Kyrou and Ivan Barbashev. Vegas got on the board with a Nicolas Roy goal, his second of the season, coming off of William Carrier and Ryan Reaves. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Binnington (50 for 51 in saves), Blais, and Walman.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Adin Hill and Jonathan Quick occupy the creases. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Lawson Crouse goal, his third of the season, coming off of Christian Fischer and Jakob Chychrun. The Coyotes added on with an Ilya Lyubushkin goal, via Crouse and Fischer. Los Angeles got on the board with a Jaret Anderson-Dolan goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Trevor Moore and Kale Clague. Arizona replied in the second period with a Johan Larsson goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Chychrun and Phil Kessel. The Kings got one back in the third period with an Adrian Kempe goal, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Clague and Sean Walker. Los Angeles tied it on a Jeff Carter goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Drew Doughty and Blake Lizotte. The Kings pulled ahead on a Carl Grundstrom goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Moore and Doughty. This held for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Doughty, Moore, and Clague, while Crouse, Fischer, and Chychrun get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 84

There's nine games on tonight, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Petr Mrazek are the masked men. Florida started in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his fifteenth of the season, via MacKenzie Weegar and Carter Verhaeghe. Carolina tied it in the second period with a Vincent Trocheck power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. The Panthers retook the lead with a Barkov goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, assisted by Verhaeghe and Mason Marchment. The Hurricanes tied it in the third period with a Hamilton power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Trocheck and Sebastian Aho. Carolina took the lead with an unassisted Jordan Staal goal, his eleventh of the season. The Hurricanes added on with a Staal empty net goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, set up by Warren Foegele. Carolina iced it at 5-2 with a Jesper Fast empty net goal, his sixth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Aho. The three stars belonged to Trocheck, Barkov, and Staal, while Aho and Verhaeghe get the honorable mentions.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Semyon Varlamov are between the pipes. New York dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Josh Bailey and Ryan Pulock. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Varlamov (29 save shutout), Nelson, and Vanecek (38 for 39 in saves).

Across town, the New York Rangers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Igor Shesterkin are in the creases. New York led off in the first period with a Colin Blackwell goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba. The Rangers added on with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Pavel Buchnevich. New York extended the lead as Panarin scored his twelfth of the season on the power play, thanks to Adam Fox and Chris Kreider. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Jared McCann power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby. The Rangers replied with a Ryan Strome power play goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Panarin and Fox. Casey DeSmith replaced Jarry in goal. New York padded the lead in the second period with an Alexis Lafreniere goal, his sixth of the year, with helpers from Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko. The Penguins got one back with a Mike Matheson goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Colton Sceviour and Mark Jankowski. The Rangers replied in the third period with a Kakko goal, his sixth of the year, with helpers from Trouba and Blackwell on the power play. Pittsburgh fired back with a Jake Guentzel goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Matheson and Letang. New York countered with a Fox shorthanded goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Zibanejad and Strome. The Rangers continued with a Buchnevich goal, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Chytil and Panarin. The Penguins chipped back with a Brian Dumoulin goal, dished from Radim Zohorna and Jankowski. The final stood at 8-4, with the three stars being Panarin, Fox, and Zibanejad, while Buchnevich, Strome, Kakko, Blackwell, Chytil, Trouba, Matheson, Letang, and Jankowski get the honorable mentions.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Joonas Korpisalo protect the nets. Columbus opened in the first period with a Zac Dalpe goal, helped along by Max Domi and Seth Jones. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with a Jack Roslovic goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Cam Atkinson. Columbus extended the lead on a Domi power play goal in the third period, his sixth of the year, powered by Zach Werenski and Roslovic. The Blue Jackets padded the lead on a Nick Foligno empty net goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Alexandre Texier. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Ross Colton goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Tyler Johnson and Pat Maroon. The Lightning got closer with a Luke Schenn goal, coming off of Ryan McDonagh and Maroon. The three stars of the 4-2 game were Roslovic, Domi, and Maroon.

Back east, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins. Jeremy Swayman and Carter Hart are the goalies. Boston began in the first period with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Craig Smith and Brad Marchand. The Bruins added on with a Bergeron power play goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, powered by David Pastrnak and Marchand. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Jakub Voracek goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Travis Konecny. The Flyers tied it on a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Voracek and Ivan Provorov. Boston retook the lead in the third period with a Marchand shorthanded goal, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Jeremy Lauzon and Connor Clifton. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 with a Bergeron empty net goal, his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Marchand and Chris Wagner. The three stars belonged to Bergeron, Marchand, and Swayman (40 for 42 in saves).

Next up, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Linus Ullmark and Scott Wedgewood are set to start in goal. New Jersey struck first in the first period with a Damon Severson goal, his third of the season, helped along by Tyce Thompson and Mikhail Maltsev. Buffalo tied it on a Rasmus Asplund goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Casey Mittelstadt. The Sabres took the lead with a Brandon Montour goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Tage Thompson and Colin Miller. The Devils retied it on a Jesper Bratt power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Travis Zajac and Pavel Zacha. New Jersey took the lead in the second period with a Zacha goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Bratt and Miles Wood. Buffalo retied it on a Rasmus Dahlin goal, his third of the year, coming off of Riley Sheahan and Kyle Okposo. The Sabres pulled ahead in the third period with a Mittelstadt power play goal, his fourth of the season, with an assist by Dahlin. Buffalo iced it at 5-3 with a Rasmus Ristolainen empty net goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Mittelstadt, Dahlin, and Zacha, while Bratt gets an honorable mention.

Along to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Thomas Greiss man the nets. Detroit kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Danny DeKeyser goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. Nashville tied it in the third period with a Luke Kunin goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Roman Josi and Matt Benning. The Red Wings took the lead back with an Adam Erne goal, his ninth of the season, passed from Jon Merrill and Christian Djoos. The Predators tied it again with a Mikael Granlund power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Calle Jarnkrok and Josi. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Ryan Johansen and Josi tallied to give the Predators a 3-2 win. The three stars were Josi, Granlund, and Kunin.

Down in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Kevin Lankinen are the young goalies. Chicago drew first blood in the first period with a Kirby Dach goal, assisted by Patrick Kane and Connor Murphy. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Dominik Kubalik goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Vinnie Hinostroza and Adam Boqvist. Chicago extended the lead as Alex DeBrincat scored his twentieth of the year, going in unassisted. Dallas got on the board in the third period with an Andrew Cogliano shorthanded goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Blake Comeau. The Stars got closer with a Radek Faksa goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Esa Lindell and Comeau. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-2 with a Kane empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, with helpers from DeBrincat and Calvin de Haan. The three stars were Kane, DeBrincat, and Comeau.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Martin Jones tend the twines. Anaheim was first to score in the first period with an Adam Henrique goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Danton Heinen and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Ducks added on in the second period with a Max Comtois power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Jamie Drysdale and Sam Carrick. San Jose got on the board with a Patrick Marleau power play goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Kevin Labanc and Erik Karlsson. Anaheim shot back on an Isac Lundestrom goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Josh Manson and David Backes. The Ducks extended the lead as Nicolas Deslauriers scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Troy Terry and Ben Hutton. Anaheim padded the lead on a Backes empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Deslauriers and Derek Grant in the third period. This stood for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Gibson (34 for 35 in saves), Deslauriers, and Backes. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 83

Seven games on today, beginning with...

The Montreal Canadiens hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Smith and Carey Price are the goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period with a Devin Shore goal, his third of the season, via Jujhar Khaira. The Oilers added on in the second period with a Darnell Nurse power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Leon Draisaitl and Jesse Puljujarvi. Montreal got on the board with a Josh Anderson goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Corey Perry and Nick Suzuki in the third period. The Canadiens tied it on a Tomas Tatar goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Paul Byron. Montreal won 3-2 in overtime with an Eric Staal goal, his fourth of the campaign, coming off of Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Petry. The three stars were Staal, Tatar, and Anderson.

Stateside to Boston, as the Bruins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Brian Elliott and Dan Vladar are in the blue paint. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Travis Konecny goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Claude Giroux and Ivan Provorov. Boston tied it on a Karson Kuhlman goal, his second of the year, fueled by Charlie Coyle. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by David Pastrnak and Matt Grzelcyk. The Flyers tied it in the third period with a Sean Couturier power play goal, his eleventh of the year, with assists provided by Provorov and Kevin Hayes. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime with a Travis Sanheim goal, his second of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Provorov, Sanheim, and Couturier. 

Back in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Ottawa Senators. Anton Forsberg and Connor Hellebuyck draw the starts in goal. Winnipeg opened in the first period with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Blake Wheeler and Logan Stanley. The Jets added on in the second period with an Adam Lowry goal, his eighth of the year, via Andrew Copp. Ottawa got on the board with a Ryan Dzingel goal, his eighth of the season, courtesy of Connor Brown. Winnipeg answered with a Dubois power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, powered by Copp and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets extended the lead as Kyle Connor scored his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Mark Scheifele and Ehlers. The Senators pulled one back with a Josh Norris power play goal in the third period, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Dzingel and Mike Reilly. Ottawa got closer with a Brown goal, his tenth of the campaign, made possible by Artem Anisimov and Evgenii Dadonov. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Dubois, Copp, and Ehlers, while Brown and Dzingel get the honorable mentions. 

Down in St. Louis, the Blues host the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner faces a lesser foe in Ville Husso in goal. Vegas started in the first period with a Tomas Nosek goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Nick Holden and Keegan Kolesar. The Golden Knights added on with an Alec Martinez goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. St. Louis got on the board with a Tyler Bozak goal, his second of the season, via Zach Sanford. Vegas replied in the second period with another Martinez goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, courtesy of Alex Tuch and Kolesar. The Golden Knights extended the lead as William Carrier scored his third of the season, thanks to Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden McNabb. Vegas chased Husso with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by William Karlsson and Reilly Smith. Jordan Binnington replaced Husso in goal. The Golden Knights padded the lead on a Nicolas Hague goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Carrier and Nicolas Roy. This made it 6-1, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Martinez, Carrier, and Kolesar. 

Backtracking to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Philipp Grubauer and Cam Talbot are the masked men. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a Ryan Hartman goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Nick Bjugstad and Marcus Johansson. Colorado tied it in the second period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Samuel Girard and Devon Toews. The Avalanche took the lead with an Andre Burakovsky goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Girard and Nazem Kadri. Colorado added on with a Brandon Saad goal, his twelfth of the year, via Burakovsky and Jacob MacDonald. The Avalanche extended the lead as J.T. Compher scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Cale Makar and Liam O'Brien. The Wild got one back in the third period with a Bjugstad goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Hartman and Ian Cole. Colorado responded on a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Mikko Rantanen and MacKinnon. Minnesota pulled back on a Johansson power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Ryan Suter and Hartman. The Wild got closer with a Kevin Fiala power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, with a lone helper from Jared Spurgeon. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars handed to MacKinnon, Hartman, and Girard, while Burakovsky, Johansson, and Bjugstad get the honorable mentions. 

To Canada once more, as the Calgary Flames bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell and Jacob Markstrom guard the cages. Toronto got going in the second period with a Jason Spezza goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Alexander Kerfoot and Travis Dermott. The Maple Leafs added on with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via William Nylander and T.J. Brodie. Calgary got on the board with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm. The Flames tied it in the third period with a Mikael Backlund goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Sam Bennett. Toronto replied with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his sixth of the season, helped along by Pierre Engvall. Calgary tied it again on a Backlund shorthanded goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, set up by Lindholm. The Maple Leafs pulled ahead on a Matthews power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, powered by John Tavares and Zach Hyman. Toronto extended the lead as Tavares scored his twelfth of the year, with the help of Jake Muzzin and Nylander. The final held at 5-3, with the three stars belonging to Matthews, Backlund, and Tavares, while Nylander and Lindholm get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Arizona Coyotes. Adin Hill and Calvin Petersen are in the creases. Arizona kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Michael Bunting goal, his second of the season, fueled by Conor Garland and Jason Demers. The Coyotes added on with a Bunting power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, powered by Jakob Chychrun and Alex Goligoski. Arizona extended the lead as Derick Brassard scored his eighth of the season on the power play, thanks to Garland and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Los Angeles got on the board with a Drew Doughty power play goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar. The Coyotes replied in the second period with a Bunting power play goal, his fourth of the season to complete a hat trick, with helpers from Chychrun and Goligoski. The Kings got one back in the third period with an Andreas Athanasiou goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Kale Clague and Blake Lizotte. Arizona iced it at 5-2 with a Christian Dvorak empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Johan Larsson. The three stars were Bunting, Garland, and Chychrun, while Goligoski gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 82

Six games on this Sunday, beginning with...

The Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas Greiss and Christopher Gibson are the backups in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Dylan Larkin power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Adam Erne and Filip Hronek. The Red Wings added on with a Valtteri Filppula goal, his third of the year, coming off of Luke Glendening and Vladislav Namestnikov in the second period. Detroit extended the lead as Michael Rasmussen scored his second of the season, thanks to Christian Djoos and Anthony Mantha. The Red Wings padded the lead on a Marc Staal goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Mantha. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Victor Hedman goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Cal Foote. Detroit iced it at 5-1 with a Darren Helm empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Glendening and Namestnikov. The three stars were Greiss (27 for 28 in saves), Mantha, and Glendening, while Namestnikov gets an honorable mention. 

Up in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Washington Capitals. Ilya Samsonov and MacKenzie Blackwood man the nets. New Jersey began in the first period with a Travis Zajac goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Nicholas Merkley and Ryan Murray. Washington tied it on a T.J. Oshie goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Alex Ovechkin and Brenden Dillon. The Capitals took the lead in the second period with a Conor Sheary goal, his eighth of the season, via Dmitry Orlov and Justin Schultz. Washington added on with an Ovechkin power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Devils got one back with a Yegor Sharangovich goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Murray and Jack Hughes. The Capitals shot back with a Carl Hagelin shorthanded goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Garnet Hathaway and Dillon. Washington extended the lead as Kuznetsov scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Ovechkin and Orlov. New Jersey pulled back on a Jesper Bratt goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Pavel Zacha. The Devils got closer with a Zajac goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, helped along by Merkley and Murray. This only made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars going to Ovechkin, Zajac, and Kuznetsov, while Murray, Dillon, Orlov, and Merkley get the honorable mentions. 

Back south to Florida, as the Panthers bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Chris Driedger are the masked men. Florida got going in the second period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and MacKenzie Weegar. The Panthers added on in the third period with an unassisted Frank Vatrano goal, his thirteenth of the year. Florida extended the lead as Gustav Forsling scored his third of the season, with the help of Barkov and Weegar. This held for a 3-0 win, with the three stars given to Driedger (32 save shutout), Barkov, and Weegar.

North to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Petr Mrazek patrol the creases. Carolina dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jordan Martinook goal, his second of the season, assisted by Vincent Trocheck and Brett Pesce. This was the game's only goal, and the three starts of the Hurricanes' 1-0 win were Mrazek (28 save shutout), Martinook, and Oettinger (37 for 38 in saves). 

Out west, the Calgary Flames welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Michael Hutchinson and David Rittich draw the starts in goal. Toronto opened in the first period with a Morgan Rielly goal, his fourth of the season, via Auston Matthews. Calgary tied it on a Joakim Nordstrom goal, assisted by Mark Giordano and Sam Bennett. The Flames took the lead with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Mikael Backlund and Milan Lucic. The Maple Leafs retied it in the second period with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his second of the season, courtesy of John Tavares and William Nylander. Toronto took the lead in the third period with a Tavares goal, his eleventh of the year, helped along by Nylander and Jake Muzzin. The Maple Leafs added on with a Matthews goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, made possible by Mitchell Marner and Zach Hyman. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars being Tavares, Matthews, and Nylander.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Adin Hill and John Gibson are in the blue paint. Anaheim started in the first period with a Sam Carrick goal, via Trevor Zegras. Arizona tied it on a Jakob Chychrun goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of John Hayden and Alex Goligoski. The Ducks retook the lead with a Derek Grant goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Zegras and Max Jones. The Coyotes tied it in the third period with a Chychrun goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, made possible by Nick Schmaltz and Conor Garland. Arizona won 3-2 in overtime with a Chychrun goal to complete his hat trick on his twelfth of the year, assisted by Clayton Keller and Johan Larsson. The three stars were Chychrun, Zegras, and Carrick. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 81

Eleven games going on a Saturday, beginning with three matinees. First up...

The Boston Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Casey DeSmith and Jaroslav Halak man the nets. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Mark Jankowski goal, his third of the season, guided in by Mike Matheson. Boston tied it in the second period with an unassisted Patrice Bergeron goal, his eleventh of the year. The Bruins took the lead with a David Pastrnak goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Nick Ritchie and David Krejci. The Penguins retied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by Sidney Crosby and Brian Dumoulin. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Jared McCann power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Guentzel and Crosby. Boston retied it with a Brad Marchand goal, his fifteenth of the year, helped along by Matt Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins pulled ahead with a Krejci power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Marchand and Pastrnak. Boston added on with a Marchand goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, passed from McAvoy and Bergeron. The Penguins got one back in the third period with a Cody Ceci goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Jankowski and Sam Lafferty. The Bruins countered with a Pastrnak goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, assisted by Ritchie. Pittsburgh pulled back with a shorthanded Crosby goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Guentzel. Boston iced it at 7-5 with a Marchand empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, with helpers from Charlie Coyle and McAvoy. The three stars were Marchand, Pastrnak, and Crosby, while Guentzel, Jankowski, Krejci, Bergeron, Ritchie, and McAvoy get the honorable mentions. 

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Thomas Greiss and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the masked men. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Ross Colton goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Pat Maroon and Andreas Borgman. The Lightning added on with a Brayden Point goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat. Detroit got on the board in the third period with an Adam Erne goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Frans Nielsen and Darren Helm. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Vasilevskiy (25 for 26 in saves), Point, and Colton. 

Moving along to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Kevin Lankinen and Juuse Saros are in the creases. Nashville opened in the first period with an Eeli Tolvanen power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Calle Jarnkrok and Roman Josi. The Predators added on with a Colton Sissons shorthanded penalty shot in the second period, his sixth goal of the year. Nashville extended the lead in the third period as Luke Kunin scored his third of the campaign, thanks to Jeremy Davies and Ben Harpur. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars being Saros (41 save shutout), Tolvanen, and Sissons. 

At the regular time, the New York Islanders host the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Ilya Sorokin are the young goalies. New York drew first blood in the first period with an Anthony Beauvillier power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Matt Martin and Jordan Eberle. The Islanders added on in the second period with another Beauvillier goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming off of Mathew Barzal. Philadelphia got on the board in the third period with a Claude Giroux goal, his tenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Flyers tied it on another Giroux goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, via Travis Konecny and Jakub Voracek. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Barzal's lone tally gave the Islanders a 3-2 win. The three stars were Beauvillier, Barzal, and Giroux.

South to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Alex Nedeljkovic draw the starts in goal. Dallas started in the first period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Mark Pysyk and Blake Comeau. Carolina tied it on a Dougie Hamilton goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Vincent Trocheck. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with a Haydn Fleury goal, via Steven Lorentz and Jordan Martinook. The Stars retied it on a Jamie Benn power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas gained the lead in the third period with a Tanner Kero goal, his second of the year, passed from Jason Robertson and Pysyk. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Kero, Pysyk, and Oettinger (41 for 43 in saves).

Further south to Florida, as the Panthers host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Sergei Bobrovsky patrol the creases. Florida got going in the second period with a MacKenzie Weegar goal, his third of the season, passed from Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe. The Panthers added on with an Alex Wennberg goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Frank Vatrano and Patric Hornqvist. Florida extended the lead as Wennberg scored his second of the game and tenth of the season, thanks to Weegar and Gustav Forsling. Joonas Korpisalo replaced Merzlikins in goal for the third period. Columbus got on the board in the third period with an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Michael Del Zotto and Alexandre Texier. The Panthers answered with a Vatrano goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Owen Tippett. The Blue Jackets countered with a Zach Werenski goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Riley Nash. Florida iced it at 5-2 with a Wennberg empty net goal to complete his hat trick on his eleventh of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Wennberg, Weegar, and Vatrano.

Back up north, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Linus Ullmark are between the pipes. New York struck first in the first period with an Artemi Panarin power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Chris Kreider and Adam Fox. Buffalo tied it on a Casey Mittelstadt goal, his third of the year, assisted by Taylor Hall and Rasmus Dahlin. The Rangers retook the lead in the second period with a Panarin goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, fueled by Fox and Ryan Lindgren. The Sabres tied it in the third period with a Victor Olofsson goal, his tenth of the year, via Kyle Okposo and Sam Reinhart. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Tage Thompson gave the Sabres a 3-2 win. The three stars were Panarin, Fox, and Olofsson.

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators. Anton Forsberg and Carey Price are set to start in goal. Ottawa kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Brady Tkachuk power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Drake Batherson and Thomas Chabot. Montreal tied it on a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, with assists provided by Nick Suzuki and Shea Weber. The Senators took the lead back with a Connor Brown shorthanded goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Nick Paul and Braydon Coburn. The Canadiens tied it on a Josh Anderson goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Victor Mete. Ottawa pulled ahead again on an Evgenii Dadonov goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Thomas Chabot and Artem Anisimov. The Senators added on with another Dadonov goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with helpers from Anisimov and Tim Stutzle. Montreal got one back with Anderson's second goal of the game and thirteenth of the season, helped along by Suzuki and Weber. Ottawa shot back with an Alex Formenton goal, his second of the year, with a lone helper from Anisimov. The Senators iced it at 6-3 with a Batherson empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, with a lone assist from Mike Reilly. The three stars went to Anisimov, Dadonov, and Batherson, while Anderson, Suzuki, Weber, and Chabot get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Colorado Avalanche welcome the St. Louis Blues. Ville Husso and Philipp Grubauer are in the blue paint. Colorado was first to score in the first period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Gabriel Landeskog and Devon Toews. St. Louis tied it on a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Brayden Schenn and David Perron. The Avalanche took the lead in the third period with a Cale Makar goal, his fourth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars of the 2-1 game were Grubauer (27 for 28 in saves), Makar, and MacKinnon.

Down in Nevada, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Vegas cracked the scoresheet in the first period with a Tomas Nosek goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Nicolas Roy and Alex Tuch. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Joel Eriksson Ek and Kevin Fiala. The Wild took the lead with an Eriksson Ek goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jordan Greenway and Ryan Suter. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Eriksson Ek, Talbot (27 for 28 in saves), and Kaprizov.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Jonathan Quick are the veteran goalies. San Jose dented the scoreboard in the first period with a Kevin Labanc goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Nikolai Knyzov and Evander Kane. Los Angeles tied it on a Dustin Brown goal, his fifteenth of the year, via Anze Kopitar and Alex Iafallo. The Sharks took the lead back in the second period with an Evander Kane goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Labanc. The Kings tied it with a shorthanded Trevor Moore goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. San Jose took the lead back in the third period with a Dylan Gambrell goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by John Leonard. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Kane, Labanc, and Gambrell. 

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NHL 2021 - Day 80

We've got six games on a Friday, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and MacKenzie Blackwood man the nets. Washington got going in the second period with a John Carlson goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Lars Eller. New Jersey tied it on a Michael McLeod goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Jesper Boqvist and Ryan Murray. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with a Dmitry Orlov goal, his fifth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Vanecek (22 for 23 in saves), Orlov, and Carlson.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell and Connor Hellebuyck are the masked men. Toronto dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Travis Dermott goal, his second of the season, via Jason Spezza and Zach Bogosian. Winnipeg tied it on an Andrew Copp goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Spezza's lone tally was enough for the Maple Leafs to win 2-1. The three stars were Spezza, Campbell (31 for 32 in saves), and Hellebuyck (37 for 38 in saves).

Over in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Mike Smith protect the nets. Calgary opened in the first period with a Michael Stone goal, assisted by Andrew Mangiapane and Milan Lucic. Edmonton tied it on a power play goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, his twelfth of the season, powered by Leon Draisaitl. The Flames retook the lead with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett. The Oilers tied it on a Dominik Kahun goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Kailer Yamamoto and Ethan Bear. Edmonton took the lead in the third period with a McDavid power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, set up by Draisaitl. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Draisaitl, McDavid, and Kahun.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Jonas Johansson draw the starts in goal. Colorado started in the first period with a Brandon Saad power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky. St. Louis tied it on a Mike Hoffman goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Brayden Schenn and David Perron. The Avalanche retook the lead with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his eleventh of the season, with assists provided by Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar. Colorado added on in the second period with MacKinnon's second of the game and twelfth of the year, helped along by Landeskog and Jacob MacDonald. The Blues got one back with a Perron power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Vladimir Tarasenko and Torey Krug. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars handed to MacKinnon, Landeskog, and Perron.

In California, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the San Jose Sharks. Martin Jones and Calvin Petersen patrol the creases. San Jose led off in the first period with a Tomas Hertl goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Nikolai Knyzhov and Rudolfs Balcers. The Sharks added on in the second period with a Timo Meier goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Hertl and Balcers. San Jose iced it at 3-0 with a Balcers empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by Brent Burns. The three stars belonged to Jones (30 save shutout), Balcers, and Hertl.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Adin Hill and Anthony Stolarz are the inexperienced goalies. Anaheim began in the first period with an Alexander Volkov goal, his fourth of the season, via Max Comtois and Jamie Drysdale. Arizona tied it on a Johan Larsson goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Phil Kessel and Jordan Gross. The Ducks took the lead in the second period with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Derek Grant and Cam Fowler. The Coyotes tied it again with a Lane Pederson goal, courtesy of Christian Dvorak and Alex Goligoski. Arizona took the lead with a Kessel goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Nick Schmaltz and Gross. The Coyotes added on with a Schmaltz goal, his ninth of the season, helped along by Gross. The three stars of the 4-2 game were Kessel, Gross, and Schmaltz. 

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