NHL 2023-24 - Day 8

We enter the second week of the season with a nine-game slate. First up...

The Philadelphia Flyers host the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Carter Hart man the nets. Philadelphia opened in the first period with an Egor Zamula goal, via Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton. The Flyers added on with a Sean Couturier penalty shot goal. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Hart (25 save shutout), Couturier and Zamula.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury and Sam Montembeault draw the starts in goal. Minnesota started in the first period with a Brandon Duhaime shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Jake Middleton. The Wild added on with a Connor Dewar shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. Minnesota extended the lead in the second period on a Joel Eriksson Ek power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov. Montreal got on the board with a Tanner Pearson goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Wild replied with a Kaprizov power play goal, with assists provided by Zuccarello and Calen Addison. Minnesota padded the lead on an Eriksson Ek power play goal, his second of the game and third of the year, helped along by Kaprizov and Zuccarello. The Canadiens got one back with an Alex Newhook goal, his third of the season, fueled by David Savard and Cole Caufield. The final stood from here at 5-2, with the three stars being Eriksson Ek, Kaprizov, and Zuccarello.

Stateside, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jonas Johansson and Devon Levi are in the blue paint. Buffalo led off in the first period with a Zemgus Girgensons goal, assisted by Tyson Jost and Mattias Samuelsson. The Sabres added on with a Jeff Skinner goal, via Owen Power and Alex Tuch. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with a Brandon Hagel goal, his third of the season, coming off of Tanner Jeannot and Anthony Cirelli. The Lightning tied it in the third period with a Hagel goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, fueled by Brayden Point. Buffalo won 3-2 in overtime with a Dylan Cozens goal, guided in by Jordan Greenway and Rasmus Dahlin. The three stars were Hagel, Cozens, and Levi (21 for 23 in saves).

Also in New York, the Islanders host the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Ilya Sorokin are the masked men. New York got going in the second period with a Mathew Barzal power play goal, powered by Noah Dobson and Bo Horvat. The final stood at 1-0, with the three stars given to Sorokin (14 save shutout), Barzal, and Vejmelka (31 for 32 in saves).

Southwest to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Jack Campbell and Juuse Saros are set to start in goal. Edmonton began in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on with a Hyman goal, assisted by Evan Bouchard and Draisaitl. Edmonton extended the lead as Nugent-Hopkins scored his second of the year, thanks to Warren Foegele and Hyman. The Oilers padded the lead on a Connor McDavid goal, his second of the season, made possible by Draisaitl and Evander Kane. Kevin Lankinen replaced Saros in goal for the second period. Nashville got on the board in the second period with a Thomas Novak power play goal, his second of the year, with assists from Ryan O'Reilly and Philip Tomasino. Edmonton fired back with a Draisaitl power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, courtesy of Bouchard and McDavid. The Oilers kept going with a Foegele goal, helped along by Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman. The final held at 6-1, with the three stars going to Draisaitl, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins, while McDavid, Foegele, and Bouchard get the honorable mentions.

North to Winnipeg, where the Jets bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Connor Hellebuyck protect the nets. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala. The Kings added on with a Trevor Moore goal, his second of the season, assisted by Phillip Danault and Arthur Kaliyev. Los Angeles extended the lead in the third period as Kaliyev scored, thanks to Moore and Danault. The Kings padded the lead on a Moore goal, his second of the game and third of the year, via Mikey Anderson. Los Angeles kept going with a Danault power play goal, helped along by Quinton Byfield. Winnipeg got on the board with a Mark Scheifele goal, his third of the season, guided in by Dylan DeMelo and Vladislav Namestnikov. This only made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars going to Moore, Danault, and Kaliyev.

Out west, the Seattle Kraken host the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Philipp Grubauer guard the cages. Seattle kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Kailer Yamamoto goal, via Vince Dunn. Colorado tied it on an Artturi Lehkonen goal in the second period, going in unassisted. The Avalanche took the lead with a Logan O'Connor shorthanded goal, set up by Cale Makar and Devon Toews. Colorado added on in the third period with a Mikko Rantanen goal, his third of the season, passed from Samuel Girard and Andrew Cogliano. The Avalanche iced it at 4-1 with a Valeri Nichushkin empty net shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Georgiev (37 for 38 in saves), O'Connor, and Rantanen.

Down in San Jose, the Sharks welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Mackenzie Blackwood are in the creases. San Jose struck first in the first period with a Fabian Zetterlund goal, coming off of Tomas Hertl. Carolina tied it on a Seth Jarvis goal, helped along by Michael Bunting and Teuvo Teravainen. The Hurricanes took the lead with a shorthanded Jaccob Slavin goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The Sharks tied it with a Filip Zadina power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Zetterlund. San Jose pulled ahead with a William Eklund power play goal, made possible by Henry Thrun and Hertl. Carolina tied it on a Stefan Noesen power play goal in the third period, with assists provided by Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Brady Skjei. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Jarvis power play goal, his second of the game, assisted by Martin Necas and Brent Burns. Carolina added on with a Necas goal, his second of the season, fueled by Bunting. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Brett Pesce scored, thanks to Kotkaniemi and Noesen. The three stars of the 6-3 game were Jarvis, Noesen, and Necas, while Bunting, Skjei, Kotkaniemi, Zetterlund, and Hertl get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Adin Hill tend the twines. Dallas drew first blood in the second period with a Craig Smith goal, courtesy of Tyler Seguin and Thomas Harley. Vegas tied it on a Kaedan Korczak goal, via Brett Howden and William Karlsson. The Stars took the lead in the third period with a Joe Pavelski goal, made possible by Roope Hintz. The Golden Knights tied it with a Karlsson goal, fueled by Korczak and Mark Stone. The tie went to a shootout, where Shea Theodore and Jonathan Marchessault lifted Vegas to a 3-2 win over Matt Duchene and Dallas. The three stars were Karlsson, Korczak, and Hill (24 for 26 in saves). 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 7

Some eastern action for a five-game Monday. We begin with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Vitek Vanecek man the nets. Florida led off in the first period with a Sam Reinhart goal, his second of the season, via Evan Rodrigues. The Panthers added on with a Carter Verhaeghe goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Matthew Tkachuk and Josh Mahura. Florida extended the lead in the second period as Niko Mikkola scored, thanks to Tkachuk and Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers padded the lead on a Reinhart power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Aleksander Barkov in the third period. New Jersey got on the board with an Erik Haula power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. The Devils got closer with a Michael McLeod goal, helped along by Haula and Alexander Holtz. New Jersey got closer with a Bratt power play goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist from Dougie Hamilton. They couldn't complete the comeback, losing 4-3, with the three stars given to Reinhart, Tkachuk, and Bratt, while Haula gets an honorable mention.

Along to DC, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper guard the cages. Calgary began in the first period with an Adam Ruzicka goal, assisted by Noah Hanifin and Dillon Dube. The Flames added on with a Dube power play goal, powered by Hanifin and Ruzicka. Washington got on the board in the second period with a Matthew Phillips goal, via Sonny Milano. The Capitals tied it with a Connor McMichael goal, guided in by Phillips and John Carlson. The tie went to a shootout, where Evgeny Kuznetsov's lone tally gave the Capitals a 3-2 win. The three stars were Phillips, Kuemper (38 for 40 in saves), and Dube, while Ruzicka and Hanifin get the honorable mentions.

Over in New York, the Rangers host the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Ingram is mismatched with Igor Shesterkin in goal. New York started in the first period with a Chris Kreider goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Mika Zibanejad and Kaapo Kakko. Arizona tied it in the second period with a Clayton Keller power play goal, powered by Nick Schmaltz and Logan Cooley. The Rangers pulled ahead in the third period with a Vincent Trocheck power play goal, with assists provided by Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Shesterkin (26 for 27 in saves), Trocheck, and Kreider.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Arvid Soderblom and Joseph Woll are the backups in goal. Chicago got going in the second period with a MacKenzie Entwistle goal, passed from Andreas Athanasiou and Boris Katchouk. Toronto tied it on a John Tavares goal, assisted by William Nylander and Mark Giordano. The Blackhawks retook the lead with a Corey Perry goal, fueled by Alex Vlasic and Seth Jones. Chicago added on with a Tyler Johnson power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Athanasiou and Kevin Korchinski. The Blackhawks finished it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Taylor Raddysh, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The three stars went to Perry, Johnson, and Soderblom (34 for 35 in saves).

Finally, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings. James Reimer and Spencer Martin man the nets. Detroit opened in the first period with a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, coming off of Joe Veleno and Olli Maatta. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Michael Rasmussen goal, assisted by J.T. Compher. Detroit extended the lead as Dylan Larkin scored a power play goal, powered by Alex DeBrincat and Moritz Seider. The Red Wings padded the lead as Andrew Copp scored on the power play, with the help of Lucas Raymond and Jake Walman. This stood for the eventual 4-0 final, with the three stars being Reimer (23 save shutout), Gostisbehere, and Rasmussen. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 6

We're back for a two-game Sunday. First up...

The Ottawa Senators welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Matt Tomkins and Joonas Korpisalo are the goalies. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, via Ridly Greig and Jakob Chychrun. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with an Anthony Cirelli goal, coming off of Darren Raddysh and Tanner Jeannot. The Senators took the lead with a Brady Tkachuk goal, his third of the season, made possible by Claude Giroux. The Lightning tied it again on a Jeannot goal, courtesy of Mikey Eyssimont and Victor Hedman. Ottawa pulled ahead with a Mathieu Joseph goal, his second of the year, assisted by Tarasenko. The Senators added on with a Tkachuk goal in the third period, his second of the game and fourth of the season, helped along by Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub. Ottawa iced it at 5-2 with a Tim Stutzle empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Tkachuk and the goalie Korpisalo. The three stars were Tkachuk, Tarasenko, and Jeannot.

Southwest to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Antti Raanta and Lukas Dostal are the backups in goal. Anaheim started in the first period with a Sam Carrick goal, assisted by Brett Leason. The Ducks added on with a Frank Vatrano goal, coming off of Jamie Drysdale and Cam Fowler. Anaheim extended the lead as Pavel Mintyukov scored, thanks to Jackson LaCombe and Ryan Strome. Carolina got on the board in the second period with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his third of the season, via Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce. The Ducks fired back with a Vatrano goal, his second of the game, guided in by Strome and Mason McTavish. The Hurricanes got one back in the third period with another Teravainen power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, powered by Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov. Carolina got closer with a Martin Necas power play goal, with assists provided by Michael Bunting and Tony DeAngelo. Anaheim answered on a Fowler empty net goal, set up by Troy Terry. The Ducks padded the lead on a Vatrano empty net goal to complete his hat trick, fueled by McTavish. The three stars were Vatrano, Teravainen, and Fowler, while McTavish and Strome get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 5

The first Saturday of the season loads up the schedule with 14 games, including two matinees. First up...

The Ottawa Senators welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Anton Forsberg are the goalies. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Jakob Chychrun goal, via Zack MacEwen and Ridly Greig. The Senators added on with a Chychrun power play goal, his second of the game powered by Vladimir Tarasenko and Jake Sanderson. Philadelphia got on the board with a Travis Konecny power play goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Tyson Foerster and Travis Sanheim. Ottawa replied in the second period on a Sanderson power play goal, helped along by Tarasenko and Chychrun. The Flyers got one back with a Cam York goal, passed from Konecny and Sean Walker. The Senators shot back with a Brady Tkachuk goal, fueled by Claude Giroux. Ottawa extended the lead as Tkachuk scored his second goal of the game on the power play in the third period, thanks to Giroux and Tim Stutzle. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Chychrun, Tkachuk, and Tarasenko, while Giroux, Konecny, and Sanderson get the honorable mentions.

Next up, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Connor Hellebuyck man the nets. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Mark Scheifele power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey. Florida tied it on a Sam Reinhart power play goal, with helpers from Evan Rodrigues and Matthew Tkachuk. The Panthers pulled ahead in the second period with a Rodrigues goal, assisted by Dmitry Kulikov and Aleksander Barkov. The Jets retied it on a Connor goal, his second of the year, via Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi. Winnipeg took the lead with a Morgan Barron goal, set up by Rasmus Kupari and Mason Appleton. The Jets added on with a Dylan DeMelo goal, guided in by Cole Perfetti and Nino Niederreiter. Winnipeg extended the lead in third period on an Appleton shorthanded goal, passed from Adam Lowry. Florida answered on a Carter Verhaeghe goal, courtesy of Tkachuk. The Panthers got closer with a Rodrigues goal, his second of the game, made possible by Barkov and Reinhart. The Jets iced it at 6-4 with a Connor empty net power play goal, with an assist by Morrissey. The three stars went to Scheifele, Connor, and Rodrigues, while Barkov, Reinhart, Morrissey, Tkachuk, and Appleton get the honorable mentions.

Stateside, the Boston Bruins host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Jeremy Swayman start in goal. Nashville opened in the first period with a Colton Sissons goal, his second of the season, made possible by Kiefer Sherwood and Tyson Barrie. Boston tied it on a James van Riemsdyk power play goal, powered by Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins took the lead with a David Pastrnak penalty shot goal in the second period, his third goal of the year. The Predators retied it on a Sissons goal, his second of the game and third of the season, coming off of Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg. Boston pulled ahead in the third period with a van Riemsdyk power play goal, his second of the game, with assists provided by McAvoy and Pastrnak. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars being van Riemsdyk, Pastrnak, and Sissons, while McAvoy gets an honorable mention.

West to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Elvis Merzlikins are in the creases. New York started in the first period with an Erik Gustafsson goal, via Adam Fox and Jimmy Vesey. Columbus tied it on a Boone Jenner goal, passed from Johnny Gaudreau and Kirill Marchenko. The Blue Jackets took the lead on another Jenner goal, his second of the game, assisted by Gaudreau and Ivan Provorov on the power play. Columbus added on in the second period with a Jenner goal, completing his hat trick with the help of Jake Bean. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as David Jiricek scored, thanks to Patrik Laine and Provorov. Spencer Martin replaced an ill Merzlikins in goal for the third period. The Rangers got one back in the third period with a Will Cuylle goal, made possible by Vincent Trocheck and Gustafsson. Columbus fired back with a Justin Danforth goal, helped along by Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson. New York got closer with a Chris Kreider power play goal, with assists provided by Artemi Panarin and Fox. The final held at 5-3, with the three stars being Jenner, Gaudreau, and Provorov, while Gustafsson and Fox get the honorable mentions.

To Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jonas Johansson and Ville Husso patrol the creases. Detroit struck first in the first period with a Daniel Sprong goal, his second of the season, via Alex DeBrincat. Tampa Bay tied it on a Steven Stamkos goal, assisted by Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning took the lead with a Brandon Hagel goal, his second of the year, passed from Hedman. The Red Wings tied it on a DeBrincat goal, his second of the season, helped along by Shayne Gostisbehere and Dylan Larkin. Detroit pulled ahead with an unassisted Lucas Raymond goal in the second period. Tampa Bay retied it with a Stamkos goal, his second of the game, guided in by Hagel and Anthony Cirelli. The Red Wings gained the lead on a J.T. Compher goal, coming off of Moritz Seider and Andrew Copp.  Detroit added on with a DeBrincat goal, his second of the game and third of the year, fueled by Larkin. The Lightning fired back with a Hedman power play goal, with helpers from Kucherov and Stamkos. The Red Wings iced it at 6-4 with a Seider empty net goal, set up by Compher. The three stars went to DeBrincat, Hedman, and Seider, while Stamkos, Hagel, Compher, and Kucherov get the honorable mentions.

In Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Chicago Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek and Sam Montembeault draw the starts in goal. Montreal got going in the second period with a Cole Caufield goal, his second of the season, guided in by Josh Anderson. The Canadiens added on with a Tanner Pearson goal, fueled by Kaiden Guhle and Sean Monahan. Montreal extended the lead on a shorthanded goal by Monahan, set up by Rafael Harvey-Pinard. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Tyler Johnson goal, via Seth Jones and Taylor Raddysh. The Blackhawks got closer with a Johnson goal, his second of the game, passed from Corey Perry and Connor Bedard. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Monahan, Johnson, and Caufield.

Next up, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Alex Nedeljkovic are given the green light to play in goal. Calgary dented the scoreboard with a Matt Coronato power play goal, powered by Elias Lindholm and Rasmus Andersson. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period with a Bryan Rust goal, his second of the season, via Kris Letang and Jake Guentzel. The Penguins took the lead on a Reilly Smith goal, his second of the year, helped along by Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell. Pittsburgh added on with a Guentzel goal, made possible by Letang and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins extended the lead as Malkin scored his second of the season, thanks to Smith. The Flames got one back on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, assisted by Andrew Mangiapane and Noah Hanifin. Pittsburgh finished it at 5-2 with a Rust empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the year, set up by Guentzel. The three stars belonged to Rust, Guentzel, and Malkin, while Smith and Letang get the honorable mentions.

Back to Ontario, as the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Minnesota Wild. Filip Gustavsson and Ilya Samsonov protect the nets. Minnesota was first to score in the first period with a Ryan Hartman goal, fueled by Kirill Kaprizov and Jonas Brodin. Toronto tied it on an Auston Matthews goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Mitchell Marner. The Maple Leafs took the lead with a Matthews power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, powered by William Nylander. Toronto added on with a Nylander goal, his second of the season, courtesy of John Tavares and Max Domi. The Maple Leafs extended the lead as Tyler Bertuzzi scored on the power play, thanks to Calle Jarnkrok and Morgan Rielly. The Wild got one back with a Matt Boldy goal, helped along by Mats Zuccarello and Calen Addison. Minnesota got closer with a Marco Rossi goal, assisted by Marcus Foligno and Brock Faber. Toronto answered in the third period with a Jarnkrok goal, made possible by Rielly and T.J. Brodie. The Maple Leafs padded the lead on a Matthews goal to finish his hat trick with his sixth of the season, guided in by Marner. Toronto kept going with a Nylander goal, his second of the game and third of the year, with helpers from John Klingberg and Tavares. The Wild got one back on a Brandon Duhaime goal, with assists from Connor Dewar and Jacob Middleton. This only made it 7-4, the final, with the three stars given to Matthews, Nylander, and Jarnkrok, while Tavares, Rielly, and Marner get the honorable mentions.

South to New York, where the Islanders host the Buffalo Sabres. Devon Levi is mismatched with Ilya Sorokin in goal. New York kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Brock Nelson goal, coming off of Pierre Engvall. The Islanders added on with a Kyle Palmieri goal, via Nelson and Ryan Pulock. Buffalo got on the board in the second period with a Jordan Greenway goal, assisted by Casey Mittelstadt and Zach Benson. The Sabres tied it in the third period with a Mittelstadt goal, guided in by Benson and Rasmus Dahlin. New York regained the lead with a Casey Cizikas goal, helped along by Adam Pelech and Cal Clutterbuck. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Nelson, Mittelstadt, and Benson.

Out west, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Seattle Kraken. Joey Daccord and Jordan Binnington are the masked men. Seattle cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, powered by Oliver Bjorkstrand and Vince Dunn. St. Louis tied it on a Jordan Kyrou goal, coming off of Robert Thomas. The tie went to a shootout, where Thomas' lone tally lifted the Blues to a 2-1 win. The three stars were Thomas, Binnington (30 for 31 in saves), and Daccord (25 for 26 in saves).

Northwest to Edmonton, as the Oilers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Casey DeSmith and Stuart Skinner are between the pipes. Edmonton opened in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his second of the season, via Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. Vancouver tied it with an Andrei Kuzmenko power play goal, powered by Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. The Canucks took the lead with a Nils Hoglander goal, made possible by Brock Boeser and Tyler Myers. The Oilers tied it in the second period with a Connor McDavid power play goal, with assists provided by Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl. Vancouver regained the lead with a Jack Studnicka goal, coming off of Pettersson. Edmonton tied it on a Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, with helpers from Evan Bouchard and McDavid. The Canucks pulled ahead in the third period with a Sam Lafferty goal, courtesy of Hoglander. This held for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Hoglander, Nugent-Hopkins, and Draisaitl, while McDavid and Pettersson get the honorable mentions.

Down in San Jose, the Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev faces a lesser foe in Mackenzie Blackwood in goal. San Jose started in the first period with a Thomas Bordeleau goal, via Matt Benning and Mike Hoffman. Colorado tied it in the third period with a Cale Makar goal, his second of the season, coming off of Valeri Nichushkin. The Avalanche prevailed 2-1 in the shootout on Mikko Rantanen's lone tally. The three stars were Blackwood (51 for 52 in saves), Georgiev (20 for 21 in saves), and Makar.

Southeast to Vegas, as the Golden Knights welcome the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Adin Hill tend the twines. Vegas began in the first period with a Jack Eichel power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Shea Theodore and Chandler Stephenson. The Golden Knights added on in the second period with a Stephenson goal, his second of the year, fueled by Paul Cotter and Brayden McNabb. Vegas extended the lead in the third period as Theodore scored on the power play, thanks to Eichel and Stephenson. Anaheim got on the board with a Mason McTavish goal, coming off of Jamie Drysdale and Ryan Strome. The Golden Knights iced it at 4-1 with a Jonas Rondbjerg empty net goal, set up by Nicolas Hague. The three stars were Stephenson, Eichel, and Theodore.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Pheonix Copley are in the blue paint. Carolina led off in the first period with a Brent Burns goal, via Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes added on with a Sebastian Aho shorthanded goal, going in unassisted. Carolina extended the lead as Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored an unassisted goal. Los Angeles got on the board with a Drew Doughty goal, helped along by Kevin Fiala and Mikey Anderson. The Hurricanes replied in the second period with a Brendan Lemieux goal, passed from Tony DeAngelo. The Kings shot back with an Anze Kopitar power play goal, powered by Adrian Kempe. Carolina fired back with a Teuvo Teravainen shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Aho and Brady Skjei. Los Angeles answered with a Trevor Moore power play goal, with helpers from Jordan Spence and Phillip Danault. The Kings pulled closer with a Vladislav Gavrikov goal, made possible by Trevor Lewis and Blake Lizotte. Los Angeles tied it on another Kopitar goal, his second of the game, fueled by Carl Grundstrom and Fiala. The tie went to a shootout, where the Hurricanes prevailed 6-5 with tallies from Aho, Martin Necas and Jordan Martinook to top Pierre-Luc Dubois and Moore's tallies for the Kings. The three stars were Aho, Kopitar, and Fiala. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 4

There's two games on for this Friday slate. First up...

The New Jersey Devils welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Akira Schmid man the nets. Arizona struck first in the first period with a Matt Dumba goal, assisted by Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. The Coyotes added on with a Sean Durzi power play goal, powered by Keller and Logan Cooley in the second period. New Jersey got on the board with a Jesper Bratt goal, via Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton. The Devils tied it on a Hamilton power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Hughes and Bratt. New Jersey pulled ahead on a Bratt power play goal, his second of the game, helped along by Hughes and Tyler Toffoli. Arizona retied it in the third period with a Schmaltz power play goal, with a lone helper by Cooley. The tie went to a shootout, where Nick Bjugstad and Schmaltz tallied to give the Coyotes a 4-3 win. The three stars were Schmaltz, Bratt, and Hughes, while Keller, Cooley and Hamilton get the honorable mentions.

Along to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Charlie Lindgren are the goalies. Pittsburgh got going in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, via Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson. The Penguins added on with a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jake Guentzel and Malkin. Pittsburgh extended the lead in the second period as Crosby scored his second of the game and third of the year on the power play, with the help of Malkin and Guentzel. The Penguins iced it at 4-0 with a Reilly Smith goal, guided in by Malkin. The three stars were Crosby, Malkin, and Jarry (19 save shutout), while Guentzel gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 3

Seven games on for this evening as more teams debut and some play their second games. First up...

The Buffalo Sabres host the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Devon Levi man the nets. New York opened in the first period with an Alexis Lafreniere goal, coming off of Artemi Panarin and Filip Chytil. The Rangers added on with a Chris Kreider power play goal, powered by Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad. New York extended the lead in the second period as Panarin scored an unassisted goal. Buffalo got on the board with a JJ Peterka goal, via Owen Power and Henri Jokiharju. The Rangers fired back in the third period with a Kreider shorthanded goal, his second of the game, set up by Zibanejad and K'Andre Miller. New York iced it at 5-1 with a Jacob Trouba empty net goal, passed from Kreider and Zibanejad. The three stars were Kreider, Panarin, and Zibanejad.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter Hart and Elvis Merzlikins are in the blue paint. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Joel Farabee goal, courtesy of Sean Couturier and Egor Zamula. Columbus tied it with a Jake Bean goal, assisted by Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko. The Flyers retook the lead with a Travis Konecny goal, helped along by Scott Laughton. Philadelphia added on in the third period with a Cam Atkinson empty net goal, set up by the goalie Hart. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Patrik Laine goal, passed from Marchenko and Boone Jenner. The Flyers finished it at 4-2 with a Konecny empty net goal, his second of the game, guided in by Laughton and Travis Sanheim. The three stars were Konecny, Laughton, and Hart (31 for 33 in saves), while Marchenko gets an honorable mention.

East to New Jersey, as the Devils bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Ville Husso and Vitek Vanecek are between the pipes. Detroit got going in the second period with a Daniel Sprong goal, going in unassisted. New Jersey tied it on a Jack Hughes power play goal, powered by Ondrej Palat. The Devils took the lead with another Hughes goal, helped along by Tyler Toffoli and Jonas Siegenthaler. The Red Wings retied it in the third period with an Alex DeBrincat power play goal, assisted by Dylan Larkin and Shayne Gostisbehere. New Jersey gained the lead with a Dougie Hamilton goal, coming off of Siegenthaler. The Devils added on with an Erik Haula empty net goal, set up by Siegenthaler and John Marino. Detroit got one back with a Robby Fabbri power play goal, with assists provided by J.T. Compher and Jake Walman. The three stars went to Hughes, Siegenthaler, and Hamilton.

Southwest to Dallas, as the Stars host the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Jake Oettinger guard the cages. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jamie Benn goal, via Ty Dellandrea and Wyatt Johnston. St. Louis tied it on a Tyler Tucker goal, coming off of Jakub Vrana and Sammy Blais. The tie went to a shootout, where Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene lifted the Stars to a 2-1 win over Brayden Schenn and the Blues. The three stars were Oettinger (23 for 24 in saves), Binnington (34 for 35 in saves), and Benn.

Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Juuse Saros are the veteran goalies. Nashville cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a shorthanded Colton Sissons goal, set up by Cole Smith. The Predators added on with a Gustav Nyquist goal in the third period, via Alexandre Carrier and Ryan McDonagh. Nashville iced it at 3-0 with a Juuso Parssinen empty net goal, his second of the season, going in unassisted. The three stars were Saros (23 save shutout), Sissons, and Nyquist.

North to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Filip Gustavsson are the goalies. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Brock Faber goal, assisted by Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek. The Wild added on in the second period with an Eriksson Ek power play goal, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov. This held for a 2-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Gustavsson (41 save shutout), Eriksson Ek, and Faber.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vegas Golden Knights. Logan Thompson and Kaapo Kahkonen patrol the creases. Vegas began in the first period with a Michael Amadio goal, coming off of William Karlsson and Nicolas Hague. San Jose tied it on a Filip Zadina goal, via Tomas Hertl and Henry Thrun. The Golden Knights took the lead in the second period with a Hague goal, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Jack Eichel. Vegas added on with a Nicolas Roy goal, passed from Jonas Rondbjerg and Ben Hutton. The Golden Knights extended the lead in the third period as Brayden Pachal scored, thanks to Pavel Dorofeyev and Karlsson. This held for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Hague, Karlsson, and Thompson (22 for 23 in saves). 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 2

Six games are on for the second day of the season. First up...

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators. Joonas Korpisalo and Frederik Andersen are the goalies. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Mathieu Joseph goal, assisted by Artem Zub and Parker Kelly. Carolina tied it in the second period on a Michael Bunting power play goal, powered by Sebastian Aho and Tony DeAngelo. The Hurricanes took the lead with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, coming off of Martin Necas and Brady Skjei. Carolina added on in the third period with a Jordan Staal goal, helped along by Jordan Martinook. The Senators got one back with a Kelly shorthanded goal, set up by Joseph. Ottawa tied it on a Tim Stutzle goal, going in unassisted. The Hurricanes regained the lead on a Skjei goal, made possible by Jesper Fast and Jordan Staal. Carolina extended the lead on a Jaccob Slavin shorthanded goal, helped along by Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Seth Jarvis. The final stood at 5-3, with the three stars going to Skjei, Staal, and Joseph.

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Ilya Samsonov start in goal. Montreal started in the first period with a Jake Evans goal, going in unassisted. The Canadiens added on in the second period with an Alex Newhook goal, passed from Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach. Toronto got on the board with a Noah Gregor goal, courtesy of John Klingberg. The Maple Leafs tied it on an Auston Matthews power play goal, assisted by Mitchell Marner and John Tavares. Toronto took the lead on a William Nylander power play goal, powered by Klingberg and Tavares. Montreal retied it on a Cole Caufield goal in the third period, with assists provided by Michael Matheson and Nick Suzuki. The Canadiens pulled ahead on a Newhook goal, his second of the game, made possible by Arber Xhekaj and Dach. Montreal extended the lead as Jesse Ylonen scored, thanks to Rafael Harvey-Pinard. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Matthews goal, his second of the game with helpers from Tavares and Morgan Rielly. Toronto tied it on a Matthews goal to complete his hat trick, fueled by Nylander. The tie went to a shootout, where Marner's lone tally gave the Maple Leafs a 6-5 win. The three stars were Matthews, Tavares, and Newhook, while Nylander, Klingberg, and Dach get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Boston Bruins bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Arvid Soderblom and Linus Ullmark man the nets. Chicago led off in the first period with a Connor Bedard goal, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato. Boston tied it on a Trent Frederic goal, via Brandon Carlo and Matthew Poitras. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with a David Pastrnak goal, fueled by Milan Lucic. Boston iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a Pastrnak empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. The three stars were Pastrnak, Ullmark (20 for 21 in saves), and Frederic.

Out in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers. Jack Campbell and Thatcher Demko are in the creases. Vancouver began in the first period with a Conor Garland goal, guided in by Elias Pettersson and Noah Juulsen. The Canucks added on with a Brock Boeser goal, via J.T. Miller and Phillip Di Giuseppe. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period as Boeser scored again, with the help of Miller and Filip Hronek. The Canucks padded the lead on a Boeser power play goal to complete his hat trick, powered by Pettersson and Andrei Kuzmenko. Stuart Skinner replaced Campbell in goal. Edmonton got on the board with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, helped along by Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard. Vancouver shot back with a Pettersson power play goal, with assists provided by Quinn Hughes and Miller. The Canucks kept going in the third period with Boeser's fourth goal of the game, assisted by Miller and Hughes. Vancouver struck again with a Miller power play goal, passed from Hughes and Pettersson. The Canucks continued with a Dakota Joshua goal, made possible by Sam Lafferty and Nils Hoglander. The final held at 8-1, with the three stars handed to Boeser, Miller, and Pettersson, while Hughes gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Calgary, where the Flames welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Jacob Markstrom guard the cages. Calgary was first to score in the first period with an Andrew Mangiapane power play goal, powered by Adam Ruzicka and Noah Hanifin. Winnipeg tied it on a Kyle Connor goal, via Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk. The Flames retook the lead with a MacKenzie Weegar goal, passed from Nikita Zadorov and Walker Duehr. The Jets tied it in the second period on an Alex Iafallo goal, coming off of Dylan DeMelo and Adam Lowry. Calgary pulled ahead with a shorthanded Rasmus Andersson goal, set up by Elias Lindholm. Winnipeg tied it on a Mark Scheifele goal in the third period, assisted by Josh Morrissey. The Flames took the lead with a Lindholm goal, courtesy of Mangiapane and Jonathan Huberdeau. Calgary iced it at 5-3 with a Mangiapane empty net goal, his second of the game, fueled by Huberdeau and Lindholm. The three stars were Mangiapane, Lindholm, and Huberdeau.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Cam Talbot protect the nets. Colorado struck first in the first period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, assisted by Mikko Rantanen and Jonathan Drouin. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Cale Makar power play goal, powered by MacKinnon and Rantanen. Colorado extended the lead as Rantanen scored, thanks to Devon Toews and MacKinnon. Los Angeles got on the board with a Carl Grundstrom goal, courtesy of Phillip Danault. The Kings got closer with a Quinton Byfield goal, going in unassisted. The Avalanche answered with a Rantanen goal, his second of the game, helped along by Jack Johnson and Makar. Colorado finished it at 5-2 with a Miles Wood empty net goal, set up Ross Colton and Tomas Tatar. The three stars were Rantanen, MacKinnon, and Makar. 

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