NHL 2023-24 - Day 10

There's 12 games on tonight, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Calgary Flames. Dan Vladar and Devon Levi patrol the creases. Calgary started in the first period with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his second of the season, via Elias Lindholm and Rasmus Andersson. Buffalo tied it on an Erik Johnson goal, courtesy of Rasmus Dahlin and Kyle Okposo. The Flames retook the lead with a Walker Duehr goal, passed from A.J. Greer and Yegor Sharangovich. The Sabres tied it on a Tage Thompson power play goal, powered by Dylan Cozens and Dahlin. Calgary pulled ahead with a Blake Coleman goal, helped along by Matthew Coronato and Dennis Gilbert. Buffalo tied it on a J.J. Peterka goal, his second of the year, assisted by Cozens and Henri Jokiharju. The Flames took the lead back with an Adam Ruzicka goal, his second of the season, guided in by Nazem Kadri and Dillon Dube. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Ruzicka, Cozens, and Dahlin.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Sergei Bobrovsky are set to start in goal. Florida began in the first period with a Kevin Stenlund goal, going in unassisted. The Panthers added on with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, made possible by Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. Toronto got on the board with a Mitchell Marner power play goal, powered by John Tavares and William Nylander. Florida iced it at 3-1 with a Reinhart empty net goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Dmitry Kulikov. The three stars were Reinhart, Bobrovsky (30 for 31 in saves), and Ekman-Larsson.

Back north, the New York Rangers bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Igor Shesterkin tend the twines. Nashville led off in the first period with a Cole Smith goal, courtesy of Michael McCarron and Tyson Barrie. The Predators added on with another Smith goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. Nashville extended the lead in the second period as Ryan O'Reilly scored his second of the season on the power play, thanks to Luke Evangelista and Filip Forsberg. The Predators padded the lead on a Forsberg power play goal, powered by Barrie and Roman Josi. Jonathan Quick replaced Shesterkin in goal. New York got on the board with an Adam Fox power play goal, with assists provided by Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars handed to Smith, Forsberg, and Barrie.

South again to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Jonas Johansson are the goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Nick Paul power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Steven Stamkos. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Brock Boeser goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by J.T. Miller. The Canucks took the lead with a Tyler Myers goal, fueled by Elias Pettersson. The Lightning retied it on a Mikey Eyssimont goal, via Conor Sheary and Nick Perbix. Tampa Bay took the lead with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his third of the season, coming off of Brandon Hagel and Darren Raddysh. The Lightning added on in the third period with a Kucherov power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, with assists provided by Paul and Brayden Point. Vancouver got one back on a Miller goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by Filip Hronek and Pettersson. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars handed to Kucherov, Paul, and Miller, while Pettersson gets an honorable mention. 

Up in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Jack Campbell and Carter Hart are the masked men. Philadelphia struck first in the first period with a Joel Farabee goal, his second of the season, coming off of Bobby Brink and Travis Sanheim. The Flyers added on in the second period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his second of the year, via Owen Tippett. Edmonton got on the board with a Zach Hyman goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Cody Ceci and Connor McDavid. Philadelphia replied with a Sean Walker shorthanded goal, set up by Sean Couturier. The Flyers extended the lead in the third period as Atkinson scored his second of the game and third of the year, thanks to Tippett and Couturier. The final was 4-1, with the three stars handed to Atkinson, Couturier, and Tippett.

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury are the veterans in goal. Los Angeles kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Carl Grundstrom goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Drew Doughty. Minnesota tied it on a Connor Dewar goal, his second of the year, made possible by Jon Merrill and Dakota Mermis. The Wild took the lead with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, his second of the season, assisted by Jonas Brodin and Mats Zuccarello. The Kings tied it on a Vladislav Gavrikov goal, his second of the year, passed from Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar. Los Angeles pulled ahead with a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal, his second of the season, helped along by Kevin Fiala. The Kings added on with another Dubois goal, his second of the game and third of the year, via Fiala. Los Angeles extended the lead as Trevor Moore scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Arthur Kaliyev and Andreas Englund. Minnesota got one back on a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Marcus Johansson and Pat Maroon. The Kings responded with an Adrian Kempe empty net goal, set up by Matt Roy. Los Angeles iced it at 7-3 with a shorthanded empty net goal by Blake Lizotte, dished from Mikey Anderson. The three stars were Dubois, Kempe, and Fiala.

Next up, the St. Louis Blues host the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Ingram and Joel Hofer are the backups in goal. Arizona drew first blood in the first period with a Nick Bjugstad power play goal, powered by Matias Maccelli and Juuso Valimaki. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a Clayton Keller goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Nick Schmaltz. St. Louis got on the board with a Jakub Vrana goal, assisted by Marco Scandella and Keivn Hayes. Arizona replied with a Michael Carcone goal, helped along by Sean Durzi. The Coyotes extended the lead as Schmaltz scored his second of the year, thanks to Keller. Arizona padded the lead in the third period with a Jason Zucker power play goal, with assists provided by Maccelli and Valimaki. The Blues got one back with a Sammy Blais goal, coming off of Vrana. The Coyotes fired back with a Durzi power play goal, his second of the season, guided in by Logan Cooley. The final stood at 6-2, with the three stars being Schmaltz, Keller, and Durzi, while Vrana, Maccelli, and Valimaki get the honorable mentions.

In Canada, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. Logan Thompson and Laurent Brossoit are between the pipes. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period with an Alex Iafallo goal, his second of the season, via Josh Morrissey and Nino Niederreiter. Vegas tied it with a Jonathan Marchessault power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Chandler Stephenson and Shea Theodore. The Golden Knights took the lead in the second period with a Brett Howden goal, made possible by Mark Stone. Vegas added on with an Alec Martinez goal, assisted by William Karlsson and Paul Cotter. The Jets shot back with a Cole Perfetti goal, helped along by Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers. Winnipeg tied it in the third period with an Iafallo power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, with assists provided by Mark Scheifele and Ehlers. The Golden Knights retook the lead on a Jack Eichel power play goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Stone and Theodore. Vegas added on with an empty net goal by Nicolas Roy, his second of the season, set up by Theodore. The three stars were given to Theodore, Iafallo, and Stone, while Ehlers gets an honorable mention in the 5-3 game.

To California, as the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and John Gibson protect the nets. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Troy Terry goal, courtesy of Trevor Zegras and Pavel Mintyukov. Dallas tied it in the second period on a Roope Hintz goal, powered by Joe Pavelski and Miro Heiskanen. The Stars took the lead with a Pavelski power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. The Ducks tied it in the third period on a Leo Carlsson goal, via Terry. Dallas retook the lead with a Heiskanen goal, helped along by Sam Steel and Tyler Seguin. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Heiskanen, Pavelski, and Oettinger (27 for 29 in saves).

North to Seattle, as the Kraken host the Carolina Hurricanes. Antti Raanta and Joey Daccord are set to start in goal. Seattle started in the first period with a Yanni Gourde goal, assisted by Andre Burakovsky and Eeli Tolvanen. Carolina tied it on a Jesper Fast goal, via Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Staal. The Kraken took the lead back with a Jaden Schwartz power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Kailer Yamamoto and Vince Dunn. Seattle added on with a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare shorthanded goal, set up by Dunn. The Kraken extended the lead as Dunn scored on the power play, thanks to Burakovsky and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Pyotr Kochetkov replaced Raanta in goal. The Hurricanes got one back in the third period on a Seth Jarvis goal, his third of the year, coming off of Stefan Nosen. Carolina got closer with a Jesperi Kotkaniemi goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Noesen and Jarvis. Seattle answered with a Jared McCann goal, courtesy of Bjorkstrand and Alex Wennberg. The Kraken padded the lead on a Tye Kartye goal, passed from Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle. The Hurricanes pulled one back with a Jarvis power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, made possible by Staal and Martin Necas. Seattle responded with a Bjorkstrand empty net goal, an unassisted goal. The final was 7-4, with the three stars handed to Bjorkstrand, Dunn, and Jarvis, while Burakovsky, Noesen, and Staal get the honorable mentions.

In Colorado, the Avalanche welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek and Alexandar Georgiev are the masked men. Colorado led off with a Logan O'Connor shorthanded goal, his second of the season, set up by Andrew Cogliano and Josh Manson. The Avalanche added on with a Ryan Johansen power play goal, powered by Artturi Lehkonen and Mikko Rantanen. Colorado extended the lead as Devon Toews scored, thanks to Valeri Nichushkin and Tomas Tatar. The Avalanche padded the lead on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his second of the year, via Tatar and Rantanen. The final held from here at 4-0, with the three stars awarded to Georgiev (18 save shutout), Tatar, and Rantanen.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark faces a lesser foe in Kaapo Kahkonen in goal. Boston began in the first period with a Brad Marchand goal, via John Beecher. The Bruins added on with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his third of the season, fueled by Trent Frederic and Charlie Coyle. Boston extended the lead in the second period as David Pastrnak scored his fourth of the year, coming off of Brandon Carlo. San Jose got on the board with an Anthony Duclair goal, guided in by Tomas Hertl. This only made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Ullmark (26 for 27 in saves), van Riemsdyk, and Marchand. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 9

It's a two-game Wednesday, beginning with...

The Ottawa Senators welcoming the Washington Capitals. Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg are the goalies. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his second of the season, assisted by Ridly Greig and Mathieu Joseph. The Senators added on with a Josh Norris power play goal, powered by Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle. Washington got on the board with a John Carlson goal, coming off of Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. Ottawa answered in the second period with a Norris goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Batherson. The Senators extended the lead as Artem Zub scored, thanks to Jake Sanderson and Tarasenko. Ottawa padded the lead on a Claude Giroux goal, with helpers from Thomas Chabot and Stutzle. The Senators kept going with a Sanderson goal in the third period, his second of the year, fueled by Stutzle and Giroux. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars going to Norris, Stutzle, and Tarasenko, while Sanderson, Giroux, and Batherson get the honorable mentions.

Along to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Ville Husso patrol the creases. Pittsburgh started in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his third of the season, courtesy of Reilly Smith and Erik Karlsson. Detroit tied it on an Alex DeBrincat goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Austin Czarnik and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period with a Ben Chiarot goal, via Dylan Larkin and Jeff Petry. Detroit added on with an Andrew Copp goal, his second of the season, assisted by Petry and Michael Rasmussen. The Red Wings extended the lead on a David Perron power play goal, powered by Larkin and DeBrincat. The Penguins got one back in the third period with a Karlsson goal, guided in by Sidney Crosby and Ryan Graves. Pittsburgh got closer with a Bryan Rust goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson. Detroit fired back with a Copp empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the season, going in unassisted. The Red Wings iced it at 6-3 with a DeBrincat empty net power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, set up by Larkin. The three stars were DeBrincat, Copp, and Larkin, while Karlsson and Petry get the honorable mentions. 

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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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