NHL 2023-24 - Day 25

Two games are on this Friday slate. We begin with...

The Buffalo Sabres welcoming the Philadelphia Flyers. Samuel Ersson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are the inexperienced goalies. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Scott Laughton goal, via Bobby Brink and Joel Farabee. The Flyers added on with a Louie Belpedio unassisted goal. Philadelphia extended the lead as Travis Konecny scored his ninth goal of the season, going in unassisted. The Flyers padded the lead in the second period on a Garnet Hathaway goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Ryan Poehling and Nicolas Deslauriers. Buffalo got on the board with a Henri Jokiharju goal in the third period, with helpers from Casey Mittelstadt and JJ Peterka. Philadelphia shot back with a Brink goal, his third of the campaign, set up by Farabee. This made it 5-1, with the three stars going to Brink, Farabee, and Ersson (21 for 22 in saves).

Over in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the New Jersey Devils. Akira Schmid and Jordan Binnington start in goal. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Jake Neighbours goal, his second of the season, assisted by Sammy Blais and Oskar Sundqvist. The Blues added on with a Kevin Hayes goal, via Nick Leddy and Jakub Vrana. New Jersey got on the board with a Curtis Lazar goal, made possible by Alexander Holtz and John Marino. St. Louis shot back on a Hayes empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Colton Parayko and the goalie Binnington. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with a Robert Thomas empty net goal, his third of the year, fueled by Justin Faulk and Hayes. The three stars were given to Hayes, Binnington (33 for 34 in saves), and Neighbours. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 24

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

The Detroit Red Wings hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and James Reimer are in the nets. Florida got going in the second period with a Steven Lorentz goal, courtesy of Niko Mikkola. The Panthers added on in the third period with an Anton Lundell empty net goal, set up by Matthew Tkachuk and Dmitry Kulikov. This stood for a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Bobrovsky (22 save shutout), Lorentz, and Reimer (25 for 26 in saves). 

In Ohio, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Matt Tomkins is mismatched with Elvis Merzlikins in goal. Columbus began in the first period with a Kirill Marchenko goal, via Dmitri Voronkov and Cole Sillinger. Tampa Bay tied it on a Steven Stamkos goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Lightning took the lead on a Conor Sheary goal, helped along by Stamkos and Erik Cernak. The Blue Jackets tied it in the third period with a Boone Jenner goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Zach Werenski and Damon Severson. Columbus took the lead with an Erik Gudbranson goal, with helpers from Emil Bemstrom and Adam Fantilli. The Blue Jackets added on with a Johnny Gaudreau empty net goal, set up by Ivan Provorov. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Stamkos, Gudbranson, and Jenner.

In Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Joonas Korpisalo face their former teams. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Phillip Danault power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Trevor Moore and Quinton Byfield. The Kings added on in the second period with a Carl Grundstrom goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Adrian Kempe. Los Angeles extended the lead on an Anze Kopitar goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Andreas Englund and Kempe. Ottawa got on the board with a Dominik Kubalik power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Claude Giroux and Jakob Chychrun. The Senators got closer in the third period with a Josh Norris goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Jacob Bernard-Docker and Vladimir Tarasenko. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Kempe, Kopitar, and Grundstrom.

Back stateside, the New York Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Igor Shesterkin protect the nets. New York opened in the first period with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Artemi Panarin. Carolina tied it on a Seth Jarvis power play goal, his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Sebastian Aho and Tony DeAngelo. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with a Will Cuylle goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow. The final held from here at 2-1, with the three stars being Shesterkin (27 for 28 in saves), Cuylle, and Kreider.

Along to DC, as the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Darcy Kuemper man the nets. New York started in the first period with a Ryan Pulock goal, via Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. The Islanders added on with a Simon Holmstrom goal, his second of the season, coming off of Hudson Fasching and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. New York extended the lead in the second period as Nelson scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield. This stood for a 3-0 win, with the three stars going to Varlamov (32 save shutout), Nelson, and Pulock.

Over in Boston, the Bruins bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Jeremy Swayman are in the blue paint. Boston struck first in the first period with a Pavel Zacha goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Brandon Carlo and Mason Lohrei. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Jake DeBrusk goal, courtesy of Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. Toronto got on the board with a Mitchell Marner goal, his third of the year, passed from Auston Matthews and William Nylander. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Matthews goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Calle Jarnkrok and William Lagesson. The Bruins won 3-2 in the shootout with tallies from DeBrusk and Coyle. The three stars were DeBrusk, Coyle, and Zacha.

Westward to Minnesota, as the Wild host the New Jersey Devils. Vitek Vanecek and Filip Gustavsson are the masked men. New Jersey kicked off the scoring in the first period with an Alexander Holtz goal, his third of the season, guided in by Nathan Bastian. The Devils added on with a Michael McLeod goal, his second of the year, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Jesper Bratt. New Jersey extended the lead in the second period as Timo Meier scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Jack Hughes and Bratt. Minnesota answered with a Kirill Kaprizov power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Calen Addison and Mats Zuccarello. The Wild got one back on a Marco Rossi goal in the third period, his fourth of the season, helped along by Matt Boldy and Jonas Brodin. The Devils responded with a Bratt power play goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Tyler Toffoli and Luke Hughes. Minnesota pulled one back with a Jake Middleton goal, his third of the season, passed from Boldy and Rossi. New Jersey replied with a Dougie Hamilton power play goal, his fourth of the year, with helpers from Bratt and Jack Hughes. This made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars being Bratt, Rossi, and Jack Hughes, while Rossi gets an honorable mention.

Further west, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Dallas Stars. Scott Wedgewood and Stuart Skinner are between the pipes. Dallas was first to score in the first period with a Matt Duchene goal, his second of the season, coming off of Mason Marchment and Esa Lindell. Edmonton tied it with an Evander Kane goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Stars took the lead in the second period on a Joe Pavelski goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas added on with a Hintz power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Pavelski and Jamie Benn. The Stars extended the lead in the third period as Hintz scored his second of the game and fifth of the season, thanks to Pavelski and Jason Robertson. The Oilers got one back with a Sam Gagner goal, helped along by Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak. Edmonton got closer with another Gagner goal, guided in by Kane. The final held at 4-3, with the three stars going to Hintz, Pavelski, and Gagner, while Kane gets an honorable mentions.

South to Arizona, as the Coyotes bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Connor Ingram are in the creases. Arizona started in the first period with a Nick Schmaltz penalty shot goal, his third of the season. Montreal tied it on a Sean Monahan goal, his sixth of the year, via Brendan Gallagher. The Coyotes took the lead back with a Lawson Crouse goal in the second period, his third of the season, made possible by Matias Maccelli and Nick Bjugstad. The Canadiens retied it in the third period on a Gallagher power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Tanner Pearson and Alex Newhook. Arizona pulled ahead again with a Schmaltz goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, passed from Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller on the power play. This held for a 3-2 win, with the three stars handed to Schmaltz, Gallagher, and Crouse.

Back north, the Seattle Kraken host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Philipp Grubauer guard the cages. Nashville opened in the first period with a Thomas Novak power play goal, his fifth of the season, via Colton Sissons and Luke Evangelista. Seattle tied it on an Oliver Bjorkstrand power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Justin Schultz and Jared McCann. The Kraken took the lead with a McCann goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Yanni Gourde. The Predators tied it in the second period with a Roman Josi power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Tyson Barrie and Filip Forsberg. Seattle pulled ahead on a Brian Dumoulin goal, his second of the season, made possible by Schultz and Tye Kartye. The Kraken added on with a Vince Dunn goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Wennberg. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to McCann, Schultz, and Dumoulin.

Backtracking to Vegas, where the Golden Knights welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Logan Thompson tend the twines. Vegas led off in the first period with a William Karlsson goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Pavel Dorofeyev and Ben Hutton. Winnipeg tied it in the second period with a Kyle Connor goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Alex Iafallo and Mark Scheifele. The Golden Knights took the lead back on a Jonathan Marchessault power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Mark Stone and the goalie Thompson. Vegas added on with an Ivan Barbashev powered play goal, his third of the year, via Alex Pietrangelo and Karlsson. The Jets got one back with an Iafallo power play goal, his fourth of the season, with assists provided by Cole Perfetti and Connor. The Golden Knights shot back on another Marchessault goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, passed from Barbashev and Pietrangelo. Vegas extended the lead to 5-2 as Marchessault completed his hat trick with an empty net goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The three stars were Marchessault, Barbashev, and Karlsson, while Pietrangelo, Connor, and Iafallo get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Kaapo Kahkonen receive the starts in goal. Vancouver began in the first period with a Brock Boeser power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. The Canucks added on with a J.T. Miller power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Boeser and Hughes. Vancouver extended the lead as Hughes scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Filip Hronek and Sam Lafferty. The Canucks padded the lead on a Boeser power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, coming off of Andrei Kuzmenko and Miller. Vancouver continued in the second period with an Ilya Mikheyev goal, his third of the season, made possible by Carson Soucy and Pettersson. The Canucks kept going with a Kuzmenko goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Pettersson and Mark Friedman. Mackenzie Blackwood replaced Kahkonen in goal. Vancouver struck again on a Lafferty goal, his third of the season, helped along by Miller and Hughes. The Canucks piled on with a Pius Suter goal, courtesy of Hughes. Vancouver tallied again in the third period with an Anthony Beauvillier power play goal, assisted by Soucy and Hronek. The Canucks hit double digits on another Beauvillier goal, his second of the game, fueled by Conor Garland. San Jose got on the board with a Fabian Zetterlund goal, his third of the year, helped along by Luke Kunin and Kevin Labanc. The final was 10-1, with the three stars going to Hughes, Boeser, and Miller, while Beauvillier, Lafferty, Kuzmenko, Hronek, and Soucy get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 23

We've got four games this Wednesday, beginning with...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Carter Hart man the nets. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Joel Farabee goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Travis Sanheim. Buffalo tied it on a Casey Mittelstadt goal, his third of the year, guided in by JJ Peterka and Jeff Skinner. The Sabres took the lead with a Brandon Biro goal, assisted by Tage Thompson and Jordan Greenway. Samuel Ersson replaced an injured Hart in goal. The Flyers tied it again with a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixth of the season, via Sanheim. Buffalo took the lead in the third period with an Owen Power goal, coming off of Thompson and Alex Tuch. The Sabres added on with a Thompson goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Tuch. Buffalo iced it at 5-2 with a Biro empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Mittelstadt and Peyton Krebs. The three stars went to Thompson, Biro, and Mittelstadt, while Tuch and Sanheim get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Calgary Flames welcome the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Jacob Markstrom tend the twines. Calgary led off in the first period with a Connor Zary goal, assisted by Chris Tanev and Nazem Kadri. Dallas tied it on a Jamie Benn shorthanded goal, his third of the season, set up by Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell. The Flames took the lead in the second period with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of MacKenzie Weegar and Elias Lindholm. The Stars tied it on a Jason Robertson goal, his second of the season, via Hintz and Joe Pavelski. Dallas took the lead with an Evgenii Dadonov goal, his third of the year, passed from Nils Lundkvist and Benn. The Stars added on with a Mason Marchment goal, his second of the season, his second of the season, helped along by Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin. Calgary got one back on a Weegar power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Kadri and Lindholm. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Benn, Hintz, and Weegar, while Lindholm and Kadri.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Ivan Prosvetov patrol the creases. Colorado started in the first period with a Ross Colton goal, his second of the season, helped along by Miles Wood. The Avalanche added on with a Rantanen power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. St. Louis got on the board in the second period with a Robert Thomas goal, his second of the season, made possible by Kasperi Kapanen and Nick Leddy. Colorado replied in the third period with an Artturi Lehkonen goal, his third of the year, guided in by Makar and Rantanen. The Avalanche extended the lead as Bowen Byram his second of the season, assisted by MacKinnon. The final was 4-1, with the three stars given to Rantanen, Makar, MacKinnon.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Arizona Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka and Lukas Dostal protect the nets. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Troy Terry power play goal, his third of the season, going in unassisted. The Ducks added on with a Terry goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, via Pavel Mintyukov and Cam Fowler. Arizona got on the board with a Lawson Crouse goal, coming off of J.J. Moser and Nick Bjugstad. The Coyotes tied it on a Logan Cooley goal, assisted by Moser and Liam O'Brien. Arizona took the lead in the second period with a Crouse goal, his second of the game, made possible by Matias Maccelli and Juuso Valimaki. Anaheim retied it in the third period with a Leo Carlsson goal, his third of the season, fueled by Terry and Radko Gudas. The Ducks won 4-3 in overtime as Terry completed his hat trick on his fifth of the year, thanks to Mason McTavish. The three stars were Terry, Crouse, and Moser. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 22

A quiet Halloween night features two games, beginning with...

The Toronto Maple Leafs welcoming the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Joseph Woll are set to start in goal. Los Angeles began in the first period with an Andreas Englund goal, via Pierre-Luc Dubois. The Kings added on with a Phillip Danault goal, his second of the season, assisted by Trevor Moore and Jordan Spence. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period on an Arthur Kaliyev power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a John Tavares power play goal, his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Mitchell Marner and William Nylander. The Kings replied with an Adrian Kempe goal, his third of the year, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Byfield. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Talbot (30 for 31 in saves), Byfield and Danault.

Over in Vancouver, the Canucks bring in the Nashville Predators. Kevin Lankinen and Thatcher Demko patrol the creases. Vancouver led off in the first period with a Sam Lafferty goal, his second of the season, coming off of Quinn Hughes and Anthony Beauvillier. Nashville tied it on a Colton Sissons goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Roman Josi and Liam Foudy. The Predators took the lead with a Dante Fabbro goal, made possible by Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly. The Canucks tied it in the second period with an Elias Pettersson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Hughes and Ilya Mikheyev. Vancouver took the lead on another Pettersson power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, powered by Andrei Kuzmenko and Filip Hronek. The Canucks added on in the third period with a J.T. Miller goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Brock Boeser and Hughes. Vancouver iced it at 5-2 with a Pettersson empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the year, set up by Beauvillier and Tyler Myers. The three stars were Pettersson, Hughes, and Beauvillier. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 21

There's nine games on for a busy Monday, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Linus Ullmark man the nets. Florida started in the first period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his second of the season, coming off of Sam Reinhart and Niko Mikkola. The Panthers added on with a Sam Reinhart goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Barkov. Boston got on the board in the second period with a Brad Marchand goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Jake DeBrusk and Charlie Coyle. The Bruins tied it in the third period on a Charlie McAvoy goal, his second of the year, made possible by David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. Boston won 3-2 in overtime with a Zacha goal, his third of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Zacha, Barkov, and McAvoy.

Along to Philadelphia, where the Flyers welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Carter Hart are the veterans in goal. Carolina opened in the first period with a Stefan Noesen goal, his second of the season, coming off of Andrei Svechnikov and Dmitry Orlov. Philadelphia tied it with an Owen Tippett goal, his second of the year, assisted by Sean Couturier. The Flyers pulled ahead on a Garnet Hathaway goal, courtesy of Nicolas Deslauriers and Scott Laughton. The Hurricanes tied it in the second period with a Michael Bunting power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Noesen. Carolina pulled ahead in the third period with a Teuvo Teravainen goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Bunting and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Bunting, Noesen, and Teravainen.

Across the state, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Tristan Jarry patrol the creases. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with an Erik Karlsson power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith. Anaheim tied it on a Jakob Silfverberg goal, passed from Max Jones and Pavel Mintyukov. The Ducks took the lead in the second period with a Frank Vatrano power play goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Cam Fowler and Mason McTavish. The Penguins retied it on a Malkin power play goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Karlsson and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh pulled ahead in the third period with a Radim Zohorna goal, his second of the year, guided in by Drew O'Connor and Lars Eller. Anaheim tied it again with a McTavish goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Ryan Strome and Mintyukov. The Ducks pulled ahead on a McTavish shorthanded goal, set up by Adam Henrique. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being McTavish, Mintyukov, and Malkin, while Karlsson gets an honorable mention.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning host the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Jonas Johansson are set to start in goal. Seattle began in the first period with a Brian Dumoulin goal, assisted by Justin Schultz and Jaden Schwartz. The Kraken added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his second of the season, made possible by Kailer Yamamoto and Jared McCann. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Tanner Jeannot goal, his second of the year, guided in by Haydn Fleury and Darren Raddysh. Seattle replied with a Yamamoto power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Schwartz and Eeli Tolvanen. The Lightning pulled one back in the second period with an Alex Barre-Boulet power play goal, his third of the year, with assists provided by Brandon Hagel and Jeannot. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on a Hagel goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Anthony Cirelli and Barre-Boulet. The Kraken won 4-3 in overtime with a McCann power play goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Vince Dunn and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The three stars went to Yamamoto, Hagel, and McCann, while Schwartz, Barre-Boulet, and Jeannot get the honorable mentions.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Ville Husso and Ilya Sorokin protect the nets. New York got going in the second period with a shorthanded Casey Cizikas goal, his second of the season, set up by Bo Horvat. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Brock Nelson goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Noah Dobson and Pierre Engvall. Detroit got on the board with a Daniel Sprong goal, his third of the season, assisted by Michael Rasmussen and Jake Walman. The Red Wings tied it on a Walman goal, his second of the year, passed from Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Detroit pulled ahead on a J.T. Compher goal, his second of the season, made possible by Seider and Andrew Copp. New York tied it with a Horvat power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Mathew Barzal and Dobson. The Red Wings won 4-3 in overtime with a Raymond goal, his third of the season, guided in by Compher. The three stars were Compher, Horvat, and Raymond, while Walman, Seider, and Dobson get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets bring in the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Connor Hellebuyck tend the twines. New York struck first in the first period with an Artemi Panarin goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller. Winnipeg tied it on a David Gustafsson goal, his second of the year, helped along by Cole Perfetti. The Jets took the lead in the third period with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his second of the season, fueled by Perfetti and Mark Scheifele. The Rangers tied it with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Adam Fox and Panarin. New York won 3-2 in overtime with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his second of the campaign, guided in by Panarin and Miller. The three stars were Panarin, Miller, and Perfetti.

South to Dallas, as the Stars host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Jake Oettinger are in the blue paint. Dallas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Thomas Harley goal, his second of the season, guided in by Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. Columbus tied it on a Dmitri Voronkov goal, helped along by Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Damon Severson goal, passed from Adam Fantilli and Zach Werenski. The Stars retied it in the second period with a Hintz goal, his third of the year, coming off of Robertson and Nils Lundkvist. Dallas pulled ahead in the third period with a Matt Duchene goal, courtesy of Ryan Suter and Mason Marchment. The Stars added on with an Evgenii Dadonov goal, his second of the season, with helpers from Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn. Dallas extended the lead on a Johnston empty net goal, his third of the year, set up by Dadonov and Benn. Columbus got one back with a Sean Kuraly goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Ivan Provorov and Mathieu Olivier. This only made it 5-3, the final, with the three stars given to Hintz, Dadonov, and Johnston, while Robertson and Benn get the honorable mentions.

Westward to Arizona, as the Coyotes welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Arvid Soderblom and Connor Ingram are the backups in goal. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Connor Bedard goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Kevin Korchinski and Seth Jones. Arizona tied it on a Michael Carcone goal, his second of the year, passed from Logan Cooley and Sean Durzi. The Coyotes took the lead on a Josh Brown goal, via Jack McBain and Alexander Kerfoot. Arizona added on with a Carcone power play goal, his second of the game and third of the season, powered by Lawson Crouse and Nick Bjugstad. The Coyotes extended the lead in the second period as Carcone scored his fourth of the year to complete his hat trick with an unassisted goal. Arizona padded the lead on a McBain goal, his third of the season, coming off of Kerfoot and Liam O'Brien. The Coyotes continued with a Durzi goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Carcone and Travis Boyd. Arizona kept going with an O'Brien goal, with helpers from McBain and Matias Maccelli. Petr Mrazek replaced Soderblom in goal. The Coyotes struck again in the third period with a McBain goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, set up by Kerfoot. The final stood at 8-1, with the three stars being Carcone, McBain, and Kerfoot, while Durzi, O'Brien, and Boyd get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Sam Montembeault is mismatched with Adin Hill in goal. Vegas drew first blood in the first period with a Paul Cotter power play goal, his third of the season, powered by William Karlsson and Alex Pietrangelo. Montreal tied it on a shorthanded Sean Monahan goal in the second period, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Golden Knights took the lead back with a William Carrier goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Chandler Stephenson and Jack Eichel. The Canadiens retied it on a Nick Suzuki goal in the third period, his second of the year, passed from Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Cole Caufield. The tie went to a shootout, where Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore lifted the Golden Knights to a 3-2 win over Suzuki and the Canadiens. The three stars were Hill (37 for 39 in saves), Carrier, and Cotter. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 20

There's four games on this Sunday, beginning with...

The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are the goalies. Buffalo led off in the first period with a JJ Peterka goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Jeff Skinner. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Casey Mittelstadt goal, his second of the year, assisted by Skinner and Henri Jokiharju. Buffalo extended the lead as Tyson Jost scored, thanks to Alex Tuch and Owen Power. The Sabres iced it at 4-0 with a Rasmus Dahlin empty net goal in the third period, his second of the campaign, set up by Tage Thompson. The three stars were Luukkonen (23 save shutout), Skinner, and Peterka. 

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury and Vitek Vanecek protect the nets. New Jersey began in the first period with a Jesper Bratt goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of John Marino and Kevin Bahl. Minnesota tied it on a Pat Maroon goal, via Jonas Brodin and Brock Faber. The Wild took the lead in the second period with a Ryan Hartman power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Calen Addison and Joel Eriksson Ek. The Devils tied it on a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his seventh of the season, with assists provided by Bratt and Luke Hughes. New Jersey pulled ahead on an Erik Haula goal, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. The Devils added on with a Bratt power play goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, made possible by Timo Meier and Luke Hughes. Minnesota got one back with a Jake Middleton goal, helped along by Maroon and Marcus Foligno. The final held at 4-3, with the three stars being Bratt, Maroon, and Luke Hughes.

Along to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the San Jose Sharks. Mackenzie Blackwood and Darcy Kuemper are between the pipes. San Jose opened with a Luke Kunin goal in the first period, assisted by Ty Emberson and Mario Ferraro. Washington tied it in the third period with a Dylan Strome goal, his sixth of the season, via Nick Jensen and Hardy Haman Aktell. The Capitals took the lead with a Tom Wilson goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. Washington iced it at 3-1 with an Evgeny Kuznetsov empty net goal, set up by Ovechkin and Carlson. The three stars belonged to Ovechkin, Carlson, and Kuemper (29 for 30 in saves).

Finally, the game goes outdoors in Edmonton, as the Oilers host the Calgary Flames in the Heritage Classic. Edmonton started in the first period with a Brett Kulak goal, assisted by Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on with a Zach Hyman goal, his third of the season, guided in by Leon Draisaitl. Calgary got on the board with a Nazem Kadri power play goal, powered by MacKenzie Weegar and Jonathan Huberdeau. Edmonton replied with an Evan Bouchard goal, his third of the year, fueled by Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The Flames got one back on an A.J. Greer power play goal in the second period, with helpers from Weegar and the goalie Markstrom. The Oilers shot back in the third period with a Vincent Desharnais goal, courtesy of Kane and Hyman. Edmonton finished it at 5-2 with a Kane empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Derek Ryan. The three stars were handed to Kane, Hyman, and Weegar, while Draisaitl gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2023-24 - Day 19

It's a lighter slate this Saturday with nine games, including one matinee. We begin with...

The Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Lukas Dostal and Samuel Ersson are the backups in goal. Anaheim started in the first period with a Ryan Strome goal, his second of the season, via Mason McTavish. The Ducks added on with a Frank Vatrano power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Cam Fowler and McTavish. Anaheim extended the lead in the second period as Vatrano scored his second of the game and seventh of the season, passed from Jackson LaCombe and Strome. The Ducks padded the lead on an Adam Henrique goal, courtesy of Max Jones and Jakob Silfverberg. Philadelphia got on the board with a Cam Atkinson goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Owen Tippett and Cam York. The Flyers got closer with a Travis Konecny goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Sean Walker and Scott Laughton. Anaheim fired back in the third period with a Trevor Zegras power play goal, with a lone assist from Strome. The Ducks padded the lead on a Brett Leason goal, his second of the year, with a lone helper by Sam Carrick. Philadelphia got one back with a Konecny goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, guided in by Sean Couturier and Bobby Brink. Anaheim responded with a shorthanded Vatrano goal, completing his hat trick on his eighth of the year, set up by Henrique. The Flyers got one back with a Joel Farabee goal, his fourth of the campaign, dished from Brink and Noah Cates. The Ducks won 7-4, with the three stars being Vatrano, Strome, and Henrique, while Konecny, McTavish, and Brink get the honorable mentions.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Seattle Kraken. Joey Daccord and Sergei Bobrovsky patrol the creases. Seattle opened in the first period with a Jared McCann goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Yanni Gourde and Will Borgen. The Kraken added on with an Eeli Tolvanen goal in the second period, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Borgen. Florida got on the board with a Gustav Forsling power play goal, powered by Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe. The Panthers tied it on a Matthew Tkachuk goal, helped along by Dmitry Kulikov and Niko Mikkola. Florida gained the lead in the third period with a Nick Cousins goal, made possible by Josh Mahura and Kulikov. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Kulikov, Borgen, and Cousins.

North to Boston, as the Bruins bring in the Detroit Red Wings. Ville Husso and Jeremy Swayman are in the blue paint. Boston was first to score in the first period with a Pavel Zacha power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. The Bruins added on with a Charlie McAvoy goal, going in unassisted. Detroit got on the board in the third period with a Joe Veleno goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Daniel Sprong. Boston replied with a Pastrnak penalty shot goal, his seventh of the season. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Pastrnak, his second of the game and eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Pastrnak, Swayman (23 for 24 in saves), and McAvoy.

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the New York Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Spencer Martin are in the creases. New York kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his third of the season, fueled by Pierre Engvall and Sebastian Aho. The Islanders added on in the third period with a Matt Martin goal, coming off of Casey Cizikas. The final held at 2-0, with the three stars awarded to Varlamov (35 save shutout), Palmieri, and Matt Martin.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Laurent Brossoit and Jake Allen man the nets. Winnipeg began in the first period with an Adam Lowry penalty shot goal. Montreal tied it on a Justin Barron goal, his third of the season, guided in by Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Kaiden Guhle. The Jets retook the lead in the second period with another Lowry goal, made possible by Nino Niederreiter and Mason Appleton. Winnipeg added on with a Niederreiter goal, his second of the year, via Appleton. The Canadiens got one back with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Nick Suzuki and Mike Matheson. Montreal tied it in the third period with a Joel Armia goal, courtesy of Guhle. The tie went to a shootout, where Suzuki's lone tally gave the Canadiens a 4-3 win. The three stars were Suzuki, Guhle, and Lowry, while Niederreiter and Appleton get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Nashville Predators bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Juuse Saros guard the cages. Toronto struck first in the first period with a William Nylander power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner. Nashville tied it on a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his third of the year, via Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period with a Mark Giordano goal, assisted by David Kampf and Max Domi. The Predators tied it on another O'Reilly power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the season, with assists provided by Forsberg and Luke Evangelista. Nashville won 3-2 in overtime with a Josi made possible by Evangelista and Thomas Novak. The three stars were Josi, O'Reilly, and Forsberg, while Evangelista gets an honorable mention.

Backtracking to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Ottawa Senators. Joonas Korpisalo and Tristan Jarry are between the pipes. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Ridly Greig power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Jakob Chychrun. The Senators added on with a Brady Tkachuk goal, his fifth of the year, via Giroux and Tim Stutzle. Ottawa extended the lead in the second period as Dominik Kubalik scored, thanks to Greig and Mathieu Joseph. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Bryan Rust and Kris Letang. The Senators fired back in the third period with a Tkachuk goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, assisted by Stutzle and Travis Hamonic. Ottawa padded the lead on a Drake Batherson goal, courtesy of Vladimir Tarasenko. The Penguins got one back with a Jake Guentzel goal, his second of the campaign, with helpers from Crosby and Chad Ruhwedel. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Tkachuk, Crosby, and Giroux, while Greig and Stutzle get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Vancouver Canucks welcome the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Casey DeSmith are set to start in goal. New York drew first blood in the first period with an Artemi Panarin power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad. Vancouver tied it in the second period with a J.T. Miller power play goal, his fourth of the year, with assists provided by Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson. The Canucks took the lead in the third period with a Tyler Myers shorthanded and unassisted goal, his second of the season. The Rangers retied it on a power play goal by Adam Fox, his third of the year, with helpers from Panarin and Zibanejad. New York pulled ahead on a Zibanejad goal, made possible by Fox on the power play. Vancouver retied it on a Carson Soucy goal, his second of the season, helped along by Hronek and Anthony Beauvillier. The Rangers won 4-3 with a K'Andre Miller goal in overtime, set up by Chris Kreider. The three stars were Fox, Zibanejad, and Panarin, while Hronek gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Logan Thompson and Cam Talbot protect the nets. Los Angeles cracked the scoresheet in the first period with an Alex Laferriere goal, his second of the season, coming off of Pierre-Luc Dubois and Matt Roy. The Kings added on in the second period with a Trevor Lewis goal, his second of the year, via Mikey Anderson and Blake Lizotte. Vegas got on the board with a Michael Amadio goal, his second of the season, assisted by William Karlsson. The Golden Knights tied it on a William Carrier goal, guided in by Keegan Kolesar and Brett Howden. Vegas pulled ahead with a Mark Stone power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore. Los Angeles tied it on a Drew Doughty goal, his fourth of the season, passed from Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe. The tie went to a shootout, where Jack Eichel had the only tally for a 4-3 Golden Knights win. The three stars were given to Stone, Carrier, and Amadio. 

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