Wednesday, February 28, 2024

NHL 2023-24 - Day 133

There's two games on this Wednesday. First up...

The New York Rangers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins and Igor Shesterkin are the masked men. New York got going in the second period with an Artemi Panarin goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, via Vincent Trocheck. The Rangers added on with an Adam Fox power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Chris Kreider. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Cole Sillinger goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Damon Severson. New York replied with a Kreider empty net goal, his thirtieth of the year, set up by Panarin and Jimmy Vesey. The Rangers iced it at 4-1 with a Panarin empty net goal, his second of the game and thirty-fifth of the campaign, made possible by Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller. The three stars were Shesterkin (30 for 31 in saves), Panarin, and Kreider.

Out west, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Stuart Skinner protect the nets. St. Louis struck first in the first period with a Robert Thomas power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Torey Krug and Jordan Kyrou. The Blues added on with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Kyrou and Thomas. Edmonton got on the board with a Zach Hyman power play goal, his thirty-ninth of the season, with assists provided by Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers tied it in the second period with a Hyman goal, his second of the game and fortieth of the year, guided in by McDavid and Evan Bouchard. Edmonton won 3-2 in overtime with a McDavid goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, made possible by Mattias Ekholm. The three stars went to McDavid, Hyman, and Thomas, while Kyrou gets an honorable mention. 

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Tuesday, February 27, 2024

NHL 2023-24 - Day 132

There's 12 games on this Tuesday, beginning with...

The Florida Panthers hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Sergei Bobrovsky are in the creases. Buffalo started in the first period with a Dylan Cozens power play goal, his twelfth of the season, powered by Jordan Greenway and Owen Power. Florida tied it on a Sam Bennett goal, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Nick Cousins and Brandon Montour. The Panthers took the lead with a Matthew Tkachuk power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, with assists provided by Carter Verhaeghe and Montour. Florida added on with a Montour power play goal in the third period, his fifth of the year, helped along by Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart. Buffalo got one back with a Tage Thompson goal, his seventeenth of the season, via Rasmus Dahlin and Alex Tuch. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars awarded to Montour, Tkachuk, and Bennett.

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Washington Capitals. Charlie Lindgren and Alex Lyon receive the starts in goal. Detroit began in the first period with a Shayne Gostisbehere goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Joe Veleno and David Perron. The Red Wings added on with a Lucas Raymond goal, his seventeenth of the year, via J.T. Compher. Washington got on the board in the second period with a Hendrix Lapierre goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Alex Ovechkin and Anthony Mantha. Detroit shot back with a Veleno goal, his eleventh of the year, passed from Perron. The Red Wings extended the lead as Gostisbehere scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, thanks to Raymond. The Capitals got one back with a Michael Sgarbossa goal, his second of the year, guided in by John Carlson. Detroit replied with a Compher shorthanded goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Andrew Copp and Moritz Seider. The Red Wings padded the lead on a Robby Fabbri power play goal in the third period, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Patrick Kane and Daniel Sprong. Washington got one back with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his third of the season, with assists provided by Ovechkin and Alexander Alexeyev. Detroit shot back with an Alex DeBrincat goal, his twenty-third of the year, fueled by Dylan Larkin and Kane. The Red Wings kept going with a Larkin goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, with helpers from Raymond and Olli Maatta. This made it 8-3, the final, with the three stars being Raymond, Gostisbehere, and Compher, while Larkin, Veleno, Kane, Perron, and Ovechkin get the honorable mentions.

Along to Montreal, as the Canadiens bring in the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Ingram and Sam Montembeault are set to start in goal. Montreal opened in the first period with a Joel Armia goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Alex Newhook and Joshua Roy. The Canadiens added on with a Jordan Harris goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. Arizona got on the board with an Alex Kerfoot goal, his ninth of the season, passed from J.J. Moser and Nick Schmaltz. Montreal answered in the third period with a Tanner Pearson goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Harris and Jake Evans. The Coyotes pulled one back with a Nick Bjugstad goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Matias Maccelli and Michael Kesselring. The Canadiens iced it at 4-2 with a Nick Suzuki empty net goal, his twenty-third of the year, set up by Armia and Evans. The three stars were Harris, Armia and Evans.

Back stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy faces a lesser foe in Samuel Ersson in goal. Philadelphia led off in the first period with a Bobby Brink goal, his eighth of the season, via Morgan Frost and Marc Staal. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with a Nick Paul goal, his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Brandon Hagel. The Flyers took the lead in the third period with a Tyson Foerster goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Frost. Philadelphia added on with a Travis Sanheim goal, his eighth of the year, assisted by Noah Cates and Ryan Poehling. The Flyers extended the lead as Sean Walker scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Joel Farabee and Foerster. The Lightning got one back with a Steven Stamkos goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Philadelphia replied with an empty net goal by Cates, his third of the campaign, set up by Poehling. The Flyers iced it at 6-2 with an empty net goal by Cam York, his eighth of the campaign, made possible by Sanheim. The three stars were Sanheim, Cates, and Frost.

Back in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov are the masked men. Vegas got going in the second period with an Ivan Barbashev goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Michael Amadio and Shea Theodore. The Golden Knights added on with a Mason Morelli goal, his second of the year, made possible by Theodore and Sheldon Rempal. Toronto got on the board with a Tyler Bertuzzi goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Jake McCabe and William Nylander. Vegas answered with a William Karlsson goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Jonathan Marchessault. The Golden Knights extended the lead in the third period as Marchessault scored his thirty-first of the season, thanks to Karlsson. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Ryan Reaves goal, his third of the year, passed from Pontus Holmberg. Vegas shot back with an empty net goal by Marchessault, his second of the game and thirty-second of the season, set up by Alex Pietrangelo. The Golden Knights iced it at 6-2 with a Nicolas Roy goal, his eleventh of the year, with helpers from Theodore and Brayden McNabb. The three stars belonged to Marchessault, Theodore, and Karlsson.

West to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov and Filip Gustavsson guard the cages. Minnesota was first to score in the first period with a Connor Dewar goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Declan Chisholm and Ryan Hartman. Carolina tied it on a Jordan Staal goal, his eighth of the year, via Jordan Martinook and Jaccob Slavin. The Wild retook the lead with a Jonas Brodin goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Brandon Duhaime and Hartman. The Hurricanes tied it in the second period with an Andrei Svechnikov goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Seth Jarvis and Staal. Carolina pulled ahead in the third period with a Stefan Noesen goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Jack Drury and Teuvo Teravainen. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Staal, Hartman, and Noesen.

Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Ottawa Senators. Joonas Korpisalo and Juuse Saros are the Finnish goalies. Nashville struck first in the first period with a Michael McCarron goal, his ninth of the season, via Roman Josi and Cole Smith. The Predators added on with a Josi power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Gustav Nyquist and Tommy Novak. Ottawa got on the board with a Drake Batherson power play goal, his twentieth of the season, with assists provided by Jake Sanderson and Tim Stutzle. Nashville shot back in the second period with a Josi goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Nyquist and Ryan McDonagh. The Predators extended the lead in the third period as Nyquist scored his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars handed to Josi, Nyquist, and Saros (24 for 25 in saves).

North again to Winnipeg, as the Jets welcome the St. Louis Blues. Joel Hofer and Laurent Brossoit are the backups in goal. Winnipeg kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Sean Monahan goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Nikolaj Ehlers and Josh Morrissey. The Jets added on with a Brenden Dillon goal, his second of the year, fueled by Mark Scheifele. St. Louis got on the board with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his twenty-third of the season, via Marco Scandella and Robert Thomas. Winnipeg shot back with a Kyle Connor goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, made possible by Morrissey. The Blues got one back in the second period with a Brandon Saad goal, his seventeenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Jets answered in the third period with an Alex Iafallo goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Ehlers and Monahan. The final held from here at 4-2, with the three stars being Monahan, Ehlers, and Morrissey.

Over in Calgary, the Flames bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Cam Talbot and Jacob Markstrom protect the nets. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Phillip Danault goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Kevin Fiala and Drew Doughty. Calgary tied it on an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Noah Hanifin and the goalie Markstrom. The Flames took the lead with a Blake Coleman goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Huberdeau and Chris Tanev. The Kings tied it on a Fiala goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Quinton Byfield. Calgary retook the lead with a Yegor Sharangovich goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Dryden Hunt and Jakob Pelletier. The Flames iced it at 4-2 with a Mikael Backlund shorthanded empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Tanev. The three stars were Tanev, Sharangovich, and Coleman.

South to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Alexandar Georgiev tend the twines. Dallas drew first blood in the first period with a Logan Stankoven goal, his second of the season, via Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson. Colorado tied it on a Joel Kiviranta goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Andrew Cogliano and Devon Toews. The Avalanche took the lead with a Mikko Rantanen goal, his thirty-first of the season, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon. Colorado added on in the second period with a Cogliano goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Chris Wagner. The Avalanche extended the lead as MacKinnon scored his thirty-fifth of the season, thanks to Artturi Lehkonen and Cale Makar. Colorado padded the lead on a Lehkonen power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Jonathan Drouin and Rantanen. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars going to MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Cogliano, while Lehkonen gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Thatcher Demko are between the pipes. Vancouver started in the first period with a Nils Hoglander goal, his eighteenth of the season, guided in by Tyler Myers and Ilya Mikheyev. The Canucks added on with a Brock Boeser power play goal, his thirty-fourth of the year, powered by J.T. Miller and Filip Hronek. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Sidney Crosby. The Penguins tied it on a Rakell power play goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, with assists provided by Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Vancouver retook the lead with a shorthanded Miller goal, his thirtieth of the season, set up by Elias Pettersson and the goalie Demko. Pittsburgh retied it in the third period on a Lars Eller goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Valtteri Puustinen and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh won 4-3 in overtime with an Erik Karlsson goal, his eighth of the campaign, made possible by Eller and Reilly Smith. The three stars were Rakell, Eller, and Miller, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the San Jose Sharks bring in the New Jersey Devils. Nico Daws and Mackenzie Blackwood are in the blue paint. San Jose opened in the first period with a Nico Sturm goal, his fourth of the season, via Alexander Barabanov. New Jersey tied it in the second period with a Jesper Bratt goal, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Timo Meier and Nico Hischier. The Devils took the lead with a Jack Hughes goal, his nineteenth of the season, going in unassisted. New Jersey added on with a Kevin Bahl goal, passed from Hischier and Hughes. The Devils extended the lead in the third period as Colin Miller scored his third of the year, thanks to Hischier and Meier. New Jersey padded the lead on a Brendan Smith goal, his third of the season, guided in by Ondrej Palat and Chris Tierney. The Devils continued with a Dawson Mercer goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Hughes and John Marino. New Jersey kept going with a Hischier goal, his twentieth of the season, fueled by Bratt and Jonas Siegenthaler. The Sharks got one back with a Justin Bailey goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers from Ryan Carpenter and Henry Thrun. This made it 7-2, the final, with the three stars going to Hischier, Hughes, and Bratt, while Meier gets an honorable mention. 

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Monday, February 26, 2024

NHL 2023-24 - Day 131

There are four games on this Monday. First up...

The Washington Capitals host the Ottawa Senators. Anton Forsberg and Darcy Kuemper man the nets. Washington led off in the first period with an Aliaksei Protas goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Anthony Mantha and Connor McMichael. The Capitals added on with a John Carlson power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Dylan Strome. Ottawa got on the board with a Drake Batherson goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Brady Tkachuk and Shane Pinto. The Senators tied it with a Pinto goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Travis Hamonic and Tkachuk. Washington got on the board with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by Michael Sgarbossa and McMichael. The Capitals extended the lead as Beck Malenstyn scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Protas and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Ottawa got one back in the second period with a Tkachuk goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, helped along by Vladimir Tarasenko and Pinto. Washington replied with a Hendrix Lapierre goal, his third of the year, courtesy of Malenstyn and Ethan Bear. The Capitals padded the lead on another Lapierre goal, his second of the game and fourth of the campaign, with helpers from Mantha and Protas. This held as the eventual 6-3 final score, with the three stars going to Protas, Lapierre, and Malenstyn, while Tkachuk, Pinto, McMichael, and Mantha get the honorable mentions. 

Down in Dallas, the Stars welcome the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Scott Wedgewood receive the starts in goal. New York began in the first period with a Ryan Pulock goal, his fourth of the season, via Simon Holmstrom and Casey Cizikas. Dallas tied it in the second period with a Matt Duchene power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven. The Islanders took the lead back with a Kyle MacLean goal, his second of the season, assisted by Pierre Engvall and Pulock. The Stars retied it on a Stankoven goal, made possible by Wyatt Johnston. New York won 3-2 in overtime with a Bo Horvat goal, his twenty-third of the year, passed from Mathew Barzal and Mike Reilly. The three stars were Pulock, Stankoven, and Horvat.

Up north, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. David Rittich and Stuart Skinner patrol the creases. Los Angeles opened in the first period with a Trevor Moore goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Quinton Byfield and Andreas Englund. Edmonton tied it on a Zach Hyman goal, his thirty-eighth of the year, assisted by Connor McDavid. The Kings took the lead back in the second period with an Alex Laferriere goal, his eighth of the season, via Anze Kopitar and Matt Roy. The Oilers tied it on a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, powered by Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton pulled ahead in the third period with a Bouchard goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Draisaitl and McDavid. The Oilers added on with a Nugent-Hopkins goal, his sixteenth of the year, passed from Connor Brown and Mattias Janmark. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars given to Bouchard, Nugent-Hopkins, and Draisaitl, while McDavid gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Seattle Kraken host the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Philipp Grubauer are in the blue paint. Boston started in the first period with a David Pastrnak goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk and Jesper Boqvist. Seattle tied it in the second period on a Jordan Eberle power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Bruins retook the lead with a Pastrnak goal, his second of the game and thirty-eighth of the season, fueled by Pavel Zacha and Charlie McAvoy. The Kraken tied it in the third period with a Vince Dunn goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Andre Burakovsky and Yanni Gourde. Seattle took the lead with an Oliver Bjorkstrand goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming off of Will Borgen and Alexander Wennberg. Boston retied it with a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, with assists provided by Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. The tie went to a shootout, where Kailer Yamamoto had the lone tally for a 4-3 Kraken win. The three stars were Pastrnak, Bjorkstrand, and Dunn. 

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Sunday, February 25, 2024

NHL 2023-24 - Day 130

It's a seven-game Sunday, beginning with...

The New Jersey Devils hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jonas Johansson and Akira Schmid get the starts in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period with a Victor Hedman goal, his tenth of the season, via Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel. The Lightning added on with a Brayden Point goal, his thirtieth of the year, courtesy of Kucherov and Hedman. New Jersey got on the board with a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes. Tampa Bay replied in the third period with a Hagel goal, his twenty-second of the year, passed from Point and Kucherov. The Lightning iced it at 4-1 with a Kucherov empty net goal, his thirty-eighth of the campaign, set up by Hagel. The three stars were Kucherov, Hagel, and Point, while Hedman gets an honorable mention. 

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Cal Petersen and Tristan Jarry are the goalies. Philadelphia started in the first period with a Travis Sanheim goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Scott Laughton and Olle Lycksell. Pittsburgh tied it on a Sidney Crosby goal, his thirty-second of the year, via Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. The Penguins took the lead with a Rust goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Marcus Pettersson and Crosby. The Flyers retied it in the second period with a Tyson Foerster goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Owen Tippett and Sean Walker. Pittsburgh retook the lead with a Rust power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Crosby. The Penguins added on with an Emil Bemstrom power play goal, his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Reilly Smith and Kris Letang. Philadelphia fired back with a Sanheim goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, assisted by Sean Couturier. The Flyers tied it on a Laughton shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Noah Cates and Cam York. Pittsburgh reclaimed the lead on a Drew O'Connor goal, his ninth of the season, helped along by Evgeni Malkin and Valtteri Puustinen. The Penguins extended the lead as Rakell scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Crosby and Pettersson. Philadelphia got one back with a York goal, his seventh of the season, with helpers from Lycksell and Foerster. Pittsburgh shot back on a Letang goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Flyers pulled back with a Foerster power play goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign, dished from Couturier and Laughton. This only made it 7-6, the final, with the three stars being Crosby, Rust, and Foerster, while Sanheim, Laughton, York, Letang, Rakell, Pettersson, Couturier, and Lycksell get the honorable mentions. 

Next up, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Spencer Martin and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are set to start in goal. Carolina opened in the first period with a Tony DeAngelo goal, his third of the season, via Michael Bunting and Martin Necas. Buffalo tied it on a Jeff Skinner power play goal in the second period, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Dylan Cozens and Kyle Okposo. The Hurricanes retook the lead on a Martin Necas power play goal in the third period, his eighteenth of the season, with assists provided by Brady Skjei and Teuvo Teravainen. The Sabres retied it on an Owen Power goal, his third of the year, coming off of Peyton Krebs and Zach Benson. The tie went to a shootout, where Casey Mittelstadt's lone tally gave the Sabres a 3-2 win. The three stars were Power, Skinner, and Luukkonen (30 for 32 in saves).

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings. James Reimer and Petr Mrazek are the veterans in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Daniel Sprong goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Christian Fischer and Robby Fabbri. Chicago tied it in the second period on a MacKenzie Entwistle goal, his third of the year, via Reese Johnson and Kevin Korchinski. The Blackhawks pulled ahead with a Nick Foligno power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, powered by Connor Bedard and Seth Jones. The Red Wings tied it in the third period with an Alex DeBrincat goal, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Shayne Gostisbehere. Detroit won 3-2 in overtime with a Kane goal, his twelfth of the campaign, made possible by DeBrincat. The three stars were Kane, DeBrincat, and Sprong.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets welcome the Arizona Coyotes. Connor Ingram and Connor Hellebuyck are the masked men. Winnipeg began in the first period with a Mark Scheifele goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Josh Morrissey. Arizona tied it on a Nick Schmaltz power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Dylan Guenther and Jason Zucker. The Jets retook the lead with a Kyle Connor power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, with assists provided by Gabriel Vilardi and Scheifele. Winnipeg added on with a Vilardi power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, passed from Scheifele and Morrissey. The Coyotes got one back with a Matias Maccelli goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Juuso Valimaki and Lawson Crouse. Arizona tied it in the third period with a Schmaltz goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Alexander Kerfoot. The Jets won 4-3 in overtime with a Connor goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, helped along by Morrissey and Scheifele. The three stars were Connor, Scheifele, and Morrisey, while Schmaltz and Vilardi get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring in the New York Rangers. Jonathan Quick and Elvis Merzlikins are in the blue paint. Columbus struck first in the first period with a Dmitri Voronkov goal, his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Kirill Marchenko and Damon Severson. New York tied it on an Artemi Panarin goal, his thirty-third of the year, helped along by Adam Fox. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period with a Marchenko goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Voronkov and Yegor Chinakhov. The Rangers retied it on an Adam Edstrom goal, his second of the year, fueled by Matt Rempe. Columbus took the lead back with a Jack Roslovic goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Johnny Gaudreau. The Blue Jackets added on with an Ivan Provorov goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Roslovic and Gaudreau. This held for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to Roslovic, Voronkov, and Marchenko, while Gaudreau gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks host the Nashville Predators. Kevin Lankinen and Lukas Dostal are the backups in goal. Nashville dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Roman Josi goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Filip Forsberg and Dante Fabbro. Anaheim tied it with an Isac Lundestrom goal, his third of the year, coming off of Max Jones and Brett Leason. The Predators took the lead back in the second period with a Forsberg goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Tommy Novak. Nashville added on with a Michael McCarron goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Fabbro and Kiefer Sherwood. The Ducks got one back with a Leason goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Mason McTavish and Adam Henrique. The Predators iced it at 4-2 with a Gustav Nyquist empty net goal, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Ryan O'Reilly. The three stars were Forsberg, Fabbro, and Leason. 

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Saturday, February 24, 2024

NHL 2023-24 - Day 129

There's 13 games on this Saturday. First up...

The Detroit Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Alex Lyon man the nets. Detroit led off in the first period with a Patrick Kane goal, his eleventh of the season, via Shayne Gostisbehere and Alex DeBrincat. The Red Wings added on with a Michael Rasmussen goal, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Lucas Raymond and Jeff Petry. Detroit extended the lead on an unassisted Robby Fabbri goal, his fourteenth of the season. The Red Wings padded the lead on a DeBrincat power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Moritz Seider and Daniel Spring. Joel Hofer replaced Binnington in the second period. St. Louis got on the board with a Zack Bolduc goal, made possible by Brandon Saad and Nathan Walker. Detroit fired back with a J.T. Compher goal, his fourteenth of the season, guided in by Raymnod and Rasmussen. The Red Wings piled on with a DeBrincat goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, with a lone helper from Kane. The three stars of the 6-1 game were DeBrincat, Kane, and Rasmussen, while Raymond gets an honorable mention. 

Over in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Allen and Nico Daws are in the creases. Montreal got going in the second period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his ninth of the season, via Jake Evans and Josh Anderson. New Jersey tied it on a Timo Meier goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Kevin Bahl and Tyler Toffoli. The Canadiens retook the lead with a Nick Suzuki goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Cole Caufield and Johnathan Kovacevic. The Devils tied it on an Ondrej Palat goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Simon Nemec. New Jersey pulled ahead in the third period with a Nico Hischier power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Toffoli and Luke Hughes. The Devils added on with a Jesper Bratt goal, his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Meier. Montreal got one back with a Suzuki goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the campaign, passed from Joel Armia and Mike Matheson. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Meier, Toffoli, and Suzuki.

Along to New York, as the Islanders bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Sorokin tend the twines. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Nick Paul goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Brandon Hagel and Darren Raddysh. The Lightning added on with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his thirty-seventh of the year, guided in by Victor Hedman and Nick Perbix. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the second period on a Brayden Point power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, powered by Kucherov and Hedman. New York got on the board in the third period with an Anders Lee goal, his fifteenth of the year, passed from Mathew Barzal and Noah Dobson. The Islanders got closer with a Brock Nelson power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, made possible by Dobson. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 with a Luke Glendening empty net goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Hedman and Kucherov. The three stars were Kucherov, Hedman, and Dobson.

Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Samuel Ersson are set to start in goal. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Alexis Lafreniere goal, his seventeenth of the season, via Vincent Trocheck and K'Andre Miller. Philadelphia tied it in the third period with a Tyson Foerster goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Scott Laughton and Travis Sanheim. The Rangers retook the lead with a Matt Rempe goal, passed from Barclay Goodrow and Braden Schneider. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Shesterkin (40 for 41 in saves), Rempe, and Lafreniere. 

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Washington Capitals. Charlie Lindgren and Anthony Stolarz are the goalies. Florida cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Nick Cousins goal, his third of the season, via Dmitry Kulikov and Brandon Montour. Washington tied it on a Sonny Milano power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Rasmus Sandin and Max Pacioretty. The Capitals took the lead in the third period with a Tom Wilson power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Dylan Strome and John Carlson. The Panthers retied it on an Aleksander Barkov power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, with assists provided by Carter Verhaeghe and Montour. Florida won 3-2 in overtime with a Gustav Forsling goal, his ninth of the campaign, helped along by Sam Bennett. The three stars were Montour, Forsling, and Barkov.

North to Ottawa, as the Senators bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Logan Thompson and Anton Forsberg are the backups in goal. Vegas started in the first period with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, his thirtieth of the season, coming off of William Karlsson. The Golden Knights added on in the second period with a Chandler Stephenson power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Shea Theodore and Marchessault. Ottawa got on the board with a Thomas Chabot goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Mathieu Joseph and Claude Giroux. The Senators tied it on a Drake Batherson power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, with assists provided by Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris. Ottawa took the lead in the third period with a Norris goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Chabot and Erik Brannstrom. Vegas tied it on a Stephenson goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, via Karlsson and Theodore. The Senators won 4-3 in the shootout with a lone tally by Tim Stutzle. The three stars were Norris, Chabot, and Stephenson, while Karlsson, Marchessault, and Theodore get the honorable mentions.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Alexander Georgiev have the green light to play in goal. Colorado opened in the first period with an Artturi Lehkonen power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The Avalanche added on with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his fifth of the year, via MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Toronto got on the board with a Tyler Bertuzzi power play goal, his eighth of the season, with assists provided by Mitchell Marner and William Nylander. The Maple Leafs tied it in the second period on a Bertuzzi goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, passed from Nylander and Max Domi. Toronto pulled ahead with a Marner goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Matthew Knies and T.J. Brodie. Colorado tied it in the third period with a Rantanen goal, his thirtieth of the year, helped along by MacKinnon and Bowen Byram. The Maple Leafs pulled ahead on a Bertuzzi power play goal, completing his hat trick on his tenth of the season, guided in by Nylander and Auston Matthews. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Bertuzzi, Nylander, and MacKinnon, while Marner and Rantanen get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Vancouver, as the Canucks welcome the Boston Bruins. Jeremy Swayman and Thatcher Demko guard the cages. Boston got the first goal in the second period with a Jesper Boqvist goal, his third of the season, coming off of Justin Brazeau. The Bruins added on with a Danton Heinen goal, his eleventh of the year, via Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie. Vancouver got on the board in the third period with a Brock Boeser goal, his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Nikita Zadorov and J.T. Miller. The Canucks tied it on a Filip Hronek goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Miller and Elias Pettersson. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime with a Boeser goal, his second of the game and thirty-third of the campaign, fueled by Miller and Quinn Hughes on the power play. The three stars were Boeser, Miller, and Hronek.

Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Pyotr Kochetkov protect the nets. Dallas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Jason Robertson goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Miro Heiskanen and Joe Pavelski. Carolina tied it in the second period with a Sebastian Aho goal, his twenty-second of the year, fueled by Jesper Fast and Andrei Svechnikov. The Stars took the lead back with a Wyatt Johnston goal, his nineteenth of the season, passed from Jamie Benn and Heiskanen. This held for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Oettinger (20 for 21 in saves), Heiskanen, and Johnston.

In Canada again, the Edmonton Oilers host the Calgary Flames. Dan Vladar and Stuart Skinner draw the starts in goal. Calgary was first to score in the first period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his twenty-first of the season, via Walker Duehr and Noah Hanifin. The Flames added on with a Martin Pospisil goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Connor Zary and Brayden Pachal. Calgary extended the lead as Hanifin scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Mikael Backlund and Jonathan Huberdeau. Edmonton got on the board with a Zach Hyman power play goal, his thirty-sixth of the year, powered by Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard. The Oilers got closer in the second period with another Hyman goal, his second of the game and thirty-seventh of the season, guided in by Leon Draisaitl and McDavid. The Flames answered with a Dryden Hunt goal, made possible by Huberdeau and Oliver Kylington. Calgary padded the lead as Hanifin scored his second of the game and eleventh of the year on the power play, with the help of Zary and Rasmus Andersson. The Flames continued in the third period with a Blake Coleman empty net goal, his twenty-third of the season, set up by Andrew Mangiapane. Edmonton got one back with a Mattias Janmark goal, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. This only made it 6-3, the final, with the three stars belonging to Hanifin, Hyman, and Huberdeau, while Zary and McDavid get the honorable mentions.

Stateside, the Seattle Kraken welcome the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury and Joey Daccord are in the blue paint. Seattle struck first in the first period with a Vince Dunn goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Jared McCann and Matty Beniers. Minnesota tied it with a Marcus Johansson goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Mats Zuccarello and Jake Middleton. The Wild took the lead with a power play goal by Kirill Kaprizov, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman. Minnesota added on in the second period with a Matt Boldy power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, with helpers from Kaprizov and Zuccarello. The Wild extended the lead as Kaprizov scored his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the season, thanks to Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber. Philipp Grubauer replaced Daccord in goal. Minnesota padded the lead with a Dakota Mermis goal, his third of the year, helped along by Zuccarello and Connor Dewar. The Kraken got one back with a Jordan Eberle goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Adam Larsson. The final held at 5-2, with the three stars handed to Kaprizov, Zuccarello, and Fleury (31 for 33 in saves).

Further south, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Kaapo Kahkonen are the Finnish goalies. Nashville drew first blood in the first period with a Kiefer Sherwood goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Roman Josi and Michael McCarron. The Predators added on with a Filip Forsberg power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Tommy Novak and Gustav Nyquist. San Jose got on the board with a Mikael Granlund goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Ty Emberson in the third period. Nashville replied with a Sherwood goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, fueled by Alexandre Carrier. The Sharks retook the lead with a Filip Zadina goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Jan Rutta. The Predators iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Nyquist, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Forsberg. The three stars were Sherwood, Nyquist, and Forsberg.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and David Rittich are set to start in goal. Anaheim tallied first in the first period with a Jakob Silfverberg power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Strome and Cam Fowler. Los Angeles tied it on a Kevin Fiala power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, with assists provided by Adrian Kempe and Drew Doughty. The Ducks retook the lead in the second period with a Sam Carrick shorthanded goal, his eighth of the season, set up by Adam Henrique. The Kings tied it with a Doughty power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Kempe and Fiala. The tie went to a shootout, where Pierre-Luc Dubois and Trevor Moore lifted the Kings 3-2 over Leo Carlsson and the Ducks. The three stars were Doughty, Fiala, and Kempe. 

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Friday, February 23, 2024

NHL 2023-24 - Day 128

There's three games on this Friday. First up...

The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Daniil Tarasov are the young goalies. Columbus opened in the first period with a Dmitri Voronkov power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Kirill Marchenko and Ivan Provorov. Buffalo tied it on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Kyle Okposo and Kale Clague. The Sabres took the lead with a Connor Clifton goal, helped along by Jacob Bryson and Zach Benson in the third period. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Luukkonen (25 for 26 in saves), Clifton, and Girgensons. 

West to Chicago, as the Blackhawks welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Petr Mrazek protect the nets. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Nikolaj Ehlers goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Dylan DeMelo and Josh Morrissey. The Jets added on with another Ehlers goal in the second period, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, passed from Morrissey. Chicago got on the board with a Colin Blackwell goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Seth Jones. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Jason Dickinson and Jones. Winnipeg won 3-2 in overtime with a Kyle Connor goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, courtesy of Morrissey.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Minnesota Wild. Filip Gustavsson and Calvin Pickard are in the blue paint. Minnesota kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Matt Boldy goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Jake Middleton and Joel Eriksson Ek. Edmonton tied it in the second period with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, powered by Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Wild took the lead in the third period with a Jonas Brodin goal, his fifth of the season, via Declan Chisholm and Kirill Kaprizov. Minnesota added on with a Boldy goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, with helpers from Ryan Hartman and Marcus Johansson. The Oilers got one back with a Zach Hyman power play goal, his thirty-fifth of the season, with assists provided by Draisaitl and McDavid. The Wild iced it at 4-2 with a Mats Zuccarello empty net goal, his eleventh of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Boldy, Draisaitl, and McDavid. 

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Thursday, February 22, 2024

NHL 2023-24 - Day 127

The NHL takes it up to 11 this Thursday, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrobsky and Pyotr Kochetkov protect the nets. Carolina cracked the scoresheet in the third period with a Sebastian Aho goal, his twenty-first of the season, via Andrei Svechnikov and Jesper Fast. This made it 1-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Kochetkov (44 save shutout), Aho, and Bobrovsky (28 for 29 in saves).

Up in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Justus Annunen and Alex Lyon are set to start in goal. Colorado got going in the second period on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his thirty-fourth of the season, via Mikko Rantanen and Jack Johnson. Detroit tied it in the third period with a Dylan Larkin power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, powered by David Perron and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Red Wings won 2-1 in overtime with a Patrick Kane goal, his tenth of the campaign, assisted by Larkin and Ben Chiarot. The three stars were Larkin, Kane, and Lyon (28 for 29 in saves).

In New Jersey, the Devils bring in the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Nico Daws will start in goal. New York began in the first period with a Mika Zibanejad power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers added on with an Alexis Lafreniere goal, his fifteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. New York extended the lead as Chris Kreider scored his twenty-ninth of the season, via Artemi Panarin and the goalie Shesterkin. The Rangers padded the lead on another Lafreniere goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, coming off of Vincent Trocheck and Panarin. New York continued in the third period with a Trocheck goal, his twentieth of the season, passed from Panarin and Erik Gustafsson. New Jersey got on the board with a Jack Hughes goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Toffoli. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars going to Lafreniere, Panarin, and Trocheck.

To Ottawa, as the Senators host the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger faces a lesser foe in Anton Forsberg in goal. Ottawa started in the first period with a Josh Norris goal, his fourteenth of the season, via Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson. Dallas tied it on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twentieth of the year, fueled by Jamie Benn and Miro Heiskanen. The Senators retook the lead in the second period with a Norris goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, coming off of Batherson and Ridly Greig. Ottawa added on with a Thomas Chabot goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Tim Stutzle and Mathieu Joseph. Scott Wedgewood replaced Oettinger in goal. The Senators extended the lead as Shane Pinto scored his fourth of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Brady Tkachuk. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars going to Norris, Batherson, and Chabot.

Back stateside, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Cayden Primeau is mismatched with Tristan Jarry in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Mike Matheson goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. Pittsburgh tied it on a Kris Letang goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Evgeni Malkin and Drew O'Connor. The Penguins took the lead in the second period with a Bryan Rust power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh added on with an O'Connor goal, his eighth of the year, via Valtteri Puustinen and Karlsson. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Letang empty net goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Letang, O'Connor, and Karlsson.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Washington Capitals. Charlie Lindgren and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the masked men. Washington opened in the first period with a Nicolas Aube-Kubel goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Beck Malenstyn. The Capitals added on with a Connor McMichael goal, his eleventh of the year, via Joel Edmundson and Tom Wilson. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with a Brandon Hagel goal, his twenty-first of the season, made possible by Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Washington replied with an Anthony Mantha goal, his eighteenth of the year, fueled by Dylan Strome and T.J. Oshie. The Lightning got one back with a Nick Paul goal in the third period, his fifteenth of the season, helped along by Conor Sheary and Calvin de Haan. Tampa Bay tied it on a Tyler Motte goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Nick Perbix. The Capitals took the lead with a Rasmus Sandin goal, his third of the season, guided in by Aliaksei Protas and Strome. Washington iced it at 5-3 with a McMichael empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, set up by Alex Ovechkin and Wilson. The three stars were McMichael, Strome, and Wilson.

Northwest to St. Louis, as the Blues host the New York Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Jordan Binnington are the veterans in goal. St. Louis dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brandon Saad power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Oskar Sundqvist and Brayden Schenn. The Blues added on with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, his twentieth of the year, via Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. St. Louis extended the lead as Buchnevich scored his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, with the help of Kyrou and Thomas. The Blues padded the lead on a Buchnevich empty net goal in the third period, completing his hat trick with his twenty-seventh of the year, set up by Thomas. This stood for a 4-0 win, with the three stars being Buchnevich, Binnington (38 save shutout), and Thomas, while Kyrou gets an honorable mention.

Further along, the Calgary Flames welcome the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Jacob Markstrom guard the cages. Calgary struck first in the first period with an Oliver Kylington goal, his second of the season, via Andrei Kuzmenko and Yegor Sharangovich. Boston tied it on a Charlie Coyle goal, his nineteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flames retook the lead with a Martin Pospisil goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Connor Zary and Nazem Kadri. The Bruins retied it in the third period with a Coyle goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, coming off of Anthony Richard and Parker Wotherspoon. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime with a Kadri goal, his twentieth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Kadri, Coyle, and Markstrom (31 for 33 in saves).

Along to Seattle, as the Kraken bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Philipp Grubauer receive the starts in goal. Vancouver was first to score in the first period with a J.T. Miller goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, via Tyler Myers and Brock Boeser. Seattle tied it with a Vince Dunn goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Jared McCann and Andre Burakovsky. The Kraken took the lead with a McCann power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Canucks retied it on a Sam Lafferty goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Pius Suter and Teddy Blueger. Seattle pulled ahead with a Justin Schultz goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Brian Dumoulin and Jordan Eberle. The Kraken added on with an Eberle goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by McCann and Schultz. Seattle iced it at 5-2 with an Eberle empty net goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the campaign, set up by McCann. The three stars were McCann, Eberle, and Schultz.

South to Nevada, as the Vegas Golden Knights host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Martin Jones and Adin Hill patrol the creases. Toronto drew first blood in the first period with a Jake McCabe goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs added on with a David Kampf goal, his fifth of the year, via Ryan Reaves. Toronto extended the lead as John Tavares scored his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Nicholas Robertson and Bobby McMann. Logan Thompson replaced Hill in goal. The Maple Leafs padded the lead on a Max Domi goal, his sixth of the year, passed from William Nylander and Tyler Bertuzzi. Vegas got on the board with a William Karlsson goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore. Toronto replied with a Domi goal, his second of the game and seventh of the year, coming off of Simon Benoit and Mitchell Marner. The Maple Leafs continued with a Pontus Holmberg goal, his third of the season, an unassisted goal. The Golden Knights got one back in the third period with a Marchessault goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, with helpers from Theodore and Brendan Brisson. Vegas got closer with a Michael Amadio goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Ivan Barbashev and Chandler Stephenson. Toronto shot back on an Auston Matthews goal, his fifty-second of the year, fueled by Holmberg and Marner. This stood for a 7-3 final, with the three stars going to Domi, Holmberg, and Marchessault, while Marner and Theodore get the honorable mentions.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and David Rittich are in the blue paint. Nashville kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Yakov Trenin goal, his ninth of the season, via Colton Sissons and Ryan McDonagh. Los Angeles tied it on a Kevin Fiala power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. The Predators took the lead in the second period with a Mark Jankowski goal, his second of the season, helped along by Luke Evangelista and Tommy Novak. Nashville added on with a Sissons empty net goal, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Jeremy Lauzon. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Lauzon, his sixth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Sissons. The three stars were Sissons, Saros (27 for 28 in saves), and Lauzon. 

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