NHL April 13th 2013

Eleven games going throughout the day, beginning in...

Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be starting. Colorado started in the first period with an unassisted Gabriel Landeskog goal, his ninth of the season. Vancouver tied it in the second period on a Maxim Lapierre goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler. The Canucks took the lead with a Jannik Hansen goal, his ninth of the season, via Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Avalanche tied it in the third period when Cody McLeod scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Ryan O'Reilly. Vancouver took the lead back as Jason Garrison scored his sixth of the season, fueled by Dan Hamhuis and Andrew Ebbett. Colorado pulled even on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Matt Duchene and Brad Malone. The Avalanche took the lead with just eight seconds left as Jan Hejda scored, thanks to David Jones and Tyson Barrie. This made it a 4-3 game, with the three stars going to Hejda, Parenteau, and Matt Hunwick, while any point-earner can take the third slot.

Back in the east, the Buffalo Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Jhonas Enroth are the backups making spot starts. Buffalo got going in the third period as Christian Ehrhoff scored his fifth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Kevin Porter and Steve Ott. This was the only goal in the game, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Enroth (29 save shutout), Ehrhoff, and Ott.

Down in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. Washington opened in the first period on a Troy Brouwer power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, set up by Mike Ribeiro and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals added on as Jack Hillen scored his second of the year, thanks to Jay Beagle and Steve Oleksy. Washington extended the lead on an Ovechkin goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Nicklas Backstrom. Mathieu Garon relieved Bishop for the second period. The Capitals padded the lead as Jason Chimera scored his second of the year, with the help of Mathieu Perreault and Oleksy. Tampa Bay got on the board with the third of the season by Richard Panik, coming off of Tom Pyatt and Teddy Purcell. Washington replied with an Eric Fehr goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Perreault. The Lightning shot back with a Martin St. Louis goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Benoit Pouliot. Tampa Bay pulled closer in the third period when Panik scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, with assists provided by Radko Gudas and Keith Aulie. The Lightning chipped closer with another St. Louis goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, made possible by Victor Hedman and Pyatt. Tampa Bay tied it as Purcell scored his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Pyatt, who got a sock trick, and Panik. The game went into overtime, where the Capitals won it 6-5 on a Mike Green power play goal, his tenth of the campaign, powered by Ribeiro and Fehr. The three stars went to Green, Perreault, and Panik, while Ovechkin, St. Louis, Pyatt, Purcell, Fehr, Oleksy, and Ribeiro all get honorable mentions.

Into New York, where the Islanders host their cross-city rivals, the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Evgeni Nabokov are the veteran goalies. The Rangers won 1-0 with an overtime goal by Dan Girardi, his second of the campaign, fueled by Derick Brassard and Michael Del Zotto. The three stars were handed to Lundqvist (29 save shutout), Girardi, and Nabokov (19 for 20 in saves).

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and James Reimer are in the blue paint. Toronto led off with a first period Tyler Bozak goal, his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs added on as Leo Komarov scored his third of the year, thanks to Ryan O'Byrne and Jay McClement. Toronto chased Price as McClement scored his seventh of the season, with a lone assist by Nikolai Kulemin. Peter Budaj came on in relief. Montreal got on the board when Davis Drewiske scored his second of the year, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais. The Maple Leafs replied with a Dion Phaneuf goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Nazem Kadri and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto padded the lead in the second period when Kessel notched his fifteenth of the year, passed from van Riemsdyk and Cody Franson. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 5-1. The three stars were named as McClement, Bozak, and Reimer (36 for 37 in saves), while Kessel and van Riemsdyk get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Justin Peters receive the starting nods. Boston struck first with a Milan Lucic goal in the first period, his sixth of the season, assisted by Matt Bartkowski and Jaromir Jagr. Carolina tied it on a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Alexander Semin and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period when Jiri Tlusty scored his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Eric Staal and Tim Gleason. The Bruins retied it on a Tyler Seguin goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Andrew Ference. Carolina regained the lead in the first period with a Joe Corvo power play goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Marc-Andre Bergeron and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with a Tlusty goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year going into the empty net, passed from Jordan Staal and Semin. The three stars of the game belonged to Peters (28 for 30 in saves), Corvo, and Tlusty, while Jordan Staal and Semin get the honorable mentions.

Further to the south, the Florida Panthers bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jacob Markstrom are the masked men. Pittsburgh began in the first period on a Kris Letang goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Beau Bennett and Brenden Morrow. The Penguins added on with a Morrow goal, his eighth of the year, via Bennett and Joe Vitale. Florida got on the board in the second period as Scottie Upshall scored his third of the season, guided in by Jack Skille and Brian Campbell. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Morrow, his second of the game and ninth of the year, set up by Pascal Dupuis. The three stars were Morrow, Bennett, and Upshall.

Westward to Dallas, with the Stars hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi faces a lesser foe in Richard Bachman in goal. Dallas was first to score in the first period with an Eric Nystrom goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Trevor Daley and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars extended the lead on an Alex Chiasson goal, his sixth of the year coming on the power play from Ray Whitney and Loui Eriksson. San Jose got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Brent Burns, his seventh of the campaign, powered by T.J. Galiardi and Scott Gomez. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Bachman (31 for 32 in saves), Nystrom, and Joe Pavelski, while any point-earner can take the third slot.

Way north to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Niklas Backstrom guard the cages. Minnesota started in the first period with a Pierre Marc-Bouchard goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Brett Clark and Jason Pominville. Columbus tied it in the second period when Vinny Prospal netted his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Brandon Dubinsky and Dalton Prout. The Blue Jackets took the lead on a Fedor Tyutin goal, his third of the season, assisted by Prospal and Dubinsky. The Wild tied it with a Pominville power play goal in the third period, his twelfth of the year, powered by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The game went into a shootout, where Columbus won 3-2 on goals by Mark Letestu and Cam Atkinson. The three stars of the game went to Bobrovsky (39 for 41 in saves), Pominville, and Suter, while Prospal and Dubinsky get the honorable mentions.

Into Canada again, with the Battle of Alberta raging in Edmonton, as the Oilers bring in the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Nikolai Khabibulin are between the pipes. Calgary opened in the first period with a Mikael Backlund goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Sven Baertschi and T.J. Brodie. Edmonton tied it as Lennart Petrell scored his third of the year, courtesy of Ryan Jones and Shawn Horcoff. The Flames took the lead back in the second period on a Dennis Wideman goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Tim Jackman and Brodie on the power play. Calgary added on with an unassisted Baertschi goal. The Flames struck again in the third period as Maxwell Reinhart scored, with the help of Jackman and Jiri Hudler. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Brodie, Reinhart, and MacDonald (28 for 29 in saves), while Baertschi and Jackman get the honorable mentions.

Finally, down in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Viktor Fasth and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Drew Doughty goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Trevor Lewis and Jarret Stoll. Anaheim tied it in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Ryan Getlzaf, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Kings took the lead on a Mike Richards power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by Doughty and Anze Kopitar. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 2-1 final, with the three stars being Doughty, Lewis, and Getzlaf.

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NHL April 12th 2013

Five games on a Friday night, beginning in...

New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Martin Brodeur are the solid goalies. Ottawa got going in the second period with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, assisted by Colin Greening and Erik Condra. The Senators added on as Milan Michalek scored his third of the season, with the help of Daniel Alfredsson. This held up for a 2-0 final, with the three stars being Anderson (33 save shutout), Pageau, and Michalek.

West to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Sergei Bobrovsky are the young goalies. St. Louis led off in the first period on a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Andy McDonald and Vladimir Sobotka. Columbus tied it on a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Matt Calvert and Adrian Aucoin. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the second period when Artem Anisimov scored his eleventh of the season, with helpers provided by Brandon Dubinsky and Atkinson. Columbus extended the lead with a Ryan Johansen goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Nick Foligno and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets padded the lead on a third period goal by Marian Gaborik, his twelfth of the season, thanks to Mark Letestu and Vinny Prospal. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Atkinson, Johansen, and Derek MacKenzie, while Bobrovsky (31 for 32 in saves) deserves the third slot.

Down in Nashville, the Predators host the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Chris Mason draw the starts. Dallas began with a first period Erik Cole goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Vernon Fiddler and Philip Larsen. The Stars added on as Ray Whitney scored his tenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Alex Goligoski and Fiddler. Nashville got on the board with the third of the season from Taylor Beck, a power play goal set up by Roman Josi and Patric Hornqvist. Dallas shot back in the second period as Tom Wandell scored, thanks to Ryan Garbutt and Antoine Roussel. The Stars extended the lead when Alex Chiasson scored his fourth of the year, guided in by Whitney and Trevor Daley. Dallas padded the lead as Chiasson scored his second of the game and fifth of the season in the third period, an unassisted goal. The Predators got one back with a Bobby Butler goal, his second of the year, passed from Daniel Bang and Victor Bartley. This produced the 5-2 final score, with the three stars given to Chiasson, Whitney, and Fiddler.

Northwest a tad to Chicago, where the Blackhawks bring in their bitter rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago opened with a second period goal by Viktor Stalberg, his eighth of the season, fueled by Duncan Keith and Bryan Bickell. Detroit tied it with a Johan Franzen power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Carlo Colaiacovo and Jakub Kindl. The Red Wings took the lead on a Cory Emmerton goal, his fourth of the season, via Drew Miller and Jordin Tootoo. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period as Jonathan Toews scored his twentieth of the year, with the help of Johnny Oduya and Michael Frolik. Chicago won in the shootout with goals by Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad topping a lone Detroit goal from Henrik Zetterberg. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Toews, Howard (26 for 28 in saves), and Stalberg.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Joey MacDonald are between the pipes. Phoenix started in the first period with an Antoine Vermette goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Chris Conner and Mikkel Boedker. Calgary tied it on a Jiri Hudler goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Mikael Backlund and Dennis Wideman. The Flames took the lead in the second period as Lee Stempniak scored his eighth of the season, a power play goal, powered by T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano. The Coyotes tied it in the third period as Keith Yandle scored his ninth of the year, assisted by Derek Morris and Radim Vrbata. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime as Giordano scored his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Curtis Glencross and Backlund. The three stars were handed to Stempniak, Morris, and Maxwell Reinhart, while Giordano and Backlund get the honorable mentions.

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NHL April 11th 2013

Nine games going tonight, with playoff implications becoming clearer every day. We begin in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tuukka Rask are set to start. New York opened in the first period with a Josh Bailey goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo. Boston tied it in the second period as Tyler Seguin scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Gregory Campbell and Jaromir Jagr. The Islanders took the lead back as Bailey scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, with assists provided by Frans Nielsen and Streit. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Bailey, Rask (34 for 36 in saves), and Nabokov (30 for 31 in saves), while Streit gets an honorable mention.

Down in Washington, the Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters and Braden Holtby are in the creases. Carolina started in the first period as Jeff Skinner scored his eleventh of the season, a power play goal made possible by Eric Staal and Joe Corvo. Washington tied it in the second period when Troy Brouwer scored his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Mike Ribeiro and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals took the lead on a Mike Green goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Jay Beagle and Wojtek Wolski. Washington finished it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Brouwer, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Holtby (43 for 44 in saves), Brouwer, and Peters (28 for 30 in saves).

Back north a bit, the Philadelphia Flyers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Ilya Bryzgalov are given the starting nods. Ottawa was first to score in the first period on a Zack Smith goal, his fourth of the season, via Marc Methot. Philadelphia tied it on a Claude Giroux goal, his twelfth of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Simon Gagne. The Senators took the lead in the third period on a Colin Greening power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Patrick Wiercioch. Ottawa iced it at 3-1 with a Daniel Alfredsson empty net goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Greening, Smith, and Bryzgalov (31 for 33 in saves).

West to Detroit, where the Red Wings host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. San Jose began in the first period with a Patrick Marleau goal, his seventeenth of the season coming shorthanded from Joe Pavelski. Detroit tied it in the second period as Justin Abdelkader netted his eighth of the year, with the help of Johan Franzen and Brendan Smith. The Red Wings took the lead in the third period on a Jakub Kindl power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. The Sharks tied it with a Logan Couture goal, his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle on the power play. The game went into a shootout, where Datsyuk and Couture traded goals before Marleau sealed a 3-2 San Jose win. The three stars were Marleau, Howard (28 for 30 in saves), and Couture.

Back to the east, with the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Ryan Miller stand in the blue paint. Montreal struck first in the first period with a Rene Bourque goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Brian Gionta Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on as Alex Galchenyuk scored his sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Michael Ryder. Montreal struck again in the second period with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens padded the lead with a power play goal by Andrei Markov, his eighth of the year, powered by P.K. Subban and Ryder. Jhonas Enroth relieved Miller for the third period. Buffalo got on the board in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Brian Flynn, his fifth of the season, set up by Kevin Porter and Andrej Sekera. Montreal wrapped it up at 5-1 as Subban scored his eleventh of the year, a power play goal made possible by Markov and Pacioretty. The three stars belonged to Subban, Ryder, and Gallagher, while Markov and Pacioretty get honorable mentions.

Well to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tomas Vokoun and Ben Bishop are between the pipes. Pittsburgh led off with a first period goal by Jussi Jokinen, his eighth of the season, fueled by Brenden Morrow and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins extended the lead as Dupuis scored his twentieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Tyler Kennedy and Matt Niskanen. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Teddy Purcell power play goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Steven Stamkos and Sami Salo. Pittsburgh answered in the second period as Chris Kunitz scored his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Jarome Iginla and Kris Letang. The Lightning shot back with a power play goal by Brett Connolly, made possible by Richard Panik and Alex Killorn. The Penguins replied in the third period on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his eighth of the season, an unassisted goal. Pittsburgh added on as Jokinen scored his second of the game and ninth of the year, via Douglas Murray and Dupuis. The Penguins struck again with a Tanner Glass power play goal, thanks to Jokinen and Iginla. Tampa Bay got one back on another Purcell goal, his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Matt Carle on the power play. The final stood at 6-3, with the three stars going to Dupuis, Jokinen, and Malkin, while Purcell and Iginla got the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets welcome the Florida Panthers. Jacob Markstrom and Ondrej Pavelec are all padded up. Winnipeg got going in the first period as Aaron Gagnon scored his second of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Florida tied it with a T.J. Brennan goal, his third of the year, via Tomas Fleischmann and Marcel Goc. The Jets took the lead back on an Evander Kane goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Olli Jokinen. The Panthers tied it again as Fleischmann recorded his ninth of the year, with the help of Brennan. Winnipeg regained the lead as Ladd scored his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets extended the lead in the second period with a Grant Clitsome power play goal, his fourth of the year, powered by Little. Winnipeg padded the lead when Byfuglien scored his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. The Jets struck again on another Kane goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, made possible by Kyle Wellwood and Zach Bogosian. Scott Clemmensen relieved Markstrom at this time. Winnipeg added on with a third period goal by Chris Thorburn, his second of the season, fueled by Ron Hainsey and Bogosian. This made it 7-2, the final, with Kane, Byfuglien, and Little getting the three stars, while Ladd, Brennan, Fleischmann, and Bogosian get the honorable mentions.

Stateside again, with the Minnesota Wild hosting the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Niklas Backstrom protect the nets. St. Louis opened with a first period Roman Polak goal, helped along by Chris Stewart and Chris Porter. The Blues added on in the third period as Andy McDonald scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Vladimir Tarasenko and David Backes. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, with the three stars being Elliott (23 save shutout), Polak, and Jonas Brodin, while any point-earner can take the third slot.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the King host the Colorado Avalanche. Sami Aittokallio is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, powered by Mike Richards. The Kings added on as Richards scored his tenth of the year, courtesy of Jake Muzzin and Dustin Penner. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a Paul Stastny goal, his ninth of the season, via David Jones. The Avalanche tied it in the third period with a Patrick Bordeleau goal, with a lone assist by Stefan Elliott. The game went to a shootout, where Los Angeles won on goals by Carter, Dustin Brown, and Anze Kopitar to top a lone tally by Colorado's P.A. Parenteau. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Richards, Elliott, and Quick (26 for 28 in saves), while Carter gets an honorable mention.

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NHL April 10th 2013

Only five games tonight, starting in...

New York City, as the Rangers host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Toronto got going in the second period on a Phil Kessel goal, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. New York tied it as Carl Hagelin scored his ninth of the year, via Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan. The Rangers took the lead with a McDonagh goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Derick Brassard and Hagelin. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Kessel scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, fueled by James van Riemsdyk. The game was decided in the shootout as Mats Zuccarello scored the only goal, resulting in a 3-2 win for New York. The three stars went to Lundqvist (23 for 25 in saves), Kessel, and Brian Boyle, while McDonagh and Hagelin could take the third slot.

Over in New Jersey, the Devils host the Boston Bruins. Anton Khudobin and Martin Brodeur are called on for the starts. Boston led off in the first period as Gregory Campbell scored his third of the season, thanks to Jaromir Jagr and Brad Marchand. The Bruins added on with a shorthanded goal by Daniel Paille, his eighth of the year, set up by Rich Peverley. Boston extended the lead with a shorthanded Campbell goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, passed from Andrew Ference and Peverley. The Bruins padded the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Zdeno Chara, his seventh of the year, powered by David Krejci and Jagr. New Jersey got on the board when Patrik Elias scored his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist from Steve Sullivan. The Devils pulled back with a shorthanded goal by Travis Zajac, his sixth of the year, going in unassisted. New Jersey pulled closer in the third period as Andy Greene scored his fourth of the season, via Adam Henrique and Steve Bernier. Boston replied on a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Paille and Dennis Seidenberg. The Devils chipped back as Matt D'Agostini scored his second of the campaign, with helpers provided by Dainius Zubrus and Marek Zidlicky. This made it 5-4, the final, with the three stars being Campbell, Jagr, and Zajac, while Paille and Peverley get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Miikka Kiprusoff are the veteran goalies. Calgary opened in the first period with the fifteenth of the season by Curtis Glencross, assisted by Maxwell Reinhart and Lee Stempniak. Vancouver tied it as Alexandre Burrows netted his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Jason Garrison and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks took the lead in the third period when Maxim Lapierre scored his third of the season, with the help of Andrew Ebbett. Vancouver extended the lead with the tenth of the year by Mason Raymond, passed from Dan Hamhis and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks wrapped it up at 4-1 with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his eleventh of the campaign, powered by Henrik Sedin and Hamhuis. The three stars were awarded to Luongo (40 for 41 in saves), T.J. Brodie, and Burrows, while Henrik Sedin or Hamhuis could take the second slot.

Up in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Devan Dubnyk guard the cages. Phoenix began in the second period with a Boyd Gordon goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by David Moss and Rob Klinkhammer. The Coyotes added on as Antoine Vermette scored his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. Edmonton got on the board in the third period on a Nail Yakupov goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Ryan Smyth and Shawn Horcoff. Phoenix iced it at 3-1 with a power play goal by Moss, his fifth of the year, powered by Gordon. The three stars were given to Smith (29 for 30 in saves), Yakupov, and Gordon, while Moss gets an honorable mention.

Finally, we end in Anaheim, where the Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere opposes Jonas Hiller in goal. Colorado started in the first period with a John Mitchell goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Matt Duchene and P.A. Parenteau. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Gabriel Landeskog shorthanded goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Greg Zanon. Colorado extended the lead with a power play goal by Duchene, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Tyson Barrie and Parenteau. Anaheim got on the board as Teemu Selanne notched his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Kyle Palmieri and Francois Beauchemin. The Avalanche answered with a Jamie McGinn goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by David van der Gulik. Viktor Fasth relieved Hiller for the third period. This stood for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Duchene, Selanne, and Giguere (21 for 22 in saves), while Parenteau gets an honorable mention.

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NHL April 9th 2013

Nine games on tonight, beginning in...

Columbus, with the Blue Jackets hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Sergei Bobrovsky are the surprisingly good goalies. Columbus led off in the first period with a Matt Calvert goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Mark Letestu. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period as James Wisniewski scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Adrian Aucoin and Derek MacKenzie. Columbus extended the lead with the third of the season from Ryan Johansen, fueled by Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal. The Blue Jackets padded the lead in the third period as Gaborik scored his eleventh of the year, with the help of Artem Anisimov and Jack Johnson. Thomas Greiss relieved Niemi at this time. The final stood at 4-0, with the three stars being Bobrovsky (30 save shutout), Gaborik, and Wisniewski.

Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Justin Peters receive the starting nods. Carolina struck first in the first period on a Joe Corvo power play goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Jordan Staal. Pittsburgh tied it as Robert Bortuzzo scored his second of the year, via Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams. The Penguins took the lead on a Brendan Morrow goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jussi Jokinen and Dupuis. The Hurricanes retied it as Bobby Sanguinetti scored his second of the year, with the help of Eric Staal. Carolina took the lead in the third period as Riley Nash scored his fourth of the season, courtesy of Tuomo Ruutu and Chad LaRose. Pittsburgh tied it on a Beau Bennett goal, his third of the year, passed from Adams and Tanner Glass. The Penguins took the lead again with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Jarome Iginla. Pittsburgh wrapped it up at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Dupuis, his nineteenth of the year, going in unassisted. Dupuis, Malkin, and Nash received the three stars while Adams gets an honorable mention.

Up on Long Island, the New York Islanders bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Evgeni Nabokov are in the creases. Philadelphia was first to score as Jakub Voracek put away his seventeenth of the season, with helpers provided by Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. New York tied it with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Brad Boyes and John Tavares. The Islanders took the lead on a Michael Grabner goal in the second period, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Colin McDonald and Keith Aucoin. New York padded the lead in the third period as Tavares scored his twenty-fourth of the year, via Moulson and Boyes. The Islanders iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Casey Cizikas, his sixth of the campaign, set up by Matt Martin and McDonald. The three stars were given to Moulson, Grabner, and Nabokov (26 for 27 in saves), while Tavares, McDonald, and Boyes get the honorable mentions.

North to Montreal, with the Canadiens hosting the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal began in the first period with a Lars Eller goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Brandon Prust and Alex Galchenyuk. Washington tied it in the second period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, courtesy of John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals took the lead with an Eric Fehr goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Jack Hillen and Steve Oleksy. Washington extended the lead when Hillen scored, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Canadiens got one back in the third period on another Eller goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, passed from Nathan Beaulieu and Galchenyuk. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Ovechkin, Eller, and Neuvirth (27 for 29 in saves), while Hillen, Backstrom, and Galchenyuk get the honorable mentions.

Way to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson faces former teammate Ben Bishop between the pipes. Ottawa opened in the first period with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Kyle Turris and Chris Phillips. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period as Pierre-Cedric Labrie scored, thanks to Nate Thompson and B.J. Crombeen. The Lightning took the lead on Vincent Lecavalier's ninth of the year, courtesy of Teddy Purcell and Martin St. Louis on the power play. The Senators tied it in the third period on a Guillaume Latendresse power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Turris and Patrick Wiercioch. Tampa Bay took the lead back as Steven Stamkos scored his twenty-sixth of the year, a power play goal, set up by Lecavalier and St. Louis. They held on to win 3-2, with the three stars going to Lecavalier, Sami Salo, and Labrie, while Turris or St. Louis would be a better choice for the second slot.

Northwest to Nashville, with the Predators hosting the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. St. Louis got going in the second period with an Alexander Steen goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Vladimir Sobotka and David Perron. This was the only goal in the game, resulting in a 1-0 final. The three stars were handed to Steen, Rinne (25 for 26 in saves), and Elliott (15 save shutout).

Moving along to Minnesota, where the Wild host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Niklas Backstrom guard the cages. Chicago started in the second period as Marian Hossa scored his fourteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. This stood as the only goal in the 1-0 game, with the three stars being Hossa, Backstrom (30 for 31 in saves), and Emery (20 save shutout).

Crossing into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ondrej Pavelec play in the blue paint. Winnipeg began in the second period on a Kyle Wellwood goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Evander Kane. The Jets added on as Aaron Gagnon scored, thanks to Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg extended the lead as Andrew Ladd potted his fifteenth of the year, via Bryan Little. Buffalo got on the board in the third period as Kevin Porter scored his third of the season, an unassisted goal. The Jets finished it off at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Blake Wheeler, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Ladd and Little. Ladd, Pavelec (29 for 30 in saves), and Gagnon were the three stars, while Little gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Dallas, the Stars host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Kari Lehtonen tend the twines. Los Angeles led off in the first period with a Drew Doughty power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards. Richard Bachman relieved Lehtonen midway through the period after the latter left with an injury. Dallas tied it with an Alex Goligoski goal, his second of the year, fueled by Aaron Rome and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars took the lead in the third period on a Ray Whitney goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Alex Chiasson and Trevor Daley. Dallas added on with a Fiddler goal, his second of the year, coming off of Stephane Robidas. The Stars extended the lead when Whitney scored his second of the game and ninth of the season, via Loui Eriksson and Cody Eakin. Dallas padded the lead with Fiddler's second of the game and third of the year, made possible by Eric Nystrom and Daley. This produced a 5-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Whitney, Fiddler, and Robidas, while Daley gets an honorable mention.

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NHL April 8th 2013

There are five games on today, which is a surprisingly busy day for me outside of sports, so quality may be on the low-end of acceptable. We begin in...

Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and James Reimer are set to start. Toronto struck first in the first period with a James van Riemsdyk goal, his sixteenth of the season, via John-Michael Liles and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs added on in the second period as Ryan O'Byrne scored his second of the year, assisted by Nazem Kadri and Clarke MacArthur. New York got on the board with a Rick Nash goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Derek Stepan. Toronto shot back as Kessel scored a power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson. The Rangers got one back in the third period as Nash scored his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, with the help of John Moore and Steve Eminger. New York tied it as Stepan scored his fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Maple Leafs got the lead back quickly with Kessel's second of the night, guided in by Tyler Bozak and van Riemsdyk. This held up for a 4-3 win, with the three stars belonging to van Riemsdyk, Nash, and Kessel, while Stepan gets an honorable mention.

Down in Boston, the Bruins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Justin Peters is mismatched with Tuukka Rask in goal. Boston led off in the first period as Rich Peverley scored his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Dennis Seidenberg and Andrew Ference. The Bruins chased Peters on a Brad Marchand goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Gregory Campbell and Jaromir Jagr. Dan Ellis game on in relief. Boston added on with another Marchand goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, assisted by Jagr and Seidenberg. The Bruins extended the lead in the second period on a Ference goal, his third of the year, passed from Seidenberg, who got a sock trick, and Campbell. Boston struck again on a Jordan Caron goal, made possible by Peverley and Shawn Thornton. Carolina got on the board in the third period as Patrick Dwyer scored his seventh of the campaign, with the help of Brett Bellemore and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes got another as Drayson Bowman scored his third of the season, thanks to Riley Nash and Jordan Staal. The Bruins iced it at 6-2 with a Nathan Horton goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Dougie Hamilton and Milan Lucic. The three stars were Rask (40 for 42 in saves), Marchand, and Seidenberg, while Jagr, Peverley, Campbell, and Ference get the honorable mentions.

West to Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche host the Calgary Flames. Backups Joey MacDonald and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are in goal. Colorado got going in the second period with a Brad Malone goal, set up by Tyson Barrie and Ryan O'Reilly. Calgary tied it on a Roman Cervenka goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Mark Giordano and Roman Horak. The Flames took the lead with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Horak and Steve Begin. Calgary added on in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Alex Tanguay, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by Lee Stempniak. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being MacDonald (39 for 40 in saves), Cammalleri, and Malone, while Horak gets an honorable mention.

Up in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Vancouver began in the first period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his second of the season, made possible by Mason Raymond and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks iced it at 2-0 with an empty net goal by Dan Hamhuis in the third period, his fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Smith (40 for 41 in saves), Chris Higgins, and Kesler, while Schneider (19 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. Anaheim was first to score in the first period as Radek Dvorak potted his second of the season, thanks to Ben Lovejoy and Saku Koivu. Edmonton tied it in the third period on a Nick Schultz goal, assisted by Nail Yakupov and Sam Gagner. The Ducks took the lead back as Dvorak scored his second of the game and third of the year, via Daniel Winnik and Koivu. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Dvorak, Winnik, and Dubnyk (36 for 38 in saves), while Koivu gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL April 7th 2013

Eight games on today, beginning in...

Detroit, where the Red Wings host the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jimmy Howard occupy the creases. St. Louis got going in the second period on a Chris Porter goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Patrik Berglund and Barret Jackman. This was the game's only goal, resulting in a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Elliott (28 save shutout), Howard (24 for 25 in saves), and Porter.

Out west, the San Jose Sharks host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goalies. San Jose led off in the first period with a Tommy Wingels goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist from Logan Couture. The Sharks added on in the second period as Brent Burns scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Justin Braun and the goalie Niemi. Dallas got on the board with the sixth of the season by Eric Nystrom, fueled by Vernon Fiddler. The Stars tied it quickly with an Alex Chiasson goal, his second of the year, with helpers from Jamie Benn and Ray Whitney. San Jose took the lead back as T.J. Galiardi recorded his third of the season, via Raffi Torres. The Sharks extended the lead with a Marc-Edouard Vlasic goal, his third of the year, coming off of Torres and Braun. Dallas got one back in the third period as Chiasson scored his second of the game and third of the season, with the help of Whitney and Benn. The Stars tied it with a Loui Eriksson goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Matt Fraser and Alex Goligoski. Dallas won 5-4 in the shootout with a lone tally by Benn. The three stars were given to Chiasson, Torres, and Benn, while Whitney and Braun get the honorable mentions.

Eastward to Columbus, with the Blue Jackets bringing in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Sergei Bobrovsky protect the nets. Minnesota was first to score in the second period as Ryan Suter notched his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jason Pominville and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on with a Charlie Coyle power play goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Mikael Granlund and Devin Setoguchi. Minnesota iced it at 3-0 with a Pominville goal in the third period, his eleventh of the campaign, set up by Zach Parise. The three stars were awarded to Suter, Backstrom (24 save shutout), and Coyle, while Pominville gets an honorable mention.

Southeast to Florida, with the Panthers hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Scott Clemmensen are set to start. Ottawa started in the first period with a Cory Conacher goal, his tenth of the season, via Jakob Silfverberg and Mika Zibanejad. Florida tied it in the second period as Marcel Goc scored his fifth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Fleischmann and Tomas Kopecky. The Panthers took the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Kulikov, his second of the season, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Brian Campbell. This made it 2-1, a final, with the three stars going to Clemmensen (40 for 41 in saves), Kulikov, and Goc.

Northwest again to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Ray Emery guard the cages. Chicago struck first in the first period on an Andrew Shaw goal, his eighth of the season, via Michael Frolik and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Nashville tied it with a Nick Spaling goal, his seventh of the year, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. The Blackhawks took the lead back in the second period as Bryan Bickell scored his eighth of the season, assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Michal Rozsival. The Predators retied the game with a Shea Weber goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone assist from Spaling. Nashville took the lead in the third period on a David Legwand goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Matt Halischuk and Weber. Chicago pulled even on a Brandon Saad goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks took the lead on a Toews goal, his nineteenth of the season, guided in by Patrick Kane and Shaw. Chicago iced it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Kane, his twentieth of the year, set up by Saad. Toews, Saad, and Shaw received the three stars, while Kane, Spaling, and Weber got the honorable mentions.

East to DC, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Michal Neuvirth are given the starting nods. Tampa Bay quickly began with a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Martin St. Louis and Sami Salo. Washington tied it in the second period as Alex Ovechkin scored his twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Jack Hillen and Nicklas Backstrom. The Lightning took the lead on an Alex Killorn goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Lecavalier and Matt Carle. The Capitals pulled even with the sixth of the year by John Carlson, fueled by Joel Ward and Hillen. Washington took the lead with a Ward goal, his eighth of the season, passed from Mathieu Perreault and Jason Chimera. The Capitals finished it at 4-2 with an Ovechkin empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, with a lone assist from Mike Ribeiro. Ward, Neuvirth (28 for 30 in saves), and Lecavalier were named the three stars, while Ovechkin and Hillen get the honorable mentions.

Moving along to Buffalo, where the Sabres host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Buffalo opened in the first period with a Patrick Kaleta goal, assisted by Jochen Hecht. New Jersey tied it on a power play goal by Steve Sullivan, his sixth of the season, set up by Steve Bernier. The Sabres took the lead back in the second period with a Steve Ott goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Cody Hodgson and Nathan Gerbe. The Devils tied it again in the third period on a Mark Fayne shorthanded goal, made possible by Dainius Zubrus. Buffalo won 3-2 in the shootout on a lone tally by Gerbe. The three stars were handed to Miller (37 for 39 in saves), Kaleta, and Ott, while Gerbe gets an honorable mention.

Finally, way out in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Viktor Fasth are the pseudo-backups in goal. Anaheim quickly led off in the first period with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his ninth of the season, via Matt Beleskey and Dave Steckel. Los Angeles tied it in the second period as Drew Doughty recorded his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Dustin Brown. The Ducks took the lead back on a Corey Perry goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Andrew Cogliano and Sheldon Souray. The Kings retied it late with the twenty-third of the year by Jeff Carter, passed from Mike Richards and Brad Richardson. Anaheim regained the lead in the third period as Beleskey scored a power play goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Souray and Saku Koivu. Los Angeles tied it again with a Brown goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. The Ducks won 4-3 in the shootout as goals by Bobby Ryan, Koivu, and Perry outpaced the Kings' lone tally from Carter. The three stars were given to Perry, Beleskey, and Brown, while Souray gets an honorable mention.

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