Eleven games on today, beginning with a matinee in...
Dallas, as the Stars host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Dan Ellis are the overrated goalies. Philadelphia opened in the first period with an Andrej Meszaros goal, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. Dallas tied it in the second period on a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Jamie Benn and Valeri Nichuschkin. The Stars took the lead as Seguin scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, thanks to Alex Goligoski and Nichushkin. Dallas added on when Seguin completed the natural hat trick on his fifteenth of the campaign, and Nichushkin's third assist gave him a natural sock trick. The Stars extended the lead as Nichushkin scored his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Seguin and Goligoski. Dallas wrapped it up at 5-1 in the third period on a Cody Eakin shorthanded goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Antoine Roussel. The three stars were Seguin, Nichushkin, and Goligoski.
Over in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Anders Lindback are the backups making spot starts. Winnipeg started in the first period as Blake Wheeler scored his seventh of the season, via Jacob Trouba and Grant Clitsome. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period on a Nate Thompson goal, his second of the year, coming off of Radko Gudas and Martin St. Louis. The Jets won 2-1 in overtime as Mark Scheifele scored his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Wheeler. The three stars belonged to Wheeler, Montoya (28 for 29 in saves), and Lindback (34 for 36 in saves).
Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Carey Price draw the starts. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brandon Prust goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan White and Travis Moen. Buffalo tied it with a Tyler Ennis goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Christian Ehrhoff. The Canadiens retook the lead on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Prust and Moen. Montreal added on as Alex Galchenyuk scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Andrei Markov and Plekanec. The Sabres got one back in the third period on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his second of the season, helped along by Ennis and Henrik Tallinder. This wasn't enough to avoid the 3-2 loss, with the three stars being Plekanec, Prust, and Moen, while Ennis gets an honorable mention.
South to Boston, as the Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period as Chris Kunitz scored his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sidney Crosby and Matt Niskanen. Boston tied it with the sixth of the year by Reilly Smith, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron.The Penguins took the lead on a James Neal goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Niskanen and Simon Despres on the power play. The Bruins tied it late in the third period on a David Krejci goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Milan Lucic and Jarome Iginla. Boston took the game 3-2 as Zdeno Chara put away his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Smith and Brad Marchand. Smith, Niskanen, and Chara get the three stars.
Back in Canada, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Craig Anderson will be between the pipes. Toronto began in the first period on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf on the power play. Ottawa tied it with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza. The Maple Leafs took the lead back with a second period Phil Kessel goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from van Riemsdyk. Toronto added on with a Jake Gardiner goal, via Kessel and van Riemsdyk. The Senators got one back in the third period as Erik Condra scored his third of the year, with the help of Colin Greening. Ottawa tied it with a power play goal by Erik Karlsson, his eighth of the season, made possible by Zibanejad and Spezza. The Maple Leafs took the game 4-3 in the shootout with tallies from van Riemsdyk and Mason Raymond. The three stars went to van Riemsdyk, Kessel, and Zibanejad, while Spezza gets an honorable mention.
Crossing over to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jonas Gustavsson play goal. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Daniel Cleary goal, his second of the season, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Cory Emmerton. Florida tied it in the second period as Jimmy Hayes scored his third of the year, thanks to Shawn Matthias and Dylan Olsen. The Panthers took the lead in the third period as Jonathan Hubderdeau scored his seventh of the season, courtesy of Tom Gilbert and Matthias. This held up for a 2-1 win, with Thomas (22 for 23 in saves), Huberdeau, and Matthias getting the three stars.
Back east, the Washington Capitals host the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec and Braden Holtby will be in the blue paint. Washington led off with a first period goal by Troy Brouwer, his sixth of the season, coming off of Eric Fehr and Mikhail Grabovski. The Capitals added on as Alex Ovechkin scored his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom. Washington extended the lead when Karl Alzner scored, via Mike Green and Backstrom. Nashville got on the board as Roman Josi scored, with a lone assist by Shea Weber. The Capitals replied in the third period as Nate Schmidt scored, with the help of Martin Erat and Joel Ward. The Predators shot back as Eric Nystrom scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and Josi. Washington padded the lead on a Fehr goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Grabovski. This was good enough for a 5-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Fehr, Josi, and Grabovski, while Backstrom gets an honorable mention.
Moving along to New York, as the Rangers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York started in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Zuccarello goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. New Jersey got on the board with a Cam Janssen goal, his third of the season, made possible by Tim Sestito and the goalie Brodeur. The Devils tied it in the third period on a Travis Zajac goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jaromir Jagr and Dainius Zubrus. New Jersey gained the lead on a Michael Ryder goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Sestito. New York retied it with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. The Devils won 4-3 in overtime as Eric Gelinas scored his third of the campaign, a power play goal set up by Patrik Elias and Jagr. The three stars belonged to Zuccarello, Gelinas, and Jagr, while Sestito and Callahan get the honorable mentions.
Out west, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Jaroslav Halak will be manning the creases. Anaheim opened in the first period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Saku Koivu. The Ducks added on with a Corey Perry power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Bonino. Anaheim extended the lead with a Getzlaf goal, his sixteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Brian Elliott relieved Halak at this time. The Ducks padded the lead in the second period on a Bonino goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Pat Maroon and Tim Jackman. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of T.J. Oshie and Barret Jackman. The Blues pulled closer on a Patrik Berglund goal, his second of the year, passed from Maxim Lapierre and Kevin Shattenkirk. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with a Cogliano empty net goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, set up by Mark Fistric. The three stars were Cogliano, Bonino, and Getzlaf.
Up in Edmonton, another edition of the Battle of Alberta occurs with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Devan Dubnyk are in the blue paint. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Matt Stajan. Edmonton tied it with a Taylor Hall goal in the third period, his eleventh of the year, fueled by David Perron and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime as Jiri Hudler scored his eighth of the campaign, thanks to Kris Russell. The three stars were Berra (30 for 31 in saves), Hudler, and Stempniak.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Martin Jones are the backups in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Anze Kopitar scored his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Alec Martinez. The Kings added on in the third period as Dustin Brown scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams. Los Angeles iced it at 3-0 with a Tyler Toffoli empty net goal, set up by Mike Richards and Drew Doughty. The three stars were Jones (16 save shutout), Kopitar, and Brown.
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Dallas, as the Stars host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Dan Ellis are the overrated goalies. Philadelphia opened in the first period with an Andrej Meszaros goal, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. Dallas tied it in the second period on a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Jamie Benn and Valeri Nichuschkin. The Stars took the lead as Seguin scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, thanks to Alex Goligoski and Nichushkin. Dallas added on when Seguin completed the natural hat trick on his fifteenth of the campaign, and Nichushkin's third assist gave him a natural sock trick. The Stars extended the lead as Nichushkin scored his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Seguin and Goligoski. Dallas wrapped it up at 5-1 in the third period on a Cody Eakin shorthanded goal, his seventh of the year, set up by Antoine Roussel. The three stars were Seguin, Nichushkin, and Goligoski.
Over in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Al Montoya and Anders Lindback are the backups making spot starts. Winnipeg started in the first period as Blake Wheeler scored his seventh of the season, via Jacob Trouba and Grant Clitsome. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period on a Nate Thompson goal, his second of the year, coming off of Radko Gudas and Martin St. Louis. The Jets won 2-1 in overtime as Mark Scheifele scored his third of the campaign, with a lone assist by Wheeler. The three stars belonged to Wheeler, Montoya (28 for 29 in saves), and Lindback (34 for 36 in saves).
Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Carey Price draw the starts. Montreal dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Brandon Prust goal, his third of the season, assisted by Ryan White and Travis Moen. Buffalo tied it with a Tyler Ennis goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Christian Ehrhoff. The Canadiens retook the lead on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Prust and Moen. Montreal added on as Alex Galchenyuk scored his eighth of the year, thanks to Andrei Markov and Plekanec. The Sabres got one back in the third period on a Zemgus Girgensons goal, his second of the season, helped along by Ennis and Henrik Tallinder. This wasn't enough to avoid the 3-2 loss, with the three stars being Plekanec, Prust, and Moen, while Ennis gets an honorable mention.
South to Boston, as the Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Tuukka Rask tend the twines. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period as Chris Kunitz scored his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sidney Crosby and Matt Niskanen. Boston tied it with the sixth of the year by Reilly Smith, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron.The Penguins took the lead on a James Neal goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Niskanen and Simon Despres on the power play. The Bruins tied it late in the third period on a David Krejci goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Milan Lucic and Jarome Iginla. Boston took the game 3-2 as Zdeno Chara put away his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Smith and Brad Marchand. Smith, Niskanen, and Chara get the three stars.
Back in Canada, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Craig Anderson will be between the pipes. Toronto began in the first period on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Nazem Kadri and Dion Phaneuf on the power play. Ottawa tied it with a Clarke MacArthur power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza. The Maple Leafs took the lead back with a second period Phil Kessel goal, his sixteenth of the season, passed from van Riemsdyk. Toronto added on with a Jake Gardiner goal, via Kessel and van Riemsdyk. The Senators got one back in the third period as Erik Condra scored his third of the year, with the help of Colin Greening. Ottawa tied it with a power play goal by Erik Karlsson, his eighth of the season, made possible by Zibanejad and Spezza. The Maple Leafs took the game 4-3 in the shootout with tallies from van Riemsdyk and Mason Raymond. The three stars went to van Riemsdyk, Kessel, and Zibanejad, while Spezza gets an honorable mention.
Crossing over to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jonas Gustavsson play goal. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Daniel Cleary goal, his second of the season, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Cory Emmerton. Florida tied it in the second period as Jimmy Hayes scored his third of the year, thanks to Shawn Matthias and Dylan Olsen. The Panthers took the lead in the third period as Jonathan Hubderdeau scored his seventh of the season, courtesy of Tom Gilbert and Matthias. This held up for a 2-1 win, with Thomas (22 for 23 in saves), Huberdeau, and Matthias getting the three stars.
Back east, the Washington Capitals host the Nashville Predators. Marek Mazanec and Braden Holtby will be in the blue paint. Washington led off with a first period goal by Troy Brouwer, his sixth of the season, coming off of Eric Fehr and Mikhail Grabovski. The Capitals added on as Alex Ovechkin scored his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Backstrom. Washington extended the lead when Karl Alzner scored, via Mike Green and Backstrom. Nashville got on the board as Roman Josi scored, with a lone assist by Shea Weber. The Capitals replied in the third period as Nate Schmidt scored, with the help of Martin Erat and Joel Ward. The Predators shot back as Eric Nystrom scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Viktor Stalberg and Josi. Washington padded the lead on a Fehr goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Grabovski. This was good enough for a 5-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Fehr, Josi, and Grabovski, while Backstrom gets an honorable mention.
Moving along to New York, as the Rangers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York started in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Zuccarello goal, his sixth of the year, coming off of Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi. New Jersey got on the board with a Cam Janssen goal, his third of the season, made possible by Tim Sestito and the goalie Brodeur. The Devils tied it in the third period on a Travis Zajac goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jaromir Jagr and Dainius Zubrus. New Jersey gained the lead on a Michael Ryder goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Sestito. New York retied it with a Chris Kreider power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. The Devils won 4-3 in overtime as Eric Gelinas scored his third of the campaign, a power play goal set up by Patrik Elias and Jagr. The three stars belonged to Zuccarello, Gelinas, and Jagr, while Sestito and Callahan get the honorable mentions.
Out west, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Jaroslav Halak will be manning the creases. Anaheim opened in the first period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Daniel Winnik and Saku Koivu. The Ducks added on with a Corey Perry power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Bonino. Anaheim extended the lead with a Getzlaf goal, his sixteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Brian Elliott relieved Halak at this time. The Ducks padded the lead in the second period on a Bonino goal, his eighth of the year, coming off of Pat Maroon and Tim Jackman. St. Louis got on the board in the third period with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of T.J. Oshie and Barret Jackman. The Blues pulled closer on a Patrik Berglund goal, his second of the year, passed from Maxim Lapierre and Kevin Shattenkirk. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with a Cogliano empty net goal, his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, set up by Mark Fistric. The three stars were Cogliano, Bonino, and Getzlaf.
Up in Edmonton, another edition of the Battle of Alberta occurs with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Reto Berra and Devan Dubnyk are in the blue paint. Calgary dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist from Matt Stajan. Edmonton tied it with a Taylor Hall goal in the third period, his eleventh of the year, fueled by David Perron and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Flames won 2-1 in overtime as Jiri Hudler scored his eighth of the campaign, thanks to Kris Russell. The three stars were Berra (30 for 31 in saves), Hudler, and Stempniak.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Martin Jones are the backups in goal. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Anze Kopitar scored his eighth of the season, with a lone assist by Alec Martinez. The Kings added on in the third period as Dustin Brown scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams. Los Angeles iced it at 3-0 with a Tyler Toffoli empty net goal, set up by Mike Richards and Drew Doughty. The three stars were Jones (16 save shutout), Kopitar, and Brown.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.