Atlantic Division Playoffs: Boston Bruins VS. Detroit Red Wings

This post is a reference for the above referenced series, so check back here for each game.

Game 1: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Jimmy Howard and Tuukka Rask. Detroit dented the scoreboard with a third period goal by Pavel Datsyuk, with a lone assist by Johan Franzen. This was good for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Datsyuk, Howard (25 save shutout), and Rask (23 for 24 in saves). Detroit owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2:  TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Jimmy Howard and Tuukka Rask. Boston led off with a first period Justin Florek goal, going in unassisted. The Bruins added on as Reilly Smith scored a power play goal, powered by Loui Eriksson and Patrice Bergeron. Detroit got on the board in the second period with a Luke Glendening goal, guided in by Darren Helm and Drew Miller. Boston shot back with a Milan Lucic goal, with assists provided by Jarome Iginla and Torey Krug. The Bruins extended the lead as Zdeno Chara scored a power play goal, made possible by Iginla and Krug. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars being Rask (34 for 35 in saves), Iginla, and Krug. The series is tied at 1 as it shifts to Detroit.

Game 3: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan. In goal: Tuukka Rask and Jimmy Howard. Boston began in the first period on a power play goal by Dougie Hamilton, powered by Reilly Smith. The Bruins added on with a Jordan Caron goal, via Shawn Thornton and Kevan Miller. Boston iced it at 3-0 in the third period with a Patrice Bergeron empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Rask (23 save shutout), Hamilton, and Caron. The Bruins grabbed a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan. In goal: Tuukka Rask and Jonas Gustavsson. Detroit was first to score in the first period on a Niklas Kronwall power play goal, powered by Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on in the second period as Datsyuk scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Kronwall and Justin Abdelkader. Boston got on the board with a power play goal by Torey Krug, via Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins tied it in the third period with a Milan Lucic goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Carl Soderberg and Dougie Hamilton. Boston won 3-2 in overtime on a Jarome Iginla goal, assisted by Hamilton and David Krejci. The three stars went to Iginla, Kronwall, and Datsyuk, while Hamilton gets an honorable mention. Boston heads home leading the series 3-1.

Game 5: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts. In goal: Jonas Gustavsson and Tuukka Rask. Boston struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Loui Eriksson, powered by Dougie Hamilton and the goalie Rask. Detroit tied it in the second period on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his third of the postseason, a power play goal coming off of Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg. The Bruins took the lead back on a Zdeno Chara goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug on the power play. Boston added on in the third period with a Milan Lucic goal, his third of the postseason, courtesy of Krug. The Red Wings got one back with a Zetterberg goal, with assists provided by Justin Abdelkader and Datsyuk. The Bruins iced it at 4-2 on a Jarome Iginla goal, his second of the playoffs, an empty net goal set up by Lucic and David Krejci. The three stars went to Lucic, Krug, and Zetterberg, while Datsyuk gets an honorable mention. The Bruins win 4-1 in the series, and will play the Montreal Canadiens for the Atlantic Division championship.

Atlantic Division Playoffs: Tampa Bay Lightning VS. Montreal Canadiens

This post is a reference for the above referenced series, so check back here for each game.

Game 1: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Carey Price and Anders Lindback. Tampa Bay began with a Nikita Kucherov goal, via J.T. Brown and Cedric Paquette. Montreal tied it on a Tomas Plekanec goal, coming off of Alexei Emelin and Brendan Gallagher. The Lightning took the lead back with a Steven Stamkos goal, with a lone assist by Mike Kostka. The Canadiens shot back on a Brian Gionta shorthanded goal, set up by Lars Eller and Mike Weaver. Montreal took the lead on an Eller goal, helped along by Gionta. Tampa Bay retied it on a Alex Killorn goal, fueled by Tyler Johnson. The Canadiens pulled ahead again on a Thomas Vanek goal, guided in by David Desharnais and Emelin. The Lightning tied it again as Stamkos scored his second of the game, thanks to Killorn. Montreal won 5-4 in overtime on a Dale Weise goal, assisted by Daniel Briere and Josh Gorges. The three stars were given to Weise, Stamkos, and Eller, while Gionta, Emelin, and Killorn get the honorable mentions. Montreal has a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Carey Price and Anders Lindback. Montreal got going in the second period on a David Desharnais power play goal, powered by P.K. Subban and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens added on with a Rene Bourque goal, passed from Thomas Vanek and Subban. Montreal chased Lindback in the third period as Brendan Gallagher scored an unassisted goal. Kristers Gudlevskis replaced him. The Canadiens extended the lead on another Bourque goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist by Lars Eller. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Teddy Purcell power play goal, assisted by Victor Hedman and Valtteri Filppula. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Bourque, Price (26 for 27 in saves), and Subban. The Canadiens lead the series 2-0 as they head back home.

Game 3: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec. In goal: Anders Lindback and Carey Price. Montreal led off in the first period with a Rene Bourque goal, his third of the postseason, with a lone assist by P.K. Subban just eleven seconds into the game. Tampa Bay tied it on a second period power play goal by Ondrej Palat, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Canadiens pulled ahead with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his second of the playoffs, via Subban and Lars Eller. Montreal added on in the third period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Brandon Prust and Gallagher. The Lightning got one back on a Matthew Carle goal, fueled by Stamkos and Radko Gudas. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars going to Gallagher, Subban, and Stamkos. Montreal owns a 3-0 series lead and will looking to knock the Lightning out at home in the next game. 

Game 4: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec. In goal: Anders Lindback and Carey Price. Montreal started in the first period with a Daniel Briere goal, made possible by Dale Weise and Michael Bournival. The Canadiens added on as Lars Eller scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Brian Gionta. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his second of the playoffs, going in shorthanded and unassisted. Montreal answered with a Brendan Gallagher goal, his third of the postseason, via Tomas Plekanec and Josh Gorges. Lindback was pulled for Kristers Gudlevskis. The Lightning shot back on a Victor Hedman goal in the third period, guided in by Palat and Mike Kostka. Tampa Bay tied it on a Tyler Johnson goal, passed from J.T. Brown and Cedric Paquette. The Canadiens took the lead back late on a power play goal by Max Pacioretty, powered by Thomas Vanek and P.K. Subban. This was good for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Pacioretty, Palat, and Gallagher. The Canadiens swept the Lightning out with a 4-0 series win. 

NHL Day 195 2013-2014

Ten games on in the regular season finale today. We begin in...

St. Louis, as the Blues host the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek is mismatched with Ryan Miller in goal. Detroit started in the first period with a Justin Abdelkader goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Brian Lashoff and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on with a Riley Sheahan goal, his ninth of the year, with a lone assist by Tomas Tatar. Detroit iced it at 3-0 as Abdelkader scored his second of the game and tenth of the campaign in the third period, via Datsyuk and Jakub Kindl. The three stars were Abdelkader, Mrazek (23 save shutout), and Datsyuk.

Back east, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Martin Brodeur are the backups making the starts. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Marek Zidlicky goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias. Boston tied it on a Loui Eriksson power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Carl Soderberg and Brad Marchand. The Devils took the lead back in the third period on a Zajac goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Jaromir Jagr and Jon Merrill. New Jersey added on with another Zidlicky goal, his twelfth of the year, via Damien Brunner and Jagr on the power play. The Bruins got one back with a Marchand power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, helped along by Soderberg and Eriksson. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Zidlicky, Zajac, and Jagr, while Marchand, Eriksson, and Soderberg receive the honorable mentions.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Anton Khudobin faces a much lesser foe in Cal Heeter in goal. Carolina led off in the first period with a Jeff Skinner goal, his thirty-second of the season, passed from Riley Nash and Mike Komisarek. The Hurricanes added on with an Eric Staal goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Jiri Tlusty and Justin Faulk. Philadelphia got on the board with a Matt Read goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Jason Akeson and Mark Streit. Carolina responded with a Manny Malhotra goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Komisarek. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the second period on an Eric Staal goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, assisted by Tlusty and Faulk. The Flyers shot back on a Kimmo Timonen power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Philadelphia pulled closer on a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Tye McGinn. The Flyers tied it with an unassisted Sean Couturier goal, his thirteenth of the year. Carolina regained the lead in the third period with another Skinner goal, his second of the game and thirty-third of the season, fueled by Andrei Loktionov and Elias Lindholm. Philadelphia tied it with ten seconds left in regulation as Simmonds potted his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, with assists from Streit and Timonen. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Eric Staal's goal was good for a 6-5 Hurricanes win. The three stars were Eric Staal, Skinner, and Simmonds, while Komisarek, Tlusty, Faulk, Streit, and Timonen all pick up honorable mentions.

Down a bit to DC, as the Washington Capitals bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Anders Lindback and Braden Holtby are the young goalies. The only goal came in the shootout, where Matthew Carle scored to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 win. The three stars were given to Lindback (32 save shutout), Holtby (32 save "shutout"), and Carle.

Up in Buffalo, the Sabres host the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson and Connor Knapp are the unknown goalies. Buffalo was first to score in the first period on a Jamie McBain goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by the goalie Knapp. The Sabres added on in the second period as Matt Ellis netted his fourth of the year, thanks to Marcus Foligno and Jake McCabe. New York got on the board with an Anders Lee power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey. The Islanders tied it in the third period on a Lee goal, his second of the game and ninth of the year, made possible by Bailey and Nielsen. Buffalo took the lead back with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his second of the season, passed from Rasmus Ristolainen and Henrik Tallinder. New York retied it on a Brock Nelson goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist by Travis Hamonic. The Islanders would win 4-3 with a Nelson shootout tally. The three stars went to Lee, Nelson, and Nielsen, while Bailey was an honorable mention.

West a bit to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jeff Zatkoff are in the blue paint. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Jussi Jokinen power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang. Ottawa tied it with a Kyle Turris power play goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman. The Penguins took the lead in the second period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Beau Bennett and Brian Gibbons. The Senators retied it on a power play goal by Mark Stone, his fourth of the year, via Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch. Ottawa won 3-2 with goals by Turris and Jason Spezza in the shootout. The three stars were Turris, Stone, and Stempniak.

Out west, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Ilya Bryzgalov receive the starting nods. Minnesota struck first in the first period on an Erik Haula goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild added on with a Pominville goal, his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Haula and Matt Moulson. Nashville got on the board with a Richard Clune goal, his third of the season, made possible by Paul Gaustad. Minnesota replied in the second period on a Zach Parise power play goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, powered by Mikko Koivu and Pominville. The Predators got one back with a Ryan Ellis goal, his sixth of the season, via Mattias Ekholm and Craig Smith. Nashville tied it on a power play goal by Shea Weber, his twenty-third of the year, assisted by Patric Hornqvist. The Predators took the lead on a Roman Josi goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists from Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Spaling. Nashville extended the lead with a Smith goal, his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Josi and Colin Wilson. The Predators padded the lead with a Jarnkrok goal in the third period, his second of the season, pushed through by Smith and Ellis. Nashville iced it at 7-3 with a Smith power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, with the help of Spaling and Jarnkrok. The three stars were Smith, Jarnkrok, and Pominville, while Haula, Ellis, Josi, and Spaling get the honorable mentions.

To California, where the Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere faces his former team, who trots out John Gibson to oppose him in goal. Colorado got going in the first period on a Brad Malone goal, his third of the season, coming off of Nick Holden and Ryan Wilson. The Avalanche added on with a Stefan Elliott goal in the second period, thanks to Max Talbot and Patrick Bordeleau. Anaheim got on the board in the third period with a Pat Maroon goal, his eleventh of the year, via Mathieu Perreault and Ben Lovejoy. The Ducks tied it with a Saku Koivu goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Sami Vatanen and Andrew Cogliano. Anaheim won 3-2 in overtime with a Nick Bonino goal, his twenty-second of the year, set up by Devante Smith-Pelly and Vatanen. Bonino, Vatanen, and Teemu Selanne received the three stars.

North to Vancouver, where the Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Jacob Markstrom are between the pipes. Vancouver started in the first period on a Daniel Sedin goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of David Booth and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks added on as Daniel Sedin scored his sixteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Alexander Edler and Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead in the second period on a Frank Corrado goal, going in unassisted. The Canucks padded the lead on a Ryan Kesler goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, an unassisted goal. Joey MacDonald relieved Ramo at this time. Calgary got on the board with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, coming off of Joe Colborne and Chris Breen. Vancouver shot back with a Weber power play goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Jason Garrison and Mike Zalewski. This was good for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Daniel Sedin, Markstrom (21 for 22 in saves), and Henrik Sedin.

Finally, we end the regular season in Glendale, as the Phoenix Coyotes play their last game under such a moniker by hosting the Dallas Stars. Tim Thomas and Thomas Greiss draw the starts. Dallas opened with a first period Colton Sceviour power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Vernon Fiddler and Sergei Gonchar. Phoenix tied it in the second period on a Shane Doan goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Zbynek Michalek and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes took the lead in the third period on a David Moss goal, his eighth of the campaign, fueled by Martin Erat and Jeff Halpern. The three stars belonged to Greiss (16 for 17 in saves), Moss, and Doan.

It has been 195 days since the NHL season began back in October. Together, we have experienced every goal the league has had to offer us in the regular season. I am proud to have returned for my third complete season of NHL action on this here blog, and I am taking the time now to thank all of you that have checked in at some point this year. Your support and interest is worth very much to me. Starting on Wednesday, the NHL postseason will begin, and I will be here to take you through all of those games as well. I will return to the playoff format used last year, as I did not like how I did the KHL playoffs this year. See you all in three days! Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 194 2013-2014

Nine games on the second to last day of the season, beginning with a matinee in...

Boston, where the Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett and Tuukka Rask draw the starts. Boston was first to score in the first period on a Gregory Campbell goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Jordan Caron and Shawn Thornton. The Bruins added on with a David Krejci goal, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. Boston extended the lead in the second period on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his thirtieth of the season, coming off of Brad Marchand and Torey Krug. Buffalo got on the board with a Cody Hodgson goal, his twentieth of the year, with assists provided by Marcus Foligno and Mike Weber. Hackett was hurt in the third period, and replaced by Connor Knapp in goal. The Bruins finished it at 4-1 with a Krejci power play goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Krug and the goalie Rask. The three stars were Krejci, Rask (24 for 25 in saves), and Krug.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Battle of Pennsylvania reaches its final installment, as the Penguins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Marc-Andre Fleury and the masked men. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Jussi Jokinen goal, his twentieth of the season, via James Neal and Brian Gibbons. Philadelphia tied it on a Jakub Voracek goal, his twenty-second of the year, passed from Claude Giroux and Mark Streit on the power play. The Flyers took the lead in the second period on Voracek's second of the game and twenty-third of the season, made possible by Scott Hartnell and Giroux. Ray emery replaced an injured Mason for the third period. The Penguins retied it in the third period with a Neal goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Philadelphia regained the lead on a Giroux goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, guided in by Voracek and Hartnell. Pittsburgh tied it again with a Letang goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Neal and Matt Niskanen. The Flyers won 4-3 in overtime on a Streit goal, his tenth of the campaign, with a lone assist by Andrew MacDonald. The three stars were Streit, Voracek, and Giroux, while Hartnell, Letang, and Neal get the honorable mentions.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens bring in the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Carey Price are set to start. Montreal won 1-0 in overtime on a Brian Gionta penalty shot goal, his eighteenth of the season. The three stars were Price (41 save shutout), Gionta, and Talbot (26 for 27 in saves).

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a Battle of Ontario. James Reimer and Craig Anderson are the maligned goalies. Ottawa got going in the second period on a Jason Spezza power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Ales Hemsky. This was good for a 1-0, with the three stars going to Anderson (28 save shutout), Spezza, and Reimer (36 for 37 in saves).

Way south to Florida, as the Panthers welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Roberto Luongo guard the cages. Columbus started in the first period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Calvert. Florida tied it on a Vincent Trocheck goal, his fifth of the year, going in shorthanded and unassisted. The Panthers took the lead on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Brandon Pirri. The Blue Jackets responded with a Mark Letestu power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Ryan Johansen and Boone Jenner. Columbus took the lead in the third period on a Johansen power play goal, his thirty-third of the season, coming off of James Wisniewski and Jack Johnson. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Johansen, Bobrovsky (33 for 35 in saves), and Luongo (35 for 38 in saves).

Backtracking to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta and Pekka Rinne are the Finnish goalies. Chicago struck first in the first period on a Ben Smith goal, his fourteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Brandon Saad. The Blackhawks added on as Marian Hossa scored his thirtieth of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville got on the board with a Craig Smith goal, his twenty-second of the season, courtesy of Paul Gaustad. The Predators tied it on a second period goal by Ryan Ellis, his fifth of the year, helped along by Mike Fisher and Patric Hornqvist. Chicago took the lead back on a Matt Carey goal, fueled by Bryan Bickell and Saad. Nashville tied it again in the third period with a Matt Cullen goal, his tenth of the season, guided in by Fisher and Mattias Ekholm. The Predators took the lead on a Colin Wilson goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Shea Weber and Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks retied it on a Jeremy Morin goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Johnny Oduya and Andre Shaw. Nashville gained the lead again on a Gaustad goal, his tenth of the year, via Smith and Gabriel Bourque. Chicago got another equalizer on a Shaw goal, his twentieth of the season, going in unassisted. The Predators pulled ahead with a Hornqvist goal, his twenty-second of the year, passed from Cullen and Fisher. Nashville finished the wild game at 7-5 with an empty net goal by Weber, his twenty-second of the campaign, set up by Roman Josi and Gaustad. The three stars went to Hornqvist, Fisher, and Gaustad, while Weber, Cullen, Shaw, Smith, and Saad all got honorable mentions.

Southwest to Arizona, as the Phoenix Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi faces a lesser foe in Mark Visentin in goal. San Jose led off in the first period with a Joe Pavelski power play goal, his fortieth of the season, powered by Brent Burns and Dan Boyle. The Sharks added on as Pavelski scored his second of the game and forty-first of the year, thanks to Matt Irwin and Joe Thornton. Phoenix got on the board in the second period with a Mike Ribeiro goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Radim Vrbata and Martin Erat. San Jose shot back in the third period on a Logan Couture goal, his twenty-third of the year, via Boyle. The Coyotes responded with a Shane Doan goal, his twenty-second of the season, made possible by Kyle Chipchura and Brandon McMillan. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Pavelski, Boyle, and Niemi (30 for 32 in saves).

Up in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob Markstrom and Ben Scrivens are the young goalies. Edmonton began in the first period with a Roman Horak goal, via Steven Pinizzotto and Will Acton. The Oilers added on as Jeff Petry scored his seventh of the season, thanks to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall. Edmonton extended the lead on a second period Acton goal, his third of the year, coming off of Philip Larsen and Pinizzotto. Vancouver got on the board with a Shawn Matthias goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Zack Kassian. The Oilers shot back with an Eberle power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, powered by Justin Schultz and Hall. Edmonton padded the lead in the third period with a Nugent-Hopkins goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Martin Marincin and Hall, the latter getting a sock trick. The Canucks got one back on a Kassian goal, his fourteenth of the year, with helpers from Brad Richardson and Matthias. This only made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars being Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, and Eberle, while Kassian, Acton, Matthias, and Pinizzotto get the honorable mentions.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the Anaheim Ducks for a Battle of California. Frederik Andersen is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Dustin Brown goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Willie Mitchell. Anaheim tied it on a goal by Nick Bonino, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone assist from Daniel Winnik. The Ducks took the lead on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his second of the season, made possible by Hampus Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin. The Kings retied it in the third period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, assisted by Justin Williams and Marian Gaborik. Anaheim took the lead back with a Matt Beleskey goal, his ninth of the season, going in unassisted. Los Angeles tied it again with another Kopitar goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, coming off of Slava Voynov and Robyn Regehr. The Ducks won 4-3 with a Smith-Pelly shootout goal. The three stars were Smith-Pelly, Kopitar, and Beleskey.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL 193 2013-2014

Today is the smallest remaining day on the schedule. Seven games, beginning in...

DC, as the Washington Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. Washington led off in the first period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his fifty-first of the season, powered by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on as Jay Beagle notched his third of the year, thanks to Dmitry Orlov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington extended the lead in the second period on a Backstrom goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Ovechkin and Karl Alzner. The Capitals padded the lead as Beagle scored his second of the game and fourth of the year, guided in by Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. Crawford was pulled for Antti Raanta for the third period. This was good enough for a 4-0 win, with the three stars going to Beagle, Ovechkin, and Halak (34 save shutout), while Backstrom gets an honorable mention.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jimmy Howard are the veteran goalies. Carolina opened in the first period with an Elias Lindholm power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Andrei Loktionov and Jay Harrison. The Hurricanes added on with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Eric Staal and Justin Faulk. Detroit got on the board in the third period with a Riley Sheahan goal, his eighth of the campaign, a power play goal coming off of Tomas Jurco and Tomas Tatar. This wasn't enough to complete a comeback, and they lost 2-1, with the three stars going to Ward (28 for 29 in saves), Tlusty, and Lindholm.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis McElhinney and Kristers Gudlevskis are the backups making spot starts. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on an Ondrej Palat power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Alex Killorn. Columbus tied it on a power play goal by Boone Jenner, his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Jack Johnson and Ryan Johansen. The Lightning retook the lead with an Eric Brewer goal, his third of the season, with a lone assist by Cedric Paquette. Tampa Bay added on with another Brewer goal, his second of the game and fourth of the year, made possible by Mike Kostka and Richard Panik. The Blue Jackets got one back in the third period on a David Savard goal, his fifth of the campaign, passed from Jenner and Blake Comeau. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-2, and the three stars went to Brewer, Gudlevskis (36 for 38 in saves), and Jenner.

Back north, the New Jersey Devils host the New York Islanders. Anders Nilsson is mismatched with Martin Brodeur in goal. New York began in the first period on an Anders Lee goal, his seventh of the season, via Frans Nielsen. New Jersey tied it on a Ryan Carter goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Steve Bernier and Stephen Gionta. The Devils took the lead on a Patrik Elias goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr. The Islanders tied it on a third period goal by Ryan Strome, his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Nielsen and Matt Donovan. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Nielsen, Josh Bailey, and Strome all scored to top a lone tally by Damien Brunner for a 3-2 New York win. The three stars were Nielsen, Strome, and Nilsson (25 for 27 in saves).

Southwest to Dallas, as the Stars bring in the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Trevor Daley, his ninth of the season, via Jamie Benn. The Stars added on as Tyler Seguin scored his thirty-seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Benn and Daley. Dallas iced it at 3-0 in the third period with a Ryan Garbutt goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, made possible by Alex Goligoski and Vernon Fiddler. The three stars were Lehtonen (22 save shutout), Daley, and Benn.

Up in Calgary, the Flames welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Karri Ramo are the little known goalies. Winnipeg started in the first period on a Michael Frolik goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Jacob Trouba and Mark Stuart. The Jets added on with an Evander Kane goal, his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Bryan Little and Adam Pardy. Calgary got on the board with a Jiri Hudler goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Matt Stajan and T.J. Brodie. Winnipeg responded with a Carl Klingberg goal, with assists provided by Patrice Cormier and Zach Redmond. The Flames shot back on a Sean Monahan goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Hudler and Curtis Glencross on the power play. Calgary tied it with a power play goal by Kris Russell, his seventh of the season, powered by Paul Byron and Mark Giordano. The Jets retook the lead in the third period on a Paul Postma goal, via Anthony Peluso and Cormier. Winnipeg finished it at 5-3 with an empty net goal by Blake Wheeler, his twenty-eighth of the year, set up by Olli Jokinen. The three stars were Cormier, Hudler, and Postma.

Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche. Reto Berra and Alex Stalock are the backups making spot starts. San Jose struck first in the first period on a Dan Boyle goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Sharks added on with a Patrick Marleau goal, his thirty-third of the year, guided in by Martin Havlat and Logan Couture. Berra was pulled for Jean-Sebastien Giguere at this time. Colorado got on the board in the second period on a Patrick Bordeleau goal, his sixth of the season, passed from Max Talbot and Ryan O'Reilly. San Jose shot back in the third period with a Havlat goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Couture and Marleau. The Sharks extended the lead with another Havlat goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, fueled by Bracken Kearns and Andrew Desjardins. San Jose finished it at 5-1 with an empty net goal by Havlat to complete his natural hat trick on his twelfth of the year, set up by Couture, who got a sock trick. The three stars were Havlat, Marleau, and Couture.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL ECF: Metallurg Magnitogorsk VS. Salavat Yulaev Ufa Game 5

In today's game, from Magnitogorsk, Andrei Vasilevsky and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. The game was scoreless until an overtime goal by Metallurg's Yaroslav Khabarov, with a lost assist by Bogdan Potekhin, giving them a 1-0 win. The three stars went to Koshechkin (24 save shutout), Khabarov, and Vasilevsky (37 for 38 in saves). Metallurg advances to play against Lev Prague in the Gagarin Cup Finals on a 4-1 series win.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NHL Day 192 2013-2014

Today is the fourth to last day of the season, and biggest of those remaining. We have eleven games to go with, beginning in...

New York, as the Rangers host the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett is mismatched with Henrik Lundqvist in goal. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Drew Stafford goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Mike Weber and Tyler Ennis. New York tied it on a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. The Rangers took the lead in the third period as Rick Nash potted his twenty-sixth of the campaign, via Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan. This produced the 2-1 final, with the three stars being Nash, Lundqvist (23 for 24 in saves), and Pouliot.

Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin draw the starts. Washington led off in the first period with a Joel Ward goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Eric Fehr and Jason Chimera. The Capitals added on in the second period as Chimera scored his fifteenth of the year, from Fehr and Ward. Carolina got on the board with a shorthanded goal by Jiri Tlusty, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Jordan Staal. Washington shot back on a Troy Brouwer goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Marcus Johansson and Karl Alzner. The Capitals extended the lead with a third period Fehr goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Chimera and Ward. Washington padded the lead on a Brouwer goal, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Johansson and Tyson Strachan. The Hurricanes got one back on a Radek Dvorak goal, his fourth of the campaign, made possible by Justin Faulk and Drayson Bowman. This only made it 5-2, the final, with Brouwer, Fehr, and Ward earning the three stars, while Chimera and Johansson get the honorable mentions.

Up north, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Ryan Strome power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Matt Donovan and Josh Bailey. The Islanders added on with a power play goal by Brock Nelson, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Thomas Hickey and the goalie Nabokov. This was all they needed to win 2-0, with the three stars being Nabokov (19 save shutout), Strome, and Nelson.

Over in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider and Robin Lehner are the young goalies. Ottawa struck first in the second period on a Mike Hoffman goal, his third of the season, via Mika Zibanejad and Cody Ceci. New Jersey tied it on a Michael Ryder goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Anton Volchenkov and Tim Sestito. The Senators won 2-1 in the shootout with a lone tally by Erik Karlsson. The three stars were awarded to Lehner (38 for 39 in saves), Schneider (31 for 32 in saves), and Karlsson.

Back south again to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery and Anders Lindback are the backups making spot starts. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Mike Kostka. Philadelphia tied it on a second period Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. The Lightning took the lead in the third period on a Richard Panik goal, his third of the season, passed from Victor Hedman and Kostka. Tampa Bay added on with an Eric Brewer goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Johnson and Ondrej Palat. The Flyers pulled back with a Sean Couturier goal, his twelfth of the season, via Mark Streit. The Lightning answered with a Stamkos power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Hedman. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars going to Johnson, Stamkos, and Lindback (34 for 36 in saves), while Kostka and Hedman get honorable mentions.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Drew MacIntyre opposes Roberto Luongo in goal. Florida started in the first period with a Brandon Pirri goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Quinton Howden and Brian Campbell. Toronto tied it in the second period on a Tyler Bozak goal, his nineteenth of the year, fueled by Jake Gardiner and James van Riemsdyk. The Panthers took the lead back on a Brad Boyes goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Nick Bjugstad and Sean Bergenheim. Florida added on in the third period with a Bjugstad goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Bergenheim and Boyes. The Panthers extended the lead with a Bjugstad shorthanded goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, set up by Tomas Fleischmann and Colby Robak. The Maple Leafs got one back on a Paul Ranger goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Bozak and Gardiner. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars given to Bjugstad, Boyes, and Bozak, while Bergenheim and Gardiner get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Nashville, as the Predators host the Phoenix Coyotes. Thomas Greiss and Pekka Rinne get the starting nods. Nashville was first to score in the second period on a Craig Smith power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Ryan Ellis and Seth Jones. The Predators added on with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twenty-first of the year, made possible by Mike Fisher and Matt Cullen. They coasted to a 2-0 win, with the three stars handed to Rinne (29 save shutout), Smith, and Hornqvist.

Continuing to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller faces a lesser foe in John Curry in goal. Minnesota opened in the first period on a Nino Neiderreiter goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Jonathon Blum and Matt Cooke. St. Louis tied it on a second period power play goal by Kevin Shattenkirk, his tenth of the year, powered by Vladimir Sobotka and Alexander Steen. The Wild retook the lead on a shorthanded goal by Kyle Brodziak, his seventh of the season, set up by Cooke and Nate Prosser. The Blues tied it again with a Jaden Schwartz shorthanded goal, with a lone assist by Steen. Minnesota took the lead back again as Matt Moulson potted his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Dany Heatley and Erik Haula. The Wild added on in the third period with a Brodziak goal, his eighth of the year and second of the game, helped along by Christian Folin and Neiderreiter. This produced a 4-2 final, with the three stars being Brodziak, Neiderreiter, and Cooke, while Steen gets an honorable mention.

Crossing into Canada, where the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Boston Bruins. Chad Johnson and Michael Hutchinson are the backups between the pipes. Boston led off in the first period with a Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, via Reilly Smith and David Krejci. Winnipeg tied it on an Evander Kane goal in the third period, his eighteenth of the year, made possible by Blake Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bryan Little scored the lone tally for a 2-1 Jets win. The three stars went to Hutchinson (32 for 33 in saves), Johnson (36 for 37 in saves), and Little.

Over in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings. Martin Jones and Viktor Fasth have the green light to start. Los Angeles began in the first period on an Anze Kopitar goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Justin Williams and Marian Gaborik. The Kings added on with a Gaborik goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Willie Mitchell and Kopitar. Los Angeles extended the lead in the second period on a Gaborik goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, with assists provided by Slava Voynov and Williams. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 3-0, and the three stars were given to Gaborik, Jones (17 save shutout), and Kopitar, and Williams gets an honorable mention.

Finally, in Vancouver, the Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jacob Markstrom are in the blue paint. Vancouver was first to score in the first period with a Henrik Sedin goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Dan Hamhuis and Daniel Sedin. Colorado tied it on a Paul Stastny goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, going in unassisted. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period as Stastny scored his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Erik Johnson and Nathan MacKinnon. The Canucks retied it on a David Booth goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Hamhuis and Alexandre Burrows. Colorado took the lead back with a Tyson Barrie goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Jamie McGinn. The Avalanche iced it at 4-2 with a John Mitchell power play goal, his eleventh of the year, going unassisted into the empty net. The three stars were Stastny, Hamhuis, and Barrie.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.