NHL 2021-22 - The All-Star Game

We're back with another edition of the NHL's midseason classic. First up...

The Pacific Division faces the Metropolitan Division. Frederik Andersen and John Gibson start in goal. The Metropolitan opened the scoring with a Tom Wilson goal, via Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Pacific answered with a Timo Meier goal, passed from Troy Terry and Johnny Gaudreau. The Metropolitan retook the lead on a Claude Giroux goal, made possible by Zach Werenski. The Metropolitan added on with a Sebastian Aho goal, guided in by Jake Guentzel. In the second half, Tristan Jarry and Thatcher Demko played in goal. The Pacific pulled back with a Jonathan Marchessault goal, coming off of Leon Draisaitl and Mark Stone. The Pacific tied it on a Jordan Eberle goal, with a lone assist by Meier. The Metropolitan retook the lead with a Jack Hughes goal, helped along by Adam Pelech. The Metropolitan extended the lead as Guentzel scored, thanks to Giroux. The Metropolitan padded the lead on a Hughes empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Chris Kreider. The Pacific got one back with a Stone goal, with assists provided by Marchessault and Alex Pietrangelo. This made it 6-4, the final, with the three stars going to Hughes, Giroux, and Guentzel, while Marchessault, Stone, and Meier get the honorable mentions. 

In the second semifinal, the Central Division takes on the Atlantic Division. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Cam Talbot draw the starts in goal. The Central started with a Jordan Kyrou goal, assisted by Clayton Keller and Alex DeBrincat. The Atlantic tied it on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, via Auston Matthews. The Central retook the lead with a DeBrincat goal, passed from Kyrou and Keller. The Central added on with a Nazem Kadri goal, powered by Cale Makar. The Atlantic responded on a Matthews goal, helped along by Huberdeau and Victor Hedman. The goalies for the second half were Jack Campbell and Juuse Saros. The Atlantic tied it on a Patrice Bergeron goal, fueled by Campbell and Rasmus Dahlin. The Central regained the lead on a Kyle Connor goal, guided in by Kadri. The Central extended the lead as Kyrou scored his second of the game, thanks to Roman Josi and Joe Pavelski. The Atlantic pulled one back with an unassisted Dahlin goal. The Central shot back with a Josi goal, courtesy of Kyrou. The Atlantic answered with a Steven Stamkos goal, with a lone helper by Brady Tkachuk. The Central responded with a DeBrincat goal, his second of the game, with a lone assist from Kirill Kaprizov. The Central iced it at 8-5 with an empty net goal by Pavelski, set up by Makar and Kaprizov. The three stars were Kyrou, DeBrincat, and Kadri, while Pavelski, Josi, Kaprizov, Keller, Makar, Matthews, Huberdeau, and Dahlin get the honorable mentions. 

The Finals saw the Metropolitan Division against the Central Division. Frederik Andersen and Cam Talbot again began in goal. The Metropolitan kicked off the scoring with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, fueled by the goalie Andersen. The Central tied it on a Clayton Keller goal, via Roman Josi and Joe Pavelski. The Metropolitan retook the lead with a Claude Giroux goal, helped along by Zach Werenski. The Metropolitan added on with a Chris Kreider goal, passed from Jack Hughes. The Central answered on a Nazem Kadri goal, guided in by Kyle Connor and Jordan Kyrou. The Metropolitan responded with a Hughes goal, assisted by Sebastian Aho. Tristan Jarry and Juuse Saros took over in goal in the second half. The Central got one back in the second half with a Pavelski goal, made possible by Kaprizov. The Metropolitan countered with a Giroux goal, his second of the game, with helpers from Jake Guentzel and Werenski. This held for a 5-3 win, with the three stars going to Giroux, Hughes, and Werenski, while Pavelski gets an honorable mention. Giroux was named the All-Star Game MVP. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 106

The last day before the All-Star break will have five games. We begin with...

The New York Islanders hosting the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Semyon Varlamov are the goalies. Seattle got going in the second period with a Jared McCann goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Jordan Eberle and Marcus Johansson. The Kraken added on with a Vince Dunn goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Mason Appleton and Adam Larsson. Seattle iced it at 3-0 with an Appleton empty net goal, his fifth of the campaign, set up by McCann. The three stars were Grubauer (19 save shutout), McCann, and Appleton.

In DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Mikko Koskinen and Ilya Samsonov are set to start in goal. Edmonton opened in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his thirty-second of the season, via Cody Ceci and Ryan McLeod. The Oilers added on with an Evander Kane goal, his second of the year, assisted by Duncan Keith and Ceci. Edmonton extended the lead on a Connor McDavid power play goal, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Pheonix Copley replaced Samsonov in goal. Washington got on the board with a Lars Eller goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Justin Schultz. The Capitals got closer in the second period with a Conor Sheary goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Martin Fehervary and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington tied it in the third period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Oilers took the lead on a Nugent-Hopkins shorthanded goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Zach Hyman. Edmonton iced it at 5-3 with a Nugent-Hopkins empty net goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with helpers from Kane and Keith. The three stars belonged to Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl, and Kane, while Ceci and Keith get the honorable mentions.

Over in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Alex Nedeljkovic are the masked men. Detroit started in the first period with a Michael Rasmussen goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Filip Zadina and Filip Hronek. Los Angeles tied it on a Phillip Danault goal, his eleventh of the year, via Austin Strand and Trevor Moore. The Kings took the lead with an Arthur Kaliyev goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Blake Lizotte and Strand. The Red Wings retied it in the third period with a Tyler Bertuzzi goal, his twenty-second of the year, passed from Gustav Lindstrom and Dylan Larkin. Los Angeles regained the lead with a Danault goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, assisted by Moore and Viktor Arvidsson. The Kings added on with an Arvidsson empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Detroit pulled one back with a Joe Veleno goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Sam Gagner and Gemel Smith. Los Angeles iced it at 5-3 with an Adrian Kempe empty net goal, his nineteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were Danault, Arvidsson, and Moore, while Strand gets an honorable mention.

Next up, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Frederick Gaudreau power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Jonas Brodin and Kevin Fiala. The Wild added on with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Jordan Greenway and Brandon Duhaime. Minnesota extended the lead as Kirill Kaprizov scored his nineteenth of the season, thanks to Zuccarello. The Wild padded the lead on a Fiala goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Matt Boldy and Gaudreau. Minnesota continued with a Nico Sturm goal, his eighth of the season, helped along by Connor Dewar and Victor Rask. This made it 5-0, the final, with the three stars going to Talbot (29 save shutout), Zuccarello, and Fiala, while Gaudreau gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Karel Vejmelka are in the blue paint. Calgary led off in the first period with a Blake Coleman goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Andrew Mangiapane and Christopher Tanev. Arizona tied it on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, his second of the year, helped along by Jakob Chychrun and Clayton Keller. The Flames took the lead with an Elias Lindholm goal, his fifteenth of the season, via Johnny Gaudreau and Tanev. The Coyotes tied it on a Keller goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Nick Schmaltz. Calgary retook the lead on a Tanev goal, his third of the season, assisted by Coleman and Mangiapane. The Flames added on with a Coleman goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, passed from Oliver Kylington and Tanev. This held for a 4-2 win, with the three stars handed to Tanev, Coleman, and Mangiapane, while Keller gets an honorable mention. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 105

There's eleven games scheduled tonight, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Florida Panthers. Spencer Knight and Igor Shesterkin are the young goalies. New York led off in the first period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his eighteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Florida tied it on an Anthony Duclair goal, his nineteenth of the year, passed from Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers took the lead on a Sam Reinhart power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Barkov and Aaron Ekblad in the second period. The Rangers retied it on an Alexis Lafreniere goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Chris Kreider. New York took the lead with a Kreider power play goal, his thirty-second of the season, with assists provided by Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin. The Rangers added on the third period with a Kreider power play goal, his second of the game and thirty-third of the year, helped along by Zibanejad and Panarin. New York iced it at 5-2 with a Panarin empty net goal, his thirteenth of the campaign, coming on the power play as an unassisted goal. The three stars belonged to Kreider, Panarin, and Zibanejad, while Barkov gets an honorable mention.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Tristan Jarry man the nets. Washington opened in the first period with a shorthanded goal by Nic Dowd, his sixth of the season, set up by Carl Hagelin. Pittsburgh tied it on an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang. Ilya Samsonov replaced an injured Vanecek later in the first period. The Penguins took the lead on a Bryan Rust power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Sidney Crosby and Guentzel. The Capitals tied it on a Dmitry Orlov power play goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Conor Sheary and Justin Schultz. Pittsburgh retook the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Rust, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, helped along by Crosby and Guentzel. Washington tied it on a Daniel Sprong goal, his eighth of the year, via John Carlson. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime with another Orlov goal, his second of the game and seventh of the campaign, with helpers from Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. The three stars were Orlov, Rust, and Guentzel, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the San Jose Sharks. James Reimer and Andrei Vasilevskiy are set to start in goal. Tampa Bay got going in the second period with an Anthony Cirelli goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Brayden Point and Ryan McDonagh. San Jose tied it on a Rudolfs Balcers goal, his sixth of the year, fueled by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Logan Couture. The Lightning retook the lead on an Alex Killorn power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Sharks tied it in the third period with a Couture power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Brent Burns and Alexander Barabanov. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime with a Hedman goal, his tenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were Hedman, Couture, and Killorn.

Back north in New Jersey, the Devils host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell and Jon Gillies are the goalies. Toronto began in the first period with a Jason Spezza goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Pierre Engvall. The Maple Leafs added on with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, fueled by Mitchell Marner and Michael Bunting. Toronto extended the lead as David Kampf scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Ilya Mikheyev and Justin Holl. The Maple Leafs padded the lead on a Marner goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Matthews. Toronto continued in the second period on a Bunting goal, his thirteenth of the season, passed from Marner and Kampf. The Maple Leafs struck again on an Engvall goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Wayne Simmonds. New Jersey got on the board in the third period with a Jack Hughes goal, his twelfth of the season, with helpers from Yegor Sharangovich and Jesper Bratt. Toronto shot back with another Marner goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The final was 7-1, with the three stars going to Marner, Matthews, and Kampf, while Bunting and Engvall get the honorable mentions.

Along to Boston, as the Bruins welcome the Seattle Kraken. Chris Driedger and Linus Ullmark patrol the creases. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period on a David Pastrnak power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand. The Bruins took the lead with a Hall goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Tomas Nosek and Pastrnak. Seattle got on the board in the third period with a Joonas Donskoi goal, going in unassisted. The Kraken tied it on a Mason Appleton goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Adam Larsson and Colin Blackwell. Boston took the lead with a Pastrnak power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, with assists provided by Patrice Bergeron and Marchand. This held for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Pastrnak, Hall, and Marchand.

To Philadelphia, as the Flyers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Carter Hart protect the nets. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Kyle Connor goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Cole Perfetti and Pierre-Luc Dubois. Philadelphia tied it on a Travis Konecny goal in the second period, his eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flyers took the lead with a James van Riemsdyk goal in the third period, his eleventh of the season, via Scott Laughton. Philadelphia iced it at 3-1 with an Oskar Lindblom empty net goal, his sixth of the year, set up by Cam Atkinson. The three stars were van Riemsdyk, Konecny, and Hart (32 for 33 in saves).

Next up, the New York Islanders host the Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray and Ilya Sorokin are between the pipes. Ottawa struck first in the first period with a Nick Holden goal, his second of the season, via Tyler Ennis and Brady Tkachuk. New York tied it on an Anthony Beauvillier power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Zach Parise and Brock Nelson. The Islanders took the lead on an Oliver Wahlstrom goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Zdeno Chara and Noah Dobson. New York added on with a Mathew Barzal goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Scott Mayfield. The Islanders extended the lead in the third period as Adam Pelech scored his second of the season, passed from Mayfield and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars handed to Sorokin (26 for 27 in saves), Mayfield, and Wahlstrom.

Westward to Nashville, as the Predators welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Juuse Saros tend the twines. Vancouver kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Matthew Highmore goal, his second of the season, via Juho Lammikko. Nashville tied it on a Ryan Johansen goal, his thirteenth of the year, assists by Michael McCarron and Alexandre Carrier. The Predators took the lead with a Filip Forsberg goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Philippe Myers and Matt Duchene. The Canucks tied it again on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his third of the year, guided in by Brock Boeser and Tanner Pearson. Nashville took the lead in the second period with a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Roman Josi and Mikael Granlund. The Predators added on in the third period with a Tanner Jeannot goal, his fourteenth of the year, helped along by Mattias Ekholm and Colton Sissons. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars being Forsberg, Jeannot, and Johansen.

South to Dallas, where the Stars bring in the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Jake Oettinger guard the cages. Calgary drew first blood in the first period with a Trevor Lewis goal, his fourth of the season, via Adam Ruzicka and Milan Lucic. Dallas tied it on a Joel Hanley goal, coming off of Riley Damiani and Tanner Kero. The Stars took the lead with a Jason Robertson goal, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen. Dallas added on in the second period with a Jamie Benn goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Tyler Seguin and Denis Gurianov. Daniel Vladar replaced Markstrom in goal in the third period. The Flames got one back in the third period with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his twentieth of the year, coming off of Blake Coleman and Noah Hanifin. Calgary tied it on a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames pulled ahead on an Oliver Kylington goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Rasmus Andersson and Lindholm. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Lindholm, Kylington, and Gaudreau.

Northwest to Colorado, as the Avalanche host the Arizona Coyotes. Scott Wedgewood and Darcy Kuemper are the masked men. Colorado cracked the scoresheet in the second period with a Nazem Kadri goal, his nineteenth of the season, going in unassisted. Arizona tied it on an Alex Galchenyuk goal, via Ilya Lyubushkin and Clayton Keller. The Avalanche took the lead on a Mikko Rantanen goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, passed from Andre Burakovsky. The Coyotes tied it on a Lawson Crouse goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Jakob Chychrun and Phil Kessel. Arizona won 3-2 in the shootout with a Galchenyuk tally as the lone goal. The three stars were Galchenyuk, Crouse, and Wedgewood (38 for 40 in saves).

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Buffalo Sabres. Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner draw the starts in goal. Vegas was first to score in the first period with a Reilly Smith goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. The Golden Knights added on with a Brett Howden goal, his seventh of the year, via Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. Vegas extended the lead on a Marchessault power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Nicolas Roy and Karlsson. The Golden Knights padded the lead on a Keegan Kolesar shorthanded goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Howden. Buffalo got on the board with an Alex Tuch goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Henri Jokiharju. Vegas replied in the third period with a Stone goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Pacioretty and Nolan Patrick. The Sabres got one back wit ha John Hayden goal, helped along by Tage Thompson. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars being Marchessault, Stone, and Howden, while Pacioretty and Karlsson get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 104

There's five games on for this Monday, beginning with...

The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Elvis Merzlikins man the nets. Florida led off in the first period with a Mason Marchment goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Anton Lundell. The Panthers added on with a Sam Reinhart goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Lundell and Marchment. Columbus got on the board with a Gustav Nyquist goal, his twelfth of the season, helped along by Gavin Bayreuther. Florida shot back with an Aleksander Barkov power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers extended the lead as Reinhart scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, thanks to Marchment and Lundell. The Blue Jackets got one back with a Patrik Laine goal, his ninth of the year, made possible by Jakub Voracek. Florida answered in the second period with a Reinhart goal, completing his hat trick on his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Marchment and Lundell. Columbus pulled back on an Emil Bemstrom goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Jack Roslovic and Max Domi. The Blue Jackets got closer on a Laine goal, his second of the game and tenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Panthers responded with an Owen Tippett goal, his sixth of the year, with helpers from Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett. Florida padded the lead on a MacKenzie Weegar goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Marchment. Joonas Korpisalo replaced Merzlikins in goal for the third period. The Panthers continued on a Marchment goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year, passed from Reinhart and Lundell. This stood for an 8-4 win, with the three stars awarded to Marchment, Reinhart, and Lundell, while Laine gets an honorable mention.

Up in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Mikko Koskinen and Matt Murray are the goalies. Ottawa began in the first period with a Thomas Chabot goal, his third of the season, assisted by Brady Tkachuk and Zach Sanford. Edmonton tied it on a Connor McDavid goal, his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Evan Bouchard and Kailer Yamamoto. The Senators retook the lead in the second period with a Nick Paul power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Erik Brannstrom and Chris Tierney. The Oilers retied it in the third period with a Darnell Nurse goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Derek Ryan and Zach Hyman. Ottawa won 3-2 in overtime with a Tim Stutzle goal, his eighth of the campaign, with helpers from Tkachuk and Chabot. The three stars were Chabot, Tkachuk, and Stutzle.

Back stateside, the Detroit Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Alex Nedeljkovic are the masked men. Detroit opened in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his twenty-third of the season, via Filip Zadina and Gustav Lindstrom. Anaheim tied it in the second period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Adam Henrique. The Red Wings won 2-1 in overtime with a Jordan Oesterle goal, passed from Larkin. The three stars were Larkin, Nedeljkovic (14 for 15 in saves), and Oesterle.

Over in Chicago, the Blackhawks bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. Vancouver started in the first period with an Alex Chiasson goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Justin Dowling. The Canucks added on in the second period with a Brock Boeser goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Quinn Hughes and Jason Dickinson. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Connor Murphy goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Patrick Kane and Kirby Dach. Vancouver iced it at 3-1 with a Luke Schenn empty net goal, his second of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars given to Halak (20 for 21 in saves), Boeser, and Chiasson.

Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils. Akira Schmid and Jack Campbell are in the blue paint. New Jersey struck first in the first period with a Pavel Zacha goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. The Devils added on with a Jesper Boqvist goal, his second of the year, coming off of Colton White and Janne Kuokkanen. Toronto got on the board with an Auston Matthews goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, helped along by Mitchell Marner and Timothy Liljegren. New Jersey replied with an Andreas Johnsson goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone assist by Dawson Mercer. Petr Mrazek replaced Campbell in goal. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Matthews goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, guided in by Morgan Rielly and Marner. The Devils answered in the second period with a Nathan Bastian goal, his ninth of the year, with helpers from Ryan Graves and Boqvist. Toronto pulled back in the third period with a Jason Spezza goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Ilya Mikheyev and Alexander Kerfoot. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Marner goal, his twelfth of the year, passed from Matthews. Toronto took the lead on a Mihkeyev shorthanded goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Kerfoot. The Maple Leafs iced it at 6-4 with a Matthews power play empty net goal to complete his hat trick on his twenty-eighth of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Matthews, Marner, and Mihkeyev, while Boqvist and Kerfoot get the honorable mentions. 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 103

Seven games on a rather busy Sunday, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Igor Shesterkin protect the nets. New York led off in the first period with a Mika Zibanejad power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba. The Rangers added on in the second period with an Alexis Lafreniere goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Zibanejad and Zac Jones. Seattle got on the board with a Jared McCann goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Jordan Eberle and Marcus Johansson. The Kraken tied it on a Yanni Gourde power play goal, his tenth of the year, with assists provided by Mark Giordano and McCann in the third period. New York regained the lead with a K'Andre Miller goal, his third of the campaign, helped along by Zibanejad. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Zibanejad, McCann, and Miller.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Cal Petersen and Tristan Jarry are between the pipes. Los Angeles got going in the second period with an Alex Iafallo goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Anze Kopitar. Pittsburgh tied it on a Sidney Crosby power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The Kings took the lead back with a Trevor Moore goal, his sixth of the season, via Jacob Moverare. Los Angeles added on with a Drew Doughty goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. The Penguins got one back with a Bryan Rust goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Letang. Pittsburgh tied it on a Rust power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Crosby and Jake Guentzel. The Kings retook the lead on another Moore goal, his second of the game and seventh of the season, helped along by Blake Lizotte. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars going to Moore, Rust, and Kopitar, while Crosby and Letang get the honorable mentions. 

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes bring in the San Jose Sharks. James Reimer and Frederik Andersen guard the cages. Carolina began in the first period with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Ian Cole and Ethan Bear. San Jose tied it in the third period on a Rudolfs Balcers goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Jonathan Dahlen and Nicolas Meloche. The Hurricanes took the lead with an Andrei Svechnikov goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Brett Pesce and Sebastian Aho. The three stars of the 2-1 game were handed to Svechnikov, Trocheck, and Andersen (27 for 28 in saves). 

Back north, the Montreal Canadiens host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and Samuel Montembeault are in goal. Montreal opened in the first period with a Nick Suzuki goal, his ninth of the season, made possible by Tyler Toffoli and Artturi Lehkonen. Columbus tied it on a Patrik Laine goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Gustav Nyquist and Vladislav Gavrikov. The Blue Jackets took the lead with a Jack Roslovic goal, his seventh of the season, via Gavin Bayreuther. Columbus added on with a shorthanded and unassisted Eric Robinson goal, his sixth of the year. Cayden Primeau took over for Montembeault in goal. The Blue Jackets extended the lead as Yegor Chinakhov scored his fifth of the season, going in unassisted. The Canadiens got one back in the second period with a Toffoli goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Lehkonen and Suzuki. Montreal got closer on a shorthanded Lehkonen goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Jake Evans and Jeff Petry in the third period. Columbus responded with a Cole Sillinger goal, his seventh of the year, passed from Andrew Peeke. The Blue Jackets iced it at 6-3 with an empty net goal by Laine, his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, set up by Sillinger and Nyquist. The three stars were Laine, Lehkonen, and Sillinger, while Suzuki, Toffoli, and Nyquist get the honorable mentions.

Way south to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Jake Oettinger are the masked men. Dallas started in the first period with a Tyler Seguin goal, his thirteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Stars added on with an Alexander Radulov goal, his second of the year, via Esa Lindell. Dallas extended the lead in the second period as Luke Glendening scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. The Stars chased Ullmark with a Jamie Benn goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Seguin and Denis Gurianov. Jeremy Swayman took over in goal. Dallas padded the lead in the third period with a Roope Hintz power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by John Klingberg. Boston got on the board with a Craig Smith goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Charlie Coyle and Jake DeBrusk. The Stars countered with a Seguin goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the campaign, courtesy of Gurianov and Benn. The three stars of the 6-1 game were Seguin, Benn, and Gurianov.

North again to New York, as the Islanders bring in the Minnesota Wild. Kaapo Kahkonen and Ilya Sorokin patrol the creases. Minnesota kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Brandon Duhaime goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Dumba. The Wild added on with an Eriksson Ek power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. New York got on the board with a Brock Nelson goal, his fourteenth of the season, passed from Robin Salo and Adam Pelech. Minnesota replied in the second period with a Boldy goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Victor Rask and Kevin Fiala. The Islanders got one back with a Ross Johnston goal, going in unassisted. The Wild answered in the third period with a Kaprizov goal, his eighteenth of the season, helped along by Dumba and Jonas Brodin. New York got one back with an Oliver Wahlstrom power play goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. This only made it 4-3, the final, and the three stars were Kaprizov, Boldy, and Eriksson Ek, while Dumba gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the Buffalo Sabres. Dustin Tokarski and Darcy Kuemper are in the blue paint. Colorado struck first in the first period with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin. Buffalo tied it in the second period with a Dylan Cozens goal, his eleventh of the year, via Jeff Skinner. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Nazem Kadri goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Dylan Sikura and Alex Newhook. Colorado added on with a Rantanen power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Cale Makar and Samuel Girard. The Avalanche iced it at 4-1 in the third period with a Nichushkin empty net goal, his twelfth of the campaign, set up by Logan O'Connor. The three stars were Rantanen, Nichushkin, and Kuemper (30 for 31 in saves). 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 102

It's Hockey Day in Canada, so the games start early this Saturday. The first of ten is in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Anton Forsberg man the nets. Anaheim led off in the first period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Josh Manson and Sam Steel. Ottawa tied it on a Tyler Ennis goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Lassi Thomson and Thomas Chabot. The Ducks took the lead in the third period with a Troy Terry goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, via Ryan Getzlaf. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars awarded to Gibson (44 for 45 in saves), Terry, and Rakell.

Stateside, the Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Carter Hart are the goalies. Philadelphia began in the first period with a Gerry Mayhew goal, his third of the season, assisted by Rasmus Ristolainen and Morgan Frost. The Flyers added on in the second period with a Cam Atkinson goal, his sixteenth of the year, fueled by Claude Giroux. Los Angeles got on the board with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Sean Durzi and Phillip Danault. Philadelphia shot back on an Atkinson shorthanded and unassisted goal in the third period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year. The Kings pulled back on an Arvidsson power play goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, powered by Arthur Kaliyev and Durzi. Los Angeles tied it on an Anze Kopitar goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Flyers won 4-3 in overtime with a Scott Laughton goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Atkinson and Ivan Provorov. The three stars went to Atkinson, Arvidsson, and Durzi. 

Over in St. Louis, the Blues bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Eric Comrie and Ville Husso patrol the creases. St. Louis opened in the first period with a Vladimir Tarasenko power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk. Winnipeg tied it on a Paul Stastny goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Jets took the lead in the second period with a Kyle Connor goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, passed from Pierre-Luc Dubois. Winnipeg added on with a Nate Schmidt power play goal, his second of the year, with assists provided by Mark Scheifele and Connor. The Jets iced it at 4-1 with a Stastny empty net goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign, set up by Neal Pionk. The three stars were handed to Stastny, Connor, and Comrie (28 for 29 in saves).

Down in Florida, the Panthers host the San Jose Sharks. James Reimer and Sergei Bobrovsky are the veterans in goal. San Jose started in the first period with a Tomas Hertl goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Rudolfs Balcers. The Sharks added on with a Jonathan Dahlen power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Noah Gregor. Florida got on the board with a Gustav Forsling goal, his second of the season, assisted by Sam Reinhart and Mason Marchment. San Jose replied in the second period with a Matt Nieto goal, his fourth of the year, passed from Nick Bonino and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Panthers got one back in the third period with an Aleksander Barkov goal, his twentieth of the season, helped along by Jonathan Huberdeau and Carter Verhaeghe. The Sharks answered with another Dahlen power play goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with assists provided by Brent Burns and Bonino. Florida pulled back with a Marchment goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of Reinhart. The Panthers tied it as Huberdeau scored his seventeenth of the year, with the help of Verhaeghe and MacKenzie Weegar. Florida won with a Sam Bennett goal in overtime, his twenty-first of the campaign, made possible by Huberdeau. The three stars of the 5-4 game were Huberdeau, Marchment, and Dahlen, while Bonino, Verhaeghe, and Reinhart get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner and Samuel Montembeault man the nets. Edmonton was first to score in the first period with an Evander Kane goal, assisted by Evan Bouchard and Kailer Yamamoto. The Oilers added on with a Zach Hyman goal, his twelfth of the season, via Kris Russell and William Lagesson. Edmonton extended the lead as Leon Draisaitl scored his thirtieth of the year, thanks to Warren Foegele. Montreal got on the board in the second period with a Josh Anderson goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Ben Chiarot and Jake Evans. The Oilers answered with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Hyman and Zack Kassian. Edmonton padded the lead on a Hyman goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with helpers from Darnell Nurse and Nugent-Hopkins. The Canadiens got one back with a Tyler Toffoli power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Mike Hoffman and Nick Suzuki. The Oilers responded on a Draisaitl goal, his second of the game and thirty-first of the season, helped along by Foegele and Duncan Keith. Cayden Primeau replaced Montembeault in goal. Edmonton shot back in the third period with a Derek Ryan goal, his third of the year, with helpers from Devin Shore and Keith. The final was 7-2, and the three stars were Hyman, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Keith and Foegele get the honorable mentions.

Along to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Petr Mrazek and Alex Nedeljkovic are in the creases. Detroit struck first in the first period with a Dylan Larkin goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Vladislav Namestnikov. Toronto tied it with a Pierre Engvall goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Morgan Rielly and Jason Spezza. The Red Wings retook the lead with a Namestnikov goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Larkin and Moritz Seider. Detroit added on with a Tyler Bertuzzi goal, his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Robby Fabbri and Seider. The Maple Leafs got one back with a Michael Bunting goal, his tenth of the season, with helpers from Justin Holl and David Kampf. The Red Wings responded with a Larkin power play goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, powered by Fabbri and Lucas Raymond. Toronto got one back in the third period with a Bunting goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, helped along by Auston Matthews and Holl. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Bunting goal, completing his hat trick on his twelfth of the year, with the help of Mitchell Marner and Matthews. Toronto pulled ahead with a Rasmus Sandin goal, via John Tavares and Alexander Kerfoot. The Maple Leafs padded the lead with a Marner power play empty net goal, his eleventh of the season, with assists provided by Kerfoot and Rielly. Toronto iced it at 7-4 with a Tavares empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Kampf. The three stars belonged to Bunting, Larkin, and Tavares, while Marner, Matthews, Kerfoot, Kampf, Rielly, Holl, Namestnikov, Seider, and Fabbri all get honorable mentions.

South to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning host the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner and Andrei Vasilevskiy guard the cages. Vegas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Brett Howden goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by William Carrier. The Golden Knights added on in the second period with a Carrier goal, his fifth of the year, via Howden. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Ross Colton goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Corey Perry and Pat Maroon. The Lightning tied it with a Perry goal, his twelfth of the year, going in unassisted. The tie went to a shootout, where Nicolas Roy, Shea Theodore, William Karlsson and Mark Stone tallied for the Golden Knights to give them a 4-3 win over Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, Colton, and the Lightning. The three stars were Howden, Carrier, and Perry.

Backtracking to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the New Jersey Devils. Jon Gillies and Antti Raanta are the backups in goal. Carolina drew first blood in the first period with a Jordan Martinook goal, his second of the season, helped along by Seth Jarvis and Brady Skjei. The Hurricanes added on with an Andrei Svechnikov goal, his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Ian Cole. New Jersey got on the board with a Jesper Boqvist goal, coming off of Jimmy Vesey and Janne Kuokkanen. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Raanta (24 for 25 in saves), Svechnikov, and Martinook.

Out west, the Arizona Coyotes bring in the Buffalo Sabres. Craig Anderson and Karel Vejmelka are in the blue paint. Buffalo dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Jacob Bryson and Cody Eakin. The Sabres added on with a Peyton Krebs goal, his third of the year, passed from Casey Mittelstadt and Alex Tuch. Buffalo extended the lead in the second period as Tuch scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Krebs and Tage Thompson. Arizona got on the board in the third period with a Shayne Gostisbehere power play goal, his eighth of the year, with assists provided by Clayton Keller and Phil Kessel. The final held at 3-1, with the three stars belonging to Anderson (27 for 28 in saves), Krebs, and Tuch.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Thatcher Demko and Jacob Markstrom tend the twines. Calgary won 1-0 in overtime with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, assisted by Elias Lindholm. The three stars were Gaudreau, Markstrom (15 save shutout), and Demko (31 for 32 in saves). 

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NHL 2021-22 - Day 101

We've got a five-game Friday on the schedule, beginning with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Calvin Pickard and Casey DeSmith are the backups in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Givani Smith goal, his third of the season, coming off of Sam Gagner and Joe Veleno. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby in the second period. The Red Wings retook the lead on a Filip Zadina power play goal, his fifth of the season, with assists provided by Michael Rasmussen and Nick Leddy. The Penguins tied it again in the third period with a Guentzel goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the year, helped along by Crosby. The tie went to a shootout, where Lucas Raymond's lone tally lifted the Red Wings to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Guentzel, Crosby, and Zadina. 

Over in New York, the Rangers welcome the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Igor Shesterkin guard the cages. New York began in the first period with a Barclay Goodrow goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Jacob Trouba and Ryan Strome. The Rangers added on with a Chris Kreider goal, his thirty-first of the year, via Trouba and Mika Zibanejad. Minnesota got on the board in the second period with a Kevin Fiala goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Ryan Hartman and Jordie Benn. The Wild tied it with a Mats Zuccarello power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. Minnesota took the lead in the third period with a Frederick Gaudreau goal, his third of the campaign, coming off of Fiala and Zuccarello. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Fiala, Zuccarello, and Trouba. 

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Colorado Avalanche. Pavel Francouz and Marc-Andre Fleury are the goalies. Colorado got going in the second period with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by Cale Makar and Samuel Girard. The Avalanche added on with a J.T. Compher goal, his eighth of the year, via Tyson Jost and Logan O'Connor. Colorado extended the lead in the third period as Landeskog scored his second of the game and eighteenth of the season on the power play, with the help of Mikko Rantanen and Nazem Kadri. Chicago got on the board with a Brandon Hagel goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Connor Murphy and Dylan Strome. The Blackhawks got closer with a Patrick Kane goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Erik Gustafsson and Seth Jones. The Avalanche shot back on an Alex Newhook goal, his tenth of the year, helped along by Kadri and Andre Burakovsky. Chicago pulled back with another Kane goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, passed from Strome. Colorado shot back on a Kadri empty net goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Rantanen and Landeskog. The Blackhawks countered with a Hagel goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, with helpers from Gustafsson and Kane. The Avalanche iced it at 6-4 with a Makar empty net goal, his eighteenth of the year, dished from Compher. The three stars were handed to Landeskog, Kadri, and Kane, while Makar, Compher, Rantanen, Hagel, Strome, and Gustafsson get the honorable mentions. 

Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Braden Holtby patrol the creases. Washington opened in the first period with a Tom Wilson power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals added on with a John Carlson power play goal, his ninth of the year, with assists provided by Kuznetsov and Backstrom. Washington extended the lead as Trevor van Riemsdyk scored, thanks to Connor McMichael and Joe Snively. The Capitals padded the lead in the second period on a McMichael goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Lars Eller and Justin Schultz. Washington continued with a Backstrom goal, his third of the year, passed from Dmitry Orlov. This held for a 5-0 win, with the three stars given to Backstrom, McMichael, and Vanecek (30 save shutout), while Kuznetsov gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Arizona Coyotes host the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Scott Wedgewood are the veterans in goal. Boston started in the first period with an Erik Haula goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by David Pastrnak and Derek Forbort. Arizona tied it on a Nick Schmaltz goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Shayne Gostisbehere and Clayton Keller. The Bruins retook the lead in the second period with a Charlie McAvoy power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Brad Marchand and Pastrnak. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars handed to Ullmark (31 for 32 in saves), Pastrnak, and McAvoy. 

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