NHL Day 166 2013-2014

Nine games on this Saturday, beginning with a matinee in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Backups Cam Ward and Chad Johnson are called on to start. Boston opened in the first period on a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-first of the season, with a lone assist by David Krejci. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Jarome Iginla goal, his twenty-second of the year, coming off of Lucic and Krejci. Carolina got on the board in the third period with an Alexander Semin goal, his eighteenth of the season, passed from Jordan Staal. Boston shot back with a Chris Kelly goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Krejci, who got a sock trick, and Dougie Hamilton. The Bruins extended the lead on another Iginla goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, fueled by Kevan Miller and Lucic. Boston iced it at 5-1 with a Torey Krug goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Carl Soderberg and Gregory Campbell. The three stars went to Iginla, Lucic, and Krejci.

Over in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome their in-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Steve Mason are between the pipes. Philadelphia began with a Scott Hartnell power play goal in the first period, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on as Matt Read scored a shorthanded goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Sean Couturier. Philadelphia extended the lead in the second period on a Vincent Lecavalier goal, his fifteenth of the season, passed from Luke Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann. The Flyers padded the lead with another Read goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Couturier and Giroux. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 4-0, with the three stars being Mason (25 save shutout), Read, and Giroux, while Couturier gets an honorable mention.

Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner welcomes Carey Price back to the crease. Montreal was first to score in the first period with a Daniel Briere goal, his twelfth of the season, an unassisted goal. Ottawa tied it on a Jason Spezza goal, his eighteenth of the year, guided in by Clarke MacArthur and Erik Karlsson. The Senators took the lead in the second period on a Zack Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone helper from Karlsson. Ottawa added on in the third period with an Ales Hemsky goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Spezza. The Senators extended the lead with a MacArthur goal, his twentieth of the season, via Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan. The Canadiens got one back on a Lars Eller goal, his eleventh of the year, assisted by Brian Gionta and P.K. Subban. Montreal pulled closer with a Gionta goal, his fourteenth of the season, courtesy of Subban and Eller. The Canadiens tied it with a David Desharnais goal, his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Subban, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Markov. Montreal completed the comeback with a 5-4 in overtime on a Francis Bouillon goal, with assists provided by Max Pacioretty and Desharnais. The three stars went to Desharnais, Subban, and Gionta, while Eller, Spezza, Karlsson, and MacArthur get the honorable mentions.

Back stateside, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ben Bishop are the masked men. Tampa Bay got going in the second period on a B.J. Crombeen goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mike Kostka and Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning added on as Kostka scored his fourth of the year, thanks to Ondrej Palat and Filppula. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period on a Nate Thompson goal, his ninth of the campaign, with a lone assist from J.T. Brown. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Bishop (23 save shutout), Kostka, and Filppula.

North to New York, as the Islanders welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Anders Nilsson are the unknown goalies. New York struck first in the first period on a Frans Nielsen goal, his twenty-second of the season, passed from Anders Lee and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders added on with an Okposo power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Brock Nelson and Lubomir Visnovsky. Buffalo got on the board in the third period with a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, helped along by Drew Stafford and Christian Ehrhoff. New York answered on a Ryan Strome goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Matt Martin and Visnovsky. The Islanders finished it at 4-1 with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his ninth of the campaign, going into an empty net via Visnovsky and Thomas Hickey. The three stars were Okposo, Nilsson (33 for 34 in saves), and Visnovsky.

Southwest to Nashville, where the Predators bring in the St. Louis Blues. Ryan Miller and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. St. Louis led off in the first period with a Patrik Berglund goal, his thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Blues added on in the second period as Berglund scored his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, thanks to Steve Ott and Roman Polak. St. Louis extended the lead with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his twenty-first of the season, passed from T.J. Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo. Nashville got on the board with an Eric Nystrom goal, his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Colton Sissons and Paul Gaustad. The Blues replied in the third period with the thirtieth of the campaign for Alexander Steen, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and David Backes. This made it 4-1, the final, with Berglund, Miller (30 for 31 in saves), and Tarasenko earning the three stars.

Up north, the Minnesota Wild host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Darcy Kuemper are the young goalies. Columbus dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Dalton Prout goal, his second of the season, made possible by Jack Johnson and Matt Calvert. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, fueled by Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. In the shootout, Parise and Mikko Koivu tallied for the Wild, but the Blue Jackets answered back with goals from Artem Anisimov, Mark Letestu, and a winner from Ryan Johansen to take the game 2-1. The three stars went to Bobrovsky (32 for 33 in saves), Kuemper (28 for 29 in saves), and Parise.

Way to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Calgary Flames. Joni Ortio and Mike Smith are in the blue paint. Phoenix started in the first period with a Chris Summers goal, via Lauri Korpikoski and David Moss. The Coyotes added on with a Rob Klinkhammer goal, his tenth of the season, passed from Paul Bissonnette and Keith Yandle. Calgary got on the board in the second period with a Curtis Glencross power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Michael Cammalleri and Mark Giordano. The Flames tied it on a Mikael Backlund power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Cammalleri and Sean Monahan. Phoenix retook the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Shane Doan his, nineteenth of the season, coming off of Yandle and Antoine Vermette. This made it 3-2, good for a win, with the three stars going to Yandle, Cammalleri, and Doan.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Martin Jones make the spot starts. Anaheim opened in the first period with a Tim Jackman goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Mathieu Perreault and Matt Beleskey. Los Angeles tied it on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his eleventh of the year, coming on the power play from Jarret Stoll and Alec Martinez. The Ducks retook the lead on a Pat Maroon goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Kyle Palmieri and Hampus Lindholm. This was all they needed to win 2-1, with the three stars being Andersen (37 for 38 in saves), Maroon, and Jackman.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals Day 6 2014

Two more games on today, with the first in...

Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Yeryomenko and Curtis Sanford guard the cages. Yaroslavl began in the first period on an Ilya Gorokhov power play goal, powered by Sergei Plotnikov and Janis Sprukts. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with a Plotnikv goal, made possible by Yegor Averin. Yaroslavl extended the lead with a Sergei Konkov goal, guided in by Vladislav Kartayev. Lokomotiv padded the lead in the third period on a Alexander Chernikov shorthanded goal, set up by Plotnikov. Alexander Sharychenkov relieved Yeryomenko. Yaroslavl kept going with a Chernikov power play goal, via Alexei Vasilyev and Yegor Yakovlev. Lokomotiv finished it at 6-0 with a Konkov power play goal, with a lone assist by Mikhail Pashnin. The three stars were Konkov, Chernikov, and Plotnikov, while Sanford (28 save shutout) gets the honorable mention. The series is now tied at 3, with the decisive game in two days in Moscow.

The other game is from Riga, as Dinamo hosts Donbass Donetsk. Michael Leighton and Jakub Sedlacek make the starts. Donetsk got going in the second period on a Maxim Yakutsenya goal, with a lone assist from Ruslan Fedotenko. Riga tied it with a Lauris Darzins goal, via Paul Szczechura and Roberts Bukarts. Dinamo pulled ahead on an Andris Dzerins goal, coming off of Krisjanis Redlihs. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Dzerins, Sedlacek (42 for 43 in saves), and Darzins. The series will be wrapped up in Donetsk, currently tied at 3 games each.

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NHL Day 165 2013-2014

Eight games on a busy Friday. Post was delayed due to my travel day.

We begin with the New York Islanders hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Evgeni Nabokov are set to start. San Jose began with a Matthew Nieto goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on with a Jason Demers goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Martin Havlat and James Sheppard. New York got on the board in the second period with an Anders Lee goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. San Jose shot back with a Joe Thornton goal, his tenth of the year, passed from Brent Burns. The Islanders pulled back with a Brock Nelson goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Matt Donovan and Josh Bailey. The Sharks replied with a Havlat goal, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist from Sheppard. New York answered in the third period on a Nielsen goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, fueled by Okposo and Lee. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Havlat, Lee, and Sheppard, while Okposo and Nielsen get the honorable mentions.

Down in Washington, the Capitals welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Jaroslav Halak are in the blue paint. Washington opened on a first period goal by Joel Ward, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Eric Fehr and Jason Chimera. Vancouver tied it on a Jordan Schroeder goal, his third of the year, with a lone assist by Zack Kassian. Washington took the lead back in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his forty-fifth of the season, powered by John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Washington added on with a Tom Wilson goal, his third of the year, guided in by Kuznetsov and Jay Beagle. The Canucks shot back in the third period on a Shawn Matthias goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Chris Higgins and Chris Tanev. Vancouver tied it on a Nicklas Jensen goal, coming off of Higgins and Tanev. The Capitals took the lead back on a Mike Green goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Nicklas Backstrom and Kuznetsov, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood from here at 4-3, with the three stars going to Kuznetsov, Higgins, and Tanev.

Northwest to Detroit, where the Red Wings bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Viktor Fasth is mismatched with Jimmy Howard in goal. Detroit led off in the first period with a Riley Sheahan goal, his fifth of the season, courtesy of Tomas Tatar and Drew Miller. Edmonton tied it in the third period on a Ryan Smyth goal, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Red Wings won 2-1 with a Tatar tally. The three stars were Tatar, Howard (21 for 22 in saves), and Fasth (22 for 23 in saves).

Way south to Florida, where the Panthers host the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider faces former mentor Roberto Luongo in goal. Florida struck first in the first period on a Brian Campbell goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Jonathan Huberdeau and Jimmy Hayes. New Jersey tied it on a Jaromir Jagr power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Damien Brunner and Travis Zajac. The Devils took the lead in the second period on a Bryce Salvador goal, fueled by Patrik Elias and Ryane Clowe. New Jersey added on with an Elias goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Brunner and Andy Greene. The Panthers got one back on a Quinton Howden goal, his second of the year, passed from Scott Gomez and Huberdeau. Florida tied it in the third period as Brad Boyes potted his eighteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Panthers took the lead as Scottie Upshall netted his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Boyes. Florida iced it at 5-3 on a Vincent Trocheck empty net goal, set up by Campbell. The three stars were Boyes, Campbell, and Huberdeau, while Elias and Brunner get the honorable mentions.

Up in Chicago, the Blackhawks welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford protect the nets. Nashville started in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Matt Cullen and Roman Josi. The Predators added on as Patric Hornqvist potted his thirteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Shea Weber and Josi. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, via Kris Versteeg. Nashville answered in the third period on a Ryan Ellis goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Josi, who got a sock trick. The Blackhawks got one back as Peter Regin put away his fourth of the campaign, with the help of Johnny Oduya and Andrew Shaw. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars being Josi, Ellis, and Hornqvist.

Crossing into Canada, where the Winnipeg Jets bring in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec make the starts. New York was first to score in the first period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Benoit Pouliot and Kevin Klein. Winnipeg tied it on a Dustin Byfuglien goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Blake Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets added on as Andrew Ladd scored his nineteenth of the season, with the help of Bryan Little and Michael Frolik. The Rangers retied it on a Chris Kreider goal, his seventeenth of the year, passed from Derek Stepan and Dan Girardi. Pavelec was hurt, so Al Montoya played goal at the start of the second period. New York took the lead again with another Hagelin goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, via Martin St. Louis and Klein. The Rangers finished it at 4-2 in the third period when Hagelin finish his hat trick on his sixteenth of the year, with helpers provided by Brad Richards. Hagelin, Klein, and Lundqvist (30 for 32 in saves) were the three stars.

Back stateside, the Dallas Stars host the Calgary Flames. Joey MacDonald and Tim Thomas are the older goalies. Dallas got going in the second period with an Antoine Roussel goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Vernon Fiddler and Jordie Benn. Calgary tied it on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Joe Colborne and Mark Giordano. The Stars took the lead with a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, courtesy of Trevor Daley and Tyler Seguin. Dallas added on as Erik Cole put away his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Brenden Dillion and Travis Morin. The Flames got one back in the third period with a Paul Byron power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Curtis Glencross and Kris Russell. Calgary retied it on a Cammalleri goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, via T.J. Brodie and Colborne. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Jordie Benn was cancelled out by Sean Monahan, allowing Corban Knight to score the game-winner for a 4-3 Flames victory. The three stars went to Cammalleri, Colborne, and Jordie Benn.

Finally, in Denver, the Colorado Avalanche host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the first period with a John Mitchell goal, his eighth of the season, via Gabriel Landeskog and Nate Guenin. Anaheim tied it in the second period with a Daniel Winnik goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Nick Bonino and Bryan Allen. The Avalanche retook the lead on a Jamie McGinn power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Nick Holden. The Ducks evened the score with a Kyle Palmieri goal, his tenth of the year, coming off of Pat Maroon and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim pulled ahead on Palmieri's second of the game and eleventh of the season, helped along by Hampus Lindholm and Bonino. The Ducks added on as Corey Perry scored his thirty-sixth of the year, thanks to Teemu Selanne and Cam Fowler. Anaheim chased Varlamov with a Ben Lovejoy goal, his fourth of the season, fueled by Fowler and Getzlaf. Former Duck Jean-Sebastien Giguere came on in relief. Colorado pulled back with another McGinn power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, with assists from Erik Johnson and O'Reilly. The Avalanche chipped closer on a Landeskog goal, his twentieth of the season, pushed through by Mitchell and Jan Hejda. The Ducks replied with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his thirteenth of the year, coming off of Jakob Silfverberg and Luca Sbisa. This was it for the scoring, with the final standing at 6-4. The three stars went to Palmieri, McGinn, and Fowler, while Getzlaf, Bonino, Landeskog, Mitchell, and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Day 5 2014

Three series are left in the East. All three play today, beginning in...

Magnitogorsk, as Metallurg hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Evgeny Ivannikov and Vasily Koshechkin tend the twines. Magnitogorsk opened with a first period power play goal by Danis Zaripov, with a lone assist by Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on with Jan Kovar goal, fueled by Mozyakin and Zaripov. Vladivostok got on the board in the second period when Igor Bortnikov scored a power play goal, powered by Ilya Zubov. Admiral tied it with an Alexei Ugarov power play goal, coming off of Evgeny Grachyov. Magnitogorsk took the lead in the third period on a Kovar goal, his second of the game, made possible by Mozyakin, who got a sock trick. Vladivostok tied it with a Justin Hodgman power play goal, guided in by Logan Pyett. Metallurg won 4-3 in overtime with a Mozyakin goal, helped along by Zaripov. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Zaripov, and Kovar. Metallurg wins the series 4-1.

Moving along to Ufa, where Salavat Yulaev welcomes Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Georgy Gelashvili and Andrei Vasilevsky are set to start. Ufa started in the first period with a power play goal by Yegor Dubrovsky, powered by Denis Khlystov and Denis Tolpeko. Nizhny Novgorod tied it with a power play goal by Wojtek Wolski, assisted by Juuso Hietanen and Sakari Salminen. Torpedo took the lead on a Salminen goal in the second period, passed from Wolski and Jarkko Immonen on the power play. Salavat Yulaev tied it with another power play goal by Nikita Shchitov, courtesy of Khlystov and Tolpeko. Ufa regained the lead in the third period on a power play goal from Dubrovsky, his second of the game, via Khlystov, who got a sock trick. Salavat Yulaev iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Antti Pihlstrom, set up by Alexei Kaigorodov and the goalie Vasilevsky. The three stars were given to Dubrovsky, Khlystov, Tolpeko, while Salminen and Wolski get the honorable mention. Salavat Yulaev takes a 3-2 series lead.

Finally, in Kazan, Ak Bars brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Mikko Koskinen and Emil Garipov are in the creases. Novosibirsk got going in the third period with an Oleg Gubin goal, courtesy of Sergei Shumakov and Stepan Sannikov. This was the only goal in the game, for a 1-0 final. Koskinen (29 save shutout), Gubin, and Garipov (27 for 28 in saves). Sibir takes a 3-2 series lead.

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NHL Day 164 2013-2014

Seven games on a slow Thursday, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Tuukka Rask are the veteran goalies. Boston was first to score in the first period with a Zdeno Chara goal, his sixteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Bruins added on as Jarome Iginla scored his twenty-first of the year, thanks to Johnny Boychuk and Milan Lucic. Phoenix got on the board in the third period with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his ninth of the campaign, passed from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Shane Doan. This was as close as it got, with the three stars going to Rask (21 for 22 in saves), Iginla, and Chara.

Down in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Michal Neuvirth and Cam Ward are the backups making spot starts. Buffalo started in the first period with a Tyler Ennis goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming on a penalty shot after Jiri Tlusty slashed him on the breakaway. Carolina tied it with a Jeff Skinner goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Murphy and Elias Lindholm. The Sabres retook the lead in the third period on a Drew Stafford goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Cory Conacher and Mike Weber. The Hurricanes retied it as Alexander Semin potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Andrej Sekera and Jordan Staal. Carolina took the lead as Tlusty scored his twelfth of the season, thanks to Semin and Jordan Staal. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal from Nathan Gerbe, his fourteenth of the year, set up by Patrick Dwyer and Eric Staal. The three stars were Semin, Jordan Staal, and Neuvirth (51 for 54 in saves).

Over in Columbus, the Blue Jackets bring in the San Jose Sharks. Alex Stalock and Sergei Bobrovsky are the young goalies. Columbus struck first in the first period on a Ryan Johansen goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno. San Jose tied it on a Patrick Marleau goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, with a lone assist from Logan Couture. The Blue Jackets retook the lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by R.J. Umberger, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Brandon Dubinsky. The Sharks pulled even in the third period with a Matthew Nieto goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose took the lead on Marleau's second of the game and twenty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle. Columbus retied it with a James Wisniewski goal, his sixth of the year, passed from Dubinsky and Matt Calvert. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Pavelski's lone tally gave the Sharks a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Marleau, Couture, and Pavelski, while Dubinsky gets an honorable mention.

South to Florida, where the Tampa Bay Lightning host their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers. Dan Ellis is mismatched with Ben Bishop in goal. Florida opened in the first period with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his seventh of the season, coming on the power play from Dmitry Kulikov and Nick Bjugstad. Tampa Bay tied it on a Sami Salo goal, his third of the year, with a lone helper from Valtteri Filppula. The Panthers retook the lead with a Quinton Howden goal, made possible by Jimmy Hayes and Brandon Pirri. The Lightning retied it with a Mike Kostka goal, his third of the season, via Teddy Purcell. Tampa Bay pulled ahead on a Ryan Callahan goal in the second period, his twelfth of the year, assisted by Ondrej Palat and Filppula. The Lightning added on with a Tyler Johnson goal, his twenty-first of the season, guided in by Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay extended the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Stamkos, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Filppula, who got a sock trick, and Victor Hedman. Florida responded with a Scottie Upshall goal, his twelfth of the season, with assists provided by Bjugstad and Brad Boyes. The Panthers chipped closer with a Pirri goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Alex Petrovic and Brian Campbell. This only made it 5-4, the final, with Stamkos, Filppula, and Pirri getting the three stars, while Bjugstad gets an honorable mention.

Northwest to St. Louis, where the Blues bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller are the masked men. Edmonton led off in the first period with a David Perron goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, guided in by Taylor Hall and Andrew Ference. St. Louis tied it on a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his eighth of the year, passed from Vladimir Tarasenko and T.J. Oshie. The Blues added on with a Tarasenko goal in the second period, his twentieth of the season, from Oshie and Sobotka. The Oilers replied on a Mark Fraser goal, via Boyd Gordon and Jesse Joensuu. St. Louis retook the lead with a third period goal by Alex Pietrangelo, his eighth of the year, with a lone helper by Sobotka. The Blues added on with a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by David Backes and Alexander Steen. St. Louis extended the lead with an Oshie power play goal, his seventeenth of the year, powered by Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues finished it at 6-2 with Schwartz's second of the game and twenty-first of the campaign, helped along by Maxim Lapierre and Magnus Paajarvi. The three stars were given to Sobotka, Oshie, and Schwartz, while Steen and Tarasenko get the honorable mentions.

Up in Minnesota, the Wild welcome the New York Rangers. Cam Talbot and Darcy Kuemper have the green light to start. Minnesota began in the first period with a Nino Neiderreiter goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Kyle Brodziak. New York tied it on a second period Derek Stepan power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash. The Wild retook the lead in the third period on a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, fueled by Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund. This stood up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Kuemper (29 for 30 in saves), Parise, and Neiderreiter.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles got going in the first period with a Marian Gaborik goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Justin Williams. The Kings added on with a power play goal by Anze Kopitar, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Doughty and Gaborik. Toronto got on the board with a Dion Phaneuf power play goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly. Bernier was pulled for James Reimer at the start of the second period. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his second of the year, fueled by Cody Franson and Kadri. Toronto took the lead in the third period as Mason Raymond scored his nineteenth of the campaign, a shorthanded goal set up by James van Riemsdyk. This made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Reimer (31 for 31 in saves in a relief win), Gaborik, and Kadri, while Doughty gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinals Day 5 2014

Two games on today, beginning in...

Moscow, as Dynamo hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Alexander Yeryomenko tend the twines. It took until the second overtime for a goal to be scored, and it came from Konstantin Volkov of Moscow, via Yury Babenko and Denis Kokarev. This made it a 1-0 final, with Yeryomenko (33 save shutout), Volkov, and Sanford (40 for 41 in saves) earning the three stars. Dynamo will look to finish the series on Saturday, currently holding a 3-2 series lead.

Out in Ukraine, Donbass Donetsk hosts Dinamo Riga. Jakub Sedlacek and Jan Laco make the starts. Riga started in the first period with a Gints Meija power play goal, powered by Lauris Darzins. Dinamo added on in the second period as Darzins scored, thanks to Sandis Ozolins and Paul Szczechura. Donetsk got on the board with a Tuomas Kiiskinen goal, guided in by Petteri Wirtanen and Teemu Laine on the power play. They failed to tie it, losing 2-1, with the three stars being Darzins, Sedlacek (35 for 36 in saves), and Meija. Donbass still has a 3-2 series lead.

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NHL Day 163 2013-2014

Four games on tonight, a slow Wednesday for the NHL. We begin with a rivalry game in...

Montreal, where the Canadiens host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask faces a lesser foe in Peter Budaj in goal. Boston got going in the second period with a Carl Soderberg goal, his twelfth of the season, going in unassisted. The Bruins added on with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Brad Marchand and Matt Bartkowski. Boston extended the lead with a Milan Lucic goal, his twentieth of the season, via Jarome Iginla and David Krejci. The Bruins padded the lead in the third period as Zdeno Chara scored his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Bergeron and Marchand. Montreal got on the board with a David Desharnais goal, his twelfth of the campaign, fueled by Max Pacioretty and Thomas Vanek. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Bergeron, Rask (35 for 36 in saves), and Marchand.

West to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Ondrej Pavelec are the inconsistent goalies. Winnipeg dented the scoreboard in the second period with an Andrew Ladd goal, his eighteenth of the season, via Bryan Little and Jacob Trouba. Vancouver tied it on an Alexandre Burrows goal, coming off of Jason Garrison and Jordan Schroeder. The Jets retook the lead in the third period with a Michael Frolik goal, his thirteenth of the year, passed from Olli Jokinen and Keaton Ellerby. The Canucks retied it as Burrows scored his second of the game, thanks to Jannik Hansen. In the shootout, Chris Higgins scored the only tally for a 3-2 Canucks win. Burrows, Higgins, and Lack (32 for 34 in saves) get the honorable mentions.

Down in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Antti Raanta is mismatched with Semyon Varlamov in goal. Colorado opened in the first period with a Brad Malone goal, fueled by Tyson Barrie and the goalie Varlamov. The Avalanche added on in the second period with a Matt Duchene goal, his twenty-second of the season, assisted by Jamie McGinn and Ryan O'Reilly. Chicago got on the board with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, passed from Patrick Sharp and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Colorado shot back in the third period on an O'Reilly power play goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Duchene and Erik Johnson. The Blackhawks got one back as Brandon Saad scored his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Andrew Shaw and Duncan Keith. This made it 3-2, the final, with Duchene, O'Reilly, and Varlamov (37 for 39 in saves earning the three stars).

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio are in the blue paint. Calgary started in the first period with a Mark Giordano goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by T.J. Brodie. The Flames added on with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his third of the year, going in shorthanded via Paul Byron and Brodie. Calgary extended the lead as Michael Cammalleri potted his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal, powered by Mikael Backlund and Giordano. Hiller was pulled for Frederik Andersen. The Flames padded the lead as Backlund scored his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Lance Bouma and the goalie Ortio. Calgary struck again in the second period on another Backlund goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Kris Russell. Anaheim got on the board with an Andrew Cogliano goal, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Jakob Silfverberg and Francois Beauchemin. The Flames shot back with a Ladislav Smid goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Byron and Bouma. The Ducks got one back in the third period on a Nick Bonino goal, his seventeenth of the year, with assists provided by Cam Fowler and Luca Sbisa. Calgary answered on a Corban Knight goal, made possible by Kevin Westgarth and Ben Hanowski. This made it 7-2, the final, with the three stars going to Backlund, Giordano, and Brodie, while Byron and Bouma get the honorable mentions.

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