NHL March 7th, 2015

Ten games for the day, with the first a matinee from...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Tuukka Rask are the veteran goalies. Boston led off in the first period on a Zdeno Chara power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Dougie Hamilton and Patrice Bergeron. Philadelphia tied it on a Jakub Voracek power play goal in the second period, his twentieth of the year, assisted by Mark Streit and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead in the third period on a Chris VandeVelde goal, his ninth of the season, fueled by Nick Schultz and Brayden Schenn. The Bruins tied it on a Brad Marchand power play goal, his twentieth of the year, coming off of Hamilton and Loui Eriksson. Boston won 3-2 in overtime with another Marchand goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the campaign, helped along by Max Talbot and Ryan Spooner. The three stars were Marchand, Hamilton, and Rask (29 for 31 in saves).

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Dallas Stars. Jhonas Enroth and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the backups in goal. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period on an Anton Stralman power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ondrej Palat. Dallas tied it on a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his thirtieth of the year, assisted by Jason Spezza and Jamie Benn. The Lightning retook the lead on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, passed from Palat and Braydon Coburn. The Stars tied it on a Seguin goal in the second period, his second of the game and thirty-first of the year, made possible by John Klingberg. Dallas took the lead on a Vernon Fiddler goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Alex Goligoski and Colton Sceviour. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period on an Alex Killorn goal, his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Ryan Callahan and Victor Hedman. The Lightning took the lead on a Hedman goal, his ninth of the season, via Tyler Johnson and Palat, the latter getting a sock trick. Tampa Bay added on with a Brian Boyle shorthanded empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Stars got one back as Fiddler scored his second of the game and tenth of the campaign, thanks to Jordie Benn and Sceviour on the power play. The three stars went to Seguin, Palat, and Fiddler, while Hedman and Sceviour get the honorable mentions.

Back north, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jonathan Bernier are between the pipes. St. Louis was first to score in the first period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera. The Blues added on with a T.J. Oshie goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Alexander Steen and the goalie Elliott. St. Louis extended the lead on a Tarasenko goal, his thirty-second of the season, fueled by Lehtera and Carl Gunnarsson. James Reimer relieved Bernier for the second period. The Blues padded the lead on a second period goal by Chris Butler, his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Schwartz and Lehtera, the latter getting a sock trick. St. Louis kept going with a Paul Stastny power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Oshie and Steen. Toronto got on the board with a third period goal by David Booth, his third of the year, passed from Jake Gardiner and Peter Holland. The Blues shot back on a David Backes goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, helped along by Steen, who got a sock trick, and Alex Pietrangelo. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars awarded to Lehtera, Steen, and Schwartz, while Tarasenko and Oshie get the honorable mentions.

Stateside again, with the Washington Capitals hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Hackett is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Buffalo started in the first period on a Johan Larsson goal, his second of the season, made possible by Marcus Foligno and Zach Bogosian. Washington tied it on a Curtis Glencross goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Mike Green and Jay Beagle. The Capitals took the lead in the second period on a Beagle goal, his tenth of the season, coming off of Troy Brouwer and Glencross. Washington added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his forty-fourth of the year, powered by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals extended the lead as Brooks Laich scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Tom Wilson. Anders Lindback relieved Hackett. Washington padded the lead on a Joel Ward power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Glencross and Green. The Capitals finished it at 6-1 with a Marcus Johansson goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, with the helpers provided by Ovechkin and Backstrom. The three stars went to Glencross, Ovechkin, and Beagle, while Backstrom and Green receive honorable mentions.

Way southwest to Arizona, as the Coyotes welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mike Smith receive the starting nods. Montreal got going in the second period as Lars Eller scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Devante Smith-Pelly. The Canadiens finished it at 2-0 with a third period goal by Brendan Gallagher, his nineteenth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty. The three stars belonged to Price (28 save shutout), Eller, and Smith (33 for 34 in saves).

Back east, the Florida Panthers bring in the New York Islanders. Michal Neuvirth and Dan Ellis are the mediocre goalies. Florida opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Erik Gudbranson, his fourth of the season. New York tied it in the second period on a John Tavares goal, his thirty-second of the year, via Anders Lee. The Panthers retook the lead on a Nick Bjugstad goal, his twenty-third of the season, passed from Jussi Jokinen and Alex Petrovic. The Islanders tied it again on a power play goal by Nick Leddy, his tenth of the year, powered by Tavares and Frans Nielsen. Florida regained the lead in the third period on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr. New York tied it on a Josh Bailey goal, his fourteenth of the year, with a lone assist from Tavares. In the shootout, Huberdeau had the lone tally for the Panthers, giving them a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Tavares, Huberdeau, and Gudbranson.

Up in Columbus, the Blue Jackets host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov faces a lesser foe in Curtis McElhinney in goal. Colorado began in the first period on a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Tyson Barrie and Alex Tanguay. The Avalanche added on with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Ryan O'Reilly and Barrie. Colorado extended the lead as Matt Duchene scored his seventeenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche iced it at 4-0 with a third period goal by Tanguay, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Barrie, who got a sock trick, and Nate Guenin. The three stars went to Varlamov (44 save shutout), Barrie, and Tanguay.

Continuing to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Pekka Rinne protect the nets. Winnipeg began in the first period on a Michael Frolik goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Andrew Ladd and Toby Enstrom. Nashville tied it in the second period on a Ryan Ellis goal, his sixth of the year, via Craig Smith and Mike Ribeiro. The Jets retook the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford. Winnipeg iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Stafford, his twelfth of the year, set up by Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. The three stars were named as Wheeler, Hutchinson (20 for 21 in saves), and Stafford.

Out west, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in overtime for a 1-0 win on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twenty-second of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars were awarded to Fleury (31 save shutout), Hornqvist, and Quick (17 for 18 in saves).

Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Antti Niemi occupy the creases. San Jose led off in the first period on a Melker Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton. The Sharks added on with a Thornton power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski. Vancouver got on the board with a Radim Vrbata goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming off of Nick Bonino and Daniel Sedin. The Canucks tied it on a Bo Horvat goal in the second period, his tenth of the year, going in unassisted. Vancouver took the lead on a third period power play goal by Vrbata, his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign, set up by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars going to Vrbata, Thornton, and Daniel Sedin.

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QPR VS. Tottenham Hotspur make up game

After last week's Capital One Cup, these two teams needed to make up their missed league game, doing so today on an otherwise quiet day for the Premier League. The goalies are Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur and Robert Green of the Queens Park Rangers. Tottenham Hotspur led off in the thirty-fourth minute with a Harry Kane header goal, fueled by Andros Townsend on a cross after a set piece. In the sixtieth minute, QPR's Karl Henry took a yellow card for his foul. Tottenham Hotspur saw a yellow card go to Nabil Bentaleb in the sixty-second minute for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur added on with a Kane goal, passed from Ryan Mason on a through ball. QPR got one back with a Sandro goal, assisted by Bobby Zamora. Tottenham Hotspur's Mason took a yellow card in the eightieth minute for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur held on for a 2-1 win.

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KHL Western Conference Quarterfinal: Dynamo Moscow VS. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Dynamo Moscow and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Game 1: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Vitaly Kolesnik of Yaroslavl and Alexander Lazushin of Moscow. Yaroslavl started in the first period on a Martin Thornberg goal, assisted by Andrei Loktionov. Moscow tied it in the second period on a Denis Mosalyov goal, going in unassisted. Dynamo took the lead with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, coming off of Filip Novak. Moscow finished it at 3-1 on an empty net goal in the third period, scored by Konstantin Gorovikov and set up by Mat Robinson and Mosalyov. The three stars went to Lazushin (24 for 25 in saves), Mosalyov, and Bryukvin. Dynamo takes a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Curtis Sanford for Yaroslavl and Alexander Lazushin for Moscow. Yaroslavl struck first in the first period on a power play goal by Sergei Plotnikov, powered by Staffan Kronwall and Yegor Averin. Moscow tied it in the third period as Martins Karsums, thanks to Dmitry Vishnevsky. Lokomotiv took the lead back on a Geoff Platt goal, guided in by Ilya Gorokhov. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Sanford (36 for 37 in saves), Platt, and Plotnikov. The series is tied at 1.

Game 3: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Curtis Sanford of Yaroslavl. Yaroslavl opened in the first period on a Martin Thornberg goal, fueled by Sergei Konkov and Emil Galimov. Moscow tied it in the second period with a Sergei Soin goal, guided in by Dmitry Markovin and Alexei Sopin. Lokomotiv won 2-1 in overtime on a Daniil Apalkov goal, via Yegor Averin and Yegor Yakovlev. The three stars belonged to Apalkov, Sanford (30 for 31 in saves), and Lazushin (32 for 34 in saves). Lokomotiv gained the series lead at 2-1.

Game 4: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Curtis Sanford of Yaroslavl. Moscow got going in the second period on an Alexander Osipov goal, coming off of Alexei Tsvetkov and Janne Jalasvaara. Dynamo added on with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, via Konstantin Volkov. Moscow extended the lead in the third period on an unassisted Denis Kokarev goal. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars going to Lazushin (25 save shutout), Osipov, and Bryukvin. The series heads back to Russia's capital tied at 2.

Game 5: Luzhniki Minor Arena, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Curtis Sanford for Yaroslavl and Alexander Lazushin for Moscow. Moscow was first to score in the first period on a Sergei Soin goal, assisted by Yury Babenko. Yaroslavl tied it on a Jiri Novotny goal, passed from Evgeny Grachyov. Dynamo retook the lead on an Alexei Tsvetkov goal, courtesy of Maxim Karpov and Mat Robinson. Moscow added on in the second period with a Janne Jalasvaara goal, coming off of Martins Karsums and Karpov. Dynamo extended the lead as Karsums scored an unassisted goal. Moscow padded the lead on an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Maxim Pestushko and Denis Kokarev. Dynamo struck again with a Robinson goal, via Kokarev and Soin. Vitaly Kolesnik relieved Sanford in the third period. Moscow continued in the third period with a Vladimir Bryukvin goal, with assists provided by Kaspars Daugavins and Filip Novak. Lokomotiv got one back on a Daniil Apalkov goal, helped along by Sergei Konkov and Ilya Gorokhov. Yaroslavl pulled closer with a Martin Thornberg goal, made possible by Jonas Holos and Emil Galimov on the power play. The final stood at 7-3, with the three stars going to Karsums, Robinson, and Soin, while Karpov and Kokarev receive the honorable mentions. Dynamo established a commanding victory and have pushed Lokomotiv to the edge with a 3-2 series lead. 

Game 6: Arena 2000, Yaroslavl, Russia. In goal: Alexander Lazushin of Moscow and Vitaly Kolesnik of Yaroslavl. Moscow dented the scoreboard in the first period on a power play goal by Martins Karsums, powered by Kaspars Daugavins and Mat Robinson. Dynamo added on with an Alexander Osipov goal, made possible by Sergei Soin and Yury Babenko. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Maxim Pestushko scored a power play goal, with the help of Karsums and Janne Jalasvaara. Dynamo iced it at 4-0 in the third period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, via Filip Novak and Daugavins on the power play. The three stars were Lazushin (15 save shutout), Karsums, and Daugavins. Dynamo wins the series 4-2, and the western conference semifinals are now set.

NHL March 6th, 2015

Six games on tonight, beginning in...

Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Anton Khudobin are in the creases. Minnesota opened in the first period on a Charlie Coyle goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. Carolina tied it in the second period as Riley Nash scored his eighth of the year, with a lone assist by Jeff Skinner. The Wild retook the lead in the third period on a Granlund goal, his seventh of the season, passed from Jason Pominville and Zach Parise. Minnesota added on with a Parise goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Pominville. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars given to Dubnyk (37 for 38 in saves), Granlund, Parise, while Pominville gets the honorable mention.

Up in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cory Schneider guard the cages. Columbus led off in the first period on a Justin Falk goal, made possible by Cody Goloubef and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with a Dubinsky goal, his ninth of the year, coming off of Nick Foligno. New Jersey got on the board with a Jordin Tootoo power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Adam Henrique and Jacob Josefson. Columbus shot back on a Marko Dano goal, his fourth of the year, via Alexander Wennberg and Falk. The Devils replied in the third period with a Peter Harrold goal, his third of the season, passed from Andy Greene and Tuomo Ruutu. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars given to Falk, Dubinsky, and Dano.

West to Detroit, as the Red Wings bring in the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Jimmy Howard are the masked men. Detroit began in the first period on a Justin Abdelkader goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Henrik Zetterberg and Erik Cole. The Red Wings added on with an Abdelkader goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Zetterberg and Cole. Calgary got on the board with a Sean Monahan power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, courtesy of Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman. The Flames tied it in the second period on a Matt Stajan goal, his fifth of the year, passed from Brandon Bollig. Calgary took the lead on a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Monahan and Wideman. The Flames extended the lead in the third period with a Mason Raymond goal, his twelfth of the year, with assists provided by Drew Shore and Josh Jooris. Calgary iced it at 5-2 on a Hudler empty net goal, his second of the game and twenty-third of the campaign, set up by Johnny Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund. The three stars were named as Hudler, Abdelkader, and Monahan, while Zetterberg, Cole, and Wideman get the honorable mentions.

Into Ottawa, where the Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. Anders Lindback and Andrew Hammond are the little-known goalies. Buffalo started in the first period on a Philip Varone goal, his third of the season, coming off of Matt Moulson and Andre Benoit. The Sabres added on with a Tyler Ennis goal, his sixteenth of the year, assisted by Varone and Zach Bogosian. Ottawa got on the board in the second period on an Erik Karlsson goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Milan Michalek and Mark Stone. The Senators tied it in the third period as Mika Zibanejad scored, his seventeenth of the year, with the help of Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman. Ottawa took the lead on a Stone goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, helped along by Marc Methot and Michalek. The final stood at 3-2, with the three stars handed to Stone, Varone, and Michalek.

Back stateside, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Scrivens and Corey Crawford are in the blue paint. Edmonton struck first in the first period on a Derek Roy goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Nail Yakupov. Chicago tied it on a third period with a Brent Seabrook goal, his eighth of the year, helped along by Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Antoine Vermette scored to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 win. The three stars went to Crawford (46 for 47 in saves), Scrivens (38 for 39 in saves), and Seabrook.

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thomas Greiss and Frederik Andersen are set to start in goal. Pittsburgh was first to score in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Derick Pouliot and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins added on with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twentieth of the year, passed from David Perron and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Hornqvist scored his second of the game and twenty-first of the season, thanks to Ian Cole and Paul Martin. The Penguins padded the lead in the third period on a Malkin goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, fueled by Chris Kunitz and Comeau. Anaheim got on the board with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks pulled closer on a Corey Perry goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, made possible by Rickard Rakell and Emerson Etem. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 with a Sidney Crosby empty net goal, his twenty-first of the campaign, set up by Brandon Sutter and Kris Letang. The three stars belonged to Hornqvist, Malkin, and Comeau, while Crosby gets an honorable mention.

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KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Ak Bars Kazan VS. Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg

Welcome to the eastern conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Ak Bars Kazan and Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.

Game 1: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. Yekaterinburg started in the first period on a Tobias Viklund power play goal, powered by Anton Lazarev and Alexei Simakov. Kazan tied it on an Alexander Svitov goal, passed from Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars took the lead on an Igor Mirnov power play goal, courtesy of Yakov Rylov and Petr Vrana. Avtomobilist retied it in the second period on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, made possible by Artyom Gareyev and Sergei Yemelin. Kazan won 3-2 in overtime on an Oscar Moller power play goal, via Sergei Kostitsyn. The three stars went to Moller, Mirnov, and Svitov. Ak Bars leads 1-0 in the series.

Game 2: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. Yekaterinburg dented the scoreboard in the second period on an Eduard Lewandowski power play goal, powered by Alexei Mikhnov and Dmitry Kagarlitsky. Avtomobilist added on in the third period as Artyom Gareyev scored, with the help of Sergei Yemelin and Anatoly Golyshev. Kazan got on the board with an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, assisted by Damir Musin and Yakov Rylov. Ak Bars tied it with a Justin Azevedo goal, going in unassisted. Kazan won 3-2 in overtime with an Oscar Moller power play goal, helped along by Igor Mirnov and Mikhail Varnakov. The three stars went to Moller, Azevedo, and Lukoyanov. Ak Bars heads east holding a 2-0 series lead.  

Game 3: KRK Uralets, Yekaterinburg, Russia. In goal: Anders Nilsson for Kazan and Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg. Yekaterinburg led off in the first period on an Alexander Nesterov goal, guided in by Alexei Mikhnov. Avtomobilist added on in the third period as Alexander Rybakov scored a power play goal, powered by Alexei Simakov and Tobias Viklund. The final was 2-0, and the three stars went to Kovar (34 save shutout), Nesterov, and Rybakov. Avtomobilist got a game back to cut the series deficit to 2-1.

Game 4: KRK Uralets, Yekaterinburg, Russia. In goal: Anders Nilsson for Kazan and Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg. Kazan got going in the second period with a Dmitry Obukhov goal, passed from Alexander Burmistrov and Kirill Petrov. Ak Bars added on with a power play goal by Justin Azevedo, powered by Ilya Nikulin. Yekaterinburg got on the board in the third period on an unassisted goal by Alexei Simakov. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars belonging to Nilsson (18 for 19 in saves), Azevedo, and Obukhov. Ak Bars heads home holding a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5: TatNeft Arena, Kazan, Russia. In goal: Jakub Kovar for Yekaterinburg and Anders Nilsson for Kazan. Kazan opened in the first period on an Oscar Moller goal, helped along by Justin Azevedo. Yekaterinburg tied it on a Vitaly Popov goal, going in unassisted. Ak Bars retook the lead on a Moller goal, via Vladimir Denisov. Kazan added on in the second period with a Kirill Petrov goal, coming off of Dmitry Obukhov and Alexander Burmistrov. Avtomobilist got one back in the third period on a power play goal by Tobias Viklund, powered by Alexei Simakov. They failed to tie it, losing 3-2. The three stars were Moller, Petrov, and Nilsson (21 for 23 in saves). Ak Bars wins the series 4-1.

KHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Metallurg Magnitogorsk VS. Salavat Yulaev Ufa

Welcome to the western conference quarterfinal round for the 2015 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series between Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Game 1: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Vladimir Sokhatsky of Ufa and Vasily Koshechkin of Magnitogorsk. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Sergei Mozyakin power play goal, powered by Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg added on with a Tim Stapleton power play goal, with a lone assist by Tim Brent. This was good for a 2-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Koshechkin (24 save shutout), Mozyakin, and Stapleton. Metallurg owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Vladimir Sokhatsky of Ufa and Vasily Koshechkin of Magnitogorsk. Ufa began in the first period with a Teemu Hartikainen goal, courtesy of Dmitry Makarov and Anton Slepyshev. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a Danis Zaripov goal, made possible by Viktor Antipin and Jan Kovar. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back as Antti Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Makarov and Hartikainen. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Hartikainen, Sokhatsky (35 for 36 in saves), and Makarov. The series is tied at 1.

Game 3: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Vladimir Sokhatsky for Ufa. Ufa led off in the first period on an Alexander Stepanov goal, coming off of Alexei Glukhov and Andrei Zubarev. Magnitogorsk tied it on a shorthanded and unassisted Oskar Osala goal in the second period. Metallurg took the lead with a Viktor Antipin power play goal, powered by Sergei Mozyakin and Jan Kovar. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Antipin, Koshechkin (29 for 30 in saves), and Osala. Metallurg regains a series lead of 2-1.

Game 4: Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Vladimir Sokhatsky for Ufa. Ufa opened in the first period with an unassisted goal by Teemu Hartikainen. Salavat Yulaev added on with a Denis Khlystov goal, fueled by Anton Slepyshev and Dmitry Makarov. Magnitogorsk got on the board with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, passed from Jan Kovar and Chris Lee. Ufa replied on an Ivan Vishnevsky power play goal, powered by Alexei Kaigorodov. Metallurg pulled back on a power play goal by Mozyakin, his second of the game, assisted by Kovar and Danis Zaripov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period with a Vladislav Kamenev goal, guided in by Bogdan Potekhin. Metallurg took the lead with a Zaripov goal, made possible by Viktor Antipin and Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Tim Stapleton scored an unassisted goal. Salavat Yulaev pulled back on a Vishnevsky goal, with assists provided by Makarov and Hartikainen. Metallurg finished it at 6-4 on a Mozyakin goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Mozyakin, Zaripov, and Vishnevsky, while Hartikainen, Makarov, and Kovar get the honorable mentions. Metallurg holds a 3-1 series lead, looking to advance at home.

Game 5: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Vladimir Sokhatsky of Ufa and Vasily Koshechkin of Magnitogorsk. Ufa started in the first period with a power play goal by Antti Pihlstrom powered by Ivan Vishnevsky and Alexei Kaigorodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Viktor Antipin goal, fueled by Danis Zaripov and Evgeny Biryukov. Metallurg took the lead on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Jan Kovar and Sergei Tereshchenko. Magnitogorsk iced it at 3-1 in the third period as Tim Stapleton scored an empty net goal, set up by Oskar Osala and Mikhail Yunkov. The three stars belonged to Koshechkin (31 for 32 in saves), Mozyakin, and Antipin. Metallurg wins the series 4-1 to advance to the conference semifinals.

NHL March 5th, 2015

Eight games tonight, beginning in...

Boston, as the Bruins host the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Tuukka Rask are the Finnish goalies. Boston led off in the first period with a Brad Marchand goal, his nineteenth of the season, via Patrice Bergeron and Dougie Hamilton. Calgary tied it on a Sean Monahan power play goal, his twenty-third of the year, powered by Jiri Hudler and Kris Russell. The Bruins took the lead back in the second period as Milan Lucic scored his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Ryan Spooner and David Pastrnak. The Flames tied it again with a Hudler goal, his twenty-first of the year, coming off of Mikael Backlund and Dennis Wideman. Calgary took the lead in the third period on a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Russell and Wideman. Boston retied it with a Loui Eriksson goal, his fifteenth of the year, with assists provided by Chris Kelly and Carl Soderberg. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Bergeron was topped by Josh Jooris and David Schlemko for a 4-3 Flames win. The three stars went to Hudler, Wideman, and Russell.

Down in Philadelphia, the Flyers welcome the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Steve Mason are the average goalies. St. Louis began in the first period on a Jaden Schwartz goal, his twenty-first of the season, courtesy of Vladimir Tarasenko. Philadelphia tied it in the third period on a Michael Del Zotto goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Matt Read and Luke Schenn. The Flyers took the lead with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, made possible by Mark Streit and Read. Philadelphia iced it at 3-1 on an empty net goal by Michael Raffl, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Schenn. The three stars went to Mason (28 for 29 in saves), Read, and Simmonds, while Schenn gets an honorable mention.

Further along, the Washington Capitals host the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Braden Holtby are in the blue paint. Washington struck first in the first period on a Curtis Glencross power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Matt Niskanen. Minnesota tied it in the third period on a Jason Pominville goal, his fourteenth of the year, via Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Wild took the lead on another Pominville goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the campaign, with a lone helper from Parise. This made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Pominville, Parise, and Dubnyk (24 for 25 in saves).

Way south to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier and Ben Bishop are the reliable goalies. Tampa Bay opened in the first period on a Nikita Kucherov goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming off of Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson. The Lightning added on with a Ryan Callahn goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone assist from Steven Stamkos. Toronto got on the board with a David Booth goal in the second period, his second of the season, fueled by Peter Holland. Tampa Bay shot back in the third period as Vladislav Nemestnikov scored his fourth of the year, with the help of Andrej Sustr and Victor Hedman. The Lightning extended the lead with an Alex Killorn goal, his thirteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Stamkos and Jason Garrison. The Maple Leafs got one back on a Richard Panik goal, his tenth of the year, helped along by Dion Phaneuf and Nazem Kadri. This produced the 4-2 final, with the three stars going to Stamkos, Nemestnikov, and Killorn.

Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen faces a lesser foe in Dan Ellis in goal. Dallas dented the scoreboard in the first period on a Curtis McKenzie goal, his third of the season, via Jason Demers and Shawn Horcoff. The Stars added on with a Horcoff goal, his ninth of the year, going in unassisted. Florida got on the board with a Brandon Pirri goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Vincent Trocheck. The Panthers tied it in the second period on a Dmitry Kulikov goal, his third of the year, guided in by Jussi Jokinen. Florida took the lead with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Nick Bjugstad and Kulikov. Dallas retied it in the third period as Alex Goligoski scored his third of the year, with a lone helper from John Klingberg. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Colton Sceviour scored to give the Stars a 4-3 win. The three stars belonged to Horcoff, Kulikov, and Goligoski.

Northwest to Nashville, where the Predators welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. New York was first to score in the first period on a John Tavares goal, his thirty-first of the season, coming off of Josh Bailey and Lubomir Visnovsky. The Islanders added on with an Anders Lee goal, his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Nick Leddy and Tavares. Nashville got on the board with a Colin Wilson goal, his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by Mike Fisher. New York shot back in the third period on a Leddy goal, his ninth of the year, passed from Frans Nielsen and Johnny Boychuk. The Predators got one back as Mike Ribeiro scored his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. Nashville tied it on a Craig Smith goal, his twenty-first of the year, guided in by Filip Forsberg. The Islanders took the lead back on a Brock Nelson goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, made possible by Michael Grabner and Boychuk. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars being Tavares, Leddy, and Boychuk.

Out west, the Arizona Coyotes host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Arizona got going in the first period on a Tobias Rieder goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Sam Gagner and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes added on in the third period with a B.J. Crombeen goal, his second of the year, passed from Tye McGinn and Joe Vitale. Vancouver got on the board with a Chris Higgins goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Jannik Hansen and Luca Sbisa. The Canucks tied it on a Radim Vrbata goal, his twenty-third of the year, via Dan Hamhuis and Nick Bonino. The Coyotes won 3-2 in the shootout as Gagner potted the only tally. The three stars went to Gagner, Crombeen, and Rieder.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Dustin Tokarski is mismatched with Jonathan Quick in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period on a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Brayden McNabb and Jake Muzzin. The Kings added on with a Jeff Carter goal, his twenty-second of the year, via Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. Montreal got on the board in the second period as Tom Gilbert scored his third of the season, thanks to David Desharnais. The Canadiens tied it on a Brendan Gallagher goal, his eighteenth of the year, passed from Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. Montreal took the lead in the third period on a Max Pacioretty goal, his thirty-first of the season, helped along by Desharnais and Dale Weise. Los Angeles retied it on a Gaborik power play goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Muzzin. The tie lasted to a shootout, where Gaborik, Carter, and Kopitar topped Desharnais and Pacioretty to give the Kings a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Gaborik, Muzzin, and Desharnais.

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