NHL Division Semifinals Day 11

Four games today, all with their own stakes. We begin in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jaroslav Halak are in the blue paint. New York led off in the first period with a John Tavares goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Ryan Strome and Nick Leddy. Washington tied it with a John Carlson power play goal, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Troy Brouwer. The Islanders took the lead in the third period on a Nikolay Kulemin goal, via Leddy and Tavares. New York iced it at 3-1 on a Cal Clutterbuck empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Johnny Boychuk. The three stars were Tavares, Halak (38 for 39 in saves), and Leddy. The series is tied at 3 and Game 7 will be used to decide it.

Down in Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Petr Mrazek and Ben Bishop are the young goalies. Detroit started in the first period on a Riley Sheahan power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Niklas Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings added on with a Drew Miller goal, assisted by Luke Glendening and Jonathan Ericsson. Detroit extended the lead in the third period on a Pavel Datsyuk power play goal, his third of the playoffs, coming off of Ericsson and Darren Helm. The Red Wings iced it at 4-0 with a Danny DeKeyser empty net goal, set up by Kyle Quincey and Joakim Andersson. The three stars went to Sheahan, Ericsson, and Mrazek (28 save shutout). The Red Wings head home leading the series 3-2.

Backtracking to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Scott Darling in goal. Nashville opened in the first period with a James Neal goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Seth Jones. The Predators added on with Neal's second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, a power play goal powered by Cody Franson and Filip Forsberg. Chicago got on the board with a Patrick Sharp goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Nashville shot back on a Matt Cullen goal, with a lone assist by Mike Ribeiro. The Blackhawks replied with a Toews power play goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Sharp and Patrick Kane. Chicago tied it on a Kane goal, his second of the postseason, dished from Keith and Brad Richards. The Blachawks took the lead on a Keith third period goal, his second of the playoffs, via Toews. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Keith, Toews, and Neal, while Kane and Sharp get the honorable mentions. The Blackhawks took the series 4-2 and advance to the Central Division Final.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Jonas Hiller are the netminders. Vancouver began in the first period with a Brandon McMillan goal, coming off of Chris Higgins and Bo Horvat. The Canucks added on with a Jannik Hansen goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Shawn Matthias and Christopher Tanev. Hiller was pulled for Karri Ramo. Vancouver extended the lead as Radim Vrbata scored his second of the playoffs, a power play goal powered by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. Calgary got on the board with a Michael Ferland goal, passed from Matt Stajan and David Jones. The Flames pulled closer in the second period on a Sean Monahan goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman. Calgary tied it with a Johnny Gaudreau goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Hudler and T.J. Brodie. The Canucks regained the lead with a Luca Sbisa goal, with a lone helper by Hansen. The Flames evened it in the third period with a Hudler power play goal, his second of the postseason, pushed through by Monahan and Gaudreau. Calgary took the lead on a Stajan goal, made possible by Ferland and Jones. The Flames padded the lead with a Hudler empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, set up by Monahan and Gaudreau. Calgary iced it at 7-4 with a Ferland empty net goal, his second of the game, helped along by Jones, who got a sock trick, and Stajan. The three stars went to Hudler, Stajan, and Ferland, while Monahan, Gaudreau, Jones, and Hansen get the honorable mentions. The Flames win the series 4-2 and will face the Anaheim Ducks for the Pacific Division Final.

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NHL Division Semifinals, Day 10

It's the tenth day of the playoffs, and we have three games to go through, beginning in...

Montreal, as the Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Carey Price are the veteran goalies. Ottawa led off on a Bobby Ryan goal, with assists provided by Mike Hoffman and Mika Zibanejad. The Senators added on with a Patrick Wiercioch goal, his second of the postseason, an unassisted goal. Ottawa extended the lead as Erik Karlsson scored a power play goal in the second period, powered by Kyle Turris and Mark Stone. Montreal got on the board with a Tom Gilbert goal in the third period, made possible by Greg Pateryn and Lars Eller. The Senators replied with an unassisted goal by Erik Condra. Ottawa padded the lead on a Ryan power play goal, his second of the game, via Hoffman and Zibanejad. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars given to Ryan, Anderson (45 for 46 in saves), and Hoffman, with Zibanejad getting an honorable mention. The series still favors the Canadiens 3-2.

Down in New York, the Rangers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist guard the cages. New York began in the first period on a power play goal by Derek Stepan, his second of the postseason, powered by Dan Boyle and Derick Brassard. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Nick Spaling goal, passed from Steve Downie and Sidney Crosby. The Rangers won 2-1 with a Carl Hagelin goal in overtime, his second of the playoffs, assisted by Dominic Moore and Ryan McDonagh. The three stars went to Hagelin, Lundqvist (37 for 38 in saves), and Stepan. The Rangers won the series 4-1, eliminating the Penguins.

Finally, St. Louis brings in the Minnesota Wild. Devan Dubnyk and Jake Allen are the young goalies. St. Louis opened in the first period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his sixth of the postseason, a power play goal powered by Alexander Steen and Jaden Schwartz. Minnesota tied it on a Marco Scandella goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon. The Wild took the lead in the second period as Nino Niederreiter scored his second of the postseason, via Chris Stewart. Minnesota added on with a power play goal by Mikko Koivu, with helpers from Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Wild made it 4-1 with a Charlie Coyle goal in the third period, guided in by Thomas Vanek. This was a final, with the three stars handed to Niederreiter, Dubnyk (36 for 37 in saves), and Koivu. The Wild have a 3-2 series lead now.

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NHL Division Semifinals, Day 9

We have mostly game 5s today, but begin with a game 4 from...

Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Petr Mrazek are set to start in goal. Detroit got going in the second period with a Gustav Nyquist goal, passed from Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader. The Red Wings added on with a Joakim Andersson goal, courtesy of Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period as Tyler Johnson scored his third of the postseason, coming off of Anton Stralman. The Lightning tied it with an Ondrej Palat goal, made possible by Johnson and Jason Garrison. Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime with Johnson's second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, dished from Victor Hedman and Palat. The three stars went to Johnson, Palat, and Bishop (22 for 24 in saves). The series is now tied at 2.

In DC, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak and Braden Holtby guard the cages. New York struck first in the first period on a Josy Bailey goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of John Tavares and Nick Leddy. Washington tied it with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Karl Alzner. The Capitals took the lead in the second period on an Alzner goal, his second of the playoffs, via Troy Brouwer and Jay Beagle. Washington added on in the third period with a Brooks Laich goal, guided in by Beagle and Jason Chimera. The Capitals extended the lead as Kuznetsov scored his second of the game, thanks to Matt Niskanen and Joel Ward. Washington padded the lead on a Chimera goal, fueled by Johansson and Kuznetsov. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars handed to Kuznetsov, Alzner, and Chimera, while Johansson and Beagle get the honorable mentions. The Capitals have pulled into the driver's seat with a 3-2 series lead.

Southwest to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Darling is mismatched with Pekka Rinne in goal. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Brad Richards goal, made possible by Bryan Bickell and Brent Seabrook. Nashville tied it on a Filip Forsberg goal, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a James Neal goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Viktor Stalberg. Nashville added on with a Colin Wilson power play goal, his fifth of the postseason, powered by Mike Ribeiro and Seth Jones. The Predators extended the lead on a Forsberg goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, via Mike Fisher and Neal. The Blackhawks got one back with a Kris Versteeg goal, with assists provided by Patrick Kane and Richards. Nashville iced it at 5-2 with a Forsberg empty net power play goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the postseason, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Forsberg, Neal, and Kane. The series now favors Chicago 3-2.

Finally, the Vancouver Canucks host the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Ryan Miller are the goalies with rhyming names. Calgary started in the first period on a David Jones goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Matt Stajan. Vancouver tied it on a Nick Bonino goal in the second period, courtesy of Radim Vrbata and Alexander Edler. The Canucks took the lead in the third period with a Daniel Sedin goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from Dan Hamhuis and Henrik Sedin. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars being Miller (20 for 21 in saves), Daniel Sedin, and Bonino. The series returns to Calgary with the Flames leading 3-2.

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NHL Division Semifinals, Day 8

All Game 4s today, beginning with a sweep opportunity in...

Ottawa, as the Senators host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Craig Anderson are the veteran goalies. Ottawa dented the scoreboard in the third period on a Mike Hoffman goal, via Cody Ceci. This was good for a 1-0 win, with the three stars going to Anderson (28 save shutout), Hoffman, and Price (31 for 32 in saves). The Senators staved off elimination but trail 3-1 in the series.

Down in Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Pittsburgh was first to score in the first period on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Ben Lovejoy and Paul Martin. New York tied it in the second period on a Derick Brassard goal, his third of the playoffs, via Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers won 2-1 in overtime with a Kevin Hayes goal, fueled by Carl Hagelin and Martin St. Louis. The three stars went to Lundqvist (22 for 23 in saves), Hayes, and Brassard. The Rangers push the Penguins to the brink with a 3-1 series lead.

Northwest to Winnipeg, as the Jets bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Ondrej Pavelec are set to start in goal. Winnipeg led off in the first period on a Bryan Little goal, his second of the postseason, coming on the power play from Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Byfuglien. Anaheim tied it with an Emerson Etem goal, guided in by Sami Vatanen and Corey Perry. The Ducks took the lead on a second period goal by Andrew Cogliano, assisted by Perry and Hampus Lindholm. Anaheim added on in the third period with a Ryan Kesler goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Simon Despres and Tomas Fleischmann. The Jets got one back on a Mark Stuart goal, made possible by Andrew Ladd and Little. The Ducks replied with Kesler's second of the game and third of the postseason, fueled by Jakob Silfverberg and Patrick Maroon. Anaheim iced it at 5-2 with a Vatanen empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Kesler, Little, and Vatanen, while Perry got an honorable mention. The Ducks swept the Jets out of the playoffs with a 4-0 series win.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild host the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Devan Dubnyk man the creases. St. Louis began in the first period with a Ryan Reaves goal, passed from Alex Pietrangelo and Chris Porter. The Blues added on with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Kevin Shattenkirk and David Backes. St. Louis extended the lead as Backes scored, thanks to Shattenkirk and T.J. Oshie. Minnesota got one back in the second period on a Jared Spurgeon power play goal, powered by Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. The Blues shot back with a Paul Stastny goal, made possible by Patrik Berglund and Dmitrij Jaskin. St. Louis padded the lead on a Tarasenko goal, his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, dished from Jori Lehtera and Shattenkirk, the latter getting a sock trick. The Blues kept going on a Berglund goal, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The final stood at 6-1, with the three stars going to Tarasenko, Shattenkirk, and Backes, while Berglund gets an honorable mention. The series returns to St. Louis tied at 2.

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NHL Division Semifinals, Day 7

We're getting to some Game 4s now, but we begin with a straggling Game 3 in...

Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Petr Mrazek are the young goalies. Detroit began in the first period on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his second of the postseason, courtesy of Tomas Tatar and Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings added on in the third period as Riley Sheahan scored a power play goal, powered by Justin Abdelkader and Henrik Zetterberg. Detroit iced it at 3-0 with a Luke Glendening empty net goal, his second of the playoffs, set up by Ericsson and Drew Miller. The three stars went to Mrazek (22 save shutout), Datsyuk, and Ericsson. The Red Wings took a 2-1 series lead.

Over in New York, the Islanders welcome the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. Washington led off in the first period on an Alex Ovechkin goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. New York tied it with a Casey Cizikas goal, via Cal Clutterbuck and Nick Leddy. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime with a Backstrom goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Joel Ward and Ovechkin. The three stars went to Backstrom, Holtby (36 for 37 in saves), and Ovechkin. The series is now tied at 2 heading back to DC.

Westward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Scott Darling are in the creases. Nashville struck first in the first period on a Colin Wilson power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Ryan Ellis and Seth Jones. Chicago tied it on an Antoine Vermette goal, passed from Michal Rozsival and Patrick Sharp. The Predators regained the lead on a second period goal by James Neal, going in unassisted. The Blackhawks retied it in the third period as Brandon Saad scored his second of the playoffs, thanks to Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith. Chicago won in the sixth period on a Brent Seabrook goal, via Patrick Kane and Bryan Bickell. The three stars were Seabrook, Darling (50 for 52 in saves), and Rinne (45 for 48 in saves). The Blackhawks lead the series 3-1.

Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Jonas Hiller protect the nets. Calgary was first to score in the first period on a Johnny Gaudreau power play goal, powered by Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler. Vancouver tied it with a power play goal by Henrik Sedin, assisted by Alexander Edler and Daniel Sedin. The Flames retook the lead on a Hudler power play goal, coming off of Wideman and Kris Russell. Calgary added on with a Sam Bennett goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by T.J. Brodie and Joe Colborne. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Hudler, Hiller (28 for 29 in saves), and Wideman. The Flames leave home with a 3-1 series lead. 

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NHL Division Semifinals, Day 6

The league has finally deviated from the four games a day pattern, with just three Game 3s today. We begin with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. New York struck first in the first period on a Carl Hagelin goal, via Keith Yandle and Dan Girardi. The Rangers added on in the second period as Chris Kreider scored, thanks to Marc Staal and Girardi. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Patric Hornqvist goal in the third period, made possible by Sidney Crosby and Ian Cole. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars given to Lundqvist (23 for 24 in saves), Kreider, and Girardi. The Rangers retake the series lead at 2-1.

West to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Minnesota got going in the second period on a Jason Pominville goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Zach Parise and Mikael Granlund. The Wild added on with a Parise goal, guided in by Pominville and Granlund. Minnesota iced it at 3-0 with an empty net goal in the third period by Nino Niederreiter, going in unassisted. The three stars were handed to Pominville, Parise, and Dubnyk (17 save shutout), while Granlund gets an honorable mention. The Wild hold a 2-1 series lead.

Finally, in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Frederik Andersen and Ondrej Pavelec draw the starts. Winnipeg was first to score in the first period on a Lee Stempniak goal, assisted by Adam Lowry and Jacob Trouba. Anaheim tied it on a Cam Fowler goal, via Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg. The Ducks took the lead in the second period on a Corey Perry goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Hampus Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin. The Jets retied it with an unassisted power play goal from Tyler Myers. Winnipeg took the lead on a Blake Wheeler goal, coming off of Drew Stafford and Toby Enstrom. Anaheim tied it with a Silfverberg goal, his second of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Ryan Kesler. The Jets retook the lead on a Bryan Little goal, going in unassisted. The Ducks pulled even in the third period on a Kesler goal, courtesy of Silfverberg and Cogliano. Anaheim won 5-4 in overtime with a Rickard Rakell goal, helped along by Beauchemin and Cogliano, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Kesler, Cogliano, and Silfverberg, while Beauchemin gets an honorable mention. The Ducks have pushed the Jets to the brink, leading as they do 3-0 in the series.

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NHL Division Semifinals, Day 5

The lesser seeds get their turn to host today, beginning with a Metropolitan Division matinee in...

New York, as the Islanders host the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. New York got going in the second period on Kyle Okposo's second of the postseason, made possible by Lubomir Visnovsky and Josh Bailey. Washington tied it on a Nicklas Backstrom goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Mike Green and Joel Ward. The Islanders won 2-1 on a John Tavares overtime goal, via Nikolay Kulemin and Nick Leddy. The three stars went to Tavares, Halak (24 for 25 in saves), and Holtby (40 for 42 in saves). The Islanders carry a 2-1 series lead.

Out in Central Division, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne faces a lesser foe in Scott Darling in goal. Chicago struck first in the first period on an Andrew Desjardins goal, via Marian Hossa and Johnny Oduya. Nashville tied it as Mike Ribeiro scored, with the help of Craig Smith. The Blackhawks retook the lead in the second period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his second of the postseason, courtesy of Hossa and Duncan Keith. The Predators tied it again on a Mattias Ekholm goal, passed from Ryan Ellis and Smith. Chicago retook the lead with a Brandon Saad goal, going in unassisted. The Blackhawks added on with a Brent Seabrook goal, made possible by Toews and Andrew Shaw. This stood for a 4-2 win, with the three stars given to Toews, Hossa, and Smith. The Blackhawks take a 2-1 series lead.

Back in the Atlantic Division, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Craig Anderson are the masked men. Ottawa was first to score in the first period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Mark Stone and Erik Karlsson. Montreal tied it in the third period as Dale Weise scored, with the help of Brandon Prust and Torrey Mitchell. The Canadiens won 2-1 in overtime on a Weise goal, his second of the game, via Alexei Emelin and Mitchell. The three stars were handed to Weise, Price (33 for 34 in saves), and Mitchell. The Canadiens have pushed the Senators to the edge with a 3-0 series lead.

Finally, in the Pacific Division, the Calgary Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Eddie Lack and Jonas Hiller are between the pipes. Calgary started in the first period with a Brandon Bollig goal, assisted by Mason Raymond and T.J. Brodie. Vancouver tied it on a Shawn Matthias goal, fueled by Radim Vrbata and Nick Bonino. The Flames retook the lead on a Brodie goal, passed from David Schlemko and Mikael Backlund. Calgary added on in the third period with a Sam Bennett goal, coming off of Joe Colborne. The Flames extended the lead as Sean Monahan scored a power play goal, powered by Johnny Gaudreau and and Kris Russell. The Canucks got one back on a Jannik Hansen goal, guided in by Bo Horvat and Ronalds Kenins. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars handed to Brodie, Bennett, and Monahan. The Flames are now up 2-1 in the series.

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