MLS Midweek: May 17, 2017

Five games on at midweek this time, beginning with...

The Philadelphia Union hosting the Houston Dynamo. Joe Willis and Andre Blake guard the woodwork. Philadelphia began in the seventeenth minute with a Fabrice-Jean Picault goal, assisted by Chris Pontius. The Union added on in the thirty-eighth minute with an Ilsinho goal, passed from Pontius and C.J. Sapong. Houston saw yellow cards for dissent in the thirty-ninth minute to Leonardo and Romell Quioto. Raymon Gaddis of Philadelphia had a yellow card for his forty-seventh minute foul. The Dynamo's Juan Cabezas took a yellow card for a forty-eighth minute foul. Keegan Rosenberry of the Union had a yellow card in the eighty-third minute for time wasting. The game ended at 2-0, with the man of the match being Pontius for his pair of assists.

West to Chicago, where the Fire welcome the Colorado Rapids. Tim Howard and Matt Lampson play in goal. Chicago led off in the fifteenth minute with a Nemanja Nikolic goal, assisted by Brandon Vincent. The Fire added on in the fifty-seventh minute with a David Accam goal, made possible by Michael de Leeuw and Matt Polster. Colorado's Micheal Azira took a yellow card for a sixty-second minute fore. Chicago extended the lead as Nikolic scored in the seventy-fourth minute, thanks to de Leeuw. The final held at 3-0, with Nikolic earning man of the match honors for his brace.

Down in Kansas City, Sporting hosts the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Tim Melia protect the nets. Jordy Delem of Seattle had a yellow card for a third minute foul. Kansas City got going in the fifty-sixth minute on a Gerso Fernandes goal. Sporting added on with another Fernandes goal in the fifty-eighth minute. Kansas City extended the lead as Fernandes completed his hat trick in the sixty-ninth minute, thanks to Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber. Tony Alfaro of the Sounders took a yellow card for his eighty-fifth minute foul. The final stood at 3-0, with Fernandes the man of the match for his hat trick.

Along to Utah, where Real Salt Lake bring in New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Nick Rimando draw the starts in goal. New York City struck first in the fourth minute with a Sean Okoli goal. Salt Lake saw a yellow card for Yura Movsisyan's foul in the sixteenth minute. New York City's Ethan White had a yellow card for his twenty-first minute foul. Chris Schuler of Real took a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul. Salt Lake tied it in the thirty-eighth minute with an Albert Rusnak goal, passed from Jefferson Savarino. Thomas McNamara of New York City had a yellow card for his foul in the forty-fifth minute. Real took the lead in the fifty-first minute with an Aaron Maund goal, set up by Rusnak. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the man of the match being Rusnak for his goal and assist.

Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host Orlando City SC. Joe Bendik and David Bingham are the keepers. Leo Pereira of Orlando City took a yellow card for a twenty-fifth minute foul. Anibal Godoy of San Jose received a yellow card for a foul in the forty-fourth minute. The Earthquakes had yellow cards for Marco Urena in the sixty-second minute, Nick Lima in the sixty-eighth minute, and Darwin Ceren in the seventieth minute, all for fouls. Orlando City dented the scoreboard in the eightieth minute with a Carlos Rivas goal, via Victor Pagliari Giro and Kaka. San Jose retied it on a Chris Wondolowski goal in the eighty-third minute, helped along by Tommy Thompson. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match being Wondolowski for his quick equalizer.

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MLS 2017: Week 11

All teams are in action this weekend, beginning with one game on Friday as...

The Houston Dynamo host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Joe Willis protect the nets. Houston began in the fifteenth minute with an Alberth Elis goal, via Romell Quioto. Adolfo Machado of the Dynamo had a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-first minute. Vancouver's Matias Laba took a yellow card for his thirty-ninth minute foul. Mauro Manotas of Houston received a yellow card for time wasting in the sixty-first minute. In the sixty-seventh minute, Kendall Waston took a yellow card for a foul for the Whitecaps, leading the Dynamo to add to their lead on an Erick Torres penalty kick goal. Vancouver got on the board with an eighty-fifth minute goal by Brek Shea, coming off of Christian Bolanos. A.J. DeLaGarza of Houston had a yellow card in stoppage time for time wasting. The final held at 2-1, with the man of the match being Torres.

Saturday had seven games, beginning as Toronto FC welcomes Minnesota United FC. Bobby Shuttleworth and Alexander Bono are the keepers. Toronto led off in the twentieth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco penalty kick goal. Minnesota got on the board with a fifty-second minute Kevin Molino goal, set up by Abu Danladi. Toronto retook the lead as Minnesota's Christian Ramirez committed an own goal in the fifty-fourth minute. Minnesota tied it again with a sixty-second minute Molino goal. In the seventy-seventh minute, Toronto gained the lead as Tosaint Ricketts scored, thanks to Jozy Altidore. Toronto's Altidore took a yellow card for not retreating in stoppage time. Toronto won 3-2, but the man of the match was Molino for his brace.

West to Colorado, where the Rapids bring in San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Tim Howard guard the woodwork. Colorado opened in the twenty-ninth minute with a Shkelzen Gashi goal, assisted by Mohammed Saeid and Dillon Powers. The Rapids added on with a Dominique Badji goal in the thirty-fifth minute, via Alan Gordon. Colorado's Powers took a yellow card for a foul in the forty-second minute. The Rapids' Eric Miller had a yellow card for his fifty-fifth minute foul. Colorado extended the lead as Gashi scored in the fifty-sixth minute, his second of the game, guided in by Badji and Gordon. The Rapids won 3-0, with the man of the match being Gashi for his brace.

Back in Canada, the Montreal Impact host the Columbus Crew SC. Zack Steffen and Evan Bush draw the starts in goal. Columbus started in the fourteenth minute with a Justin Meram goal. The Crew added on in the twenty-eighth minute with another Meram goal. In the thirty-first minute, Columbus' Adam Jahn took a yellow card for a foul. Steffen, the Crew goalie, had a yellow card in the fifty-second minute, alongside Montreal's goal by Ignacio Piatti. Yellow cards for dissent went to the Impact's Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla in the fifty-seventh minute and Columbus' Federico Higuain in the fifty-eighth minute. Anthony Jackson-Hamel pulled Montreal level in the seventy-seventh minute with his goal. The Impact's Chris Duvall had an eighty-ninth minute yellow card for a foul. The Crew's Meram regained the lead for the visitors on his hat trick goal in stoppage time, set up by Niko Hansen. The man of the 3-2 match was Meram for his hat trick.

Down in DC, United welcomes the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Bill Hamid are the solid keepers. Philadelphia saw yellow cards in the fourth and ninth minutes for fouls by Fabinho and Alejandro Bedoya. DC's Lamar Neagle had a nineteenth minute yellow card for his foul. The Union struck first in the thirty-ninth minute on a Haris Medunjanin goal, assisted by Chris Pontius. DC went down to ten men in the fifty-fifth minute as Luciano Acosta took a straight red card for a foul. In the sixty-fourth minute, DC had a yellow card for dissent by Marcelo Sarvas, coming as Philadelphia added to their lead with an Oguchi Onyewu goal, via Medunjanin. The Union extended the lead as Fabrice-Jean Picault scored in the seventy-eighth minute, thanks to Medunjanin. Philadelphia padded the lead on an eighty-eighth minute Fabian Herbers goal, courtesy of Bedoya. The Union won 4-0, with the man of the match being Medunjanin for his goal and two assists.

Further south, Orlando City SC brings in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Joe Bendik are the gloved men. Kansas City was first to score in the ninth minute with a Latif Blessing goal, via Matt Besler. Jose Aja of Orlando City had a yellow card for his eleventh minute foul. Orlando City tied it on a sixteenth minute Cyle Larin goal, passed from Carlos Rivas and Donny Toia. Orlando City took the lead with a twenty-sixth minute Kaka goal, set up by Scott Sutter. Cristian Higuita of Orlando City took a fortieth minute yellow card for his foul. Graham Zusi of Sporting took a yellow card for his forty-eighth minute foul. Kansas City tied it on a Blessing goal in the seventy-fourth minute. Sporting saw yellow cards in the seventy-ninth minute for an Ilie Sanchez foul and a dive by Blessing. The game ended 2-2, with the man of the match being Blessing for his brace.

Back north, the New England Revolution host Real Salt Lake. Matt Van Oekel and Cody Cropper are the young goalies. New England led off in the fourth minute with a Scott Caldwell goal, assisted by Diego Fagundez and Chris Tierney. The Revolution added on in the eighteenth minute with a Kei Kamara goal, set up by Lee Nguyen. Caldwell of New England had a twenty-ninth minute yellow card for a foul. The Revolution extended the lead in the thirty-fourth minute as Fagundez scored, thanks to Kelyn Rowe and Nguyen. Salt Lake saw yellow cards in the thirty-fifth and forty-fourth minutes for fouls by Omar Holness and Ricardo Velazco. New England padded the lead on a forty-first minute Nguyen goal, guided in by Kamara and Tierney. Andrew Farrell of the Revolution had a yellow card in the seventy-ninth minute for his foul. Jose Hernandez and Luis Silva of Real had yellow cards for fouls in the eightieth and eighty-fourth minutes, respectively. The final held at 4-0, with the man of the match being Kamara.

Saturday ends with the Chicago Fire welcoming the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Matt Lampson are in the six-yard boxes. Chicago began in the twenty-fifth minute with a Nemanja Nikolic penalty kick goal. Seattle's Frei had a yellow card for dissent in the twenty-sixth minute. The Sounders tied it on a twenty-eighth minute Clint Dempsey goal, via Cristian Roldan. In the forty-eighth minute, Lampson had a yellow card for a foul for the Fire. Chicago took the lead in the sixtieth minute with a David Accam goal, courtesy of Michael de Leeuw and Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Fire added on in the seventy-third minute with a Luis Solignac goal, coming off of Nikolic and Brandon Vincent. In the seventy-sixth minute, Chicago extended the lead as Nikolic scored, with the help of Accam and Johan Kappelhof. Vincent of the Fire had a seventy-eighth minute foul that drew a yellow card. In the eighty-seventh minute, Seattle had a yellow card for a Joevin Jones foul, and he doubled down with a second yellow card in the eighty-ninth minute, putting the Sounders down at ten men. The game ended 4-1, with the man of the match being Nikolic for his brace and assist.

On Sunday, the Portland Timbers bring in Atlanta United. Alec Kann and Jake Gleeson play goal. Atlanta saw yellow cards for Michael Parkhurst in the twenty-eighth minute and Carlos Carmona in the thirty-sixth minute, both for fouls. Atlanta got going in the forty-sixth minute with a Julian Gressel goal, via Jeff Larentowicz. Portland tied it on a fiftieth minute goal by Liam Ridgewell, assisted by David Guzman. In the fifty-fourth minute, the Timbers' Guzman took a yellow card for persistent infringement. Portland saw yellow cards for Vytautas Andriuskevicius and Roy Miller for fouls in the seventy-third and eighty-fourth minutes respectively. The final held at 1-1, with the man of the match being Ridgewell for his equalizer.

Next up, the New York Red Bulls host the Los Angeles Galaxy. Brian Rowe and Luis Robles guard the woodwork. Los Angeles started in the eighth minute with a Romain Alessandrini goal. The Galaxy added on in the ninth minute with an Alessandrini goal, assisted by Giovani dos Santos. Los Angeles' Bradley Diallo had a yellow card for a twenty-seventh minute foul. New York's Aaron Long received a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. The Red Bulls' Sacha Kljestan took a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute foul. The Galaxy extended the lead in the seventy-eighth minute as dos Santos scored a penalty kick goal. In the eighty-fourth minute, Los Angeles' Jack McBean took a yellow card for a foul. The Galaxy went down to ten men in the ninetieth minute when Diallo took a second yellow card for a foul. New York got on the board in second half stoppage time with a Daniel Royer goal, helped along by Kemar Lawrence and Kljestan. The final stood at 3-1, with the man of the match being Alessandrini.

Finally, FC Dallas hosts New York City FC. Sean Johnson and Jesse Gonzalez are the goalies. Dallas opened in the twentieth minute with a Kellyn Acosta goal, passed from Maximiliano Urruti and Michael Barrios. New York City had a yellow card for a thirty-fourth minute foul by Thomas McNamara. New York City's Alexander Ring took a yellow card for his fifty-first minute foul. Dallas saw a yellow card for Carlos Gruezo not retreating in the sixty-eighth minute, and New York City tied it with a McNamara goal at the same point in the game. New York City's Ben Sweat took a yellow card for his eighty-eighth minute foul. The game ended at 1-1, with the man of the match being McNamara for his equalizer. 

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NWSL 2017: Week 5

All teams are in action this week, with three Saturday games to lead us off. We begin with...

The Houston Dash hosting Sky Blue FC. Kailen Sheridan and Lydia Williams protect the nets. Sam Kerr of Sky Blue had a yellow card for a seventeenth minute foul. Sky Blue opened in the thirty-third minute with a Sarah Killion penalty kick goal. Sky Blue added on in the fifty-third minute with a Leah Galton goal, helped along by Kerr. Raquel Rodriguez of Sky Blue saw a yellow card for her sixty-fifth minute foul. Houston got on the board in the seventy-sixth minute with a Poliana goal, assisted by Kealia Ohai. In the eighty-seventh minute, Amber Brooks of the Dash took a yellow card, and Sky Blue restored their lead to its fullest with a Kerr goal, passed from McKenzie Meehan. The final stood at 3-1, with the woman of the match being Kerr for her goal and assist.

Northwest to Seattle, where the Reign FC welcome the Washington Spirit. Stephanie Labbe and Haley Kopmeyer are the gloved women. Seattle started in the twentieth minute on a Christine Nairn goal, set up by Nahomi Kawasumi. The Reign added on in the thirty-fifth minute with a Beverly Yanez goal, via Kawasumi. Washington got on the board in the sixtieth minute with a Havana Solaun penalty kick goal. Seattle replied with a sixty-ninth minute Kawasumi goal, courtesy of Megan Rapinoe. The Reign extended the lead in the seventy-first minute as Rapinoe scored, thanks to Kawasumi, who completed her sock trick on the play. Seattle padded the lead in the seventy-sixth minute with a Rapinoe goal, coming off of Katlyn Johnson. The Reign continued in the seventy-ninth minute with a Lindsay Elston goal, fueled by Kawasumi's fourth assist of the game. The Spirit pulled one back in the eighty-eighth minute on a Kristie Mewis goal, made possible by Whitney Church. The final was 6-2, with Kawasumi the woman of the match for a record-breaking performance.

Saturday ended with FC Kansas City hosting the Portland Thorns FC. Adrianna Franch and Nicole Barnhart play goal. Kansas City's Becca Moros took a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. The final remained at 0-0, with the woman of the match being Lo'Eau LaBonta for her play on both sides of the ball.

On Sunday, the Orlando Pride bring in the North Carolina Courage. Sabrina D'Angelo and Ashlyn Harris are the keepers. North Carolina's McCall Zerboni took a yellow card for a foul in the tenth minute. The Courage's Abby Erceg had a yellow card for her forty-fourth minute foul. Orlando got going in the forty-ninth minute with a forty-ninth minute Chioma Ubogagu goal, assisted by Ali Krieger. The Pride added on in the fiftieth minute with a Camila goal, via Jamia Fields. North Carolina got on the board in the fifty-first minute with a Debinha goal, set up by Lynn Williams. The Courage went down to ten women as Erceg was sent off with a second yellow card in the fifty-sixth minute for another foul. Orlando added on in the eighty-second minute with a Jasmyne Spencer goal, helped along by Marta. The Pride had yellow cards for Krieger in the eighty-eighth minute and Toni Pressley in the ninetieth minute, both for fouls. Orlando won 3-1, with the woman of the match named as Camila.

Finally, the Chicago Red Stars host the Boston Breakers. Abby Smith and Alyssa Naeher are in the six-yard boxes. Boston dented the scoreboard in the sixty-ninth minute with a Rose Lavelle goal. Julie King of the Breakers had a yellow card for a seventy-third minute foul. Chicago got on the board in the eighty-ninth minute with a Christen Press goal, assisted by Sofia Huerta. The game ended 1-1, with the woman of the match being Lavelle for her goal and piercing runs in attack.

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MLS Midweek: May 10, 2017

Today's game has the Columbus Crew SC hosting Toronto FC. Alexander Bono and Zack Steffen are in goal. Columbus began in the twenty-eighth minute with a Federico Higuain penalty kick goal. In the thirty-seventh minute, the Crew's keeper Steffen took a yellow card for a foul. Toronto got on the board in the eighty-first minute with a Tosaint Ricketts goal, assisted by Raheem Edwards and Victor Vazquez. Adam Jahn of Columbus took a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-second minute. Toronto took the lead with a Ricketts goal in the ninetieth minute, passed from Vazquez and Edwards. The final held at 2-1, with Ricketts the man of the match for his brace.

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Pacific Division Final: 1) Anaheim Ducks VS. 2) Edmonton Oilers

It's time for the second round of the playoffs, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup continues. This series features Pacific Division rivals, the Anaheim Ducks and the Edmonton Oilers.

Game 1: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Cam Talbot for the Oilers and John Gibson for the Ducks. Anaheim got going in the second period with a Ryan Getzlaf power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Cam Fowler and Ryan Kesler. Edmonton tied it on a Mark Letestu power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers added on in the third period with a Letestu power play goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, made possible by Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Edmonton added on with an Adam Larsson goal, via Draisaitl, who got a sock trick, and Patrick Maroon. The Ducks got one back with a Patrick Eaves goal, his second of the playoffs, helped along by Getzlaf and Brandon Montour. Anaheim tied it on a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Andrew Cogliano and Kesler. The Oilers regained the lead on a Larsson goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from Oscar Klefbom and Maroon. Edmonton iced it at 5-3 with a Draisaitl empty net goal, his second of the postseason, set up by Milan Lucic and Larsson. The three stars were Draisaitl, Letestu, and Larsson, while Maroon, Getzlaf, and Kesler get the honorable mentions. The Oilers have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Cam Talbot for the Oilers and John Gibson for the Ducks. Edmonton led off in the first period with an unassisted Andrej Sekera goal. The Oilers added on with a Patrick Maroon power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the second period. Anaheim got on the board with a Jakob Silfverberg power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Cam Fowler and Ryan Kesler. This stood for the 2-1 final, with the three stars being Talbot (39 for 40 in saves), Maroon, and Sekera. The Oilers head home with a 2-0 series lead in hand.

Game 3: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Cam Talbot for the Oilers. Anaheim began in the first period with a Rickard Rakell goal, his third of the postseason, via Ryan Getzlaf and Brandon Montour. The Ducks added on with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his fifth of the playoffs, coming off of Hampus Lindholm. Anaheim extended the lead as Getzlaf scored his fifth of the postseason, going in unassisted. Edmonton got on the board with a Patrick Maroon goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Kris Russell and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers got on the board with an Anton Slepyshev goal, his second of the postseason, courtesy of David Desharnais and Russell. Edmonton tied it on a Connor McDavid goal, his third of the playoffs, an unassisted goal. The Ducks gain the lead with a Chris Wagner goal, helped along by Josh Manson and Shea Theodore. Anaheim padded the lead with a Silfverberg goal, his second of the game and sixth of the postseason, with helpers from Manson and Theodore. The Ducks iced it at 6-3 with a Ryan Kesler goal, with a lone assist by Silfverberg. The three stars went to Silfverberg, Getzlaf, and Manson, while Russell and Theodore get the honorable mentions. The series still favors the Oilers 2-1.

Game 4: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Cam Talbot for the Oilers. Edmonton opened in the first period with a Milan Lucic power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Leon Draisaitl and Mark Letestu. The Oilers added on with a Connor McDavid goal, his fourth of the playoffs, helped along by Draisaitl and Patrick Maroon. Anaheim got on the board in the second period with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his sixth of the postseason, coming off of Brandon Montour. The Ducks tied it on a Rickard Rakell goal, his fourth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Anaheim took the lead on a Getzlaf goal, his second of the game and seventh of the postseason, going in unassisted. Edmonton tied it on a Drake Caggiula goal, via Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Maroon in the third period. The Ducks won 4-3 in overtime with a Jakob Silfverberg goal, his seventh of the playoffs, thanks to Getzlaf. The three stars were Getzlaf, Silfverberg, and Maroon, while Draisaitl gets an honorable mention. The series heads back to California tied at 2.

Game 5: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Cam Talbot for the Oilers and John Gibson for the Ducks. Edmonton dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Oscar Klefbom and Adam Larsson. The Oilers added on with a Connor McDavid power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, powered by Mark Letestu and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton extended the lead as Drake Caggiula scored his second of the postseason, thanks to McDavid and Kris Russell. Anaheim got on the board with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his eighth of the playoffs, helped along by Jakob Silfverberg and Ryan Kesler. The Ducks got closer with a Cam Fowler goal, passed from Silfverberg and Corey Perry. Anaheim tied it on a Rickard Rakell goal, his fifth of the postseason, made possible by Perry and Fowler. The Ducks won 4-3 in the second overtime with a Perry goal, his second of the playoffs, via Getzlaf and Rakell. The three stars were Perry, Rakell, and Fowler, while Getzlaf, Silfverberg, and McDavid get the honorable mentions. The Ducks leave home again with a 3-2 series lead.

Game 6: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta. In goal: John Gibson for the Ducks and Cam Talbot for the Oilers. Edmonton started in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Adam Larsson. The Oilers added on with a Draisaitl goal, his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, passed from Milan Lucic and Darnell Nurse. Edmonton chased Gibson with a Zack Kassian goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Mark Letestu and Griffin Reinhart. The Oilers extended the lead against Jonathan Bernier as Letestu scored his fourth of the playoffs, thanks to Kris Russell and David Desharnais. Edmonton padded the lead on a Letestu power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the postseason, powered by Matt Benning and Draisaitl. The Oilers continued in the second period on an Anton Slepyshev goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Patrick Maroon and Draisaitl. Anaheim got on the board with a Rickard Rakell goal, his sixth of the postseason, helped along by Corey Perry and Cam Fowler. Edmonton shot back with a Draisaitl power play goal, completing his hat trick on his sixth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Lucic and Letestu. This stood for the eventual 7-1 final, with the three stars awarded to Draisaitl, Letestu, and Lucic. The series heads back to California one more time tied at 3. 

Game 7: Honda Center, Anaheim, California. In goal: Cam Talbot for the Oilers and John Gibson for the Ducks. Edmonton struck first in the first period with a Drake Caggiula goal, his third of the postseason, going in unassisted. Anaheim tied it in the second period with an Andrew Cogliano goal, passed from Ryan Kesler and Brandon Montour. The Ducks took the lead in the third period with a Nick Ritchie goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Sami Vatanen and Corey Perry. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Ritchie, Gibson (23 for 24 in saves), and Cogliano. The Ducks win the series 4-3, and will face the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Final.

Metropolitan Division Final: 1) Washington Capitals VS. 2) Pittsburgh Penguins.

It's time for the second round of the playoffs, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup continues. This series features Metropolitan Division rivals, the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Game 1: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Pittsburgh got going in the second period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist. The Penguins added on with a Crosby goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, passed from Hornqvist and Olli Maatta. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Lars Eller and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals tied it in the third period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Matt Niskanen. Pittsburgh took the lead back with a Nick Bonino goal, his second of the postseason, helped along by Scott Wilson and Justin Schultz. The final held at 3-2, with the three stars belonging to Crosby, Hornqvist, and Bonino. The Penguins have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period with a shorthanded and unassisted Matt Cullen. Washington tied it on a Matt Niskanen power play goal, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. The Penguins took the lead back with a Phil Kessel goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. Pittsburgh added on with a Guentzel goal, his sixth of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Crosby. The Penguins extended the lead as Kessel scored his second of the game and fourth of the postseason, a power play goal with the help of Justin Schultz and Evgeni Malkin. The Capitals got one back with a Backstrom goal, his third of the playoffs, via Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie. Pittsburgh replied with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his third of the playoffs, passed from Ian Cole and Kessel. The Penguins iced it at 6-2 with a Guentzel empty net goal, his second of the game and seventh of the postseason, set up by Cullen and Olli Maatta. The three stars went to Guentzel, Kessel, and Cullen, while Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, and Ovechkin get the honorable mentions. The Penguins head home with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins. Washington led off in the first period with a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Alex Ovechkin and Justin Williams. The Capitals added on in the third period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his third of the playoffs, via Marcus Johansson and Williams. Pittsburgh got on the board with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Phil Kessel and Justin Schultz. The Penguins tied it on a Schultz goal, made possible by Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Washington won 3-2 in overtime with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, helped along by Backstrom and Kuznetsov on the power play. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Backstrom, and Williams, while Schultz and Malkin get the honorable mentions. The Penguins still hold a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his third of the postseason, courtesy of Olli Maatta and Matt Cullen. The Penguins added on in the second period with a Jake Guentzel goal, his eighth of the playoffs, going in unassisted. Washington got on the board with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Justin Williams and Marcus Johansson. The Capitals tied it on a Nate Schmidt goal, fueled by T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk. Pittsburgh took the lead back with a Justin Schultz power play goal, his second of the playoffs, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Guentzel. The game ended at 3-2, with the three stars given to Guentzel, Fleury (36 for 38 in saves), and Schultz. The Penguins lead the series 3-1 as they leave home.

Game 5: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Pittsburgh opened in the first period with a Carl Hagelin goal, via Nick Bonino and Ron Hainsey. Washington tied it on an Andre Burakovsky goal, passed from Kevin Shattenkirk and Lars Eller. The Penguins took the lead back with a Phil Kessel power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the postseason, powered by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. The Capitals tied it on a third period goal from Nicklas Backstrom, his fifth of the playoffs, guided in by Burakovsky. Washington took the lead with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, his fifth of the postseason, fueled by Marcus Johansson and John Carlson. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his fifth of the playoffs, assisted by Eller and Nate Schmidt. The final stood at 4-2, with the three stars given to Burakovsky, Eller, and Kuznetsov. The Penguins return home with their series lead cut to 3-2.

Game 6: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Braden Holtby for the Capitals and Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins. Washington started in the first period with a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals added on with an Andre Burakovsky goal, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted. Washington extended the lead in the third period as Backstrom scored his sixth of the postseason, thanks to Oshie and Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals padded the lead on a power play goal by John Carlson, his second of the playoffs, passed from Matt Niskanen and Kuznetsov. Washington continued with a Burakovsky goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, an unassisted goal. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Jake Guentzel goal, his ninth of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Sidney Crosby. The Penguins got closer with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his fifth of the postseason, courtesy of Conor Sheary and Brian Dumoulin. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars going to Burakovsky, Backstrom, and Oshie, while Kuznetsov gets an honorable mention. The series is tied at 3 with the deciding game in the nation's capital. 

Game 7: Verizon Center, Washington, DC. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Braden Holtby for the Capitals. Pittsburgh struck first in the second period with a Bryan Rust goal, his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby. The Penguins added on in the third period with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his fourth of the playoffs, via Justin Schultz. This made it 2-0, the final, with the three stars being Fleury (29 save shutout), Rust, and Hornqvist. The Penguins advance to the Eastern Conference Final to face the Ottawa Senators after this 4-3 series win.

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Atlantic Division Final: 2) Ottawa Senators VS. 4) New York Rangers

It's time for the second round of the playoffs, as the NHL's quest for the Stanley Cup continues. This series features the Atlantic Division's Ottawa Senators against the wild card New York Rangers.

Game 1: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers and Craig Anderson for the Senators. New York got going in the second period with a Ryan McDonagh power play goal, powered by Mats Zuccarello and Pavel Buchnevich. Ottawa tied it on a Ryan Dzingel power play goal, with assists provided by Alexandre Burrows and Kyle Turris. The Senators took the lead with an Erik Karlsson goal in the third period, via Mike Hoffman and Marc Methot. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Anderson (34 for 35 in saves), Karlsson, and Lundqvist (41 for 43 in saves). The Senators have a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers and Craig Anderson for the Senators. New York began in the first period with a Michael Grabner shorthanded goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Jesper Fast. Ottawa tied it on a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The Rangers took the lead back in the second period with a Chris Kreider goal, passed from Mika Zibanejad and Ryan McDonagh. New York added on with a Derek Stepan shorthanded goal, his second of the postseason, with a lone assist by Rick Nash. The Senators got one back with a Marc Methot goal, helped along by Mike Hoffman and Ben Harpur. The Rangers replied with a Brady Skjei goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by McDonagh and Zibanejad. Ottawa pulled back with a Mark Stone goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Dion Phaneuf and Fredrik Claesson. New York chipped back with a Skjei goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Brendan Smith. The Senators countered with a Pageau goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, made possible by Zack Smith and Phaneuf. Ottawa tied it on a Pageau goal, completing his hat trick on his fourth of the playoffs, via Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. The Senators won 6-5 with a Pageau goal in double overtime, his fourth of the game and fifth of the postseason, with a lone helper from Alexandre Burrows. The three stars were awarded to Pageau, Phaneuf, and Skjei, while McDonagh and Zibanejad get the honorable mentions. The Senators travel with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Craig Anderson for the Senators and Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers. New York led off in the first period with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Mika Zibanejad and Dan Girardi. The Rangers added on with a Michael Grabner goal, his fourth of the playoffs, via Zuccarello. New york extended the lead as Rick Nash scored his third of the postseason, thanks to Derek Stepan and Jimmy Vesey. The Rangers padded the lead with an Oscar Lindberg goal, helped along by J.T. Miller and Tanner Glass. Ottawa got on the board with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal, his sixth of the playoffs, assisted by Bobby Ryan and Cody Ceci. This only made it 4-1, the eventual final, with the three stars given to Zuccarello, Lundqvist (26 for 27 in saves), and Grabner. The Senators still lead the series 2-1.

Game 4: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Craig Anderson for the Senators and Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers. New York started in the first period with a Nick Holden goal, assisted by Kevin Hayes. The Rangers added on in the second period with an Oscar Lindberg goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Michael Grabner and Tanner Glass. New York extended the lead as Lindberg scored his second of the game and third of the playoffs, thanks to J.T. Miller and Glass. The Rangers padded the lead on a Chris Kreider power play goal in the third period, his second of the postseason, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan. Ottawa got on the board with a Kyle Turris goal, his second of the playoffs, via Zack Smith and Ben Harpur. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars being Lindberg, Glass, and Lundqvist (22 for 23 in saves). The series is tied at 2 heading back to Canada.

Game 5: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers and Craig Anderson for the Senators. New York opened in the first period with a Jesper Fast goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Brendan Smith and Kevin Hayes. The Rangers added on with a Nick Holden goal, his second of the playoffs, via Jimmy Vesey. Ottawa got on the board with a Mark Stone goal, his third of the postseason, passed from Chris Wideman and Zack Smith. The Senators tied it on a Mike Hoffman goal in the second period, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Clarke MacArthur and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa took the lead with a Tom Pyatt goal, assisted by Smith. New York retied it on a Ryan McDonagh goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Michael Grabner and Fast. The Rangers pulled ahead as Vesey scored, thanks to Brady Skjei and Derek Stepan. The Senators tied it again with a Derick Brassard goal, his third of the playoffs, helped along by MacArthur and Karlsson. Ottawa won 5-4 in overtime with a Kyle Turris goal, his third of the postseason, with helpers from Alexandre Burrows and Karlsson, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Karlsson, Smith, and MacArthur, while Fast and Vesey get the honorable mentions. The Senators leave home leading the series 3-2. 

Game 6: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Craig Anderson for the Senators and Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers. Ottawa struck first in the first period with a Mike Hoffman goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Erik Karlsson and Clarke MacArthur. The Senators added on with a Mark Stone goal, his fourth of the playoffs, passed from MacArthur and Chris Wideman. New York got on the board in the second period with a Mika Zibanejad goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Mats Zuccarello and Nick Holden. Ottawa replied with a Karlsson goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Bobby Ryan and the goalie Anderson. The Rangers got one back with a Chris Kreider goal, his third of the postseason, via Zibanejad and Brendan Smith in the third period. The Senators iced it at 4-2 with a Jean-Gabriel Pageau empty net goal, his seventh of the playoffs, set up by Stone. The three stars were Karlsson, Stone, and Zibanejad, while MacArthur gets an honorable mention. The Senators advance to the Eastern Conference Final on a 4-2 series win.

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