Ken Holland, Detroit Red Wings GM, is known for saying that teams in playoff positions at Thanksgiving will likely be in playoff spots at the end of the season. Statistics show that this holds up about 75 percent of the time. With that, let's take a look at the four teams that will fall out by April, and the four lucky teams that will replace them.
Detroit Red Wings (11-8-3, 25 points): We'll start by looking at Holland's own team, the Red Wings, who are very familiar with being in good spots at Thanksgiving, since they've made the playoffs every year in my life and then some. They currently hold the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but also in a three-way tie for third in the Atlantic Division with the Bruins (more on them later) and Lightning, but also with the Islanders for the wild card. There's a lot to like about the Red Wings, who have a group of veterans with Cup experience, and two solid goalies in Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek. However, the core is only producing 2.28 goals per game, in the mid-20s league-wide, and as the season wears on, the veterans will not hold up as well. When injuries start piling up, no amount of Dylan Larkin is going to extend the Red Wings' historical playoff streak.
New York Islanders (11-8-3, 25 points): The tiebreaker is currently betraying the Islanders, but they should be able to cash in on the expected misfortunes of the Red Wings. The Islanders are tied with the Red Wings on Thanksgiving, but the Islanders have much better goal scoring led by star center John Tavares and slightly better goaltending in Jaroslav Halak. The key to the Islanders grabbing a playoff spot is the health of those two players, who have missed a handful of games each this season. The Islanders will also need to pay attention to health as a whole, as their very physical bottom-six and defense may wear down a bit more than more skill-oriented teams.
Boston Bruins (12-8-1, 25 points): The Bruins are in third in the Atlantic Division, but how they've gotten there is a bit unusual. Offseason moves sent Milan Lucic to the Kings and Dougie Hamilton to the Flames, leaving the forwards and defense groups depleted for the upcoming season. Injuries to top defenders Dennis Seidenberg and Zdeno Chara got the Bruins off to a rocky start, but they have remained competitive with production from players like Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, which lead them to the third-best offense in the league. If the Bruins want to hold on, Finnish goalie Tuukka Rask will have to return to career averages, a trajectory he's been aiming toward in recent games. The defense will remain suspect, with graybeards leading the way and inexperienced players at the bottom making sure Rask faces a lot of rubber every game.
Florida Panthers (8-9-4, 20 points): The Panthers are currently five points out of the playoffs, which is practically a death sentence at this point in the season. Still, the chemistry between Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Aleksander Barkov can't be denied, and a young team should be able to grow this season. At the back, Roberto Luongo is still a world-class goalie despite his advanced age. With Aaron Ekblad developing into a team leader on defense, and the Panthers holding reasonable averages in most offense and defense categories, their current level of production may be able to luck them into the playoffs should teams in front of them falter.
Minnesota Wild (11-6-3, 25 points): The Wild are an interesting team, currently in the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Wild have a top offense, ranked seventh in the league, but they're shooting nearly 11 percent, which has to be unsustainable, especially with Zach Parise still not back in the lineup yet. Devan Dubnyk hasn't played as well as he did at the end of last season either, playing closer to his career averages, and any drop-off in offense will almost assuredly leave the Wild out of a playoff spot in a Central Division that will probably send five teams to the playoffs easily.
Winnipeg Jets (10-11-2, 22 points): The Winnipeg Jets should benefit from the Wild falling off a bit. The Jets have not faced many major injuries to offensive contributors, and trading Evander Kane last season was a bit of addition by subtraction. The Jets also have one of the best first lines in the game with Bryan Little, Andrew Ladd, and Blake Wheeler. The defense is also serviceable on all three pairings, though no defenseman on the team is truly great. Their shooting percentage is in the middle of the league at 9.3 percent, and they've scored outscored the Wild so far this season. Additionally, the injury to Ondrej Pavelec could be a blessing in disguise. Michael Hutchinson and Connor Hellebuyck will man the net in Pavelec's absence, and if they can bring up the mediocre save percentage, there's no reason to think the Jets won't make the playoffs for a second straight year.
Vancouver Canucks (9-8-6, 24 points): The first thing that should give Canucks fans pause is the 6 at the end of their record. Six regulation losses in 23 games is a worrisome trend for Vancouver. The defense isn't much to brag about either, and Ryan Miller isn't getting any younger. Miller has looked vulnerable in previous seasons, especially late, and Jacob Markstrom is unproven as a backup at the NHL level. The Canucks do have an advantage in their offense, including a resurgent Sedin twins working with Radim Vrbata. Their center depth, with Bo Horvat and Jared McCann is also concerning, and it makes the Canucks look vulnerable despite occupying the third spot in the Pacific, especially considering the team creeping up behind them that should take their spot.
Anaheim Ducks (8-11-4, 20 points): The Ducks' problems this season are well documented, with their very light offense to start the season and inconsistency in goal with Frederik Andersen and Anton Khudobin. Still, these are the Ducks, a team many people believed to be Cup-competitive this season. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are beginning to click, Ryan Kesler's slump is coming to an end, and the defense is laden with many very solid players. As soon as Jakob Silfverberg gets going in the top-six, and maybe a trade occurs to inject some new life into the roster, the Ducks will be just fine, and the Canucks are all but certain to pay for it by falling out of the last playoff spot for the Pacific Division. Their offense cannot be this bad for an entire 82-game schedule.
If I had to take a guess, the Ducks and Islanders are the best bets for making the playoffs if less than four teams can make the jump. The Bruins and Canucks are most likely to fall out, but only time will tell, with three-quarters of a season left for anyone to get on a big run or slump and shake everything up.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
2015/16 KHL Season - Day 84
With no NHL hockey today, these six games from the KHL will have to quench the thirst for hockey. We begin with...
Lada Togliatti hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Edgars Masalskis are in goal. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period on an Alexander Kadeikin goal, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Maxim Chudinov. Togliatti tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Vorobyov, powered by Georgy Belousov. Lada took the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted Vasily Streltsov goal in the second period. SKA tied it again in the third period with a Joakim Lindstrom goal, courtesy of Anton Burdasov on the power play. St. Petersburg won 3-2 in overtime with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, assisted by Kovalchuk and Chudinov. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Chudinov, and Kalinin.
Along to Kazan, where Ak Bars welcomes Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Emil Garipov are the goalies. Moscow started in the first period on a Lukas Radil goal, via Grigory Shafigulin. Kazan tied it in the second period with a Dmitry Obukhov goal, made possible by Oscar Moller. Ak Bars took the lead on a Justin Azevedo goal, helped along by Mikhail Varnakov and Mikhail Glukhov. Kazan added on with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, guided in by Andrei Chibisov and Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead in the third period as Varnakov scored, thanks to Azevedo and Albert Yarullin. Kazan padded the lead with a Tkachyov goal, assisted by Chibisov. Ak Bars finished it at 6-1 with another Tkachyov goal, securing his hat trick on a goal passed from Varnakov and Yakov Rylov. The three stars went to Tkachyov, Chibisov, and Varnakov, while Azevedo gets an honorable mention.
Speaking of Moscow, CSKA brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Ilya Sorokin draw the starts in goal. Moscow got going in the third period on a Nikita Zaitsev power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Bogdan Kiselevich. CSKA iced it at 2-0 with an Alexander Radulov empty net goal, set up by Artyom Sergeyev. The three stars went to Sorokin (19 save shutout), Zaitsev, and Metsola (35 for 36 in saves).
Up in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki hosts the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Henrik Karlsson are the reliable goalies. Helsinki opened in the first period on a Peter Regin power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Niko Kapanen. Jokerit added on in the second period with a Jere Sallinen goal, fueled by Eetu Poysti and Philip Larsen. Sochi got on the board with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Ilya Krikunov. Riku Helenius took over for an injured Karlsson late in the second period. The Leopards tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, helped along by Vadim Shchegolkov. Sochi took the lead with a Mamashev goal, via Ben Maxwell and Krikunov. The Leopards extended the lead as Kostitsyn scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Ziyat Paigin. Sochi padded the lead on an Andre Petersson goal, helped along by Pyotr Schastlivy. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Kostitsyn, Mamashev, and Krikunov.
Back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Jakub Stepanek are set to start in goal. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period on an Oskars Bartulis goal, coming off of Jonathon Blum. Cherepovets tied it on a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, courtesy of Evgeny Mons. Admiral retook the lead on a Yegor Dugin goal in the second period, helped along by Alexei Ugarov and David Booth. Severstal retied it with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, assisted by Kagarlitsky. Vladivostok took the lead again as Dugin scored his second of the game, with the help of Booth and Bartulis. Admiral added on with Dugin's hat trick-sealing goal, a power play marker with a lone assist by Booth, who gets a sock trick. Cherepovets pulled back with a Buchnevich power play goal, his second of the game, guided in by Yury Trubachyov. Severstal tied it in the third period on an Ondrej Nemec goal, with helpers from Trubachyov and Buchnevich. The tie went to a shootout, where Booth had the only tally to give Admiral the 5-4 win. The three stars went to Dugin, Booth, and Buchnevich, while Kagarlitsky, Bartulis, and Trubachyov get the honorable mentions.
Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Jakub Sedlacek are the masked men. Yaroslavl drew first blood with a Denis Mosalyov goal in the first period, assisted by Staffan Kronwall and Daniil Apalkov. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with an Alexander Polunin goal, via Pavel Kraskovsky. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the third period as Sergei Konkov scored, thanks to Vladislav Kartayev and Emil Galimov. This held up for a 3-0 final, with the three stars going to Murygin (18 save shutout), Mosalyov, and Polunin.
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Lada Togliatti hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Edgars Masalskis are in goal. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period on an Alexander Kadeikin goal, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Maxim Chudinov. Togliatti tied it on a power play goal by Dmitry Vorobyov, powered by Georgy Belousov. Lada took the lead on a shorthanded and unassisted Vasily Streltsov goal in the second period. SKA tied it again in the third period with a Joakim Lindstrom goal, courtesy of Anton Burdasov on the power play. St. Petersburg won 3-2 in overtime with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, assisted by Kovalchuk and Chudinov. The three stars were Kovalchuk, Chudinov, and Kalinin.
Along to Kazan, where Ak Bars welcomes Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Emil Garipov are the goalies. Moscow started in the first period on a Lukas Radil goal, via Grigory Shafigulin. Kazan tied it in the second period with a Dmitry Obukhov goal, made possible by Oscar Moller. Ak Bars took the lead on a Justin Azevedo goal, helped along by Mikhail Varnakov and Mikhail Glukhov. Kazan added on with a Vladimir Tkachyov goal, guided in by Andrei Chibisov and Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead in the third period as Varnakov scored, thanks to Azevedo and Albert Yarullin. Kazan padded the lead with a Tkachyov goal, assisted by Chibisov. Ak Bars finished it at 6-1 with another Tkachyov goal, securing his hat trick on a goal passed from Varnakov and Yakov Rylov. The three stars went to Tkachyov, Chibisov, and Varnakov, while Azevedo gets an honorable mention.
Speaking of Moscow, CSKA brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Ilya Sorokin draw the starts in goal. Moscow got going in the third period on a Nikita Zaitsev power play goal, powered by Dmitry Kugryshev and Bogdan Kiselevich. CSKA iced it at 2-0 with an Alexander Radulov empty net goal, set up by Artyom Sergeyev. The three stars went to Sorokin (19 save shutout), Zaitsev, and Metsola (35 for 36 in saves).
Up in Finland, Jokerit Helsinki hosts the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Henrik Karlsson are the reliable goalies. Helsinki opened in the first period on a Peter Regin power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Niko Kapanen. Jokerit added on in the second period with a Jere Sallinen goal, fueled by Eetu Poysti and Philip Larsen. Sochi got on the board with an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Ilya Krikunov. Riku Helenius took over for an injured Karlsson late in the second period. The Leopards tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, helped along by Vadim Shchegolkov. Sochi took the lead with a Mamashev goal, via Ben Maxwell and Krikunov. The Leopards extended the lead as Kostitsyn scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Ziyat Paigin. Sochi padded the lead on an Andre Petersson goal, helped along by Pyotr Schastlivy. This made it 5-2, the final, with the three stars handed to Kostitsyn, Mamashev, and Krikunov.
Back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets welcomes Admiral Vladivostok. Igor Bobkov and Jakub Stepanek are set to start in goal. Vladivostok was first to score in the first period on an Oskars Bartulis goal, coming off of Jonathon Blum. Cherepovets tied it on a Dmitry Kagarlitsky goal, courtesy of Evgeny Mons. Admiral retook the lead on a Yegor Dugin goal in the second period, helped along by Alexei Ugarov and David Booth. Severstal retied it with a Pavel Buchnevich goal, assisted by Kagarlitsky. Vladivostok took the lead again as Dugin scored his second of the game, with the help of Booth and Bartulis. Admiral added on with Dugin's hat trick-sealing goal, a power play marker with a lone assist by Booth, who gets a sock trick. Cherepovets pulled back with a Buchnevich power play goal, his second of the game, guided in by Yury Trubachyov. Severstal tied it in the third period on an Ondrej Nemec goal, with helpers from Trubachyov and Buchnevich. The tie went to a shootout, where Booth had the only tally to give Admiral the 5-4 win. The three stars went to Dugin, Booth, and Buchnevich, while Kagarlitsky, Bartulis, and Trubachyov get the honorable mentions.
Finally, Dinamo Riga brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Jakub Sedlacek are the masked men. Yaroslavl drew first blood with a Denis Mosalyov goal in the first period, assisted by Staffan Kronwall and Daniil Apalkov. Lokomotiv added on in the second period with an Alexander Polunin goal, via Pavel Kraskovsky. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the third period as Sergei Konkov scored, thanks to Vladislav Kartayev and Emil Galimov. This held up for a 3-0 final, with the three stars going to Murygin (18 save shutout), Mosalyov, and Polunin.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2015
2015-16 NHL Season - Day 50
A big 13 games on tonight, due to no games tomorrow for Thanksgiving. We begin with...
The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark are the unknown goalies. Nashville struck first in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, his third of the season, coming off of Colin Wilson and Ryan Ellis. The Predators added on in the second period with a Craig Smith goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Mattias Ekholm. Nashville extended the lead as Cody Hodgson scored his second of the season, with the help of Gabriel Bourque and Calle Jarnkrok. Chad Johnson replaced Ullmark in goal. Buffalo got on the board with an Evander Kane goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Rasmus Ristolainen and Josh Gorges. The Sabres pulled closer in the third period on a Jack Eichel goal, his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Ryan O'Reilly and Zach Bogosian. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Hodgson, Smith, and Fisher.
Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Anders Nilsson and Cam Ward are the middling goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Nail Yakupov. Carolina tied it on a Jordan Staal goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes took the lead with a second period goal by Elias Lindholm, his third of the season, passed from Eric Staal and John-Michael Liles. Carolina added on with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fifth of the year, via Justin Faulk and Kris Versteeg. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-1 with a Nestrasil empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Faulk and Jordan Staal. The three stars were Jordan Staal, Nestrasil, and Ward (30 for 31 in saves), while Faulk gets an honorable mention.
Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cory Schneider are the masked men. Columbus began in the first period on a William Karlsson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Nick Foligno and Jack Johnson. New Jersey tied it on an Adam Henrique goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Mike Cammalleri in the second period. The Blue Jackets retook the lead on a Matt Calvert goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Cam Atkinson and David Savard. The scoring ended here, with the final at 2-1, and the three stars were Bobrovsky (27 for 28 in saves), Calvert, and Karlsson.
Nearby, the New York Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Montreal was first to score in the first period on a Sven Andrighetto goal, via Lars Eller and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on in the second period with a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his second of the campaign, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec. New York got on the board with a Rick Nash goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Ryan McDonagh and Derick Brassard on the power play. Mike Condon replaced an injured Price in the third period. Montreal answered in the third period on a Smith-Pelly goal, his second of the game and third of the year, passed from Plekanec. The Canadiens extended the lead as Alex Galchenyuk scored his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal. Montreal finished it at 5-1 with a Pacioretty power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Galchenyuk and Plekanec, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Smith-Pelly, Pacioretty, and Plekanec, while Galchenyuk gets an honorable mention.
West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. St. Louis started in the first period on a Paul Stastny power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. Pittsburgh tied it on a Sidney Crosby goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins took the lead on a Crosby power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The Blues retied it on a Robby Fabbri goal, his fourth of the year, coming in the third period from Alex Pietrangelo. Pittsburgh retook the lead on a Ben Lovejoy goal, his second of the season, via David Perron and Letang. St. Louis equalized with a Pietrangelo goal, his second of the year, fueled by Stastny and Steen. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime with a Malkin goal, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Phil Kessel and Lovejoy. The three stars went to Malkin, Crosby, and Lovejoy, while Stastny, Steen, Pietrangelo, and Letang get the honorable mentions.
Back in DC, the Washington Capitals bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Braden Holtby are in the creases. Washington opened in the first period on a Justin Williams goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Winnipeg tied it on a Tyler Myers goal, his second of the year, via Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead as Ladd scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Toby Enstrom. The Capitals retied it on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington took the lead with a Backstrom goal, his eighth of the season, coming in the second period with the help of Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov. Winnipeg retied it on a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his second of the year, helped along by Dustin Byfuglien and Little. The Capitals took the lead again on an Orlov goal, his third of the season, passed from Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. Washington added on with a Kuznetsov goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone helper by Johansson. The final held at 5-3, with the three stars going to Kuznetsov, Orlov, and Backstrom, while Ladd, Little, Carlson, and Johansson get the honorable mentions.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Devan Dubnyk are set to start in goal. Minnesota struck first in the first period on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund. Vancouver tied it on a Radim Vrbata goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jared McCann and Alexander Edler. The Canucks took the lead on a Vrbata power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and sixth of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Vancouver added on with a third period goal by Jannik Hansen, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Daniel Sedin. The Wild got one back on a Charlie Coyle goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Ryan Suter and Koivu. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars going to Vrbata, Daniel Sedin, and Koivu.
Back to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Boston Bruins. Jonas Gustavsson and Petr Mrazek receive the starting nods. Boston began in the first period on a Frank Vatrano goal, his second of the season, fueled by Joonas Kemppainen and Landon Ferraro. Detroit tied it on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his second of the year in the second period, via Alexey Marchenko and Teemu Pulkkinen. The Red Wings took the lead on a Tomas Tatar goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Riley Sheahan and Darren Helm. The Bruins tied it in the third period as Colin Miller scored his second of the year, thanks to Loui Eriksson and David Krejci. Boston won 3-2 in overtime on a Vatrano goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, guided in by Miller and Matt Beleskey. The three stars went to Vatrano, Miller, and Gustavsson (32 for 34 in saves).
Into Brooklyn, where the New York Islanders bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Jaroslav Halak are the veteran goalies. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Shayne Gostisbehere and Jakub Voracek. New York tied it on a shorthanded goal by Casey Cizikas, his third of the year, set up by Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders took the lead in the second period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of John Tavares. New York iced it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Frans Nielsen, his ninth of the year, made possible by Anders Lee and Travis Hamonic. The three stars belonged to Okposo, Cizikas, and Halak (17 for 18 in saves).
Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Ben Bishop protect the nets. Tampa Bay got going in the third period on a Tyler Johnson goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Jonathan Marchessault. Los Angeles tied it on a Milan Lucic goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter. The tie went to a shootout, where Anze Kopitar was topped by Marchessault and Valtteri Filppula as the Lightning won 2-1. The three stars were Marchessault, Bishop (37 for 38 in saves), and Quick (29 for 30 in saves).
Westward to Arizona, with the Coyotes welcoming the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Mike Smith are the goalies. Arizona started in the first period on a Michael Stone goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Kyle Chipchura. The Coyotes added on in the second period with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Max Domi. Anaheim got on the board in the third period on a Ryan Kesler power play goal, his third of the year, passed from Sami Vatanen and Corey Perry. Arizona shot back on an Anthony Duclair goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Domi. The Ducks chipped back with a Vatanen power play goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Cam Fowler and Ryan Getzlaf. The Coyotes finished it at 4-2 with a Vermette empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Brad Richardson. The three stars belonged to Vermette, Vatanen, and Domi.
Up in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Semyon Varlamov are the experienced goalies. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Shane Prince goal, via Erik Karlsson and Mika Zibanejad. The Senators added on with another Prince goal, his second of the game, coming off of Zack Smith. Colorado got on the board with an unassisted Chris Wagner goal. Ottawa answered in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci. Reto Berra replaced Varlamov. The Senators extended the lead as Smith scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Marc Methot and Prince. The Avalanche pulled back in the third period on a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. Colorado got closer on a MacKinnon goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone helper by Landeskog. Ottawa capped it at 5-3 with a Zibanejad shorthanded empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Turris. The three stars went to Prince, Smith, and Zibanejad, while MacKinnon, Landeskog, and Turris get the honorable mentions.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Martin Jones are between the pipes. Chicago opened in the first period on a Brent Seabrook goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin. San Jose tied it on a Brent Burns power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. The Blackhawks retook the lead on a Jonathan Toews goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Garbutt and Andrew Shaw. Chicago added on in the second period with a Duncan Keith goal, his third of the year, guided in by Panarin and Kane. The Sharks got one back in the third period on a Marleau goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Burns and Joel Ward. The Blackhawks responded on an Andrew Desjardins goal, made possible by Tanner Kero and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with a Shaw empty net goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Kane, Panarin, and Burns, while Marleau and Shaw get the honorable mentions.
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The Buffalo Sabres hosting the Nashville Predators. Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark are the unknown goalies. Nashville struck first in the first period with a Mike Fisher goal, his third of the season, coming off of Colin Wilson and Ryan Ellis. The Predators added on in the second period with a Craig Smith goal, his fifth of the year, helped along by Mattias Ekholm. Nashville extended the lead as Cody Hodgson scored his second of the season, with the help of Gabriel Bourque and Calle Jarnkrok. Chad Johnson replaced Ullmark in goal. Buffalo got on the board with an Evander Kane goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Rasmus Ristolainen and Josh Gorges. The Sabres pulled closer in the third period on a Jack Eichel goal, his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Ryan O'Reilly and Zach Bogosian. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Hodgson, Smith, and Fisher.
Down in Carolina, the Hurricanes welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Anders Nilsson and Cam Ward are the middling goalies. Edmonton led off in the first period on a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Nail Yakupov. Carolina tied it on a Jordan Staal goal, his fourth of the year, with a lone assist by Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes took the lead with a second period goal by Elias Lindholm, his third of the season, passed from Eric Staal and John-Michael Liles. Carolina added on with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fifth of the year, via Justin Faulk and Kris Versteeg. The Hurricanes iced it at 4-1 with a Nestrasil empty net goal, his second of the campaign, set up by Faulk and Jordan Staal. The three stars were Jordan Staal, Nestrasil, and Ward (30 for 31 in saves), while Faulk gets an honorable mention.
Back north, the New Jersey Devils bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cory Schneider are the masked men. Columbus began in the first period on a William Karlsson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Nick Foligno and Jack Johnson. New Jersey tied it on an Adam Henrique goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Mike Cammalleri in the second period. The Blue Jackets retook the lead on a Matt Calvert goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Cam Atkinson and David Savard. The scoring ended here, with the final at 2-1, and the three stars were Bobrovsky (27 for 28 in saves), Calvert, and Karlsson.
Nearby, the New York Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Montreal was first to score in the first period on a Sven Andrighetto goal, via Lars Eller and P.K. Subban. The Canadiens added on in the second period with a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, his second of the campaign, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec. New York got on the board with a Rick Nash goal, his seventh of the season, courtesy of Ryan McDonagh and Derick Brassard on the power play. Mike Condon replaced an injured Price in the third period. Montreal answered in the third period on a Smith-Pelly goal, his second of the game and third of the year, passed from Plekanec. The Canadiens extended the lead as Alex Galchenyuk scored his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal. Montreal finished it at 5-1 with a Pacioretty power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Galchenyuk and Plekanec, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars went to Smith-Pelly, Pacioretty, and Plekanec, while Galchenyuk gets an honorable mention.
West to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Marc-Andre Fleury guard the cages. St. Louis started in the first period on a Paul Stastny power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk. Pittsburgh tied it on a Sidney Crosby goal, his fourth of the year, helped along by Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins took the lead on a Crosby power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The Blues retied it on a Robby Fabbri goal, his fourth of the year, coming in the third period from Alex Pietrangelo. Pittsburgh retook the lead on a Ben Lovejoy goal, his second of the season, via David Perron and Letang. St. Louis equalized with a Pietrangelo goal, his second of the year, fueled by Stastny and Steen. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime with a Malkin goal, his eighth of the campaign, set up by Phil Kessel and Lovejoy. The three stars went to Malkin, Crosby, and Lovejoy, while Stastny, Steen, Pietrangelo, and Letang get the honorable mentions.
Back in DC, the Washington Capitals bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Michael Hutchinson and Braden Holtby are in the creases. Washington opened in the first period on a Justin Williams goal, his sixth of the season, courtesy of John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Winnipeg tied it on a Tyler Myers goal, his second of the year, via Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead as Ladd scored his fifth of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Toby Enstrom. The Capitals retied it on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his eleventh of the year, powered by Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington took the lead with a Backstrom goal, his eighth of the season, coming in the second period with the help of Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov. Winnipeg retied it on a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, his second of the year, helped along by Dustin Byfuglien and Little. The Capitals took the lead again on an Orlov goal, his third of the season, passed from Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. Washington added on with a Kuznetsov goal, his eighth of the year, with a lone helper by Johansson. The final held at 5-3, with the three stars going to Kuznetsov, Orlov, and Backstrom, while Ladd, Little, Carlson, and Johansson get the honorable mentions.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild host the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Miller and Devan Dubnyk are set to start in goal. Minnesota struck first in the first period on a Thomas Vanek power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund. Vancouver tied it on a Radim Vrbata goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jared McCann and Alexander Edler. The Canucks took the lead on a Vrbata power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and sixth of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Vancouver added on with a third period goal by Jannik Hansen, his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Daniel Sedin. The Wild got one back on a Charlie Coyle goal, his fifth of the campaign, helped along by Ryan Suter and Koivu. This only made it 3-2, with the three stars going to Vrbata, Daniel Sedin, and Koivu.
Back to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Boston Bruins. Jonas Gustavsson and Petr Mrazek receive the starting nods. Boston began in the first period on a Frank Vatrano goal, his second of the season, fueled by Joonas Kemppainen and Landon Ferraro. Detroit tied it on a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his second of the year in the second period, via Alexey Marchenko and Teemu Pulkkinen. The Red Wings took the lead on a Tomas Tatar goal, his seventh of the season, made possible by Riley Sheahan and Darren Helm. The Bruins tied it in the third period as Colin Miller scored his second of the year, thanks to Loui Eriksson and David Krejci. Boston won 3-2 in overtime on a Vatrano goal, his second of the game and third of the campaign, guided in by Miller and Matt Beleskey. The three stars went to Vatrano, Miller, and Gustavsson (32 for 34 in saves).
Into Brooklyn, where the New York Islanders bring in the Philadelphia Flyers. Steve Mason and Jaroslav Halak are the veteran goalies. Philadelphia was first to score in the first period on a Claude Giroux power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Shayne Gostisbehere and Jakub Voracek. New York tied it on a shorthanded goal by Casey Cizikas, his third of the year, set up by Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders took the lead in the second period on a Kyle Okposo goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of John Tavares. New York iced it at 3-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Frans Nielsen, his ninth of the year, made possible by Anders Lee and Travis Hamonic. The three stars belonged to Okposo, Cizikas, and Halak (17 for 18 in saves).
Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Ben Bishop protect the nets. Tampa Bay got going in the third period on a Tyler Johnson goal, his fourth of the season, with a lone assist by Jonathan Marchessault. Los Angeles tied it on a Milan Lucic goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter. The tie went to a shootout, where Anze Kopitar was topped by Marchessault and Valtteri Filppula as the Lightning won 2-1. The three stars were Marchessault, Bishop (37 for 38 in saves), and Quick (29 for 30 in saves).
Westward to Arizona, with the Coyotes welcoming the Anaheim Ducks. John Gibson and Mike Smith are the goalies. Arizona started in the first period on a Michael Stone goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Kyle Chipchura. The Coyotes added on in the second period with an Antoine Vermette power play goal, powered by Mikkel Boedker and Max Domi. Anaheim got on the board in the third period on a Ryan Kesler power play goal, his third of the year, passed from Sami Vatanen and Corey Perry. Arizona shot back on an Anthony Duclair goal, his eighth of the season, with a lone helper by Domi. The Ducks chipped back with a Vatanen power play goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Cam Fowler and Ryan Getzlaf. The Coyotes finished it at 4-2 with a Vermette empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Brad Richardson. The three stars belonged to Vermette, Vatanen, and Domi.
Up in Colorado, the Avalanche bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Semyon Varlamov are the experienced goalies. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Shane Prince goal, via Erik Karlsson and Mika Zibanejad. The Senators added on with another Prince goal, his second of the game, coming off of Zack Smith. Colorado got on the board with an unassisted Chris Wagner goal. Ottawa answered in the second period with a Kyle Turris goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci. Reto Berra replaced Varlamov. The Senators extended the lead as Smith scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Marc Methot and Prince. The Avalanche pulled back in the third period on a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie. Colorado got closer on a MacKinnon goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone helper by Landeskog. Ottawa capped it at 5-3 with a Zibanejad shorthanded empty net goal, his fourth of the campaign, set up by Turris. The three stars went to Prince, Smith, and Zibanejad, while MacKinnon, Landeskog, and Turris get the honorable mentions.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Martin Jones are between the pipes. Chicago opened in the first period on a Brent Seabrook goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin. San Jose tied it on a Brent Burns power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. The Blackhawks retook the lead on a Jonathan Toews goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Garbutt and Andrew Shaw. Chicago added on in the second period with a Duncan Keith goal, his third of the year, guided in by Panarin and Kane. The Sharks got one back in the third period on a Marleau goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Burns and Joel Ward. The Blackhawks responded on an Andrew Desjardins goal, made possible by Tanner Kero and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with a Shaw empty net goal, his third of the year, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Kane, Panarin, and Burns, while Marleau and Shaw get the honorable mentions.
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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 83
Four games on the slate today, beginning with...
Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Andrei Kareyev are the goalies. Ufa struck first in the first period on a Denis Khlystov goal, passed from Andreas Engqvist. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Maxim Kazakov goal, fueled by Kirill Kaprizov and Robert Kousal on the power play. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back in the second period on an Artyom Chernov goal, going in unassisted. Ufa added on with a power play goal by Engqvist, powered by Ivan Vishnevsky and Alexander Loginov. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead as Maxim Mayorov scored, thanks to Nikolai Prokhorkin and Dmitry Makarov on the power play. Metallurg got one back in the third period on a Kazakov goal, via Kousal on the power play. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to Engqvist, Kazakov, and Kousal.
West to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Igor Saprykin is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Yekaterinburg was first to score in the first period on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, guided in by Tommi Kivisto. Avtomobilist added on with an Alexander Pankov goal, coming off of Kirill Polozov and Alexei Vasilevsky. Podolsk tied it with an unassisted goal from Teemu Eronen. Vityaz tied it on a Dmitry Tsyganov power play goal, powered by Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi and Dmitry Kostromitin. Yekaterinburg retook the lead with a Pankov goal, his second of the game, made possible by Nikita Tryamkin on the power play. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Pankov, Golyshev, and Kovar (30 for 32 in saves).
Along to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Pavel Francouz in goal. Magnitogorsk opened with an unassisted Wojtek Wolski goal. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, with a lone assist by Wolski. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Bogdan Potekhin scored, thanks to the goalie Koshechkin and Vladislav Kaletnik. Metallurg padded the lead in the third period on a Denis Osipov goal, assisted by Wolski and Mozyakin. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Danil Gubarev goal, via Alexander Rybakov. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars being Wolski, Mozyakin, and Koshechkin (27 for 28 in saves).
Finally, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Alexander Sudnitsin guard the cages. Moscow started in the first period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin and Vladimir Bryukvin. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Mikhail Zhukov power play goal, with a lone helper from Dan Sexton. Neftekhimik took the lead with a Pavel Zdunov goal, passed from Pavel Poryadin and Denis Kuzmin. Nizhnekamsk added on with another Zhukov goal, guided in by Andrei Stas. Dynamo got one back on a Daniil Tarasov goal, helped along by Denis Kokarev and Konstantin Gorovikov. Neftekhimik replied with an Andrei Sergeyev goal, courtesy of Poryadin and Zdunov. Moscow answered in the third period on another Tarasov goal, via Alexei Tsvetkov and Mat Robinson. Nizhnekamsk iced it at 5-3 with an unassisted and shorthanded empty net goal by Maxim Berezin. The three stars went to Zhukov, Zdunov, and Tarasov, while Poryadin gets an honorable mention.
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Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosting Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Niklas Svedberg and Andrei Kareyev are the goalies. Ufa struck first in the first period on a Denis Khlystov goal, passed from Andreas Engqvist. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Maxim Kazakov goal, fueled by Kirill Kaprizov and Robert Kousal on the power play. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back in the second period on an Artyom Chernov goal, going in unassisted. Ufa added on with a power play goal by Engqvist, powered by Ivan Vishnevsky and Alexander Loginov. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead as Maxim Mayorov scored, thanks to Nikolai Prokhorkin and Dmitry Makarov on the power play. Metallurg got one back in the third period on a Kazakov goal, via Kousal on the power play. The final held at 4-2, with the three stars going to Engqvist, Kazakov, and Kousal.
West to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist welcomes Vityaz Podolsk. Igor Saprykin is mismatched with Jakub Kovar in goal. Yekaterinburg was first to score in the first period on an Anatoly Golyshev goal, guided in by Tommi Kivisto. Avtomobilist added on with an Alexander Pankov goal, coming off of Kirill Polozov and Alexei Vasilevsky. Podolsk tied it with an unassisted goal from Teemu Eronen. Vityaz tied it on a Dmitry Tsyganov power play goal, powered by Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi and Dmitry Kostromitin. Yekaterinburg retook the lead with a Pankov goal, his second of the game, made possible by Nikita Tryamkin on the power play. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars awarded to Pankov, Golyshev, and Kovar (30 for 32 in saves).
Along to Chelyabinsk, where Traktor brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Vasily Koshechkin faces a lesser foe in Pavel Francouz in goal. Magnitogorsk opened with an unassisted Wojtek Wolski goal. Metallurg added on with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, with a lone assist by Wolski. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Bogdan Potekhin scored, thanks to the goalie Koshechkin and Vladislav Kaletnik. Metallurg padded the lead in the third period on a Denis Osipov goal, assisted by Wolski and Mozyakin. Chelyabinsk got on the board with a Danil Gubarev goal, via Alexander Rybakov. The final stood at 4-1, with the three stars being Wolski, Mozyakin, and Koshechkin (27 for 28 in saves).
Finally, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Lazushin and Alexander Sudnitsin guard the cages. Moscow started in the first period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin and Vladimir Bryukvin. Nizhnekamsk tied it on a Mikhail Zhukov power play goal, with a lone helper from Dan Sexton. Neftekhimik took the lead with a Pavel Zdunov goal, passed from Pavel Poryadin and Denis Kuzmin. Nizhnekamsk added on with another Zhukov goal, guided in by Andrei Stas. Dynamo got one back on a Daniil Tarasov goal, helped along by Denis Kokarev and Konstantin Gorovikov. Neftekhimik replied with an Andrei Sergeyev goal, courtesy of Poryadin and Zdunov. Moscow answered in the third period on another Tarasov goal, via Alexei Tsvetkov and Mat Robinson. Nizhnekamsk iced it at 5-3 with an unassisted and shorthanded empty net goal by Maxim Berezin. The three stars went to Zhukov, Zdunov, and Tarasov, while Poryadin gets an honorable mention.
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Tuesday, November 24, 2015
2015-16 NHL Season - Day 49
Just two games today, beginning with...
The Dallas Stars welcoming the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Antti Niemi are in goal. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. The Senators added on with a Milan Michalek goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Mark Stone. Dallas got on the board with a Patrick Sharp goal in the second period, his eighth of the season, assisted by Cody Eakin and John Klingberg. Ottawa replied on a Stone goal, his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. Kari Lehtonen replaced Niemi in goal. The Senators extended the lead as Mike Hoffman scored a power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Stone and Erik Karlsson. Niemi returned to the goal in the third period. Ottawa padded the lead on a shorthanded Pageau goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Curtis Lazar. The Stars got one back on a Jamie Benn shorthanded goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Jordie Benn. Dallas pulled closer on a Tyler Seguin goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Jamie Benn. The Senators fired back with a Pageau goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with a lone helper by Alex Chiasson. The Stars answered on Jamie Benn's second of the game and sixteenth of the year, guided in by Sharp. Ottawa finished it at 7-4 with an empty net goal by Hoffman his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Pageau, Jamie Benn, and Stone, while Sharp and Hoffman get the honorable mentions.
The other game has the Anaheim Ducks bringing in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Anton Khudobin are the mediocre goalies. Calgary began in the first period on a Michael Frolik goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Kris Russell and Micheal Ferland. The Flames added on with a Sam Bennett goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Mikael Backlund and Russell. John Gibson replaced Khudobin in goal. Anaheim got on the board with a Corey Perry power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Ducks tied it on a Rickard Rakell goal, his fourth of the year, via Sami Vatanen and Getzlaf. Calgary regained the lead on a second period goal by Frolik, his second of the game and sixth of the season, assisted by Bennett and Dennis Wideman. Anaheim tied it again in the third period on a Rakell goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, fueled by Perry and Getzlaf, the latter getting a sock trick. The Ducks took the lead on Perry's second of the game and seventh of the season, a power play goal with helpers by Getzlaf and Fowler. Anaheim won 5-3 with a Ryan Kesler goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Getzlaf and Vatanen. The three stars belonged to Getzlaf, Perry, and Rakell, while Frolik, Bennett, Russell, Fowler, and Vatanen get the honorable mentions.
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The Dallas Stars welcoming the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Antti Niemi are in goal. Ottawa led off in the first period with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. The Senators added on with a Milan Michalek goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Mark Stone. Dallas got on the board with a Patrick Sharp goal in the second period, his eighth of the season, assisted by Cody Eakin and John Klingberg. Ottawa replied on a Stone goal, his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. Kari Lehtonen replaced Niemi in goal. The Senators extended the lead as Mike Hoffman scored a power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Stone and Erik Karlsson. Niemi returned to the goal in the third period. Ottawa padded the lead on a shorthanded Pageau goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Curtis Lazar. The Stars got one back on a Jamie Benn shorthanded goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Jordie Benn. Dallas pulled closer on a Tyler Seguin goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Jamie Benn. The Senators fired back with a Pageau goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, with a lone helper by Alex Chiasson. The Stars answered on Jamie Benn's second of the game and sixteenth of the year, guided in by Sharp. Ottawa finished it at 7-4 with an empty net goal by Hoffman his second of the game and eighth of the campaign, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Pageau, Jamie Benn, and Stone, while Sharp and Hoffman get the honorable mentions.
The other game has the Anaheim Ducks bringing in the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo and Anton Khudobin are the mediocre goalies. Calgary began in the first period on a Michael Frolik goal, his fifth of the season, passed from Kris Russell and Micheal Ferland. The Flames added on with a Sam Bennett goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Mikael Backlund and Russell. John Gibson replaced Khudobin in goal. Anaheim got on the board with a Corey Perry power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The Ducks tied it on a Rickard Rakell goal, his fourth of the year, via Sami Vatanen and Getzlaf. Calgary regained the lead on a second period goal by Frolik, his second of the game and sixth of the season, assisted by Bennett and Dennis Wideman. Anaheim tied it again in the third period on a Rakell goal, his second of the game and fifth of the year, fueled by Perry and Getzlaf, the latter getting a sock trick. The Ducks took the lead on Perry's second of the game and seventh of the season, a power play goal with helpers by Getzlaf and Fowler. Anaheim won 5-3 with a Ryan Kesler goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Getzlaf and Vatanen. The three stars belonged to Getzlaf, Perry, and Rakell, while Frolik, Bennett, Russell, Fowler, and Vatanen get the honorable mentions.
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2015/16 KHL Season - Day 82
We're back with eight games as the KHL and NHL alternate heavy and light days. We begin with...
Lada Togliatti hosting Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Ivan Kasutin are in goal. Moscow began in the first period on a shorthanded goal by Sergei Shmelyov, set up by Vyacheslav Leshchenko. Spartak added on with a Leshchenko goal, assisted by Shmelyov and Viktor Baldayev. Togliatti got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Alexander Bumagin, powered by Igor Magogin and Martin Zatovic. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars awarded to Leshchenko, Shmelyov, and Engren (23 for 24 in saves).
Along to Kazan, with Ak Bars welcoming SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Emil Garipov guard the cages. Kazan struck first in the first period on a Dmitry Obukhov goal, passed from Alexander Svitov and Stepan Zakharchuk. St. Petersburg tied it in the second period on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, via Ilya Kovalchuk and Andrei Zubarev. Ak Bars took the lead back in the third period on a Mikhail Varnakov goal, guided in by Zakharchuk and Mikhail Glukhov. Kazan added on with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, made possible by Varnakov and Glukhov. SKA got one back with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, courtesy of Anton Burdasov and Kovalchuk. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars given to Varnakov, Glukhov, and Zakharchuk, while Kovalchuk gets an honorable mention.
Over in Moscow, CSKA hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Stanislav Galimov protect the nets. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Andrei Kuzmenko goal, via Bogdan Kiselevich and Maxim Mamin. CSKA added on with a Dmitry Kugryshev power play goal, powered by Alexander Radulov. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Roman Lyubimov scored, thanks to Alexander Kutuzov and Nikita Zaitsev. CSKA padded the lead in the third period with an Evgeny Korotkov goal, passed from Igor Ozhiganov and Vladimir Zharkov, coming shorthanded. St. Petersburg kept going with a Lyubimov goal, with a lone assist from Radulov. Vladivostok got on the board with a Niclas Bergfors goal, helped along by Viktor Alexandrov. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars going to Lyubimov, Galimov (17 for 18 in saves), and Radulov.
Up in Helsinki, Jokerit brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Riku Helenius are the masked men. Helsinki led off in the first period on a Jesse Joensuu power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Peter Regin. Jokerit added on with a Kozun goal, fueled by Regin and Topi Jaakola. Yaroslavl got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Sergei Konkov, powered by Patrik Hersley. Helsinki iced it at 3-1 on an unassisted empty net goal from Niko Kapanen. The three stars belonged to Kozun, Regin, and Helenius (19 for 20 in saves).
Back to Russia, as Severstal Cherepovets hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Sergei Magarilov protect the nets. Khabarovsk started in the first period on an Oleg Li goal, made possible by Vladislav Ushenin and Vyacheslav Ushenin. Amur added on with a Denis Tolpeko goal, assisted by Danil Faizullin and Jan Kolar. Cherepovets got on the board with an unassisted Anatoly Nikontsev goal. Khabarovsk replied in the third period on an Evgeny Grachyov goal, courtesy of Nikolai Skladnichenko. Amur iced it at 4-1 with an unassisted empty net goal from Vladislav Ushenin. The three stars went to Vladislav Ushenin, Metsola (41 for 42 in saves), and Tolpeko.
Out in Riga, Dinamo welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Joacim Eriksson draw the starts in goal. Sochi opened in the first period on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, assisted by Ilya Krikunov. The Leopards added on with a Ziyat Paigin power play goal in the third period, powered by Krikunov and Andre Petersson. Riga got on the board with a Miks Indrasis power play goal, helped along by Andris Dzerins and Lauris Darzins. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Krikunov, Barulin (18 for 19 in saves), and Paigin.
Along to Slovakia, where Slovan Bratislava hosts Dinamo Minsk. Jeff Glass and Michael Garnett are the North American goalies. Bratislava got started in the first period with an unassisted goal by Rok Ticar. Minsk tied it on a Matt Ellison goal, via Ryan Vesce and Nick Bailen in the second period. Slovan took the lead in the third period with a Cam Barker goal, with a lone assist by Francis Pare. Bratislava added on with a Michel Miklik goal, going in unassisted. Slovan finished it at 4-1 with a Lukas Kaspar empty net goal that went in unassisted. The three stars were Garnett (20 for 21 in saves), Barker, and Ticar.
Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Danny Taylor are the goalies. Zagreb drew first blood in the first period on a Mark Katic power play goal, powered by Gilbert Brule. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a second period goal by Alexander Budkin, going in unassisted. Medvescak took the lead back with a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, fueled by Tomas Mertl and Shaone Morrisonn. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars handed to Taylor (19 for 20 in saves), Bjorkstrand, and Katic.
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Lada Togliatti hosting Spartak Moscow. Atte Engren and Ivan Kasutin are in goal. Moscow began in the first period on a shorthanded goal by Sergei Shmelyov, set up by Vyacheslav Leshchenko. Spartak added on with a Leshchenko goal, assisted by Shmelyov and Viktor Baldayev. Togliatti got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Alexander Bumagin, powered by Igor Magogin and Martin Zatovic. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars awarded to Leshchenko, Shmelyov, and Engren (23 for 24 in saves).
Along to Kazan, with Ak Bars welcoming SKA St. Petersburg. Mikko Koskinen and Emil Garipov guard the cages. Kazan struck first in the first period on a Dmitry Obukhov goal, passed from Alexander Svitov and Stepan Zakharchuk. St. Petersburg tied it in the second period on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, via Ilya Kovalchuk and Andrei Zubarev. Ak Bars took the lead back in the third period on a Mikhail Varnakov goal, guided in by Zakharchuk and Mikhail Glukhov. Kazan added on with a Fyodor Malykhin goal, made possible by Varnakov and Glukhov. SKA got one back with a Dmitry Kalinin goal, courtesy of Anton Burdasov and Kovalchuk. This produced the 3-2 final, with the three stars given to Varnakov, Glukhov, and Zakharchuk, while Kovalchuk gets an honorable mention.
Over in Moscow, CSKA hosts Admiral Vladivostok. Ivan Nalimov and Stanislav Galimov protect the nets. Moscow was first to score in the first period on an Andrei Kuzmenko goal, via Bogdan Kiselevich and Maxim Mamin. CSKA added on with a Dmitry Kugryshev power play goal, powered by Alexander Radulov. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Roman Lyubimov scored, thanks to Alexander Kutuzov and Nikita Zaitsev. CSKA padded the lead in the third period with an Evgeny Korotkov goal, passed from Igor Ozhiganov and Vladimir Zharkov, coming shorthanded. St. Petersburg kept going with a Lyubimov goal, with a lone assist from Radulov. Vladivostok got on the board with a Niclas Bergfors goal, helped along by Viktor Alexandrov. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars going to Lyubimov, Galimov (17 for 18 in saves), and Radulov.
Up in Helsinki, Jokerit brings in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Alexei Murygin and Riku Helenius are the masked men. Helsinki led off in the first period on a Jesse Joensuu power play goal, powered by Brandon Kozun and Peter Regin. Jokerit added on with a Kozun goal, fueled by Regin and Topi Jaakola. Yaroslavl got on the board in the third period with a power play goal by Sergei Konkov, powered by Patrik Hersley. Helsinki iced it at 3-1 on an unassisted empty net goal from Niko Kapanen. The three stars belonged to Kozun, Regin, and Helenius (19 for 20 in saves).
Back to Russia, as Severstal Cherepovets hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Juha Metsola and Sergei Magarilov protect the nets. Khabarovsk started in the first period on an Oleg Li goal, made possible by Vladislav Ushenin and Vyacheslav Ushenin. Amur added on with a Denis Tolpeko goal, assisted by Danil Faizullin and Jan Kolar. Cherepovets got on the board with an unassisted Anatoly Nikontsev goal. Khabarovsk replied in the third period on an Evgeny Grachyov goal, courtesy of Nikolai Skladnichenko. Amur iced it at 4-1 with an unassisted empty net goal from Vladislav Ushenin. The three stars went to Vladislav Ushenin, Metsola (41 for 42 in saves), and Tolpeko.
Out in Riga, Dinamo welcomes the Sochi Leopards. Konstantin Barulin and Joacim Eriksson draw the starts in goal. Sochi opened in the first period on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal, assisted by Ilya Krikunov. The Leopards added on with a Ziyat Paigin power play goal in the third period, powered by Krikunov and Andre Petersson. Riga got on the board with a Miks Indrasis power play goal, helped along by Andris Dzerins and Lauris Darzins. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars being Krikunov, Barulin (18 for 19 in saves), and Paigin.
Along to Slovakia, where Slovan Bratislava hosts Dinamo Minsk. Jeff Glass and Michael Garnett are the North American goalies. Bratislava got started in the first period with an unassisted goal by Rok Ticar. Minsk tied it on a Matt Ellison goal, via Ryan Vesce and Nick Bailen in the second period. Slovan took the lead in the third period with a Cam Barker goal, with a lone assist by Francis Pare. Bratislava added on with a Michel Miklik goal, going in unassisted. Slovan finished it at 4-1 with a Lukas Kaspar empty net goal that went in unassisted. The three stars were Garnett (20 for 21 in saves), Barker, and Ticar.
Finally, Medvescak Zagreb brings in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Mikhail Biryukov and Danny Taylor are the goalies. Zagreb drew first blood in the first period on a Mark Katic power play goal, powered by Gilbert Brule. Nizhny Novgorod tied it on a second period goal by Alexander Budkin, going in unassisted. Medvescak took the lead back with a Patrick Bjorkstrand goal, fueled by Tomas Mertl and Shaone Morrisonn. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars handed to Taylor (19 for 20 in saves), Bjorkstrand, and Katic.
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Monday, November 23, 2015
2015-16 NHL Season - Day 48
Seven games on as this week is a little odd with Thanksgiving involved. We begin in...
Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Linus Ullmark draw the starts in goal. Buffalo got going in the second period on a David Legwand goal, going in unassisted. St. Louis tied it in the third period on a Troy Brouwer goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Kevin Shattenkirk and David Backes. The Blues took the lead on an unassisted Robby Fabbri goal, his third of the year. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Allen (24 for 25 in saves), Fabbri, and Brouwer.
In the same state, the New York Rangers welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Rick Nash goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers added on with a Derek Stepan goal in the third period, his sixth of the year, assisted by Marc Staal and Kevin Hayes. New York extended the lead on a Hayes power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Keith Yandle and Oscar Lindberg. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars being Lundqvist (31 save shutout), Hayes, and Nash.
Along to Philadelphia, where the Flyers bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Eddie Lack and Michal Neuvirth are the backups in goal. Philadelphia drew first blood in the second period with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on with a Giroux goal, his seventh of the year coming shorthanded, set up by Sean Couturier. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Victor Rask goal, his sixth of the season, via John-Michael Liles and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes tied it with a Brett Pesce goal, his second of the year, passed from Ron Hainsey and Elias Lindholm. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime on a Shayne Gostisbehere power play goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Giroux and Voracek. The three stars belonged to Giroux, Voracek, and Gostisbehere.
Down in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Edmonton Oilers. Anders Nilsson is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Washington got started in the third period on a Dmitry Orlov goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Tom Wilson and Brooks Laich. The final stood at 1-0, with the three stars handed to Holtby (33 save shutout), Orlov, and Nilsson (29 for 30 in saves).
Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and James Reimer receive the starting nods. Boston opened in the first period on a Brad Marchand shorthanded goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on with a Zac Rinaldo goal, courtesy of Dennis Seidenberg and the goalie Rask. Toronto got on the board in the second period with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Tyler Bozak and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Leo Komarov goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by James van Riemsdyk and Dion Phaneuf. Boston took the lead back as Marchand scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, via Landon Ferraro. Toronto tied it again on a Bozak goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Shawn Matthias and P.A. Parenteau. The tie went to a shootout, where David Krejci won it for the Bruins for a 4-3 final. The three stars went to Marchand, Bozak, and Rinaldo.
Way south to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Al Montoya in goal. Los Angeles led off in the first period on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Milan Lucic and Jeff Carter. About a minute later, an injured Montoya was replaced by Roberto Luongo. Florida tied it on an Aleksander Barkov power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Jaromir Jagr and Jonathan Huberdeau in the second period. The Kings retook the lead on an Alec Martinez goal, his third of the season, coming off of Jordan Nolan and Kyle Clifford. Los Angeles added on in the third period with a Marian Gaborik goal, his third of the year, guided in by Anze Kopitar and Tanner Pearson. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Quick (33 for 34 in saves), Martinez, and Gaborik.
Finally, the Winnipeg Jets host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Michael Hutchinson are in goal. Winnipeg began with a Toby Enstrom goal in the first period, helped along by Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Colorado tied it on a Carl Soderberg goal, his third of the season in the second period, coming on the power play from Mikhail Grigorenko and Francois Beauchemin. The Avalanche took the lead in the third period as Cody McLeod scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Zach Redmond and Blake Comeau. Colorado added on with a Matt Duchene goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche extended the lead as Comeau scored an empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Soderberg and Beauchemin. The three stars of the 4-1 game were Soderberg, Comeau, and Beauchemin.
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Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the St. Louis Blues. Jake Allen and Linus Ullmark draw the starts in goal. Buffalo got going in the second period on a David Legwand goal, going in unassisted. St. Louis tied it in the third period on a Troy Brouwer goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Kevin Shattenkirk and David Backes. The Blues took the lead on an unassisted Robby Fabbri goal, his third of the year. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Allen (24 for 25 in saves), Fabbri, and Brouwer.
In the same state, the New York Rangers welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Rick Nash goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Rangers added on with a Derek Stepan goal in the third period, his sixth of the year, assisted by Marc Staal and Kevin Hayes. New York extended the lead on a Hayes power play goal, his sixth of the campaign, powered by Keith Yandle and Oscar Lindberg. The final held at 3-0, with the three stars being Lundqvist (31 save shutout), Hayes, and Nash.
Along to Philadelphia, where the Flyers bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Eddie Lack and Michal Neuvirth are the backups in goal. Philadelphia drew first blood in the second period with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. The Flyers added on with a Giroux goal, his seventh of the year coming shorthanded, set up by Sean Couturier. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Victor Rask goal, his sixth of the season, via John-Michael Liles and Justin Faulk. The Hurricanes tied it with a Brett Pesce goal, his second of the year, passed from Ron Hainsey and Elias Lindholm. Philadelphia won 3-2 in overtime on a Shayne Gostisbehere power play goal, his second of the campaign, made possible by Giroux and Voracek. The three stars belonged to Giroux, Voracek, and Gostisbehere.
Down in DC, the Washington Capitals host the Edmonton Oilers. Anders Nilsson is mismatched with Braden Holtby in goal. Washington got started in the third period on a Dmitry Orlov goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Tom Wilson and Brooks Laich. The final stood at 1-0, with the three stars handed to Holtby (33 save shutout), Orlov, and Nilsson (29 for 30 in saves).
Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and James Reimer receive the starting nods. Boston opened in the first period on a Brad Marchand shorthanded goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins added on with a Zac Rinaldo goal, courtesy of Dennis Seidenberg and the goalie Rask. Toronto got on the board in the second period with a Joffrey Lupul goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Tyler Bozak and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Leo Komarov goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by James van Riemsdyk and Dion Phaneuf. Boston took the lead back as Marchand scored his second of the game and tenth of the year, via Landon Ferraro. Toronto tied it again on a Bozak goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Shawn Matthias and P.A. Parenteau. The tie went to a shootout, where David Krejci won it for the Bruins for a 4-3 final. The three stars went to Marchand, Bozak, and Rinaldo.
Way south to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick faces a lesser foe in Al Montoya in goal. Los Angeles led off in the first period on a Tyler Toffoli goal, his eleventh of the season, passed from Milan Lucic and Jeff Carter. About a minute later, an injured Montoya was replaced by Roberto Luongo. Florida tied it on an Aleksander Barkov power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Jaromir Jagr and Jonathan Huberdeau in the second period. The Kings retook the lead on an Alec Martinez goal, his third of the season, coming off of Jordan Nolan and Kyle Clifford. Los Angeles added on in the third period with a Marian Gaborik goal, his third of the year, guided in by Anze Kopitar and Tanner Pearson. The final stood at 3-1, with the three stars going to Quick (33 for 34 in saves), Martinez, and Gaborik.
Finally, the Winnipeg Jets host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Michael Hutchinson are in goal. Winnipeg began with a Toby Enstrom goal in the first period, helped along by Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Colorado tied it on a Carl Soderberg goal, his third of the season in the second period, coming on the power play from Mikhail Grigorenko and Francois Beauchemin. The Avalanche took the lead in the third period as Cody McLeod scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Zach Redmond and Blake Comeau. Colorado added on with a Matt Duchene goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche extended the lead as Comeau scored an empty net goal, his second of the year, set up by Soderberg and Beauchemin. The three stars of the 4-1 game were Soderberg, Comeau, and Beauchemin.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
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