Friday’s Three Stars: Devils, Red Wings roll; solid fight for Iginla, Beauchemin
There was much joy in Anaheim on Friday night. Much, much joy.
No. 1 Star: Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils
Parise's hat trick led the Devils to a 5-0 rout of the Washington Capitals, giving him 27 goals on the season. Parise scored on the power play and even strength in the first, and then again on a 2-on-1 with Adam Henrique in the second. Parise also had a tense moment, leaving the ice and getting checked for a concussion after getting crunched by two Capitals. Parise returned for the third period. Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus had the other goals, while Johan Hedberg had the 23-save shutout.
No. 2 Star: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Heck of a time to break a goal drought: Getzlaf scored his first goal in 17 games at 19:14 of the third period, cranking a shot past Leland Irving to break a tie and give the Ducks a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. Getzlaf also connected with Corey Perry on the Ducks' second goal.
No. 3 Star: Ryan Malone, Tampa Bay Lightning
Malone beat Henrik Lundqvist (27 saves) at 1:58 of overtime to give the Lightning a 4-3 win against the visiting New York Rangers, keeping their playoff hopes alive and snapping a 10-game goal drought for the Bolts' winger. Teddy Purcell had a goal and two assists, while Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist.
Honorable mention: Bryan Bickell and Marian Hossa scored second-period goals, while Ray Emery made 25 saves in his return to Ottawa, as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Senators, 2-1. Milan Michalek scored his 29th for Ottawa, while Robin Lehner made 37 saves. … The Detroit Red Wings peppered the Minnesota Wild with 35 shots, routing them, 6-0. Valtteri Filppula had two goals and an assist, Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and two assists, while Brendan Smith scored his first NHL goal. Jimmy Howard had the 19-save shutout. … Kari Lehtonen made 19 saves as the Dallas Stars defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 3-1. Radek Dvorak, Tomas Vincour and Michael Ryder had the goals. … Ian White was a plus-4 for the Red Wings. … Zubrus had the celebration of the night for the Devils:
Fight of the Night: Francois Beauchemin and Jarome Iginla threw down big time, with plenty of punches landed:
Did you know? All four games between the Rangers and Lightning were won by the team trailing entering the third. (AP)
Dishonorable mention: Edmonton fans booed Sheldon Souray in his return with the Stars, instead of booing their GM. … Brian Boyle, Ruslan Fedotenko and Brandon Prust were minus-3 for the Rangers. … Justin Falk and Kurtis Foster were minus-3 for the Wild; Dany Heatley was a minus-4. … Josh Harding was pulled after 45:30 and giving up six goals.
