Friday's Three Stars: Four points for Backstrom, Ovie; Mason blanks Wings
No. 1 Star: Nicklas Backstrom(notes), Washington Capitals
The Caps' 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning put them within three points of first place in the Southeast Division and Backstrom had a hand in just about all of the Washington scoring. Tallying twice and assisting on two others, Backstrom recorded his second four-point night against the Lightning this season. Alex Ovechkin(notes) added his 20th of the season and had three assists for his own four-point evening as the Capitals snapped Tampa's six-game winning streak.
No. 2 Star: Steve Mason(notes), Columbus Blue Jackets
With trade rumors swirling, Mason put on a strong performance making 34-saves and shutting out the Detroit Red Wings 3-0. Andrew Murray(notes) and Antoine Vermette(notes) each had a goal and an assist. The shutout was Mason's second of the season and 17th of his career.
No. 3 Star: Daniel/Henrik Sedin(notes), Vancouver Canucks
As they typically do for the Canucks, the Sedins were prominant in the scoring as Vancouver beat Marty Turco(notes) twice in the final 10 minutes to edge Chicago 4-3. Daniel scored the winner with just under four minutes to go, but it was the pretty passing that made Henrik's tying goal the memorable one of the night:
Honorable mention: Brad Boyes(notes) had a goal and an assist, while Andy MacDonald recorded an assist in his first game back after missing 24 due to a concussion as St. Louis got by Edmonton 5-3. Ty Conklin(notes) made 29 saves for his fourth win in five starts against the Oilers. Alex Steen(notes) recorded two assists giving him eight points in his last five games ... Pittsburgh scored three times in a 3:14 span in the second to erase a 2-0 deficit against the Buffalo Sabres en route to a 3-2 victory. Matt Cooke's(notes) 10th of the year stood as the game winner. Marc-Andre Fleury(notes) made 27 saves for his seventh win in a row ... Mike Santorelli's(notes) shorthanded goal late in the third period tied things at three and Rostislav Olsez potted the overtime winner as Florida beat New Jersey 4-3.
Did you know? Columbus' shutout of the Red Wings was their first in franchise history at Joe Louis Arena. (@TReedDispatch)
Dishonorable mention: Replays showed that goals by Matt Cooke and Christian Ehrhoff(notes) should not have counted due to missed off-sides calls ... Tomas Vokoun(notes) will want this goal by Mark Fayne(notes) back:
The Red Wings' power play could not cash in on any of their six chances ... Evgeni Malkin(notes) returned to the Penguins' lineup but soon left the game with a lower-body injury after getting tangled with Tyler Myers(notes) in the second period:
After the game, Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said Malkin will be evaluated on Saturday.
Finally, Marty Turco took exception to Ryan Kesler's(notes) crowding of his crease:
