Monday’s Three Stars: Karlsson, Staal shine on terrible day for Isles, Capitals

APNo. 1 Star: Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

On the day his owner said he has the potential to be an all-time great defenseman, Karlsson posted two goals and two assists in a 6-0 thumping of the New York Islanders. He opened the scoring off an Islanders turnover, scoring off a bad angle. His second goal later in the period was a snipe from the slot. He assisted on goals by Brian Lee and Jason Spezza in the third. Karlsson was a plus-4.

No. 2 Star: Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes

The Canes captain led his team to a 5-0 humbling of the Washington Capitals. He assisted on Anthony Stewart's goal at 5:09 of the first on a nice passing play that ended Tomas Vokoun's night. He scored on a shorthanded breakaway in the second period, and closed out the scoring with goal No. 18 in the third.

No. 3 Star: Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators

The Senators star scored 27 seconds after Karlsson in the first period and then closed out the scoring on the power play in the third period, 1:08 after Lee scored. Spezza now has 27 goals on the season. He was a plus-3.

Honorable mention: Craig Anderson made 28 saves for the shutout against the Islanders. … Sergei Gonchar had two assists. … Justin Peters made 17 saves for his first NHL shutout for Carolina. … Justin Faulk just missed the Gordie with a goal and a fight. … Jiri Tlusty had two assists, while Andreas Nodl scored.

Did you know? Washington C Alex Ovechkin went to the dressing room with about 6 minutes left in the second period because of an equipment issue, Coach Dale Hunter said. Ovechkin was back for the start of the third. (AP)

Dishonorable mention: Just a terrible day for Kevin Poulin of the Islanders, who was pulled 1:35 into the game after giving up two goals on five shots. … Vokoun, meanwhile, was pulled at 5:09 after two goals on seven shots in an attempt to get the team going. … Mike Green and Dennis Wideman were a minus-3. … Andy MacDonald and Mark Streit were a minus-3 for the Islanders. … P.A. Parenteau earned 24 minutes in penalties with two minors, a misconduct and a game misconduct.