Monday's Three Stars: Brodeur sets record; Bergeron saves Habs
No. 1 Star: Martin Brodeur(notes), New Jersey Devils
Brodeur set a new NHL record for career shutouts with 104, making 35 saves to blank the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-0. We covered the specifics of the record on Monday night; here's Brodeur on his shutout chase: "Usually, in the middle of the pack of my shutouts, I didn't really care about it too much ... I just played the game and tried to win the game. But, definitely when there's a lot at stake like that and you're going to come close to a record or surpassing a record, it definitely becomes a little more nerve-racking. I don't get nervous, but today I was a little nervous."
No. 2 Star: Marc-Andre Bergeron(notes), Montreal Canadiens
it's hard not to give the nod here to Jaroslav Halak(notes) for his incredible 47-save performance on 50 shots, a franchise-record for the Thrash. But the nod goes to Marc-Andre Bergeron, the Montreal defenseman who tied the Atlanta Thrashers late in the third and then won the game in overtime on a play that saw him suffer an injury by plowing into the goal post. Canadiens win, 4-3.
No. 3 Star: Scottie Upshall(notes), Phoenix Coyotes
Big night for the Coyotes forward, as he had a point on Phoenix's first three goals (1 goal, 2 assists) and then capped the scoring for his team in the third with a power-play goal. Phoenix defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-2, as Upshall has 12 goals on the season and five in December alone.
Honorable mention: Handy tip for the Toronto Maple Leafs, going forward -- try not to leave Derek Roy(notes) wide open in front of Jonas Gustavsson(notes) (27 saves) in overtime. Roy had the game-winner and Ryan Miller(notes) had 34 saves in the Buffalo Sabres' 3-2 win over the Leafs. ... Steven Stamkos(notes) scored his 21st while Ryan Malone(notes) had two power-play goals in the third period to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning over the New York Islanders, 4-2. Mike Smith(notes) had 36 saves; Dwayne Roloson(notes) had 24 but two absolute beauties. ... Goals by Stephen Weiss(notes), Michael Frolik(notes) and Nathan Horton(notes) (2 goals) avenged fallen teammate David Booth(notes) by defeating Mike Richards(notes) and the spiraling Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1. ... Marian Gaborik(notes) scored his 25th goal and added an assist as the New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-1. ... Tim Thomas(notes) made 29 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 10th straight win against the Ottawa Senators, 2-0. ... Matt Hendricks's(notes) shorthanded goal ended up being the game-winner, as the Colorado Avalanche and Craig Anderson(notes) (28 saves) survived a Minnesota Wild rally in the third for a 4-3 win. ... Patrick Marleau(notes) scored two goals and Evgeni Nabokov(notes) made 36 saves in the San Jose Sharks' 4-2 win at the Dallas Stars. ... Jordan Staal(notes) took a puck to the face, was bloodied but returned for the Penguins. ... Alex Steen had a four-point night (1 goal, 3 assists) and Andy McDonald(notes) had two goals as the St. Louis Blues routed the Edmonton Oilers, 7-2. Yikes. Also, the Blues' power play (4-for-5) is no longer set to "suck."
Did you know?: Ric Flair sounded the siren in Carolina before the Rangers game. Woooo!
Dishonorable mention: Perhaps you don't fault rookie goalie Devan Dubnyk(notes) (19 saves) for the blowout loss to the Blues; Oilers Coach Pat Quinn sure doesn't: "He was kind of left out to hang by his teammates. We've been doing that all season." ... Marc-Andre Fleury(notes) was pulled after giving up four goals on 16 shots. ... The Flyers called a players-only meeting after their loss to the Panthers. A 2-8-1 record in December will do that. ... Brian Boucher(notes) injured his finger and was replaced by Michael Leighton(notes) (15 saves). ... Finally, this fight from the Blue Jackets/Coyotes game was all sorts of wrong: Jared Boll(notes) going after Radim Vrbata(notes) of all people after a goal, Martin Hanzal(notes) trying to answer the bell, and then Boll splitting him open with a few shots.
