NHL Three Stars: Bjugstad leads Panthers; Tatar's pair helps Red Wings
No. 1 Star: Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers
Bjugstad did almost everything for the Panthers, scoring twice in regulation and later netting the deciding goal in the shootout as Florida got past the San Jose Sharks 3-2. The Panthers have now won four in a row in San Jose. The multi-goal game was the third of Bjugstad's career and second in three games.
No. 2 Star: Tomas Tatar, Detroit Red Wings
Tatar scored Detroit’s first and last goals during their 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. His most important of the evening came 2:10 after Justin Abdelkader’s tying goal late in the third period to give the Red Wings the lead for good:
No. 3 Star: James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs
Two days after allowing nine goals to the Predators, the Maple Leafs put up a five spot and beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. JVR netted his eighth and ninth goals of the year as Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak. Jonathan Bernier made 26 saves in the victory.
Honorable Mention: A pair of goals from Max Pacioretty and 31 saves by Carey Price helped the Montreal Canadiens down the St. Louis Blues 4-1. Pacioretty now leads Montreal with nine goals ... Jason Zucker’s goal with 45.4 seconds left in the third period broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Minnesota Wild a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Darcy Kuemper made 37 saves as the Wild won their fourth straight
Before the game, the Flyers inducted Eric Lindros and John LeClair into their Hall of Fame … Down 1-0 after the opening period, the Ottawa Senators scored three times in the middle frame and hung on for a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. Robin Lehner made 33 saves in the win. Clarke MacArthur played in his 500th NHL game, while Zack Smith suited up for no. 300 … Three third period goals powered the Dallas Stars over the Phoenix Coyotes 3-1. John Klingberg and Cody Eakin scored 33 seconds apart in the opening minute of the third to help pace the Stars to their second win in 11 home games. The goal was Klingberg’s first of his NHL career … Adam Clendening scored his first NHL goal and Patrick Kane’s individual effort midway through the third period helped the Chicago edge the Calgary Flames 4-3:
Jakob Silfverberg and Corey Perry scored the only goals in the shootout as Ryan Kesler was a winner in his first game back in Vancouver 4-3. Canucks rookie Bo Horvat scored the first of his career in the loss ... Tanner Pearson scored for the first time in 11 games to snap a 2-2 tie as help give the LA Kings as 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Jonathan Quick made 25 saves as the Kings won for an NHL-best tenth time at home this season. Eric Staal recorded his 700th career point in the loss ... The Washington Capitals downed the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 thanks to a late third period goal by Alex Ovechkin in vintage Ovechkin style:
Did You Know?: "The Canucks (13-6-1) lost their first one-goal game this season, becoming the last in the NHL to do so." (AP)
Dishonorable Mention: The Flyers have dropped four in a row … The Coyotes have lost five straight in Dallas … Just a highlight-reel of errors here by Kevin Shattenkirk to give Dale Weise a goal: