NHL Three Stars: Lightning clinch playoff spot; Sabres don’t lose
No. 1 Star: Vladislav Namestnikov, Tampa Bay Lightning
The winger scored two goals and added on assist in the Bolts’ 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens, despite the absence of his linemate Tyler Johnson. He played 13:57 and was a plus-3. The Bolts are now 5-0-0 vs. Montreal this season and clinched a playoff spot.
No. 2 Star: Andrej Meszaros, Buffalo Sabres
The defenseman did the Tank no favors, as he scored two goals in the Sabres’ 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes in the race to the bottom.
No. 3 Star: Richard Bachman, Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton backstop stopped 29 of 30 shots as the Oilers topped the Colorado Avalanche, 4-1. Brandon Davidson scored his first NHL goal in the win, and the Oilers scored two empty netters. Andrew Miller had three assists.
Honorable Mention: Anton Stralman had a goal and an assist. … Radim Vrbata had a goal and an assist and Eddie Lack made 23 saves in the Vancouver Canucks’ 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. … Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson scored 1:04 apart in the second period, helping the Chicago Blackhawks over the Los Angeles Kings, 4-1. Marian Hossa had a goal and an assist. … Johnny Gaudreau, Jiri Hudler and Dennis Wideman all had a goal and an assist as the Calgary Flames topped the Dallas Stars in a thriller, 5-3. Tyler Seguin scored his 35th in the loss.
Did You Know? Ben Bishop had two penalty minutes and two assists along with 25 saves.
Dishonorable Mention: Alec Martinez was a minus-3. … Johan Klingberg, Cody Eakin and Tyler Seguin were all minus-3. … Kari Lehtonen was pulled in the second period after giving up four goals. He was quite bad. … Tyson Barrie was a minus-3, as was Matt Duchene.
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