NHL Three Stars: Four points for Tavares; Yandle caps Coyotes’ comeback
Ryan Getzlaf reacts to a puck in the face. Or eats an invisible sandwich dangling from an invisible string. Either way, he's laying it all on the line.
No. 1 Star: John Tavares, New York Islanders
The Islanders ended 2013 on a high note, beating the Boston Bruins by a score of 5-3, and Tavares played a major role with four points on the night. He picked up two assists and scored two goals himself, including the game-winner on this sharp-angle shot:
Kyle Okposo had a three-point night as well, as he remained hot to end the year.
No. 2 Star: Keith Yandle, Phoenix Coyotes
In a game-high 28:24 versus the Edmonton Oilers, Yandle picked up an assist and scored twice, including the breakaway overtime winner as the Coyotes capped a late comeback for a 4-3 win:
Ouch. Some guys skate hard and defend on partial breakaways there, Belov.
No. 3 Star: Al Montoya, Winnipeg Jets
The Jets won their third straight Tuesday night, beating the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 3-0. Montoya was named the game's first start for his perfect, 27-save performance, registering his second shutout of the season. I'd say Montoya earned it with this save:
Honorable mention: Wayne Simmonds had two assists as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Calgary Flames, 4-1, for their fourth straight win... Brad Richards scored the shootout winner as the New York Rangers edged the Florida Panthers, 2-1... Adam Henrique was in on both goals as the New Jersey Devils topped the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-1... Erik Cole had two goals as the Dallas Stars handed the Los Angeles Kings their fourth straight loss, 3-2... Alex Semin had the OT winner in a 5-4 Carolina Hurricanes victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Jeff Skinner contributed two powerplay goals in 37 seconds:
... Ryan Getzlaf's 3-point night powered the Anaheim Ducks to their 11th win in 12 games, 6-3 over the San Jose Sharks... The Colorado Avalanche's 3 powerplay goals were the difference in a 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets... Jaden Schwarz scored for the sixth straight game as the St. Louis Blues came out on top of the struggling Minnesota Wild, 2-1...
Did You Know? Taylor Hall had a pretty productive year.
Taylor Hall finishes 2013 fifth in Canadian born players in points per game. He will not be going to the Olympics.
— mc79hockey (@mc79hockey) January 1, 2014
Yeah, but he's so... Oily.
Dishonorable mention: Get it together, NBC Miami... The Minnesota Wild finish the year with six straight losses. They haven't won in regulation since the 8th of December, which was 11 games ago.
