Saturday's three stars: Leclaire's memorable night in Montreal
No. 1 star: Pascal Leclaire, Columbus Blue Jackets – On a night that started with the retirement of Bob Gainey's No. 23, the 25-year-old visiting goalie, who is a native of nearby Repentigny, stole the show. Leclaire made his first NHL appearance in Montreal probably the biggest highlight of his young career. He stopped 31 shots for a league-high ninth shutout as the Blue Jackets were party poopers on Saturday, skating out of Montreal with a 3-0 victory. Leclaire helped to stymie all seven Canadien power plays. Leclaire's first shutout since Jan. 24 capped a 3-2 road trip for Columbus, which ended the trip with two wins in Canada.
No. 2 star: Mike Ribeiro, Dallas Stars – The breakout season for the 28-year-old forward continued as Ribeiro matched his season-high four-point game on Dec. 13 with two goals and a pair of assists in the Stars' 6-3 win at the Nashville Predators. Ribeiro, leading Dallas with 71 points in 63 games, was a plus-5 with three shots on goal and two hits during 18:05 of ice time.
No. 3 star: Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks – The speedy forward now has a career-high 29 goals after scoring twice, including the game-winner 1:48 into overtime as Chicago edged the host Los Angeles Kings 6-5. Sharp, who had an assist for a three-point afternoon, put five shots on goal and was a plus-2 during 19:32 of ice time.
Honorable mention: Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators (scored last two goals of regulation to rally Ottawa, a winner at Pittsburgh in OT); Jay Bouwmeester, Florida Panthers (tying goal with 3.7 seconds left in regulation of eventual 2-1 win in OT at Philadelphia); Glen Murray, Boston Bruins (two goals in 19:20 of ice time as Boston caps 4-0-1 trip with 5-3 win in Tampa); Craig Anderson, Florida Panthers (40 saves during victory over Flyers); Brandon Dubinsky, New York Rangers (goal, assist, nine shots on goal during 4-3 win at Buffalo).
