Sunday’s Three Stars: Hiller time in Anaheim; Malkin’s OT game winner
No. 1 Star: Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks goalie made 43 saves in their 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, giving up two goals in the third. But in the first 40 minutes of the game, Hiller was incredible: Making 28 saves as his team managed one goal on 10 shots. It's Hiller's fifth win in a row for Anaheim, which is on a 8-0-1 run.
No. 2 Star: Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers
Hartnell tallied a natural hat trick in the second period of the Flyers' 6-5 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins, scoring twice on the power play and once at even strength. He was also his usual charming self, getting physical and agitating the Bruins.
No. 3 Star: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
After assisting on two goals by James Neal, giving him 26 on the season, Malkin scored his 26th in overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals. Here's Geno getting a friendly rebound and finishing strong:
Honorable mention: Bobby Ryan scored two goals, including one shorthanded, and Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and an assist in the Ducks' win. Getzlaf's rink-length pass set up Ryan's second goal. … Ryan O'Reilly and Milan Hejduk scored to rally the Avs. … David Krejci, Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin had a goal and an assist for the Bruins. Krejci and Seguin both scored in the shootout. … Zdeno Chara was a plus-3. … Max Talbot had two goals, while Claude Giroux had three assists. … Alex Ovechkin had a goal and two assists. Alex Semin had a goal and as assist. … Brooks Laich took 39 faceoffs for the Caps, winning 17.
Did you know? Per Eric Stephens, Teemu Selanne moved into 44th on the all-time assist list with 733rd career helper, ahead of Rod Brind'Amour. You hear those footsteps, Bernie Nicholls?
Fight of the Night: Shawn Thornton against Jody Shelley, with their second fight in two days, respectively. Take it away, Jack Edwards:
Dishonorable mention: There were a few plays on Sunday that will, or could, catch the NHL's attention. Both Alex Ovechkin and Zbynek Michalek have hearings on Monday for dangerous hits. Tom Sestito had what the Bruins are calling a "blindside" hit on Nathan Horton. … Tim Thomas (.868 save percentage) and Ilya Bryzgalov (.865) have had better games. … Sean Couturier was a minus-3.
