NHL Three Stars: Leafs, Ducks, Isles get big wins
No. 1 Star: Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks defenseman had a goal and two assists, the best offensive game of his NHL career, as Anaheim moved into second place in the Pacific with a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
No. 2 Star: William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs other, other rookie sensation, assisted on Auston Matthews’s 33rd of the season and then sniped this awesome goal for his own 20th in the Leafs’ 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
No. 3 Star: Anders Lee, New York Islanders
The Islanders forward had a goal and an assist in their big 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. It was his 27th goal of the season.
Honorable Mention: Nazem Kadri scored goal No. 30. … Ryan Getzlaf had three assists. … Rickard Rakell scored goal No. 32. … Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists. … Thomas Greiss was great with 34 saves.
Did You Know? The Rangers have lost seven straight home games (0-5-2).
Dishonorable Mention: Roman Polak earned a five-minute major and a game misconduct for this sure-to-be-suspended hit. … Mike Babcock all but apologized for a coaching goof that saw the Leafs have to kill nearly two extra minutes of a Blue Jackets power play. We explain here. … Cam Talbot was pulled after giving up four goals on 18 shots. … Tanner Glass applauds his relevance:
