No. 1 star: Ryan Malone(notes), Tampa Bay Lightning

Malone's hat-trick included the game-winner for Tampa Bay as they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. His second goal coming with just 9:14 to play in the game would wind up being the game-winner. It was Tampa's first win of the season and their first since March 24th. 

No. 2 star: Mathieu Garon(notes), Columbus Blue Jackets

The "Whiteout" in Phoenix didn't affect Garon as he spoiled the big home opener for the Coyotes on Saturday night stopping 36 shots and posting a shutout in a 2-0 victory for Columbus. It was the third time in Garon's career has blanked the Coyotes. 

No. 3 star: Sidney Crosby(notes), Pittsburgh Penguins

Toronto's truculent style of hockey cost them against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Giving the Penguins five power-plays was costly as Pittsburgh cashed in on three of them, two of which saw goals by Crosby in a 5-2 win. The Maple Leafs tried fighting back in the game, but Pittsburgh would score two goals 31 and 67 seconds after Toronto goals to keep their lead extended. 

Honorable mention: Rod Brind'Amour(notes) notched his 1,168 point, putting him two away from Bobby Hull for 47th place ... Maple Leafs defenseman Jay Rosehill(notes) scored his first career NHL goal ... Teemu Selanne(notes) scored three goals on the night in a victory over the Philadelphia Flyers: two in the third period, including the game-tying goal with just 16 seconds remaining and then the game-winner in the shootout ... Matt Hunwick's(notes) goal with 2:34 to go in the third period brought the Boston Bruins back from a 3-0 deficit against the New York Islanders. Boston would later win the game in a shootout .. Other game-winners late in the third period included David Clarkson(notes) against Florida and Mike Grier(notes) against Nashville ... Pekka Rinne(notes) was busy making 41 saves against Buffalo in a 1-0 loss ... Patrick Marleau's(notes) two goals and assist sparked the San Jose Sharks in a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. His goal nine seconds into the third period tied Bob Errey's franchise record ... Jon Quick's(notes) 29 saves paced the Los Angeles Kings to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues ... Reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin(notes) added three assists ... Ryan Miller(notes) stopped 25 shots en route to a 1-0 shutout win over Nashville ... The Sabres/Predators match-up featured the NHL's two longest tentured coaches in Lindy Ruff and Barry Trotz ... Andrew Ladd's(notes) goal in the ninth shootout round led the Chicago Blackhawks over the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 ... Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice coached his 900th NHL game.

Did you know? The Florida Panthers have yet to score in the first period through their first four games.

Dishonorable mention: Islanders goaltender Dwayne Roloson(notes) blew a 3-0 lead and allowed three goals in the final six minutes of the third period against the Boston Bruins  ... Feeble power-plays tonight included Minnesota (1-for 8), St. Louis (0-for-5) and Phoenix (0-for-6) ... The Coyotes couldn't muster a goal despite outshooting Columbus 36-18 ... Nashville won 36 of 57 faceoffs and managed only 25 shots in their 1-0 loss to Buffalo ... Eric Staal(notes) scored the opening goal of the game, but finished a minus-3 against Tampa Bay.

Related: 3 Stars