NHL Three Stars: Buffalo Sabres continue hot streak; Isles top Devils
No. 1 Star: Brian Flynn, Buffalo Sabres
Flynn’s rebound goal with 3:29 left in the third period tied the game, and Matt Moulson’s lone shootout tally eventually won it over the Ottawa Senators, 5-4. Buffalo has now won six straight at home. Flynn also assisted on a Foligno goal.
No. 2 Star: Steve Downie, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins pest scored a goal and assisted on Brian Dumoulin’s dagger in the third period as Pittsburgh defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-2. Downie, a former Bolt, also had six hits.
No. 3 Star: Josh Bailey, New York Islanders
Bailey sparked an Islanders rally in the second period and then closed out the game in the shootout as New York topped the New Jersey Devils, 3-2.
Honorable Mention: Foligno had a goal and an assist. … Bobby Ryan, Mark Stone and Alex Chiasson scored their seventh goals for Ottawa. Rookie Curtis Lazar socred his first career goal. … Bryan Rust and Dumoulin scored their first NHL goals. … Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves. … Scott Gomez had a goal, an assist and a shootout goal. … Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves to outduel Keith Kinkaid (31 saves). Kinkaid is a Long Island native.
Did You Know? The last time the Devils won a shootout on the road, Ilya Kovalchuk had the game winner. (Sportsnet)
Dishonorable Mention: Tyson Strachan was given an instigator for his fight with Mark Borowiecki. The Sens and Sabres combined for 12 minor penalties. … Ryan Callahan was a minus-2. … Ben Bishop was injured in the first period for the Lightning, and was replaced by Evgeny Nabokov. Bishop has a lower body injury.
