NHL Three Stars: Lumbus snaps losing streak; Hanzal he's so hot right now
No. 1 Star: Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets
Thanks to Johansen's 4 assist night, the Jackets snap their 9 game win-less streak with a 4-3 decision over the Philadelphia Flyers. 3 goals came on the power play.
No. 2 Star: Martin Hanzal, Arizona Coyotes
Hanzal scored a natural hat trick for the 'Yotes in their 5-0 stomping of the Canucks. His second goal looked like it went in off a high stick, but it was overturned by the Situation Room. Just 9 seconds later sealed the hatty.
No. 3 Star: Thomas Greiss, Pittsburgh Penguins
Greiss took the net for the Penguins against the Maple Leafs. He made 30 saves including this wacky one on Tyler Bozak that could have sent the game into overtime.
Honorable Mention: Nick Foligno had 2 goals and an assist in addition to leading the Blue Jackets in ice time with 22:30 ... Sergei Bobrovsky is off the IR and backed up Curtis McElhinney against Philly ... Pascal Dupuis scored both goals for the Penguins in their 2-1 victory over Toronto ... Dion Phaneuf laid a perfect hit on Patrick Hornqvist, and Evgeni Malkin tried to fight him afterwards ...
... The Islanders let a two goal lead slip away in the third period. Aaron Ekblad tied the game with 2:35 left; however, the Isles would prevail in the shootout ... Devan Dubnyk earned his ninth career shutout with 35 saves against the Canucks ... Johan Franzen capitalized on a baaad Patrick Kane turnover for what ended up being the game winning goal. Coach Q was so unhappy with Kaner, he kept him on the bench for a couple shifts ...
Did You Know? Roberto Luongo is now fifth on the NHL career list in saves (AP). With his 31 saves against the Isles, he leapfrogs John Vanbiesbrouck in the history books.
Dishonorable Mention: Terrible puckhandling by Brayden Holtby leads directly to the only goal scored in the (boring) game between Washington and New Jersey ...
... Not a good night for Ryan Miller. Through two periods, the Coyotes has 4 goals on 13 shots ... Brandon Sutter took a puck to the side of the head and left the game. He received stitches to mend a gash on his ear ...
