NHL Three Stars: Seabrook leads Blackhawks; Ducks win 9th straight
No. 1 Star: Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks defenseman scored the opening goal and assisted on two others as Chicago downed the Detroit Red Wings 5-2. Artemi Panarin added two goals and Duncan Keith recorded a pair of assists. Corey Crawford stopped 31 to record a career-best 34th victory.
No. 2 Star: T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals
Oshie had a hand in all three Washington goals as they got by the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. The Capitals scored twice in a 28-second span late in the first period to grab a 2-0 lead. The Leafs clawed back, but it was Matt Niskanen putting home a power play tally midway through the third that was the difference:
No. 3 Star: John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Gibson made 25 saves in regulation and overtime and stopped all three shots he faced in the shootout as the Ducks downed the Montreal Canadiens 3-2. Jakob Silfverberg scored the only goal in the shootout, Jamie McGinn tallied his first as a Duck and Corey Perry netted his 27th in the victory. The Ducks are now tied with the Los Angeles Kings for first in the Pacific Division.
Honorable Mention: Nicklas Backstrom recorded a pair of assists and also won 15 of his 18 face-offs. He now has six points (all assists) in his last four games … Maple Leafs rookie Nikita Soshnikov scored his first NHL goal … According to the AP, the Capitals tied the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings for the most victories through 63 games with their 47th of the season … Patrick Kane recorded a three-point night to give him 88 on the season, matching a career high. His 88 points is also one more than 2015 Art Ross winner Jamie Benn recorded last season … Henrik Zetterberg reached the 900-game mark … Alex Galchenyuk scored twice in the loss for Montreal:
Did You Know? Days after being traded to the Maple Leafs, Brooks Laich returned to Washington and received a great tribute from Capitals fans:
Dishonorable Mention: Detroit allowed two Chicago power play goals on three opportunities … Montreal's power play couldn't cash in on their three chances.
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