No. 1 Star: Matt Calvert, Columbus Blue Jackets
In his 20th NHL game, the Blue Jackets rookie tallied a natural hat trick and added an assist in their 5-3 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. He scored a power-play goal, as the usually underwhelming special teams unit converted three times. But this goal in the second period was the highlight, in which Calvert tipped the puck to himself before batting it home.
No. 2 Star: Ben Bishop, St. Louis Blues
The 6-foot-7 goaltender posted his first career shutout with a 39-save effort, as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 5-0. Chris Stewart scored another two goals for the Blues, and Patrik Berglund scored goal No. 17.
No. 3 Star: Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks
Sometimes, the nightly Three Stars are more about impact than about big stats. And it doesn't get more impactful than Ryane Clowe scoring the game-tying goal at 17:26 and then the winning shootout goal in impressive fashion. The Sharks topped the Calgary Flames, 4-3, thanks to this skills competition tally:
Honorable mention: Erik Christensen (2 G, 2 A) and Henrik Lundqvist (35 saves for his NHL-best eighth shutout) both deserved stars for their performances in the New York Rangers' 6-0 thumping of the Washington Capitals. The last time the Capitals lost by six or more goals at home was Nov. 2006. ... Erik Cole had a goal and an assist, while Cam Ward made 33 saves as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-1. ... The Canes win combined with the New Jersey Devils' 2-1 loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning put the Devils 11 points out of the No. 8 seed. Martin St. Louis and Simon Gagne had the goals. ... Jochen Hecht scored the go-ahead goal and Thomas Vanek iced it with his 23rd into an empty net as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Ottawa Senators, 4-2. Craig Anderson had 35 saves in the loss. ... Earlier today, Steve Bernier passed through waivers. On Friday night for the Florida Panthers, he scored the winning goal in a six-round shootout against the Atlanta Thrashers. Tomas Vokoun made 45 saves in regulation for Florida, which won 2-1. ... Pierre-Marc Bouchard ended an entertaining overtime with a breakaway goal on Dan Ellis (28 saves) as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 3-2. Jose Theodore stopped 46 shots. Francois Beauchemin tied the game for the Ducks with 2 minutes left in the third.
Did you know? The Lightning ended a 12-game homestand with a 7-3-2 record. The California Golden Seals, who went 4-7-1, are the only other NHL team to play 12 consecutive home games. (AP)
Dishonorable mention: Eric Staal was checked hard by Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen before leaving for the dressing room. He's day-to-day with an upper body injury. ... Alex Kovalev skated 19 minutes for the Penguins, but didn't tally a point while taking four penalty minutes. ... John Carlson was a minus-3 for the Capitals. Andrew Cogliano and Jim Vandermeer were minus-3 for the Oilers. Sammy Pahlsson was a minus-3 for the Jackets. ... Ondrej Pavelec left the game for the Thrashers after the first period with an undisclosed injury. ... Atlanta is winless in 16 of its last 19 games.
Rachel Blanchard Sienna Guillory Tricia Vessey Aki Ross Ashley Tappin
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