NHL Three Stars: Little comes up big for Jets; Saad lifts Blackhawks over Habs
No. 1 Star: Bryan Little, Winnipeg Jets
Little made history while scoring three times and adding an assist during Winnipeg’s 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. His hat trick was the first for the Jets since they moved from Atlanta and the second of his career. The last coming in 2008 while he was a member of the Thrashers.
No. 2 Star: Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks
Kesler scored twice and assisted on another as the Ducks edged the Minnesota Wild 5-4. Down 4-3 early in the third period, Tim Jackman and Matt Beleskey scored 4:51 apart to give Anaheim the lead for good. Kesler opened the scoring early in the game, thanks to this lovely touch pass by Kyle Palmieri:
No. 3 Star: Brandon Saad, Chicago Blackhawks
With the score deadlocked at three with under a minute left in regualtion, Saad pounced on a loose puck in front of Carey Price to give the Blackhawks a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The goal was his fifth of the season and helped Chicago sweep their two-game series with the Habs.
Honorable Mention: Blake Wheeler had a hand in all three of Little’s goals and now has 11 assists on the year … Michael Hutchinson made 20 saves for his fifth win of the season … Jarome Iginla had a pair of goals for the Avs in the loss … Mikko Koivu was 20-for-29 in the face-off circle … Antti Raanta made 38 saves for his second straight win … Before the game the Blackhawks honored the memory of Jean Beliveau:
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Dishonorable Mention: The goaltending in Minnesota wasn’t great, with Freddie Andersen and Darcy Kuemper allowing nine goals on 43 shots … Corey Perry left the game in the first period and did not return after a hip check from Keith Ballard. The injury isn’t believed to be serious and he’s expected to travel with the Ducks as they head to Winnipeg.
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