NHL Three Stars: Derek MacKenzie, offensive machine; Malkin power Pens
No. 1 Star: Derek MacKenzie, Florida Panthers
Rare is the game in which MacKenzie scores two goals, in that it happened for only the second time in his career in the Panthers’ 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. But even more extraordinary was that his goals were unassisted, and that he could have pulled the trick had Jake Allen not stopped him on a breakaway.
No. 2 Star: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Another dominating effort from Geno: His 12th goal to go along with two assists in the Penguins’ 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Malkin assisted on both of Phil Kessel’s goals. The last time the Penguins won in San Jose? Oct. 22, 1997!
No. 3 Star: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
The Kings moved to 4-0 in overtime on Kopitar’s goal, as LA defeated the Vancouver Canucks, 2-1. Give an assist to Jeff Carter … and Alex Edler.
Honorable Mention: Reto Berra made 27 saves and assisted on Matt Duchene’s goal in the Colorado Avalanche’s 2-1 win at the New Jersey Devils. … Max Pacioretty’s third period goal was the difference in the Montreal Canadiens’ 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in a rough, contentious game. … Steve Mason made 23 saves and Wayne Simmonds scored the game-winner and assisted on Sean Couturier’s empty netter as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Ottawa Senators, 4-2. It’s the Flyers’ third straight win. … Justin Abdelkader had two goals and an assist while Petr Mrazek made 28 saves in the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-4 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres. … The Nashville Predators peppered Mike Smith with 40 shots in their 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Filip Forsberg had two goals and an assist while Shea Weber had three assists. … Mikael Granlund didn’t score a goal, but his hustle created both of the Minnesota Wild’s tallies in their 2-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawk – including Ryan Suter’s game winner. Devan Dubnyk made 30 saves. … The Calgary Flames rallied with three third-period goals – including Dougie Hamilton atoning for an earlier mistake with his third of the season at 17:42 – and defeated the Dallas Stars in the shootout, 4-3. Johnny Gaudreau scored his sixth.
Did You Know? Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane extended his point streak to 20 games, just one behind the team record of Bobby Hull.
Dishonorable Mention: Vancouver moved to 0-7 in overtime. … Nick Foligno beat up Nathan Beaulieu after kneeing Tomas Fleischmann … Paul Martin, Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson were a minus-3; Brent Burns was a minus-4. … Radko Gudas took out both Senators forwards Milan Michalek and Mika Zibanejad, the former with a shot that hit Michalek’s hand and the latter on a hard hit. Michalek is “going to be out for a while,” according to coach Dave Cameron.
