NHL Three Stars: Karlsson leads Blue Jackets; Lightning keep rolling
No. 1 Star: William Karlsson, Columbus Blue Jackets
Karlsson scored midway through the second and early in the third period as the Blue Jackets edged the Calgary Flames 2-1. Joonas Korpisalo made 30 saves and won for the fourth time in five starts. Coming into Friday night’s game, Karlsson had scored only once in his previous 30 games. Columbus have taken points from five of their last six games.
No. 2 Star: Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning
Johnson scored what would stand as a game-winning goal and added two assists as the Lightning doubled up the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3. Anton Stralman and Ondrej Palat each added two goals as Tampa won their eighth straight at home. Nikita Kucherov chipped in a pair of assists and now has points in 21 of his last 25 games. The Lightning have won 10 of their last 11.
No. 3 Star: Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina scored four times in the opening 10:04 en route to a 5-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Staal recorded three points, while Joakim Nordstrom and Andrej Nestrasil added two goals apiece. Cam Ward made 33 saves in his first start since Jan. 15.
Honorable Mention: Goals by Corey Perry and Andrew Cogliano 1:41 apart early in the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and helped give the Anaheim Ducks a 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Patrick Maroon recorded a three-point night with a goal and two assists, while Rickard Rakell and Ryan Kesler each chipped in a pair of assists … What a save by Jeff Zatkoff on Erik Condra:
… In her first game back in almost two years, Amanda Kessel assisted on two goals as the University of Minnesota women’s team blanked North Dakota 3-0.
Did You Know?
Dishonorable Mention: Pittsburgh’s four-game win streak came to an end … Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots … Connor Hellebuyck’s night lasted 4:33 after the Hurricanes scored three times on their first six shots of the game … Arizona has allowed 21 goals in their last four games.
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