NHL Three Stars: Skinner’s last second heroics, Marchand’s OT winner
No. 1 Star: Jonas Gustavsson, Boston Bruins
Gustavsson got the start in an important divisional game. He earned the shutout on a 42 save effort against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bruins and Lightning are now tied for first in the Atlantic.
No. 2 Star: Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
Skinner scored 2 goals against the Ottawa Senators. His second came with one second left in the third period to tie the game. Ryan Murphy assisted on both Skinner goals. The Hurricanes went on to win in a shootout.
No. 3 Star: Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens
Some good news for the Canadiens! They won! In overtime! Galchenyuk’s second goal, his third point of the game, came 1:59 into OT.
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Honorable Mention: Mats Zuccarello scored a goal and 2 assists in the New York Rangers 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Antti Raanta earned his 8 win of the season with 34 saves. The Sabres poured it on in this third period with 19 shots to the Rangers 4 … Mike Green assists on all three Detroit Red Wings goals in the 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Cam Atkinson picked up 3 points while Seth Jones, Brandon Dubinsky, Boone Jenner, and Alexander Wennberg had 2 points each. Watch this sweet David Clarkson between the legs goal:
… Both New York Islanders goals were scored on the power play in the team’s 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Isles were 2 for 4 with the man advantage … 10 seconds into overtime: Patrice Bergeron to Brad Marchand. MONEY. It’s Marchand’s 34 goal of the season.
… Colton Sissons, Craig Smith, and Colin Wilson each earned 2 points in the Nashville Predators 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Just another day at the office for Shea Weber. He had 1 assist and 4 blocked shots in 30:03 TOI … Congrats to James Reimer for earning his first shutout of the season and first win as a member of the San Jose Sharks. Logan Couture netted both of his goals in the first period. Joe Thornton earned assist No. 49 on the season on Joe Pavelski’s second period goal. The Sharks beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-0. Good scrap between Roman Polak and Darnell Nurse:
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Dishonorable Mention: Robin Lehner was pulled after allowing 3 goals on 14 shots through 26:05 … Ottawa and Carolina gave up consecutive shorthanded goals … Jaroslav Halak picked up his 200 career win, but he was injured in the process and had to leave the game after 55:38 played:
… Jason Demers exited the game against Montreal with an upper-body injury. Per Lindy Ruff, he is expected to be out long term … Could John-Michael Liles be hearing from the Department of Player Safety for this hit on Nikita Kucherov? He was not penalized on the play (… by Tim Peel). Kucherov did return to finish the game.
… Austin Watson received a match penalty for this hit on Marko Dano. Dano would return to the game for the third period.
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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.
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