NHL Three Stars: Kevin Klein powers Rangers over Ducks
No. 1 Star: Kevin Klein, New York Rangers
The first two-goal game of Klein’s 11-year NHL career was all the offense the Rangers needed in their 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Klein scored the game-tying goal in the second and the eventual game-winner with 6:41 left in the third period. Antti Raanta made 22 saves in the win.
No. 2 Star: Michael Frolik, Calgary Flames
Frolik, a former Jet, had a goal and two assists in the Flames’ 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He scored his 15th in a 3-goal first period, and assisted on tallies from Joe Colborne and Mark Giordano. Joni Ortio made 28 saves in the win.
No. 3 Star: Paul Byron, Montreal Canadiens
Bryon put the puck off of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian’s stick and into the net for an overtime winner, as the Canadiens defeated the Sabres, 3-2.
Honorable Mention: Radko Gudas scored a goal off of Christian Ehrhoff’s stick to break a 2-2 tie in the third period, as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2, to move into a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Jonathan Toews scored his 25th goal in the defeat. … Mark Letestu and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two goals apiece in the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues. David Backes had two goals in defeat. … Mikkel Boedker scored two goals in the Colorado Avalanche’s 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Semyon Varlamov made 28 saves for Avs.
Game of the Night:
How much fun was the Flyers’ win over the Blackhawks? Well, for everyone but Penguins, Red Wings and Blackhawks fans?
Did You Know? The Ducks lost in regulation at home for the first time since Jan. 17.
Dishonorable Mention: While he was the first star, Klein also turned the puck over for the Ducks’ goal. … Leon Draisaitl was a minus-3. … The Sabres and Canadiens nearly had a line brawl that nearly involved the goalies. … Troy Brouwer was given five minutes and a game misconduct for boarding Matt Hendricks.
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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
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