NHL Three Stars: Flyers win in OT; Sharks top Kings
No. 1 Star: Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
Some felt Giroux shouldn’t play against the Winnipeg Jets after appearing to suffer a concussion against the Arizona Coyotes. But he played, and he scored the overtime winner with 14 seconds left before the shootout in Philly’s 3-2 victory. Giroux also assisted on Wayne Simmonds’ second-period goal.
No. 2 Star: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
Bishop was spotted a 2-0 lead in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs and made it stick, making 34 saves in their 3-0 shutout win. Victor Hedman had a goal and an assist.
No. 3 Star: Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
The Sharks standout had a deflection goal and assisted on Joe Thornton’s game-winner in their 5-2 over the Los Angeles Kings. Pavs has five goals and five assists vs. the Kings this season.
Honorable Mention: Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist while Braden Holtby made 21 saves in the Washington Capitals’ President’s Trophy-clinching 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. … The Detroit Red Wings nearly blew a 3-0 lead, but hung on to win against the Buffalo Sabres, 3-2. Henrik Zetterberg had two assists. … The Colorado Avalanche took a 3-0 lead in the first 11:40 of their game against the Nashville Predators and then hung on for a huge 4-3 win. Blake Comeau had a goal and an assist, and Semyon Varlamov made 32 saves. … Corey Perry and Brandon Pirri provided the goals for John Gibson (27 saves) as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1. They pulled within a point of the Los Angeles Kings. … Sam Bennett answered two Anthony Duclair goals with two of his own, and Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist in the Calgary Flames’ 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes.
Game of the Night:
The U.S. women defeated Canada at worlds. Apple pie! Eagles! Healthy currency!
Did You Know? Derek Grant and Hunter Shinkaruk each got their first NHL point with an assist for the Flames.
Dishonorable Mention: Brian Boyle was given a misconduct at 19:55 of the third against the Leafs. … Pekka Rinne was pulled after giving up three goals on 10 shots. … Jake Muzzin was a minus-3. … This was a bad call:
