NHL Three Stars: BYE, CANADIAN TEAMS! NO PLAYOFFS FOR YOU, EH?
No. 1 Star: Steve Mason, Philadelphia Flyers
Thanks to this incredible save the netminder, the Flyers beats the Washington Capitals in a shootout. Not only does Philly move into the last Wild Card spot, but they also eliminate the Ottawa Senators – the last standing Canadian team – from the playoff race.
No. 2 Star: Alex Chiasson, Ottawa Senators
Ryan Dzingel picks the pocket of Ben Chiarot then sends the puck through the slot where it deflects off Mark Scheifele’s skate, right to Chiasson. The forward goes top shelf and it stands as the game winner.
No. 3 Star: John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Even though the final score was 8-3, Gibson earned a shutout of sorts stopping 21 of 21. He left the ice after Hampus Lindholm collided with him in the second period; he returned to start the third. Frederik Andersen allowed all three goals in 11 minutes before mysteriously disappearing from the Ducks bench in the final frame.
Honorable Mention: Remember that one time Ovi scored on the power play from the left faceoff dot? Okay, that’s all the time. Here’s his latest on a sweet pass by Evgeny Kuznetsov.
… Ryan Kesler had 1 goal and 3 assists in a win that puts Anaheim into first place (for now) of the Pacific Division. This is the Ducks 23rd straight win against Calgary at Honda Center. All but three skaters scored for Anaheim.
Did You Know? For the first time since 1970, no Canadian teams are in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Dishonorable Mention: Jason Chimera gives Shayne Gostisbehere a butt end after the whistle. People in Washington say Ghost-Bear sold the call. People in Philly say it’s a cheapshot. You be the judge.
… Dustin Byfuglien destroyed Mark Stone with a clean check. The Senators were after Big Buf from that point on. Stone went to the hospital for evaluation after suffering a chest injury … Jonas Hiller lasted 6:51 in Anaheim after allowing 3 goals in 6:51. Niklas Backstrom gave up 5 goals on 22 shots in relief.
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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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