Hockey Night’s 3 Stars

CBCSports.ca senior hockey writer Tim Wharnsby names the top performers in the NHL from the weekend.

FIRST STAR: Ondrej Pavelec(notes), Atlanta

On a weekend of the 50th anniversary celebrations for Jacques Plante wearing a mask for the first time in an NHL game, Pavelec felt like the Montreal goalie. One of Pavelec’s 50 saves in the Thrashers’ 3-1 victory against Ottawa was off his chin. His mask had fallen off, but he still stopped Alex Kovalev(notes) in the third period on Saturday.

SECOND STAR: Jeff Tambellini(notes), N.Y. Islanders

The son of Edmonton general manager Steve Tambellini scored his first career NHL hat trick on Saturday. The proud papa happened to be in the stands for the Islanders’ 5-0 victory over Buffalo because the Oilers visit the Islanders on Monday.

THIRD STAR: Andrew Raycroft(notes), Vancouver

Subbing in for the injured Roberto Luongo(notes), the Canucks backup made 18 saves to blank Colorado 3-0 on Sunday for his second win in three starts. The last time Raycroft earned a shutout was on Nov. 9, 2007, when he was with Toronto and beat Buffalo on the road 3-0.