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NHL Three Stars: Max Pacioretty’s 5-pointer; Gagner leads Oil

NHL Three Stars: Max Pacioretty’s 5-pointer; Gagner leads Oil

No. 1 Star: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens forward had a 5-point night, including a hat trick, as Montreal beat the Ottawa Senators in a wild 7-4 game. Pacioretty scored his first goal in the first to tie the game at 3-3. He scored another in the second and then completed the trick for his 38th goal of the season. Thomas Vanek had three assists in the win.

No. 2 Star: Sam Gagner, Edmonton Oilers

Gagner scored the game-tying goal for Edmonton at 19:19 of the third period – a gift thanks to a miscue by Phoenix Coyotes goalie Thomas Greiss – and then beat Greiss in the shootout with an awesome move for the 3-2 win.

No. 3 Star: Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils

Schneider was the difference in the Devils’ 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals, stopping 24 shots and robbing Marcus Johansson twice in the game.

Honorable mention: The Detroit Red Wings scored three first-period goals and then hung on for a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Daniel Alfredsson had a goal and an assist. … Colin Wilson and Mike Fisher scored two goals apiece in the Nashville Predators’ 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. ... Mike Cammalleri scored in the Calgary Flames’ 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers. It was Cammalleri’s 500th career point. … The Columbus Blue Jackets suffered a heartbreaking loss as Ben Smith scored with 3.7 seconds left in regulation, giving the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 win. Ryan Johansen scored his 31st in the loss, while Patrick Sharp scored his 32nd. …

Dishonorable mention: Chris Neil earned 24 minutes in penalties against Montreal. … P.K. Subban and Jason Spezza were a minus-3. … Francois Beauchemin was a minus-4.