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NHL Three Stars: Tricky night for Neal, Frolik and Silfverberg

Greg Wyshynski

No. 1 Star: James Neal, Nashville Predators 

Neal was the Predators’ offense against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night, tallying a hat trick in their 3-2 win. All three goals came at even strength, including the game-winner to break a 2-2 tie in the third period. Neal now has 26 goals on the season.

No. 2 Star: Michael Frolik, Calgary Flames

Frolik scored two key third-period goals to complete a hat trick and ice the game for Calgary in their 7-4 win over the St. Louis Blues. Frolik scored in the first period shorthanded, added another shorthanded goal in the third period with the Blues in the midst of a rally, and then scored an empty-netter to top the scoring.

No. 3 Star: Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks

The winger had a four-point night in their 7-1 demolition of the New Jersey Devils. He assisted on Andrew Cogliano’s goal in the second period to open the scoring. He then notched a hat trick, including a third-period power-play goal for the Ducks’ final tally. He now has 12 goals on the season.

Honorable Mention: Deryk Engelland and Mark Giordano were a plus-4. … Jonathan Quick made 32 saves and Kris Versteeg had a goal and an assist in the Los Angeles Kings’ 5-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He earned his 41st NHL shutout to pass Frank Brimsek and John Vanbiesbrouck for most by a U.S.-born goalie. Tyler Toffoli scored goal No. 25. … Marko Dano had two goals and an assist in the Winnipeg Jets’ 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Mark Scheifele scored No. 23. … Cal Clutterbuck scored an unassisted goal at 18:21 of the third period to complete a three-goal Islanders rally for the 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers.

Game of the Night:

The Islanders had an impressive rally against the Panthers. Watch it here!

Did You Know? For the first time since the 2007-08 season, the Predators have two 25-goal scorers in the same season: James Neal and Filip Forsberg. [Vingan]

Dishonorable Mention: Reid Boucher, John Moore, Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac were all a minus-3. … Keith Kincaid, one of last week’s three stars in the NHL, gave up six goals and was chased. … Jake Allen had won his past six starts but was pulled after allowing four goals on 17 shots. … Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz were a minus-4; Jori Lehtera was a minus-3. … Andrew Ladd was a minus-3. … Ben Hutton was a minus-3. ... Ken Hitchcock was not happy with the two goalie inteference reviews that went against the Blues:

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com 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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