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NHL Three Stars: Couturier has career night; Desharnais helps sink Devils

Sean Leahy
·Contributing writer

No. 1 Star: Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers

After having been quiet early in the season, Couturier has exploded offensively with six points in his last four games, including two goals and two assists during Philadelphia's 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The career night for Couturier helped the Flyers to only their second win in Detroit since 1989.

No. 2 Star: David Desharnais, Montreal Canadiens

Desharnais bailed out the Habs in regulation and the shootout as they edged the New Jersey Devils 4-3. In a wild finish to regulation, Desharnais scored the tying goal 29 seconds after Patrik Elias gave the Devils a 3-2 lead. In the shootout, Desharnais got the better of Elias again scoring the game-deciding goal before the Devils forward was denied by Peter Budaj.

No. 3 Star: Karri Ramo, Calgary Flames

Behind Ramo's 29 saves and goals from four different skaters, the Flames iced the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1. Mark Giordano scored in his first game back in the lineup and T.J. Brodie, Jiri Hudler and Matt Stajan joined him with two points on the night. Hudler earned assist of the night honors on Mikael Backlund's goal:

Honorable mention: Matt Read and Scott Hartnell each had a goal and two assists ... Steve Mason made 32 saves ... The Flyers cashed in on all three power play opportunities ... Tomas Tatar scored twice for Detroit in the loss ... Joakim Anderson was 16-for-17 in the face-off circle for the Red Wings ... Brian Gionta joined Desharnais in the "goal and an assist" club for the Canadiens ... Budaj made 31 saves to improve to 5-1-1 ... Devils rookie Reid Boucher recorded an assist and scored a goal in the shootout in his NHL debut. His shootout tally snapped an 0-for-14 streak for New Jersey ... Quite the scrap between Brandon Prust and Cam Janssen:

Did You Know? Calgary has now won consecutive games for the first time since Oct. 9 and 11. (AP)

Dishonorable mention: The Devils are now 0-5 in the shootout this season ... Detroit went 1-for-7 on the power play.