NHL Three Stars: Giroux leads incredible Flyers’ comeback; Alfie scores in OT

Alec Martinez #27 and Ben Scrivens #54 of the Los Angeles Kings use a sign to retrieve a soccer ball prior to the game against the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center on December 19, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)

No. 1 Star: Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers had a miraculous 5-goal rally in the third against the Columbus Blue Jackets, led by Giroux’s 2 goals and 2 assists, including a goal of the year candidate. The Flyers won, 5-4. Jakub Voracek had a goal and two assists.

No. 2 Star: Daniel Alfredsson, Detroit Red Wings

Alfredsson opened and closed the scoring for the Wings, scoring a power-play goal in overtime to give Detroit a 3-2 win over Calgary. Congrats, “HBO 24/7” producers.

No. 3 Star: Alex Steen, St. Louis Blues

New contract in hand, Steen scored a shorthanded goal and another at even strength (his 24th on the year) to help the St. Louis Blues to a 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Honorable mention: Erik Cole had a goal and two assists and Kari Lehtonen made 27 saves in the Dallas Stars’ 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. ... Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers scored third-period goals, leading the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Brian Flynn had a shorthanded goal in the first. Brad Marchand had the Bruins’ goals. … The Florida Panthers won again, getting third period goals from Tom Gilbert and Tomas Kopecky in their 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. … Michael Cammalleri assisted on both Calgary goals. … Anders Lindback made 28 saves to beat his old team, as the Tampa Bay Lightning topped the Nashville Predators, 4-2. … Max Talbot’s shorthanded goal in the second period ended up as the game-winner, as the Colorado Avalanche topped the Edmonton Oilers, 4-2. … … The Toronto Maple Leafs outlasted the Phoenix Coyotes, 2-1, in the shootout, as James Reimer outdueled Mike Smith. … Martin Jones moved to 7-0-0 with a 31-save effort in the Los Angeles Kings’ 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. … Finally, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Minnesota Wild, 5-2, as Chris Kuntiz scored to goals. But Olli Maata’s short-handed penalty shot was the most memorable tally:

Did You Know? Jones picked up his first NHL point on an assist on Tyler Toffoli’s goal.

Dishonorable mention: R.J. Umberger and Ryan Johansen were both a minus-3. … Alexei Yemelin and Raphael Diaz were minus-3. … Sam Gagner earned a 5-minute major and a misconduct for cross-checking Paul Stastny. … Dustin Brown was ejected for a knee-on-knee hit with Tomas Hertl, who did not return to the game. … Tom Sestito was given a misconduct in the third period for Vancouver. … Roberto Luongo was pulled after giving up four goals.