NHL Three Stars: Kyle Palmieri’s natural hat trick; Anze Kopitar plays hero

No. 1 Star: Kyle Palmieri, Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks winger scored the sixth natural hat trick in franchise history, leading Anaheim to a 5-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf had the assists on each of the goals.

No. 2 Star: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar’s Datsyukian goal at 15:12 of the third period gave the Kings a 2-1 lead they wouldn’t relinquish against the Detroit Red Wings. Kopitar previously assisted on Jeff Carter’s power-play goal to tie the game just under five minutes earlier.

No. 3 Star: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens

The Habs forward scored two goals in Montreal’s 5-2 win at the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pacioretty scored on the power play in the second period, and then added a key insurance goal in the third period just over five minutes after Brendan Gallagher gave the Habs the lead.

Honorable mention: Claude Giroux scored a goal and an assist and Simon Gagne scored his first since returning to the Flyers in Philly’s 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. Scott Hartnell had two assists. … Jonathan Bernier made 32 saves for the Kings.

Did you know? Irish forward Robbie Keane attended the Kings game along with most of the two-time defending MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy, who begin their regular season Sunday. (AP)

[Also: NBC announcer to Ovechkin: 'Act like a man, for god’s sake']

Dishonorable mention: Pekka Rinne was chased after giving up five goals on 21 shots. … Roman Josi was a minus-3. … Braden Holtby was chased after giving up four goals in 18 shots. … Harry Zolnierczyk of the Flyers was given a 5-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct. … Mike Ribeiro of the Capitals was given a misconduct. … Mike Brown gets a five minutes boarding major and a game misconduct for this hit on Josh Gorges.

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