NHL Three Stars: Ovechkin returns; Karlsson helps end Senators’ skid

The Sabres actually beat the Sharks. I'd say I called it, but I said regulation.

No. 1 Star: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

In his return to the Washington lineup after three games out with an injury, Ovechkin did what he does, scoring twice and adding an assist as the Capitals skated past the New York Islanders, 6-2. Ovechkin's first of the night came during an absurd stretch where the Capitals scored five goals in just over five minutes.

No. 2 Star: Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

Karlsson led the way in ending the Senators' five-game skid with a 4-1 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He scored twice, registered a game-high six shots on goal, and played 26:16, also a game-high. But he's not a god, okay? He is not.

No. 3 Star: Mark Arcobello, Edmonton Oilers

Arcobello scored his first NHL goal in the Oilers' 4-3 overtime win over the Florida Panthers, and when it was overshadowed by Taylor Fedun's first, a slightly bigger moment, he snatched the spotlight back by scoring his second career goal in the extra frame:

Honorable mention: Alex Steen scored his 13th goal of the season in the St. Louis Blues' 3-2 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens... Manny Malhotra played the hero, scoring the OT winner as the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1... The big story coming into the Dallas Stars' visit to Boston was the return of Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley, and it was the big story when they left, because the two centers scored shootout goals to give the Stars the 3-2 victory. That game also featured the biggest, cleanest hit of the night, as Johnny Boychuk demolished Erik Cole:

... In other shootout news, Antoine Vermette scored the shootout winner as the Phoenix Coyotes edged the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2... Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise each had three-point nights as the Minnesota Wild topped the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-1... The Buffalo Sabres shocked the San Jose Sharks with a 4-3 shootout win. Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons, Cody Hodgson and Drew Stafford all had two-point nights.

Did You Know? With the shootout win, Ryan Miller tied Henrik Lundqvist for the most shootout wins in NHL history at 45.

Dishonorable mention: As mentioned above, the Islanders surrendered five goals in five minutes to the Capitals Tuesday night, which strikes me as a detriment to winning. Here's all five: