Advertisement

NHL Three Stars: Flames thump Ducks, Flyers win five straight

AP_16339839140355
AP_16339839140355

No. 1 Star: Alexander Radulov, Montreal Canadiens

The career renaissance of Radulov continues as the Canadiens scored four goals against the Los Angeles Kings. Radulov assisted on Max Pacioretty’s two goals and added one of his own. In the shootout, he did not disappoint.

No. 2 Star: Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

After going on a five game win streak, Ward dropped his next three. The goaltender needed a great game to right himself. The formidable Tampa Bay Lightning threw 30 shots on Ward through regulation and overtime before Phillip DiGiuseppe won it for the ‘Canes.

No. 3 Star: Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

In his triumphant return to the ice, the forward scored on his very first shot on goal of the game. It setup what would be a very long night for Jonathan Bernier and the Anaheim Ducks.

Honorable Mention: Paul Byron sank the game winner in the shootout for Montreal. The Kings scored three goals in the second period and didn’t take the lead in the game until Trevor Lewis’s gorgeous breakaway goal that beat Carey Price:

The Kings power play was 2-for-4 and the Habs were 2-for-5; all power play goals came in the second period … For the fifth time in his career, Wayne Simmonds scored two power play goals in a game. After beating the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Sunday, the Philadelphia Flyers have won five straight … Mike Green scored two goals for the Detroit Red Wings in their 4-3 overtime win against the New York Islanders. He would have had a hat trick if his third goal wasn’t called back for goaltender interference … The Winnipeg Jets may have won the game, but Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin combined for the best goal in the tilt:

… Alex Chiasson, Matt Stajan and Sam Bennett all had one goal, two assist nights in the Flames 8-3 thumping of the Anaheim Ducks. In total, eight Flames players had multi-point games. Ryan Kesler scored two of Anaheim’s three goals … Mikko Koivu was 21 of 23 on the faceoff dot against the Edmonton Oilers. He also potted the game winning goal in overtime:

Did You Know?

Dishonorable Mention: Alex Galchenyuk left the game mid-way through the third period after colliding with Anze Kopitar and did not return due to a lower-body injury. The Habs will release more information on Monday … Jonathan Drouin was a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury … Philly’s Matt Read left the game with an upper-body injury in the first period … Jonathan Bernier allowed 8 goals on 25 shots. Five of those goals came in a six minute time frame:

Randy Carlyle told reporters he couldn’t pull Jonathan Bernier because John Gibson, although dressed, had the stomach flu. Kevin Bieksa and Michael Ferlund renewed pleasantries and fought in the first period. Ferlund got the worst of it and did not return to the game. Rickard Rakell did not play for the Ducks because of an upper-body injury.

– – – – – – –

Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter!