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NHL Three Stars: Ovechkin hits 1,000; Flames get late winner

Sean Leahy
Contributing writer
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 11: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal for his 1000th career point against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period during an NHL game at Verizon Center on January 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 11: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal for his 1000th career point against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period during an NHL game at Verizon Center on January 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

No. 1 Star: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Ovi scored goals 545 and 546 and eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark as the Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2. Nicklas Backstrom finished with a goal and three assists while T.J. Oshie assisted on three of the Caps’ five goals.

No. 2 Star: Phillip Danault, Montreal Canadiens

Danault was one of six Habs to have a multi-point night as Montreal beat the Winnipeg Jets 7-4. Danault scored twice, including a great coast-to-coast goal, while Artturi Lehkonen added two of his own in the third period and picked up an assist. Brian Flynn, Sven Andrighetto, Shea Weber and Nathan Beaulieu all recorded two points apiece.

No. 3 Star: Matthew Tkachuk, Calgary Flames

Dougie Hamilton’s wrister from the point late in the third period may have deflected off Tkachuk to snap a 2-2 tie and give the Flames a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. But before then, the Calgary rookie had a goal and an assist to continue his recent scoring trend.

Honorable Mention: Jason Demers’ goal 1:09 into the second period would stand as the game-winner as the Florida Panthers edged the New York Islanders 2-1. Roberto Luongo made 29 saves as the Cats won for the fourth time in six games … Backstrom and Oshie now have 18 combined points in three games against Pittsburgh this season.

Did You Know? Keith Yandle’s teams have now won each of the last 14 regular season and playoff games that he’s scored.

Dishonorable Mention: The Sharks were left to play with five defenseman after a lineup card error forced Mirco Mueller to exit early into the first period … The Islanders have dropped four of their last five games and are now 0-10-1 when trailing after 40 minutes … Connor Hellebuyck lasted just 14:01 and was pulled after allowing three goals on seven shots.

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