No. 1 Star: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning star is the first to 40 goals this season, opening the scoring and adding three assists in Tampa Bay's 4-3 overtime win against the St. Louis Blues. Stamkos celebrates his 21st birthday on Monday. Vinny Lecavalier had the game-winner, assisted by Stamkos and Marc-Andre Bergeron, who had two helpers in his season debut for the Bolts.
No. 2 Star: Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals
The Caps keeper, filling in for the under-the-weather Semyon Varlamov, made 22 saves for his second career shutout, topping the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-0. He said he took inspiration from Pens Coach Dan Bylsma's words on "HBO 24/7", in which he labeled Neuvirth as "shaky." Said Neuvirth: "Before the game, I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm-up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." Brooks Laich, Marcus Johansson and Mike Knuble had the goals.
No. 3 Star: Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils
Kovalchuk continued his late-season renaissance, scoring two goals to give him 17 on the season in the Devils' 4-1 victory at the Montreal Canadiens. Dainius Zubrus and Travis Zajac had the other goals.
Honorable mention: Nikita Nikitin scored his first NHL goal for the Blues, while David Backes scored No. 17. ... P.K. Subban was credited with his sixth goal for the Habs, on a play that saw the puck deflect in off of Kovalchuk's stick. ... Johan Hedberg made 14 saves in relief of Martin Brodeur for the Devils, as Brodeur left with a bruised leg in the first period. Said Marty: "I don't think it's anything major." ... Marc-Andre Fleury (21 saves) was outstanding in defeat for the shorthanded Penguins, missing both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Did you know? Brodeur was still credited with the win. A Montreal native, he improved to 40-16-5 overall against the Canadiens. (AP)
Dishonorable mention: Matt Cooke's dangerous, penalized hit on Alex Ovechkin drew the Capitals' ire. ... Eric Brewer's holding call led to Tampa's game-winning power-play goal in overtime.
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