Tarasenko, Ehlers, and duo of Bratt and Johansson named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

The Neutral Zone' hockey blog has named Vladimir Tarasenko, Nikolaj Ehlers, and the duo of Jesper Bratt and Marcus Johansson as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL games that took place on October 9, 2017.

FIRST STAR - VLADIMIR TARASENKO, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Tarasenko scored twice in regulation and added a shootout marker to help the Blues improve to 3-0-0.

SECOND STAR - NIKOLAJ EHLERS, F, WINNIPEG JETS

Ehlers scored his second career hat trick and tied a career high with four points to lead the Jets to their first win of the season. Ehlers is the third player in Jets / Thrashers franchise history to score a natural hat trick (Kovalchuk on Nov. 11, 2005, Hossa on Jan. 15, 2008).

THIRD STAR(S) - JESPER BRATT and MARCUS JOHANSSON, Fs, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Jesper Bratt and Marcus Johansson each collected 2-1—3 to guide the Devils to a 6-2 victory. Bratt is the first player in Devils franchise history to record five points through the first two games of his NHL career.

Ovechkin, Pominville, Quick named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

The Neutral Zone' hockey blog has named Alex Ovechkin, Jason Pominville, and Jonathan Quick as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL games that took place on October 5, 2017.

FIRST STAR, ALEX OVECHKIN, F, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Alex Ovechkin is the second player in Capitals history to score a hat trick in a season-opening game (Mikhail Grabovski on Oct. 1, 2013).

SECOND STAR - JASON POMINVILLE, F, BUFFALO SABRES

Jason Pominville scored twice in his return to the Sabres lineup – his first multi-goal game with the team since Mar. 2, 2013.

THIRD STAR - JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Jonathan Quick became the third Kings goalie to post a shutout in a season opener, joining Rogie Vachon (1977) and Stephane Fiset (1996, 1999).

McDavid, Simmonds, Pietrangelo named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

The Neutral Zone hockey blog has named Connor McDavid, Wayne Simmonds, and Alex Pietrangelo as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL games that took place on October 4, 2017.

FIRST STAR - CONNOR McDAVID, F, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid recorded the first opening-night hat trick in Oilers franchise history. He is second in NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) with a natural hat trick in a season opener (Radim Vrbata on Oct. 3, 2013).

SECOND STAR, WAYNE SIMMONDS, F, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Simmonds recorded the first opening-night hat trick in Flyers franchise history.

THIRD STAR - ALEX PIETRANGELO, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Pietrangelo scored his 3rd career regular-season OT goal to tie the Blues record by a defenseman.

Draisaitl, Johansen, Josi named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Johansen, and Roman Josi as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on May 7, 2017.

FIRST STAR - LEON DRAISAITL, F, EDMONTON OILERS

Draisaitl is the first Oilers player with multiple four-point games in a playoff year since 1988 (Messier, Anderson, Kurri, Gretzky). Draisaitl is the first Oilers player with 3 goals in a playoff game since 2000 (Weight & Guerin in Games 3-4 of CQF, respectively). He became 1st player w/ 5 points in Stanley Cup Playoff game since 2015 CF, when Derick Brassard (3-2—5) helped the Rangers force Game 7.

SECPND STAR - RYAN JOHANSEN, F, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Johansen became the eighth different Predators player to score a game-winning goal in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

THIRD STAR - ROMAN JOSI, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Josi scored in Nashville's 3-1 win over St. Louis to advance to the Westrn Conference Finals.

Perry, Schwartz, Jaskin named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Corey Perry, Jaden Schwartz and Dmitrij Jaskin as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on May 5, 2017.

FIRST STAR - COREY PERRY, F, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Perry scored at 6:57 of double-overtime to power the Ducks to a 3-2 lead in their Second Round series. It was his third overtime goal in the postseason, which allowed Perry to take sole possession of first place in history.

SECOND STAR - JADEN SCHWARTZ, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Schwartz scored the go-ahead goal 25 seconds into the third period to help the Blues stave off elimination. Schwartz is third Blues player to score three GWGs in a playoff year (Brett Hull x2, Scott Young, David Backes).

THIRD STAR - DMITRIJ JASKIN, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Jaskin opened the scoring in his first game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Getzlaf, Silfverberg, Fleury named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Ryan Getzlaf, Jakob Silfverberg, and Marc-Andre Fleury as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on May 3, 2017.

FIRST STAR - RYAN GETZLAF, F, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Getzlaf (2-1—3) scored his 36th playoff goal to surpass Teemu Selanne for most in franchise history, and also tied Corey Perry with most three-point playoff games in Ducks history (6).

SECOND STAR - JAKOB SILFVERBERG, F, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Silfverberg scored 0:45 into overtime as Ducks evened their series 2-2 with Edmonton.

THIRD STAR - MARC ANDRE FLEURY, G, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Fleury (36 saves) became 16th goalie NHL history, and second in as many nights, to win 60 career playoff games.

Ellis, Lundqvist, Stepan named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Ryan Ellis, Henrik LUndqvist and Derek Stepan as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on May 2, 2017.

FIRST STAR  RYAN ELLIS, F, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Ellis scored for the third straight contest to extend his point streak to seven games (4-5—9). Ellis tied the Preds' record for longest point streak in the playoffs, set by Colin Wilson in 2016 (4-5—9). Ellis is the first defenseman with a seven-game point streak in the playoffs since Chris Pronger and Jason Woolley in 1998.

SECOND STAR - HENRIK LUNDQVIST, G, NEW YORK RANGERS
Lundqvist earned his 60th career playoff win to tie Turk Broda for 14th place all-time.

THIRD STAR - DEREK STEPAN, F, NEW YORK RANGERS
By playing in last night's game, Derek Stepan has now played more playoff games with the Rangers than any other forward in franchise history (94).

Getzlaf, Rakell, Ellis named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell, and Ryan Ellis as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on April 30, 2017.

FIRST STAR - RYAN GETZLAF, F, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Getzlaf scored his 34th career playoff goal to move within one of Teemu Selanne (35) for the most in Ducks history.

SECOND STAR - RICKARD RAKELL, F, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Rakell opened the scoring 25 seconds into Game 3, the fastest goal to begin a playoff game in Ducks history.

THIRD STAR - RYAN ELLIS, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Ellis opened the scoring in Game 3 to extend his point streak to six games (3-5—8).

Pageau, Guentzel, Crosby named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Jake Gentzel, and Sidney Crosby as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on April 29, 2017.

FIRST STAR - JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU, F, OTTAWA SENATORS

Pageau scored his 4th goal of the game 2:54 into the second overtime to give the Senators a 2-0 series lead over the Rangers. Pageau is 2nd player in NHL history to score 4 goals in playoff game, w/ OT winner (also: Joffrey Lupul, 2006 CSF).

SECOND STAR - JAKE GUENTZEL, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Guentzel (7 G in 7 GP) surpassed Bryan Rust (6 G in 23 GP in 2016) for most goals by a Penguins rookie in single postseason. Guentzel and Michel Briere (1970) are the only Penguins rookies in club history to score three game-winning goals in the playoffs. Guentzel is 3rd player since 1943-44 to score 7+ goals in first 7 playoff games, joining Maurice Richard (10) & Dino Ceccarelli (7).

THIRD STAR - SIDNEY CROSBY, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Crosby (0-2—2) tallied his 52nd career multi-point playoff game to pass Mario Lemieux for most in Penguins history.

Talbot, Tarasenko, Ellis named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Cam Talbot, Vladimir Tarasenki, and Ryan Ellis as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL playoff games taking place on April 28, 2017.

FIRST STAR - CAM TALBOT, G, EDMONTON OILERS

Talbot turned aside 39 of 40 shots he faced as the Oilers left Anaheim with a 2-0 series lead. Talbot earned his fourth consecutive win and improved to 6-2 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs overall.

SECOND STAR - VLADIMIR TARASENKO, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Tarasenko scored the go-ahead goal with 3:51 remaining in regulation as the Blues evened their series at 1-1.

THIRD STAR - RYAN ELLIS, F, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Ellis recorded a goal and an assist in Nashville's Game 2 loss to St. Louis.

Karlsson, Crosby, Bonino named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Erik Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, and Nick Bonino as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL playoff games taking place on April 27, 2017.

FIRST STAR - ERIK KARLSSON, D, OTTAWA SENATORS

Karlsson leads all skaters with 30:11 TOI/GP and all defensemen with 1-6—7 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

SECOND STAR - SIDNEY CROSBY, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Crosby registered his 51st career multi-point playoff game to pass Jaromir Jagr (50) for most among active NHL players.

THIRD STAR - NICK BONINO, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Bonino scored the go-ahead goal at 12:36 of the third period to guide the Penguins to a 1-0 series lead. Bonino tallied his sixth career game-winning goal in the playoffs and second vs. Washington (Game 6 of 2016 SR).

Johansson, MacArthur, Matthews named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Marcus Johansson, Clarke MacArthur, and Auston Matthews as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games taking place on April 23, 2017.

FIRST STAR - MARCUS JOHANSSON, F, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Johansson scored his second goal of the game at 6:31 of overtime to lead the Capitals to the Second Round. Johansson (62 GP) recorded his first career overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and his second game-winner.

SECOND STAR - CLARKE MacARTHUR, F, OTTAWA SENATORS

MacArthur scored at 6:30 of overtime to help the Senators advance past the opening round for the first time since 2013. The overtime goal was the first of his playoff career and his second postseason game-winner (also May 10, 2013 vs. BOS).

THIRD STAR - AUSTON MATTHEWS, F, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Matthews is the first rookie to score in 4 straight playoff games since Logan Couture in May of 2011.

Zuccarello, Slepyshev, Paajarvi named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Mats Zuccarello, Anton Slepyshev, and Magnus Paajarvi as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL playoff games taking place on April 22, 2017.

FIRST STAR - MATS ZUCCARELLO, F, NEW YORK RANGERS

Zuccarello scored twice as the Rangers defeated the Canadiens to reach the Second Round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Zuccarello is first Rangers player to score twice in a series-clinching win since Mark Messier in Game 5 of 1997 CQF.

SECOND STAR - ANTON SLEPYSHEV, F, EDMONTON OILERS
Slepyshev scored the game-winning goal to help the Oilers advance to the Second Round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Slepyshev is first Oilers rookie to score in the postseason since Brad Winchester in Game 2 of 2006 CQF at DET. He is the third Oilers rookie to score a series-clinching goal (Pouzar in 1983 DF and Beranek in 1992 DSF).

THIRD STAR - MAGNUS PAAJARVI, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Paajarvi scored at 9:42 of overtime as the Blues defeated the Wild to reach the Second Round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Paajarvi is the seventh Blues player to score a series-clinching OT goal and 1st since Pierre Turgeon (Game 7, 1999 CQF).

Kuraly, Williams, Oshie named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Sean Kuraly, Justin Williams, and T.J. Oshie as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on April 21, 2017.

FIRST STAR - SEAN KURALY, F, BOSTON BRUINS

Kuraly scored his second goal of the contest at 10:19 of double-overtime as the Bruins forced Game 6 in their first-round series. Kuraly is seventh @NHLBruins rookie to score an OT goal in postseason (Hill, DeMarco, Gallinger, Donato, Bergeron, Fraser).

SECOND STAR - JUSTRIN WILLIAMS, F, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Williams scored at 1:04 of overtime to power the Capitals to a 3-2 series lead against the Maple Leafs.

THIRD STAR - T.J. OSHIE, F, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Oshie opened the scoring and has collected at least one point in all five games of the series (3-4–7).

Zibanejad, Desharnais, Malkin named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Mika Zobanejad, David Desharnais, and Evgeni Malkin as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL playoff games taking place on April 20, 2017.

FIRST STAR - MIKA ZIBANEJAD, F, NEW YORK RANGERS

Zibanejad scored 14:22 into overtime as the Rangers took a 3-2 series lead over Montreal.

SECOND STAR - DAVID DESHARNAIS, F, EDMONTON OILERS

Desharnais scored 18:15 into overtime as the Oilers took a 3-2 series lead over San Jose.

THIRD STAR - EVGENI MALKIN, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Pittsburgh's first-round series marked the second time in his career that Malkin (2-9—11) recorded 11 points in a #StanleyCup Playoff series (also 2013 CQF).

Dubnyk, Ryan, Coyle and Hanzal named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Devan Dubnyk, Bobby Ryan. and the duo of Charlie Coyle and Martin Hanzal as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL playoff games taking place on April 19, 2017.

FIRST STAR - DEVAN DUBNYK, G, MINNESOTA WILD

Dubnyk denied all 28 shots he faced to help the Wild stave off elimination and force Game 5 in their First Round series.

SECOND STAR - BOBBY RYAN, F, OTTAWA SENATORS

Ryan scored the only goal of the contest at 5:49 of the third period as the Senators took a 3-1 series lead. Ryan is second in Senators history to score a GWG in consecutive games of a playoff series (Daniel Alfredsson, 1997 CQF).

THIRD STAR(S) - CHARLIE COYLE and MARTIN HANZAL, F/D, MINNESOTA WILD

Coyle and Hanzal each scored to power the Wild to a 2-0 win over the Blues to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Nash, Guentzel, Pavelski named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Rick Nash, Jake Guentzel, and Joe Pavelski as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games taking place on April 18, 2017.

FIRST STAR - RICK NASH, F, NEW YORK RANGERS
Nash scored the go-ahead goal at 4:28 of the second period as the Rangers evened their series at 2-2. Nash scored his second career game-winning goal in the postseason (also Game 2 of 2014 Conference Final at Montreal). Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Nash is 5th in Rangers playoff history with 2 career GWG vs. Montreal (Cook, Graves, MacGregor, Slowinski).

SECOND STAR - JAKE GUENTZEL, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Guentzel is first player with five goals in his first four career playoff games since Maurice Richard in 1944.

THIRD STAR - JOE PAVELSKI, F, SAN JOSE SHARKS
Pavelski scored 15 seconds into the contest to establish a Sharks record for fastest goal to begin a playoff game. Pavelski eclipsed the mark set by Dany Heatley in Game 1 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals vs. the Kings (0:28).

Fiala, Perry, Ryan named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone has named Kevin Fiala, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL playoff games taking place on April 17, 2017.

FIRST STAR - KEVIN FIALA, F, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Fiala scored at 16:44 of overtime to power the Predators to their first 3-0 series lead in franchise history. Fiala (20 years, 269 days) became the youngest player in @PredsNHL history to score an overtime goal in the postseason.

SECOND STAR - COREY PERRY, F, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Perry scored at 1:30 of overtime to lift the Ducks to their first 3-0 series lead since 2015 first round series vs. Winnipeg (4-0 series win).

THIRD STAR - BOBBY RYAN, F, OTTAWA SENATORS

Ryan scored on a power-play at 5:43 overtime as the Senators took a 2-1 series lead against the Bruins. Ryan is now the 3rd in Senators playoff history to score a PPG in OT, joining Yashin (Gm 3 1998 CQF) and Havlat (Gm 5 2002 CQF).

Kassian, Guentzel, Allen named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Zack Kassian, Jake Guentzel, and Jake Allen their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games taking place on April 17, 2017.

FIRST STAR - ZACK KASSIAN, F, EDMONTON OILERS

Kassian is the first Oilers player to score a GWG in consecutive playoff games since Fernando Pisani (2006 F vs. CAR).

SECOND STAR - JAKE GUENTZEL, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Guentzel scored his third goal of the contest at 13:10 of overtime as the @penguins took a 3-0 series lead. Guentzel is 2nd rookie in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to score a hat trick which included an OT goal (G. Plamondon, Game 2 of 1949 SF).

THIRD STAR - JAKE ALLEN, G, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Allen has turned aside 114 of 117 shots through three games (0.91 GAA, .974 SV%).

Rinne, Kapanen, Phaneuf named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Pekka Rinne, Kasperi Kapanen, and Dion Phaneuf as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games taking place on April 15, 2017.

FIRST STAR - PEKKA RINNE, G, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Rinne became 1st goalie to record 2 assists AND a shutout in a playoff game since Tom Barrasso in 1993 DSF vs New Jersey (Game 2).

SECOND STAR - KASPERI KAPANEN, F, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Kapanen scored his second goal of the game at 11:53 of 2OT to help the Maple Leafs tie their series at 1-1. Kapanen is the eighth Maple Leafs rookie w/ a playoff OT goal (last: Gerry Ehman, Game 3 of 1959 SF vs. Boston). Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Kapanen (20 y, 266 d) is 2nd-youngest player in Maple Leafs history w/ a playoff OT goal (Jack McLean: 20 years, 51 days in 1943).

THIRD STAR - DION PHANEUF, F, OTTAWA SENATORS

Phaneuf  (1-2—3) scored in overtime as Ottawa tied its series, overcoming a 3-1 3rd period deficit.