No. 1 star: Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators
Jason Spezza had produced only six points in his previous 14 games, but he broke out of his scoring slump in a big way Saturday afternoon. Spezza notched his second career hat trick, and it was the only three goals the Senators would get or need during a one-goal victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. Spezza scored them all in the opening period. His first came unassisted at 4:01, his second came on the power play at 16:17 and the last one was even strength at 19:21. A plus-2, Spezza cranked off a team-high eight shots, blocked two of Pittsburgh's efforts and won eight of 16 draws during 20:34 of ice time against the team that knocked Ottawa from the first round of the playoffs last spring.
No. 2 star: Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers
Roloson wasn't perfect, but he was good enough to do what few goalies have done this year – beat the San Jose Sharks. Roloson stopped 41 of 43 shots as the Oilers won in overtime to snap the Sharks' nine-game winning streak. Roloson stopped 15 shots in the opening period when his team got outshot 16-1, and he denied the hosts on all 12 of their final-period efforts when they came hard at an Edmonton team that played the night before in Los Angeles.
No. 3 star: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
The rookie goalie improved to a team record-tying 6-0 to start the season and pitched his second shutout in a week in the process during a 1-0 victory over the visiting Minnesota Wild. Rinne, who learned of the start after Dan Ellis took a puck off the knee in the morning skate, stopped 32 shots and spearheaded a 3-for-3 night on the penalty kill.
Honorable mention: Rookie Patrick Berglund scored a goal and added two assists while Blues' teammate Keith Tkachuk scored his 512th career goal (tied for 37th all-time). … Manny Fernandez stopped 27 shots to win his seventh straight start and Phil Kessel extended his current point streak to 11 straight games for the Bruins. … Kings' goalie Jason LaBarbera stopped 23 shots during a shutout of the Blue Jackets. … Zach Parise of the Devils, Jeff Carter of the Flyers and Kyle Brodziak of the Oilers scored overtime winners. … Pavel Datsyuk had the shootout winner after delivering a game-saving check in OT for the Red Wings. … The Sabres are currently 24-for-24 on the PK. … Ilya Kovalchuk has six goals and 20 points in his last 15 games for the Thrashers.
Dishonorable mention: The Lightning have lost seven straight and 14 of their last 16. In addition, Tampa Bay has played 17 one-goal games and lost 13 of them this season. … Nashville's Martin Erat is without a goal in 10 straight games and has just one point in his last six outings. … Wondering if Ron Wilson's bag skate early in Phoenix before a long flight contributed to the fatigue the Maple Leafs were already facing while playing for the fourth time in six nights Saturday, and possibly contributed to the injuries of rookie defenseman Luke Schenn and forward Niklas Hagman against the Capitals?
