NHL Three Stars: Lack wins in relief of injured Luongo; Talbot rights Rangers

Posted on by Jen Neale

No. 1 Star: Eddie Lack, Vancouver Canucks

With 3:30 left in the first period, Lack came in cold for an injured Roberto Luongo. The backup goalie led the Canucks to a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets by stopping 15-of-16 shots. Many of those shots were a direct result of the 12 turnovers his teammates committed in front of him.

Via the Canucks Twitter account, John Tortorella updated Luongo’s status as a lower-body injury. Prior to leaving the game, Luongo was shown stretching his right leg in his crease. The Canucks are off until next Sunday, so the inevitable goaltending controversy can wait a few days.

No. 2 Star: Cam Talbot, New York Rangers

Talbot was given the opportunity to start after Henrik Lundqvist dropped his last two games. The rookie-goalie made 24 of 25 saves in the Rangers 4-1 beatdown of the Minnesota Wild. He’s now 7-2-0 with a .936 SV% and 1.67 GAA.

No. 3 Star: Derick Brassard, New York Rangers

Brassard was the only Ranger to record a multi-point night. He assisted the Rangers first goal, a power play goal, to tie the score at 1-1. His second helper was a beauty. Brassard skated into the Minnesota zone, behind the net and fed a quick pass to an on-rushing, totally open Mats Zuccarello for the goal.

Honorable mention: Chris Tanev scored the game winning goal for the Canucks midway through the third period … Jason Garrison blocked 7 shots … Kevin Bieksa played in his 500th NHL game, all with Vancouver … Winnipeg’s lone goal came on the power play; it’s the eighth power play goal for the Jets in seven games … Mikael Granlund returned to the lineup for the Wild after missing 11 straight games with a concussion; he had an assist and was minus-one …

Did You Know? Minnesota’s Jason Pominville opened the scoring in the first period. It was the first time the Wild had scored first on the road in 11 starts.

Dishonorable mention: Kevin Bieksa and Jason Garrison were credited with three giveaways each … Ryan Suter committed four giveaways in his 31:19 on the ice … This goal isn’t going to help Mike Yeo keep his job…