No. 1 star, Milan Michalek, San Jose Sharks:
San Jose's speedy left wing came through with a big shot and a great pass to enable the Sharks to beat Detroit. Michalek's breakaway goal 10:18 into the third period snapped a 4-4 tie and sent the Sharks on their way. While his sprint and hard shot past Chris Osgood was a thing of beauty, it couldn't have been prettier than his no-look, hard backhand goal-mouth feed 7:22 into the first period that set up Joe Pavelski's 13th goal for a 2-1 lead. Michalek also had the primary assist on Christian Ehrhoff's second-period power-play goal.
No. 2 star, Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals:
Just as the top two teams in the West met in San Jose, the two top point-earners in the East went at it in Washington. And Alexander Semin took matters in his own hands to ensure things would go the Capitals' way. Semin skated from his blue line into the attacking zone and zipped his 18th goal of the season past Bruins' goalie Tim Thomas 11:48 into the final period to snap a 1-1 tie and provide Washington with the game-winner. It was Semin's fourth goal in as many games.
No. 3 star, Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks:
The Ducks needed a big performance in goal and backup Jonas Hiller did it again for them. He made 30 stops to post his fourth shutout of the season and Anaheim won in St. Paul.
Honorable mention: Mike Ribeiro had a goal, an assist and the shootout winner for Dallas. … Tim Connolly scored two goals and Ryan Miller made 36 stops for Buffalo. … Thirty-one saves was enough for Scott Clemmensen to win for the 17th time for the Devils. Who would have guessed? … A game-winner for Jay Bouwmeester is the Florida defenseman's fourth goal in as many games. … Ilya Kovalchuk scored a goal as Atlanta won for the second time in as many nights. … Martin Havlat scored an overtime goal to make the Blackhawks winners.
