No. 1 star: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Centering one if not the hottest lines in the league, Getzlaf kept the surging Ducks on track with another big offensive showing on the second night of back-to-backs against a rested opponent. Getzlaf scored two goals and added an assist as Anaheim handled visiting St. Louis 5-2 on Wednesday night. Getzlaf saved his best for when the game was on the line. His assist came on the game's final tie-breaking goal at 5:53 of the second period. Getzlaf scored at even-strength at 15:23 of the same period for a two-goal edge and potted an empty-netter – his sixth goal of the season – at 18:55 when the Blues were otherwise pressing to cut the lead back to one goal. Getzlaf shook a slow start that included his scoring just one point in the first six games by stringing together an eight-game scoring streak since. The 23-year-old native of Regina, Saskatchewan, has six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in that time as the Ducks have rallied from losing their first four games to earning nine wins and 19 points in their last 11 contests. Getzlaf was a plus-3 with two shots on goal during 17:51 of ice time.
No. 2 star: Jussi Jokinen, Tampa Bay Lightning The slick-skating and skilled forward scored the first two of visiting Tampa Bay's three goals during a shootout loss at New Jersey. Jokinen scored at even-strength at 16:28 of the opening period and again at 10:52 of the third period, a power-play goal that briefly tied the game. Jokinen was a plus-1 with an 11-6 night in the faceoff circle during 19:24 of ice time.
No. 3 star: Derik Brassard, Columbus Blue Jackets The league's top rookie for the month of October continues his strong play right into the second month of the season. Brassard's fifth goal of the season gave the host Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead in a game they would win 5-4 over the Edmonton Oilers. Besides his goal at 2:31 of the second period, Brassard put three shots on goal and won 10 of 12 faceoffs during 12:10 of ice time.
Honorable mention: Manny Malhotra scored his first game-winning goal since Nov. 11, 2007, by batting a puck in close out of mid-air set up by ex-Oiler Raffi Torres to beat Edmonton. … Kevin Weekes stopped 24 shots, surrendered only one goal at even-strength and denied the Lightning two of three efforts in the shootout for a New Jersey victory. … Ducks winger Corey Perry had a goal, an assist, was a plus-3 and cranked a team-high seven shots on the Blues' goal. … Sure he surrendered four goals, however rookie goalie Steve Mason was not only making his NHL debut, but it was just his fourth professional start as well. And it was a winner for the Blue Jackets.
Dishonorable mention: New Jersey defenseman Sheldon Brookbank had absolutely no pressure being applied as he backskated into his zone. Inexplicably he went to the backhand to clear the puck and sure enough tossed it right over the glass for a late third-period penalty that Tampa Bay converted to send the game to overtime. … Speaking of the Devils' penalty kill, they allowed not one but two third-period Lightning power-play goals to the tie game. … Not that this is necessarily his fault, but Paul Kariya's injury sustained in Anaheim is the latest difficult challenge facing the Blues, who meet the rested Sharks in San Jose on Thursday night.
