NHL Three Stars: Zatkoff saves Penguins; Elliott blanks Hawks

No. 1 Star: Jeff Zatkoff, Pittsburgh Penguins 

When Marc-Andre Fleury couldn’t go due to injury, it was up to Zatkoff to make his first playoff appearance in Game 1 against the New York Rangers. He made 35 saves in the Penguins’ 5-2 win over the Rangers, fueled by a Patric Hornqvist hat trick.

No. 2 Star: Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues

The Blues goalie made 35 saves in their Game 1 win over the Blackhawks, including 15 in the third period and overtime as the Blues generated just four shots. St. Louis won 1-0 in overtime.

No. 3 Star: Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning winger had two goals and an assist in their 3-2 Game 1 win over the Detroit Red Wings, scoring goals in the first and second and assisting on Alex Killorn’s game-winner in the third.

Honorable Mention: Along with Hornqvist’s trick and his assist, Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists and Kris Letang had two assists. … David Backes scored the OT game-winner off the skate of Trevor van Riemsdyk. … Tyler Johnson had two assists.

Did You Know? Victor Hedman had a goal overturned as Jonathan Drouin was offside, as the NHL used its new blueline cameras to make the call.

Dishonorable Mention: Henrik Lundqvist was injured by teammate Marc Staal’s stick in the first period. He left the game in the second and was replaced by Antti Raanta. He’ll be reevaluated on Thursday. … Dan Girardi and Staal were a minus-2. J.T. Miller and Eric Staal were a minus-3. … The Blues and Blackhawks were a combined 0-for-9 on the power play. … Justin Abdelkader took three minor penalties. … Darren Helm was a minus-2 and had a brutal night.