Handzus, Recchi lead Monday's three stars

Michal Handzus, Kings:DrewDoughty's four-point night tied a franchise record for defensemen set by Paul Coffey in 1992, but he'll have to settle for an honorable mention. Instead, the nod goes to Handzus for the textbook two-way game that carried the Kings to a 5-3 win at Staples Center on Monday Night. The veteran center chipped in with two goals, an assist, four shots, three takeaways and a brilliant defensive effort that helped limit Henrik Sedin to a single assist.

Mark Recchi, Bruins: The veteran winger didn't score in the Bruins' 2-1 win over the Sabres, but he lived up to his ol' Wrecking Ball nickname with a game-changing physical effort. Chasing a puck dumped into the Buffalo zone by Patrice Bergeron, Recchi outskated Tim Kennedy then buried the Buffalo winger with a crushing hit. The battle won, he took the time and space he'd earned to find Bergeron alone in the slot. A moment later, the Bruins had the lead that they'd defend until the final buzzer. With the physical intensity of some of Boston's younger wingers under fire, the old man showed 'em how it's done.

Eric Fehr, Capitals: The Caps finally lit up the Canadiens in Game 3, but it was their grinders, not superstars like Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, who led the way. Fehr in particular stood out for a consistent physical presence. If Jaroslav Halak wasn't shaking after Game 2, Fehr made sure he was rattled after this one. He set up a brilliant screen on BrooksLaich's second period goal, then sent Halak to the showers when he completed a give-and-go down low with Laich just four minutes later.