Sunday's Three Stars: Brodeur blanking, 100 times over

No. 1 star, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils:
New Jersey's future Hall of Fame goaltender has returned with a vengeance. Martin Brodeur recorded his second shutout in three starts on Sunday since missing nearly four months due to an elbow injury, and it was a milestone blanking to boot. With his 27 saves against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers, Brodeur earned the 100th shutout of his career, moving the Montreal native to within three shutouts of all-time leader Terry Sawchuk and to within four wins of Patrick Roy's all-time mark of 551 victories. The Devils have outscored their three opponents 14-2 since Brodeur returned, and he's stopped 46 of 48 shots.

No. 2 star, Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames:
Calgary's captain had the biggest offensive showing of the night, but it came during a losing effort on home ice. Jarome Iginla scored two goals and added three assists during an 8-6 Flames' loss to the Lightning. With a power-play goal in the first period and the second assist on Calgary's second goal of the game, Iginla tied and broke the franchise record for points previously held by Theoren Fleury. A goal and two assists later, Iginla capped his night with 834 points in 922 career games. Iginla's second goal, an even-strength tally that tied the game 5-5 14 seconds into the third period, was the 400th of his career.

No. 3 star, Mark Recchi, Tampa Bay Lightning:
Apparently, 41 years of age is not too old to produce five points in an NHL game. That's what veteran winger Mark Recchi did in Calgary, as he assisted on all but three of visiting Tampa Bay's eight goals. Four of Recchi's five helpers were primary assists. He finished as a plus-2 with three shots during 18:52 of ice time.

Honorable mention: Blackhawks' captain Jonathan Toews improved his recent streak to nine goals and 13 points in his last eight games and rookie goalie Antti Niemi was a winner during his first NHL start. … Florida converted three power plays and defenseman Bryan McCabe enjoyed a four-point game during a win at Washington where Nicklas Backstrom extended his career-high points streak to 10 games in the loss. … Sami Salo and Ryan Kesler scored power-play goals 1:47 apart during the late first and early second periods for Vancouver. … Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis each scored two goals and an assist apiece for the Lightning. … The Capitals set a franchise record with their 11th straight sellout. Wait, 11 sellouts in a row is a franchise record? We may have this item in one category too high.

Dishonorable mention: The Kings are watching their longshot playoff hopes fade with five losses in six games and one more game remains on a five-game road trip. … Dallas has just six goals in five games and capped a pivotal six-game homestand with a fifth loss on Friday. … Caps' goalie Jose Theodore was lifted after allowing four goals on 17 shots. In addition, he surrendered a one-on-one chance by throwing his stick during live play. At least Theodore stopped the resulting penalty shot.

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