Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton, left, celebrates his third goal of the game with Stephen Weiss during the third period of their game against the New York Islanders on Monday in Uniondale, N.Y.Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton, left, celebrates his third goal of the game with Stephen Weiss during the third period of their game against the New York Islanders on Monday in Uniondale, N.Y. (Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press)

CBCSports.ca senior reporter Tim Wharnsby names the top performers in the NHL from Monday night.

FIRST STAR: Nathan Horton, Florida

Panthers coach Peter DeBoer has been trying to get Horton to shoot more and the message hit home on Monday. Horton scored a hat trick on five shots and assisted on another in Florida’s dominating 7-1 win on the road against the Islanders. Horton has 11 goals in 34 games this season.

SECOND STAR: Steve Sullivan, Nashville

Sullivan scored three goals in a game for the seventh time in his career, leading Nashville past Columbus 5-3. In 39 career games against the Blue Jackets, Sullivan has 16 goals and 43 points, more than against any other opponent in his 797-game career.

THIRD STAR: Ryan Kesler, Vancouver

The Canucks second-line forward scored a goal and an assist in his team’s impressive 3-1 victory at home against the red-hot Los Angeles Kings. Kesler was especially solid in killing penalties. The Kings went 0 for 5 and Kesler was key when he blocked a shot from Los Angeles defenceman Drew Doughty when the Canucks killed off a 5-on-3 disadvantage in the first period.