Carolina's Ray Whitney, left, and teammate Tuomo Ruutu celebrate Ruutu's goal against Dallas on Thursday. Carolina's Ray Whitney, left, and teammate Tuomo Ruutu celebrate Ruutu's goal against Dallas on Thursday. (Gerry Broome/Associated Press)

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

FIRST STAR: Tuomo Ruutu, F, Carolina

Not much has gone right for Ruutu and the last-place Hurricanes this season. But Ruutu scored his first career hat trick in his 354th NHL game to help Carolina get by Dallas at home for a 5-3 win.

SECOND STAR: Patrick Kane, F, Chicago

The Blackhawks' exciting forward set up Troy Brouwer, Brian Campbell and Marian Hossa in Chicago's 3-0 win at home against St. Louis. The third-year Kane is on pace for his best season yet with 10 goals and 33 points in 32 games.

THIRD STAR: Brian Elliott, G, Ottawa

No Jason Spezza? No problem. In the Senators' first game without Spezza, out at least six weeks with a right knee injury, Elliott blanked Buffalo 2-0 with a 22-save effort for his second shutout in four games. It was the goalie's 13th consecutive start since Pascal Leclaire suffered a broken cheekbone while on the bench in a game last month.