This weekend in hockey wrapped up with a thriller in Denver and another winning streak continuing in Anaheim. The Chicago Blackhawks followed up Friday’s first defeat in regulation with another regulation loss, this time at home.

While it would be foolhardy to believe that the Blackhawks are embarking on another streak in the opposite direction, Sunday night's loss to lowly Edmonton showed just how intense the competition will be for playoff positioning.

The Detroit Red Wings were swept in their home and home series with red-hot Columbus…..Wait, did that really happen? Hold on. Yes. Apparently the Columbus Blue Jackets have won five games in a row and are currently only four games out of the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference. (Shakes head, but then appreciates the parity)

Aside from Columbus, (wow that’s still hard to say) the two hottest teams in the NHL reside in Orange County, California and at the three rivers in western Pennsylvania. The Anaheim Ducks have won their last three, and 11 straight at home while the Pittsburgh Penguins are riding a five game winning streak.

In the fantasy world there were some standout performances too. Here are the three stars from this weekend’s action:

Honorable Mention: Chris Kunitz, Zach Parise, Corey Perry, Tuukka Rask

3. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Columbus Blue Jackets

The young Russian net minder is playing like the guy that Columbus hoped they were trading for last summer. On Saturday, Bobrovsky shut out the high-powered Red Wings in Columbus. On Sunday, the Bob-cat shut down the uber-talented Detroit gang in a shootout for the fifth straight win in Columbus.

2. Matt Duchene, C, Colorado Avalanche
The guy with the fancy white skates almost single-handedly ended the NHL record unbeaten (in regulation) streak by the Chicago Blackhawks with his four-point night Friday. For an encore, Duchene won a face off and potted the game-winning goal Sunday night against the San Jose Sharks.

1.Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
I think it might be safe to say that “The Kid” is back. Crosby and the suddenly white-hot Pittsburgh Penguins have surged to second place in the Eastern Conference with their fifth straight win Sunday against the New York Islanders. With five assists against the pesky Isles, the Penguins are looking primed for a Stanley Cup run.