Who are the three stars of the fifth week of NHL action?
This week we reached the one month mark of the 2014-15 NHL season. While it is no surprise that teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings are off to a hot start, there are a few surprise teams like the Calgary Flames that are also in the mix.
However, since this is a three stars of the week post, we are more concerned with the performances of individual players over the last week of play.
This is the fifth edition of the Three Stars of the Week and we will recognize three players who had outstanding performances during the NHL’s third week of regular season action. Check back every Sunday for a new list of three stars for the previous week’s play.
No. 1 Star: Vladimir Tarasenko
Vladimir Tarasenko made the list at the number three spot last week after scoring the first hat trick of his NHL career, as well as two goals the following game against the Colorado Avalanche. Terranes shows no signs of slowing down this week, adding three additional goals and three assists in four games played.
On Monday night Tarasenko scored what some are already considering a potential goal of the year candidate. While on the power play, Tarasenko received a drop pass from Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk in the neutral zone and then worked his way past all four players on the Rangers penalty kill. He then beat goaltender Cam Talbot by easily sliding the puck past him.
No. 2 Star: Sidney Crosby
It should come as no surprise that Sidney Crosby currently leads the NHL with 24 points, 17 of which are assists. In last night’s 6-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, Crosby assisted on the Penguins first five goals of the game. It was the fourth five-point game of Crosby’s career and his third with five assists. Much like the Great One, Crosby has a deadly shot, but he also knows how to share the wealth. Crosby only registered two shots on net last night, but still was able to contribute to five Penguins goals.
Last night marked the second time in a week that Crosby had a multi-assist night against the Sabres. Last Saturday he had three in a 5-0 Penguins win.
No. 3 Star: Ondrej Pavelec / Mike Hutchinson
It isn’t very often that you get to say something positive about the Winnipeg Jets goaltending situation, so this week both Jets net minders share the third star honors. Backup goaltender Mike Hutchinson got the week kicked off for the Jets with an impressive 33 save 1-0 shutout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the second consecutive shutout for the Jets.
Starting goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has been outstanding for the Jets as well, going 5-0-2 in his past seven games. He followed Hutchinson’s shutout with a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. The only poor outing was a 4-3 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but holding the red-hot Penguins offense to a shootout is an accomplishment in itself. Last night Pavelec squared off with Senators goaltender Craig Anderson, who holds the best save percentage in the league and won in an impressive six round shootout.
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