Taking a look at the three stars from this past week’s NHL action
Welcome to another edition of the NHL Three Stars of the Week where we will recognize three players who had outstanding performances during this past week’s NHL action. Check back every Sunday for a new list of three stars for the previous week’s play.
No. 1 Star: Derek Stepan
The New York Rangers hot streak (their eight game winning streak is their longest in 40 years) has gone hand-in-hand with Derek Stepan’s hot-streak. Stepan has points in five straight games, including a hat-trick in last night’s 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. While his third goal was scored on an empty-netter, Stepan’s first goal of the night came short-handed. He deflected a Martin St. Louis shot to net his second of the night. It is no coincidence that the Rangers struggled offensively when Stepan started the season on the IR. Both Stepan and the Rangers have looked confident over the eight game streak.
No. 2 Star: Todd Richards
Convention dictates that only players appear on the three star list, but we do things a little differently here. One month ago I included the Columbus Blue Jackets on my list of teams that should throw in the towel and starting taking aim for Connor McDavid and the NHL Draft lottery. At that time the Blue Jackets were tangoing with last place with the Edmonton Oilers. Fast forward to the end of December and the Blue Jackets are 8-1-1 over their last 10 games and 13th (and rising) in the Eastern Conference. The injuries keep piling up but the Blue Jackets keep winning. If they somehow make the playoffs you can pretty much hand the Jack Adams award to Todd Richards. Last night’s blowout victory over the Boston Bruins was his 100th win as the Blue Jackets coach.
No. 3 Star: Tyler Johnson
If I told you a Tampa Bay Lightning forward has 37 points in 36 games played, including a hat-trick that gave them their first win over the Pittsburgh Penguins since November of 2011, you would probably guess I am talking about Steven Stamkos. While Stamkos is a super-star in his own right, Tyler Johnson has been on a torrid pace for the Lightning this season. Tuesday’s hat-trick was the second of his career and led to a 4-3 win over the Penguins.
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