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Rick Nash, NHL three stars of the week

By Mike Majeski

Feb 7, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Rangers left winger Rick Nash (61) lines up for a face off during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Rangers left winger Rick Nash (61) lines up for a face off during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taking a look at the NHL three stars for this past week’s 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.

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No. 1 Star: Rick Nash, New York Rangers

On Monday night Rick Nash scored twice (short-handed to tie the game 1-1, and later the empty-netter to seal the victory) in a 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers at Madison Square Garden. It was Nash’s 30th and 31st of the season, making this the 8th time in his career that he has surpassed 30 goals in a season. Only Jarome Iginla, Alex Ovechkin (10) , and Ilya Kovalchuk (9) have more 30-plus goal seasons since 2002-03. (NHL.com)

Nash followed that up with another big performance in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Nash scored his 32nd goal of the season to put the Rangers up 1-0 5:50 into the first period. He later set up the game-winning goal for Derek Stepan late in the second period to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. Nash now has five goals and one assists in his last four games, including a goal in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators.

No. 2 Star: Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

He’ll have to prove himself during the NHL post-season to really silence his doubters, but Marc-Andre Fleury is having an MVP-like season for the Penguins. He had back-to-back shutouts for the Penguins this week. On Wednesday, Fleury stopped all 22 Edmonton Oilers shots to earn his seventh shutout of the 2014-15 NHL season. The Oilers struggled to sustain any offense during the game and their only real pressure came on the power play late in the second period.

On Friday, Fleury made 21 saves to earn an NHL-leading eighth shutout for the season in a 4-0 win over the Calgary Flames. Fleury also passed Tom Barrasso’s single-season franchise record of seven shutouts, set during the 1997-98 season.

No. 3 Star: Carter Hutton, Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators backup goaltender Carter Hutton made 21 saves in a 4-0 shutout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins last Sunday. The Predators had a stellar defensive performance against one of the more dangerous offenses in the NHL. However, the moment Hutton is really remembered for this week happened during Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sure, Hutton allowed three goals on 28 Toronto Maple Leafs shots, but as far as I’m concerned he completely redeemed himself with what could possibly be the save of the year:

I think the Toronto Maple Leafs pretty much gave up after that one – if you can’t get the puck in there, it just isn’t going to happen. The save preserved the 4-3 Nashville Predators lead, giving them a franchise record ninth-consecutive win at home.

Next: What are the greatest NHL franchises of all-time?

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