Nash, Guentzel, Pavelski named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Rick Nash, Jake Guentzel, and Joe Pavelski as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games taking place on April 18, 2017.

FIRST STAR - RICK NASH, F, NEW YORK RANGERS
Nash scored the go-ahead goal at 4:28 of the second period as the Rangers evened their series at 2-2. Nash scored his second career game-winning goal in the postseason (also Game 2 of 2014 Conference Final at Montreal). Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Nash is 5th in Rangers playoff history with 2 career GWG vs. Montreal (Cook, Graves, MacGregor, Slowinski).

SECOND STAR - JAKE GUENTZEL, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Guentzel is first player with five goals in his first four career playoff games since Maurice Richard in 1944.

THIRD STAR - JOE PAVELSKI, F, SAN JOSE SHARKS
Pavelski scored 15 seconds into the contest to establish a Sharks record for fastest goal to begin a playoff game. Pavelski eclipsed the mark set by Dany Heatley in Game 1 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals vs. the Kings (0:28).

Joe Pavelski leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK -- San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski , Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonathan Bernier and Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 12.

FIRST STAR - JOE PAVELSKI, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Pavelski recorded six points in four games, including a League-best five goals, to power the Pacific Division-leading Sharks (41-20-7, 89 points) to three victories. He notched two goals, including what stood as the winner, in a 3-2 triumph against the Winnipeg Jets March 6. Pavelski added 1-1-2 in a 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals March 9 before being held off the scoresheet in a 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators March 11. He capped the week with another two-goal performance, again registering the decisive tally, in a 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars March 12. The 32-year-old Plover, Wis., native ranks second on the Sharks with 26 goals and 61 points through 68 contests this season, while his seven game-winning goals pace the team and share fifth place in the NHL.

SECOND STAR - JONATHAN BERNIER, G, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Bernier went 3-0-0 with a 1.62 goals-against average, .948 save percentage and one shutout to lift the Ducks (36-23-10, 82 points) into second place in the Pacific Division. He made 24 saves through overtime - and turned aside all five attempts he faced in the shootout - in a 4-3 victory against the Nashville Predators March 7. Bernier then recorded 43 saves in earning his 14th career shutout via a 1-0 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks March 9. He finished the week with 25 stops in a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals March 12. The 28-year-old Laval, Que., native owns a 13-7-2 record with a 2.69 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and two shutouts in 29 appearances this season, his first with the Ducks.

THIRD STAR - ERIK KARLSSON, D, OTTAWA SENATORS

Karlsson paced defensemen with 2-4-6 in four contests to help the Senators (39-22-6, 84 points) extend their winning streak to six games. He collected two assists in a 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins March 6 before being held off the scoresheet in a 5‑2 triumph against the Dallas Stars March 8. Karlsson then posted 2-1-3, including the tying and winning goals, in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Arizona Coyotes March 9. He closed the week with one assist in a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche March 11. The 26-year-old Landsbro, Sweden, native ranks second in the NHL with 49 assists - and second among League defensemen with 62 points - in 67 outings this season.