NEW YORK - Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov and San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Oct. 22.
FIRST STAR - STEVEN STAMKOS, C, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Stamkos posted four multi-point games, compiling a League-leading nine assists and 11 points (2-9-11) to power the Lightning (7-1-1, 15 points) to a 3-0-1 week and first place in the overall NHL standings. He collected two assists in a 3-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings Oct. 16, three points (1-2-3) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils Oct. 17 and two more helpers in a 2-0 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets Oct. 19. Stamkos capped the week with 1-3-4, including the winning goal and his ninth career four-point performance, in a 7-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins Oct. 21. The 27-year-old Markham, Ont., native has registered at least one point in all nine of his appearances this season, pacing the NHL with 15 assists and 18 points. Stamkos is the first player to average at least two points through his team's first nine games of a season since 2012-13, when Thomas Vanek accomplished the feat with the Buffalo Sabres (8-11-19 in 9 GP).
SECOND STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Kucherov shared the League lead with five goals and ranked second with eight points (5-3-8) in four outings to help the Lightning equal their best nine-game start to a season in franchise history (also 7-1-1 in 2003-04). He scored in each of his first two contests of the week, recording 2-0-2 (including the game-winning goal) in a 3-2 victory over the Red Wings Oct. 16 and 1-1-2 in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Devils Oct. 17. In doing so, Kucherov became the sixth player in the NHL's modern era (since 1943-44) - and first since 1992-93 - to register at least one goal in each of his club's first seven games of a season. He then added one assist in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets Oct. 19 and 2-1-3 in a 7-1 triumph against the Penguins Oct. 21. The 24-year-old Maykop, Russia, native also has posted at least one point in each of his first nine outings this season, tying for the League lead with 10 goals and placing second with 16 points.
THIRD STAR - LOGAN COUTURE, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS
Couture ranked third in the NHL with 5-2-7 in three games to lead the Sharks (3-4-0, 6 points) to a pair of wins. He posted 2-2-4, his third career four-point outing, in a 5-2 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens Oct. 17. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory against the Devils Oct. 20, Couture notched his second career hat trick (also March 29, 2016 at VAN) in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders Oct. 21. The 28-year-old Guelph, Ont., native has collected 185-199-384 in 511 career NHL games, including a team-high 6-2-8 in seven contests this season.
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – The San Jose Sharks are hobbling into the playoffs instead of rolling into them.
With their top two centers nursing injuries that have placed their status in doubt and a late-season stumble having cost them home-ice advantage in the first round, the Sharks head into their series against Edmonton trying to find the form that helped them win the Western Conference last year.
The most pressing questions surround the health of Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. Thornton missed the final three games of the regular season with an injured left knee and Couture sat the final seven after taking a deflected puck to the face.
Both took part in practice Monday with Couture skating the entire time on a line with Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson and Thornton participating only for the beginning of practice, mostly with the extra forwards. Whether they can be ready for the opener Wednesday night remains unknown.
"They're day to day, they're on the ice, they're skating," coach Peter DeBoer said. "We'll see tomorrow and we'll keep taking those steps. There's no plan here. There nothing I can tell you guys that you don't see that's right in front of you."
Couture said it was good to get back on the ice as he tries to get back into condition after sitting for two weeks. He is still in pain from the injury that knocked out several teeth and has forced him to have wires on the bottom teeth to keep them in place. The top three were bonded in root canal surgery.
Couture is wearing a full cage to protect his face but does not know how he would handle the contact that would assuredly come if he gets back in for a playoff game.
"It's not completely healed," he said. "It's going to take a long time for my face to completely heal. So anything to the face, it could possibly hurt it again. Who knows? I'm wearing as much protective gear as you can possibly wear and trying to be careful."
Thornton looked good skating but didn't do many sudden stops or changes of direction that could put pressure on the knee. He will not talk to the media until Tuesday.
The availability of Thornton and Couture is crucial to San Jose's success. Thornton is the team's top-line center who had 50 points this season and is a key part of the power play.
Couture is the team's top two-way center, who would be counted on to match up with NHL scoring leader Connor McDavid in this series if healthy. Couture also provides considerable offense with 25 goals, including a team-high 11 on the power play.
But the Sharks have to prepare for the possibility that one, or both, could be unavailable.
"Nothing changes," defenseman Justin Braun said. "I think it puts a little more pressure on maybe some of the younger guys to get it done. It's a chance to really make your name in this league, set yourself up for a good career. If they're not in, some of these guys have a good chance to get their career going in the right direction. I think it's exciting for them to get that opportunity."
The Sharks spent much of the season at the top of the Pacific Division and had a nine-point lead after beating Buffalo on March 14. They lost six straight games in regulation after that and won only three of their final 13 games to fall into third place, sending them on the road to start the playoffs.
Two of those losses came against the Oilers, including on Thursday night when the Sharks blew a 2-1 lead after two periods to fall 4-2.
"Maybe it makes us a little bit more aware of what we need to do," Pavelski said. "We didn't win those games so we need to be better. We played well at times but they found ways to get the job done on the power play, on the penalty kill, on the 5 on 5. We have to be better. Hopefully, it's a wakeup call."
Associated Press
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – San Jose Sharks centers Joe Thornton and Logan Couture remain sidelined by injuries with no timeline for their return.
Couture has been out since he had several teeth knocked out when he was hit in the face with a puck in Nashville on March 25. Thornton hurt his left knee on Sunday in Vancouver.
Coach Peter DeBoer says he does expect both players back eventually but said they are both listed as day to day until they return. DeBoer says he has no timeframe for when that will be.
Couture has 25 goals and 27 assists. Thornton has seven goals and 43 assists.
The Sharks have clinched a playoff spot and are playing for positioning in the final three games of the regular season.
