Tarasenko, Ehlers, and duo of Bratt and Johansson named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

The Neutral Zone' hockey blog has named Vladimir Tarasenko, Nikolaj Ehlers, and the duo of Jesper Bratt and Marcus Johansson as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL games that took place on October 9, 2017.

FIRST STAR - VLADIMIR TARASENKO, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Tarasenko scored twice in regulation and added a shootout marker to help the Blues improve to 3-0-0.

SECOND STAR - NIKOLAJ EHLERS, F, WINNIPEG JETS

Ehlers scored his second career hat trick and tied a career high with four points to lead the Jets to their first win of the season. Ehlers is the third player in Jets / Thrashers franchise history to score a natural hat trick (Kovalchuk on Nov. 11, 2005, Hossa on Jan. 15, 2008).

THIRD STAR(S) - JESPER BRATT and MARCUS JOHANSSON, Fs, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Jesper Bratt and Marcus Johansson each collected 2-1—3 to guide the Devils to a 6-2 victory. Bratt is the first player in Devils franchise history to record five points through the first two games of his NHL career.

Johansson, MacArthur, Matthews named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Marcus Johansson, Clarke MacArthur, and Auston Matthews as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games taking place on April 23, 2017.

FIRST STAR - MARCUS JOHANSSON, F, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Johansson scored his second goal of the game at 6:31 of overtime to lead the Capitals to the Second Round. Johansson (62 GP) recorded his first career overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and his second game-winner.

SECOND STAR - CLARKE MacARTHUR, F, OTTAWA SENATORS

MacArthur scored at 6:30 of overtime to help the Senators advance past the opening round for the first time since 2013. The overtime goal was the first of his playoff career and his second postseason game-winner (also May 10, 2013 vs. BOS).

THIRD STAR - AUSTON MATTHEWS, F, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Matthews is the first rookie to score in 4 straight playoff games since Logan Couture in May of 2011.

Artemi Panarin leads '3 Stars of the Week'

NEW YORK - Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin, Washington Capitals left wing Marcus Johansson and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending April 2.

FIRST STAR - ARTEMI PANARIN, LW, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Panarin led the League with five goals in four games (5-1-6) to help the Blackhawks (50-22-7, 107 points) clinch first place in the Western Conference. Panarin began the week by notching one goal in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning March 27. On March 29, he recorded 1-1-2 in a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins and followed with two goals in a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets March 31. Panarin finished the week with one goal in a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins April 2. The 25-year-old native of Korkino, Russia, ranks second on the Blackhawks in goals and points (29-43-72 in 79 GP) and has eclipsed the 70-point mark in each of his first two NHL campaigns.

SECOND STAR - MARCUS JOHANSSON, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Johansson led the League in assists and points with 1-7-8 as the Capitals (52-18-8, 112 points) won three of four games to maintain their hold on first place in the overall NHL standings. Johansson began the week by notching four assists, including the primary helper on the game-winning goal, in a 5-4 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild March 28. On March 29, he tallied 1-1-2 in a 5-3 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche before posting two assists on March 31 in a 6-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. Johansson was held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets April 2. The 26-year-old Landskrona, Sweden, native is in his seventh NHL campaign with Washington and has reached single-season career highs for goals (23) and points (56) in 2016-17

THIRD STAR - CAM TALBOT, G, EDMONTON OILERS

Talbot went 3-0-0 with a 1.66 goals-against average and .946 save percentage to help the Oilers (44-25-9, 97 points) earn victories against three Pacific Division rivals and clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2005-06. Talbot began the week by stopping 34 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings March 28. On March 30, he made 38 saves in a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks and followed with 16 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks April 1. The 29-year-old native of Caledonia, Ont., has appeared in a League-high 70 games for the Oilers while earning 40 wins for the first time in his career (40-21-8, 2.36 GAA, .921 SV%, 7 SO) to equal a single-season franchise record set by Grant Fuhr in 1987-88.

League-Wide Notebook: Stars sign extenstion with GM Nill, Johansson to have hearing

"The Neutral Zone" League-Wide Report

Capitals' Johansson to have hearing: Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday for a hit against defenseman Thomas Hickey of the New York Islanders during a game Thursday at Barclays Center. The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: Illegal check to the head. The incident occurred at 8:42 of the first period. Johansson received a minor penalty. Hickey remained in the game Washington won the game 4-1.

Stars sign GM Nill to 5-year contract extension: Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill has signed a five-year contract extension, the Stars announced Friday. Nill, 57, is in his third season with the Stars, and the extension keeps him with the team through the 2022-23 season. "I've said over and over again, just how special of a group we have here in Dallas, and developing and maintaining a winning organization is something I look forward to over the next seven years," Nill said.