Zucker, Kucherov and Holtby named NHL 'Three Stars of the Week'

NEW YORK – Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov and Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 12.

FIRST STAR – JASON ZUCKER, LW, MINNESOTA WILD

Zucker led the NHL with six goals and seven points in four games (6-1—7) to power the Wild (7-7-2, 16 points) to a pair of victories. He collected one assist in a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins Nov. 6. Zucker then scored each of the next six goals for the Wild, beginning with two in a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Nov. 8. He added his first career hat trick, including the decisive marker, in a 3-0 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens Nov. 9 and then capped the week with the lone tally in a 1-0 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers Nov. 11. In doing so, Zucker became the first NHL player to record six straight team goals since Boston’s Glen Murray in 2003-04. The 25-year-old Las Vegas native – who is one shy of matching the League record for consecutive team goals scored – paces Minnesota with nine tallies and 14 points in 16 contests this season.

SECOND STAR – NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov ranked second in the NHL with 2-5—7 in three games to propel the League-leading Lightning(14-2-2, 30 points) to a perfect road trip through California. He posted 1-2—3, including the winning goal, in a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks Nov. 8. He added another 1-2—3 performance in a 5-2 triumph against the Los Angeles Kings Nov. 9 and picked up one assist in a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks Nov. 12. The 24-year-old Maykop, Russia, native paces the NHL with 16 goals and ranks second with 30 points in 18 games this season. He and Steven Stamkos (8‑23—31) are the first set of NHL teammates to each record 30 or more points before their club’s 20th game of a season since 2005-06, when players from both the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers achieved the feat.

THIRD STAR – BRADEN HOLTBY, G, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Holtby went 3-0-0 with a 1.27 goals-against average and .952 save percentage to backstop the Capitals(10-7-1, 21 points) to three wins in four contests. He opened the week with 24 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Arizona Coyotes Nov. 6. Playing his 319th career game, Holtby made 27 stops to earn his 200th NHL win in a 4-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins Nov. 10. In doing so, he became the second-fastest goaltender in League history to record 200 victories, behind Ken Dryden (309). Holtby added 29 saves, plus three shootout stops, in a 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers Nov. 12. The 28-year-old Lloydminster, Sask., native – who has won six straight games – shares second place in the NHL with 10 victories in 13 outings this season (2.35 GAA, .927 SV%).