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%).

McDavid, Crosby, Holtby earn regular-season trophies

NEW YORK -- The 2016-17 National Hockey League regular season concluded on Sunday with Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid capturing his first career Art Ross Trophy as the League's scoring champion, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby claiming his second career Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's goal-scoring leader and Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals winning his first career William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender who plays at least 25 games for the club allowing the fewest goals.

McDavid finished the season with a League-leading 100 points (and 70 assists) in 82 games, besting Crosby (44-45-89 in 75 GP) and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (34-55-89 in 82 GP) for his first career Art Ross Trophy. McDavid registered at least one point in 59 of his 82 appearances (72.0%), highlighted by a career-high, 14-game point streak to close the season (7-18-25) - the longest by any NHL player in 2016-17 and longest by any Oilers player since 1987-88. He also posted a League-best 30 multi-point performances, including his first career hat trick Nov. 19 at DAL. At 20 years, 86 days, McDavid became the third-youngest player to win the Art Ross Trophy, behind only Crosby (19 years, 244 days in 2006-07) and Wayne Gretzky (20 years, 69 days in 1980-81). He also became the second Oilers player to claim the award and first since Gretzky won seven straight from 1980-81 through 1986-87.

Crosby scored a League-high 44 goals in 75 games to capture his second career Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, adding to the one he shared with Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos in 2009-10. Crosby - who finished ahead of Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (40 G in 74 GP) and Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (40 G in 82 GP) for the award - recorded eight multi-goal performances, highlighted by his 10th career hat trick March 19 vs. FLA. He became the fifth multiple winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy since it was first handed out in 1998-99, joining Alex Ovechkin (6), Pavel Bure (2), Jarome Iginla (2) and Stamkos (2).

Holtby saw the most action on a Capitals team that allowed a League-low 182 goals, 13 fewer than the Columbus Blue Jackets. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner claimed his first career William M. Jennings Trophy as well as the second in franchise history, following the tandem of Al Jensen and Pat Riggin in 1983-84. Holtby - who yielded two or fewer goals in 42 of his 63 appearances (66.7%) - finished the campaign tied for the League lead in wins (42), while also ranking in the top five in shutouts (1st; 9), goals-against average (2nd; 2.07) and save percentage (4th; .925). He became the third goaltender in NHL history to post three consecutive 40-win seasons, joining Martin Brodeur (2005 08) and Evgeni Nabokov (2007-10).

Lundqvist, Holtby, Bobrobsky named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog 'The Neutral Zone' has named Henrik Lundqvist, Braden Holtby and Sergei Bobrovsky as their 'Theee Stars of the Night' for the National Hockey League games taking place on March 2, 2017.

FIRST STAR - HENRIK LUNDQVIST, G, NEW YORK RANGERS

Lundqvist made 32 saves to backstop the Rangers to their League-leading 22nd road win of the season (22-8-0, 44 points). He also earned the 403rd win of his NHL career (734 GP) to tie Grant Fuhr for 10th on the all-time list. Plus, Lundqvist also tied the NHL record for most wins by a goalie in his first 12 seasons (Martin Brodeur: 403 in 740 GP).

SECOND STAR - BRADEN HOLTBY, G, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Holtby registered his League-leading eighth shutout of the season to improve to 18-0-2 in his past 20 decisions.

THIRD STAR - SERGEI BOBROVSKY, G, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Bobrovsky posted his career-high 33rd win of 2016-17 to match the Blue Jackets record for most in a season (Steve Mason, 2008-09).

Jonathan Toews named NHL Star of the Month

NEW YORK - Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg and Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the month of February.

FIRST STAR - JONATHAN TOEWS, C, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Toews paced the NHL with 7-11-18 in 10 games to guide the Blackhawks (39 18-5, 83 points) to a 9-1-0 February and second place in the Western Conference. He collected at least one point in nine of his 10 outings, highlighted by five multi-point performances. That included his fourth career hat trick and second career five-point effort Feb. 21 at MIN (3-2-5) - the first five-point game by a Chicago player since Toews achieved the feat Nov. 25, 2011 at ANA (2-3-5). He also registered a pair of game-winning goals, including his ninth career overtime tally Feb. 8 at MIN (1-2-3) - the most by any player in Blackhawks history. The 28-year-old Winnipeg native has 16 30-46 in 53 contests this season, including 5-8-13 during a six-game point streak.

SECOND STAR - FILIP FORSBERG, LW, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Forsberg led the NHL with 11 goals and ranked second with 17 points in 13 outings to lift the Predators (32-22-9, 73 points) to an 8-4-1 February and third place in the Central Division. After totaling 1-2-3 in his first seven contests of the month, Forsberg closed February with 10-4-14 during a six-game point streak that featured consecutive hat tricks and four three-point performances. He also shared the League lead with three game-winning goals, capped by his third career overtime tally in the month's finale Feb. 28 at BUF (2-1-3). The 22-year-old Ostervala, Sweden, native paces the Predators with 26 goals and 49 points through 63 games this season.

THIRD STAR - BRADEN HOLTBY, G, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Holtby went 8-0-1 with a 1.88 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the League-leading Capitals (42-13-7, 91 points) to a 9-2-1 February. He allowed two or fewer goals in six of his nine appearances, highlighted by his 30th career shutout Feb. 7 vs. CAR (23 SV). The 27-year-old Lloydminster, Sask., native - who owns a 17-0-2 record in his past 19 decisions dating to Dec. 29 - has played in 47 games this season, ranking in the top three among goaltenders in goals-against average (1st; 1.95), shutouts (t-1st; 7), wins (t-2nd; 32) and save percentage (3rd; .929).

Jagr, Holtby, Forsberg named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog 'The Neutral Zone' has named Jaromir Jagr, Braden Holtby, and Filip Forsberg as their 'Theee Stars of the Night' for the National Hockey League games taking place on February 28, 2017.

FIRST STAR - JAROMIR JAGR, F, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Jagr scored the 215th PPG of his NHL career to tie Joe Nieuwendyk for 11th on the all-time list.

SECOND STAR - BRADEN HOLTBY, G, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Holtby made 29 saves to improve to 17-0-2 in his past 19 decisions (1.79 GAA, .933 SV%, 4 SO). Holtby (181-68-30) has backstopped the Capitals to at least a point in over three-quarters of his career decisions (211 of 279, 75.6%).

THIRD STAR - FILIP FORSBERG, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Filip Forsberg posted 2-1—3 in the last 8:44 of regulation/OT to help the Predators erase a 4-2 deficit & extend their point streak to 6 games.

Michael Grabner leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - New York Rangers right wing Michael Grabner, Edmonton Oilers left wing Patrick Maroon and Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Jan. 8.

FIRST STAR - MICHAEL GRABNER, RW, NEW YORK RANGERS

Grabner led the League with 5-2-7, including two game-winning goals, in three contests to propel the Rangers (28-13-1, 57 points) to a pair of victories. He was held off the scoresheet in a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Jan. 3, but potted the winning tallies - as well as consecutive multi-point and +4 performances - in the following two games: 2-1-3 in a 5-2 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 4 and 3-1-4 in a 5-4 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 7. The latter included his fourth career hat trick and second of the season (also Oct. 30 vs. TBL) as well as his second career four-point outing (also Dec. 19, 2015 vs. LAK: 2-2-4 w/ TOR). The 29-year-old Villach, Austria, native shares sixth place in the NHL with 19 goals (19-8-27) in 41 appearances this season, his highest total since 2011-12 (20 G in 78 GP w/ NYI).

SECOND STAR - PATRICK MAROON, LW, EDMONTON OILERS

Maroon (5-1-6 in 4 GP) matched Grabner for the League lead in goals to power the Oilers (21-14-7, 49 points) to a 2-2-0 week. He collected one assist in a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 3 before registering his first career hat trick, including the winning goal, in a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins Jan. 5. Maroon then was held off the scoresheet in a 2-1 overtime triumph against the New Jersey Devils Jan. 7, but scored twice - his fifth career multi-goal outing - in a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators Jan. 8. The 28-year-old St. Louis native paces the Oilers with 16 goals (16-7-23) in 42 contests this season, already five more than his previous career high established in 2013-14 (11 G in 62 GP w/ ANA).

THIRD STAR - BRADEN HOLTBY, G, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Holtby went 2-0-0 in three games, compiling a 1.29 goals-against average, .955 save percentage and two shutouts to guide the Capitals (25-9-5, 55 points) to a perfect 3-0-0 week. He yielded three goals in a 6-5 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 3 (ND). Holtby then earned consecutive shutouts for the first time in his career (275 GP), making 29 saves to halt the Columbus Blue Jackets' winning streak at 16 games (5-0 W on Jan. 5) - one shy of the League record - and 30 saves to defeat the Ottawa Senators (1-0 W on Jan. 7). The 27-year-old Lloydminster, Sask., native places in the top five in the NHL in shutouts (t-1st; 5), goals-against average (2nd; 1.93) and save percentage (4th; .931) in 31 outings this season (18-8-4).

- National Hockey League

Braden Holtby to start in net for Capitals in Game 4 against Flyers

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

PHILADELPHIA - Washington Capitals starting goaltender Braden Holtby will start in net for the team in Game 4 of their first round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

Holtby had a scary incident in a Capitals practice session on Tuesday after Collin with a teammate during a drill. Holtby left the ice after the incident, not putting pressure on his right foot.

"Good, yeah. No ill effects. Ready for Game 4," Holtby said after participating in the team's optional skate Wednesday morning.

"It's just one of those things that sometimes happens in practice. Just wanted to be cautious with it and not push anything too far because the main focus is Game 4 and that's what I'm focused on."

The Capitals currently hold a 3-0 series lead over the Flyers.