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%).

Stamkos leads 3 Stars of the Week

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.

Gionta, Kucherov, Steen named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog 'The Neutral Zone' has named Brian Gionta, Nikita Kucherov, and Alexander Steen as their 'Theee Stars of the Night' for the National Hockey League games taking place on March 27, 2017.

FIRST STAR - BRIAN GIONTA, F, BUFFALO SABRES

Gionta scored the game-winning goal for the Sabres in his 1,000th NHL contest.

SECOND STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, F, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov earned two assists on Monday and has registered multiple points in each of his last five games (7-4—11).

THIRD STAR - ALEXANDER STEEN, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Steen earned a career-high four assists to help the Blues earn their 10th straight victory over Arizona.

Nikita Kucherov leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen and Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 26.

FIRST STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov posted 5-2-7 in three games, all multi-point performances, to lead the Lightning (36-29-9, 81 points) to a pair of victories and help the team remain within three points of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. He collected 1-1-2 in a 5-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes March 21. Kucherov then registered his third career hat trick, including his League-leading 16th and 17th power-play goals of the season, in 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins March 23. He closed the week with another 1-1-2 effort, highlighted by his second career overtime goal (also Jan. 9, 2016 at VAN), in a 2-1 triumph against the Detroit Red Wings March 24. The 23-year-old Maykop, Russia, native ranks second in the NHL with 38 goals and sixth with 78 points in 67 outings this season, both career highs.

SECOND STAR - KARI LEHTONEN, G, DALLAS STARS

Lehtonen went 3-0-1 with a 0.98 goals-against average, .959 save percentage and one shutout to guide the Stars (31-33-11, 73 points) to seven out of a possible eight standings points. He earned his 36th career shutout via 30 saves in a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks March 20. Lehtonen then made 24 stops in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks March 23, but bounced back with a pair of 20-save wins: in a 6-1 triumph over the Sharks March 24 and a 2-1 overtime victory against the New Jersey Devils March 26. The 33-year-old Helsinki, Finland, native owns a 20-22-7 record with a 2.79 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and two shutouts in 54 appearances this season.

THIRD STAR - RYAN GETZLAF, C, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Getzlaf shared the League lead with seven assists in three games - all wins - to propel the Ducks (41-23-11, 93 points) into first place in the Pacific Division. He notched three helpers in a 4-3 victory against the Edmonton Oilers March 22. Getzlaf then was held off the scoresheet in a 3-1 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets March 24, but responded with four assists - the eighth such performance of his career - in a 6-3 win against the New York Rangers March 26. The 31-year-old Regina, Sask., native ranks fourth in the NHL with 52 helpers in 68 contests this season (14-52-66), the seventh time he has reached the 50-assist milestone.

Kucherov, Cogliano, Cracknell named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog 'The Neutral Zone' has named Nikita Kucherov, Andrew Cogliano, and Adam Cracknell as their 'Theee Stars of the Night' for the National Hockey League games taking place on March 24, 2017.

FIRST STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, D, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov scored his 38th goal of the season to move into sole possession of second place in the Rocket Richard Trophy race. Kucherov is the first Lightning player to record four consecutive multi-point games since Martin St. Louis from Jan. 20-31, 2012.

SECOND STAR - ANDREW COGLIANO, F, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Cogliano netted his first game-winner of the season to help the Ducks improve to 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

THIRD STAR - ADAM CRACKNELL, F, DALLAS STARS

Cracknell recorded his first career hat trick to propel the Stars to a 3-1-1 record in their last five games.

Kucherov, Crawford, McDavid named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog 'The Neutral Zone' has named Nikita Kucherov, Corey Crawford, and Connor McDavid as their 'Theee Stars of the Night' for the National Hockey League games taking place on March 23, 2017.

FIRST STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, D, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov scored a hat trick last night. He has posted 16-11—27 since Feb. 21 to move from a share of 23rd to 6th in NHL scoring.

SECOND STAR - COREY CRAWFORD, G, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Crawford (42 saves) reached the 30-win mark for the 6th time in his career as the Blackhawks opened an 8-point lead atop the West.

THIRD STAR - CONNOR McDAVID, F, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid (0-2—2) extended his point streak to six games (3-9—12) to increase his NHL leads in both assists (61) and points (87).

Nikita Kucherov leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 5.

FIRST STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov led the NHL with 5-4-9 in four games to power the Lightning (30-26-8, 68 points) to three wins. He opened the week with his second career hat trick and fourth career four-point effort (3-1-4), including the decisive goal, in a 5-1 triumph over the Ottawa Senators Feb. 27. Kucherov then registered 1-2-3, including the primary assist on the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes March 1. He added one goal in a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins March 3 before closing the week with one assist - as well as a highlight-reel goal to clinch the shootout - in a 2-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres March 4. The 23-year-old Maykop, Russia, native, who has 7-7-14 during a six-game point streak, ranks in the top 10 in the NHL in goals (t-10th; 28), points (10th; 63), power-play goals (t-3rd; 12) and power-play points (8th; 23) through 57 contests this season.

SECOND STAR - SERGEI BOBROVSKY, G, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Bobrovsky turned aside 87-of-88 shots, going 2-0-1 with a 0.33 goals-against average, .989 save percentage and two shutouts to guide the Blue Jackets (41-17-6, 88 points) to five out of a possible eight standings points. He made 29 saves in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens Feb. 28. Bobrovsky then posted consecutive shutouts (a first in his NHL career), stopping all 38 shots he faced in a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild March 2 and all 20 shots he saw in a 3-0 triumph against the New Jersey Devils March 5. The 28-year-old Novokuznetsk, Russia, native has appeared in 51 games this season, ranking in the top five in the League in wins (t-2nd; 34), goals-against average (3rd; 2.09), save percentage (5th; .929) and shutouts (t-4th; 5). His 34 victories are a single-season franchise record, breaking the mark set by Steve Mason in 2008-09 (33 W in 61 GP). 

THIRD STAR - CAREY PRICE, G, MONTREAL CANADIENS

Price went 3-0-0 with a 0.66 goals-against average, .974 save percentage and one shutout to propel the Canadiens (37-21-8, 82 points) to a perfect 4-0-0 week. He earned his 39th career shutout with 26 saves in a 1-0 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets Feb. 28. Price then allowed only one goal in each of his next two starts, making 24 saves in a 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators March 2 and 26 saves in a 4-1 triumph against the New York Rangers March 4. The 29-year-old Anahim Lake, B.C., native owns a 29-16-5 record, 2.31 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and three shutouts in 50 outings this season.

Kane, Kucherov, Hainsey named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog 'The Neutral Zone' has named Patrick Kane, Nikita Kucherov, and Ron Hainset as their 'Theee Stars of the Night' for the National Hockey League games taking place on March 1, 2017.

FIRST STAR - PATRICK KANE, F, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Kane is the first Blackhawks player to record 2 hat tricks in a 3-game span since Brian Noonan did so on Dec. 27 & Dec. 29, 1991.

SECOND STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, F, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov (6-6—12) is the first Lightning player with 12 points in a 4-game span since Vincent Lecavalier from Nov. 10-19, 2007 (5-7—12).

THIRD STAR - RON HAINSEY, D, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Hainsey picks up his first point with the Penguins thanks to an assist on the Scott Wilson goal.

Kucherov. Galchenyuk, Granlund named our 'Three Stars of the Night'

NEW YORK -- UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog 'The Neutral Zone' has named Nikita Kucherov, Alex Galchenyuk, and Mikael Granlund as their 'Theee Stars of the Night' for the National Hockey League games taking place on February 27, 2017.

FIRST STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, F, TAMPA NAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov scored three consecutive power-play goals in the second period to register the first natural hat trick of his NHL career.

SECOND STAR - ALEX GALCHENYUK, F, MONTREAL CANADIENS

Galchenyuk scored at 2:54 of overtime to guide the Canadiens to their third straight road win.

THIRD STAR - MIKAEL GRANLUND, F, MINNESOTA WILD

Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Granlund (0:12) scored the fastest goal to begin an overtime period in Wild history.

Nikita Kucherov leads 'Three Stars' of week

NEW YORK -- Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford and New York Rangers center Kevin Hayes have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Nov. 6.

FIRST STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov shared the League lead with 3-4-7 in three contests to guide the Lightning (7-4-1, 15 points) to five out of a possible six standings points and second place in the Atlantic Division. He matched a career high with 2-2-4, including the game-winning goal, in a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders Nov. 1. Kucherov added one assist in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins Nov. 3 before closing the week with 1 1-2, his third multi-point performance of the campaign, in a 4-1 triumph over the New Jersey Devils Nov. 5. The 23-year-old Moscow, Russia, native ranks third in the NHL with 15 points in 11 games this season, including a League-high 11 assists.

SECOND STAR - COREY CRAWFORD, G, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Crawford went 3-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .971 save percentage and one shutout as the Blackhawks (9-3-1, 19 points) picked up four wins in four games to move into first place in the Central Division. He made 33 saves in a 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Nov. 1, earned his 21st career shutout with 38 stops in a 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche Nov. 3 and turned aside 31 shots in a 3-2 triumph over the Dallas Stars Nov. 5. The 31-year-old Montreal native owns a 6-3-1 record in 10 outings this season, ranking in the top 10 in the NHL in wins (t-4th), goals-against average (8th; 2.01), save percentage (7th; .936) and shutouts (t-3rd; 2).

THIRD STAR - KEVIN HAYES, C, NEW YORK RANGERS

Hayes scored in all four of his appearances to share the League lead in goals (4 2-6) and propel the Rangers (10-3-0, 20 points) into second place in the NHL's overall standings with a perfect 4-0-0 week. He picked up one goal in a 5-0 win over the St. Louis Blues Nov. 1 before equaling a career high with 1-2-3 in a 5-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Nov. 3. Hayes again scored in a pair of 5-2 triumphs (Nov. 5 at BOS and Nov. 6 vs. WPG), including the shorthanded, game-winning goal in his hometown of Boston. The 24-year-old Dorchester, Mass., native ranks second on the Rangers with 6 6-12 in 13 games this season and shares second place in the NHL with a +13 rating.

- NHL Public Relations

Nikita Kucherov signs with Lightning

Forward Nikita Kucherov signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

The contract carries an average annual value of $4.766 million.

Kucherov, who was a restricted free agent, could play when the Lightning open their regular season against the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; SUN, FS-D).

Kucherov, 23, played for Team Russia at the World Cup of Hockey 2016, where he had two goals, an assist and 13 shots on goal in four games.

Kucherov led the Lightning last season with 66 points and was second with 30 goals, and led them with 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 45 playoff games the past two seasons to help Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 and the Eastern Conference Final last season.

- National Hockey League