NHL 3 Stars of Week

 

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and San Jose Sharks left wing Patrick Marleau have been named the NHL’s "Three Stars" for the week ending Oct. 20.

FIRST STAR – JONAS GUSTAVSSON, G, DETROIT RED WINGS

Making his first three appearances of the 2013-14 season, Gustavsson posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 goals-against average and .953 save percentage in helping the Red Wings (6-3-0) move into first place in the Atlantic Division. He recorded victories on consecutive days for the first time since Jan. 23-24, 2012, posting 28 saves in a 3-2 triumph over the Boston Bruins Oct. 14 and 36 stops in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Oct. 15. Gustavsson then handed the Colorado Avalanche their first loss of the season, making 38 saves – the fourth-highest total of his NHL career and most since Nov. 19, 2011 (with Toronto) – in a 4-2 victory Oct. 17. The 28-year-old native of Danderyd, Sweden, has played in 117 games during his five-year NHL career, compiling a 44-47-16 record with a 2.94 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and five shutouts.

SECOND STAR – SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Crosby extended his season-opening point streak to a career-long eight games, leading the NHL with six assists and eight points as the Penguins remained atop the Metropolitan Division with a trio of victories. He opened the week by assisting on all three of Pittsburgh’s goals in a 3-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers Oct. 15, his 36th career game with three or more helpers. Crosby then notched one goal and one assist in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Oct. 17 and registered 1-2—3 in a 4-3 shootout victory over the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 19. The 26-year-old native of Cole Harbour, N.S., has five multi-point efforts through his first eight games of the season and leads the League with 17 points, while ranking tied for first in goals (7) and assists (10).

THIRD STAR – PATRICK MARLEAU, LW, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Marleau also extended his season-opening point streak to eight games, totaling 3-3—6, including a League-best five power-play points (2-3—5), to help the Sharks remain the only team undefeated in regulation (7-0-1). He registered 1-2—3 in a 6-2 triumph over the St. Louis Blues Oct. 15, one goal in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars Oct. 17 and 1-1—2, including the game-winning goal, in a 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames Oct. 19. The 34-year-old native of Aneroid, Sask., has scored a goal in seven of San Jose’s first eight games of the season, including five straight, and is tied for first in the NHL in goals (7) and power-play goals (4).