NHL Stars of The Week

FIRST STAR – EVGENY KUZNETSOV, C, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

 

            Kuznetsov paced the NHL with six assists and nine points – and also shared the League lead with a +5 rating – as the Capitals (6-1-0, 12 points) won all three of their games. He began the week with three assists, matching a career high, in a 6-2 victory over the Calgary Flames Oct. 20. Kuznetsov then picked up the primary helper on Alex Ovechkin’s tiebreaking goal with 4:55 remaining in regulation in a 3-2 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 22. He capped his performance with 3-2—5 and a +4 rating, establishing single-game highs in goals, points and plus/minus, in a 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers Oct. 23. In doing so, Kuznetsov became the first Capitals player to record a five-point game since Dec. 10, 2013 vs. TBL (Nicklas Backstrom: 1-4—5). The 23-year-old Chelyabinsk, Russia, native has 17-40—57 in 104 career NHL outings, including 3-8—11 in seven appearances this season.

 

SECOND STAR – ANDREI MARKOV, D, MONTREAL CANADIENS

 

            Markov shared first among defensemen with 1-5—6 as the Canadiens (9-0-0, 18 points) won all three of their contests to extend the franchise’s best start in its 98-year NHL history. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues Oct. 20, Markov registered 1-4—5 and a +4 rating, setting single-game highs in assists and points and equaling a personal best in plus/minus, in a 7-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres Oct. 23. In doing so, he became the second defenseman in Canadiens history to post a five-point game on the road (also Sheldon Souray: 1-5—6 on Jan. 10, 2004 at PIT). Markov closed the week with one helper in a 5-3 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs Oct. 24. The 36-year-old Voskresensk, Russia, native – who has spent his entire career with the Canadiens – ranks third in franchise history among defensemen with 109-393—502 in 855 NHL games, including 1-9—10 in nine outings this season.

 

THIRD STAR – JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS

 

            Quick posted a 2-0-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .971 save percentage and one shutout as the Kings (5-3-0, 10 points) extended their winning streak to five games. He stopped all 40 shots he faced to pick up his 38th career shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 23. In the process, Quick improved to 8-0-2 in 10 career games when facing 40 or more shots on goal. He finished the week with 26 saves, including 14 in the third period, in a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers Oct. 25. The 29-year-old Milford, Conn., native owns a 216-142-46 record in 414 career NHL appearances (2.27 GAA, .915 SV%, 38 SO), including four consecutive wins (0.99 GAA, .966 SV%, 1 SO) following a 0-3-0 start to the season.