NHL Three Stars of The Week

 

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford, Edmonton Oilers left wing Taylor Hall and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Dec. 13.

 

FIRST STAR – COREY CRAWFORD, G, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

 

            Crawford went 3-0-0 with a 0.33 goals-against average, .989 save percentage and two shutouts to help the Blackhawks (17-10-4, 38 points) climb into second place in the Central Division. He stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators Dec. 8. Crawford then posted a pair of shutouts, making 25 saves in a 2-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 11 and 30 saves in a 4-0 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Dec. 13. In doing so, Crawford earned consecutive shutouts for the third time in his career and second time this season (also Oct. 24 vs. TBL: 21 SV and Oct. 26 vs. ANA: 39 SV). The 30-year-old Montreal native, who shares the League lead with four shutouts in 2015-16, owns a 15-7-2 record in 24 appearances (2.23 GAA, .924 SV%), including four straight wins.

 

SECOND STAR – TAYLOR HALL, LW, EDMONTON OILERS

 

            Hall tied for first in the NHL with 3-3—6, including two game-winning goals, to help the Oilers (13-15-2, 28 points) complete a perfect 5-0-0 homestand with a pair of victories. He opened the week with 1-1—2, including his fifth career overtime goal, in a 4-3 triumph over the San Jose Sharks Dec. 9. Hall then registered 2-2—4, his fifth career four-point game and first since April 1, 2014 at SJS (1-3—4), in a 7-5 victory over the New York Rangers Dec. 11. The 24-year-old Calgary native has scored in four consecutive games (5-4—9), equaling a career high last achieved March 8-14, 2012 (4-0—4), and has recorded the winning goal in each of the team’s past three contests. He shares first in the NHL with five game-winning goals this season and ranks fourth overall with 14-20—34 in 30 outings.

 

THIRD STAR – JUSTIN FAULK, D, CAROLINA HURRICANES

 

            Faulk also collected 3-3—6, highlighted by a trio of multi-point performances, to lead the Hurricanes (12-14-4, 28 points) to a pair of wins in three starts. He scored twice, his second career multi-goal game (also Nov. 22 vs. LAK: 2-0—2), in a 6-5 loss to the Dallas Stars Dec. 8. Faulk then posted two assists in a 5-1 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks Dec. 11 and 1-1—2 in a 5-4 overtime victory against the Arizona Coyotes Dec. 12. The 23-year-old South St. Paul, Minn., native leads all defensemen with 12 goals in 2015-16, all of which have come via the power play – tops among all skaters. His 12 power-play goals (in 30 GP) also equal a franchise record for a defenseman in one season, established by Risto Siltanen in 1983-84 (in 75 GP).

 

(NHL Media)