NHL Three Stars of Week

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, Calgary Flames center Sam Bennett and Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan.17.

FIRST STAR – PATRICK KANE, RW, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Kane tied for the League lead in points with seven (4-3—7) as the Blackhawks (31-13-4, 66 points) won all four starts to move into first place in the Central Division. Kane began the week by recording one assist in a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators Jan. 12. On Jan. 14 he was held pointless in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens before notching his first career regular-season hat trick (623 GP) - including the game-winning goal - and adding one assist in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 15. Kane closed the week by recording one goal and one assist in a 5-2 win over Montreal on Jan. 17 to help the Blackhawks equal a franchise record with 11 consecutive victories. The 27 year-old Buffalo, NY, native leads the League in goals (29), assists (40) and points (69).

SECOND STAR – SAM BENNETT, C, CALGARY FLAMES

Bennett led the League with six goals (6-0—6) in three games as the Flames (20-20-3, 43 points) gained three of a possible six standings points. Bennett opened the week by notching one goal in a 5-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 11. On Jan. 13 he recorded four goals – including his first career hat trick – in a 6-0 victory over the Florida Panthers. At 19 years, 207 days, Bennett became the third youngest player in NHL history to record a four goal game. The only younger players to do so: Maple Leafs forward Jack Hamilton (18 years, 185 days; Dec. 4, 1943 vs. NYR) and Capitals forward Bobby Carpenter (18 years, 227 days; Feb. 25, 1982 vs. STL). Bennett finished the week by scoring Calgary’s only goal in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 16. The 19-year-old Holland Landing, ON, native has 11-9—20 in 42 games this season and sits tied for sixth in rookie scoring.

THIRD STAR – ANZE KOPITAR, C, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Kopitar tied for the League lead with seven points (2-5—7) in three games as the Pacific Division-leading Kings (28-13-3, 59 points) gained four of a possible six standings points. Kopitar opened the week by notching one goal and three assists in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 11. On Jan. 16, he recorded one assist in a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Kopitar finished the week with one goal and one assist in a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 17. The 28-year-old Jesenice, Slovenia, native is skating in his 10th season with the Kings and leads the team in assists (25) and points (38) this season.