NHL Three Stars & Rookie For January

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov, Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand and San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of January.

FIRST STAR – EVGENY KUZNETSOV, C, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
 
Kuznetsov ranked second in the NHL with 7-13—20 in 15 games to power the
League-leading Capitals (33-11-6, 72 points) to a 12-2-1 January. He collected at least
one point in 11 of his 15 outings, highlighted by seven multi-point performances. That
included his third career four-point game, a 1-3—4 effort Jan. 3 vs. TOR. Kuznetsov also
placed third in the NHL with a +13 rating during the month, finishing with an even or plus
rating in all but one his 15 appearances. The 24-year-old Chelyabinsk, Russia, native
ranks third on the Capitals with 10-29—39 in 50 games this season after finishing 10th in
the NHL with 20-57—77 in 82 contests in 2015-16, all career highs.


SECOND STAR – BRAD MARCHAND, LW, BOSTON BRUINS
 
Marchand led the NHL with 11-9—20 in 14 games to guide the Bruins (26-21-6,
58 points) to a 6-6-2 January. He picked up at least one point in nine of his 14 contests,
highlighted by his third career five-point performance (and second of the season) Jan. 14
vs. PHI (2-3—5). Marchand also posted five multi-goal games, pacing the League with
11 goals overall, and led the NHL with three shorthanded goals and four shorthanded
points. The 28-year-old Halifax, N.S., native ranks sixth in the NHL with 21-30—51 in
53 appearances this season and also shares the League lead with three shorthanded
goals.

THIRD STAR – BRENT BURNS, D, SAN JOSE SHARKS
 
Burns paced NHL defensemen with six goals, 12 assists and 18 points in 14
games to lift the Pacific Division-leading Sharks (32-17-2, 66 points) to a 9-4-1 January.
He recorded at least one point in 10 of his 14 outings, including six multi-point efforts.
Burns also posted a pair of three-point performances, Jan. 10 at EDM (1-2—3) and
Jan. 23 at COL (1-2—3), giving him three on the season. The 31-year-old Barrie, Ont.,
native ranks fourth in the NHL with 21-32—53 through 51 contests in 2016-17, leading
all defensemen in both goals and points, and also paces the entire League in shots on
goal (196).

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Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitchell Marner, who led all rookies with 11 assists and 15 points in 13 games, has been named the NHL’sRookie of the Month for January.

Marner edged Carolina Hurricanes right wing Sebastian Aho (8-2—10 in 13 GP), Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (4-6—10 in 14 GP) and Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (4-6—10 in 6 GP) for the honor.

Marner, who also paced all rookies with eight power-play points (0-8—8), registered at least one point in nine of his 13 January appearances, highlighted by five multi-point efforts. That included three assists/points Jan. 7 vs. MTL, matching career highs in both categories.

The fourth overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, Marner ranks in the top five
among rookies in assists (1st; 29), points (2nd; 41) and goals (t-4th; 12) in 48 games this
season. The 19-year-old Markham, Ont., native also places among the rookie leaders in
power-play assists (t-1st; 13), game-winning goals (t-2nd; 4), shots on goal (t-2nd; 122)
and power-play points (3rd; 14).

Marner joins teammates William Nylander (October) and Auston Matthews
(December) as Rookie of the Month winners this season, making the Maple Leafs the
first NHL team with three different Rookie of the Month honorees in one campaign.

(NHL Media)