FIRST STAR - DAVID PASTRNAK, RW, BOSTON BRUINS
Pastrnak topped the NHL in goals (7) and points (8) across four contests (7-1-8) to help the League-leading Bruins (32-4-4, 68 points) post a perfect week and extend their point streak to 14 games dating to Dec. 11 (11-0-3). He was held off the scoresheet in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park - a 2-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 2 - but rebounded with three straight multi-goal performances (a first in his NHL career). Pastrnak potted two goals in both a 5-2 win versus the Los Angeles Kings Jan. 5 and a 4-2 triumph (including the game-winning goal) over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 7. He then capped the week with 3-1-4, highlighted by his 13th career hat trick and 30th goal of the season, in a 7-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 8. The 26-year-old Pastrnak has appeared in 40 total contests this season, placing among the League leaders in shots on goal (1st; 203), goals (2nd; 32), points (3rd; 58), power-play goals (t-4th; 12), power-play points (t-4th; 24) and plus/minus (t-11th; +20). He is the first Boston player to record 30 goals within his first 40 games of a campaign since current team president Cam Neely in 1993-94 (27 GP).
SECOND STAR - JACK HUGHES, C, NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Hughes registered three multi-point efforts in as many appearances, ranking second in the NHL with 5-2-7 overall to propel the Devils (25-12-3, 53 points) to a 2-1-0 week. He collected 1-1-2 in a 5-1 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings Jan. 4. Hughes then scored twice, his ninth career multi-goal outing, in a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues Jan. 5. He finished the week with 2-1-3, including the tying goal midway through the third period, to help New Jersey rally for a 4-3 overtime win against the New York Rangers Jan. 7. The 21-year-old Hughes, who on Thursday was named to the Metropolitan Division roster for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, has scored in a career-high five straight games dating to Dec. 30 (8-2-10) and has compiled 19 goals in his past 20 outings dating to Nov. 25 (19-9-28). He also has skated in 40 total contests this season, sitting among the top performers in shots on goal (4th; 184), goals (t-7th; 26) and points (8th; 49).
THIRD STAR - RASMUS DAHLIN, D, BUFFALO SABRES
Dahlin collected 2-4-6 in two games to help the Sabres (20-15-2, 42 points) earn a pair of overtime wins and move within four points of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He picked up one assist in a 5-4 victory against the Washington Capitals Jan. 3. Dahlin then registered 2-3-5, including his 200th NHL point, the tying goal with 2:24 remaining in regulation and a helper on the overtime winner, in a 6-5 triumph versus the Minnesota Wild Jan. 7. At 22 years, 269 days, Dahlin - who matched a franchise record for points in a game by a blueliner - became the youngest NHL defenseman with a five-point performance since Dion Phaneuf on Dec. 13, 2007 (22 years, 247 days w/ CGY). The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 NHL Draft has made 36 total appearances this season, ranking among the leading blueliners in goals (2nd; 12), points (3rd; 44) and assists (4th; 32).
