Marchand leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Jan. 16.

FIRST STAR - BRAD MARCHAND, LW, BOSTON BRUINS

Marchand recorded multiple points in each of his four outings, pacing the NHL with six goals, 10 points and five power-play points (2-3-5) to help the Bruins (22-11-2, 46 points) extend their winning streak to five games dating to Jan. 8. He opened the week with consecutive three-point performances, collecting 2-1-3 in a 7-3 triumph over the Washington Capitals Jan. 10, followed by his fifth career hat trick - including the game-winning goal - in a 5-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 12. Marchand then added two assists in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 13 and 1-1-2 in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Nashville Predators Jan. 15. In doing so, he matched a career high with multiple points in five straight games (dating to Jan. 8: 8-4-12) and became the third player in Boston history to reach the 20-goal milestone in at least 11 seasons (also Johnny Bucyk: 16x and Patrice Bergeron: 12x). The 33-year-old Halifax, N.S., native has appeared in 30 total contests this season, ranking among the League leaders in shorthanded goals (t-3rd; 2), power-play points (5th; 17), points per game (6th; 1.43), goals (t 7th; 20), points (8th; 43) and power-play assists (t-10th; 11).

SECOND STAR - MARC-ANDRE FLEURY, G, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Fleury turned aside 88 of the 92 shots he faced, compiling a 3-0-0 record, 1.32 goals-against average, .957 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the Blackhawks (15-18-5, 35 points) to a perfect week and their fourth consecutive win dating to Jan. 8. Fleury yielded two goals in each of his first two starts, making 24 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 11 and 27 stops in a 3 2 overtime triumph against the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 13. He capped the week with 37 saves on 37 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 15, becoming
the 14th goaltender in NHL history
to earn at least 70 career shutouts. The 37-year-old Sorel, Que., native and reigning Vezina Trophy winner has played in 26 total games this season, going 13-11-2 with a 2.73 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and three shutouts.

THIRD STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov registered 3-4-7 in three contests to power the Lightning (26-9-5, 57 points) to a trio of wins, helping them keep pace with the Florida Panthers (26-7-5, 57 points) for first place both in the Atlantic Division and overall NHL standings. Kucherov notched his fourth career hat trick - and first since March 23, 2017 (at BOS) - in a 6-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres Jan. 11. He then posted two assists in each of his next two games, a 4-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks Jan. 13 and a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars Jan. 15. The 28-year-old Maykop, Russia, native has collected 4-9-13 in eight total appearances this season, including 3-6-9 in five games since returning from injury Jan. 6.