Josi leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi, Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor and Arizona Coyotes left wing Lawson Crouse have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 20.

FIRST STAR - ROMAN JOSI, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Josi collected three helpers in each of three of his appearances to top the NHL in assists (9), points (9) and plus/minus (tied; +6) as the Predators (36-22-4, 76 points) earned a pair of victories to maintain the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference. Tied 1-1 late in the second period, he assisted on three unanswered Nashville goals in a 4-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins March 15. Facing a 3-1 deficit in the middle frame, Josi again assisted on three straight Predators goals as the team ultimately fell, 5-4, to the Philadelphia Flyers March 17. He then closed the week with three more helpers in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs March 19, Josi's fourth consecutive outing with at least three points -

(Bobby Orr: 6 GP in 1970-71). The 31-year-old Bern, Switzerland, native and 11-year NHL veteran has played in 60 total games this season, leading all blueliners with 17-58-75 while already establishing career highs in goals, assists and points. He is on pace to become
the sixth different defenseman in League history to record a 100-point season
and first since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 (22-80-102 in 80 GP w/ NYR).

SECOND STAR - KYLE CONNOR, LW, WINNIPEG JETS

Connor ranked second in the NHL with 2-6-8 in three contests as the Jets (29-24-10, 68 points) picked up a pair of wins to remain within four points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. He recorded his second straight three-point performance with 1-2-3 in a 7-3 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights March 15. Connor then posted one assist in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins March 18. He capped the week with 1-3-4,
his fifth career four-point effort
and first since Feb. 8, 2020 (1-3-4 vs. OTT), in a 6-4 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks March 20. The 25-year-old Shelby Township, Mich., native - who has collected points in seven consecutive outings dating to March 8 (6-9-15) en route to setting career highs in goals (39), assists (38) and points (77) - has appeared in 63 total games this season, placing among the League leaders in shots on goal (3rd; 272), goals (5th) and points (6th).

THIRD STAR - LAWSON CROUSE, LW, ARIZONA COYOTES

Crouse led the NHL with five goals and ranked third with seven points (5-2-7) to help the Coyotes (20-38-4, 44 points) split their four outings. He opened the week by scoring his first career hat trick in a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators March 14. Crouse then registered 1-1-2, including his 10th career game-winning goal and fourth of the season, in a 6-3 victory against the Montreal Canadiens March 15. After being held off the scoresheet in a 4-1 defeat versus the Pittsburgh Penguins March 19, Crouse rebounded with 1-1-2 in a 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks March 20. The 24-year-old Mt. Brydges, Ont., native has established career highs in goals (20), assists (tied; 14) and points (34) through 61 total appearances this season, ranking second on Arizona in goals and fifth in points.