Demko leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Dec. 12.

FIRST STAR - THATCHER DEMKO, G, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Demko went 4-0-0 with a 1.20 goals-against average, .962 save percentage and one shutout to help the Canucks (12-15-2, 26 points) win their first four games under new head coach Bruce Boudreau. Demko earned his second career shutout (also March 1, 2021 at WPG: 27 SV) with 31 saves in a 4-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings Dec. 6. He then registered consecutive shootout victories, denying 35 shots (as well as both he faced in the tiebreaker) in 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins Dec. 8 and making 34 saves (plus another three in the shootout) in a 4-3 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 10. Demko finished the week by turning aside 28-of-29 shots in a 2-1 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 12. The 26-year-old San Diego, Calif., native has played in 24 total games this season, compiling a 12-11-1 record, 2.66 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and one shutout.

SECOND STAR - SEBASTIAN AHO, C, CAROLINA HURRICANES

Aho collected multiple points in each of his three appearances, sharing the League lead with five goals and placing second with seven points (5-2-7) to lift the Hurricanes (19-7-1, 39 points) to a 3-1-0 week. Aho posted 1-1-2, his third consecutive multi-point game, in a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 7. He then scored twice, including his franchise record-tying sixth career overtime goal, in a 2-1 triumph against the Calgary Flames Dec. 9. Aho capped the week with 2-1-3 in a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers Dec. 11, making him the first Hurricanes/Whalers player since 1993-94 with multiple points in five straight games (Michael Nylander: 1-10-11 in 5 GP). The 24-year-old Rauma, Finland, native has skated in 26 total contests this season, ranking sixth in the NHL with 15-17-32.

THIRD STAR - DEVON TOEWS, D, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Toews topped the League with seven assists in four outings (0-7-7) to propel the Avalanche (16-7-2, 34 points) to a perfect week. He recorded a pair of helpers in both a 7-5 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers Dec. 6 and a 7-3 win over the New York Rangers Dec. 8. Toews then matched a career high with three assists (also March 16, 2021 vs. ANA: 0-3-3) in a 7-3 triumph against the Detroit Red Wings Dec. 10 before being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 win over the League-leading Florida Panthers Dec. 12. The 27-year-old Abbotsford, B.C., native has appeared in 16 total contests this season, pacing NHL defensemen (minimum: 5 GP) with 1.25 points per game (4-16-20).