KUZNETSOV, MARCHAND AND BURNS NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ 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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