SIMMONDS, MARLEAU AND ANDERSEN NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ OF THE WEEK
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds, San Jose Sharks left wing Patrick Marleau and Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 29.
FIRST STAR – WAYNE SIMMONDS, RW, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Simmonds earned MVP honors at Sunday’s 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game and also registered two goals in two contests earlier in the week with the Flyers (25-19-6, 56 points). Making his All-Star Game debut in the city where he played his first three NHL seasons, Simmonds scored twice in the Metropolitan Division’s 10-6 semifinal win over the Atlantic Division before potting the tournament-clinching goal in a 4-3 triumph against the Pacific Division in the final. Earlier in the week, Simmonds notched the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers Jan. 25 and again found the back of the net in a 2-1 triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 26. The 28-year- old Scarborough, Ont., native paces the Flyers and shares ninth place in the NHL with 21 goals in 50 games this season (21-17—38).
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SECOND STAR – PATRICK MARLEAU, LW, SAN JOSE SHARKS
Marleau led the NHL with five goals and six points in three games to power the Pacific Division-leading Sharks (31-17-2, 64 points) to a pair of wins. He tied a League record with four goals in one period (the 3rd) of a 5-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 23, becoming the 12th player in NHL history to achieve the feat and first since Jan. 26, 1997 (Mario Lemieux). Marleau added one goal in a 4-3 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets Jan. 24 and one assist in a 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Jan. 26. The 37-year-old Aneroid, Sask., native ranks fifth among active players with 498-564—1,062 in 1,461 career games played, including 17-9—26 in 50 outings this season.
THIRD STAR – FREDERIK ANDERSEN, G, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Andersen earned two shutouts in as many appearances, stopping all 48 shots he faced, to propel the Maple Leafs (23-15-9, 55 points) to two victories in three contests. He turned aside 26 shots in a 4-0 triumph against the Calgary Flames Jan. 23 and made 22 saves in a 4-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings Jan. 25. In doing so, Andersen posted consecutive shutouts for the first time in his NHL career (164 GP). The 27-year-old Herning, Denmark, native – who is in his first campaign with the Maple Leafs – owns a 21-10-8 record with a 2.55 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and three shutouts in 39 games this season.
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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