HAMMOND, HUDLER AND DUBNYK NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ FOR MARCH
Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond, Calgary Flames center Jiri Hudler and Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of March.
FIRST STAR – ANDREW HAMMOND, G, OTTAWA SENATORS
Hammond went 10-1-1 with a 2.09 goals-against average and .930 save percentage to help the Senators (38-26-12, 88 points) complete an 11-3-2 March and climb within three points of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. He allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 12 appearances, including his first seven of the month. With his run, Hammond became the second goaltender in NHL history to yield two or fewer goals in each of his first 12 career starts (Frank Brimsek: 1938-39). Hammond also improved to 14-0-1 before suffering his first career regulation loss March 26 vs. NYR, becoming the first goaltender to record at least one point in each of his first 15 career starts since Patrick Lalime in 1996-97 (14-0-2). The 27-year-old White Rock, B.C., native has appeared in 18 games this season, compiling a 1.85 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and two shutouts. That includes an 8-0-1 record on the road, where he has a 1.08 goals-against average, .964 save percentage and both shutouts.
SECOND STAR – JIRI HUDLER, C, CALGARY FLAMES
Hudler led all players with 13 assists and 23 points to power the Flames (42-28-7, 91 points) to a 9-3-3 March, helping the team jump from the outside of the playoff picture and into third place in the Pacific Division. He registered at least one point in 12 of his 15 outings, highlighted by nine multi-point performances. That included four consecutive multi-point games to open the month, the first such run of his career, and three-point efforts March 13 vs. TOR (1-2—3) and March 29 at NSH (1-2—3). Hudler also recorded a pair of game-winning goals: March 3 at PHI (his second career overtime goal) and March 6 at DET. His 23 points were the most by any player in one calendar month this season and the most by any Flames player in one calendar month since December 2006 (Jarome Iginla: 10-16—26). The 31-year-old Olomouc, Czech Republic, native shares seventh in the NHL with 29-42—71 in 74 games this season, leading the Flames and establishing career highs in all three categories.
THIRD STAR – DEVAN DUBNYK, G, MINNESOTA WILD
Dubnyk paced the NHL with 11 wins, compiling a 1.78 goals-against average and .942 save percentage to lead the Wild (44-25-7, 95 points) to an 11-3-0 March and the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference. He yielded two or fewer goals in 11 of his 14 appearances, which included a pair of shootout victories – March 3 vs. OTT and March 24 at NYI. Dubnyk also posted a perfect 6-0-0 mark on the road (1.15 GAA, .966 SV%), helping the Wild set a franchise record with 10 consecutive road victories dating to Feb. 18. The 28-year-old Regina, Sask., native has started all 34 games since joining Minnesota Jan. 15, going 26-6-1 with a 1.70 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and five shutouts in that span. Overall, he ranks second in the NHL this season in both goals-against average (2.05) and save percentage (.930) while setting career highs with 35 wins and six shutouts in 53 appearances.
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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