QUICK, DOAN AND LETANG NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ OF THE WEEK
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 3.
FIRST STAR – JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Quick went 4-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .968 save percentage and one shutout to help the Pacific Division-leading Kings (25-11-2, 52 points) extend their winning streak to five games. He stopped all 27 shots he faced to record his 40th career shutout (and third this season) in a 5-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Dec. 28. In doing so, Quick tied John Vanbiesbrouck (Detroit, Mich.) and Frank Brimsek (Eveleth, Minn.) for the most shutouts by a U.S.-born goaltender in NHL history. He followed that performance with 42 saves in a 5-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers Dec. 29. Quick then closed the week by allowing one goal in a pair of wins, making 23 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Dec. 31 and a 29 saves in a 2-1 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 2. The 29-year-old Milford, Conn., native ranks second in the NHL with 22 wins in 32 appearances this season (2.12 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO), including five straight victories and a 12-2-0 record in his past 14 outings.
SECOND STAR – SHANE DOAN, RW, ARIZONA COYOTES
Doan led the NHL with five goals in three games to power the Coyotes (18-16-4, 40 points) to three of a possible six standings points. He opened the week with his second career hat trick – and first since Jan. 7, 2012 vs. NYI – in a 7-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Dec. 29. Doan then scored twice in a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 31. In doing so, Doan – who has spent his entire NHL career with the Coyotes/Jets – moved past Dale Hawerchuk (379) and into sole possession of first place for the most goals in franchise history (381). He finished the week without a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers Jan. 2. The 39-year-old Halkirk, Alta., native paces the Coyotes with 13 goals in 29 games this season (13-6—19) and also leads the club with six power-play goals.
THIRD STAR – KRIS LETANG, D, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Letang led all defensemen with 2-4—6 in three games to propel the Penguins (19-15-4, 42 points) to five out of a possible six standings points. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Dec. 30, he posted a pair of three-point performances: 2-1—3 in a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Dec. 31 and 0-3—3 in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders Jan. 2. In doing so, Letang collected consecutive three-point games for the second time in his career and first time since Feb. 11-12, 2012 (3-3—6). The 28-year-old Montreal native shares third on the Penguins and paces the club’s defensemen with 3-19—22 in 29 games this season. His average of 0.76 points per game ranks eighth among NHL blueliners in 2015-16.
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* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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