TARASENKO, TROCHECK AND KINKAID NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ OF THE WEEK
St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, Florida Panthers center Vincent Trocheck and New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 13.
FIRST STAR – VLADIMIR TARASENKO, RW, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Tarasenko tied for the League lead with 3-3—6 in three games to power the Blues (41-20-9, 91 points) to a trio of wins and a share of first place – in terms of points – in the Central Division and Western Conference. He collected one assist in a 3-2 shootout victory against the Chicago Blackhawks March 9. Tarasenko then registered 2-1—3, his third multi-goal and fourth three-point performances of the season, in a 5-2 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks March 11. He capped the week with 1-1—2 in a 5-4 overtime win against the Dallas Stars March 12. The 24-year-old Yaroslavl, Russia, native shares fifth place in the NHL with 33 goals this season (33-28—61 in 68 GP), his second straight 30-goal campaign.
SECOND STAR – VINCENT TROCHECK, C, FLORIDA PANTHERS
Trocheck paced the NHL with five assists and tied for the League lead with six points in three games to lift the Panthers (38-21-9, 85 points) to five out of a possible six standings points. He notched one assist in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins March 7. Trocheck then recorded 1-3—4, matching career highs for assists and points in one game, in a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators March 10. He closed the week with one assist in a 5-4 shootout win against the Philadelphia Flyers March 12. The 22-yearold Pittsburgh native, who is playing in his third NHL season, ranks third on the Panthers with 20-26—46 in 68 contests – setting career highs in all three scoring categories.
THIRD STAR – KEITH KINKAID, G, NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Kinkaid went 2-0-0 with a 0.48 goals-against average, .981 save percentage and one shutout to lead the Devils (33-29-7, 73 points) to a perfect start on their three-game road trip through California. He earned his second career shutout with 30 saves in a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks March 10. Kinkaid then turned aside 22 of 23 shots in a 2-1 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings March 12. The 26-year-old Farmingville, N.Y., native owns a 13-11-5 record in 37 career appearances, including a 7-6-1 clip with a 2.44 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and two shutouts in 17 outings this season.
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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