CROSBY, KARLSSON AND TROCHECK NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ OF THE WEEK
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson and Florida Panthers center Vincent Trocheck have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Feb. 7.
FIRST STAR – SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Crosby led the League in goals and points (5-3—8) in three games as the Penguins (26-18-7, 59 points) earned four of a possible six points to secure the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. Crosby opened the week by notching his ninth career hat trick, including the game-winning goal, and adding an assist in a 6-5 win over the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 2. He notched one goal in a 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Feb. 5 and tallied a goal and two assists in a 3-2 overtime win over the Florida Panthers Feb. 6. Crosby extended his point streak to 10 games (10-8—18), tied for the third-longest such run in the NHL this season. That includes at least one goal in six straight contests (8 G), equaling a career high established Dec. 5-15, 2006 (6 G). He also became the 13th active player to record 900 career points (324-578—902), reaching the milestone in his 677th career game. Only 10 players in NHL history have attained the mark in fewer contests.
SECOND STAR – ERIK KARLSSON, D, OTTAWA SENATORS
Karlsson led the League in assists and ranked second in points (0-7—7) in three games as the Senators (24-23-6, 54 points) won one of three starts for the week. After tallying one assist in a 6-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Feb. 2 and two more in a 7-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Feb. 4, Karlsson equaled career highs for assists and points in a game with four assists in a 6-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Feb. 6. Karlsson jumped four assists ahead of Chicago’s Patrick Kane (44) for the League lead in that category, three more than he totaled in 2014-15 (82 GP). He also moved into a share of second place in the NHL scoring race with 11-48—59 overall, trailing only Kane (32-44—76).
THIRD STAR – VINCENT TROCHECK, C, FLORIDA PANTHERS
Trocheck notched six points (3-3—6) in three games, helping the Panthers (31-15-6, 68 points) widen their lead atop the Atlantic Division to six points. Trocheck notched a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Feb. 2 as Florida halted a 10-game losing streak at Verizon Center dating to Jan. 8, 2011 (0-8-2) and snapped the Capitals’ home point streak at 13 games (12-0-1). He went on to notch two goals and one assist in a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Feb. 4 and record one assist in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Feb. 6. The 22-year-old Pittsburgh native increased his season points total to 17-16—33 in 52 games, already surpassing career single-season highs in goals, assists and points.
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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