FORSBERG, CALLAHAN AND CONDON NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ OF THE WEEK
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Feb.28.
FIRST STAR – FILIP FORSBERG, LW, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Forsberg recorded two natural hat tricks and added one assist (6-1—7) in four games as the Predators (31-21-11, 73 points) recorded four wins to finish the week in the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference. Forsberg was held off the scoresheet in a 2-1 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens Feb. 22. He then recorded all three Predators goals with a natural hat trick in a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Feb. 23 before being held pointless in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Feb. 25. On Feb. 27 he notched another natural hat trick and added one assist in a 5-0 win over the St. Louis Blues. In doing so, Forsberg became the first player to register multiple natural hat tricks in a span of three or fewer team games since 1986-87, when Petri Skriko did so in consecutive games with the Vancouver Canucks (Nov. 18 vs. CGY and Nov. 21 vs. NYR).
SECOND STAR – RYAN CALLAHAN, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Callahan tied for second in the League with six points in three games (2-4—6) as the Lightning (36-22-4, 76 points) won all three starts to finish the week second in the Atlantic Division riding a six game winning-streak overall. Callahan began the week by notching one assist in a 2-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes Feb. 23. On Feb. 26, he registered two assists in a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils and followed that up with a two goal, one assist performance in a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins Feb. 28. Callahan, 30, a native of Rochester, N.Y., has recorded 10-18—28 in 61 games for the Lightning this season.
THIRD STAR – MIKE CONDON, G, MONTREAL CANADIENS
Condon posted a 2-0-1 record with a 1.63 goals-against average and .949 save percentage as the Canadiens (30-27-5, 65 points) gained five of a possible six standings points. Condon began the week by stopping 29 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators Feb. 22. On Feb. 24 he stopped 33 shots to earn a 4-3 road victory over the League-leading Washington Capitals. Condon finished the week with a 31 save performance in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Feb. 27. The 25 year-old native of Needham, Mass., has appeared in 41 games for the Canadiens this season, posting a 16-17-5 record (2.50 GAA, .906 SV%). His 16 wins lead all rookie netminders.
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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