NEW YORK – Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 8.
FIRST STAR – DAVID PASTRNAK, RW, BOSTON BRUINS
Pastrnak topped the NHL in goals (7) and points (8) across four contests (7-1—8) to help the League-leading Bruins (32-4-4, 68 points) post a perfect week and extend their point streak to 14 games dating to Dec. 11 (11-0-3). He was held off the scoresheet in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park – a 2-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 2 – but rebounded with three straight multi-goal performances (a first in his NHL career). Pastrnak potted two goals in both a 5-2 win versus the Los Angeles Kings Jan. 5 and a 4-2 triumph (including the game-winning goal) over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 7. He then capped the week with 3-1—4, highlighted by his 13th career hat trick and 30th goal of the season, in a 7-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 8. The 26-year-old Pastrnak has appeared in 40 total contests this season, placing among the League leaders in shots on goal (1st; 203), goals (2nd; 32), points (3rd; 58), power-play goals (t-4th; 12), power-play points (t-4th; 24) and plus/minus (t-11th; +20). He is the first Boston player to record 30 goals within his first 40 games of a campaign since current team president Cam Neely in 1993-94 (27 GP).
SECOND STAR – JACK HUGHES, C, NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Hughes registered three multi-point efforts in as many appearances, ranking second in the NHL with 5-2—7 overall to propel the Devils (25-12-3, 53 points) to a 2-1-0 week. He collected 1-1—2 in a 5-1 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings Jan. 4. Hughes then scored twice, his ninth career multi-goal outing, in a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues Jan. 5. He finished the week with 2-1—3, including the tying goal midway through the third period, to help New Jersey rally for a 4-3 overtime win against the New York Rangers Jan. 7. The 21-year-old Hughes, who on Thursday was named to the Metropolitan Division roster for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, has scored in a career-high five straight games dating to Dec. 30 (8‑2—10) and has compiled 19 goals in his past 20 outings dating to Nov. 25 (19-9—28). He also has skated in 40 total contests this season, sitting among the top performers in shots on goal (4th; 184), goals (t-7th; 26) and points (8th; 49).
THIRD STAR – RASMUS DAHLIN, D, BUFFALO SABRES
Dahlin collected 2-4—6 in two games to help the Sabres (20-15-2, 42 points) earn a pair of overtime wins and move within four points of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He picked up one assist in a 5-4 victory against the Washington Capitals Jan. 3. Dahlin then registered 2-3—5, including his 200th NHL point, the tying goal with 2:24 remaining in regulation and a helper on the overtime winner, in a 6-5 triumph versus the Minnesota Wild Jan. 7. At 22 years, 269 days, Dahlin – who matched a franchise record for points in a game by a blueliner – became the youngest NHL defenseman with a five-point performance since Dion Phaneuf on Dec. 13, 2007 (22 years, 247 days w/ CGY). The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 NHL Draft has made 36 total appearances this season, ranking among the leading blueliners in goals (2nd; 12), points (3rd; 44) and assists (4th; 32).
