NEW YORK – Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson, Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 26.
FIRST STAR – VIKTOR ARVIDSSON, RW, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Arvidsson scored and registered multiple points in all three of his appearances, leading the NHL with five total goals (5-2—7) as well as 2-2—4 on the power play to propel the Kings (43-20-10, 96 points) to a perfect week as they extended their point streak to a franchise-record 12 games dating to Feb. 28 (10-0-2). He notched 1-1—2, both on the man-advantage, in an 8-2 victory against the Calgary Flames March 20 to reach the 20-goal milestone for the fifth time (and second time in as many seasons with Los Angeles). Arvidsson then scored twice in a 4-1 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets March 25. He capped the week with 2-1—3, his fourth multi-goal and fifth three-point performance of 2022-23, in a 7-6 win versus the St. Louis Blues March 26. The 29-year-old Arvidsson has played in 68 total contests this season, placing among the top Kings players in goals (3rd; 24), assists (t-5th; 29) and points (4th; 53) as well as power-play goals (t-1st; 9), power-play assists (5th; 12) and power-play points (3rd; 21).
SECOND STAR – NICK SUZUKI, C, MONTREAL CANADIENS
Suzuki paced the NHL with 2-6—8 in three contests to guide the Canadiens (29-38-6, 64 points) to a pair of victories. He collected two assists in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning March 21. Suzuki (1-1—2) then factored on both Montreal goals in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins March 23. He closed the week with 1-3—4, his first career four-point outing (282 GP), in an 8-2 triumph against the Columbus Blue Jackets March 25 to extend his streak of multi-point performances to four games (2-8—10 dating to March 18) – the longest such run by a Canadiens player since Alex Kovalev achieved the feat nearly 14 years ago (March 28 – April 4, 2009: 4-7—11 in 4 GP). The 23-year-old Suzuki has skated in 73 total contests this season, leading Montreal in assists (38; 13 more than the next-closest player) and points (61; 23 more than the next-closest player) while ranking second in goals (23) behind only Cole Caufield (26).
THIRD STAR – FILIP GUSTAVSSON, G, MINNESOTA WILD
Gustavsson stopped 69 of the 71 shots he faced across two starts, going 2-0-0 with a 0.96 goals-against average and .972 save percentage to lift the Wild (42-22-9, 93 points) into first place in the Central Division on the strength of a 2-0-1 week. Gustavsson made a career-high 47 saves, including a combined 25 in the third period and overtime, in a 2-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils March 23. He then turned aside 22 shots in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks March 25. The 24-year-old Gustavsson has appeared in 34 total games this season, ranking second in the NHL with a 2.01 goals-against average and .932 save percentage to go along with a 19-9-5 record and three shutouts. He has earned points in 12 of his past 13 outings (all starts) dating to Feb. 11, compiling an 8-1-4 record, 1.62 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and two shutouts during that timeframe.
