NEW YORK – Seattle Kraken goaltender Martin Jones, Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 15.
FIRST STAR – MARTIN JONES, G, SEATTLE KRAKEN
Jones went 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and two shutouts to help the Kraken (26-12-4, 56 points) earn four wins en route to becoming the first team in NHL history to sweep a road trip of seven or more games. He opened the week with consecutive shutouts, making 21 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 9 and 27 stops in a 3-0 win against the Boston Bruins Jan. 12 – the latter performance snapping the Bruins’ season-opening home point streak at 22 contests (19-0-3). It marked the second time in Jones’ NHL career that he has posted back-to-back shutouts, following Oct. 10-13, 2015 (w/ SJS), and the first clean sheet by a visiting goaltender in Boston since Feb. 10, 2022 (Frederik Andersen w/ CAR). Jones then turned aside 22 shots in an 8-5 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 14 as Seattle finished its road trip with a 7-0-0 record and extended its overall winning streak to eight games dating to Jan. 1. The 33-year-old Jones has made 28 starts and 31 total appearances in 2022-23, ranking third in the NHL with 21 wins (21-5-3) and sharing second place with three shutouts to go along with a 2.76 goals-against average and .895 save percentage.
SECOND STAR – LUCAS RAYMOND, LW, DETROIT RED WINGS
Raymond registered 3-4—7 in three contests to guide the Red Wings (18-16-7, 43 points) to a pair of victories. He began the week with consecutive three-point performances (a first in his NHL career), collecting 1-2—3 in both a 7-5 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets Jan. 10 and a 4-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 12. The 20-year-old Raymond then scored once in a 4-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 14; it marked his 36th career goal, the third-most by a Detroit skater before age 21 behind only Steve Yzerman (83) and Dylan Larkin (40). Raymond, who compiled 23-34—57 in 2021-22 (82 GP) en route to being selected to the All-Rookie Team and finishing fourth in Calder Memorial Trophy voting, sits third on the Red Wings with 13-17—30 through 41 total games this season.
THIRD STAR – NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Kucherov collected 3-4—7 (including 1-4—5 on the power play) in three outings to propel the Lightning (27-13-1, 55 points) to a perfect week. He notched 2-2—4, highlighted by the game-winning goal, in a 6-3 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 10. It marked Kucherov’s 21st career four-point performance, which ranks second in the NHL since he entered the League in 2013-14 (behind only Connor McDavid: 30). Kucherov then posted 1-1—2 in a 5-4 victory against the Vancouver Canucks Jan. 12 before closing the week with an assist in a 4-2 win versus the St. Louis Blues Jan. 14. The 29-year-old Kucherov has skated in 41 total contests this season, placing among the League leaders in assists (2nd; 45), power-play assists (2nd; 22), points (3rd; 62) and power-play points (3rd; 28).
