NEW YORK – Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark and New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 13.
FIRST STAR – MIKKO RANTANEN, RW, COLORADO AVALANCHE
Rantanen compiled 3-4—7, including one game-winning goal as well as the primary assist on Colorado’s other decisive tally, across two contests to power the Avalanche (8-4-1, 17 points) to a perfect week and their fourth straight victory dating to Nov. 4. Rantanen registered 2-1—3, highlighted by his second game-winning goal (also Nov. 4 vs. CBJ) and third multi-goal performance (also Oct. 19 vs. WPG and Nov. 4 vs. CBJ) of the season, in a 5-3 triumph over the Nashville Predators Nov. 10. He then posted 1-3—4, including the primary assist on Cale Makar’s decisive marker, for his 14th career four-point outing and third of the campaign (also Oct. 12 vs. CHI and Nov. 4 vs. CBJ) in a 4-1 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Nov. 12. The 26-year-old Rantanen, who registered career highs in goals (36), assists (t-56) and points (92) in 2021-22, has recorded 7-7—14 during a five-game point streak dating to Oct. 29. He has appeared in 13 total contests this season, ranking among the League leaders in power-play assists (2nd; 9), points (4th; 23), power-play points (t-4th; 11), goals (t-5th; 10) and shooting percentage (10th; 23.8%).
SECOND STAR – LINUS ULLMARK, G, BOSTON BRUINS
Ullmark went 3-0-0 with a 1.34 goals-against average and .956 save percentage to guide the League-leading Bruins (14-2-0, 28 points) to a 4-0-0 week as they matched their best 16-game start to a season – both in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 98-year history (also 1929-30: 14-2-0). Ullmark yielded one goal in each of his first two starts, making 26 saves in a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues Nov. 7 and 31 stops in a 3-1 triumph against the Calgary Flames Nov. 10. He finished the week with 29 saves in a 5-2 win versus the Vancouver Canucks Nov. 13 as Boston set a franchise record and became the eighth NHL team to open a season with nine consecutive victories at home. The 29-year-old Ullmark has made 12 starts (and 13 total appearances) thus far in 2022-23, placing among the top three netminders in wins (1st; 11), goals-against average (2nd; 1.96) and save percentage (3rd; .936). He is the 14th goaltender in League history to win 11 of his first 12 starts of a season and the second to do so with the Bruins, after Ross Brooks in 1973-74 (also 11-1-0).
THIRD STAR – ADAM FOX, D, NEW YORK RANGERS
Fox led the NHL with six assists and eight points (2-6—8), and also scored both of New York’s game-winning goals, as the Rangers (8-6-3, 19 points) went 2-2-0 in four contests. He collected one assist in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders Nov. 8, followed by 1-3—4 – his second career four-point outing (also March 25, 2021 at PHI: 0-5—5) – in an 8-2 triumph versus the Detroit Red Wings Nov. 10. Fox then assisted on New York’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators Nov. 12 before closing the week with 1-1—2, including his ninth career game-winning goal, in a 4-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes Nov. 13. The 24-year-old winner of the 2020-21 James Norris Memorial Trophy has skated in 17 total games this season, placing among the top defensemen in assists (t-1st; 14), points (2nd; 19) and goals (3rd; 5).
