Jokinen tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'

NEW YORK -- Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jussi Jokinen, Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron and Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Jan. 16.

FIRST STAR – JUSSI JOKINEN, LW, CAROLINA HURRICANES

Jokinen led NHL scorers last week with seven points (four goals, three assists) in three games, helping the Hurricanes (22-16-6) gain four of a possible six points and move  within one point of the eighth playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Jokinen recorded points in all three games, beginning with a two-goal, one-assist performance in a 6-5 shootout victory over the Calgary Flames on Jan. 11. He notched one assist in a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Jan. 13 and tallied two goals and one assist in a 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 15. Playing in his sixth NHL season, the Kalajoki, Finland native has posted 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 38 games.

SECOND STAR – PATRICE BERGERON, C, BOSTON BRUINS

Bergeron notched seven points (four goals, three assists) in four games as the Bruins (24-13-7, 55 points) won three of four starts to move into first place in the Northeast Division. Bergeron opened the week by notching two assists in a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jan. 10. He recorded a hat trick in a 6-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators Jan. 11, followed by a one goal, one assist effort in a 7-5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Jan. 13. In his seventh NHL season, all with the Bruins, the native of Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, leads his club in scoring with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 44 games.


THIRD STAR – ILYA BRYZGALOV, G, PHOENIX COYOTES

Bryzgalov posted a 3-0-0 record, 2.00 goals-against average and .938 save percentage as the Coyotes (23-13-9) climbed to fourth place in the Western Conference standings. Bryzgalov stopped 91 of 97 shots last week, beginning with a 37-save performance in a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 11. He recorded 28 saves in a 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 13 and stopped 26 shots as the Coyotes defeated the Anaheim Ducks 6-2 on Jan. 15. The 31-year-old native of Togliatti, Russia improved his season record to 17-8-6 with a 2.56 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and two shutouts in 33 appearances.