Stamkos, Kessel and Kesler named 'Three Stars'

NEW YORK – Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel and Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Kesler have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Oct. 27.

FIRST STAR – STEVEN STAMKOS, C, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Stamkos tied for the League lead with seven points (3-4—7) in helping the Lightning win a trio of games. He opened the week with 2-2—4, including the primary assist on Martin St. Louis' overtime winner, in a 6-5 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Oct. 24. Stamkos then recorded one assist in a 3-2 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres Oct. 26 and 1-1—2, plus the shootout winner, in a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers Oct. 27. The 23-year-old native of Markham, Ont., has posted five multi-point games this season and ranks second in the NHL with 17 points (8-9—17) in 11 contests.

SECOND STAR – PHIL KESSEL, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Kessel found the back of the net in all three of Toronto's games, leading the NHL with five goals while scoring on half of his 10 shots. He recorded his fourth career hat trick, including the game-winning goal, in a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Oct. 22. Kessel added a goal in a 5 2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Oct. 25 and closed the week with 1-1—2 in a 4-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins Oct. 26. The 26-year-old native of Madison, Wis., has recorded at least one point in nine of his 12 games this season, totaling 7-7—14 to lead the Maple Leafs in goals and points.

THIRD STAR – RYAN KESLER, C, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Kesler ranked second in the NHL with four goals and tied for third with six points as the Canucks closed a season-long, seven-game road trip with three consecutive wins (5-1-1 overall). He opened the week with a pair of 1-1—2 games: in a 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders Oct. 22 and in a 3-2 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils Oct. 24. Kesler then scored two goals, including the overtime winner, in a 3-2 triumph over the St. Louis Blues Oct. 25. The 29-year-old native of Livonia, Mich., leads the Canucks with seven goals, including two game-winners, and ranks third on the team with 10 points in 13 games this season.