Malkin, Pacioretty and Dubnyk named 'Stars' of week

NEW YORK – Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Nov. 24.

FIRST STAR – EVGENI MALKIN, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Malkin led all skaters with seven assists and eight points as the Penguins (15-9-0, 30 points) won three of four games to re-claim first place in the Metropolitan Division. He posted a pair of assists in each of his first two games of the week: a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Nov. 18 and a 4-0 triumph over the Washington Capitals Nov. 20. Malkin then snapped a 15 game goal drought, recording 1-1—2 in a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders Nov. 22. He closed the week by collecting two assists, his fourth consecutive multi-point game, in a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens Nov. 23. The 27-year-old native of Magnitogorsk, Russia, has recorded at least one point in 10 of his past 11 games (1-15—16) and is tied for first in the NHL with 22 assists while also placing seventh in the League with 26 points in 24 contests.

SECOND STAR – MAX PACIORETTY, LW, MONTREAL CANADIENS

Pacioretty led all players with five goals, including two-game winners, in three games to help the Canadiens (13-9-2, 28 points) pick up a trio of victories. He opened the week by recording a natural hat trick, his second career three-goal game and first since Feb. 9, 2012, in a 6-2 triumph over the Minnesota Wild Nov. 19. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals Nov. 22, Pacioretty twice found the back of the net, including the game-winning goal, in a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Nov. 23. The New Canaan, Conn., native has totaled 7-2—9 in 15 games this season, tying for second on the Canadiens in goals and game-winners (2).

THIRD STAR – DEVAN DUBNYK, G, EDMONTON OILERS

Dubnyk backstopped the Oilers (7-15-2, 16 points) to a pair of wins, posting a 2-0-0 record with a 0.50 goals-against average, .974 save percentage and one shutout in helping the team extend its season-long winning streak to three games. He made 14 saves for his first shutout of the season and the seventh of his career in a 7-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Nov. 19. Dubnyk then posted 24 stops in a 4-1 triumph over the Florida Panthers Nov. 21. The 27-year-old native of Regina, Sask., has appeared in 18 games this season, compiling a 6 10 1 record with a 3.17 goals-against average and .896 save percentage.