Nyquist, Lundqvist, Iginla named 'Stars' of week

NEW YORK – Detroit Red Wings right wing Gustav Nyquist, New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Boston Bruins right wing Jarome Iginla have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 23.

FIRST STAR – GUSTAV NYQUIST, RW, DETROIT RED WINGS

Nyquist led all players with six goals and tied for the League lead with seven points to help the Red Wings (33-24-14, 80 points) earn seven of a possible eight points and move into the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. He opened the week with two goals in a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs March 18. Nyquist followed that up with 1-1—2, including the primary assist on Daniel Alfredsson's last-second overtime winner, in a 5-4 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins March 20. He then scored his fifth game-winning goal of the season in a 3 2 victory over the Minnesota Wild March 22 and capped the week with 2-0—2, his fourth multi-goal game of the season, in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild March 23. The 24-year-old native of Halmstad, Sweden, has 23-17—40 in 46 games this season, including 7-1—8 during a five-game goal/point streak and a League-leading 18 goals in 23 games since Jan. 20.

SECOND STAR – HENRIK LUNDQVIST, G, NEW YORK RANGERS

Lundqvist posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the Rangers (39-29-4, 82 points) to three consecutive victories, helping the team move into third place in the Metropolitan Division. He began the week by making 35 saves in an 8-4 triumph over the Ottawa Senators March 18, moving past Mike Richter and into sole possession of first place in Rangers history with his 302nd career victory. Lundqvist then stopped 25 shots in a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets March 21. He capped the week by making 21 saves for his 50th career shutout (and fifth of the season) in a 2 0 victory over the New Jersey Devils March 22, passing Ed Giacomin for the most blank sheets in franchise history. The 32-year-old native of Are, Sweden, has appeared in 55 games this season, compiling a 28-22-4 record with a 2.42 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.

THIRD STAR – JAROME IGINLA, RW, BOSTON BRUINS

Iginla tied for second in the NHL with five goals in four outings to help the Bruins (49 17 5, 103 points) extend their winning streak to 12 games and take over the top spot in the NHL standings. He recorded 2-0—2 in a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild March 17. Iginla followed that up with his seventh game-winning goal of the season, his most in one campaign since 2007-08 (9), in a 4-2 triumph over the New Jersey Devils March 18. After being held off the scoresheet in a 2-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche March 21, Iginla (2-0—2) posted his sixth multi-goal game of the season in a 4-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes March 22 to pass Hockey Hall of Famer and Bruins legend Johnny Bucyk for sole possession of 25th place on the NHL's all-time goals list (558). The 36-year-old native of Edmonton leads the Bruins with 28 goals and ranks second on the team with 58 points in 71 games this season, including 9-1—10 in his last eight contests.