Kuznetsov, Markov and Quick named stars of week

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Oct. 25.

FIRST STAR – EVGENY KUZNETSOV, C, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Kuznetsov paced the NHL with six assists and nine points – and also shared the League lead with a +5 rating – as the Capitals (6-1-0, 12 points) won all three of their games. He began the week with three assists, matching a career high, in a 6-2 victory over the Calgary Flames Oct. 20. Kuznetsov then picked up the primary helper on Alex Ovechkin's tiebreaking goal with 4:55 remaining in regulation in a 3-2 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 22. He capped his performance with 3-2-5 and a +4 rating, establishing single-game highs in goals, points and plus/minus, in a 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers Oct. 23. In doing so, Kuznetsov became the first Capitals player to record a five-point game since Dec. 10, 2013 vs. TBL (Nicklas Backstrom: 1-4-5). The 23-year-old Chelyabinsk, Russia, native has 17-40-57 in 104 career NHL outings, including 3-8-11 in seven appearances this season.

SECOND STAR – ANDREI MARKOV, D, MONTREAL CANADIENS

Markov shared first among defensemen with 1-5-6 as the Canadiens (9-0-0, 18 points) won all three of their contests to extend the franchise's best start in its 98-year NHL history. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues Oct. 20, Markov registered 1-4-5 and a +4 rating, setting single-game highs in assists and points and equaling a personal best in plus/minus, in a 7-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres Oct. 23. In doing so, he became the second defenseman in Canadiens history to post a five-point game on the road (also Sheldon Souray: 1-5-6 on Jan. 10, 2004 at PIT). Markov closed the week with one helper in a 5-3 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs Oct. 24. The 36-year-old Voskresensk, Russia, native – who has spent his entire career with the Canadiens – ranks third in franchise history among defensemen with 109-393-502 in 855 NHL games, including 1-9-10 in nine outings this season.

THIRD STAR – JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Quick posted a 2-0-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .971 save percentage and one shutout as the Kings (5-3-0, 10 points) extended their winning streak to five games. He stopped all 40 shots he faced to pick up his 38th career shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 23. In the process, Quick improved to 8-0-2 in 10 career games when facing 40 or more shots on goal. He finished the week with 26 saves, including 14 in the third period, in a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers Oct. 25. The 29-year-old Milford, Conn., native owns a 216-142-46 record in 414 career NHL appearances (2.27 GAA, .915 SV%, 38 SO), including four consecutive wins (0.99 GAA, .966 SV%, 1 SO) following a 0-3-0 start to the season.