Panarin leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - - New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin, San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson and Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller - who all recently participated in the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend at FLA Live Arena - have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Feb. 12.

FIRST STAR - ARTEMI PANARIN, LW, NEW YORK RANGERS

Panarin, who made his first All-Star Game appearance in South Florida, led the NHL with 4-5-9 in four contests to propel the Rangers (31-14-8, 70 points) to a perfect week and their fifth straight win dating to Jan. 27. He collected two assists in a 5-4 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames Feb. 6. Panarin then registered one helper in both a 4-3 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Feb. 8 and a 6-3 win versus the Seattle Kraken Feb. 10. He capped the week by scoring a career-high four goals (including a natural hat trick that featured the game-winner) and matching a personal best with five points (last achieved March 12, 2022 at DAL: 1-4-5) in a 6-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Feb. 11. The 31-year-old Panarin, who also eclipsed 200 career goals on Saturday (203-425-628 in 561 GP), tops New York with 16-43-59 through 53 total games this season. He also places among the League leaders in assists (9th; 43), power-play assists (10th; 19) and points (20th; 59).

SECOND STAR - ERIK KARLSSON, D, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Karlsson, a seven-time All-Star, paced defensemen with 2-5-7 in three outings to guide the Sharks (17-26-11, 45 points) to a pair of victories. He posted 1-2-3, including the primary helper on Timo Meier's overtime winner, in a 4-3 triumph against the Tampa Bay Lightning Feb. 7. Playing in his 53rd game of the season (a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers Feb. 9), Karlsson assisted on San Jose's lone goal to become the fastest blueliner to reach the 70-point milestone since Paul Coffey in 1988-89 (45 GP w/ PIT). Karlsson then finished the week with 1-2-3, his eighth three-point performance of 2022 23, in a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals Feb. 12. The 32-year-old two-time Norris Trophy winner leads defensemen in goals (18), assists (55) and points (73) through 54 total appearances this season. He also shares second place among all skaters (forwards and defensemen) in assists and ranks fifth in points.

THIRD STAR - CLAYTON KELLER, RW, ARIZONA COYOTES

Keller, who skated in his third career All-Star Game (also 2019 and 2022), placed second in the NHL with 3-4-7 across three contests as the Coyotes (17-28-8, 42 points) earned four out of a possible six standings points (1-0-2). He picked up one assist in a 3-2 win against the Minnesota Wild Feb. 6. Keller then closed the week with back-to-back three-point performances, notching 1-2-3 (including his 300th NHL point and the primary helper on the tying goal with 2:27 remaining in regulation) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Feb. 10 and 2-1-3 in a 6-5 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues Feb. 11. It marked the second time in Keller's career that he has recorded consecutive three-point outings, following March 5-8, 2022 (3-4-7 in 2 GP). The 24-year-old Keller tops Arizona in goals (21), assists (27) and points (48) through 53 total games this season.