Marchand led the NHL with 5-4—9 in three games – all multi-point performances – to power the Bruins (38-27-6, 82 points) to a pair of victories. He registered 3-1—4, including his second career hat trick (also Dec. 23, 2011 vs. FLA) and third four-point effort of the season, in a 6-3 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks March 13. Marchand added 1-1—2 in a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames March 15, halting the Flames’ winning streak at 10 contests. He closed the week with 1-2—3 in a 7-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers March 16, giving him multiple points in three straight outings for the third time this season (also Jan. 24 – Feb. 1: 6-3—9 in 4 GP and Feb. 23-28: 3-4—7 in 3 GP). The 28-year-old Halifax, N.S., native ranks second in the League with 37 goals and third with 79 points through 71 games this season, including an NHL-best 27 tallies and 48 points in 2017 (32 GP).
SECOND STAR – SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Crosby paced the League with six goals and ranked second with eight points in four starts to guide the Penguins (45-17-9, 99 points) to a 2-1-1 week. He recorded 1-1—2 in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames March 13. Crosby was held off the scoresheet in a 4-0 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers March 15, but bounced back with 2-1—3 in a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils March 17. He capped the week with his 10th career three-goal game (and third career natural hat trick) in a 4-0 win against the Florida Panthers March 19. The 29-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., native leads the NHL with 40 goals and 80 points in 65 games this season. Crosby’s 40 goals are his second-best single-season total, behind the 51 he scored in 2009-10 en route to sharing the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.
THIRD STAR – BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, CALGARY FLAMES
Elliott went 3-0-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .926 save percentage to help the Flames (41-27-4, 86 points) maintain third place in the Pacific Division. He made 32 saves – and turned aside all three attempts in the shootout – in a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins March 13. Elliott then made 24 stops in a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars March 17 and 19 saves in a 5-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings March 19. In doing so, he earned his 11th consecutive victory (1.70 GAA, .942 SV%, 2 SO) to tie Mike Vernon (Jan. 17 – Feb. 27, 1989) for the longest such run by a goaltender in franchise history. The 31-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native owns a 23-13-3 record with a 2.46 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and two shutouts in 41 appearances this season, his first with the Flames.
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Elliott I'm impressed. Wow how hard were allot of us on him and now this honor.
When goaltending has made a difference on this team we have always gone a long way.
Players get bonuses for this selection don't they?
ELCs and 35+ contracts are the only ones that can have bonuses under the current CBA. There might be some tied to Player of the Week selections, but they wouldn't apply to Elliott.
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Glad to see him get recognized. Although, I think it's a bit of a make up pick for the previous week when he posted a 2-0 record with a 0.00 GAA and 1.000 Sv percentage and didn't get recognized.
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“Getting on a roll like that, that’s always a good thing,” Vernon said Monday, the day after Elliott equalled his franchise feat. “I think the thing that differentiates when I did it and when Brian Elliott has done it is I think the points are just harder to come by now, with the tight race. They’re still fighting for a playoff berth. And to put an 11-game streak together, that’s a great feat and I think it’s come at a timely fashion for the organization.
“These are big games right now. Knocking off teams like L.A. that are nipping at their heels, it gives them a bit more breathing space. I think that’s the biggest difference.”
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Let's take a break and enjoy these comments from BigTuna regarding Elliott:
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Originally Posted by BigTuna
Why would you even consider signing him?
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Originally Posted by BigTuna
This guy's performance outside of playing in a Ken Hitchcock system has been horrible.
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Originally Posted by BigTuna
Freddy Andersen was the guy to get. Great trade. In his prime years, and 5 million is a nice contract.
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Originally Posted by BigTuna
I predicted this would happen on this board last summer. Elliott is waiver waire material, then suddenly sets save % records once he joins Ken Hitchcock. A complete product of the superb defensive system he was in. We've seen this before with Hitchcock's goalies. Belfour was a superstar, but he's made medicore goalies look very good.
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Originally Posted by BigTuna
Andersen now .919 save % on the season. Looking very, very good. And you guys got Elliott?
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Really nice to hear those comments by Vernon (I am out of thanks, or I would have thanked Sureloss' post).
Elliott has definitely deserved all the accolades being thrown his way. Whatever was not right in his game has been fixed (mentally, positional, whatever..). Flames are really benefiting from very stable goaltending, and that allows a team to start games more confidently and have that 'swagger' about them. It really shows.
Elliott named 3rd star of the week
