[News] Gaudreau named NHL's 2nd star of March

[sureLoss]

https://media.nhl.com/public/news/15958

FIRST STAR – ROMAN JOSI, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Josi paced the NHL with 24 assists, 28 points and a +14 rating in 14 games (4-24—28) to help the Predators (39-24-4, 82 points) maintain the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference via a 9‑5-0 March. Only two defensemen in League history – Bobby Orr in March 1971 (8-23—31 in 15 GP w/ BOS) and Paul Coffey in December 1985 (6-23—29 in 14 GP w/ EDM) – have recorded more points in a single calendar month than Josi, who became the first blueliner to outright lead the NHL in scoring during a month since Coffey in February 1990 (6-22—28 in 14 GP w/ PIT). Josi – who also ranked seventh in the League with an average of 25:28 of ice time per game – found the scoresheet in all but his final appearance of March, establishing a career high with a 13-game point streak that included eight multi-point performances, a run of four straight contests with at least three points (March 13-19: 2-11—13) and a pair of four-point outings: March 5 at SJS (0-4—4) and March 13 at MIN (2-2—4). The 31-year-old Bern, Switzerland, native has played in 65 total contests this season, topping NHL defensemen in scoring (18‑63—81) while seeking to become the first blueliner to reach 100 points in a campaign since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 (22-80—102 in 80 GP w/ NYR). Josi is the first defenseman on any team to be named “First Star” of the month since John Carlson in October 2019 (w/ WSH) and the first Nashville player at any position to receive the honor since goaltender Pekka Rinne in November 2016.



SECOND STAR – JOHNNY GAUDREAU, LW, CALGARY FLAMES

Gaudreau ranked second in the League with 11-15—26 in 16 outings to power the Flames (40‑18-9, 89 points) to a 9-4-3 March and a five-point cushion atop the Pacific Division. He collected points in 13 of his 16 contests, including seven consecutive to open the month (March 1-12: 6-7—13). Gaudreau also registered seven multi-point performances, highlighted by his first career five-assist outing March 26 vs. EDM and his sixth career hat trick March 10 vs. TBL. The 28-year-old Salem, N.J., native – who added a trio of game-winning goals (March 5 at COL, March 10 vs. TBL and March 25 vs. ARI) – has made 67 total appearances this season, placing among the League leaders in plus/minus (t-1st; +49), points (4th; 91), assists (5th; 60) and game-winning goals (t-5th; 8). He is the second straight Calgary player to earn “Second Star” of the month honors, following Jacob Markstrom in February.



THIRD STAR – SERGEI BOBROVSKY, G, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Bobrovsky posted a flawless month, going 7-0-0 with a 2.13 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and two shutouts as the Panthers (46-15-6, 98 points) moved seven points ahead of the closest competition in the Atlantic Division via a League-best 11-2-1 March. Bobrovsky – who has won seven consecutive games for the seventh time in his career and first time since March 4-22, 2018 (7 GP w/ CBJ) – bookended the month with shutouts March 3 vs. OTT (18 SV) and March 31 vs. CHI (37 SV). The 33-year-old Novokuznetsk, Russia, native and two-time Vezina Trophy winner has played in 44 total contests this season, sharing second place in the NHL with 33 wins (33-6-3) to go along with a 2.55 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and three shutouts.

[N-E-B]

How much more does he need to do to start getting some legitimate mainstream coverage for the Hart trophy? He's gotta be a nominee this year at the very least.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

How much more does he need to do to start getting some legitimate mainstream coverage for the Hart trophy? He's gotta be a nominee this year at the very least.

A nominee is a misnomer.

The NHL announces the top 3 in voting as "finalists" after voting is completed. In fact, the entire NHL is eligible for voting purposes. The NHL simply announces the top 3 before revealing the actual winner.

[SebC]

As someone who isn't really following the rest of the league this year, I had no idea Josi was doing that well. 2.00 P/G as a defenceman for a month is one heck of a tear.

[looooob]

I had the pleasure of watching Josi live on Sunday, while he was named the 3rd star of that game he was clearly the best player on the ice

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by looooob

I had the pleasure of watching Josi live on Sunday, while he was named the 3rd star of that game he was clearly the best player on the ice

Should win the Norris this year. Killing it on the offensive side of the puck and is rock solid in his own end too.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Should win the Norris this year. Killing it on the offensive side of the puck and is rock solid in his own end too.

I agree, seems like Makar has been anointed by the league and the media. We’ll see.

[djsFlames]

1st star in our hearts.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by looooob

I had the pleasure of watching Josi live on Sunday, while he was named the 3rd star of that game he was clearly the best player on the ice

It blows my mind how more people arent talking about him.....right now he should be the runaway leader for the Norris if not the Hart.

[OutOfTheCube]

Josi sing me handedly carried my hockey pool for the month, so I was paying attention lol. He should be getting into the Hart conversation too

[transplant99]

nm

[Erick Estrada]

Did Hockey News even have him ranked in the Top 50 players list in their yearbook?

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Did Hockey News even have him ranked in the Top 50 players list in their yearbook?

When did they publish it?

Last year? Understandable.

This year? Top 5 , for sure.