[News] Gaudreau named NHL's first star of the week

[sureLoss]

FIRST STAR – JOHNNY GAUDREAU, LW, CALGARY FLAMES

Gaudreau led the NHL with five goals and 11 points in four games (5-6—11) to propel the Flames (26-13-4, 56 points) to a 3-1-0 week and into first place in the Western Conference standings. Gaudreau opened the week with consecutive four-point performances, registering 2‑2—4 in an 8-5 victory over the San Jose Sharks Dec. 31 and 1-3—4 (including the winning goal) in a 5-3 triumph against the Detroit Red Wings Jan. 2. In doing so, he became the third different player in franchise history to record four-plus points in consecutive team games and the first to accomplish the feat since Doug Gilmour from Nov. 3-5, 1988 (1-8—9 in 2 GP). Gaudreau posted his third straight multi-point game with 1-1—2 in a 6-4 loss to the Boston Bruins Jan. 3. He added one goal, his team-leading 24th of the season, in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 5. The 25-year-old Salem, N.J., native – who was named the NHL’s ‘Second Star’ for the month of December and selected to his fifth straight All-Star Game last week – has appeared in 43 total contests this season, ranking among the League’s top 10 in points (4th; 62), assists (t-6th; 38) and goals (t-8th; 24).



SECOND STAR – BRENT BURNS, D, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Burns placed second in the NHL with 2-7—9 in three outings to guide the Sharks (23‑13‑7, 53 points) to a pair of wins. He collected 1-1—2, his second consecutive two-point effort (also Dec. 29 at EDM: 0-2—2), in an 8-5 loss to the Calgary Flames Dec. 31. Burns then posted his second career four-point game – and first since Nov. 29, 2013 (3-1—4 vs. STL) – with 1-3—4 in a 5-4 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 2. He closed the week with his second straight and 10th career three-assist performance in a 5-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 5. The 33-year-old Barrie, Ont., native – who will represent the hometown Sharks at the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend – tops League defensemen with 40 assists and 47 points in 43 total contests this season, aided by an active five-game point streak (3-9—12).



THIRD STAR – ROBIN LEHNER, G, NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Lehner went 3-0-0 with a 1.99 goals-against average and .935 save percentage to backstop the Islanders (23-13-4, 50 points) to a perfect week and their sixth straight win overall. He made a season-high 39 saves in a 3-1 victory over his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, Dec. 31. Lehner then posted 19 stops in a 3-2 overtime triumph against the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 3 and 29 saves in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues Jan. 5. The 27-year-old Gothenburg, Sweden, native – who has won seven consecutive decisions dating to Dec. 18 (1.22 GAA, .959 SV%, 1 SO) – has appeared in 21 total games this season, leading the NHL with a 2.18 goals-against average and ranking second with a .927 save percentage to go along with an 11‑6‑3 record.

[jg13]

What a week for Johnny. NHL first star, got to go home and see family and his Eagles pulled off a W that he got to see live.

[Bunk]

He was pissed he only got second star for December. Best week of Burns' kid's life.

[redforever]

Surely by now he has some consideration for the Hart?

[dino7c]

Burns gets it for helping Johnny reach #1

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by redforever

Surely by now he has some consideration for the Hart?

Well, some analysts think Petterson should win the Hart. Johnny has 20 more points than him, so I guess he needs at least 40 more points than him to be considered?

[keenan87]

Great work by Gaudreau! However, score some freakin breakaway goals!!

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by redforever

Surely by now he has some consideration for the Hart?

He's already getting consideration. It'd be sweet to see him as one of the nominees at the end of the year but I feel that Kucherov will likely win it.

[You Need a Thneed]

For the purposes of Hart voting, second half stats are likely significantly more important than first half stats.

Kucherov could be hurt by playing for a team that’s TOO good.

[Haplo]

Ironic since Burns was the worst player on the ice against the Flames.

[OldSam]

What?? Conner wasn't at least second star for being...well... Conner. I call discrimination. Just kidding.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Johnny has been unstoppable the last month or so...

pretty amazing really

[Machiavelli]

He's been crazy good, better than I even thought he could be

[Roof-Daddy]

Going to be interesting to see how the 2nd half shakes out, but I remember many a Flames fan comparing Johnny and Mony to Kane and Toews. Usually received by a decent amount of backlash.

Well Johnny is on pace for 118 points right now, Kane's best year was 106 points.

Also, Mony is on pace for 99 points, Toews best year was 76 points.

Anyways, cool to see these two guys live up to lofty expectations, at least for the time being. Hopefully it continues for the rest of this season, and many more seasons to come.