Max Pacioretty was just named the NHL’s first star of the week, edging out the Boston Bruins‘ Patrice Bergeron.
The Montreal Canadiens forward scored 4 goals and 3 assists in 4 games, including 3 straight games with two points on the week.
PRESS RELEASE
NEW YORK — Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty, Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron and Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars‘ for the week ending March 3.
FIRST STAR — MAX PACIORETTY, LW, MONTREAL CANADIENS
Pacioretty recorded at least one point in all four of his games, tying for the League lead in goals (four) and points (seven). He began the week with one assist in a 2-1 shootout loss at the Ottawa Senators Feb. 25 and scored two goals in a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs Feb. 27. Pacioretty then posted one goal and one assist against both the Pittsburgh Penguins March 2 and Boston Bruins March 3. The 24-year-old leads Montreal with 8-12-20 in 18 games this season. In 220 career NHL games, all with the Canadiens, the New Canaan, Conn., native and reigning Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner has 61-73-134.
SECOND STAR — PATRICE BERGERON, C, BOSTON BRUINS
Bergeron also registered points in all four of his appearances, tying for the most assists (five) and points (seven) during the week. He recorded two assists in a 4-1 win at the New York Islanders Feb. 26 and scored the overtime winner in a 2-1 victory against the Ottawa Senators Feb. 28. Bergeron closed the week with one assist in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lighting March 2 and three points (1-2-3) in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens March 3. The reigning Frank J. Selke Trophy winner has appeared in all 19 games for Boston this season, pacing the club with 5-13-18 and a +15 rating. In 556 career NHL games, all with the Bruins, the 27-year-old has 148-271-419 and a +61 rating.
THIRD STAR — NIKLAS BACKSTROM, G, MINNESOTA WILD
Backstrom went 3-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in three appearances. He made 20 saves in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames Feb. 26 and another 25 stops in a 4-3 win at the Phoenix Coyotes Feb. 28. Backstrom then made 19 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers March 3. With the win, he improved to 17-0-0 in 17 career home games against the Oilers, the second-longest home winning streak against one team by any goaltender in NHL history. In 16 games this season, Backstrom is 9-5-2 with a 2.21 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. In 343 career NHL appearances, all with the Wild, the Helsinki, Finland, native has a 169-114-44 record with a 2.41 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and 26 shutouts.
