The NHL announced its “Three Stars” of the week ending December 29, presented by GEICO, with Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele,
First Star: Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
Scheifele dominated with 4 goals and 2 assists in just two games, helping the Jets secure an unbeaten week and improve their record to 26-10-1. The 31-year-old forward recorded a 3-goal, 1-assist performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 23, notching his 10th career hat trick and sixth game-winning goal of the season. Scheifele followed that effort with a 2-point game against the Ottawa Senators on December 28. He ranks among the NHL’s leaders with 22 goals and 44 points this season and is tied for second in game-winning goals with six.
Second Star: Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
Dahlin shared the league lead in assists and points for the week, tallying 7 assists in three games as the Sabres went 3-0. He set a career-high with four assists in a dominant 7-1 victory over the New York Islanders on December 23, becoming just the fifth defenseman in Sabres history to reach that mark in a single game. Dahlin continued his stellar play with multi-point efforts in wins over the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. The 24-year-old ranks fifth among NHL defensemen in points per game this season (0.90) with 26 points in 29 games.
Third Star: Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Werenski matched Dahlin with 7 assists in three games, helping the Blue Jackets secure two victories and stay within four points of a playoff spot. He recorded three assists in a tight 5-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens on December 23. He delivered a four-assist performance in a 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on December 27. The 27-year-old defenseman has excelled this season, leading all NHL defensemen in average ice time (26:18) and total ice time (972:58) while ranking among the top in goals, points, and power-play contributions.
Scheifele, Dahlin, and Werenski’s standout weeks underscore their pivotal roles for their respective teams as they push through the NHL season.
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