NEW YORK (Jan. 30, 2023) – Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 29.

FIRST STAR – CLAUDE GIROUX, RW, OTTAWA SENATORS

Giroux led the NHL with 4-3—7, recording multiple points in all three of his games to power the Senators (23-23-3, 49 points) to a 3-0-0 week. He collected 1-1—2 in each of his first two outings, a 2-1 victory against the New York Islanders Jan. 25 (featuring his 49th career game-winning goal and third of 2022-23) and a 6-2 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 27. Giroux then registered 2-1—3, his 65th career three-point performance and third of the season (also Nov. 12 at PHI: 0-3—3 and Dec. 3 vs. SJS: 2-1—3), in a 5-0 win versus the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 28. The 35-year-old Giroux – who has multiple points in three straight contests for the 12th time in his career and first time since April 3-8, 2022 (2-4—6 in 3 GP w/ FLA) – is averaging nearly a point per game during his first season with Ottawa, totaling 19-28—47 in 49 appearances.

SECOND STAR – WILLIAM NYLANDER, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Nylander also posted 4-3—7 (in four contests) to propel the Maple Leafs (31-12-8, 70 points) to three wins in four starts. He recorded 2-2—4, all in the second period, in a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders Jan. 23. Nylander then picked up his 400th career point (in his 488th NHL game) with an assist in a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers Jan. 25. He finished the week with one goal in each of his last two outings, a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators Jan. 27 and a 5-1 triumph over the Washington Capitals Jan. 29. The 26-year-old Nylander, who established career highs in goals (34), assists (46) and points (80) last season (81 GP; 0.99 P/GP), leads Toronto and ranks 14th in the NHL with 28-31—59 through 51 total games in 2022-23 (1.16 P/GP).

THIRD STAR – ANDREI VASILEVSKIY, G, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Vasilevskiy stopped 96 of the 102 shots he faced, compiling a 3-0-0 record, 2.00 goals-against average and .941 save percentage to guide the Lightning (32-15-1, 65 points) to a perfect week. He earned his 250th NHL victory (in his 399th appearance) with 33 saves in a 4-2 win against the Minnesota Wild Jan. 24. Vasilevskiy then turned aside 37 shots in a 3-2 triumph over the Boston Bruins Jan. 26 before closing the week with 26 saves in a 5-2 victory against the Los Angeles Kings Jan. 28. The 28-year-old Vezina (2018-19) and Conn Smythe (2020-21) Trophy winner, who will be participating in his fifth career NHL All-Star Game this weekend, shares third place in the League with 23 wins in 36 total starts this season (23-12-1, 2.51 GAA, .918 SV%).

COURTESY NHLmedia.com