Sorokin, Oettinger and Verhaeghe named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week | Pro Hockey News

NEW YORK – New York Islanders goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin,Dallas Stars goalkeeper Jake Oettinger and Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe have been named the NHL’s ‘Three’ Stars” presented by GEICO for the week ending December 7.

FIRST STAR – ILYA SOROKIN, G, NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Sorokin, who made at least 30 saves in all three of his starts, went 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average, a .960 save percentage and one shutout to help lead the team Islanders (16-11-3, 35 points) rise to third place in the Metropolitan Division via a 3-1-0 week. Sorokin deflected 30 of 31 shots, setting up his only goal with 3:34 remaining in regulation, in a 2–1 win against the Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning on December 2. He then made 35 stops, including 19 in the first period, as New York ended the 17-game point streak of the league-leading Colorado Avalanche (14-0-3) with a 6-3 victory on December 4. capped the week with a flawless 32-save performance in a 2–0 win over the Lightning on December 6 to tie Glenn “Chico” Resch for most shutouts in franchise history (25). The 30-year-old Sorokin, who is also on the rankings third in Islanders history with 135 career victoriesowns a 10-8-2 record, 2.47 goals against average, .912 save percentage and three shutouts in 20 total appearances this season.

SECOND STAR – JAKE OETTINGER, G, DALLAS STARS

Oettinger also went 3-0-0 (0.98 GAA, 0.961 SV%, 1 SO) and moved into first place in the NHL in wins as No. 2 overall Stars (20-5-5, 45 points) extended their point streak to 10 games beginning Nov. 20 (8-0-2). He earned his 14th career shutout with 30 stops in a 3–0 win against the New Jersey Devils on December 3. Oettinger then made 16 saves in a 4–1 win over the San Jose Sharks on December 5 before deflecting 27 shots, as well as all three shootout attempts, in a 3–2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 7. The 26-year-old Oettinger, who has won six straight games Nov. 20 (1.82 GAA, .934 SV%, 1 SO), leads the league with 14 wins – one more Logan Thompson (WSH) and Scott Wedgewood (COL) – through 20 games total this season (14-4-2, 2.49 GAA, .909 SV%, 2 SO).

THIRD STAR – CARTER VERHAEGHE, C, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Verhaeghe scored in all three of his appearances and shared first place with four goals (4-1-5). Panthers (14-12-2, 30 points) completed a 2-1-1 week. He scored Florida’s lone goal in a 2–1 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on December 4 – his first game after the birth of his son, Rory. Verhaeghe then recorded 2-1-3 in a 7-6 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 6 before scoring the winning goal, the 24th of his career, in a 4-1 victory against the New York. Islanders December 7. The 30-year-old Verhaeghe, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, is fourth in Florida at 8-13: 21 in a total of 27 games this season.

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