Kane, Elliott and Bailey Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott and New York Islandersright wing Josh Bailey have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Dec. 17.
FIRST STAR – PATRICK KANE, RW, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Kane registered 4-1—5, including a pair of decisive goals, to help the Blackhawks (17-11-5, 39 points) go 3-0-0 and extend their overall winning streak to five games. He scored his fourth career overtime goal in a 3-2 victory against the Florida Panthers Dec. 12. Kane then collected 1-1—2, his eighth multi-point performance of the season, in a 5-1 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 14. He capped the week with two goals, including the winner, in a 4-1 victory against the Minnesota Wild Dec. 17. In doing so, Kane (299) moved past Dennis Hull (298) and into sole possession of fifth place on the Blackhawks’ all-time goals list. The 29-year-old Buffalo native paces Chicago with 14 goals and 34 points in 33 contests this season.
SECOND STAR – BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Elliott went 3-0-0 with a 1.31 goals-against average and .943 save percentage to guide the Flyers (14-11-7, 35 points) to their sixth straight win on the heels of a 10-game skid (0-5-5). He made 20 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs Dec. 12, 19 stops in a 2-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 14 and 27 saves in a 2-1 overtime triumph over the Dallas Stars Dec. 16. In doing so, Philadelphia became the third team in NHL history to earn six or more consecutive victories immediately following a winless stretch of at least 10 games. The 32-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native owns a 12-6-6 record with a 2.61 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 25 appearances this season.
THIRD STAR – JOSH BAILEY, RW, NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Bailey posted 4-4—8, including his first career hat trick, in four contests to help the Islanders (18-12-3, 39 points) pick up a pair of wins. He collected one assist in a 3-1 victory against the Washington Capitals Dec. 11, followed by two helpers in a 5-2 loss to the Dallas Stars Dec. 13. Playing in his 671st NHL game, Bailey scored his first career hat trick in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Dec. 14. He added 1-1—2, his 13th multi-point effort of the season, in a 4-3 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings Dec. 16. The 28-year-old Bowmanville, Ont., native shares second place in the NHL with 31 assists and ranks sixth overall with 40 points in 33 games this season.
