Marner, Markstrom and Laine are the three stars of the month for February

NEW YORK (March 1, 2022) – Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Mitchell MarnerCalgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom and Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Patrick Laine are the three stars of the month for February in the NHL.

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FIRST STAR – MITCHELL MARNER, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Marner led the NHL in goals (9, tied), assists (14) and points (23) in 12 games, helping the Maple Leafs (35-14-4, 74 points) retain a 7-4-1 record in February and tied – in points – for second in the Atlantic Division. Marner has been on the scoresheet in eight of his 12 outings, recording seven multi-point games and four three-point games. This includes four goals and six points on February 26 against the Detroit Red Wings, which is the highest total of goals and points in a game by a Toronto player since March 25, 2019 (John Tavares) and April 11, 2006 (Mats Sundin). Marner had two other multi-goal games during the month of February: February 1 against the New Jersey Devils (2-2-4) and February 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes (2-1-3 ). During that game against the Hurricanes, he scored his second career overtime winner (the other was on Feb. 1, 2020 against the Ottawa Senators). Marner, 24 and a native of Markham, Ont., ranked 72nd in league scoring heading into February (12-21-33, 32 GMs). He now ranks 14th in the Art-Ross Trophy race with 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists) in 44 games this season.

Video: TOR@DET: First four-goal game for Marner

SECOND STAR – JACOB MARKSTROM, G, CALGARY FLAMES

Markstrom led the NHL with eight wins in 10 starts, going 8-1-0 with a 2.04 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and one shutout to advance the Flames (31 -14-6, 68 points) from fourth to first in the Pacific Division with a 10-1-0 record in February. Markstrom has allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his 10 outings, recording his NHL-high eighth shutout of the season on Feb. 9 against the Vegas Golden Knights (28 saves). He is just two shutouts away from equaling the Flames’ single-season franchise record set by Miikka Kiprusoff in 2005-06 (10). He also made a season-high 46 saves on 48 shots against the Maple Leafs on February 10, three saves shy of his career-highs set on December 28, 2019, against the Los Angeles Kings and February 12, 2020, against the Los Angeles Kings. Chicago Blackhawks while playing with the Vancouver Canucks. The 32-year-old from Gävle, Sweden, Markstrom was 24-11-5 in 41 games this season, ranking among the NHL leaders in shutouts (8; 1st), goal average allowed (2.13; 5th), save percentage (.925; 5th) and wins (24; 8th).

Video: ANA@CGY: Markstrom robs Grant with the stick

THIRD STAR – PATRIK LAINE, LW, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Laine shared the League lead with nine goals and three game-winning goals in 10 games (9-6-15) to propel the Blue Jackets (27-25-1, 55 points) to a 7-3-0 record in February. All of Laine’s points came in an eight-game point streak earlier this month, a streak that began Jan. 27 (11 games; 13-8-21). In February, Laine had three multi-goal performances, including scoring his ninth career hat trick and scoring his 23rd game-winning goal on Feb. 17 against the Chicago Blackhawks (3-0-3). Laine added two more game-winning goals: February 12 against the Montreal Canadiens (1-1-2) and February 22 against the Toronto Maple Leafs (2-0-2). In that game against Toronto, he scored his third goal of the season in overtime and his sixth game-winning goal (t-1st; t-5th in these two respective categories in the NHL). The 23-year-old from Tampere, Finland, Laine has played in 34 of 53 games for Columbus in 2021-22, leading the team with an average of 1.06 points per game and third in scoring with 36 points. (19 goals, 17 assists).

Video: TOR@CBJ: Laine gives Blue Jackets victory