Matthews, Carlson and Huberdeau are the three stars of the week

NEW YORK (April 11, 2022) – Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston MatthewsWashington Capitals defenseman John Carlson and Florida Panthers left winger Jonathan Huberdeau were named the NHL’s Three Stars for the week ending April 10.

FIRST STAR – AUSTON MATTHEWS, C, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Matthews had more than a point in each of his four games and led all league players in goals (7), points (11), game-winning goals (2) and shots (33) to help the Maple Leafs (47-19-6, 100 points) to secure their sixth consecutive playoff appearance with a 3-0-1 record this week.

He scored his fourth hat trick this season and added an assist in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 4. Matthews followed that up with his seventh career three-assist game, and second of the season, in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on April 5.

Matthews then made history in his 400th career game on April 7 in a 4-3 win over the Dallas Stars. He scored twice, including scoring the winning goal in overtime, which allowed him to break Rick Vaive’s team record for most goals in a season, in addition to edging Jimmy Carson and Kevin Stevens for most goals in a season for a player born in the United States.

Matthews added two goals in a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on April 9 to become the first player since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 to score 50 or more goals in a 50-game career streak.

Video: MTL@TOR: Matthews strikes twice in 27 seconds

SECOND STAR – JOHN CARLSON, D, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Carlson led all defensemen in the league and finished third among all NHL players with eight points (three goals, five assists) in three games to help the Capitals (40-22-10, 90 points) to have a perfect week.

He had four points (two goals, two assists) in a game for the third time in his career in a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 6. Carlson then set up two of Washington’s four unanswered goals in a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 9. He ended his work week with a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins on April 10.

Video: BOS@WSH: Carlson opens the scoring with a laser

THIRD STAR – JONATHAN HUBERDEAU, LW, FLORIDA PANTHERS

With seven points (three goals, four assists) and a plus-7 differential in three games, Huberdeau helped the Panthers (51-15-6, 108 points) raise their top priority to six points. the Eastern Association thanks to a perfect week.

He had a fifth career five-point game when he had two goals, including the overtime winner, and three assists in a 7-6 win over the Maple Leafs on April 5. The Saint-Jérôme native also became the first player in team history to reach 100 points in one season.

The Quebecer added an assist in another win for the Panthers after erasing a multi-goal deficit, this time by a score of 4-3 against the Buffalo Sabers on April 8. He added a goal in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators the next day.

Huberdeau leads the NHL with 77 assists this season, trailing only Connor McDavid (108) with his collection of 104 points.

Video: TOR@FLA: Huberdeau reaches 100 points