The NHL has named its "Three Stars" of the week ending Nov. 10, with Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen taking the top honors.
First Star – Connor Hellebuyck (G, Winnipeg Jets)
The Winnipeg Jets goaltender Hellebuyck earned the top spot after a stellar week, going 3-0-0 with a 0.33 GAA, .989 SV%, and two shutouts. He stopped 88 of 89 shots in three games, helping the Jets (14-1-0) extend their win streak to six games and become the first team in NHL history to win 14 of their first 15 games. Hellebuyck began the week with a 3-0 shutout against the Utah Hockey Club, followed by a 1-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche. He capped it off with 32 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, allowing just one goal in his final appearance. The 31-year-old Vezina Trophy winner leads the league with 11 wins, a 1.83 GAA, and a .935 SV% through 12 games.
This is the second time this season and the sixth time in his career that Hellebuyck has been selected in the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week.
Second Star – Nathan MacKinnon (C, Colorado Avalanche)
Colorado Avalanche center MacKinnon led the NHL in assists (8) and points (9) for the week, driving the Avalanche (7-8-0) to two wins. He matched a franchise record with five assists in a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Nov. 5 and added a goal and three assists in a 6-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 9. Despite being held off the scoresheet in a 1-0 loss to Winnipeg, MacKinnon’s overall performance kept the Avalanche in contention. The reigning Hart Trophy winner is currently leading the NHL with 22 assists and 29 points through 15 games, marking the highest assist total through 15 games since the 2005-06 season.
Third Star – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G, Buffalo Sabres)
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Luukkonen posted a perfect 3-0-0 record with a 1.30 GAA and .956 SV% to backstop the Sabres (7-7-1) to three straight wins. He made 37 saves in a 5-1 win against the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 5, followed by 25 saves in a 6-1 triumph over the New York Rangers. He capped the week with 24 saves and three shootout stops in a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames. Luukkonen has won three consecutive games and holds a 6-4-1 record, a 2.64 GAA, and a .910 SV% through 11 appearances this season.
These standout performances earned Hellebuyck, MacKinnon, and Luukkonen recognition as the NHL’s Three Stars for the week.
