NEW YORK (December 27, 2010) – New York Islanders goaltender Dwayne Roloson, Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending Dec. 26.
FIRST STAR – DWAYNE ROLOSON, G, NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Roloson allowed one goal in each start last week, posting a 3-0-0 record, 0.98 goals-against average and .972 save percentage as the Islanders improved to 4-0-1 in their past five games. Roloson made 34 saves in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning Dec. 22, stopped 34 shots in a 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils Dec. 23 and concluded the week by making 38 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Dec. 26. The 41-year-old Simcoe, Ontario native improved his season record to 5-12-1 with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 18 appearances.
SECOND STAR – HENRIK ZETTERBERG, LW, DETROIT RED WINGS
Zetterberg notched seven points (three goals, four assists) last week, helping the Red Wings reclaim first place in the Western Conference with two victories in three starts. Zetterberg scored a pair of goals, including the overtime winner, plus an assist in a 5-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Dec. 22. He notched two assists in a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues Dec. 23 and finished the week by recording one goal and one assist in a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild Dec. 26. Zetterberg leads the Red Wings in scoring with 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) in 35 games.
THIRD STAR – SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Crosby tallied seven points (four goals, three assists) in four games as the Penguins went 3-1-0 and climbed to first place in the overall standings. He recorded at least one point in each contest, stretching his active point streak to 24 games — the longest in the NHL since Mats Sundin posted a 30-game streak with the Quebec Nordiques in 1992-93. Crosby began the week by recording one goal and two assists in a 6-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Dec. 20. He notched one goal in a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers Dec. 22, recorded one goal and one assist in 3-2 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals Dec. 23 and finished the week by notching the Penguins’ only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators Dec. 26. The Penguins captain leads the NHL in goals (30) and points (61) in 37 games.