NEW YORK -- Dallas Stars left wing Loui Eriksson, Philadelphia Flyers center Jeff Carter and New Jersey Devils left wing Patrik Elias have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Dec. 21.
FIRST STAR -- LOUI ERIKSSON, LW, DALLAS STARS Eriksson highlights
Eriksson scored a League-leading six goals in three games last week, helping the Stars earn five of six available points. He recorded both Dallas goals in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Dec. 16, notched his first career hat trick in a 6-5 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Dec. 18 and finished the week with one goal in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators Dec. 20. Playing in his third NHL season, the Gothenburg, Sweden native leads Stars goal-scorers with 18, surpassing his career high of 14 from 2007-08, and ranks second in points with 18-8--26, five short of his career-best 14-17--31 set last season. After starting the season 7-11-4, the Stars are 6-3-1 in their past 10 games, moving within four points of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
SECOND STAR -- JEFF CARTER, C, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS Carter highlights
Carter recorded seven points (four goals, three assists) in four games, taking the NHL goal-scoring lead and moving up to sixth in the League points race (25-14--39). Carter scored a shorthanded goal in a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Dec. 16, notched four points (two goals, two assists) and a career-high +5 rating in a 7-1 victory over the Washington Capitals Dec. 20 and tallied his NHL-best 25th goal of the season and an assist in a 3-2 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils Dec. 21. Carter also is tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded goals (four) and game-winning goals (five), and ranks third in shots (147). Playing in his fourth NHL season, the London, Ontario native turns 24 on New Year's Day.
THIRD STAR -- PATRIK ELIAS, LW, NEW JERSEY DEVILS Elias highlights
Elias led all scorers for the week, recording eight points (three goals, five assists) and extending his active point streak to 10 games as the Devils posted a 3-0-1 record. He began the week by recording one assist in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Dec. 16, tallied a pair of assists in a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 17, recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Dec. 19 and scored one goal in a 3-2 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers Dec. 21. Elias leads the Devils in scoring with 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) in 31 games. He has recorded 8-9--17 over his current 10-game point streak.
