NHL Stars of the Week – MacKinnon Stays Dominant

Today the National Hockey League announced their Three Stars of the Week for the week of March 3rd through 9th.

First Star – Nathan MacKinnon (C – COL)

MacKinnon topped the NHL with 4-5—9, posting multiple points in each of his three appearances to lift the Avalanche (38-24-2, 78 points) into third place in the Central Division on the strength of a five-game winning streak dating to Feb. 26. He collected a pair of assists in a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins March 4. MacKinnon then notched his 10th career five-point performance – and third of the season (also Nov. 5 vs. SEA: 0-5—5 and Dec. 10 at PIT: 1-4—5) – with 2-3—5 in a 7-3 triumph versus the San Jose Sharks March 6. He finished the week with two goals, including his 69th career game-winner, in a 7-4 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs March 8 to reach the 100-point milestone for the third straight campaign. The 29-year-old reigning Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner, who is one point shy of 1,000 for his career (362-637—999 in 855 GP), paces the NHL with 27-73—100 through 64 total contests in 2024-25. He also sits among this season’s League leaders in assists (1st; 73), even-strength assists (1st; 48), even-strength points (1st; 67), power-play assists (2nd; 25), power-play points (2nd; 33) and shots on goal (2nd; 260).

Stamkos placed second in the NHL with 4-4—8, also producing multiple points in each of his three outings as the Predators (24-32-7, 55 points) recorded a perfect week. He tallied 1-2—3, his second three-point effort of the season (also Jan. 14 vs. VGK: 2-1—3), in a 6-3 win versus the Boston Bruins March 4. Stamkos then posted a pair of assists, including the 600th of his career, in a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken March 6. He closed the week with his 14th career hat trick, capped by his 14th career overtime goal (and 91st career game-winner), in a 3-2 triumph versus the Chicago Blackhawks March 8. The 35-year-old Stamkos – a two-time Stanley Cup (2019-20 and 2020-21) and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (2009-10 and 2011-12) winner – has played in 63 total contests this season (21-20—41), ranking among Nashville’s top performers in game-winning goals (1st; 6), power-play goals (1st; 10), goals (2nd; 21), points (3rd; 41), power-play points (4th; 15) and assists (5th; 20).

Wilson compiled 3-4—7 to help the Capitals (42-14-8, 92 points) win all four of their games and reclaim first place in the overall League standings. He registered 1-1—2 in each of his first three outings: a 5-4 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators March 3, a 3-2 triumph versus the New York Rangers March 5 (featuring his fifth career overtime and 26th career game-winning goal) and a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings March 7. Wilson then added one assist in a 4-2 comeback win against the Seattle Kraken March 9. The 30-year-old Wilson sits fourth on Washington with 29-23—52 through 63 total appearances this season, already a career high for goals (five ahead of the 24 he scored in 2021-22) and tied for a career high in points (equaling 2021-22: 24-28—52 in 78 GP).

*All Graphics courtesy of the NHL, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and Washington Capitals.

*Player Profiles written by NHL PR Staff.

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