Matthews, Josi and Kadri Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

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NEW YORK — Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi and Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending April 14.3-Stars-Week-27_NHLcom

FIRST STAR – AUSTON MATTHEWS, C, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Matthews – who now is one tally shy of the 15th 70-goal season in NHL history and first since 1992-93 – shared the League lead with five goals in four starts (5-2—7) as the Maple Leafs (46-24-10, 102 points) completed a 2-1-1 week to lock up the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Division. Matthews scored in all four of his appearances to extend his goal streak to eight games dating to March 30 (10-3—13) and point streak to 14 contests dating to March 19 (14-11—25) – each a career high. He posted 1-1—2 in both a 3-2 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins April 8 and a 5-2 triumph over the New Jersey Devils April 9. Matthews (2-0—2) then recorded his 18th multi-goal performance of the season – the most by any player since Alexander Mogilny in 1992-93 (24 w/ BUF) – to surpass Dave Keon for sole possession of third place on Toronto’s all-time goals list as the team suffered a 6-5 defeat to New Jersey April 11. Matthews added another marker in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings April 13 to move within one of the first 70-goal season since Mogilny (76-51—127 in 77 GP) and Teemu Selanne (76-56—132 in 84 GP w/ WIN) each achieved the feat in 1992-93. The 26-year-old Matthews, already a two-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner (2021-22 and 2020-21), holds a 14-goal edge through 79 total contests in 2023-24 (69-38—107). He also ranks among this season’s leaders in even-strength goals (1st; 51 – a franchise record and the most by any player since 1992-93), shots on goal (4th; 352), power-play goals (t-4th; 18), plus/minus (t-5th; +35), points (6th; 107), shooting percentage (7th; 19.6% – minimum: 1 SOG/GP) and game-winning goals (t-10th; 8).

DET@TOR: Matthews wires home a shot fom the circle for his 69th

SECOND STAR – ROMAN JOSI, D, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Josi led defensemen and placed fourth in the NHL with 2-5—7 in three games as the Predators (47-29-5, 99 points) went 2-0-1 to secure their 16th playoff berth in the past 20 seasons. He collected a pair of third-period assists (including his 80th point of 2023-24) as Nashville rallied to earn its postseason-clinching point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets April 9. Josi then reached the 60-assist milestone for the second time (also 2021-22: 23-73—96 in 80 GP) with another helper in a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks April 12. He capped the week with 2-2—4, his eighth career four-point performance and first since Nov. 17, 2022 (0-4—4 vs. NYI), in a 6-4 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets April 13. The 33-year-old Josi, who captured the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2019-20, sits third among defensemen – and 22nd in the entire League – with 23-62—85 through 81 total contests this season. Only two other active blueliners have produced multiple 80-point campaigns: Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar, both with two.

CBJ@NSH: Josi fires in laser one-timer on the power play

THIRD STAR – NAZEM KADRI, C, CALGARY FLAMES

Kadri paced the NHL with 4-4—8 in four games to propel the Flames (37-38-5, 79 points) to a trio of victories. He notched 1-1—2 (including the tying goal with 5:09 remaining in regulation and an assist on the overtime winner) in a 3-2 triumph versus the San Jose Sharks April 9 before being held off the scoresheet in a 4-1 defeat against the Los Angeles Kings April 11. Kadri rebounded with consecutive three-point performances, collecting 1-2—3 in a 6-3 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks April 12 and 2-1—3 (highlighted by a pair of third-period goals, including the game-winner) in a 6-5 victory against the Arizona Coyotes April 14. The 33-year-old Kadri leads the Flames with 29-45—74 through 80 total appearances in 2023-24, his second-most productive campaign across his 15 NHL seasons (after 2021-22: 28-59—87 in 71 GP w/ COL).

ARI@CGY: Kadri nets his second goal on the power play