Laine named NHL’s rookie of the month for February, Toews first star

NEW YORK – Winnipeg Jets right-wing Patrik Laine has been named the NHL’s rookie of the month for February.

The league also named Winnipeg native and Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews as the month’s first star, with Nashville forwardFilip Forsberg and Washington goaltender Braden Holtby taking second- and third-star honours respectively.

Laine recorded 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 11 games last month, giving him 56 points in 56 games overall. He leads Toronto’s Auston Matthews by one point in the rookie scoring race.

The Finnish teen closed February with a six-game point streak and registered his third career hat trick in a Feb. 14 game against Dallas. He became the first player in NHL history to post three hat tricks prior to his 19th birthday, and the first rookie with three in one season since 1992-93.

Matthews (eight goals, eight assists in 14 games) and Toronto teammate William Nylander (seven goals, six assists in 14 games) as well as Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray (5-2-2, 1.97 goals-against average , .936 save percentage, one shutout) were also considered.

Toews paced the league with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists)in 10 games to guide the Blackhawks to a 9-1-0 February and second place in the Western Conference. He collected at least one point in nine of his 10 outings, highlighted by five multi-point performances.

He scored his fourth career hat trick and second career five-point effort in a Feb. 21 game at Minnesota.

Forsberg led the NHL with 11 goals and ranked second with 17 points in 13 outings to lift the Predators to an 8-4-1 February and third place in the Central Division. Forsberg closed February witha six-game point streak that featured consecutive hat tricks.

Holtby went 8-0-1 with a 1.88 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the League-leading Capitals to a 9-2-1 month.