Blackhawks rookie Panarin named NHL first star after back-to-back 4-point games

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Chicago left-wing Artemi Panarin, San Jose defenceman Brent Burns and Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.

Panarin led the league with eight points (three goals, five assists) as the Blackhawks won two of three games to clinch a playoff berth.

After being held off the scoresheet in a 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild, Panarin ended the week with back-to-back four-point performances in wins over Winnipeg and Boston.

Panarin became the first rookie in Blackhawks history to record consecutive four-point games, and the first rookie on any team to do so since Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom in 2007-08.

Burns led all defencemen with seven points (one goal, six assists) in four games.

Murray went 3-0-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and one shutout as the Penguins posted four victories over the week to extend their overall winning streak to six games.