Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Stars Of The Month

02/01/2022 at 2:09pm EST

NEW YORK (Feb. 1, 2022) – Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros and Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of January.

FIRST STAR – JONATHAN HUBERDEAU, LW, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Huberdeau led the NHL with 19 assists and 25 points in 15 games (6-19—25) to lift the Panthers (32-9-5, 69 points) into first place in the overall League standings via a 12-2-1 January – their most wins in a calendar month in franchise history. Huberdeau found the scoresheet in 13 of his 15 appearances, including a seven-game run to open the month (Jan. 1-15: 4-11—15). He also recorded seven multi-point performances, highlighted by four points Jan. 14 vs. DAL (1-3—4) as well as a trio of three-point outings (Jan. 1 vs. MTL: 0-3—3, Jan. 23 at SEA: 1-2—3 and Jan. 29 vs. SJS: 1-2—3). Huberdeau – who was 14 points behindConnor McDavid in the Art Ross Trophy race entering January – currently tops the NHL with 17-46—63 through 46 total appearances this season. The 28-year-old Saint-Jerome, Que., native is scheduled to participate in his second career NHL All-Star Game this Saturday in Las Vegas (3 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. PT, ABC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports).

SECOND STAR – JUUSE SAROS, G, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Saros started 12 of Nashville’s 13 January games, going 8-2-2 with a 2.49 goals-against average and .934 save percentage to propel the Predators (27-14-4, 58 points) into second place in the Central Division. He yielded two or fewer goals in eight of his 12 appearances, bookended by four-game runs to open (Jan. 1-8: 4-0-0) and close (Jan. 20-27: 3-0-1) the month. Saros also made 35 or more saves in eight of his 12 outings, highlighted by a season-high 46 stops Jan. 6 at LAK (4-2 W). The 26-year-old Forssa, Finland, native – who is set to make his NHL All-Star Game debut this weekend – has compiled a 23-11-3 record, 2.36 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and two shutouts through 37 total appearances in 2021-22, placing among the goaltending leaders in games played (1st), wins (t-3rd) and save percentage (5th).

THIRD STAR – BRYAN RUST, RW, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Rust paced the NHL with 1.91 points per game, collecting 10-11—21 in 11 outings to guide the Penguins (27-11-7, 61 points) into third place in the Metropolitan Division via a 10-3-2 January. Rust began 2022 in historic fashion, registering 7-4—11 through his first three contests to become the seventh different player in NHL history with 11 or more points in his first three appearances of a calendar year. Overall, Rust picked up multiple points in seven of his 11 January outings, highlighted by his fifth career hat trick and first career five-point performance Jan. 2 vs. SJS (3-2—5). The 29-year-old Pontiac, Mich., native has skated in 23 total contests this season, ranking ninth in the League with 1.30 points per game (12-18—30).

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry Open Post- Four Playoff Games Tonight - 5 minutes ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry Open Post- Four Playoff Games Tonight - 21 minutes ago
Comment by VPalmer in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Yzerman's Plan For Albert Johansson - 1 hour ago
Comment by godblender in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Yzerman's Plan For Albert Johansson - 1 hour ago
Comment by OlderThanChelios in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Yzerman's Plan For Albert Johansson - 1 hour ago