A heavily bearded defenseman is sandwiched between two fresh-faced rookies in the NHL's three stars of the week ending April 3.
Chicago Blackhawks winger Artemi Panarin, Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks, and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray earned the honors, the league announced Monday.
Panarin, a likely Calder Trophy finalist, led the league with eight points (three goals, five assists) in three games, helping the defending Stanley Cup champions clinch a playoff berth.
Artemi Panarin (1-3—4) became 1st rookie in @NHLBlackhawks history to record consecutive 4-point performances (also April 1 at WPG: 2-2—4)
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 4, 2016
Burns scored a goal and added six assists, and sits second only to Erik Karlsson in scoring among defensemen.
Filling in for an injured Marc-Andre Fleury, Murray posted a record of 3-0-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, including a shutout win over the New York Islanders - his first at the NHL level.
