Eurolanche

Varlamov Named NHL First Star of Week

FIRST STAR – SEMYON VARLAMOV, G, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Varlamov posted a 4-0-0 record with a 0.99 goals-against average and .972 save percentage to lift the Avalanche (26-21-3, 55 points) into the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. He made 30 or more saves in three of his four starts: 36 in a 2-1 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets Jan. 18, 33 in a 2-1 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues Jan. 22 and 42 in a 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars Jan. 23. Varlamov also turned aside 27 shots in a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres Jan. 20. The 27-year-old Samara, Russia, native owns a 19-12-3 record with a 2.59 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and one shutout in 35 appearances this season. That includes a 13-4-2 clip over his past 19 outings dating to Dec. 7.

SECOND STAR – LEE STEMPNIAK, RW, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Stempniak shared the League lead with four goals in three games (4-1—5) to propel the Devils (25-19-5, 55 points) into the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. He registered 1-1—2 in a 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames Jan. 19 and scored again in a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators Jan. 21. Stempniak then capped the week with a pair of goals – his first multi-goal performance since April 4, 2015 – in a 3-1 triumph over his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, Jan. 23. The 32-year-old West Seneca, N.Y., native ranks second on the Devils with 14-22—36 in 49 contests this season; his 14 goals are one shy of his total from 71 appearances in 2014-15.

THIRD STAR – BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Elliott went 2-1-1 with a 1.48 goals-against average and .955 save percentage to backstop the Blues (28-16-8, 64 points) within one point of second place in the Central Division. He made 36 saves in a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 18, followed by 29 stops in a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Jan. 20. Elliott then registered 40 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 22 before closing the week with 23 stops in a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 24. The 30-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native has compiled a 10-6-5 record in 24 outings this season, including at least one point in eight of his 10 appearances in January (5-2-3). 

-- NHL Press Release --