FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 1, 2018

STAAL, MALKIN AND SMITH NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ FOR FEBRUARY

NEW YORK (March 1, 2018) – center Eric Staal, center Evgeni Malkin and right wing Reilly Smith have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of February.

FIRST STAR – ERIC STAAL, C, MINNESOTA WILD

Staal paced the NHL with 13-8—21 in 13 games to propel the Wild (36-20-7, 79 points) to a 9-2-2 February and into third place in the Central Division. He registered at least one in 11 of his 13 appearances, including a pair of five-game streaks (Feb. 6-15: 4-2—6, Feb. 19-27: 7-5—12). Staal posted four multi-point performances, highlighted by 3-2—5 Feb. 27 vs. STL – his fifth career five-point effort and 14th career hat trick. He also scored in nine February games, including four straight to end the month (7-4—11), and led the League with five power-play goals. The 33-year-old , Ont., native shares fourth place in the NHL with 33 goals in 63 outings this season, his highest total since recording an equal number in 2010-11 (81 GP w/ CAR). He also paces the Wild and ranks 16th in the League with 64 points (33-31—64), 31 of which have come in the 2018 calendar year (18-13—31 in 24 GP).

SECOND STAR – EVGENI MALKIN, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Malkin placed third in the NHL in both goals (10) and points (21) to power the Penguins (36-24-4, 76 points) to an 8-3-1 February. He collected at least one point in 10 of his 12 contests, highlighted by four three-point efforts: Feb. 2 vs. WSH (2-2—4), Feb. 17 vs. TOR (1-2—3), Feb. 23 at CAR (1-2—3) and Feb. 24 at FLA (2-1—3). Malkin (364-544—908 in 766 GP) also eclipsed the 900-point mark Feb. 17, joining Mario Lemieux (1,723), (1,096) and Jaromir Jagr (1,079) as the only players in franchise history to reach the milestone. The 31-year-old Magnitogorsk, Russia, native and two-time Art Ross Trophy winner ranks second in the NHL with 36 goals and 76 points in 60 games this season. That includes a League-best 22 goals and 40 points in 24 outings since the start of 2018.

THIRD STAR – REILLY SMITH, RW, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Smith ranked fourth in the NHL with 8-12—20 in 14 games as the Golden Knights (41-17-5, 87 points) went 8-5-1 in February to maintain first place in the Pacific Division. He picked up at least one point in 12 of his 14 appearances, including a seven- game run Feb. 4-17 (5-7—12). Smith also posted six multi-point outings, highlighted by three-point performances Feb. 17 vs. MTL (2-1—3) and Feb. 23 vs. VAN (0-3—3). The 26-year-old native already has eclipsed his career high in points, sitting second on the Golden Knights with 21-37—58 in 63 contests this season. His +32 rating ranks second in the entire League, behind only teammate (+37).

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