Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski of Watson, Saskatchewan has been named the National Hockey League first star of the week from April 12-18 on Monday according to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News. Tokarski had a record of two wins, one regulation loss, and one loss in extra time, with a goals-against average of 2.27 and a save percentage of .934.
Tokarski began the week making 29 saves on 31 shots in a 3-2 Sabres loss to the Boston Bruins on April 13. He then gave up made 27 saves on 29 shots in a 5-2 Sabres upset win over the Washington Capitals on April 15, 38 saves on 41 shots in a 3-2 Sabres loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 17, and 34 saves on 36 shots in a 4-2 Sabres upset win over the Penguins on April 18.
On the season, Tokarski now has a record of two wins, five regulation losses, and two losses in extra time, with a goals-against average of 3.15 and a save percentage of .914.
The fact that Tokarski was the NHL First Star of the Week was a huge surprise. That is because New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin was outstanding in the Rangers net with off-the-charts statistics when it came to goaltending. The native of Moscow, Russia won all three of his starts and had two shutouts as he blanked the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on April 13, and 4-0 on April 15. Shesterkin also had a super goals-against average of 0.99 and a save percentage of .961. Clearly, the decision-makers for the first star of the week need to be scrutinized and criticized for their decision this week.
