Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele of Kitchener, Ontario has been named the National Hockey League first star of the week for the week from November 26-December 2. In four games, Scheifele had five goals and three assists for eight points. He becomes the second straight Jets player to be named the NHL first star of the week. Patrik Laine was named the first star of the week from November 18-25.
Scheifele opened the week with two goals in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 27. He then had three assists in a 6-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on November 29, two goals in a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils on December 1 and then one goal in a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers on December 2.
Scheifele’s second goal against the Devils was an overtime winner. It came unassisted with 17 seconds left in the extra period. During the week, Scheifele was also a +4 (including a +5 in the Jets win over the Blackhawks), one power play goal, 17 shots on goal, eight hits, three blocked shots and 48 faceoff wins.
The second and third stars of the week were also Canadian. The second star was Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill of Comox, British Columbia. Hill had a record of three wins, one shutout, a goals against average of 0.43 and a save percentage of .983. The third star was Florida Panthers centre Jonathan Huberdeau of Saint-Jerome, Quebec. Huberdeau had two goals and seven assists for nine points in four games.
The Jets meanwhile are third in the Central Division with 34 points. They trail the Nashville Predators at 39 points and the Colorado Avalanche at 37 points.
