Welcome once again to THN’s Three Stars of the Week, an ongoing THN.com feature in which we pick out the three NHL players who did the most damage in the past seven days. Let’s get right to it in this playoff edition of the feature:
3. Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks eliminated the Predators from the first round, and one of the main reasons why were the contributions of Boeser, who generated three goals and four points in three games this week. The 27-year-old Canadian hasn’t played a playoff game since the 2019-20 campaign, when he posted four goals and 11 points in 17 games. Boeser now has four goals and six points in six playoff games this spring, and the Canucks needed every bit of his offense to eliminate the Nashville Predators in Round 1. Boeser is a key component of Vancouver’s blueprint for success, and the more he produces offense in the Canucks’ second-round showdown against Edmonton, the more likely Vancouver is to make it to the Western Conference final. Boeser is an elite point-producer, and the Oilers will be hard-pressed to keep him in check in Round 2.
2. Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Colorado Avalanche
Nichushkin led all players with four goals (including one game-winning marker) and four points in two games this week. One of those was a game-winner, while he averaged 21:36 of ice time. The 29-year-old Russian had some personal battles to deal with in the regular season, but at his best, he’s a big-bodied presence with soft hands and terrific instincts on offense. Nichushkin doesn’t need to be the best force on his team – Hart Trophy front-runner Nathan MacKinnon is Colorado’s all-around best – but Nichushkin provides stellar secondary point production and he’s elite in what he does. The Avs need Nichushkin to continue generating offense when Colorado takes on either Dallas or Vegas in Round 2, and he looks up to the challenge.
1. Arturs Silovs, G, Vancouver Canucks
Things seemed dire for the Canucks when star goalie Thatcher Demko was sidelined with a significant injury, but Vancouver was able to eliminate the Predators thanks to the performance of rookie goalie Silovs, who put up a 2-1 record, a 1.70 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and one shutout in three appearances this week. The 22-year-old Latvian has just nine games of regular-season NHL experience to his credit, but he was stable and stellar when called upon against Nashville.
Silovs didn’t look like he was feeling any pressure against the Preds, and although that will change against Edmonton, the Canucks can go into the series safe with the knowledge that the Oilers haven’t faced Silovs and don’t have a clear scouting report on him. Silovs looks to be the real deal between the pipes, and now it’s all about consistency for him as he tries to push Vancouver to the Western Conference final.
Related: Pius Suter and Arturs Silovs Ignited the Party for Canucks Fans Back Home – Oilers Come Next
Related: NHL Jack Adams Snubs? Four Coaches Who Also Deserve Credit for Their Team’s Success
News Summary:
- NHL Three Stars: Avalanche's Nichushkin Finds the Net While Canucks' Boeser and Silovs Secure the Victory
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.