Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Patrik Laine has been named the National Hockey League’s Third Star of the Month for February, the League and club announced today. Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner was named the First Star, while Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom was named the Second Star.
Laine, 23, posted nine goals and six assists for 15 points with five multi-point efforts, three power play goals, three game-winning goals and 31 shots, while averaging 19:03 of ice time in 10 contests in February. He was tied for the NHL lead in goals and GWG, ranked second in PPG and sixth-T in points. The winger also set the franchise record for the most goals and points in the month of February in Blue Jackets history. He was named the League’s Second Star of the Week for the period of February 7-13 after posting 3-3-6 in three games.
The Tampere, Finland native registered points in the first eight outings of the month as part of an 11-game points streak from Jan. 27-Feb. 24 (13-8-21). It was the second-longest streak of his career and third-longest in franchise history. He recorded 2-1-3 in the club’s first game of the month at Washington on February 8. Four days later, he collected 1-1-2 and scored the GWG at 19:52 of the third period in a 2-1 win at Montreal. Laine also notched his first career hat trick as a Blue Jacket and ninth of his career with three goals, including the game-winner at Chicago on February 17. He tallied two goals, including his third game-winner of the month with the overtime goal vs. Toronto on February 22.
The 6-5, 216-pound winger, who missed 19 contests earlier this season due to injury and following the death of his father, has raised his season totals to 19-17-36 with six GWG and three OT goals in 34 games. He has posted 169-138-307, 59 PPG and 24 GWG in 385 career games with the Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets since being selected second overall by Winnipeg at the 2016 NHL Draft. He has twice won Star of the Month accolades while with Winnipeg, earning First Star honors for November 2018 and Rookie of the Month honors for February 2017.