Matthews, Oettinger, Lafrenière Named NHL's Three Stars
The NHL named Auston Matthews, Jake Oettinger and Alexis Lafrenière as its Three Stars of the Week for the period ending Oct. 11. Matthews led the league with nine points in three games, while Oettinger allowed one goal on 60 shots across three starts. Lafrenière scored five goals in three games, including a hat trick against the Islanders.
The league’s weekly honors went to Toronto’s Auston Matthews, Dallas’s Jake Oettinger and the Rangers’ Alexis Lafrenière. Matthews paced all skaters with nine points across three outings, bookending the stretch with four-point performances, while Toronto collected five of six available points.
Oettinger surrendered just one goal on 60 shots in three starts, posting a 0.33 goals-against average and .983 save percentage. He recorded consecutive shutouts against San Jose and Buffalo and extended his scoreless run to 188:52, third in Stars history. Lafrenière netted five goals in three games, including a hat trick versus the Islanders.
The recognition may boost visibility for hockey and its stars, especially in Toronto, Dallas, and New York, where local fans could see increased attention around games and merchandise. For younger players, standout performances like Matthews’s scoring, Oettinger’s goaltending, and Lafrenière’s hat trick might encourage interest in the sport. The weekly honor itself is unlikely to change broader social conditions, but it could shape fan conversation and media coverage in the short term.