SHOCKING: 3 New Departures for Florida Panthers.

Welcome back to THN’s Three Stars of the Week, a regular web feature in which we identify the trio of NHL players who played excellently in the past seven days. Let’s get right to it in this playoff edition of the feature: 3. MATTHEW TKACHUK, LW, FLORIDA PANTHERS Tkachuk once again proved himself to be an effective playoff performer, posting three goals and seven points in four games against Tampa Bay.

One of those goals was a game-winner, and Tkachuk did his damage while averaging only 17:45 of ice time. The 26-year-old is worth every penny of his $9.5 million salary cap hit, and he’s one of the main reasons the Panthers have a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Lightning. Tkachuk brings it on offense and defense, and Florida is likely to go far in this post-season because of his impact night-in and night-out

2. IGOR SHESTERKIN, G, NEW YORK RANGERS The Rangers have dominated the Washington Capitals in the opening round, and Shesterkin has come through as advertised, putting up a 3-0 record, 1.67 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.

The 28-year-old Russian faced only 75 shots from the Caps, stopping all but five as the Blueshirts had their way with Washington and pushed them to the brink of elimination. Shesterkin is determined to be better than he was in the 2023 playoffs when the Rangers were eliminated in seven games by the New Jersey Devils. But Shesterkin’s personal numbers that year (including a 1.96 G.A.A. and .931 SP) were excellent, and he couldn’t be faulted for that series loss. Regardless, Shesterkin is reminding people why he’s considered the best of the best when it comes to netminding, and the Rangers are dangerous in no small part because he’s between the pipes for them.

1. CONNOR MCDAVID, C, EDMONTON OILERS What can you say about the best player on the planet? McDavid generated a league-best eight assists and nine points in just three games. Six of those assists came on the power-play, as did his one goal.

The 26-year-old center dominated as a playmaking force like few others, and he thwarted any attempt by the Los Angeles Kings to adequately defend against him. In two of his three games against the Kings, McDavid had at least three points, and even in the game he was least impactful, he still had an assist. Edmonton gives their opponents nightmares, and McDavid is the chief nightmare creator. If there was any doubt he was the best hockey has to offer – and there shouldn’t be any doubt – McDavid laid it to rest this week with his dominant showing. He very well could be back in the Three Stars mix multiple times by the time the playoffs are over.