The NHL announced Monday morning that it has named Utah Hockey Club forward Barrett Hayton the third star of the week from Jan. 20-26.
In four games during that span, Hayton tallied four goals — including two game-winners — and six points. Although he has the fourth-most goals on the team this season, he leads Utah HC in game-winning goals with five.
He also won 63.6% of his faceoffs last week — the sixth-best rate in the league among players who took 30 faceoffs or more.
Hayton started the season centering Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, but the Dylan Guenther injury necessitated some shifts throughout the lineup. Hayton ended up on a line with Matias Maccelli and Josh Doan, where he has excelled.
Much can also be said about Hayton’s defensive game. He takes as much pride in a good back check as he does in a fancy offensive play.
“I think you’ll score and produce when you’re playing well and playing the right way,” he said after Utah’s loss to the Dallas Stars on Dec. 23. “It all comes full circle like that.”
This is Hayton’s first time being named to the NHL’s three stars of the week in his six NHL seasons. He’s on pace to break his career high in goals (19) and to tie his top point total (43).