The top standouts in the NHL this week feature a pair of goaltenders on the Oilers and Predators winning crucial games for their team in the playoff race.

Welcome, once again, to The Hockey News’ three stars of the week, an ongoing feature in which we point out three NHLers who were the best in the league the past seven days. On to it, we go:

3. Stuart Skinner, Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers remained a dominant force this past week, and the performance of starting goalie Skinner had a lot to do with it. 

The 25-year-old posted a 3-0-0 record, a 1.63 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage this week, bringing him up to a 28-13-2 mark and a .905 SP on the season. That won’t get him into the conversation for the Vezina Trophy race as the NHL’s top goaltender, but he and his Edmonton teammates have bigger fish to fry – namely, going on a deep Stanley Cup playoff push.

Skinner’s $2.6-million annual salary makes him one of the league’s better bargains, but there will be intense pressure on him to replicate his current strong form when the games matter most.

Skinner may get some help from a newly acquired backup goalie if the Oilers land one before the NHL’s March 8 trade deadline, but as it currently stands, Skinner doesn’t need a lot of help. He’s confident, and he’s playing behind an elite team in the rest of the Oilers. Time will tell if he’s to be considered a top-level netminder, but right now, he definitely looks like one.

2. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

The Predators' captain had two three-point games this past week, including a two-goal night against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Overall, he had four goals and four assists for eight points, which is tied for the most in the league in the past seven days.

With 15 goals and 61 points in 62 games this season, Josi is once again showing why he’s considered to be a first-rate NHL defenseman. The 33-year-old Switzerland native is on pace for a 19-goal, 80-point season, and he’s earning every penny of his $9.05-million salary this year.

Josi isn’t likely to beat his current career highs of 73 assists and 96 points both set in the 2021-22 season, but the Predators don’t need him to produce at that level. Nashville currently has the first wild-card playoff berth in the Western Conference, and the Preds are playing very well as a unit. 

Josi’s leadership and experience are extremely valuable to the team, and so long as he stays healthy, Josi will be a difference-maker for his team.

1. Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators

Saros was outstanding for the Predators this week, generating a 3-0-0 record, 1.00 goals-against average and a .965 save percentage.

The 28-year-old Finn improved his season totals as an individual to a 26-21-2 mark, a 2.82 GAA and a .908 SP. Again, these are not Vezina Trophy-caliber numbers, but there’s a reason why teams are highly interested in trading for Saros – he’s still considered a Grade-A netminder and a potential needle-mover for a stronger team than the so-so Predators.

Saros’ $5-million cap hit – which extends through next season – makes him harder to acquire, but so long as Nashville is in the midst of the playoff race, it’s unlikely Preds GM Barry Trotz trades him. He’s been a fixture for the Predators, and although he might reach higher heights on a team better than Nashville, he still has the opportunity to do something special as a Pred.