Panthers forward Sam Reinhart named NHL's First Star of the Week
Reinhart logged 3 goals and 10 points last week while helping Florida to a 4-0-0 record
It’s been an impressive start to the season for Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart.
The 28-year-old is among the NHL leaders in scoring, with 11 goals and 21 points through Florida’s first 14 games.
He’s also tied for the league lead in game-winning goals with three.
One of the big differences for Reinhart this season, after several attempts during his first two years in Florida, is that he and Panthers captain Sasha Barkov are really clicking on the same forward line.
Florida’s top line of Reinhart, Barkov and Evan Rodrigues have emerged as a dominant trio, and they’ve got the advanced metrics to back it up.
Reinhart has appropriately received the proper amount of recognition for his scalding start to the season.
Back in late October, he was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week after logging 5 goals and an assist during a seven-game span ending on Oct. 23.
Now, Reinhart is once again being singled out by the NHL for another impressive week of production, but this time he’s getting top billing.
On Monday, Reinhart was named the league’s First Star of the Week for the seven-day span ending on Nov. 12.
He led the NHL in scoring last week, logging 3 goals and 10 points during Florida’s four games, all of which they emerged victorious.
“He's just got this great balance of intensity and then other times just thinking his way, finding holes, and he's got such great hands around the net,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said after Sunday’s game. "I’m happy for him because he's worked hard to get himself to that point."
Reinhart had at least two points in each of the four games, capping it off with 2 goals and 2 assists on Sunday as he helped Florida defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3.
So far this season, the pending unrestricted free agent paces the Panthers in scoring and his 11 goals is tied for third in the NHL.
Rounding out the Three Stars of the Week were Winnipeg's Kyle Connor and Toronto's William Nylander.
Reinhart and the Panthers will be back in action on Tuesday night when they kick off a three-game California road trip in San Jose.
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