Will Nikita Kucherov be the next NHL player to hit 1,000 career points? Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel along with Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko and Florida Panthers captain Matthew Tkachuk have all been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” of the week. Hagel, who will represent Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-off this week, led the NHL with 4 goals and 4 assists, all at even strength in four divisional games. Hagel helped the Lightning sweep back-to-back games against the Ottawa Senators, scoring the tie-breaking goal early in the third period to give them 4-3 victory Feb. 4. He also scored the game-winner for the third time this season, in a 5-1 win on Feb. 6. Two days later, Hagel had his third career four-point performance against Detroit on Feb 8. and closed the week with two assists on Feb 9. The four wins against Ottawa, Detroit and Montreal were crucial in moving the Lightning back into the third place spot in the Atlantic Division before the two week 4 Nations Face-off break.
