SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Jake Guentzel was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week for his five goals in two games last week.
Guentzel scored a hat trick in the Penguins' 7-4 win in Anaheim on Friday, including two goals to help the Penguins overcome an early 3-0 deficit:
Guentzel scored the Penguins' only two goals in a 5-2 loss in Los Angeles the following night, including the first shorthanded goal of his career. His efforts against the Kings resulted in his 22nd and 23 goals of the year, matching and then surpassing his career high:
Guentzel was one of three players who scored five goals last week, along with Tampa Bay's Brayden Point and Carolina's Sebastian Aho.
"It's obviously a really cool honor," Guentzel told reporters after the Penguins' practice on Monday. "Sometimes the puck just finds you and it just happens like that. I'm really fortunate to be on the end of that, hopefully they keep coming."
Guentzel's week brings him to a total of 23 goals and 21 assists in 45 games. He leads the team in goals, ranks fifth in assists, and fourth in points.
"I'm feeling good, I'm feeling confident," said Guentzel of his production.
The NHL's Second Star was Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, who posted a 25-save shutout in his first NHL start, and made a total of 74 saves on 76 shots over three games. Flames defenseman Mark Giordano earned First Star honors, amassing three goals and five assists in four games, including his 800th career NHL game.
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