Carolina Hurricanes' forward Jesper Fast left the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after a hit to the head and did not return, and will not play against the Rangers. Teammate Sebastian Aho was named the NHL's First Star of the Week, the first for the team since November 2017. Aho ended 2023 with 11 points, including 2 goals and 9 assists over three games, and is 15 points ahead of Seth Jarvis. The Hurricanes achieved their third consecutive victory with a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs, with Aho factoring in all three goals and earning 10 game-winning goals (GWG) for the year. Meanwhile, New Jersey Devils' rookie defenseman Luke Hughes was recognized as the NHL's third star of the week, following a three-game goal-scoring streak, the longest for a rookie defenseman in the team's history since the 1982-83 season, with 3 goals in 3 games. Additionally, both Brent Burns and Brady Skjei are in the Top 3 in goals by a defenseman.
It’s insane how it’s been since 2017 to get the honor but it’s well deserving for Sebastian Aho after putting up 11 points in three games #CauseChaos https://t.co/TH91vpCcx4
Filling in for @ice_chip at practice today, some news:. Sebastian Aho was named the NHL's first star of the week, the Hurricanes' first since November 2017. Jesper Fast is out after a hit to the head. "I don't know for how long," Rod Brind'Amour said. https://t.co/RYDt1EjF8f
#NJDevils Luke Hughes named the NHLs ⭐️⭐️⭐️ of the week. More⤵️ https://t.co/AtwihzWn6o
No one more deserving 👏 Sebastian Aho becomes the first #Canes player to earn the NHL's First Star of the Week honor since 2017. https://t.co/YfNQ9sVQ7h
Sebastian Aho (@Canes), Artemi Panarin (@NYRangers) and Luke Hughes (@NJDevils) have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Dec. 31. #NHLStats: https://t.co/owm4A4Eslo https://t.co/Oxj1dSDoOo
The NHL has named Sebastian Aho its "First Star" for the week ending December 31. Just a fantastic three-game segment for him, including back-to-back four-point performances, and then a three-piece in the team's trio of wins. https://t.co/ks9ZLmoAbS
Luke Hughes named the NHL’s third star of the week.
Rod Brind'Amour says that Fast will be out of the lineup after the below hit to the head on Saturday night. He doesn't know for how long, and he did travel back to Raleigh with the team post-game, but he won't play tomorrow against the Rangers. https://t.co/p87ftd5H3E
The #Canes are beginning the new year with a practice and a flight to New York. Jesper Fast, who left Saturday's game in Toronto during the first period after being on the receiving end of a heavy hit, is not on the ice. Svechnikov - Aho - Teravainen Noesen - Kotkaniemi - Necas… https://t.co/slQICEVsgk
- Sebastian Aho with 10 GWG - Both Burns & Skjei in the Top 3 in goals by defenseman What a 2023 for those three #CauseChaos https://t.co/7MOIdbITKY
“When the dust settled, the Hurricanes defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 to win their third game in a row to claim their 20th win of the season and end 2023 as victors.” @OneTrueZach breaks down how the Hurricanes ended 2023 on a 3-game winning streak Read: https://t.co/NSDyAfqKZ7
Sebastian Aho has been on a tear to end 2023. He has tallied 11 points (2 goals & 9 assists) over his last 3 games. He now has 15-27-42 in 34 games. All of that while missing three games due to injury. He is 15 points ahead of Seth Jarvis (27) on the team. Insane. #CauseChaos https://t.co/bUoSqzhYmC
"It's nice to produce. We weren't happy with our record three games ago, and we're still not happy, but we're going in the right direction." Sebastian Aho is dialed. No question. 11 points in 3 games. https://t.co/w06Ap68viG
Maple Leafs end 2023 with another loss, falling to Hurricanes at home https://t.co/6XMOUWiraG via @koshtorontosun #Leafs #MapleLeafs #LeafsForever https://t.co/HKeqpHIDv6
Aho with 11 points in the last three games. Great game by Jarvis, Martinook & Bunting. Chatfield once again just does what he does best. Kochetkov was 🔒 in perfect usual. That’s 20 wins on the season. Three in a row to end the 2023 calendar year. #CauseChaos https://t.co/SCmc1PTZsM
W! The power play remains white-hot, scoring twice tonight en route to a third consecutive win for the #Canes. 3-2 is the final in Toronto. Sebastian Aho factored in on all three goals, giving him 11 points in his last three games. https://t.co/DIisj3cWui
Final. #CauseChaos 3 #LeafsForever 2 SOG: CAR 28 TOR 27 🚨: Bunting (PPG), Jarvis (PPG), & Aho 🧤: Kochetkov saves 25 of 27 The #Canes get win number 20 of the season, their third-straight, and they end 2023 on the high note.
2 goals 9 assists 11 POINTS HAVE A GODDAMN WEEK, SEBASTIAN AHO. https://t.co/zOvRc9xaeJ
Make that 11 points, third tonight, in 3 games for Sebastian Aho. It’s now 3-1 #Canes. #CauseChaos https://t.co/tC7mVRLuB9
Sebastian Aho, empty net goal! He puts the icing on the cake, putting the #Canes up 3-1. That's his third point of the night, giving him 11 since Wednesday.
Sebastian Aho is the 2nd player in franchise history with 10 points in a span of 3 games. The last time it happened was Mike Rogers in 1980 (Apr 2 - Apr 6th, 3 goals, 7 assists) https://t.co/Q14tIepBtD
Aho will get the secondary assist, so he’s up to 10 points in the last ~7.75 periods
Luke Hughes is currently on a three-game goal-scoring streak: His streak is the longest that a rookie defenseman earned in #NJDevils team history since 1982-83.
3 goals in 3 games for Luke Hughes.
Luke Hughes. It's 2-0.
#Canes forward Jesper Fast went to the locker room a few minutes ago after taking this has from Noah Gregor and has not yet returned. https://t.co/JHO38G9p1e