NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ Honored: Carlson, Dobes, and Zacha Lead the Way

NEW YORK – The National Hockey League (NHL) has announced its “Three Stars” presented by GEICO for the week ending March 29th, recognizing outstanding performances from Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha, and Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson. Each player demonstrated exceptional skill and contributed significantly to their team’s success.

Jakub Dobes: A Wall in Net for the Canadiens

Dobes stood tall in goal for Montreal, registering a League-leading 100 saves on 104 shots against. His impressive performance resulted in a 3-0-0 record with a remarkable 1.33 goals-against average and a .962 save percentage. This helped the Canadiens (42-21-10, 94 points) extend their winning streak to five games and solidify their position in the Atlantic Division. A standout moment was his career-high 41 saves, including stopping the last 33 shots faced, in a 5-2 comeback win against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 24th. He continued his dominance with 25 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 26th and 34 saves in a 3-1 win against the Hurricanes on March 29th.

The 24-year-old Dobes, drafted in the fifth round (136th overall) in 2020, leads all rookie goaltenders with 25 wins – a full six more than his closest competitor. His season record stands at 25-8-4 with a 2.78 GAA and .900 SV%. This is the most wins by a Montreal rookie in a single campaign since Steve Penney in 1984-85.

Pavel Zacha: Driving Force Behind Bruins’ Success

Pavel Zacha led the NHL with an impressive 5-3—8 point total in four games, propelling the Boston Bruins (42-24-8, 92 points) to three wins and a comfortable four-point cushion for the first Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. He was a key contributor in a 4-3 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres on March 25th, assisting on the tying goal and scoring the overtime winner – his eighth career overtime goal. Zacha continued his hot streak with a 4-1—5 performance over the weekend, including a two-goal game against the Minnesota Wild on March 28th and a crucial 2-1—3 outing against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 29th, where he scored the tying goal with just 11 seconds remaining in regulation.

The 28-year-old Zacha currently ranks third on the Bruins with 28-31—59 points in 71 games, matching his career-high point total.

John Carlson: Making an Immediate Impact with the Ducks

John Carlson shared the NHL lead with seven assists in just three games (0-7—7), guiding the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks (41-28-4, 86 points) to a pair of victories. He recorded a three-assist performance in a 5-3 win against the Vancouver Canucks on March 24th. Carlson then assisted on both the tying and winning goals in a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Calgary Flames on March 26th, including a game-winning assist with just one second left in overtime. He added two more assists in a game against the Edmonton Oilers on March 28th.

The 36-year-old Carlson currently ranks 12th among defensemen with 10-44—54 points in 62 games, including an impressive 0-8—8 point total in seven appearances since joining the Ducks prior to the trade deadline. You can find more information about the NHL standings on the official NHL website.

GEICO Celebrates the “Fourth Star” – The Fans

As the presenting partner, GEICO also recognizes the “Fourth Star” – the passionate fans who make hockey so special. The latest episode of the “Fourth Star” series features Seth and Krew Champagne, a father and son who shared a memorable experience at the 2026 NHL Stadium Series.