St. Louis Blues’ T.J. Oshie Wins NHL First Star of the Week
For the third time this season, a St. Louis Blues player has been named the NHL’s First Star of the Week. Following Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera, who received the honor for the weeks of October 27-November 2 and November 10-16, respectively, forward T.J. Oshie was named the NHL’s First Star for the week of December 29-January 4.
While the Blues only won two of the four games that they played during the week, Oshie was a significant contributor in every game. He added an assist on Chris Butler‘s first goal of the season on December 29 against Colorado, then scored one goal each in the Blues’ December 30 loss to Nashville and January 2 loss to Anaheim before notching his second career NHL hat trick in Saturday’s win over the San Jose Sharks. Oshie also had an assist on Alexander Steen’s goal in the 7-2 victory.
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Oshie has really turned it up in the past month after having a slow start to the season. He had just two goals and four assists over his first 19 games, but since December 6 he has eight goals (including three game-winners) and six assists in 12 games.
Perhaps Oshie, who logically should be in the heart of his prime at 28 years old and in the midst of his seventh NHL season, was motivated by the recent trade rumors that suggested he could be moved out of St. Louis as the team prepares to clear salary for Tarasenko, an emerging star who is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer. For Oshie, a new father who is one of the most prominent sports figures in St. Louis, a trade would certainly be rough to deal with.