NEW YORK -- The Ottawa Senators’ Jake Sanderson was named one of the NHL's Three Stars for the week ending February 2, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the young defenseman as he continues to impress on the ice. Sanderson's impressive performance came as the Senators secured their fourth consecutive victory, solidifying their position within the competitive Atlantic Division.
Sanderson capitalized on his opportunities during the week, showcasing his skills with remarkable precision. Across two games, he recorded six points, illustrating his value to the Senators' offensive strategy. Notably, he tallied two goals and four assists, with his standout performance coming against the Minnesota Wild, where he achieved four points, contributing significantly to the Senators' dominant 6-0 win. This achievement not only marked Sanderson’s first time being named one of the NHL's Three Stars but also underlined his growing significance within the team.
On January 30, the Senators faced off against the Washington Capitals. Sanderson notched one goal and provided one assist during this exciting contest, which ended with the Senators edging out the Capitals 5-4 in overtime. Following this, he hit his stride against Minnesota, dripping with confidence as he excelled not just on offense but also racked up considerable ice time, averaging more than 24 minutes per game.
Sanderson's performance this past week has cemented his place as one of the top young talents within the NHL. Currently at 22 years old, he has demonstrated remarkable growth, and his season statistics reflect his ambition. He now stands at four goals and 29 assists for 33 points over the course of 51 games. This marks him as the leading scorer among Ottawa's defensemen and the 16th top-scoring defenseman across the league, trailing only five points behind his career-high of 38 points from last season.
Joining Sanderson as stars of the week were New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson. Sorokin earned First Star honors after going 3-0-0 with an impressive 1.33 goals-against average and .953 save percentage. He also recorded one shutout throughout the week, playing a pivotal role as the Islanders extended their winning streak to seven games before suffering defeat against the Florida Panthers.
Tage Thompson, shining with his offensive prowess, earned the Second Star recognition. The Sabres center led the NHL for the week with eight points, including four goals and four assists. Thompson's performance was particularly highlighted by his seventh career hat trick during the Sabres' convincing 7-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, demonstrating not just skill but also leadership within his team.
Sanderson’s recent accolades reaffirm the Ottawa Senators’ commitment to nurturing young talent, as the team stands poised for potential playoff contention this season. The Senators have made headlines with their impressive roster and are swiftly climbing the standings, thanks not only to Sanderson's contributions but also to the overall teamwork and strategic gameplay they have exhibited.
Fans have begun to take notice of Sanderson’s developing career, particularly after his notable achievements this season. There is growing anticipation for what lies ahead, with expectations set high for both him and the Senators as they continue to forge their path through the challenging NHL season.
With Sanderson’s hard work and consistent performances, he is on track to surpass his previous season's points total and could realistically finish with between 45 and 50 points, marking an impressive improvement for his third year. The Senators, fueled by such developments, are exciting to watch as they push for higher standings and potential playoff opportunities.
Overall, the recognition of Jake Sanderson as one of the NHL’s Three Stars highlights not just his personal achievements but also reflects positively on the Ottawa Senators' strategy of incorporating young and dynamic players. For Sanderson, this is just the beginning of what many hope will be a promising career.