COYOTES

Coyotes' Mike Smith named NHL's third star of the week

Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

Oct 10, 2015: Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith in the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the home opener at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Penguins 2-1.

After being nearly unbeatable to start the season and helping the Coyotes to a pair of wins, goalie Mike Smith was recognized by the NHL as its third star of the week.

Smith went 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .971 save percentage (67 saves on 69 shots) in back-to-back victories over the Kings (4-1 on Friday) and the Penguins (2-1 on Saturday).

The two-game sweep marked the first time the Coyotes won their first two games to start the season in six years.

Red Wings winger Justin Abdelkader was named the league's first star after contributing four goals (including a hat trick) and five points in two games. Rangers center Oscar Lindberg is the NHL's second star after tallying four goals in three games.

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.