Giroux named NHL's Third Star for March

Accolades well earned for Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux, who was selected as the National Hockey League's Third Star for the month of March.

Giroux shot up the NHL's scoring leaderboard by recording at least one point in 11 of the month's 14 contests, including seven multi-point efforts in the bunch. The 26-year-old racked up six goals and 15 assists to help his club climb up to second place in the Metropolitan Division.

He recorded back-to-back, two-goal and one assist efforts on March 2-5 in a home-and-home sweep of the Washington Capitals, then added a goal and two helpers in a 4-2 win over Toronto this past Friday night. Add to that three games of two assists each (Mar. 15-16 vs. Pittsburgh and Mar. 22 vs. St. Louis), and his 15 assists led all players in the league over the last 31 days.

With that home win against the Leafs, the Orange and Black improved to 19-2-1 this season when their captain scores at least one goal, and 32-13-3 when he tallies at least one point.

Giroux became the first Flyer to be recognized with a monthly honor by the NHL since former goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov earned First Star honors for March two years ago. He's also the first Flyer to be recognized as one of the top three players since Jakub Voracek lapped the field for the weekly First Star for the week ending February 24, 2013.

First Star Honors went to Boston Bruins veteran forward Jarome Iginla, while Second Star was given to Detroit Red Wings winger Gustav Nyquist.