The NHL announced their 3 Stars of the Month for March earlier today, and while few would argue with the 1st and 3rd selections (Lee Stempniak and Henrik Sedin), the selection of Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard for the 2nd Star of the Month should raise more than a few eyebrows.
Of course, Howard's stellar play has lifted the Red Wings into a secure Western Conference playoff position, but when you compare results side by side, how could the league possibly have chosen Howard over Nashville's Pekka Rinne?
Peks put up a much higher save percentage (the single-most important goaltending stat), and had 4 shutouts to Howard's one. He was 1st Star of the Week for March 14-20, and 3rd Star of the Week for March 7-13. Jimmy Howard, by comparison, was named 2nd Star of the Week once, for March 21-27.
Maybe this whole thing was an April Fool's joke by the NHL?