Along with linemates Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy, Rossi is leading the offense in Kirill Kaprizov’s absence.

Wild center Marco Rossi has been named the NHL's First Star of the Week after scoring three goals and five assists in three Minnesota wins last week. Rossi bagged two goals and an assist in the team's 5-3 win over Nashville on New Year's Eve. His assist in the second period was the Wild's go-ahead goal in the game.

When we wrote about Marco Rossi's game evolving during the season on Friday, we weren't expecting him to add a new wrinkle one day later. But that's the kind of thing that happens when you watch a player take "The Leap,

Wild center Marco Rossi, who had eight points in three victories, was named the NHL’s No. 1 star of the week. The Wild had victories over Nashville, Eastern Conference-leading Washington and Carolina; the latter two came on the road.

ST. PAUL - Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi earned the NHL's first star of the week honors. Marco Rossi ( @mnwild ), Troy Terry ( @AnaheimDucks) and Darcy Kuemper ( @LAKings) have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” presented by GEICO for the week ending Jan. 5. #NHLStats: https://t.co/y7ljsKMJVD pic.twitter.com/5R1vUGh2Cj

Rossi, 23, was picked in the first round, ninth overall, by the Wild in the 2020 NHL Draft, after playing two seasons of major junior hockey in Canada. While loving the points that he is producing, the Minnesota coaching staff is seeing an all-around game as Rossi spends just his second full season in the NHL.

Rossi ranked second in goals, tied for third in shots, tied for fourth in game-winning goals and fifth in points among all NHL rookies last season. Rossi and Faber joined Kaprizov as the only rookies in Wild history to have 40 points in a single season and Rossi became the second rookie in franchise history to record 20 goals (after Kaprizov).

Minnesota Wild centre Marco Rossi, Anaheim Ducks right-winger Troy Terry and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.