Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Stars Of The Week

03/03/2014 at 1:03pm EST

NEW YORK (March 3, 2014) – Detroit Red Wings right wing Johan Franzen , New Jersey Devils center Adam Henrique and Minnesota Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 2.

FIRST STAR – JOHAN FRANZEN, RW, DETROIT RED WINGS

Franzen posted 3-2—5 in two games to lead the Red Wings (28-20-12, 68 points) to a pair of road wins following the Olympic break, helping the club maintain the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. He assisted on both goals in a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Feb. 26, including the primary helper on Gustav Nyquist's overtime winner with 27.3 seconds remaining. Franzen then recorded three goals, including the game-winner, for his sixth career hat trick – and first since Nov. 8, 2011 – in a 6-1 triumph over the Ottawa Senators Feb. 27. The 34-year-old Vetlanda, Sweden, native ranks fifth on the Red Wings in scoring despite missing 27 games due to injury, tallying 12-16—28 in 33 appearances.

SECOND STAR – ADAM HENRIQUE, C, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Henrique recorded three consecutive multi-point games, sharing the League lead in goals (4), points (6) and power-play goals (2) to power the Devils (26-23-13, 65 points) to two wins in three starts. He tallied two goals – including his ninth career game-winner and eighth career shorthanded marker – for his first multi-goal performance since March 13, 2013, in a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Feb. 27. Henrique then collected 1-1—2 in each of the next two games: a 6-1 triumph over the New York Islanders March 1 and a 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks March 2. The 24-year-old Brantford, Ont., native ranks third on the Devils with 18‑15—33 in 62 games this season, including a team-leading seven power-play goals and two shorthanded tallies.

THIRD STAR – DARCY KUEMPER, G, MINNESOTA WILD

Kuemper stopped 51 of the 52 shots he faced to post a 2-0-0 record with a 0.48 goals-against average, .981 save percentage and one shutout, helping the Wild (33-21-7, 73 points) remain in the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. He made 21 saves for his second career shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Feb. 27. Kuemper then recorded 30 saves – and denied all seven shootout attempts he faced – to pick up a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks Feb. 28. The 23-year-old Saskatoon, Sask., native has appeared in 17 games this season (including 14 consecutive starts), compiling a 10-3-2 record with a 2.20 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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