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Monday, October 31, 2016

NHL Three Stars Of Week


 Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson, Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Oct. 30.

FIRST STAR – CRAIG ANDERSON, G, OTTAWA SENATORS

Anderson stopped all 59 shots he faced to post a 2-0-0 record and guide the Senators (5-3-0, 10 points) to third place in the Atlantic Division. He made 22 saves in a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 25. Anderson then took a leave of absence following the cancer diagnosis of his wife, Nicholle, but returned with a 37-save shutout in a 2-0 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers Oct. 30. The 35-year-old Park Ridge, Ill., native has earned consecutive shutouts for the third time in his career – and first time in nearly a year (Nov. 19-21, 2015). He owns a 5-1-0 record with a 2.46 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and two shutouts in six appearances this season.

SECOND STAR – DEVAN DUBNYK, G, MINNESOTA WILD

Dubnyk also was flawless, denying all 94 shots against in three starts to lead the Wild (6-2-1, 13 points) to a 3-0-0 week and first place in the Central Division. He made 27 saves in a 5-0 win over the Boston Bruins Oct. 25, 38 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Oct. 27 and 29 saves in a 4-0 triumph over the Dallas Stars Oct. 29. In doing so, Dubnyk became the first goaltender in Wild history to post three consecutive shutouts and also took over the longest shutout streak in franchise history (181:43). The 30-year-old Regina, Sask., native improved to 64-36-9 in a Minnesota uniform (113 GP), including a 5-1-1 record in seven outings this season (1.43 GAA, .952 SV%, 3 SO).

THIRD STAR – SHEA WEBER, D, MONTREAL CANADIENS

Weber registered 3-2—5, including a pair of game-winning goals, to power the Canadiens (8-0-1, 17 points) to a 4-0-0 week and the top of the NHL’s standings. He opened with consecutive 1-1—2 performances, in a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Oct. 24 and a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders Oct. 26 (GWG). Weber was held off the scoresheet in a 3-1 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning Oct. 27, but rebounded with the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs Oct. 29. The 31-year-old Sicamous, B.C., native paces the NHL with a +12 rating and shares first place among defensemen with 4-6—10 in nine games this season, his first in Montreal.

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