NHL Three Stars Of Week

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Ray Emery have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending March 4.

FIRST STAR – RYAN MILLER, G, BUFFALO SABRES

Miller posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.00 goals-against average, .974 save percentage and two shutouts as the Sabres (30-27-8, 68 points) moved within two points of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. He began the week with back-to-back shutouts, making 43 saves in a 2-0 win at the Anaheim Ducks Feb. 29 and 39 saves in a 1-0 victory at the San Jose Sharks March 1. Miller then recorded 32 saves in a 5-3 win at the Vancouver Canucks March 5, stretching his shutout streak to 155:37 before David Booth scored at 15:37 of the second period. The 2009-10 Vezina Trophy winner is 22-17-5 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and five shutouts in 46 appearances. He is 6-0-2 in his past eight starts and 11-2-3 in his past 16 decisions dating to Jan. 24.

SECOND STAR – NIKLAS KRONWALL, D, DETROIT RED WINGS

Kronwall tied for the League scoring lead and led all NHL defensemen with seven points (two goals, five assists) as the Red Wings won two of three games to keep pace with the St. Louis Blues for first place in the Central Division. Kronwall provided Detroit with offense from the blueline in the absence of injured captain and seven-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom, beginning with one goal and two assists in a 5-2 win at the Columbus Blue Jackets Feb. 28. He had his second consecutive three-point game with three assists in a 6-0 victory against the Minnesota Wild March 2 and scored Detroit’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks March 4. The 31-year-old Stockholm, Sweden native has 31 points, including a career-high 14 goals, in 66 games.

THIRD STAR – RAY EMERY, G, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Emery went 3-0-0 with a 1.13 goals-against average and .959 save percentage to help the Blackhawks (36-24-7, 79 points) tighten their grip on sixth place in the Western Conference. He allowed one goal in 40 minutes of relief as Chicago rallied for a 5-4 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs Feb. 29, stopped 25 shots in a 2-1 win at the Ottawa Senators March 2 and made 23 saves in a 2-1 victory at the Detroit Red Wings March 4. Playing in his first season with the Blackhawks, Emery has a 14-8-2 record with a 2.58 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 28 appearances.