NHL Three Stars Of Week

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.