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Henrik Zetterberg, NHL Three Stars of the week (Videos)

By Mike Majeski

Jan 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Hats rain down on the ice after Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) scores his third goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the third period at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Hats rain down on the ice after Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) scores his third goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the third period at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taking a look at the NHL Three Stars for this past week’s NHL action

Welcome to another edition of the NHL Three Stars of the Week where we will recognize three players who had outstanding performances during this past week’s NHL action. Due to the NHL All-Star Game this was a shortened week for the NHL.

Check back every Sunday for a new list of three stars for the previous week’s play.

No. 1 Star: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings

Zetterberg had three goals and an assist to earn his sixth career hat trick and lead the Detroit Red Wings to a come-from-behind win against the Buffalo Sabres last Sunday. The Sabres held a 3-0 lead after the first period, but Detroit scored five unanswered goals over the second and third periods to take a 5-3 lead. Buffalo cut the lead to one 8:31 into the third period, but Zetterberg restored the two goal lead 11:59 into the third to complete the hat trick. He also had an assist for a four point night. Zetterberg followed that performance with three assists in Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild. Zetterberg goes into the NHL All-Star break with four goals and four assists in his last five games.

No. 2 Star: Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes

There hasn’t been a lot for Carolina Hurricanes to be happy about so far this season, but going into the All-Star break they can take some joy in creating plenty of misery for Toronto Maple Leafs fans last Monday night. Eric Staal had two goals, including the empty netter, as well as a big fight with Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. The fight was in response to Phanef hitting brother Jordan Staal. Apparently that did not ease the tensions enough for Staal’s liking and he ripped a slap shot just past Phaneuf to score the empty-netter in the final seconds of the game. After the game Staal would not confirm nor deny he was aiming for Phaneuf.

Some will claim that it was a classless move by Staal to purposely fire the puck at Phaneuf – and while it was dangerous, Phaneuf was standing right in front of the net. The shot missed Phaneuf, but just as a reminder of where he was really aiming, Staal stared Phaneuf down immediately after. It was a definite big moment for a team that hasn’t made too much noise in the league so far this season.

No. 3 Star: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Just one start for Carey Price in the shortened week – but he sure made the most of it on Wednesday night. Price stopped 36 of the 37 Nashville Predators shots in a 2-1 overtime win for the Canadiens. 27 of those shots came in the first two periods of the game. Mike Ribeiro was the only Predator to beat price – scoring 12:10 into the second period. Price will represent the Montreal Canadiens tonight at the 2015 NHL-All Star Game in Columbus. He has a .929 save percentage (5th overall) and a 2.15 goals-against average (also 5th overall).

The Canadiens currently sit at third in the Atlantic Division with 61 points and a lot of that has to do with Carey Price’s ability to keep them in games when the offense isn’t clicking – as was the case on Wednesday night.

Next: What are the greatest offensive franchises in NHL history?

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