Ducks 3 Stars of the Week

The Anaheim Ducks have a three stars announcement every game. The NHL gives out a league-wide three stars of the week. Pucks of a Feather has gone the Reese’s route and combined two great things.

This week the Ducks had a four-day rest, but still won both of the games they played over the weekend. Friday, they beat Columbus 4-2 and followed that up by stomping Chicago 6-3. That’s a pretty good week for a team fighting for their playoff lives.

Honorable Mention – Marcus Petterson

He scored his first goal in North America yesterday. As Greg Johnson pointed out to me that Petterson’s biggest contribution has been as a solid enough defender to allow coach Randy Carlyle to pair Fowler and Montour together. Additionally, using Pettersson in the lineup means one of Kevin Bieksa or Francois Beauchemin in the press box every night.

Third Star of the Week – Corey Perry

Like Lazarus, every time he gets written off, Corey Perry comes back strong. He had one assist Friday night but was a force in the attacking zone. His ability to adapt when his center Ryan Getzlaf missed the game due to flu, was an important part of keeping the regular forward lines together. Sunday, there were flashes of the #10 Ducks fans have come to love over the years. Two goals against a hated rival on had to feel like old times for him. He may not be the Corey Perry of four years ago, but he’s still a valuable contributor.

Second Star of the Week – John Gibson

Going 2-0 for the week is a good way to make this list. Gibson was outstanding Friday night. He saved 34 of 36 (.944 Sv%) shots including all eight while shorthanded. As it has happened so many times, Gibson was the best player on the ice. Sunday, he wasn’t as sharp after the Ducks took a commanding 4-1 lead, but he still saved 37 of 40 shots. Not bad for a guy who missed the previous three games with an injury.

Related Story: Sunday Op-Ed: Ducks Must Drop the Hammer Now

First Star of the Week – Ducks Penalty Kill

The PK units were easily the Ducks first star of this week. Against Columbus on Friday, the Ducks killed off five penalties. There were times when Anaheim looked just as good with four skaters as they did with five. Of course, the coup de gras was Andrew Cogliano‘s shorthanded goal which gave the Ducks a lead they would never relinquish.

Sunday the unit had only two kills against Chicago, but they were both big. After the Ducks went ahead 2-0 in the first period, they took two penalties. Allowing the Hawks to cash in on either opportunity would have allowed the visitors back in the game. In total for the week, Anaheim only allowed 11 shots in seven man-down situations.

Near Miss – Cam Fowler

One GIF says it all.