Jeff Petry put on a show this week for the Oilers. He racked up two goals and two assist to help Edmonton attain a 1-1-1 record. The defenseman tallied his first goal of the season in the first period of Monday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the red-hot Blackhawks. A rebound bounced right to Petry in the slot, who fired it home to give the Oilers an early 1-0 lead. He notched a goal and an assist on Thursday to lead Edmonton to an easy 5-1 win over the Stars. Sam Gagner jumpstarted the Oilers offense early on in the contest, as Petry provided a helper on Gagner’s goal that opened the scoring. The defender sealed the decision late in the second with a crazy backhander at a bad angle that somehow found its way to the back of the next, making the score 3-0. (Watch the replay of the unbelievable goal here: http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2012020295). Petry’s final point of the week came on Sunday evening in a 4-2 loss to the Wild. He was credited with an assist on Magnus Paajarvi’s tally that tied the score at one late in the second period.
Fellow Oiler and defenseman Corey Potter had a mostly quiet week. His highlight performance came during a 4-2 loss to the Blues on Friday evening, as he posted two shots, one hit and two blocked shots on the night.
Left winger David Booth has begun to see increased playing time for the Canucks following his groin injury. He cashed in on the opportunity, snagging his first assist of the season on Saturday during the second period of a 5-2 rout of the Kings.
Duncan Keith and the Blackhawks continued their hot streak this week. Chicago won all four of its games to extend its winning streak to nine, while Keith recorded his 11th helper of the season. The veteran defender furnished an assist on Patrick Sharp’s tally that tied the score at 2 in the second period of a 4-3 overtime triumph over the Avalanche.
The Red Wing-Spartan duo of Justin Abdelkader and Drew Miller did not post big numbers statistically, but aided Detroit in picking up three points, courtesy of a 1-1-1 record. Miller supplied two hits, a shot and two blocked shots on Thursday to help the Red Wings to snatch a 2-1 shootout victory over the Sharks. Abdelkader’s significant performance occurred on Sunday during a 2-1 shootout loss to the rival Blackhawks, as the winger had four shots on goal and a hit on the day.
Ryan Miller had a stellar week for the Sabers in net. The goaltender nearly went undefeated on the week, winning three out of four decisions. He stopped 30 shots in a 2-1 win over the Lightning on Tuesday, earning first star honors. Two days, Miller followed up with another solid performance. The veteran netminder stonewalled 40 Florida shot attempts in a 4-3 shootout triumph over the hosting Panthers. He was named the second star of the game for his job in the crease. Miller again helped the Sabers capture a shootout victory on Saturday, this time a 4-3 decision over the Devils. The goalie turned aside 28 shots to claim second star honors for the contest. The Rangers spoiled Miller’s undefeated bid on Sunday night, though, as New York beat Buffalo in a shootout, 3-2. The veteran deflected 26 shots in regulation and overtime, but could not stop New York’s Rick Nash and Ryan Callahan in the shootout period.
Sharks center Tim Kennedy’s efforts this week helped San Jose soar to a 2-0-1 record. His best performance came on Saturday, as the Sharks torpedoed the Predators, 2-1. Kennedy had five shots, two hits and a takeaway in the victory.
Jim Slater was solid at center for the Jets, as Winnipeg flew to a 2-1 record on the week. The veteran contributed a shot, hit, takeaway and 6-5 faceoff record in Thursday’s 3-1 triumph over the Devils.
Injury / Scratch Report:
Mike Weaver suffered a lower body injury Thursday in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Sabers. The Panthers defenseman is out indefinitely and has been placed on Florida’s injured reserve, according to the team’s website.
Tampa Bay right winger Adam Hall did not play this week, as the faceoff specialist was a healthy scratch in each of the Lightning’s three contests.
John-Michael Liles continues to be the odd man out in Toronto. The defender has not played since February 16 at the coach’s discretion.
