Ryan Potulny scored his first goal in an Edmonton uniform and added an assist as the Oilers downed Colorado on Sunday. (David Zalubowski/Associated Press) CBCSports.ca senior reporter Tim Wharnsby names the top performers in the NHL over games played between Friday through Sunday.
FIRST STAR: Mike Knuble, F, Washington Capitals
No Alex Ovechkin. No Mike Green. No problem for the Capitals. They were led by 37-year-old Mike Knuble, who scored twice and set up two Tomas Fleischmann goals in the third period of Washington’s 7-4 victory against Florida on Saturday.
SECOND STAR: Antero Niittymaki, G, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Finn is the hottest goaltender in the league right now. He is 2-0-2 in his last five appearances and has stopped 151 of 158 shots, including a 36-save effort in a 3-1 win in Montreal on Saturday. He now leads the league with a .940 save percentage.
THIRD STAR: Ryan Potulny, F, Edmonton Oilers
The 25-year-old forward made quite a first impression on his Oilers teammates. In his first game after being summoned from the minors, Potulny scored the game-winner on the power play early in the third period and assisted on Tom Gilbert’s first-period power-play goal in a 5-3 win over Colorado on Sunday.
