Johan Franzen named NHL’s first star of the week

By Michael Caples – 

The Mule has been on fire since the Olympic break concluded, and the NHL has taken notice.

Johan Franzen was named the league’s first star of the week today, joining New Jersey center Adam Henrique and Minnesota Wild goaltender Dary Kuemper on the weekly list of top performers.

Franzen, who was held out of the Sochi Games due to injury, recorded five points in the Wings’ first two games back from the break, helping Detroit to a pair of road victories. In the process, the Wings have maintained their spot as the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference.

Franzen picked up two assists in the Wings’ 2-1 win over Montreal on Feb. 26, including setting up Gustav Nyquist for the game-winner in overtime.

He followed those two assists up with his sixth career hat trick the next night, recording three goals in a 6-1 rout against Ottawa. It was the first time since Nov. 8, 2011, that the 34-year-old lit the lamp three times.