Veteran Cs Thornton, Sakic, Modano named NHL's Three Stars

Mar 19, 2007 - 7:43 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Joe Thornton was recognized as the NHL's top player last season. For at least a week, he has regained that status.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner, Thornton was named the NHL's First Star of the Week on Monday.

Colorado Avalanche All-Star Joe Sakic received the Second Star while fellow veteran center Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars was the Third Star.

Thornton topped the league in overall scoring last week, collecting four goals and six assists in leading the San Jose Sharks to a 3-0-1 record. His finest performance came Thursday against Phoenix, when he registered a goal and three assists in a 5-1 victory.

San Jose's leading scorer, Thornton is tied with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for the league lead with 76 assists and is second in the NHL with 96 points.

Sakic scored three goals and nine points in just three games to pace the Avalanche to a trio of victories. He capped his outstanding week with a four-assist performance in Sunday's 4-3 overtime triumph over the Sharks.

Modano made history last week, becoming the league's all-time leader in goals for an American-born player. The 36-year-old tallied twice in Saturday's 3-2 loss against Nashville to pass Hall of Famer Joe Mullen on the all-time list.

Modano, who has 503 career goals, had four goals and two assists last week for Dallas, which won three of its four contests over that span.