Lightning C Lecavalier named NHL's First Star of the Week

Nov 19, 2007 - 10:46 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier on Monday earned the NHL's First Star award for the second consecutive week after recording eight points in just two games.

Lecavalier tied a career high and matched a franchise record with five points (three goals, two assists) in a 6-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.

The first overall pick in the 1998 draft, Lecavalier notched three points (one goal, two assists) in a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Friday, setting a franchise mark by tallying multiple points in his seventh consecutive game.

The Lightning captain ranks first in the NHL in scoring with 32 points, collecting 13 goals and 19 assists.

Also honored were San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and Nashville Predators right wing Martin Erat.

Nabokov earned Second Star status, posting a 3-0-1 record, a 0.96 goals-against average and two shutouts as the Sharks (11-7-3, 25 points) moved into first place in the Pacific Division.

The 32-year-old from Kazakhstan made 25 saves as San Jose blanked the Phoenix Coyotes, 5-0, last Monday and then shut out the Coyotes again three days later by turning aside all 15 shots for his third shutout this season and 37th of his eight-year career.

He is the second Sharks player to be honored in as many weeks. Veteran Jeremy Roenick was the Third Star last week.

Erat notched two game-winning goals in three games and had six points overall (three goals, three assists) for the Predators.

The 26-year-old, who ranks third among Nashville scorers with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists), set a single-game career high with four points. He had two goals - including the game-winning goal - and two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets last Monday. Erat scored the overtime winner in a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.