Spezza named NHL's "First Star"

Feb 11, 2008 - 8:11 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Coming off a six-point game on Saturday, Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza was named the NHL's "First Star of the Week" on Monday.

Also honored were Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Spezza recorded 11 points in three games - four goals and seven assists - as the Senators won two of three contests during the week, increasing their Northeast Division lead to five points (72-67) over the second-place Montreal Canadiens.

After posting a goal and an assist in a 4-3 loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday, Spezza collected three assists in a 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

Spezza concluded his week in a big way by helping Ottawa avenge its earlier setback against Montreal, recording three goals and three assists for a career-high six-point game in a 6-1 win over the Canadiens.

Spezza ranks second on the Senators in scoring and fifth in the League overall with 71 points - 23 goals and 48 assists - in 50 games.

Malkin, the week's "Second Star", has stepped up his play since Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was sidelined 10 games ago with an ankle injury, helping Pittsburgh to a 6-2-2 record without the defending Art Ross Trophy winner.

The Calder Trophy winner last season, Malkin recorded 12 points in four games as the Penguins posted a 3-1-0 record for the week. He registered a goal and two assists in a 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes last Monday.

Malkin collected two assists in a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday before notching two goals - including the game-winner - and one assist in a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

He capped off his week with a goal and three assists in a 4-3 victory over the Flyers on Sunday.

The week's "Third Star", Giguere posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.01 goals-against average, including a shutout as the Ducks won four consecutive road games.