Ovechkin named NHL's "First Star"

Mar 24, 2008 - 6:15 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin on Monday was named the NHL's "First Star" of the week.

Also honored were Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Vesa Toskala and Philadelphia Flyers center Daniel Briere.

Ovechkin received the weekly honor for the second time in three weeks after becoming the first player to reach the 60-goal mark in 12 years. The Russian All-Star leads the league in goals, points (106), power-play goals (21), game-winning goals (10) and shots (410).

Ovechkin led all scorers with seven points (three goals and four assists) over the week, as the Capitals won two of three contests to start their six-game road trip.

The 22-year-old Ovechkin tallied two goals and two assists in a 5-3 triumph over the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday.

Toskala, the week's "Second Star", posted three consecutive road victories to keep the Maple Leafs' playoff hopes alive.

Toskala went 3-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .940 save percentage as Toronto climbed to within four points of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Briere earned the week's "Third Star" after collecting three goals and six assists to lead the Flyers to three straight wins. He tallied twice Friday in a 4-3 triumph over the rival New York Rangers.