Thornton named NHL's "First Star"

Mar 31, 2008 - 5:23 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton on Monday was named the NHL's "First Star" of the week.

Also honored were Nashville Predators goaltender Dan Ellis and Boston Bruins center David Krejci.

Thornton scored seven goals and eight points over four games during the week, as the Sharks (48-21-10) clinched the Pacific Division title for the third time in franchise history.

Thornton, who leads the NHL with 65 assists, scored a pair of goals - including the game-winner - in both Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars and Sunday's 3-1 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes.

A former Hart Trophy recipient, Thornton also notched first hat trick of the season in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Coyotes.

Ellis, the week's "Second Star", was nearly flawless over his three starts, going 2-0-1 with a 0.33 goals-against average and .991 save percentage.

Ellis posted two consecutive shutouts on Tuesday and Thursday before having his streak ended at 233 minutes, 39 seconds in Sunday's 1-0 overtime setback to the Detroit Red Wings.

Krejci earned the week's "Third Star" after tallying three goals and eight points, leading the Bruins to a 3-0-1 record. He scored a goal and set up two others in a 4-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.