Capitals LW Ovechkin named "First Star" for November

Dec 1, 2008 - 8:16 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, who led the team to its highest November win total in 12 years, on Monday was named the NHL's "First Star" of the month.

Also honored were Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and New York Islanders goaltender Joey MacDonald.

Ovechkin paced all players in scoring in November with 25 points - 11 goals and 14 assists - as the Capitals posted an 8-5-2 record -- their best record in the month since going 9-5-1 in November 1996.

The reigning Hart Trophy winner, Ovechkin posted a 10-game points streak from November 10-28, the league's second-longest this season.

Malkin earned "Second Star" status after registering 23 points on seven goals and 16 assists to take over the NHL's scoring lead. He had a pair of four-point games and helped the Penguins log a 9-2-1 record in November.

MacDonald, who has filled in capably for the injured Rick DiPietro, garnered the "Third Star" award after winning eight of his league-high 14 November starts (8-5-1). He posted a 2.64 goals-against average and .916 save percentage during the month.