Blue Jackets LW Nash earns 'First Star' award

Jan 5, 2009 - 7:22 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Rick Nash, who led all scorers with nine points, was named the NHL's "First Star" of the week Monday.

Nash recorded two goals and seven assists in helping the Blue Jackets win three of four games on the road. The highlight of his week came on Friday, when he scored a season-high four points in a 6-1 victory at Colorado.

Nash is Columbus' leading scorer with 39 points in 39 games.

Also honored by the NHL were Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski and Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward.

Rafalski earned the "Second Star" honor after recording a goal and five assists in Detroit's home-and-home sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks. He had a goal and two assists in the Red Wings' 6-4 victory over the Blackhawks in the "Winter Classic" on New Year's Day.

Ward took the "Third Star" award following a 3-0 week in which he posted a 1.33 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.