Thrashers LW Kovalchuk earns monthly honor

Mar 2, 2009 - 8:08 PM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Atlanta Thrashers left wing Ilya Kovalchuk on Monday was named the NHL's "First Star" for February.

Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green received "Second Star" honors, while St. Louis Blues goaltender Chris Mason was dubbed the month's "Third Star."

Kovalchuk led all NHL scorers in March with 13 goals and 21 points in 14 games. He tallied goals in nine of 12 games, including a six-game stretch which was highlighted by his 11th career hat trick on February 15 against Anaheim.

Green led defensemen and ranked second among all scorers with 20 points in 13 games, helping the Capitals post a 9-3-1 record.

Mason posted an 8-2-4 record with a 1.64 goals-against average and one shutout.