Hurricanes C Staal named NHL's 'First Star'

Mar 9, 2009 - 5:24 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal, who tied franchise records with four goals and six points in Sunday's 9-3 win over Tampa Bay, on Monday was named the NHL's "First Star" of the Week.

Staal helped lead the Hurricanes to three victories by scoring a league-high nine points. He registered five goals and four assists as Carolina climbed within one point of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury earned the "Second Star" honor posting a 3-0 record with a 1.63 goals-against average and .948 save percentage. The Penguins have won six in a row to jump into the final playoff spot in the East.

The "Third Star" award went to Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Rick Nash, who recorded four and two assists in three games.