Thomas tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'

NEW YORK -- Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas, Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos and New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Jan. 23.

FIRST STAR – TIM THOMAS, G, BOSTON BRUINS

Thomas posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.33 goals-against average, .964 save percentage and one shutout as the Bruins (27-14-7) regained first place in a tight Northeast Division race. Thomas stopped 106 of 110 shots last week, beginning with a 31-save performance in a 7-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Jan. 17 for his League-leading seventh shutout of the season. Thomas completed a home-and-home sweep over the Hurricanes by recording 43 saves in a 3-2 win at Carolina Jan. 18 and stopped 32 shots in a 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 22. The 36-year-old Flint, Michigan native improved his season record to 23-4-6 with a 1.83 goals-against average and .945 save percentage in 34 appearances. He will be making his third consecutive NHL All-Star Game appearance this Sunday in Raleigh.

SECOND STAR – STEVEN STAMKOS, C, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Stamkos tallied a League-leading five goals last week, helping the Lightning (30-15-5) post four consecutive victories and stay atop the Southeast Division. Stamkos recorded points in all four games, starting with two goals in a 3-2 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 18. He recorded his second consecutive two-goal game in a 3-2 shootout win over the Atlanta Thrashers Jan. 20, notched one assist in a 2-1 shootout win over the Florida Panthers Jan. 21 and finished the week by scoring one goal in a 7-1 win over Atlanta on Jan. 23. Stamkos has an active six-game point streak and leads the NHL in goals (38), power-play goals (15) and points (67). He will be making his first career NHL All-Star game appearance this Sunday in Raleigh.


THIRD STAR – MARTIN BRODEUR, G, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Brodeur posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.34 goals-against average and .949 save percentage, backstopping the Devils (16-29-3) to a season-high four-game winning streak and a 6-0-1 mark in their past seven games. Brodeur stopped 27 shots in a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders Jan. 17 and made 23 saves in recording his 114th career shutout in a 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 20. He finished the week with a 24-save performance in a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers Jan. 23. The 38-year-old Montreal native improved his season record to 10-18-2 with a 2.84 goals-against average, .894 save percentage and four shutouts in 34 appearances.