Bobrovsky, Crosby and Carter named 'Three Stars'

NEW YORK – Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 10.

FIRST STAR – SERGEI BOBROVSKY, G, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Bobrovsky posted a League-high four victories to go along with a 0.77 goals-against average, .972 save percentage and one shutout as Columbus stretched its winning streak to five games. He began the week with 18 saves, plus another two in the shootout, upon relieving Steve Mason in a 4-3 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers March 5. Bobrovsky then made 34 stops, including 16 in the second period, in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks March 7. He capped his performance with a pair of weekend wins over the Detroit Red Wings, recording 30 saves for his first career shutout March 9 and another 21 stops in a 3-2 shootout victory March 10. Bobrovsky has gone 6-1-1 in his last eight games, improving his record to 8-6-3 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in 17 appearances this season. In 100 career NHL games, the 24-year-old has posted a 50-29-13 record with a 2.65 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

SECOND STAR – SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Crosby led all skaters with nine assists and 11 points in four games, increasing his lead in the Art Ross race to eight points (12-33—45 in 26 GP). He posted one goal and one assist in a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning March 4, three assists in a 5-4 victory at the Philadelphia Flyers March 7 and one goal, plus the shootout clincher, in a 5-4 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs March 9. Crosby closed the week by tying a career high with five assists in a 6-1 win over the New York Islanders March 10 – he is the only active NHL player with more than one five-assist game in his career (his other came 12/13/06 vs. Philadelphia). Crosby currently has 5-15—20 during an eight-game point streak that dates to Feb. 24. In 460 career NHL games, all with Pittsburgh, the 25-year-old has 235-419—654.

THIRD STAR – JEFF CARTER, C, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Carter scored six goals in four outings to raise his season total to 17, tied for second in the NHL. He recorded his fifth career hat trick, including the game-winning goal, in a 5-1 victory over the Nashville Predators March 4 and potted another game-winner in a 6-4 triumph over the St. Louis Blues March 5. Carter finished the week with one goal against both the Dallas Stars March 7 and Calgary Flames March 9. He has scored 13 goals in his last 13 games and leads the League with six game-winners this season. In 539 career NHL games, the London, Ont., native has 219-177—396 and 46 game-winning goals.