Ovechkin, Elliott, Lundqvist named 'Three Stars'

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott and New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending April 7.

FIRST STAR – ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Ovechkin led the NHL with seven goals and tied for the League lead with nine points in four games. He also paced all skaters with four power-play points, including two goals, raising his season totals to an NHL-best 14 power-play goals and 21 power-play points. Ovechkin began the week by scoring two goals, including the game-winner, and adding an assist in a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes April 2. He netted the lone shootout goal in a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders April 4 and then recorded his 12th career hat trick, including the game-winner, and an assist in a 4-3 triumph over the Florida Panthers April 6. Ovechkin closed out the week by scoring two goals in a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning April 7, bumping his season goal total to 25 – tied for first in the NHL with the Lightning's Steven Stamkos. The 27-year-old Moscow native and two-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner leads the Capitals and ranks sixth in the League with 25-18—43 in 39 games this season.

SECOND STAR – BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Elliott posted a 3-0-0 record, 1.45 goals-against average, .952 save percentage and one shutout in three appearances. He made 19 saves in relief of an injured Jaroslav Halak to help the Blues pick up a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild April 1. Elliott then recorded a season-high 33 stops, plus another three in the shootout, in a 4-3 win at the Chicago Blackhawks April 4. He capped the week by making 28 saves for the 19th shutout of his NHL career in a 1-0 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings April 7. The 27-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native has played in 14 games this season, going 6-6-1 with a 3.14 goals-against average and .879 save percentage.

THIRD STAR – HENRIK LUNDQVIST, G, NEW YORK RANGERS

Lundqvist started all four games for the Rangers, posting a 3-0-1 record with a 1.22 goals-against average and .962 save percentage. He made 26 saves in a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets April 1 and another 26 stops in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins April 3. Lundqvist played in his 500th NHL game April 5, recording 26 saves, plus another two in the shootout, in a 2-1 loss to the Penguins. He then made a season-high 48 stops in a 4-1 triumph at the Carolina Hurricanes April 6. The 31-year-old Are, Sweden, native has a 17-13-3 record in 33 appearances this season and ranks second in the League with a .928 save percentage and sixth with a 2.07 goals-against average.