Ovechkin NHL's first star of the week again

Canadian Press, Feb. 8, 2010:

Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin has once again been named the NHL's first star of the week.

It's the third time he's received the honour this season and the second time in four weeks.

Ovechkin was tied for the week's scoring lead with 10 points, including seven goals, leading the Capitals to a 4-0-0 record.

Backstrom matched Ovechkin's 10 points last week and was named the league's third star for the second week in a row.

Washington's Alex Ovechkin outduelled fellow superstar Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh in a thrilling clash Sunday afternoon. (Luis M. Alvarez/Associated Press)

NHL.com:

Alex Ovechkin sure knows how to put on a show.

With a national TV audience watching on NBC and a full house at the snowy Verizon Center looking on, Ovechkin lit up the ice on Super Bowl Sunday, capping yet another brilliant week.

Ovechkin's hat trick helped the Caps rally from a 4-1 deficit to force overtime, and his power-play blast off the post in OT turned into the game-winning assist when Mike Knuble tucked in the rebound for a stunning 5-4 win -- Washington's 14th in a row.

Sunday's performance capped yet another sensational week for "The Great 8." He ended with 6 goals and 10 points in four games (all victories) while going plus-6. Sunday's hat trick moved him past Sidney Crosby and Patrick Marleau into first place in the goal-scoring race with 42 (he's the first 40-goal scorer this season).

Overall, he has 16 points during a seven-game points streak and 36 in his last 17 games (he had points in 16 of those). The only thing that will stop him from terrorizing NHL goaltenders is the Olympic break that begins next Sunday.

From NHLPA:

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Washington Capitals forwards Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, along with newly minted Maple Leaf goaltender Jean Sebastien Giguere, have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending February 7.

Ovechkin took home top honors having led the league in scoring with 10 points during the week, including seven goals, to secure sole possession of both categories for the season at 86 points and 42 goals.

The Russian sniper put the finishing touches on his week with a hat trick in Washington's 5-4 overtime win against defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh on Sunday. The win was the Capitals' 14th straight, matching the third-longest win streak in NHL history.

Backstrom matched his teammate Ovechkin with 10 points, with two goals and eight assists, to garner Third Star accolades for the second straight week. He tied a career high with five points in a 6-5 win against the Rangers on February 4 and currently holds an eight-game scoring streak.

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