NHL Three Stars of Week

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 10.

FIRST STAR – ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Ovechkin tied for first in the NHL with five goals in four games to power the League-leading Capitals (32-7-3, 67 points) to four straight wins. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins Jan. 5, Ovechkin recorded the game-winning goal in a 4-1 triumph over the New York Islanders Jan. 7. Playing in his 800th NHL game, Ovechkin then scored twice – including the winning goal at 1:25 of overtime – in a 4-3 comeback victory over the New York Rangers Jan. 9. He capped the week by again scoring twice, including his 500th and 501st NHL goals, in a 7-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Jan. 10. In doing so, Ovechkin (801 GP) became the fifth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the 500-goal milestone, behind Wayne Gretzky (575 GP), Mario Lemieux (605 GP), Mike Bossy (647 GP) and Brett Hull (693 GP). The 30-year-old Moscow native and all-time NHL leader in goals by a Russian-born player paces the League with 26 goals in 41 games this season (26-13—39) and also ranks third overall with a +21 rating.

SECOND STAR – PETR MRAZEK, G, DETROIT RED WINGS

Mrazek went 3-0-0 with a 0.67 goals-against average, .978 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the Red Wings (22-13-7, 51 points) to three straight wins for the week as well as their fourth consecutive victory overall, all on the road. He opened the week by making 22 saves for his seventh career shutout (and second of the season) in a 1-0 triumph over the New Jersey Devils Jan. 4. Mrazek followed that performance by turning aside 35 of 36 shots in a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 7. He closed the week with 30 stops in a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 10. The 23-year-old Ostrava, Czech Republic, native owns a 15-8-3 record in 28 appearances this season. He ranks sixth in the NHL in save percentage (.930) and places 10th in goals-against average (2.16).

THIRD STAR – TYSON BARRIE, D, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Barrie led all defensemen and shared second in the League with 3-3—6 in four games to lift the Avalanche (21-19-3, 45 points) to six of a possible eight points. He began the week with a career high four points (2-2—4), including the game-winning goal, in a 4-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings Jan. 4. In doing so, Barrie became the first Avalanche defenseman to record four points in one game since Nov. 11, 2003 at SJS (Derek Morris: 1-3—4). He then collected one assist in a 4-3 overtime win against the St. Louis Blues Jan. 6 and registered the game-winning goal in a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators Jan. 8 before being held off the scoresheet in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 10. The 24-year-old Victoria, B.C., native ranks sixth among defensemen with 7-22—29 in 39 games this season.