NHL Stars of the Week – Ovi Climbs His Way to Top Honors

Today the National Hockey League announced their Three Stars of the Week for the week of October 28th through November 3rd.

First Star – Alex Ovechkin (LW – WAS)

Ovechkin scored in all four of his contests, leading or co-leading the NHL in goals (5), points (9) and plus/minus (+7) to power the Capitals (8-3-0, 16 points) to a 3-1-0 week. He notched two goals, his 174th career multi-goal performance (2nd in League history), in a 5-3 triumph over the New York Rangers Oct. 29. Ovechkin then posted back-to-back 1-2—3 games, in a 6-3 victory against the Montreal Canadiens Oct. 31 and a 7-2 win versus the Columbus Blue Jackets Nov. 2. He became the fourth player in NHL history to record consecutive three-point outings at age 39 or older, joining Jean Ratelle (2x, last: Nov. 27-29, 1980: 1-5—6 w/ BOS), Tim Horton (March 5-6, 1969: 2-4—6 w/ TOR) and Gordie Howe (Oct. 27-31, 1968: 2-4—6 w/ DET). Ovechkin finished the week with one goal in a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Nov. 3, making him the first player to register a four-game goal streak at age 39 or older since Jaromir Jagr from March 20-25, 2013 (4-3—7 w/ DAL). Ovechkin, who ranks second on Washington with 7-7—14 through 11 appearances this season, now has 860 goals in his NHL career – 35 shy of passing Wayne Gretzky’s League record.

Necas shared the League lead with 3-6—9 in three games, tallying multiple points in each contest to lift the Hurricanes (8-2-0, 16 points) to a perfect week and their sixth straight victory dating to Oct. 22. He collected 1-1—2, highlighted by an assist on Sebastian Aho’s overtime winner, in a 4-3 triumph against the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 28. Necas then registered 1-3—4, both his third career three-assist and four-point performances, in an 8-2 win versus the Boston Bruins Oct. 31. He added 1-2—3, including the tying goal and an assist on the game-winner, in a 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals Nov. 3. The 25-year-old Necas, who has found the score sheet in each contest during Carolina’s current six-game winning streak (5-10—15), ranks ninth in the NHL with 6-12—18 through 10 total appearances this season. His 18 points are tied with Eric Staal (9-9—18 in 2005-06) for the most by a Hurricanes/Whalers player through the team’s first 10 games of a campaign.

Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals (all except an empty-netter in their final contest), totaling 4-3—7 and two game-winning goals in three appearances to lead Pittsburgh (5-7-1, 11 points) to a pair of victories. He posted three helpers, his 64th career three-assist game (t-6th in NHL history) and 180th career three-point performance (7th in NHL history), in a 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild Oct. 29. Crosby then scored twice in each of his next two outings, highlighted by his 22nd career overtime goal (2nd in NHL history) in a 2-1 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks Oct. 31 and 93rd career game-winning goal (t-14th in NHL history) in a 3-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens Nov. 2. The 37-year-old Crosby, who leads the Penguins with 5-9—14 in 13 total contests this season, will face Ovechkin for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington this Friday, Nov. 8 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+, Hulu, SN, TVAS).

*All Graphics courtesy of the NHL, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

*Player Profiles written by NHL PR Staff.

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