Bryzgalov, Anderson, Ovechkin are Stars of Week
NEW YORK (Oct. 19, 2009) -- Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson and left wing Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals have been named the NHL Three Stars for the week ending Oct. 18.
FIRST STAR -- Ilya Bryzgalov
Bryzgalov was 3-0-0 with a shutout last week while stopping 70 of 73 shots for a .959 save percentage and 0.95 goals-against average. His play was a main reason why the surprising Coyotes improved to 5-2-0 and took first place in the Pacific Division. Bryzgalov made 26 saves in a 1-0 shootout win over San Jose on Oct. 12, stopped 22 shots in a 3-2 win over St. Louis on Oct. 15 and made 22 saves in a 4-1 win over Boston on Oct. 17. Bryzgalov, who won five of his first six starts, leads the NHL in GAA (1.14), save pct. (.953) and shutouts (two).
SECOND STAR -- Craig Anderson
Anderson was credited with four consecutive road victories while producing a 2.20 GAA and .928 save percentage as the upstart Avalanche improved their record to 6-1-1 and took first place in the Northwest Division. Anderson swept three Northeast Division opponents, making 29 saves in a 4-3 win over Boston on Oct. 12; 30 in a 4-1 win over Toronto on Oct. 13 and 29 in a 3-2 win over Montreal on Oct. 15. He finished the week in grand style by stopping 28 shots and make stops on two of three shootout attempts in a 4-3 win over Detroit on Oct. 17. Anderson started in all of Colorado's first eight games with a 2.09 GAA, .935 save pct. and a shutout.
THIRD STAR -- Alex Ovechkin
The red-hot Ovechkin led all scorers for the week with four goals and two assists as the Capitals (4-2-2) moved into first place in the Southeast Division. He had two assists in a 3-2 shootout loss to New Jersey on Oct. 12, scored twice in a 4-1 win over San Jose on Oct. 15 and twice plus the shootout winner in a 3-2 victory over Nashville on Oct. 17. Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (nine), points (16) and shots (61) in eight games.
October 11
First Star -- Dany Heatley, left wing, SharksSecond Star -- Jonathan Quick, goaltender, KingsThird Star -- Henrik Sedin, center, Canucks
October 4
First Star: Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Capitals Second Star: Craig Anderson, G, Avalanche Third Star: Keith Tkachuk, C, Blues