Penguins/NHL
NEW YORK (March 23, 2009) — Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending Mar. 22.
FIRST STAR – CAM WARD, CAROLINA HURRICANES
Ward stopped 100 of 107 shots in posting a 3-0-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .935 save percentage as the Hurricanes (39-28-7) climbed to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. He began the week by recording 41 saves in a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils Mar. 18, made 28 saves in a 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders Mar. 20 and stopped 31 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals Mar. 21. Ward has posted a 33-22-5 record with a 2.51 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and five shutouts in 61 appearances this season. He is tied for third among NHL goaltenders in wins and needs one shutout and five wins, respectively, to tie single-season franchise records.
SECOND STAR — EVGENI MALKIN, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Malkin led the League in scoring for the week with eight points (three goals, five assists) in three games. He tied a career high with five points (two goals, three assists) in a 6-2 win over the Atlanta Thrashers Mar. 17, recorded one goal and one assist in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings Mar. 20 and finished the week by recording one assist in a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers Mar. 22. Malkin leads the NHL in assists (72) and points (105) and needs two points to surpass his single-season high of 106 set in 2007-08. The 22-year-old Magnitogorsk, Russia native holds a 10-point lead over teammate Sidney Crosby in a bid for his first career Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring champion.
THIRD STAR — SHANE DOAN, RW, PHOENIX COYOTES
Doan recorded seven points (three goals, four assists) last week as the Coyotes earned five of a possible eight points. He notched the game-winning goal and three assists in a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks Mar. 17, tallied the game-winner in a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Mar. 21 and recorded one goal and one assist in a 6-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks Mar. 22. The Coyotes captain is on pace to lead the club in scoring for a fifth consecutive season with 64 points (28 goals, 36 assists) in 73 games and has posted nine consecutive 20-goal campaigns.
