Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kadri selected as NHL's 'Three Stars'

New York, NY – Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri were selected as the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending March 24.

Ovechkin gained First Star honors by leading the league with five goals and eight points in just four games, and extending his current point streak to nine contests. The 27-year-old Washington captain put forth his best performance on March 21, totaling a goal and two assists in a 4-0 win at Winnipeg, then added a pair of scores in a 6-1 rout of the Jets one day later.

Backstrom picked up the Second Star after going 3-0-0 with a 1.00 goals- against average, one shutout and .972 save percentage in three starts. He bested Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose during the week, recording his 27th career whitewash in a 33-save performance in a 2-0 win over the Sharks on March 23.

Kadri earned the Third Star with seven points (3G, 4A) over three appearances. He produced three helpers in a 4-2 win over Tampa Bay on March 20, then recorded his first career three-point effort with two goals and one assist in a 5-4 shootout loss in Buffalo the following night.