New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Detroit Red Wings backup goaltender Jonas Gustavsson was named the NHL's First Star after helping his team move into first place in the Atlantic Division.
Gustavsson, a 28-year-old native of Sweden, went 3-0-0 last week with a 1.67 goals-against average and .953 save percentage. He registered wins in consecutive days, making 28 saves in a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 14 and 36 stops in a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets the following day.
Two days later, Gustavsson had 38 saves in a 4-2 win, handing the Colorado Avalanche their first loss of the season. The 38 saves were the fourth highest total of his career and most since Nov. 19, 2011 while playing with Toronto.
Second Star honors went to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, who extended his season-opening and career-long point streak to eight games.
Crosby tallied a league-best six assists and eight points as the Penguins remained atop the Metropolitan Division standings with three victories on the week. He assisted on all three goals in a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 15, added a goal and assist in a 4-1 win against the rival Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 17, and had one goal and two helpers in a 4-3 shootout victory against the Vancouver Canucks two days later.
Through eight games, Crosby has five multi-point efforts, leads the NHL with 17 points and is tied for first in goals (7) and assists (10).
San Jose Sharks left wing Patrick Marleau was awarded the Third Star after also extending his season-opening point streak to eight games. He had three goals and three assists, while registering a league-best five power-play points in helping the Sharks remain the only team undefeated in regulation (7-0-1).
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