Ovechkin, Sedin and Vokoun Named Stars for January

Written by: Scott Vankoughnett on 1st February 2010

Ovechkin, Sedin and Vokoun Named Stars for January | read this item

NEW YORK (February 1, 2010) — Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, Vancouver Canucks center Henrik Sedin and Florida Panthers goaltender Tomas Vokoun have been named the NHL ‘Three Stars’ for January.

FIRST STAR — ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Ovechkin led all scorers in January with 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) and posted a +16 rating in 15 games, helping the Capitals go 13-2-0 and finish the month with a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak. Named team captain Jan. 5, Ovechkin tallied eight multiple-point games thereafter, beginning with three points (one goal, two assists), a +4 rating and 10 shots on goal in a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators Jan. 7. He tallied his first career four-assist game and tied a career high with five points in a 6-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 15 and notched three points (two goals, one assist) in a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 21. Ovechkin closed the month by scoring the game-winning goal in the third period of a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 31. The reigning Hart and Richard Trophy winner ranks second in the NHL in goals (35), second in points (76), first in shots (248) and first in plus/minus (+35).

SECOND STAR — HENRIK SEDIN, C, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Sedin tallied 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) and a +14 rating in 13 games, powering the Canucks to a 10-2-1 record, a seven-game winning streak to close the month and first place in the Northwest Division. Sedin recorded points in 11 games, including the game-winning goal and assists on two of Alex Burrows’ three goals in a 7-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 5. He helped Burrows tally his second consecutive hat trick with assists on all three goals in a 4-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes Jan. 7. Sedin notched three points (two goals, one assist), including the game-winning goal, in a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 23 and tallied one goal and one assist as the Canucks overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 on Jan. 30. A Three Star selection for the second consecutive month after earning First Star honors for December, Sedin leads the NHL scoring race with 78 points (25 goals, 53 assists), ranks second in assists and is tied for fourth in plus-minus (+27).

THIRD STAR — TOMAS VOKOUN, G, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Vokoun posted an 8-4-2 record with a 1.49 goals-against average, .956 save percentage and a League-leading four shutouts, helping the Panthers finish the month in second place in the Southeast Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference. He allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of 14 starts, beginning with a 46-save performance in a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 3. His shutouts against the Ottawa Senators (24 saves, Jan. 9), Atlanta Thrashers (27 saves, Jan. 18), Toronto Maple Leafs (39 saves, Jan. 23) and New York Islanders (33 saves, Jan. 31) increased his season total to a career-high seven, tied with New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur for the League lead.