Backstrom, Ovechkin Named NHL Stars of the Week

Per NHL.com:

NEW YORK -- Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin and Nashville Predators goaltender Dan Ellis have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Sunday, Nov. 16.

FIRST STAR -- NICKLAS BACKSTROM, C, WASHINGTON CAPITALS Backstrom highlights

Backstrom led all NHL scorers with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) and posted a +10 rating in four games as the Capitals (10-4-3, 23 points) posted a 3-0-1 record and took first place in the Southeast Division. Backstrom began the week with one assist and a +2 rating in a 4-2 victory over Tampa Bay Nov. 10, recorded a goal, three assists and a +4 rating in a 5-1 victory at Carolina Nov. 12 and had one assist and +1 rating in a 3-1 win over New Jersey Nov.14. In the return leg of the home-and-home series against the Devils, Backstrom set a career high with five points (one goal, four assists) and registered a +3 rating in a 6-5 shootout loss at New Jersey Nov. 15. The runner-up for the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie last season, Backstrom has 12 points in his past five games -- triple his point total from the first 12 games of the season (0-4--4).

SECOND STAR -- ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS Ovechkin highlights

Ovechkin ended a nine-game goal drought, the longest of his NHL career, by tallying in each of Washington's four games last week; he ranked second to Backstrom among NHL scorers with 10 points (five goals, five assists) and posted a League-best +11 rating. Ovechkin recorded a goal, an assist and a +2 rating in a 4-2 victory over Tampa Bay Nov. 10, notched a goal, two assists and a +4 rating in a 5-1 victory at Carolina Nov. 12 and was 1-1--2 and +2 in a 3-1 win over New Jersey Nov. 14. The reigning NHL MVP and scoring champion concluded the week with his fourth consecutive multiple-point game by recording two goals, an assist and a +3 rating -- including the game-tying tally at 19:59 of the third period -- in a 6-5 shootout loss at New Jersey Nov. 15.

THIRD STAR -- DAN ELLIS, G, NASHVILLE PREDATORS Ellis highlights

Ellis posted a 3-0-0 record, 2.28 goals-against average and .944 save percentage as the Predators (9-7-1, 19 points) concluded their season-long, six-game road trip with three consecutive victories. Ellis set a franchise record by making 54 saves in a 4-3 overtime victory at San Jose Nov. 11, made 32 stops in a 4-3 overtime win at Anaheim Nov. 14 and finished the week by making 33 saves in a 3-1 win at Los Angeles Nov. 15. Ellis improved his season record to 7-7-1 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .898 save percentage.