Hockey Night’s 3 Stars

CBCSports.ca senior reporter Tim Wharnsby names the top performers in the NHL from Thursday night.

FIRST STAR: Alex Ovechkin(notes), Washington

The Great Eight collected two more goals in the Capitals 4-3 victory against Atlanta. He already has 13 goals in 12 games to lead the league and is on pace for an 88-goal season, a total that would surpass the career-high 65 goals he scored in 2007-08.

SECOND STAR: Ilya Bryzgalov(notes), Phoenix

He made 32 saves for his league-leading third shutout this season in a 2-0 Coyotes victory against St. Louis. This was his 200th career NHL game and his 12th career shutout. The Russian has seven victories in 10 starts this season and is a big reason why the bankrupt Coyotes have won six of their past eight games and are 8-4-0 for their best start since going 9-1-2 in 2000-01.

THIRD STAR: Steven Stamkos(notes), Tampa Bay

The sophomore sensation scored two power-play goals in the Lightning’s 5-2 win against Ottawa. The 19-year-old centre has scored six goals in his past four games and already has nine goals in 10 games this season after checking in with 23 in his 79-match rookie season.