Ovechkin milestone earns NHL honor

NEW YORK, March 24 (UPI) -- Washington left wing Alex Ovechkin was selected the top of three NHL stars of the week, the league said Monday.

The NHL honored Ovechkin, second star Toronto goaltender Vesa Toskala and third star Philadelphia center Daniel Briere for their play in games March 17-23.

Ovechkin led the NHL with seven points on the week. He had a pair of goals Friday against Atlanta, allowing him to become the first player to reach the 60-goal mark since Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in 1995-96. Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (60) and points (106).

Toskala was 3-0 last week, giving up 2 goals a game. The wins -- all on the road -- kept the Maple Leafs' playoff hopes alive. Toskala is 32-22-6 this season.

Briere had three goals and three assists in a 3-0 week for the Flyers. He capped his week with a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win Sunday over the New York Islanders.