Ovechkin, Malkin, MacDonald named top players for November

Updated 3:24 PM EST, Mon, Dec 1, 2008

Print Email Share TWITTER FACEBOOK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and New York Islanders goaltender Joey MacDonald have been selected as the NHL's top players for the month of November.

Ovechkin was chosen as the First Star after leading all scorers with 25 points for the month. He notched 11 goals and 14 assists in 14 games, helping the Capitals post a record of 8-5-2. The reigning NHL MVP had a 10-game point streak during the month and became the second Capital to earn the league's First Star of the month this season, following Alexander Semin for October.

Malkin was close behind Ovechkin in scoring for the month with 23 points to nab the Second Star. He recorded seven goals and 16 assists in 12 games, moving into the league's scoring lead with 39 points and helping the Pens to a record of 9-2-1. The highlight of his month was a third-period natural hat trick that helped Pittsburgh rally from a 3-0 deficit in a 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders on November 26.

MacDonald was victimized by the Penguins in that setback last Wednesday, but still picked up the Third Star. He made 14 consecutive starts from November 3-29 and posted an 8-5-1 record with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.