This week saw stellar performances from NHL stars, leading to the selection of the Three Stars presented by GEICO. Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning earned the top honor after a remarkable week, stopping 71 of 73 shots, achieving a 0.67 GAA and a .973 save percentage, contributing to his team's eight-game winning streak. Roope Hintz of the Dallas Stars was the second star, dominating with nine points, including a career-high four assists in one game, while Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens rounded out the trio with a total of seven points, helping his team in their quest for a playoff spot.

Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning has been named the NHL's First Star of the Week after an impressive performance, going 3-0-0 with a mere 0.67 goals-against average and a .973 save percentage. He notably secured his 38th career shutout against the Calgary Flames, demonstrating his elite goaltending skills as the Lightning extended their winning streak to eight games.

Dallas' Roope Hintz, the Second Star, led the league with seven assists and nine points over three games, showcasing his playmaking ability and helping the Stars secure two victories. Meanwhile, Montreal's Nick Suzuki rounded out the top three stars, contributing significantly to the Canadiens' playoff push with seven points in three games, including three goals and four assists. Suzuki's efforts have brought the Canadiens closer to a playoff spot, underlining his leadership as captain.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 884th career goal, drawing closer to Wayne Gretzky's record, but the Washington Capitals succumbed to the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1. Scoring against Andrei Vasilevskiy late in the game, Ovechkin remains ten goals shy of the all-time mark. Despite this achievement, the Capitals have now lost three consecutive games for the first time this season, raising concerns as they lead the Eastern Conference.

Tampa Bay players praised Ovechkin's goal-scoring ability, highlighting the difficulty of stopping him when he finds space. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery remains optimistic, believing Ovechkin's chemistry with his teammates will improve as they progress through the season.

In a dominant performance, the Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to eight games, defeating the Washington Capitals 3-1, with Andrei Vasilevskiy turning aside 20 of 21 shots. Mitchell Chaffee and Gage Goncalves both found the net, while Brandon Hagel secured the win with an empty-net goal. Alex Ovechkin scored his 884th career goal for the Capitals, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a lackluster offensive display.

Despite the loss, Washington still holds a lead in the Eastern Conference but has fallen into a three-game skid. Tampa's defensive strategy and Vasilevskiy’s capable goaltending could bode well for their playoff prospects, especially with Nikita Kucherov extending his point streak to 10 games.

In a hard-fought battle against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Alex Ovechkin continues his pursuit of NHL history, scoring his 884th goal. With just ten goals separating him from Wayne Gretzky's all-time record, Ovechkin showcased his trademark scoring ability, finding the back of the net late in the third period. Despite his efforts, the Capitals faced their third consecutive defeat.

Ovechkin's goal came against Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, marking his 12th goal in 22 career games against the star netminder. Lightning players praised Ovechkin's skills, acknowledging that even with Vasilevskiy’s impressive saves, Ovechkin remains one of the toughest scorers in the game. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery expressed optimism about Ovechkin's scoring rate and the team's overall improvement as they navigate a challenging stretch.