The Hockey News player of the week for the period of March 17-23 is Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin.

On March 18, in a game against the Nashville Predators, the 22-year-old, dynamic Russian passed the 100-point mark for the second time in his three-year career.

In a contest against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 21, Ovechkin became the first player to score 60 goals in a season since Mario Lemieux netted 69 in 1995-96.

His seven points in the past three games gave him 106 (60G, 46A) for the season, equaling his highest points total – recorded in his 2005-06 rookie campaign - and keeping him in the league lead, four ahead of Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin.

Ovechkin leads the league in power play goals (21) and game-winning goals (10). He is one of the leading candidates for the Hart Trophy.