Player of the Week - May 18

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin went head-to-head in a terrific seven-game series in the second round. (Getty Images)

The Hockey News’ player of the week for the period of May 11-17, 2009 is Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby.

Sid the Kid and the Penguins took on an bounced the Washington Capitals in seven nail-biting games. Crosby got the better of fellow star Alex Ovechkin and has turned his play up a level as the games have become more important.

In the past week, the Pens have played two games in which Crosby had five points. In Game 6 against the Caps, Crosb notched a goal and an assist and followed up that effort with a two-goal, three-point performance on the road in Game 7. Crosby was a combined plus-2 in the final two games of their second round series.

The 21-year-old prodigy from Cole Harbour, N.S. is currently tied with Ovechkin for the playoff scoring lead with 21 points and his 12 goals has him in the hunt for the all-time record for goals in a playoff (19) set by Reggie Leach and tied by Jarri Kurri.

Crosby and the Pens open their Round 3 series against the Carolina Hurricanes Monday night at home.