TORONTO -- If Phil Kessel keeps this up, he wont be able to stay out of the spotlight. The Toronto Maple Leafs winger was named the first star for the opening week of the NHL season after scoring five goals and eight points in three games. Notoriously shy, he answered only a handful of questions after receiving the honour Monday morning and largely deflected the praise to his teammates. Kessel would much rather let his play do the talking. "Im just going out there and playing the game and doing whatever it takes to get wins," he said. Kessel was the main reason Toronto took a 3-0 record into its game against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. He had a hat trick during a 6-5 win over Ottawa on Oct. 8 and added two more goals in a 3-2 victory against Calgary over the weekend. He was selected over New York Islanders forward John Tavares and Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen, who were awarded the leagues second and third star, respectively. Tavares had eight points (4-4) in four games while Lehtonen posted a 4-0-0 record with 1.48 goals-against average and .955 save percentage. "There were some great performances obviously throughout the league, but Phils done it in every game so I think its deserved," said Leafs coach Ron Wilson. Most importantly, Kessel has also contributed defensively and sported a plus-7 rating after three games. "He looks a lot more committed," said linemate Joffrey Lupul. "Hes got all the skills and it looks like he really has the determination this year too. Thats great." Much of the off-season focus in Toronto surrounded the importance of getting a No. 1 centre to play between Kessel and Lupul. Tim Connolly appeared to be that guy after signing a two-year deal as a free agent, but hes yet to play after suffering an undisclosed upper-body injury during training camp. Instead, Tyler Bozak is back in a role he filled a year ago with some mixed results. The unit has been clicking early in 2011-12. "Hes got a good opportunity and made the most of it," Lupul said of Bozak. Wilson has seen a lot more maturity throughout his lineup and Kessel is at the forefront. The 25-year-old tends to be a streaky scorer, which prompted the Leafs coach to start challenging him last year to add other elements to his game. Now that hes showing more defensive commitment, Kessel has been rewarded with ice time in the last minute of close games. The next step could even see him start killing penalties. "It probably came out of the constant discussions that if youre not scoring what can you do to help the team?" said Wilson. "Ive told him Im not going to put you out on the PK unless youre getting a 200-foot game going. "Its not going to be the cart before the horse. ... And that would be getting the job done defensively 5-on-5 and then well think about PK." Of course, Kessels primary responsibility will continue to be scoring goals. He surpassed the 30-goal mark each of the last three seasons and has bigger targets in mind. If he manages to break the 40-goal barrier this year, it will come with even more recognition -- something everyone inside the Leafs dressing room knows hed rather avoid. "What do you get for player of the week? Maybe he just wants to just pass it over our way if its all (our doing)," Lupul said with a laugh. "He doesnt like the spotlight that much. But he definitely deserves it -- hes scored some big goals with some real highlight-reel individual efforts." Coach Factory Outlet . Four days after facing off in a U.S. Open singles quarterfinal, when Errani didnt even crack a smile after clinching victory, they were dancing on court Sunday over their doubles title. Coach Outlet .ca looks back at 10 memorable storylines from the history of the event in 10 days. [url=http://www.official-coach-shop.com/]http://www.official-coach-shop.com/[/ur... . Calvin Johnson was forced to settle for what he could get.LONDON - Liverpool will finish in the Premier Leagues top four next season and qualify for the Champions League under new coach Brendan Rodgers, according to captain Steven Gerrard. Speaking during his teams U.S. tour, Gerrard told Fridays Liverpool Echo that despite finishing eighth last season, the priority is to gain a top four spot during the coming campaign. "I think we will get in the top four. I am confident we will get it," Gerrard said. "If we can play like we did in a lot of games last season, be clinical and take our chances, I think we will be high up in the table." The one certainty is that the midfielder does not want a repeat of last seasons disappointment in the league. "It was frustrating but if you look at the season as a whole, you cant make excuses for finishing eighth. It wasnt good enough," the England captain said. "We are Liverpool, we cant finish eighth." As for his teammates, he added: "The players have got to think how I think and use the hurt of what happened to make up for last year. That is the only way yoou can do it.dddddddddddd" Gerrard joined up with the Liverpool squad in Boston on Monday after enjoying an extended break to recover from the European Championship. The midfielder is clearly enjoying his first training sessions under Rodgers, who is looking to introduce the slick passing style he brought to Swansea in the Premier League last season. "In only my second training session here we were doing team shape and Brendan was telling players what he expects them to do movement wise," Gerrard said. "Every time you speak to him you cant help but be impressed." He avoided any talk of Liverpool winning its 19th league title next season, but clearly had his eye on other trophies after the team won the League Cup and reached the FA Cup final in 2011-12. "I dont think a team has ever gone from eighth to first in one season," Gerrard said. "The idea is to improve and have some fun along the way in the cup competitions like we did last year." Liverpool begins its Premier League campaign at West Bromwich Albion on Aug. 18. ' ' '