New Jersey Devils centre Scott Gomez and San Jose Sharks goaltender Vesa Toskala were honoured by the NHL on Monday as the league's offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

Gomez scored four goals and collected four assists in New Jersey's three wins last week. He matched a season high with four points (one goal, three assists) in the Devils' 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5.

The recent offensive outburst helped Gomez boost his scoring totals to a career-best 31 goals and 77 points.

Devils forward Scott Gomez collected eight points last week. (Canadian Press)
Devils forward Scott Gomez collected eight points last week. (Canadian Press)

"I think the quality of my shot is probably a little bit better now," Gomez said in a Monday conference call. "Before, everyone got on me that I didn't shoot – but I actually always had the numbers for shots.

"I think now I'm making them count more with the quality and I guess a little luck is involved, too."

Buffalo Sabres right-winger Maxim Afinogenov, Carolina Hurricanes right-winger Justin Williams and Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza were runners-up for the offensive player award.

Toskala posts 16-2-2 record over past 20 appearances

Toskala earned the top defensive player of the week honour after his stellar goaltending helped propel the Sharks to four victories last week.

Toskala, 28, has been on a roll of late, posting a 16-2-2 record over his past 20 appearances. The Finnish netminder also won the NHL's top defensive award two weeks ago.

Goaltenders Sean Burke of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Miikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames were runners-up for this most recent weekly defensive award.

With files from Sports Network and the Canadian Press