New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the month of December.
Kane earned "First Star" honors for the second consecutive month after posting a league-leading 16 assists, league-tying 23 points and plus-14 rating, helping the Blackhawks earn points in 11 of 14 games (8-3-3). He recorded at least one point in 13-of-14 outings, stretching his career-long point streak to 14 games before being held off the scoresheet in the final contest of 2013.
Crosby tied Kane for the league lead in points with 23, tallying nine goals and 14 assists to power the Penguins to 11 victories in 14 games. He also registered at least one point in 13-of-14 outings, and posted seven multi-point performances, including a trio of three-point efforts.
Hiller posted a 9-0-1 record with a 1.96 goals-against average and .929 save percentage to help the Ducks go 11-1-1. He allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 10 appearances, highlighted by a season-high, 49-save performance Dec. 3 versus the Los Angeles Kings. Hiller closed the month with nine consecutive victories, a personal high, and is undefeated in regulation in 11 straight.
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