Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf, Chicago’s Patrick Kane, and the Blue Jackets’ Sergei Bobrovsky have been selected as the NHL’s three stars for the month of December.
The highlights:
Getzlaf led all players with 20 points and 15 assists to power the Ducks (24-9-6, 54 points) to a 10-3-1 December and the top spot in the NHL standings. He registered points in 12 of 14 contests, highlighted by seven multi-point performances.
Kane tied for second in the NHL with 17 points (8-9—17) in 13 games, leading the Blackhawks (25-11-2, 52 points) to a 10-2-1 December record and second place in the League standings.
Bobrovsky went 9-1-1 in 11 appearances, compiling a 2.14 goals-against average, .937 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the Blue Jackets (16-16-3, 35 points) to a 10-1-1 December – tied for the most wins in any calendar month in franchise history.
Bobrovsky’s performance is of particular note given how much he struggled in October and November. He also missed some playing time due to a fractured finger and while Columbus has dealt with a lot of injuries this season, an argument could be made that Bobrovsky’s hurt the most. This team is built around its starting goaltender and now that he’s back to playing at an elite level, the Blue Jackets are finally winning.