Anaheim Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf named one of NHL's December "Three Stars"

The Anaheim Ducks currently are atop the NHL's standings, and one of the main reasons for that success has been the outstanding play of center Ryan Getzlaf.  This week the NHL recognized Getzlaf's efforts by naming him as one of the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of December, along with Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane and Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

FIRST STAR – RYAN GETZLAF, C, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Getzlaf, 29, 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. That included an eight-game point streak from Dec. 12-28 (4-9—13), his eighth career run of at least eight games.

Getzlaf’s 20 December points were the most by a Ducks player in any calendar month since March 2011, when he also posted 20 (2-18—20). His total also set a franchise record for points in December, breaking the previous mark of 19 established by Paul Kariya in 1996 and matched by Teemu Selanne in 2006.  Getzlaf has 12-30—42 in 38 games this season, ranking fourth in the NHL in points and sharing second in assists.

SECOND STAR – PATRICK KANE, RW, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

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. He found the scoresheet in 10 contests, including a six-game point streak from Dec. 11-21 (4-6—10). That stretch included a pair of game-winning goals: against the Boston Bruins Dec. 11 and versus the Minnesota Wild Dec. 16.

Overall, Kane notched four multi-point performances during the month, including three-point games Dec. 16 (1-2—3), Dec. 21 (1-2—3) and Dec. 27 (2-1—3). The 26-year-old Buffalo, N.Y., native has registered 18-23—41 in 38 outings this season, sharing fifth in the NHL in points and sixth in goals. He also is tied for the League lead with five game-winning goals.

THIRD STAR – SERGEI BOBROVSKY, G, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

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. He began the month on a seven-game winning streak, capped by his 10th career shutout and first of the season Dec. 16 against the Detroit Red Wings (30 saves).

Bobrovsky also made a franchise-record and career-high 52 saves – and denied all four shootout attempts he faced – in a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers Dec. 4. The 26-year-old Novokuznetsk, Russia, native has played in 25 games this season, going 14-9-2 with a 2.62 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services