Iginla, Thornton, Gaborik November's 3 Stars

Jarome Iginla had an October he'd like to forget. Then he had a November he'll remember for a long time.

The Calgary Flames' captain had 13 goals and 20 points in 14 games last month, earning him the NHL First Star of the Month for November. He led all players in scoring during the month as the Flames went 10-2-2 and took the lead in the Northwest Division.

The honor comes after he had just 4 goals and 9 points in 12 October games. But after a meeting with coach Brent Sutter, Iginla turned things around. His November included 3 game-winning goals, three multi-goal games and a hat trick (the ninth of his NHL career). He also was a plus-4 and had just 10 penalty minutes.

Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks was named Second Star of the Month for continuing his great play in the first month of the season through the second. In 14 November games, he had a League-high 16 assists and 20 points. Thornton went into Tuesday's games leading the League with 30 assists and tied with the Rangers' Marian Gaborik for the top spot with 37 points.

Thornton picked up the 600th assist of his NHL career during a 4-assist game against Philadelphia on Nov. 20. He ended the month with an eight-game point streak.

Gaborik, the Rangers' star right wing, was named Third Star of the Month. Gaborik has put all the injury questions that surrounded him in Minnesota to rest, as he's played in 25 of the Rangers' 27 games, including all 13 in November. Gaborik had 11 goals and 19 points during the month, had three 2-goal games and at least a point in 11 of 13 games during the month. With 2 goals Monday against Pittsburgh, he now has a League-leading 21. He's the first player this season to score 20 goals.

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]

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