Pekka Rinne named NHL's First Star for November

FIRST STAR - PEKKA RINNE, G, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Rinne shared the League lead with nine wins (9-1-2) and paced the NHL with a 1.49 goals-against average and .949 save percentage in 12 appearances to guide the Predators (11-8-3, 25 points) to a 9-3-2 November. He allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his 12 outings, including his 41st career shutout Nov. 12 vs. ANA (27 SV). Rinne also made 30-plus saves in five of his November appearances, highlighted by 37 in a month-closing win Nov. 29 at COL. The 34-year-old Kempele, Finland, native owns a 10-5-3 record in 18 total contests this season, ranking sixth in the League in save percentage (.934) and eighth in goals-against average (2.03).

SECOND STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov placed second in the NHL in both goals (10) and points (18) in 15 November outings to power the Lightning (13-10-1, 27 points) to an 8-6-1 month. He registered at least one point in 10 his 15 appearances, including five multi-point efforts. Kucherov also matched a career high with 2-2-4, including the decisive goal, Nov. 1 at NYI and added a pair of other winning tallies (Nov. 10 vs. NYI and Nov. 15 at DET). The 23-year-old Maykop, Russia, native ranks third in the League with 11-15-26 in 23 games this season. He also leads the Lightning and ranks in the top 10 in the NHL in both goals (t-7th) and assists (t-5th).

THIRD STAR - CONNOR McDAVID, C, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid paced the League with 6-13-19 in 15 games as the Oilers (12-10-2, 26 points) posted a 5-8-2 November. He picked up at least one point in 11 of his 15 outings, highlighted by his first career hat trick Nov. 19 at DAL. McDavid registered four other multi-point performances, including two additional three-point games (Nov. 8 at PIT: 0-3-3 and Nov. 23 at COL: 1-2-3). The 19-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., native leads the NHL with 20 assists and 31 points in 24 contests this season. His career average of 1.14 points per game (27-52-79 in 69 GP) ranks third among active players, behind only Sidney Crosby (1.33) and Evgeni Malkin (1.17).