Pekka Rinne Named NHL's First Star of the Month

The NHL bestowed the honor of First Star of the Month on Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne on Thursday. Rinne becomes the first player in franchise history to receive the award.
No one had more wins in November than Rinne. Amongst qualified netminders, no one had a better save percentage. Or a better goals-against average.
The 34-year-old Finnish netminder led the Predators resurgence during the 30-day span, boasting a 9-1-2 record, .949 save percentage and a 1.49 goals-against average. Most importantly, the Preds entered November with only two wins and were out of a playoff spot; today, they begin December with 11 victories (10 from Rinne) and tied for third in the Central Division.

"It's a nice feeling, a good feeling" Rinne said recently of his strong play. "You just try to stay in it. [Playing goalie] is such a position of confidence, and it impacts our game so much. Right now I'm trying to enjoy it."
"The way he controls the game and makes big saves, he's so calm back there," Mike Fisher said of his goaltender earlier this month. "He's unbelievable."
Earlier in November, Rinne was named the Third Star of the Week after posting a 3-0-0 record, a .976 save percentage and only allowing two goals in the trio of contests (for a 0.67 goals-against average). In his career, Rinne has also been named the Third Star of the Month four times, a Star of the Week eight times and was Rookie of the Month in February, 2009.