Rask stopped 277 of the 290 shots he faced, going 9-0-1 with a 1.22 goals-against average, .955 save percentage and two shutouts to guide the Bruins (21-10-6, 48 points) to a 10-2-2 December and second place in the Atlantic Division. He yielded two or fewer goals in 10 of his 11 appearances, with the lone exception a 3-2 overtime loss Dec. 16 vs. NYR. Rask opened and closed the month with shutout performances, making 28 saves Dec. 2 at PHI and 25 stops Dec. 30 at OTT. In doing so, he became the second goaltender in Bruins history to earn 40 shutouts, behind Tiny Thompson's 74. The 30-year-old Savonlinna, Finland, native owns a 13-8-3 record through 25 games this season, ranking fourth in the NHL in goals-against average (2.13) and ninth in save percentage (.923).

SECOND STAR - JOSH BAILEY, RW, NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Bailey led the League with 7-15-22 to help the Islanders (20-15-4, 44 points) collect points in seven of their 15 December contests (5-8-2). He registered at least one point in 13 of his 15 appearances, including a career-high 11 straight to close the month (7-12-19). Bailey also recorded seven multi-point performances, highlighted by his first career hat trick Dec. 14 at CBJ. The 28-year-old Bowmanville, Ont., native shares first place in the NHL with 38 assists and ranks second overall with 50 points through 39 outings in 2017-18 (12-38-50). The 10-year veteran already is approaching his career high in points, established in 82 games last season (13-43-56).

THIRD STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov posted an NHL-best 1.54 points per game, totaling 8-12-20 in 13 outings to power the League-leading Lightning (28-8-2, 58 points) to an 11-2-0 month. He found the scoresheet in all but one of his 13 December appearances, closing the month on a 10-game run (6-10-16). The 24-year-old Maykop, Russia, native paces the NHL with 25 goals and 56 points in 2017-18, collecting at least one point in 32 of his 38 contests. He reached the 50-point milestone in his 34th outing of the season (Dec. 21 vs. OTT), requiring the second-fewest games in franchise history (behind Vincent Lecavalier: 33 GP in 2007-08).