Bobrovsky went 12-0-0 with a 1.75 goals-against average and .939 save percentage to guide the Blue Jackets (26-5-4, 56 points) to a perfect 14-0-0 December and the top of the League standings. In doing so, Columbus equaled the second-longest single-season winning streak in NHL history (15) and became just the second team in League history to win every outing in a calendar month of at least 10 games (PIT: 15-0-0 in March 2013). Bobrovsky allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 12 December appearances and also made 30-plus saves five times, including a season-high 37 stops Dec. 27 vs. BOS. The 28-year-old Novokuznetsk, Russia, native leads the NHL with 24 wins in 2016-17, five more than any other goaltender. He also ranks third in both goals-against average (1.95) and save percentage (.934) in 31 games.

Video: CBJ@WPG: Bobrovsky stones Little's breakaway chance

SECOND STAR - EVGENI MALKIN, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Malkin paced the League with 7-14-21 in 15 contests to power the Penguins (25-8-5, 55 points) to a 12-1-2 December and second place in the overall NHL standings. He collected at least one point in 11 of his 15 outings, highlighted by eight multi-point performances as well as his 800th career point Dec. 27 at NJD, making Malkin the fourth player in franchise history to reach the milestone (311-492-803 in 682 GP). He also shared the League lead with three game-winning goals during the month, posting the decisive markers Dec. 5 vs. OTT, Dec. 10 at TBL and Dec. 31 vs. MTL (OT). The 30-year-old Magnitogorsk, Russia, native tops the NHL with 16-27-43 in 38 appearances this season.

Video: PIT@NJD: Crosby fakes, feeds Malkin for PPG

THIRD STAR - DEVAN DUBNYK, G, MINNESOTA WILD

Dubnyk went 10-1-1 with a 1.88 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the Wild (23-9-4, 50 points) to a 12-1-1 December, including a franchise-record 12-game winning streak. He yielded two or fewer goals in 10 of his 12 appearances, highlighted by an 18-save shutout Dec. 20 vs. COL - his League-leading fifth of the season. The 30-year-old Regina, Sask., native also paces the NHL with a 1.75 goals-against average and .941 save percentage while sharing second place in the League with 19 victories in 29 outings in 2016-17.

Video: NYI@MIN: Dubnyk stones Chimera on a breakaway